Methods and systems for enhanced plaque visualization
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsPatricia Le Nezet, Sandeep Dutta, Saad Ahmed Sirohey, Gopal B. Avinash, John V. Skinner, DeAnn Marie Haas
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for coding a visual representation of one or more plaque regions in a vessel are provided. The method includes segmenting the visual representation of the vessel to identify structures associated with the vessel, classifying at least one region in the vessel as a plaque region, displaying the at least one plaque region using a visual highlight selectively associated with the classification for the at least one plaque region, and shading the visual highlight based on a probability that the classification is correct.
Claims20
A method of coding a visual representation of one or more plaque regions in a vessel, said method comprising:
- segmenting, via a computer, the visual representation of the vessel to identify structures associated with the vessel;
- classifying at least one region in the vessel as a plaque region and associating a probability to the classified region;
- displaying on a display device associated with the computer, the at least one plaque region using a visual highlight associated with the classification for the at least one plaque region, together with another region in the vessel classified as a plaque region using another visual highlight associated with a classification different from the classification of the at least one plaque region, and wherein said visual highlight comprising at least one of a pattern and a color;
- and
- shading the visual highlight of the at least one plaque region displayed on the display device based on the probability associated with the at least one plaque region.
An imaging system comprising a processor configured to receive image data relating to a reconstructed volume of image data relating to a vessel and then:
- construct a tubular shaped region of interest (ROI) along a centerline of the vessel;
- analyze the ROI with respect to tissue classes present therein;
- classify at least one region in the vessel as a plaque region and associating a probability to the classified region;
- display the at least one plaque region using a color associated with the class of the at least one plaque region together with another region in the vessel classified as a plaque region using another color associated with a classification different from the classification of the at least one plaque region, further displaying the color of the class associated with the at least one plaque region in a shade of the color based on the probability associated with the at least one plaque region.
A method of color-coding an image of one or more plaque regions in a vessel, said method comprising:
- segmenting, via a computer, the visual representation of the vessel to identify structures associated with the vessel;
- classifying at least one region in the vessel as a plaque region and associating a probability to the classified region;
- determining a risk factor associated with the at least one plaque region;
- displaying on a display device associated with the computer, the at least one plaque region using a color highlight selectively associated with the determined risk factor for the at least one plaque region together with another region in the vessel classified as a plaque region using another color highlight associated with a classification different from the classification of the at least one plaque region;
- and
- shading the color highlight of the at least one plaque region displayed on the display device based on the associated probability.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.