This invention is a system, method, and article of manufacture for imaging tubular structures of the human body, such as the digestive tract of a living person, with a medical imaging device such as a computed tomography (CT) scanner (26) and a computer work station. The CT scanner is used to generate cross-sectional axial images of a human colon which are then transferred to the computer work station.

System for two dimensional and three dimensional imaging of tubular structures in the human body

A region growing method segments three-dimensional image data of an anatomical structure using a tortuous path length limit to constrain voxel growth. The path length limit constrains the number of successive generations of voxel growth from a seed point to prevent leakage of voxels outside the boundary of the anatomical structure. Once segmented, a process for detecting surface anomalies performs a curvature analysis on a computer model of the surface of the structure. This process detects surface anomalies automatically by traversing the vertices in the surface model, computing partial derivatives of the surface at the vertices, and computing curvature characteristics from the partial derivatives. To identify possible anomalies, the process compares the curvature characteristics with predetermined curvature characteristics of anomalies and classifies the vertices. The process further refines potential anomalies by segmenting neighboring vertices that are classified as being part of an anomaly using curvature characteristics. Finally, the process colorizes the anomalies and computes a camera position and direction for each one to assist the user in viewing 2D renderings of the computer model.

Method for segmenting medical images and detecting surface anomalies in anatomical structures

A method of reducing artifacts in an image previously processed by block transform encoding may comprise the steps of: determining block boundaries; determining an approximate metric of artifact visibility; optionally interpolating across block boundaries; adaptively filtering luminance; optionally adaptively filtering chrominance; adaptively adjusting local saturation variation; and adaptively simulating high spatial frequency image detail; wherein the adaptive steps are executed to an extent or in an amount depending on the metric or standard or measurement of artifact visibility.

Removal of block encoding artifacts

The present disclosure provides an irradiation treatment apparatus having a generally vertical patient support surface; a patient securing mechanism arranged to secure a patient in a fixed relation to the patient support surface; a rotation platform secured at one end of the patient support surface and arranged to rotate the patient support surface about a generally vertical axis and optionally translate the patient support surface at least partially about a plane generally orthogonal to the generally vertical axis; an imager exhibiting a first mode in which the imager occludes radiation from a fixed beam irradiation source and a second mode in which the imager enables irradiation from the fixed beam irradiation source; and a vertical translation mechanism in communication with the patient support surface and arranged to translate the patient support surface along the generally vertical axis from a loading position to an irradiation position.

Irradiation treatment apparatus and method

Candidate anomalies in an anatomical structure are processed for classification. For example, false positives can be reduced by techniques related to the anomaly's neck, wall thickness associated with the anomaly, template matching performed for the anomaly, or some combination thereof. The various techniques can be combined for use in a classifier, which can determine whether the anomaly is of interest. For example, a computed tomography scan of a colon can be analyzed to determine whether a candidate anomaly is a polyp. The technologies can be applied to a variety of other scenarios involving other anatomical structures.

Computer-aided classification of anomalies in anatomical structures

A computed tomography apparatus is described which enables an optimum examination of the small intestine region, having a patient support which permits a scan to be conducted of a patient with the patient in a substantially upright, but slightly tilted, position, and a control unit for maintain the gantry containing the x-ray source and detector at the same angle relative to said patient support for all positions of the patient support during a scan. A three-dimensional image reconstruction ensues such that, given a contrast agent fill of hollow organs, the hollow organ is computationally sliced, a contrast agent trunk is computationally removed and the inside of the hollow organ is thus displayed. The hollow organ can be displayed sliced in side-by-side images but can also be displayed in the form of an involution of its inside view.

Computed tomography apparatus

A computer tomography system has an X-ray source and a radiation receiver having an array of individual detectors each forming an electrical signal corresponding to the received radiation intensity, the X-ray source being rotated about a subject for transradiating a layer of the subject from different directions, and a measured value processing circuit to which the output signals of the individual detectors are supplied and which identifies therefrom attenuation values of predetermined points in the transradiated plane of the subject for generating a display image. The measure value processing circuit has a convolution computer, and further has an adaptive digital filter and a filter control unit to which the signals from the array are supplied before being operating on by the convolution computer. The filter control unit controls the transfer function of the filter as a function of the filter input signal so as to substantially reduce image artifacts due to quantum and electronics noise.

Computer tomography system and method for operating same

The support (8) can be tilted, and in each position has the same alignment to the gantry (1). The support (8) facilitates a transport of the patient in any inclination through the centre of the gantry (1). The gantry and the support (8) are so moved simultaneously, that the patient in any inclination is moved through the centre of the gantry (1). The inclination of the gantry and the support is so coordinated with a control unit (13), that the gantry and the support respectively stand to each other vertically or at a fixed angled.

Guenter Dehner

Papers

Computed tomography apparatus

Computer tomography system and method for operating same

Computer tomograph for examination of hollow organs of patients

Verfahren zum betrieb eines computertomographen