IP Library Granted Patent US 8,731,252
Granted Patent B2
US 8,731,252 · App. 12/405,698 · Granted May 20, 2014

Image processing apparatus and image processing method

Inventors: Kazumasa Arakita (Nasushiobara, JP); Naoko Toyoshima (Yokohama, JP); Yasuko Fujisawa (Otawara, JP)
Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba; Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,731,252
App. No.
12/405,698
Granted
May 20, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A storage unit stores data of a first image associated with a contrast-enhanced cardiac region. A specification unit specifies a specific region included in the cardiac region on the basis of a distribution of pixel values of the data of the first image. A setting unit contracts the specified specific region, and set an ROI to the contracted specific region. A calculation unit calculates an index concerning the set ROI. The index is associated with a function of the specific region.

Claims (27)

1. An image processing apparatus, comprising:

a first memory configured to store data of a first image including a contrast enhanced cardiac region;

a first specification unit configured to specify a specific region included in the cardiac region on the basis of a distribution of pixel values of the data of the first image;

a setting unit configured to contract the specified specific region, and set an ROI to the contracted specific region; and

a calculation unit configured to calculate an index concerning the set ROI, the index being associated with a function of the specific region,

wherein the first specification unit is configured to specify an outer contour and an inner contour of a myocardial region included in the cardiac region, and to specify, as the specific region, a region between the specified outer contour and the specified inner contour.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the setting unit is configured to contract a thickness between the outer contour and the inner contour to generate the specific region, and set the ROI to the specific region.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the first memory is configured to store data of a second image associated with the cardiac region and a scan time different from a scan time of the data of the first image, and

the setting unit is configured to move or deform the ROI in accordance with a position or shape of a myocardial region included in the second image, and set an ROI of a second image to the moved or deformed ROI.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a second memory configured to store data of time series images including the cardiac region, and

a second specification unit configured to specify the data of the first image associated with a first time from the data of the time series images on the basis of a time-density curve based on the data of the time series images.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the calculation unit is configured to create a map of the calculated index values by plotting the index values on polar coordinates for each of a plurality of slices associated with the myocardial region, each point of the polar coordinates being defined by angles around a long axis of the myocardial region and distances from an apex of the myocardial region.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising a display configured to display the created map.

7. An image processing apparatus, comprising:

a memory configured to store data of a first image including a contrast enhanced cardiac region;

a specification unit configured to specify a myocardial region included in the cardiac region on the basis of a distribution of pixel values of the data of the first image;

a setting unit configured to set an ROI to a region generated by contracting a thickness between an inner contour and an outer contour of the specified myocardial region;

a calculation unit configured to calculate an index concerning the set ROI, the index being associated with a function of the myocardial region;

a creation unit configured to create a map of the calculated index values by plotting the index values on polar coordinates for each of a plurality of slices associated with the myocardial region, each point of the polar coordinates being defined by angles around a long axis of the myocardial region and distances from an apex of the myocardial region; and

a display configured to display the created map.

8. An image processing apparatus, comprising:

a memory configured to store time series volume data including a contrast enhanced cardiac region;

a first specification unit configured to specify volume data associated with a specific time from the time series volume data on the basis of a time-density curve based on the time series volume data;

a second specification unit configured to specify a specific region included in the cardiac region on the basis of a distribution of pixel values of the cardiac region included in the specified volume data; and

a calculation unit configured to calculate an index associated with a function of the specific region for the specified specific region.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2016
From: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
To: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 038595/0569 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 16, 2016
From: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
To: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 037993/0776 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 19, 2009
From: ARAKITA, KAZUMASA; TOYOSHIMA, NAOKO; FUJISAWA, YASUKO
To: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA; TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 022422/0597 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2008-071800 · Mar 19, 2008 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20090238424A1 · Sep 24, 2009