System and method of mapping images of the spine
The present invention provides systems and methods for enhancing the delivery and display of medical images for preoperative planning and diagnosis. Various characteristics of the data associated with the image or images being viewed may be manipulated and stored. The system and method provide automated annotation of the images to assist accuracy and speed of review.
1 . A method for labeling images of vertebrae of the spine, comprising:
displaying a digitized image of at least a portion of the spine;
providing a first prompt to a user with a first annotation representing a first vertebral body;
positioning the prompt adjacent a first vertebral body;
fixing the first annotation adjacent the first vertebral body;
determining a second annotation associated with a second vertebral body adjacent to the first vertebral body;
displaying a second prompt with the second annotation;
positioning the second prompt adjacent a second vertebral body; and
fixing the second annotation adjacent the second vertebral body.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the providing step includes providing an S 1 label.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the providing step includes providing an L 5 label.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the providing step includes providing a C 1 label.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining step includes indexing to the next adjacent superior vertebra.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining step includes indexing to the next adjacent inferior vertebra.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further including aligning the first prompt in a first location approximating a first corner of a image of a vertebra and fixing the first location, aligning the prompt with a second location approximating a second corner, diagonally opposite the first corner, of the image of the vertebra and fixing the second location; and mapping the area between the first location and second location, wherein said fixing the first annotation occurs within the mapped area.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the method further includes displaying the annotated image and the annotation is displayed within the mapped area.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the aligning the first prompt is repeated for each successive vertebrae of the image, each displayed vertebrae being mapped.
10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said aligning includes rotating the prompt to correspond to the angular orientation of the endplate of the vertebra.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further including aligning the prompt with a sidewall of the vertebra.
12 . A system for annotation of an image of vertebrae of the spine, comprising:
a graphic user interface for displaying a image and receiving user inputs;
a means for receiving user inputs of a first image label;
a processor for determining a subsequent image label based on the first radiographic image label; and
a memory unit to store the image with at least the first radiographic image label and the subsequent image label.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the processor generates an image label for the adjacent superior vertebra.
14 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the processor generates an image label for the adjacent inferior vertebra.
15 . A method for labeling images of vertebrae of the spine, comprising:
displaying an image of at least a portion of the spine including vertebrae;
prompting a user to label at least one of the displayed vertebrae;
receiving an initial vertebra label; and
determining a subsequent vertebra label based on the initial vertebra label.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein said prompting includes suggesting the initial vertebra label to the user.
17 . The method of claim 15 , further including determining a second subsequent vertebra label based on the subsequent vertebra label.
18 . The method of claim 15 , further including fixing the initial vertebra label in relation to at least one of the displayed vertebrae and fixing the subsequent vertebra label to an alternate one of the displayed vertebrae.