Methods and apparatus for analyzing ultrasound images
AssigneeRamot At Tel Avia University Ltd.
InventorsGil Zwirn, Solange Akselrod
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Abstract
A method of analyzing an ultrasound image of a target volume having therein at least two types of substances is disclosed. The method comprises: dividing a region-of-interest of the image to a set of mini-segments. The method further comprises, for each mini-segment, calculating at least two representative intensity values, respectively representing the at least two types of substances. The method further comprises applying attenuation corrections to each representative intensity value of at least a subset of the set of mini-segments, so as to map the region-of-interest according to the at least two types of substances.
Claims34
A method of analyzing an ultrasound image of a target volume having therein at least two types of substances, the ultrasound image being represented by a plurality of intensity values over a grid of picture-elements, the method comprising:
- dividing a region-of-interest of the image to a set of mini-segments;
- for each mini-segment, calculating at least two representative intensity values, respectively representing the at least two types of substances;
- and
- applying attenuation corrections to each representative intensity value of at least a subset of said set of mini-segments so as to map said region-of-interest according to said at least two types of substances.
Apparatus for analyzing an ultrasound image of a target volume having therein at least two types of substances, the ultrasound image being represented by a plurality of intensity values over a grid of picture-elements, the apparatus comprising:
- a dividing unit, for dividing a region-of-interest of the image to a set of mini-segments;
- a representation unit, for calculating, for each mini-segment, at least two representative intensity values, respectively representing the at least two types of substances;
- and
- a mapping unit, for mapping said region-of-interest according to said at least two types of substances, said mapping unit being associated with attenuation correction functionality to apply attenuation correction to each representative intensity value of at least a subset of said set of mini-segments.
A method of defining a region-of-interest in an ultrasound image being represented by a plurality of intensity values over a grid of picture-elements, the method comprising:
- transforming the grid into a polar representation defined by a radial direction represented by a plurality of range-gates and a circumferential direction represented by a plurality of angle-gates;
- and
- for each angle-gate, integrating intensity values along said radial direction so as to provide a set of radial-integrated intensity values, and applying a thresholding procedure to said set of radial-integrated intensity values, so as to define a radial interval corresponding to said angle-gate;
- thereby defining the region-of-interest in the ultrasound image.
Apparatus for defining a region-of-interest in an ultrasound image being represented by a plurality of intensity values over a grid of picture-elements, the apparatus comprising:
- a transformation unit, for transforming the grid into a polar representation defined by a radial direction represented by a plurality of range-gates and a circumferential direction represented by a plurality of angle-gates;
- and
- an integration unit, for integrating intensity values along said radial direction so as to provide a set of radial-integrated intensity values for each angle-gate, said integration unit being associated with a thresholding unit to applying a thresholding procedure to said set of radial-integrated intensity values, so as to define a radial interval corresponding to said angle-gate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.