Non-invasive determination of pennation angle and/or fascicle length
US11813111B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 7, 2023 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 7, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/4483
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Provided is a non-invasive system and method of determining pennation angle and/or fascicle length based on image processing. An ultrasound scan image is processed to facilitate distinguishing of muscle fiber and tendon. The processed ultrasound scan image is then analyzed. The pennation angle and/or fascicle length is determined based on the analysis. An example method includes receiving an ultrasound scan image of at least a portion of a skin layer as disposed above one or more additional tissue layers, the image provided by a plurality of pixels. The method continues by introducing noise into the pixels of the image and thresholding the pixels of the image to provide a binary image having a plurality of structural elements of different sizes. The method continues with morphing the structural elements of the binary image to remove small structural elements and connect large structural elements. With this resulting image, the method distinguishes muscle fiber and tendon from remaining elements and determines the pennation angle and/or the fascicle length from the muscle fiber and the tendon. Associated apparatuses and computer program products are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.