Ultrasonic detection of brachytherapy seeds based on singular spectrum analysis
US8292812B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2007 |
| Grant date | Oct 23, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S7/52036
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides a method for detecting and locating brachytherapy seeds using Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA). The method exploits the presence of seed-specific repetitive echo signals in detecting seeds and determining their location. Radio frequency (rf) echo signals received from a scanned area of interest are converted to zero-mean envelope-detected signals and then processed using SSA to produce a spectral-power line (a P line). The P line indicates the relative likelihood of a seed being present. A colored P-mode image derived from a set of P lines is superimposed on a conventional ultrasound B-mode image to depict seed location.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.