Computer-assisted method and apparatus for the detection of lung nodules
US5987094A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2223/612
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A computer-assisted diagnostic (CAD) method and apparatus are described for the enhancement, detection, and classification of suspicious regions in digital x-ray images, with particular emphasis on lung nodule detection using chest x-ray images. An objective is to improve the sensitivity and specificity of detection of suspicious areas such as nodules, while maintaining a low false positive detection rate. A modular CAD technique has been developed to be potentially automatic and to be used as a second-opinion method for lung nodule detection. The method consists of using a plurality of CAD modules to preprocess and enhance image features, including image preprocessing, selective enhancement, segmentation, and feature extraction using a multiresolution/multiorientation wavelet transform and a computationally efficient filter, a 1.5 D circular pattern filter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.