IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,853,741
Granted Patent B1
US 6,853,741 · App. 09/721,644 · Granted Feb 8, 2005

Automatic region of interest locator for AP spinal images and for hip images in bone densitometry

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,853,741
App. No.
09/721,644
Granted
Feb 8, 2005
Kind
B1
Abstract

In DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), a system for automatically or nearly so identifying a region of interest in an AP (anterior/posterior) spinal image by processing the pixel values within a global region to find the lateral extent of the vertebra and the spaces between vertebra, and further processing the pixel values within the region of interest to derive estimates of bone parameters. In addition, also in DEXA, a system for automatically locating regions of interest in the hip.

Claims (11)

1. A method of identifying a region of interest in an anterior/posterior spinal image represented by pixel values related to transmission of penetrating radiation through the spine comprising the steps of:

providing pixel values representing an anterior/posterior image of a spine obtained from measurements of penetrating radiation that has passed through the spine;

defining a global region in said image;

selecting the pixel values related to said global region;

processing the selected pixel values to estimate therefrom the extent of the spine in the global region in a direction transverse to the length of the spine, and to estimate the positions of separator lines related to spaces between adjacent vertebra in the global region;

identifying a region of interest in said global region related to said extent of the spine and the positions of said separator lines; and

identifying the pixel values conforming to the identified region of interest and deriving therefrom estimates of bone properties.

2. A method for automatically identifying an area occupied by individual vertebra in an anterior/posterior spinal image represented by pixel values related to transmission of penetrating radiation through the spine comprising the steps of:

processing, with a computer, pixel values representing an anterior/posterior image of a spine, to estimate therefrom the extent of the spine in a direction transverse to the length of the spine, and to estimate the positions of separator lines related to spaces between adjacent vertebra in the global region;

identifying a region of interest related to said extent of the spine and the positions of said separator lines; and

using the pixel values conforming to the identified region of interest to derive estimates of bone properties.

Assignments (5)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NO. 8081301 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 028810 FRAME: 0745. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Nov 9, 2017
From: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
Reel/Frame 044432/0565 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NO. 8081301 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 035820 FRAME: 0239. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE. Recorded Nov 9, 2017
From: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 044727/0529 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 7, 2015
From: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; DIRECT RADIOGRAPHY CORP.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED; GEN-PROBE PRODESSE, INC.; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 036307/0199 →
SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE REEL/FRAME 028810/0745 Recorded Jun 4, 2015
From: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 035820/0239 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 1, 2012
From: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
Reel/Frame 028810/0745 →