Brightness and contrast invariant detection of vertebra pedicles

A method for detecting pedicle positions in an image of a spine, comprising the steps of:

• training a set of feature prototypes for a plurality of pedicle positions and orientations by:
• selecting images of pedicles in different positions and orientations;
• determining intensity curvatures of the images;
• transforming the intensity curvatures to determine features for the pedicles for each orientation and position;
• and
• performing an eigenvalue decomposition to provide a set of feature prototypes;
• providing an input image to be analyzed for pedicle positions and orientations;
• and
• detecting pedicle locations and orientations by:
• determining intensity curvatures for the input image of the pedicle in the input image;
• transforming the intensity curvatures to determine a feature vector for the pedicle in the input image;
• and
• correlating the feature vector to the feature prototypes to determine most likely positions and orientations of the pedicle.

A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for detecting pedicle positions in an image, the method steps comprising:

• providing a set of feature prototypes for a plurality of pedicle positions and orientations;
• providing an input image to be analyzed for pedicle positions and orientations;
• determining intensity curvatures for a pedicle in the input image;
• transforming the intensity curvatures to determine a feature vector for the pedicle in the input image;
• and
• correlating the feature vector to the feature prototypes to determine most likely positions and orientations of the pedicle.