# US 2017/0281110 A1 · Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer programs for processing tomographic images > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0281110 A1 - Document ID: US20170281110A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/510,596 - Filed: 2015-09-16 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2014-09-16 - Assignees: Sirona Dental, Inc. - Applicants: Sirona Dental, Inc. - Inventors: Stan Mandelkern; Joseph Lasker; Fred Duewer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170281110A1 ## CPC - A61B 6/5217: {extracting a diagnostic or physiological parameter from medical diagnostic data} - A61B 6/025: {Tomosynthesis} - A61B 6/027: {characterised by the use of a particular data acquisition trajectory, e.g. helical or spiral} - A61B 6/04: Positioning of patients; Tiltable beds or the like - A61B 6/463: {characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display} - A61B 6/466: {adapted to display 3D data} - A61B 6/467: {characterised by special input means} - A61B 6/469: {for selecting a region of interest [ROI]} - A61B 6/51: for dentistry - A61B 6/512: {Intraoral means} - A61B 6/5205: {involving processing of raw data to produce diagnostic data} - A61B 6/5211: {involving processing of medical diagnostic data} - A61B 6/5223: {generating planar views from image data, e.g. extracting a coronal view from a 3D image} - A61B 6/5235: {combining images from the same or different ionising radiation imaging techniques, e.g. PET and CT} - A61B 6/5258: {involving detection or reduction of artifacts or noise} - A61B 6/5264: {due to motion} - A61B 6/58: Testing, adjusting or calibrating thereof - A61B 6/582: {Calibration} - G06T 5/73: Deblurring; Sharpening - G06T 5/94: based on local image properties, e.g. for local contrast enhancement - G06T 7/0002: {Inspection of images, e.g. flaw detection} - G06T 7/0014: {using an image reference approach} - G06T 7/12: Edge-based segmentation - G06T 7/136: involving thresholding - G06T 7/143: involving probabilistic approaches, e.g. Markov random field [MRF] modelling - G06T 7/149: involving deformable models, e.g. active contour models - G06T 7/181: involving edge growing; involving edge linking - G06T 7/248: {involving reference images or patches} - G06T 7/254: involving subtraction of images - G06T 7/60: Analysis of geometric attributes - G06T 12/10: Image preprocessing, e.g. calibration, positioning of sources or scatter correction - G06T 12/30: Image post-processing, e.g. metal artefact correction - G06T 19/00: Manipulating three-dimensional [3D] models or images for computer graphics - G16H 50/20: for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems - G16H 50/30: for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment - A61B 6/4085: {Cone-beams} - A61B 6/5276: {involving measuring table sag} - A61B 6/584: {determining position of components of the apparatus or device using images of the phantom} - A61B 6/586: {Detection of faults or malfunction of the device} - G06T 2207/10081: Computed x-ray tomography [CT] - G06T 2207/10116: X-ray image - G06T 2207/20116: Active contour; Active surface; Snakes - G06T 2207/30168: Image quality inspection - G06T 2219/008: Cut plane or projection plane definition - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL - G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA ## Abstract A method, apparatus, system, and computer program for generating clinical information. Information indicating at least one clinical aspect of an object is received. Clinical information of interest relating to the at least one clinical aspect is generated from a plurality of projection images. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of identifying a tomographic image of a plurality of tomographic images, the method comprising: receiving information specifying a region of interest in at least one of a plurality of projection images or in at least one of a plurality of tomographic images reconstructed from the plurality of projection images; and identifying a tomographic image of the plurality of tomographic images, wherein the identified tomographic image is in greater focus in an area corresponding to the region of interest than others of the plurality of tomographic images. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising: creating a focus profile from a plurality of focus factors respectively corresponding to the plurality of tomographic images, wherein the identifying includes searching the focus profile for a local maximum among the plurality of focus factors, and wherein the identified tomographic image corresponds to the local maximum among the plurality of focus factors. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein each focus factor is calculated based on pixel variances in an area corresponding to the region of interest. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising: displaying the identified tomographic image on a display unit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising: displaying on a display unit at least a portion of the identified tomographic image overlaid on an orthogonal projection image of the plurality of projection images. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method according to claim 4, further comprising: displaying a pictorial representation of a position of the identified tomographic image, the pictorial representation being selectable to cause the identified tomographic image to be displayed. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising: calculating a location of the identified tomographic image within the plurality of tomographic images. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the region of interest is specified in an orthogonal projection image of the plurality of projection images. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising: acquiring the plurality of projection images; and reconstructing the plurality of tomographic images from the plurality of projection images. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising: processing the plurality of tomographic images by performing at least one of an image blurring, an image sharpening, a brightness optimization, and a contrast optimization to enhance an image quality of the plurality of tomographic images. ### Claim 11 An apparatus for identifying a tomographic image from a plurality of tomographic images, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing at least one control program, wherein the processor and the memory are operable to: receive information specifying a region of interest in at least one of a plurality of projection images or in at least one of a plurality of tomographic images reconstructed from plurality of projection images; and identify a tomographic image of the plurality of tomographic images, wherein the tomographic image is in greater focus in an area corresponding to the region of interest than others of the plurality of tomographic images. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the processor and memory are further operable to: create a focus profile from a plurality of focus factors respectively corresponding to the plurality of tomographic images, and search the focus profile for a local maximum among the plurality of focus factors, wherein the tomographic image corresponds to the local maximum among the plurality of focus factors. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the processor and memory are further operable to provide the tomographic image to a display unit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the processor and memory are further operable to provide to a display unit at least a portion of the tomographic image overlaid on an orthogonal projection image of the plurality of projection images. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: a display unit, wherein the processor and memory are further operable to control the display unit to display a pictorial representation of a position of the tomographic image, the pictorial representation being selectable to cause the display unit to display the tomographic image. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the processor and memory are further operable to calculate a location of the tomographic image within the plurality of tomographic images. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the region of interest is specified in an orthogonal projection image of the plurality of projection images. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of projection images are x-ray images, and the plurality of tomographic images are tomosynthesis images. ### Claim 19 A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program which, when executed by a computer system, causes the computer system to perform a method comprising: receiving information specifying a region of interest in at least one of a plurality of projection images or in at least one of a plurality of tomographic images reconstructed from the plurality of projection images; and identifying a tomographic image of the plurality of tomographic images, wherein the identified tomographic image is in greater focus in an area corresponding to the region of interest than others of the plurality of tomographic images. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises: creating a focus profile from a plurality of focus factors respectively corresponding to the plurality of tomographic images, wherein the identifying includes searching the focus profile for a local maximum among the plurality of focus factors, and wherein the identified tomographic image corresponds to the local maximum among the plurality of focus factors. ### Claim 21 A method for generating clinical information, comprising steps of: receiving information indicating at least one clinical aspect of an object; and generating, from a plurality of projection images, clinical information of interest relating to the at least one clinical aspect, wherein at least one of the steps is performed by a processor in conjunction with a memory. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the clinical information of interest includes depth information about the object. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the plurality of projection images are obtained by tomosynthesis x-ray imaging, and the plurality of projection images are reconstructed into a plurality of tomographic images. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, further comprising: receiving information indicating at least one location of interest, wherein the clinical information of interest relates to the at least one location of interest. ### Claim 25 An apparatus for generating clinical information, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing at least one control program, wherein the processor and the memory are operable to: receive information indicating at least one clinical aspect of an object; and generate, from a plurality of projection images, clinical information of interest relating to the at least one clinical aspect. ### Claim 26 A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program which, when executed by a computer system, causes the computer system to perform a method comprising: receiving information indicating at least one clinical aspect of an object; and generating, from a plurality of projection images, clinical information of interest relating to the at least one clinical aspect.