System and method for measuring extracellular volume of extraocular muscle based on energy spectrum CT (Computed Tomography)

Abstract

The invention discloses an extraocular muscle extracellular volume measurement system and method based on energy spectrum CT, and relates to the technical field of medical image processing, and the technical key points are as follows: obtaining energy spectrum CT medical image data including an iodine density image of extraocular muscles and a blood pool; acquiring hematocrit data; obtaining a region of interest for calculating an iodine density value on the iodine density image of the energy spectrum CT; the extracellular volume (ECV) is calculated through a formula according to the blood T1 value and the hematocrit parameter; and constructing an extraocular muscle three-dimensional model and visualizing ECV distribution. The method has the effects of breaking through the invasive limitation of traditional biopsy, accurately quantifying the extracellular volume of the extraocular muscle, and providing an important basis for diagnosing ocular muscle fibrosis, inflammatory pseudotumor, thyroid-related eye diseases and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical image processing, and in particular to a system and method for measuring the extracellular volume of extraocular muscles based on spectral CT. Background Art

[0002] Abnormal changes in the extracellular volume of the extraocular muscles are important biomarkers for a variety of ocular diseases. Traditional ECV measurement relies on invasive biopsy or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the former of which carries procedural risks and is difficult to replicate, and the latter of which is expensive and has limited spatial resolution. Dual-energy CT (DECT) uses dual-energy imaging to distinguish tissue components and improve measurement accuracy.

[0003] Based on the above problems, a measurement method with high material decomposition accuracy and automatic calculation is now needed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide a system and method for measuring the extracellular volume of extraocular muscles based on spectral CT.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0006] The present invention provides an extraocular muscle extracellular volume measurement system based on spectral CT, comprising: a data collection module: performing spectral CT scanning on the patient's extraocular muscles to obtain extraocular muscle image data;

[0007] Image preprocessing module: normalizes and removes noise from extraocular muscle image data;

[0008] Data processing module: marking the region of interest of the pre-processed extraocular muscle image data, recording the iodine concentration, obtaining the hematocrit and calculating the ECV value;

[0009] Data export module: associates the iodine density value and ECV data of the two-dimensional region of interest with the three-dimensional spatial coordinates in the DICOM file, and exports the associated data to medical image processing software;

[0010] 3D modeling module: 3D Slicer medical image processing software is used to reconstruct the 3D model of the exported data.

[0011] The present invention is further configured as follows: the specific steps of the image preprocessing module are: adding pseudo color and adjusting the appropriate window width and window position to clearly display the extraocular muscle iodine density image of each axial layer, and manually outlining the extraocular muscle region of interest; based on the initial region of interest boundary, manually adjusting the slices layer by layer to accurately track the signal intensity difference interface between the extraocular muscle and the surrounding fat tissue; finally forming each extraocular muscle region of interest that meets the iodine density value calculation requirements; similarly, obtaining the blood region of interest of the C6-7 segment of the internal carotid artery.

[0012] The present invention is further configured as follows: 2 mL of peripheral blood is collected from the patient's elbow vein and stored in a blood collection tube containing an anticoagulant to prevent blood coagulation from affecting the accuracy of the test; the collected blood sample is centrifuged in a centrifuge at a speed of 3000 rpm / min for 10 minutes; and the hematocrit is read using a fully automatic blood analyzer.

[0013] The present invention is further configured as follows: the export data module establishes a mapping relationship between the spatial coordinate system and the pixel index in the DICOM tag, adopts an octree data structure to store the association matrix between the three-dimensional spatial coordinates and the iodine density and ECV value, and supports seamless connection with the 3D Slicer medical imaging platform.

[0014] The present invention is further configured to use 3D Slicer medical imaging software to generate a pseudo-color three-dimensional model based on the ECV value gradient, while providing axial, coronal and sagittal multi-planar reformatted views.

[0015] The present invention also provides a method for measuring the extracellular volume of extraocular muscles based on spectral CT, comprising the following steps: Step S1: performing spectral CT scanning 5 minutes after injecting an iodine contrast agent to obtain an iodine density map of the extraocular muscles;

[0016] Step S2: Draw ROIs of the eight extraocular muscles and the C5-7 segments of the same internal carotid artery and record the corresponding iodine concentrations;

[0017] Step S3: obtaining the hematocrit value;

[0018] Step S4: Substituting all iodine concentration values ​​and the patient's hematocrit into the formula to calculate the extracellular volume of the extraocular muscle;

[0019] Step S5: Based on the obtained extraocular muscle iodine density image, 3D Slicer medical image processing software is used to reconstruct a three-dimensional model of the associated data to establish a three-dimensional model of the extraocular muscle.

[0020] The present invention is further configured as follows: the calculation formula for the extracellular volume of the extraocular muscle is:

[0021]

[0022] Among them [I]EOM is the iodine concentration in the extraocular muscles, [I] blood Is the iodine concentration in the blood.

[0023] The present invention is further configured as follows: using the auditory canthus line, making a plane axial cut parallel to the horizontal line, cutting from the upper edge of the lower orbital wall to the lower edge of the upper orbital wall with uniform intervals and layer thickness, obtaining a continuous extraocular muscle iodine density image, and exporting the image in a fixed format as the medical imaging data.

[0024] Compared with the existing technology, this solution has the following beneficial effects:

[0025] Based on spectral CT imaging and iodine density decomposition technology, it achieves non-invasive, accurate, and highly reproducible measurement of the extracellular volume of the extraocular muscles. Using iodine density values ​​and hematocrit parameters, the ECV is accurately calculated using a standardized formula, providing a stable and reliable biomarker assessment tool. This breaks through the invasive limitations of traditional biopsies and enables non-invasive ECV quantification through the iodine distribution characteristics of spectral CT. The construction of a pseudo-color three-dimensional model of the extraocular muscles, combined with multi-planar reconstruction technology, helps doctors fully understand the location and extent of the lesion area, especially in the diagnosis of ocular muscle fibrosis, inflammatory pseudotumors, and thyroid-related eye diseases. The system can be seamlessly integrated with mainstream medical imaging platforms such as 3D Slicer, facilitating subsequent algorithm expansion and integration with AI-assisted diagnostic models. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is an enhanced spectral CT scan of the extraocular muscles in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 is a pseudo-color image of the iodine density map of the extraocular muscles in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 The embodiment of the present invention is to measure the T1 value of the extraocular muscles and the C6-7 segment of the internal carotid artery in plain scan and enhanced scan;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a 3D slicer 3D image in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein green represents the lateral rectus muscle, blue represents the superior rectus muscle, brown represents the inferior rectus muscle, and brown represents the medial rectus muscle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features of the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments.

[0032] Example:

[0033] A system for measuring extraocular muscle extracellular volume based on spectral CT, comprising:

[0034] Data collection module: performs spectral CT scanning on the patient's extraocular muscles to obtain extraocular muscle image data;

[0035] Image preprocessing module: normalizes and removes noise from extraocular muscle image data;

[0036] Data processing module: Mark the ROI of the pre-processed extraocular muscle image data, record the iodine concentration, add pseudo color and adjust the appropriate window width and window position to clearly display the extraocular muscle iodine density image of each axial layer, and manually outline the extraocular muscle ROI; based on the initial ROI boundary, manually adjust the slices layer by layer to accurately track the signal intensity difference interface between the extraocular muscle and the surrounding fat tissue; finally, form each extraocular muscle ROI that meets the iodine density value calculation requirements; similarly, obtain the blood ROI of the C6-7 segment of the internal carotid artery; obtain the hematocrit: collect 2 mL of peripheral blood from the patient's cubital vein and store it in a blood collection tube containing an anticoagulant to prevent blood coagulation from affecting the detection accuracy; centrifuge the collected blood sample at 3000 rpm / min in a centrifuge for 10 minutes; read the hematocrit using a fully automatic blood analyzer; and calculate the ECV value of the pre-processed extraocular muscle image data;

[0037] Data export module: establishes a mapping relationship between the spatial coordinate system and pixel index in the DICOM tag, uses the octree data structure to store the association matrix between the three-dimensional spatial coordinates and the iodine density and ECV values, and supports seamless integration with the 3D Slicer medical imaging platform

[0038] 3D Modeling Module: Using 3D Slicer medical imaging software, a pseudo-color 3D model is generated based on the ECV value gradient, while providing axial, coronal, and sagittal multi-planar reformatted views.

[0039] A method for measuring extraocular muscle extracellular volume based on spectral CT, comprising:

[0040] Step S1: performing a spectral CT scan 5 minutes after the injection of the iodine contrast agent, making a plane axial cut parallel to the horizontal line along the canthal line, cutting from the upper edge of the lower orbital wall to the lower edge of the upper orbital wall at uniform intervals and thicknesses, obtaining a continuous extraocular muscle iodine density image, and exporting the image in a fixed format as the medical imaging data;

[0041] Step S2: Draw ROIs of the eight extraocular muscles and the C5-7 segments of the same internal carotid artery and record the corresponding iodine concentrations;

[0042] Step S3: obtaining the hematocrit value;

[0043] Step S4: Substituting all iodine concentration values ​​and the patient's hematocrit into the formula to calculate the extracellular volume of the extraocular muscle;

[0044] Step S5: Based on the obtained extraocular muscle iodine density image, 3D Slicer medical image processing software is used to reconstruct a three-dimensional model of the associated data to establish a three-dimensional model of the extraocular muscle.

[0045] In this embodiment, the calculation formula for the extracellular volume of the extraocular muscles is:

[0046]

[0047] Among them [I] EOM is the iodine concentration in the extraocular muscles, [I] blood Is the iodine concentration in the blood.

[0048] In this embodiment, if Figure 1 、 Figure 2 As shown, it includes iodine density map data acquisition, extraocular muscle extracellular volume calculation and three-dimensional reconstruction model.

[0049] like Figure 1 The energy spectrum enhanced CT scan is performed with the auditory canthus line (the line connecting the external auditory foramen and the ipsilateral outer canthus of the eye is the horizontal line of the orbit), and a plane axial cut is made parallel to the horizontal line, from the upper edge of the lower wall of the orbit to the lower edge of the upper wall of the orbit with uniform intervals and layer thickness to obtain a continuous extraocular muscle iodine density image, and the image is exported as the medical imaging data in a fixed format.

[0050] like Figure 2 The extraocular muscle iodine density images were clearly displayed at each axial slice using pseudo-color and appropriate window width and position adjustments. The extraocular muscle regions of interest (ROIs) were manually delineated. Based on the initial ROI boundaries, manual adjustments were made slice by slice to precisely track the signal intensity difference between the extraocular muscle and the surrounding adipose tissue. Ultimately, ROIs for each extraocular muscle were generated that met the iodine density calculation requirements. Similarly, ROIs were obtained for the blood vessels in the C6-7 segment of the internal carotid artery.

[0051] The above specific embodiments are merely explanations of the present invention and are not limitations of the present invention. After reading this specification, those skilled in the art may make non-creative modifications to the embodiments as needed. However, as long as they are within the scope of the claims of the present invention, they are protected by patent law.

Claims

1. A system for measuring extraocular muscle extracellular volume based on spectral CT, characterized by: include: Data collection module: performs spectral CT scanning on the patient's extraocular muscles to obtain extraocular muscle image data; Image preprocessing module: normalizes and removes noise from extraocular muscle image data; Data processing module: marking the region of interest of the pre-processed extraocular muscle image data, recording the iodine concentration, obtaining the hematocrit and calculating the ECV value; Data export module: associates the iodine density value and ECV data of the two-dimensional region of interest with the three-dimensional spatial coordinates in the DICOM file, and exports the associated data to medical image processing software; 3D modeling module: 3D Slicer medical image processing software is used to reconstruct the 3D model of the exported data.

2. A system and method for measuring extraocular muscle extracellular volume based on spectral CT as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The specific steps of the image preprocessing module are as follows: adding pseudo color and adjusting the appropriate window width and window position to clearly display the extraocular muscle iodine density image of each axial layer, and manually outlining the extraocular muscle region of interest; based on the initial region of interest boundary, manually adjusting the slices layer by layer to accurately track the signal intensity difference interface between the extraocular muscle and the surrounding fat tissue; finally, forming each extraocular muscle region of interest that meets the iodine density value calculation requirements; similarly, obtaining the blood region of interest of the C6-7 segment of the internal carotid artery.

3. A system and method for measuring the extraocular muscle extracellular volume based on spectral CT as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: 2 mL of peripheral blood was collected from the patient's cubital vein and stored in a blood collection tube containing an anticoagulant to prevent blood coagulation from affecting the accuracy of the test. The collected blood sample was centrifuged at 3000 rpm / min for 10 minutes. The hematocrit was read using a fully automatic hematology analyzer.

4. The system and method for measuring extraocular muscle extracellular volume based on spectral CT according to claim 1, wherein: The data module establishes a mapping relationship between the spatial coordinate system and pixel index in the DICOM tag, and uses an octree data structure to store the association matrix between three-dimensional spatial coordinates and iodine density and ECV values, supporting seamless integration with the 3D Slicer medical imaging platform.

5. A system and method for measuring extraocular muscle extracellular volume based on spectral CT as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: 3D Slicer medical imaging software was used to generate a pseudo-color 3D model based on the ECV value gradient, while providing axial, coronal, and sagittal multi-planar reformatted views.

6. A method for measuring extraocular muscle extracellular volume based on spectral CT, characterized by: Step S1: Perform spectral CT scanning 5 minutes after the injection of iodine contrast agent to obtain an iodine density map of the extraocular muscles; Step S2: Draw ROIs of the eight extraocular muscles and the C5-7 segments of the same internal carotid artery and record the corresponding iodine concentrations; Step S3: obtaining the hematocrit value; Step S4: Substituting all iodine concentration values ​​and the patient's hematocrit into the formula to calculate the extracellular volume of the extraocular muscle; Step S5: Based on the obtained extraocular muscle iodine density image, 3D Slicer medical image processing software is used to reconstruct a three-dimensional model of the associated data to establish a three-dimensional model of the extraocular muscle.

7. A method for measuring the extraocular muscle extracellular volume based on spectral CT as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: The calculation formula of the extracellular volume of the extraocular muscle is: Among them [I] EOM is the iodine concentration in the extraocular muscles, [I] blood Is the iodine concentration in the blood.

8. A method for measuring the extraocular muscle extracellular volume based on spectral CT as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: A plane axial cut is made parallel to the horizontal line along the auditory canthus line, and the cut is made from the upper edge of the lower orbital wall to the lower edge of the upper orbital wall at uniform intervals and layer thicknesses to obtain a continuous extraocular muscle iodine density image, and the image is exported as the medical imaging data in a fixed format.

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