Computer-aided classification of anomalies in anatomical structures

US7260250B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services · US

Inventors

• Ronald M. Summers · Potomac, US
• Marek Franaszek · Gaithersburg, US
• Gheorghe Iordanescu · Rockville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 26, 2003
• Grant date: Aug 21, 2007
• Expiry date: Feb 14, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G16H40/63
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

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.