Method for segmentation and volume calculation of white matter, gray matter, and cerebral spinal fluid using magnetic resonance images of the human brain
US6895107B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 10, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 17, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 24, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/30016
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fully-automated method for segmentation of white matter, gray matter, and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and for calculating their respective volumes is disclosed. The technique preferably uses a T2-weighted scan and a proton-density scan. The T2-weighted scans are used to highlight those portion of the brain corresponding to CSF. Thereafter, the proton density images are separated in CSF-containing and CSF-free portions, in accordance with the T2-weighted images. The CSF-free portion is then segmented into white matter and gray matter portions. The CSF-containing portion is further segmented into pure CSF-regions, and regions containing a mixture of gray and white matter and CSF. After CSF is segmented from this mixture, the white and gray matter and again segmented, and the respective volumes of white matter, gray matter, and CSF are calculated. A technique for determining a threshold gray scale value for segmenting the white and gray matter to assist in the visual identification of such regions is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.