US 8,014,575 B2 · Automated neuroaxis (brain and spine) imaging with iterative scan prescriptions, analysis, reconstructions, labeling, surface localization and guided intervention

Abstract

Automated spine localizing, numbering and autoprescription system enhances correct location of diseased or injured tissue, even allow multi-spectral diagnosis. Externally located this tissue is facilitated by an integrated self adhesive spatial reference and skin marking system that is designed for a variety of modalities to include MRI, CT, SPECT, PET, planar nuclear imaging, radiography, XRT, thermography, optical imaging and 3D space tracking. The device ranges from a point localizer to a more multifunctional and complex grid/phantom system. The specially designed spatial reference(s) is affixed to an adhesive strip with corresponding markings so that after applying the unit to the skin/surface and imaging, the reference can be removed leaving the skin appropriately marked. The localizer itself can also directly adhere to the skin after being detached from the underlying strip. A spine autoprescription process performs image analysis that is able to identify vertebrae and discs even in the presence of abnormalities.

Claims30

Dependent claims

An apparatus comprising:

(a) a memory configured to receive a medical diagnostic image representing a neuro-axis of a patient;
(b) a program stored in the memory and operatively configured to detect and label a plurality of spinal structures in said medical diagnostic image using an iterative process;
(c) a processor in communication with the memory to perform the program;
wherein the program is further operatively configured to automatically generate a prescription using said labeling of the plurality of spinal structures.

1 more element

An apparatus comprising:

(a) a memory configured to receive a plurality of medical diagnostic images of a patient's neuro-axis;
(b) a program stored in the memory and operatively configured to:
(i) generate a composite midline sagittal image volume of the neuro-axis by combining two or more medical diagnostic images from the plurality of medical diagnostic images, wherein the generated composite midline sagittal image volume includes at least a portion of all interspaces and vertebrae between the patient's axis (C-2 vertebra) and sacrum;
and,
(ii) identify a plurality of spinal structures in the composite midline sagittal image volume by iteratively searching for a predefined search number of spinal structures between the patient's axis (C-2 vertebra) and sacrum, wherein the spinal structures are taken from the set of spinal structures consisting of:
(1) intervertebral discs;
and
(2) vertebrae;
and wherein, if the spinal structures are vertebrae, the predefined search number is 22, otherwise, if the spinal structures are intervertebral discs, the predefined search number is 23;
and
(iii) determine if a set of predefined criteria are met and, if so, allowing the predefined search number to vary by one;
(c) a processor in communication with the memory to perform the program.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

10/598,764Filed 11 Sep 2006 · continuation in part

Priority

11 Mar 2004

Published

US 2007/0223799 A127 Sep 2007

Granted

6 Sep 2011

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification29 codes

G06T 7/0012
Inspection of images, e.g. flaw detection: biomedical image inspection
A61B 5/0036
Features or image-related aspects of imaging apparatus, e.g. for MRI, optical tomography or impedance tomography apparatus; Arrangements of…:…
A61B 5/0042
Adapted for image acquisition of a particular organ or body part: for the brain
A61B 5/0263
Measuring blood flow: using NMR

Family

Application60/552,332Us provisional application · filed 11 Mar 2004

PCT/US2005/008311Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 11 Mar 2005

US 2007/0223799 A1Pre-grant publication · published 27 Sep 2007

US 2011/0123078 A9Pre-grant publication · published 26 May 2011

US 8,014,575 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Automated neuroaxis (brain and spine) imaging with iterative scan prescriptions, analysis, reconstructions, labeling, surface localization and guided intervention

Life of this patent

Automated neuroaxis (brain and spine) imaging with iterative scan prescriptions, analysis, reconstructions, labeling, surface localization and guided intervention

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30