Patent · US Active

Automatic detection and quantification of plaque in the coronary arteries of subjects from CT scans

US8605979B2 · kind B2 · utility

58Cited by
47References
22Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateMay 27, 2011
Grant dateDec 10, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 16, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S128/922
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method automatically detects and quantifies arterial plaque (hard plaque, soft plaque or both) in the coronary arteries of the heart from CT images. The method uses plaque definitions based on subject specific in vivo blood/muscle and fat density measurements, subject specific voxel statistical parameters and 2-D and 3-D voxel connectivity criteria to automatically identify the plaques. The locations of the major arteries are determined in a 3-D coordinate system; and the specific coordinates of the detected plaques are displayed in a plaque map for follow-up exams or ease in plaque review, editing and reporting the results.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.