Methods for detection and characterization of atypical vessels in cervical imagery
US8090177B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 1, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jan 3, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/30101
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention discloses a method for the detection of atypical vessels in digital cervical imagery. A pre-processing stage is applied to enhance the contrast of blood vessel features compared to the surrounding tissue. Next, a segmentation stage is applied to identify regions of interest for atypical vessels using texture and gradient information. Finally, a post-processing stage (1) identifies other clinically relevant features in the cervical imager, and removes these features from the region of interest; and (2) uses color, size, and shape information to further refine the region of interest to eliminate false positives and determine a final region of interest. This automated method of atypical vessel detection is especially useful for diagnostic purposes such as cervical cancer detection.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.