System and method for electrical property tomography

Abstract

Methods and systems for electrical property tomographic imaging are presented. Electrical properties such as conductivity and permittivity of intervertebral discs are computed with improved accuracy and displayed for clinical personnel evaluation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The topics described in this article relate to electrical property tomography, specifically to deriving conductivity and dielectric constant maps based on measurements from magnetic resonance imaging systems. Background Technology

[0002] Back pain caused by spinal issues is becoming an increasingly common medical problem, primarily due to sedentary work. While comprehensive diagnosis relies on lumbar puncture, it would be highly beneficial to replace this invasive procedure with non-invasive quantitative imaging techniques.

[0003] Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging technique that can be used for non-invasive diagnosis, specifically electrical characteristic tomography (EPT).

[0004] EPT is an imaging method that uses a magnetic resonance (MR) system to non-invasively derive the spatial distribution of the electrical conductivity *s* and dielectric constant *e* of the imaged object from measurements of the amplitude and phase of the radio frequency (RF) emission field B1 (i.e., measurements of the complex B1 map). The complex B1 map is then post-processed according to Maxwell's equations. For a comprehensive review of EPT, please see Leijsen R. et al., “Electrical Properties Tomography: A Methodological Review”, Diagnostics 2021, 11, 176, https: / / doi.org / 10.3390 / diagnostics11020176, the full text of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0005] The information contained in the background section of this specification, including any references cited herein and their descriptions or discussions, is included for technical reference only and should not be considered as the subject matter defining the scope of this disclosure. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In EPT, conductivity and dielectric constant are derived by post-processing of complex B1 plots measured using standard MR sequences on a standard MR system. Conductivity and dielectric constant are obtained by numerically calculating the second derivatives of the complex B1 plots in all three spatial dimensions.

[0007] EPT suffers from severe artifacts at tissue boundaries. Due to the thin shape of the intervertebral disc (IVD), standard EPT for IVD is dominated by these boundary effects and therefore does not produce reliable results.

[0008] This invention aims to address this deficiency by deriving the electrical properties of spinal IVDs using only one of the three spatial derivatives in the EPT. The direction of this single spatial derivative varies within the field of view (FoV) in such a way that it is always parallel to the principal axis of each individual intervertebral disc in the multiple IVDs in the sagittal image.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, an electrical characteristic tomography imaging method is provided, comprising:

[0010] Receive magnetic resonance imaging data of anatomical structures;

[0011] Based on magnetic resonance imaging data, segmentation of anatomical structures containing one or more anatomical regions is provided;

[0012] Determine the axis of each anatomical region within the one or more anatomical regions;

[0013] Position each anatomical region within the one or more anatomical regions to an axial orientation;

[0014] Calculate the electrical tomographic features of each anatomical region in one or more anatomical regions based on axial orientation;

[0015] The electrical characteristic tomographic features are output to a display screen.

[0016] Determine the axis of each anatomical region within the one or more anatomical regions, for example, determine the longitudinal axis in a two-dimensional image, which may be a sagittal image.

[0017] Positioning each anatomical region within one or more anatomical regions along an axial orientation can be done by aligning it to an axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, either along the x-axis or y-axis. For example, the y-axis of each anatomical region within one or more segmented anatomical regions may be parallel to or coincide with an axis of a Cartesian coordinate system. Positioning can include rotation. Positioning can also include translation.

[0018] Segmentation may involve segmenting anatomical regions based on images generated from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. MRI data may include two-dimensional imaging data.

[0019] Any embodiment of the method may optionally include scaling the electrical characteristic tomographic features of each anatomical region in one or more anatomical regions, and the output electrical characteristic features may be the output scaled electrical characteristic tomographic features.

[0020] In any embodiment of the method, outputting electrical characteristic tomography features may include replacing each anatomical region in one or more segmented anatomical regions with a corresponding electrical characteristic tomography feature.

[0021] In an embodiment where the segmentation of anatomical regions is based on magnetic resonance images, the method may further include repositioning electrical characteristic tomographic features of each anatomical region within one or more anatomical regions to the original orientation of the corresponding segmented one or more anatomical regions, and outputting electrical characteristic tomographic images may include overlaying the repositioned electrical characteristic tomographic features of one or more anatomical regions onto the magnetic resonance image used to provide image segmentation.

[0022] In embodiments of the method, image segmentation may include dividing the field of view of an anatomical structure into multiple sub-regions of the field of view, and segmenting one or more anatomical regions based on the selection of at least one sub-region of the field of view.

[0023] In embodiments of the method, the magnetic resonance imaging data is three-dimensional imaging data. Locating each segmented anatomical region within one or more segmented anatomical regions may include orientation according to one of the axes of a Cartesian coordinate system of two orthogonal planes, for example, after rotating individually about the left-right axis in a first plane, also rotating about the front-back axis.

[0024] In any embodiment, magnetic resonance imaging data can be received from the magnetic resonance imaging system based on a balanced fast field echo (bFFE) imaging sequence.

[0025] In any embodiment, at least one segmented anatomical region includes an intervertebral disc. The electrical properties of the intervertebral disc (e.g., conductivity and / or dielectric constant) are calculated and displayed with improved accuracy for clinical evaluation. While the disclosed examples are for intervertebral discs, the invention is applicable and contemplated for any thin anatomical site or region where the standard EPT is dominated by boundary effects, such as the meniscus of the knee joint or other cartilage in anatomical joints. In some examples, sequences with ultrashort echo times (e.g., approaching zero) may be used to provide magnetic resonance imaging data, which imparts further improved reliable phase for cartilage.

[0026] In any embodiment, the electrical characteristic tomographic features include at least one of electrical conductivity and dielectric constant. In any embodiment, the electrical characteristic features may be displayed as a conductivity map or a dielectric constant map.

[0027] Another aspect of the invention provides a system for electrical characteristic tomography imaging, the system including a computing system configured to perform any of the method embodiments. The system may include a memory for storing machine-executable instructions, wherein execution of the machine-executable instructions causes the computing system to perform any of the method embodiments.

[0028] The system may also include a magnetic resonance imaging system for providing magnetic resonance imaging data of anatomical structures, and a screen display configured to display electrical characteristic tomographic features.

[0029] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a computer program comprising machine-executable instructions, wherein execution of the machine-executable instructions causes a computing system to perform any of the method embodiments.

[0030] The features described above for the method embodiments are also applicable to and can be considered for use in corresponding system embodiments, with similar benefits.

[0031] This abstract is provided to introduce some concepts in a simplified form, which will be further described in the detailed description section below. This abstract is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. The features, details, uses, and advantages of the EPT system as defined in the claims are provided in the following written description of various embodiments of this disclosure, illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Illustrative embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein,

[0033] Figure 1 An example of a medical system is illustrated;

[0034] Figure 2 This illustration shows another example of a medical system;

[0035] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating the method according to the present invention is shown;

[0036] Figure 4 An exemplary workflow according to the present invention is illustrated;

[0037] Figure 5 Another example of the invention is illustrated. Detailed Implementation

[0038] For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the principles of this disclosure, reference will now be made to embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and they will be described using specific language. However, it should be understood that this is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. As will be normally understood by those skilled in the art regarding the subject matter of this disclosure, any modifications to the described apparatuses, systems, and methods, as well as further applications of the principles of this disclosure, are fully contemplated and included in this disclosure, as would normally occur to those skilled in the art. In particular, it is fully contemplated that features, components, and / or steps described with respect to one embodiment may be combined with features, components, and / or steps described with respect to other embodiments of this disclosure. However, for the sake of brevity, various iterations of these combinations will not be described separately. The features described with respect to the system may be implemented in a corresponding manner in a computer-implemented method and / or computer program product.

[0039] Figure 1 An example of system 100 is illustrated, which may be a medical system. In this example, the system includes computer 102. Computer 102 may represent one or more computer systems located in the same location or distributed across different locations. Computer 102 is shown as including computing system 104. For example, computing system 104 may be one or more processing cores located in one or more locations. Computing system 104 is shown connected to an optional hardware interface 106. For example, hardware interface 106 may be used to connect computing system 104 to other components of medical system 100, if they are present. Hardware interface 106 may enable computing system 104 to control these components.

[0040] Computer 102 is also shown to include an optional user interface 108. For example, an operator can use user interface 108 to control the operation and functions of medical system 100. Medical system 100 may be a stand-alone computer system, but it may also be integrated into a magnetic resonance imaging system.

[0041] Computer 102 is also shown to include memory 110. Memory 110 is intended to represent any combination of memory or storage devices accessible to computing system 104. Memory 110 may include volatile and non-volatile memory storage device units and components. In some embodiments, the memory may be based on or rely on cloud-based data stored in logical pools across different general-purpose storage service servers located on-site or in data centers managed by third-party cloud providers.

[0042] Memory 110 is shown to contain machine-executable instructions 120. The machine-executable instructions 120 can be configured to enable the computing system 104 to perform basic data processing and image processing tasks, such as reconstructing magnetic resonance images. In some examples, the machine-executable instructions 120 may also contain code that enables the computing system to control other components via an optional hardware interface 106.

[0043] Memory 110 may include image segmentation algorithm 122. Image segmentation algorithm 122 may be a standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image segmentation algorithm configured to output one or more predetermined anatomical regions of MRI data. This may be targeted at anatomical regions of a specific field of view or object, such as one or more IVDs of a patient. In one example, IVD segmentation is based on amplitude images applied to acquire B1 phase balanced fast field echo (bFFE) scans.

[0044] Memory 110 may include measured magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data 124. Memory 110 may also include image segments 126 received from image segmentation algorithm 122 by inputting the measured MRI data 124. Memory 110 may include selected image portions 128. These are one or more regions or anatomical regions identified in image segmentation 126. For example, the selected image portions 128 may be selected using predetermined criteria applied to image segmentation 126. The memory may include one or more various algorithms 130 for deriving electrical characteristics based on MRI data 124 and by optionally using any information present in memory 110 and / or information that can be input by the user through user interface 108.

[0045] Figure 2 The illustration shows another example of system 300, which could be a medical system. Medical system 300 includes... Figure 1 The medical system 100 includes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system 302, or in other words, a magnetic resonance imaging scanner, which is controlled by a computing system 104.

[0046] The magnetic resonance imaging system 302 includes a magnet 304. Magnet 304 is a superconducting cylindrical magnet with a bore 306 passing through it. Different types of magnets are also possible; for example, split cylindrical magnets and so-called open magnets can also be used. A split cylindrical magnet is similar to a standard cylindrical magnet, except that the cryostat has been split into two parts to allow access to the isoplanar plane of the magnet, thus allowing the magnet to be used, for example, in conjunction with charged particle beam therapy. An open magnet has two magnet sections, one on top of the other, with a space between them large enough to accommodate the object: the arrangement of the two sections is similar to that of Helmholtz coils. Open magnets are popular because the object is less restricted. An assembly of superconducting coils is located inside the cryostat of the cylindrical magnet.

[0047] Within the bore 306 of the cylindrical magnet 304, an imaging region 308 exists, in which the magnetic field is sufficiently strong and uniform to perform magnetic resonance imaging. A region of interest 309 within the imaging region 308 is shown. Magnetic resonance data is typically acquired from the region of interest. An object 318 is shown supported by an object support 320, such that at least a portion of the object 318 is within both the imaging region 308 and the region of interest 309.

[0048] The magnet chamber 306 also contains an assembly of magnetic field gradient coils 310, which are used to acquire preliminary magnetic resonance data for spatial encoding of magnetic spins within the imaging region 308 of the magnet 304. The magnetic field gradient coils 310 are connected to a magnetic field gradient coil power supply 312. The magnetic field gradient coils 310 are intended to be representative. Typically, the magnetic field gradient coils 310 comprise an assembly of three discrete coils for spatial encoding in three orthogonal spatial directions. The magnetic field gradient power supply supplies current to the magnetic field gradient coils. The current supplied to the magnetic field gradient coils 310 is time-controlled and can be either slanted or pulsed.

[0049] Adjacent to the imaging region 308, there is an RF coil 314, which is used to manipulate the orientation of the magnetic spins within the imaging region 308 and to receive RF transmissions from spins also located within the imaging region 308. The RF antenna may comprise multiple coil elements. The RF antenna may also be referred to as a channel or antenna. The RF coil 314 is connected to an RF transceiver 316. The RF coil 314 and the RF transceiver 316 may be replaced by separate transmit and receive coils, and separate transmitters and receivers. It is to be understood that the RF coil 314 and the RF transceiver 316 are representative. The RF coil 314 is intended to also represent a dedicated transmit antenna and a dedicated receive antenna. Similarly, the transceiver 316 may also represent separate transmitters and receivers. The RF coil 314 may also have multiple receive / transmit elements, and the RF transceiver 316 may have multiple receive / transmit channels.

[0050] Transceiver 316 and gradient controller 312 are shown as hardware interface 106 connected to computer system 102.

[0051] Memory 110 is shown as containing pulse sequence commands 330. A pulse sequence command is a set of commands or data that can be translated into commands that can be used to control the magnetic resonance imaging system 302 to acquire k-space data 332. An example of a pulse sequence included by the pulse sequence commands 330 is bFFE. Memory 110 is also shown as containing k-space data 332 acquired by controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system 302 using the pulse sequence commands 330. The computing system 104 can also reconstruct measured magnetic resonance imaging data 124 from the k-space data 332.

[0052] EPT includes defining one or both of electrical properties (conductivity and / or dielectric constant), and the present invention applies to both conductivity and / or dielectric constant. For simplicity, the following description focuses only on conductivity. It can be obtained, for example, from the transmit and receive phases of the bFFE sequence. Reconstruction. The general version of EPT is based on numerically solving the Helmholtz equations. Formula (1) in, It is the magnetic permeability of vacuum. It is the Lamour frequency.

[0053] Three spatial directions x , y , z The partial derivatives on the x-axis require volumetric MR imaging. Specific orientation. x , y , z It is arbitrary, as long as x , y , z Mutually orthogonal is sufficient. The following approximation is proposed to allow for EPT in fast 2D scans: Formula (2) in, x , y Determine the imaging plane. This invention extends the approximation of formula (2) by applying the following formula to study the disk: Formula (3) in, x Along the principal axis parallel to each disk. This approximation avoids contamination of the reconstructed conductivity by boundary effects from derivatives perpendicular to the disk direction, which could be significant due to the smaller number of voxels in the vertical direction.

[0054] Figure 3 A flowchart is shown, illustrating the operations. Figure 1 The illustrated medical system 100 or Figure 2 The method 200 is implemented by a computer in a medical system 300. In step 202, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, such as those based on a bFFE sequence, is received. Any spin echo-based sequence can be used to provide MRI data because its transmit and receive phases do not contain the unwanted B0 phase component. Although ultrashort echo time (UTE) and zero echo time (ZTE) (developed for imaging tissues with (very) short relaxation times) are based on gradient echo sequences, they are also suitable for providing MRI data to implement this invention because the B0 phase component is first-order proportional to the echo time and is negligible for ultrashort / zero echo times.

[0055] Alternatively, images, such as anatomical images, can be reconstructed or generated based on magnetic resonance imaging data, for example... Figure 4Figure 402 illustrates this. In step 204, segmentation is performed on some or all of the intervertebral discs of interest, as illustrated in Figure 404. This can be done, for example, based on amplitude images acquired from bFFE scans of the B1 phase. Alternatively, image segmentation can be performed using any segmentation technique known in the art suitable for magnetic resonance imaging data acquired using any of the sequences described above. Subsequently, in step 206, the principal axis of each disc is determined, e.g., the longitudinal axis in a two-dimensional image, as illustrated in Figure 406. In step 208, each disc is numerically rotated to be fully axially oriented, e.g., so that the principal axis of each of one or more discs points in the anteroposterior direction, as illustrated in Figure 408. Typically, each disc has a different rotation angle, with the central disc having a rotation angle close to zero and the cephalic / caudate discs having rotation angles of up to ±30°, where the rotation angles of the cephalic and caudate discs have opposite signs. Different rotation angles can be easily achieved by segmenting the field of view so that each sub-field of view contains only one disc. After rotating the disks to axial orientation, in step 210, the second derivative required for the EPT is numerically applied (only for one or more disks in the front-back direction), see Equation (3). In this way, boundary artifacts appear only in small regions at both ends of the disk. This contrasts with the second derivative along the foot-head direction, where boundary artifacts appear almost over the entire circumference of each disk. After calculating the one-dimensional (1D) second derivative, the results are scaled in the usual manner, see Equation (3), by the corresponding constant, for example, by dividing by the term. To obtain the absolute value of the electrical properties, the electrical property results are obtained, such as... Figure 4 The conductivity value at 410 is shown in the figure.

[0056] Subsequently, the reconstruction results can be rotated back to the original orientation of each disk in step 212, for example, as Figure 4 The diagram in Figure 412 illustrates this, and different sub-fields of view can be combined into the original field of view to obtain a configuration similar to the original image before or immediately after disk segmentation from MRI data. Since only one derivative is applied instead of three according to the invention, the resulting electrical properties are 33% of the true value on the first order. This can be achieved by multiplying the result by a correction factor in step 214. q The compensation can be optionally set to 3. In an alternative embodiment, the electrical property result 412 can be superimposed on the magnetic resonance image 402 (e.g., an anatomical image), preferably without indicating the principal axis of each IVD. A color bar corresponding to the scale of the electrical property values ​​in the generated image can be output.

[0057] If the acquired data is three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the spine rather than the described two-dimensional (2D) imaging data, then individual rotation of each disc is also beneficial. After individual rotation about the left and right axes as for a 2D image, and (if the disc shows a corresponding tilt) also about the front and back axes, the disc planes will be oriented axially. This orientation allows for the calculation of two of the three derivatives, see Equation (2), where, x and y The plane of the disk under study is determined, thus enabling a more accurate estimate of its electrical properties. In this case, the correction factor will be reduced to [value missing] in the optional step 214. q =1.5.

[0058] This invention can be applied to spinal diagnosis, particularly including the examination of intravertebral discs (IVDs). In any embodiment, the user can select a specific IVD for segmentation via a user interface, or it can be a pre-defined group of IVDs, such as lumbar IVDs, which the user can select via a user interface menu. Understanding the electrical properties of IVDs can help in studying their main components, namely water, proteoglycans, and collagen. Their depletion has been reported in aging and degenerative disc diseases.

[0059] exist Figure 5 In another exemplary embodiment illustrated (applicable to elongated structures, such as dural sacs), it can be based on a reference. Figure 3 The method discussed is based on calculating electrical characteristics by piecewise application of the 1D second derivative. For example... Figure 3 and Figure 4 Optionally, the images mentioned, such as anatomical images, can be reconstructed or generated based on magnetic resonance imaging data (e.g., Figure 5 (See Figure 502 in the diagram). Segmentation of anatomical structures of interest (e.g., the dural sac) is performed in step 204. Because the dural sac typically curves between the neck and hip, this elongated structure is divided into several short segments, such as... Figure 5 The arrow illustration in image 508. Figure 5 As illustrated in image 504, a single long segment can lead to an undesirable first-order derivative of the dural sac. Subsequently, in step 206, the principal axis of each segment is determined. In step 208, each segment is numerically rotated to a fully axial orientation. Typically, each segment has a different rotation angle. After rotating the segments to the axial orientation, in step 210, the second derivative required for the EPT is applied to each of the several segments using numerical methods. Steps 212 and 214 can be referenced as previously stated. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The discussion was conducted in a similar manner.

[0060] Similarly, piecewise 2D derivatives can be used to calculate electrical properties on curved 2D structures. Applications of piecewise 2D derivatives may include cartilage in the knee, thin tissue layers parallel to the skull, and the dura mater.

[0061] It should be understood that one or more of the foregoing embodiments of the present invention can be combined, as long as the combined embodiments are not mutually exclusive.

[0062] As those skilled in the art will recognize, several aspects of the invention can be implemented as apparatus, method, or computer program product. Therefore, aspects of the invention can take the form of entirely hardware embodiments, entirely software embodiments (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or embodiments combining software and hardware aspects, which can be collectively referred to herein as “circuit,” “module,” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the invention can take the form of computer program products implemented in one or more computer-readable media having computer-executable code implemented thereon.

[0063] Any combination of one or more computer-readable media may be used. The computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. As used herein, "computer-readable storage medium" includes any tangible storage medium that can store instructions executable by a processor or computing system of a computing device. The computer-readable storage medium may be referred to as a "computer-readable non-transient storage medium." The computer-readable storage medium may also be referred to as a tangible computer-readable medium. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may also be able to store data accessible by the computing system of the computing device. Examples of computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to: magnetic hard disk drives, solid-state drives, flash memory, USB thumb drives, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), optical disks, magneto-optical disks, and register files of computing systems. The term computer-readable storage medium also refers to various types of recording media accessible by the computer device via a network or communication link. For example, data may be retrieved via a modem, via the Internet, or via a local area network. Computer-executable code embodied on a computer-readable medium may be transmitted using any suitable medium, including but not limited to wireless, wired, optical fiber, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0064] Computer-readable signal media may include propagated data signals having computer-executable code implemented therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such propagated signals may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electromagnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer-readable signal medium may be any computer-readable medium that is not a computer-readable storage medium and is capable of transmitting, propagating, or conveying a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0065] "Computer memory" or "memory" is an example of a computer-readable storage medium. Computer memory is any memory that can be directly accessed by a computing system. "Computer storage device" or "storage device" is another example of a computer-readable storage medium. A computer storage device is any non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. In some embodiments, a computer storage device may also be computer memory, or vice versa.

[0066] As used herein, "computing system" encompasses electronic components capable of executing programs or machine-executable instructions or computer-executable code. References to computing systems that include examples of "computing systems" should be interpreted as potentially including more than one computing system or processing core. A computing system can, for example, be a multi-core processor. A computing system can also refer to a collection of computing systems within a single computer system or distributed across multiple computer systems. The term computing system should also be interpreted as potentially referring to a collection or network of computing devices, each including a processor or multiple computing systems. Machine-executable code or instructions can be executed by multiple computing systems or processors, which may be within the same computing device or even distributed across multiple computing devices.

[0067] Machine-executable instructions or computer-executable code may include instructions or programs that cause a processor or other computing system to perform one aspect of the invention. Computer-executable code for performing operations targeting the aspects of the invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java, Smalltalk, C++, etc., and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as "C" or similar programming languages, and compiled into machine-executable instructions. In some cases, the computer-executable code may be used in the form of a high-level language or in a pre-compiled form in conjunction with an interpreter that generates machine-executable instructions on the fly. In other cases, the machine-executable instructions or computer-executable code may be in the form of programming against a programmable gate array.

[0068] The computer-executable code may run entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer as a standalone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer via any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or a connection may be established to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider).

[0069] Various aspects of the present invention are described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It should be understood that each block or portion of a block in a flowchart, illustration, and / or block diagram can be implemented, where applicable, by computer program instructions in the form of computer-executable code. It should also be understood that combinations of blocks in different flowcharts, illustrations, and / or block diagrams can be combined, where they are not mutually exclusive. These computer program instructions can be provided to a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that instructions executable via the computer's memory or other programmable data processing apparatus create units for implementing the functions / actions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0070] These machine-executable instructions or computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that is capable of directing a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus or other device to operate in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of writing comprising instructions that implement the functions / actions specified in flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0071] The machine-executable instructions or computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions running on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide for implementing the functions / actions specified in the flowchart and / or one or more block diagram boxes.

[0072] As used herein, a "user interface" is an interface that allows a user or operator to interact with a computer or computer system. A "user interface" can also be referred to as a "human-machine interface device." A user interface can provide information or data to an operator and / or receive information or data from an operator. A user interface enables input from an operator to be received by the computer and can provide output from the computer to the user. In other words, a user interface allows an operator to control or manipulate a computer, and the interface allows the computer to indicate the effects of the operator's control or manipulation. The display of data or information on a monitor or graphical user interface is an example of providing information to an operator. Receiving data via a keyboard, mouse, trackball, touchpad, pointing stick, graphics tablet, joystick, gamepad, webcam, helmet, pedal, wired gloves, remote control, and accelerometer are all examples of user interface components that implement the receiving of information or data from an operator.

[0073] As used herein, "hardware interface" encompasses an interface that enables a computer system to interact with and / or control external computing devices and / or apparatuses. A hardware interface allows the computing system to send control signals or instructions to external computing devices and / or apparatuses. A hardware interface can also enable the computing system to exchange data with external computing devices and / or apparatuses. Examples of hardware interfaces include, but are not limited to: Universal Serial Bus (USB), IEEE 1394 port, parallel port, IEEE 1284 port, serial port, RS232 port, IEEE488 port, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless LAN connectivity, TCP / IP connectivity, Ethernet connectivity, control voltage interface, MIDI interface, analog input interface, and digital input interface.

[0074] As used herein, "display" or "display device" encompasses an output device or user interface suitable for displaying images or data. A display may output visual, audio, and / or tactile data. Examples of displays include, but are not limited to: computer monitors, television screens, touchscreens, tactile electronic displays, Braille screens, etc.

[0075] All directional references, such as up, down, inside, outside, upward, downward, left, right, side, front, back, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, counterclockwise, near end, and far end, are for identification purposes only to help the reader understand the claimed object and do not impose limitations, particularly regarding the location, orientation, or use of the said reinforcing multifilament conductor bundle. Connection references, such as attached, coupled, connected, and combined, should be interpreted broadly and may include intermediate elements between sets of elements and relative movement between elements, unless otherwise indicated. Therefore, a connection reference does not necessarily mean that two elements are directly connected and have a fixed relationship with each other. The term “or” should be interpreted as “and / or”, not “exclusive or”. The word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the words “a” or “an” do not exclude multiple. Unless otherwise stated in the claims, the numerical values ​​given should be interpreted as exemplary and should not be considered restrictive.

[0076] Although various embodiments of the claimed object have been described in detail above, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art can make many modifications to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed object.

[0077] Other embodiments are also considered. All content contained in the above description and drawings should be construed as illustrative of particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the essential elements of the subject matter as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for electrical characteristic tomography imaging, comprising: Receive (202) magnetic resonance imaging data of anatomical structures (124); Based on the magnetic resonance imaging data, (204) segmentation (126) of the anatomical structure is provided, the segmentation comprising one or more anatomical regions; Determine the axis (206) of each anatomical region in the one or more anatomical regions; Position (208) each anatomical region in the one or more anatomical regions to an axial orientation; Calculate the electrical tomographic features of each anatomical region in one or more anatomical regions based on axial orientation; The electrical characteristic tomographic features are output to a display screen.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The electrical characteristic tomographic features of each of the one or more anatomical regions are scaled, wherein outputting the electrical characteristic features includes outputting scaled electrical characteristic tomographic features.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Outputting the electrical characteristic tomography features includes replacing each anatomical region in the segmented one or more anatomical regions with the corresponding electrical characteristic tomography features.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Providing segmentation includes segmenting the image generated based on the magnetic resonance imaging data.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: The electrical tomographic features of each of the one or more anatomical regions are repositioned (212) to the original orientation of the corresponding segmented one or more anatomical regions; The output of the electrical characteristic tomography includes superimposing the electrical characteristic tomography features of the repositioned one or more anatomical regions onto the anatomical image, wherein the anatomical image is preferably a magnetic resonance image used to provide image segmentation.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The magnetic resonance imaging data is two-dimensional imaging data.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The magnetic resonance imaging data is three-dimensional imaging data.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The magnetic resonance imaging data was received based on the bFFE imaging sequence.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, At least one of the segmented anatomical regions includes an intervertebral disc.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Providing image segmentation includes dividing the field of view of the anatomical structure into sub-regions, and wherein the one or more anatomical regions are segmented based on the selection of at least one sub-region of the sub-regions.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The one or more anatomical regions can be selected by a user through a user interface, or the one or more anatomical regions are portions of a predetermined set that can be selected by a user through a menu in the user interface.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The electrical tomographic features include at least one of electrical conductivity and dielectric constant.

13. A system (100, 300) for electrical characteristic tomography imaging, comprising: A computing system (104) is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising: A magnetic resonance imaging system for providing magnetic resonance imaging data of the anatomical structure; A screen display configured to display the electrical characteristic tomographic features.

15. A computer program comprising machine-executable instructions, wherein, The execution of the machine-executable instructions causes the computing system to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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