WO2000038115A2 - Deriving dimensions of a detail of an object - Google Patents
Deriving dimensions of a detail of an object Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2000038115A2 WO2000038115A2 PCT/EP1999/009813 EP9909813W WO0038115A2 WO 2000038115 A2 WO2000038115 A2 WO 2000038115A2 EP 9909813 W EP9909813 W EP 9909813W WO 0038115 A2 WO0038115 A2 WO 0038115A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- detail
- data values
- preferential direction
- dimension
- data
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06T—IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
- G06T7/00—Image analysis
- G06T7/60—Analysis of geometric attributes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06T—IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
- G06T2207/00—Indexing scheme for image analysis or image enhancement
- G06T2207/10—Image acquisition modality
- G06T2207/10116—X-ray image
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S128/00—Surgery
- Y10S128/916—Ultrasound 3-D imaging
Definitions
- the invention relates to a method of deriving a dimension of a detail of an object from a data set of data values assigned to a multidimensional space and relating to the object.
- the invention also relates to a data processor for deriving a dimension of a detail of an object from a data set of data values assigned to a multidimensional space and relating to the object.
- the data set assigns data values to positions in the multidimensional space.
- the data set notably comprises density values which represent the spatial density distribution of the object.
- the known method enables the dimensions of a detail, particularly of a blood vessel, to be derived from the data set, notably density values of a patient to be examined. Determination of stenosis of a blood vessel, necessitates accurate determination of the width of the relevant blood vessel.
- the known method includes the acquisition of a density profile and a maximum density value of the detail is derived from the density profile. Subsequently, according to the known method there are determined edge points where the density values in the density profile amount to half the maximum density value. The width of the blood vessel is subsequently calculated from the distance between edge points. Even though the known method for the calculation of the width of the blood vessel takes into account the fact that blurring may be involved in the measured data set, it has been found that inaccuracies occur in the measurement of the width of the blood vessel nevertheless.
- a preferential direction is chosen in the multidimensional space, the spatial resolution of the data set of data values in the preferential direction being higher than the spatial resolution of the data values in at least one direction other than the preferential direction, the dimension of the detail being derived from data values in the preferential direction.
- the data set of data values essentially has the highest spatial resolution in the preferential direction.
- the resolution represents the smallest dimension of details in the object which can still be faithfully reproduced by the data set.
- the least blurring has occurred in the preferential direction during the measurement of the data set. It has been found that notably inaccuracies are avoided which, if no further steps were taken, would occur when the spatial resolution of the data set differs in different directions in the object.
- the preferential direction is situated in the scanning plane.
- X-ray computed tomography In X-ray computed tomography an X-ray source and an X-ray detector are rotated together about the patient in the scanning plane. During the rotation of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector, the patient on the one side and the X-ray source with the X-ray detector on the other side can be displaced relative to one another, notably in the longitudinal direction of the patient, so that the X-ray source and the X-ray detector travel along a helical path relative to the patient. In that case the scanning plane is shifted relative to the patient during the rotation; the scanning plane is notably shifted along the longitudinal axis of the patient.
- the patient is irradiated by means of X-rays and density profiles of the patient to be examined are acquired by measuring the X-ray absorption in different directions in the body of the patient to be examined. Density values in different positions in the body of the patient are reconstructed from the values of the X-ray absorption measured in different directions.
- the dimension is particularly accurately derived from the data set. The effects of blurring during the determination of the dimension of the detail can thus be avoided to a significant extent.
- the method according to the invention is particularly suitable for the determination of the dimensions of details whose dimensions hardly differ in various directions.
- the method according to the invention is particularly suitable for determining the dimensions of the cross-section of arteries of a patient to be examined, because arteries practically always have a substantially round cross-section
- the invention notably offers the advantage that an accurate result is obtained for the dimension of the detail of the object, such as the width of the artery, when the resolution of the data set is high in one direction, being the preferential direction, and is low relative to the dimension of the detail in another direction.
- the data values are preferably acquired in one or more scanning planes. It has been found that the spatial resolution of the data values in such a scanning plane is substantially higher than that in directions outside the scanning plane. This means that the preferential direction is situated in the scanning plane or extends parallel to the scanning plane.
- the invention is particularly suitable for determining the dimensions of a cross-section of an elongate detail of the object An artery m the body of the patient to be examined constitutes an example of such an elongate detail
- the transverse plane of such an elongate detail is determined substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. According to the invention the dimension of a detail can be accurately determined by de ⁇ ving the dimension from data values in the preferential direction.
- the preferential direction is usually situated in the scanning plane in which the data values are acquired. This is the case notably when the data values are acquired by means of an X-ray computed tomography method.
- the transverse plane is situated parallel to the scanning plane, the dimension of the detail can be simply de ⁇ ved from data values in an arbitrary direction in the transverse plane, because the data values are blurred only slightly in essentially all directions m the transverse plane
- the invention offers the advantage of accurate results concerning the dimension of the detail also in the case of data sets acquired by means of a magnetic resonance imaging system or a 3D ultrasound method
- the dimension of the detail is preferably de ⁇ ved from data values relating to a perpendicular cross-section of the detail, thus avoiding, the involvement of an oblique projection, relative to the longitudinal axis of the detail, in the determination of the cross-section of the detail.
- the (local) longitudinal axis of the detail is de ⁇ ved from the data values in the data set; it is to be noted, however, that the longitudinal axis of the detail can also be denved from anatomical information.
- the transverse plane is situated substantially perpendicularly to the local longitudinal axis of the detail
- the data values which are blurred the least and relate to the cross-section of the detail lie along the line of intersection of the transverse plane and the scanning plane.
- the width of the detail can thus be accurately determined by deriving the dimension from the data values along the line of intersection.
- the occurrence of inaccuracies in the determination of the dimension which are due to oblique cross-sections or blurring of the data values is thus avoided as well as possible.
- the dimensions of the detail such as the width of the artery, are accurately determined, for example by determining the locations where strong gradients occur in the data values in the preferential direction. Such gradients represent the edges of the artery; it is notably when the artery is filled with an X-ray-absorbing contrast medium during the acquisition of the data values by means of X-ray computed tomography that the density values in the artery are substantially higher than the data values of the surrounding tissue.
- Another approach for accurately determining the width of the artery is to determine the locations where the data values amount to a predetermined fraction, for example half, of the maximum density value in the detail, for example the artery. It has been found that the positions in which the density value amounts to half the maximum density value offer an accurate indication of the edges of the artery.
- the method according to the invention yields an accurate dimension of the detail, for example the width of the artery.
- This result is a technical aid that can be used by a physician in making a diagnosis in respect of arterial stenosis in the patient to be examined.
- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a computed tomography device according to the invention.
- Fig. 2 shows graphically more or less blurred density distributions of a uniform detail having a density which significantly deviates from the density in its vicinity.
- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a computed tomography device according to the invention.
- An X-ray source 1 supplies, in conjunction with a slit-shaped diaphragm 10, a diverging flat (fan-shaped) X-ray beam in order to irradiate the object 2, for example a patient to be examined.
- an X-ray detector 3 Opposite the X-ray source 1 there is arranged an X-ray detector 3.
- the X-ray detector in the present embodiment is a position-sensitive X-ray detector which includes a row of individual detector cells 11.
- the detector cells 11 are, for example, gas-filled (xenon) detectors or solid-state detectors.
- the thickness of the fan-shaped X-ray beam generally amounts to between 1 mm and 10 mm, measured halfway between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector.
- the intensity of the radiation having traversed the patient and being incident on the X-ray detector is determined mainly by the absorption within the patient 2 who is arranged on a table 12 between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector.
- the computed tomography device may also include a detection system which is not rotatable but extends across (substantially) the entire circumference around the patient.
- a detection system can be arranged all around the patient, in which case the X-ray source is rotated completely around the patient.
- the X-ray source may also be formed by an annular anode which is arranged around the patient; the point of incidence of an electron beam, used to generate X- rays from the anode material, then moves around the patient together with the annular anode.
- annular anode which is arranged around the patient; the point of incidence of an electron beam, used to generate X- rays from the anode material, then moves around the patient together with the annular anode.
- the intensity of the X-rays received by the individual detector cells in every position or orientation of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector is digitized and applied to the reconstruction unit 4. After correction for known error sources and disturbances, in the reconstruction unit 4 this measuring data is converted into density profiles of the patient to be examined.
- the reconstruction unit reconstructs density distributions in the body of the patient from such density profiles which are associated with successive directions in which the patient has been irradiated. For example, high and low density values in the density distribution correspond to parts of the patient in which the X-rays are strongly absorbed and weakly absorbed, respectively. Furthermore, the reconstruction unit can derive an image of a cross- section in a plane through the patient from the density distribution. Such an image may represent, for example a cross-section of the patient to be examined. An image of this kind can be displayed on a monitor 14 which is coupled to the reconstruction unit. The image may alternatively be stored in the form of a digital image matrix or be applied to an image processing unit 15 for further processing.
- the computed tomography device also includes an arithmetic unit 5 which is coupled to the reconstruction unit 4.
- the reconstruction unit 4 applies the density distribution to the arithmetic unit 5.
- the arithmetic unit 5 derives accurate values of dimensions of details of the patient, such as the diameter of arteries, from the density distribution.
- Fig. 2 shows graphically more or less blurred density distributions of a uniform detail which has a density which deviates strongly from the density in the vicinity of the detail.
- the dashed curve represents the actual density of the detail in the directions pe ⁇ endicular to (r ) and parallel to (r ) to the preferential direction.
- the invention will be described, by way of example, on the basis of a detail which has a uniform density which deviates significantly from the density of the vicinity of the detail. Furthermore, the detail has the same dimensions in the directions pe ⁇ endicular and parallel to the preferential direction.
- the solid lines represent the density which is derived from the density values reconstructed from X-ray abso ⁇ tion values acquired by means of a computed tomography device. The solid lines thus represent the variation of the measured densities in the respective directions.
- the lines denoted by Dx and D respectively represent the variation of the measured densities pe ⁇ endicular to (Dx) and parallel to (D ⁇ ), the preferential direction. Because of the limited spatial resolution with which the X-ray abso ⁇ tion is measured and because the density values are reconstructed therefrom, deviations occur between the measured density and the actual density of the detail. Such deviations become manifest as a lower maximum measured density value in comparison with the actual maximum density of the detail and also manifest as the fact that measured density values in positions outside the relevant detail still have significant values. Such phenomena are usually referred to as “sagging” and “blurring” of the measured density values. It appears that "sagging" occurs if the spatial resolution in one direction is low in comparison with the size of the detail in this direction.
- the arithmetic unit 5 is constructed, for example as a suitably programmed computer or a (micro)processor provided with a specially designed electronic circuit for carrying out the method according to the invention.
- the arithmetic unit is arranged notably to derive the line of intersection of the transverse plane and the scanning plane.
- the arithmetic unit is also arranged to derive the transverse plane as being a plane pe ⁇ endicular to the longitudinal axis of the detail, for example an artery.
- the information concerning the longitudinal axis can be derived from the density values by the arithmetic unit, but such information can also be separately applied to the arithmetic unit.
- the arithmetic unit includes an input port 16 for this pu ⁇ ose.
- Information concerning the preferential direction for example the orientation of the scanning plane, is also applied to the arithmetic unit 5 via the input port 16.
- the preferential direction can also be derived from the data set itself.
- the preferential direction is the direction in the multidimensional space in which the gradients of the data values are comparatively large.
- the arithmetic unit is also arranged to calculate the dimensions of the detail from density values along the line of intersection, for example by applying a full-width-half-maximum method to such density values along the line of intersection.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2000590106A JP2002533146A (en) | 1998-12-21 | 1999-12-09 | How to get detail dimensions of an object |
EP99966949A EP1055198B1 (en) | 1998-12-21 | 1999-12-09 | Deriving dimensions of a detail of an object |
DE69932037T DE69932037T2 (en) | 1998-12-21 | 1999-12-09 | SIZE OF AN OBJECT DETAIL |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP98204353.1 | 1998-12-21 | ||
EP98204353 | 1998-12-21 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2000038115A2 true WO2000038115A2 (en) | 2000-06-29 |
WO2000038115A3 WO2000038115A3 (en) | 2000-08-03 |
Family
ID=8234504
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP1999/009813 WO2000038115A2 (en) | 1998-12-21 | 1999-12-09 | Deriving dimensions of a detail of an object |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6430432B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1055198B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2002533146A (en) |
DE (1) | DE69932037T2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000038115A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE10206190A1 (en) * | 2002-02-14 | 2003-09-04 | Siemens Ag | Method and device for generating a volume data set |
JP4648355B2 (en) * | 2007-04-20 | 2011-03-09 | Geヘルスケア・ジャパン株式会社 | Tube current adjusting method and apparatus, and X-ray CT apparatus |
US20100004526A1 (en) * | 2008-06-04 | 2010-01-07 | Eigen, Inc. | Abnormality finding in projection images |
CN104203075B (en) * | 2012-11-07 | 2017-03-01 | 奥林巴斯株式会社 | Medical image processing device |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1997013457A1 (en) * | 1995-10-06 | 1997-04-17 | Philips Electronics N.V. | Determining a dimension from a density distribution |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5928151A (en) * | 1997-08-22 | 1999-07-27 | Acuson Corporation | Ultrasonic system and method for harmonic imaging in three dimensions |
-
1999
- 1999-12-09 DE DE69932037T patent/DE69932037T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-12-09 EP EP99966949A patent/EP1055198B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-12-09 JP JP2000590106A patent/JP2002533146A/en active Pending
- 1999-12-09 WO PCT/EP1999/009813 patent/WO2000038115A2/en active IP Right Grant
- 1999-12-21 US US09/469,457 patent/US6430432B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1997013457A1 (en) * | 1995-10-06 | 1997-04-17 | Philips Electronics N.V. | Determining a dimension from a density distribution |
Non-Patent Citations (3)
Title |
---|
HIGGINS W E ET AL: "SHAPE-BASED INTERPOLATION OF TREE-LIKE STRUCTURES IN THREE- DIMENSIONAL IMAGES" IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MEDICAL IMAGING,US,IEEE INC. NEW YORK, vol. 12, no. 3, 1 September 1993 (1993-09-01), pages 439-450, XP000412321 ISSN: 0278-0062 * |
LOUP F ET AL: "DIGITAL MEASUREMENT OF BLOOD VESSELS DIAMETERS ON CHEST RADIOGRAPHS" PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY,US,NEW YORK, IEEE, vol. CONF. 14, 1992, pages 1940-1941, XP000514496 ISBN: 0-7803-0786-0 * |
TAKAHIRO OIE ET AL: "ADAPTIVE LAPLACIAN-GAUSSIAN FILTER METHOD FOR EDGE DETECTION AND DIAMETER ESTIMATION OF CORONARY ARTERIES ON CINEANGIOGRAMS: APPLICATIONS TO PHANTOM PROFILES" SYSTEMS & COMPUTERS IN JAPAN,US,SCRIPTA TECHNICA JOURNALS. NEW YORK, vol. 23, no. 12, 1 January 1992 (1992-01-01), pages 55-65, XP000380345 ISSN: 0882-1666 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2000038115A3 (en) | 2000-08-03 |
DE69932037T2 (en) | 2007-06-28 |
US6430432B1 (en) | 2002-08-06 |
DE69932037D1 (en) | 2006-08-03 |
EP1055198A2 (en) | 2000-11-29 |
EP1055198B1 (en) | 2006-06-21 |
JP2002533146A (en) | 2002-10-08 |
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