Computer apparatus for analyzing medical images for diffusion-weighted abnormalities or infarct and generating prescriptions
Image processing and analysis technique includes using a computer apparatus to identify a region of pathology in a patient's magnetic resonance images and then automatically generating a prescription based on the identification of the pathology. Examples include an apparatus that identifies a region of acute infarction and prescribes additional scanning, a magnetic resonance angiographic sequence, and/or a perfusion sequence.
1. A computer apparatus to analyze a patient's diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images for pathology and generate a prescription comprising:
(a) a non-transitory memory configured to receive one or more diffusion weighted magnetic resonance images of a patient;
(b) a program stored in the non-transitory memory and operatively configured to analyze said images for a region including a pathology; and
(c) a computer processor in communication with the non-transitory memory and configured to perform the program by executing computer executable instructions, wherein the program is operatively configured to automatically generate a prescription based at least in part on the analysis.
2. The computer apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the analysis includes a search for regions of acute infarction.
3. The computer apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the prescription directs further imaging.
4. The computer apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the prescription directs therapy.
5. The computer apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the pathology identified is an acute infarction and the prescription includes a magnetic resonance angiographic sequence.
6. The computer apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the pathology identified is an acute infarction and the prescription includes a perfusion sequence.
7. The computer apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the computer apparatus receives input from a technologist to prescribe the diffusion-weighted images received in memory.
8. The computer apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the computer apparatus auto-prescribes the diffusion-weighted images received in memory.
9. The computer apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the diffusion-weighted images include the brain.
10. The computer apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the diffusion-weighted images are in the axial plane.
11. The computer apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the prescription directs further imaging.
12. A computer apparatus to analyze a patient's images for the presence of infarction and generate a prescription comprising:
(a) a non-transitory memory configured to receive one or more images of a patient
(b) a program stored in the non-transitory memory and operatively configured to analyze said images for a region including an infarction; and
(c) a computer processor in communication with the non-transitory memory and configured to perform the program by executing computer executable instructions, wherein the program is operatively configured to automatically generate a prescription based at least in part on the analysis.
13. The computer apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said images include diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance sequencing.
14. The computer apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the prescription includes scanning for diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images.
15. The computer apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the infarction is acute and the prescription includes a magnetic resonance angiographic sequence.
16. The computer apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the infarction is acute and the prescription includes a perfusion sequence.
17. The computer apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the images include the brain.
18. The computer apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the prescription directs further imaging.
19. The computer apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the prescription directs therapy.
20. The computer apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the therapy is emergent neuro-intervention.