Dynamic Thresholding for Immobilized Contrast Agent Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging techniques using targeted ultrasound contrast agents face challenges in distinguishing immobilized contrast agents from circulating ones, leading to incomplete suppression of residual circulating agent contributions, which degrades the detection and quantification of immobilized agents.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to dynamically set an amplitude threshold based on peak comparison values from filtered images, generating thresholded images that effectively remove residual circulating agent contributions while preserving the contribution of immobilized agents, thereby enhancing image conspicuity and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed amplitude threshold is used to suppress residual circulating contrast agent, then the suppression effectiveness varies, but it may cause under-suppression or over-suppression of the immobilized contrast agent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed amplitude threshold to a dynamic threshold that adapts to different imaging conditions. The threshold is no longer static but changes based on the specific characteristics of each image, allowing optimal suppression of circulating contrast agent while preserving immobilized contrast agent across varying imaging scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the amplitude threshold parameter dynamically. Instead of using a constant threshold value, the system adjusts the threshold parameter based on image-specific characteristics such as signal intensity distributions and contrast agent behavior, enabling precise control over suppression levels for different imaging conditions.
2Quantity of substance
If image filtering is applied to reduce circulating contrast agent contribution, then residual circulating agent remains, but it degrades the conspicuity of immobilized contrast agent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by selectively removing the harmful component (residual circulating contrast agent) from the image data. Through dynamic thresholding, the system extracts and eliminates the circulating agent contribution while deliberately preserving the immobilized contrast agent signal, thus removing the harmful element without losing the valuable information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful residual circulating agent signal into a beneficial detection tool. By using the characteristics of the circulating agent signal (its intensity and temporal behavior) as the basis for dynamic threshold calculation, the system transforms what was previously a degrading factor into the foundation for achieving optimal suppression while enhancing immobilized agent conspicuity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A solution is proposed for analyzing a body-part of a patient, the body-part having been perfused before performing the method with a contrast agent capable of circulating within the patient and of being substantially immobilized on a biological target. A corresponding method (A1-A18) comprises providing (A1-A2) at least one filtered image comprising a plurality of filtered values for corresponding locations of the body-part, each filtered value comprising an indication of the immobilized contrast agent at the corresponding location with a contribution of the circulating contrast agent being substantially reduced, generating (A17) a thresholded image comprising a plurality of thresholded values corresponding to the filtered values, the thresholded image being generated by setting each thresholded value to the corresponding filtered value or to a reset value according to a comparison of the filtered value with an amplitude threshold, providing (A3-A7) a plurality of candidate thresholds defined by corresponding candidate values of the amplitude threshold, generating (A8) a plurality of candidate images corresponding to the candidate thresholds each one comprising a plurality of candidate values corresponding to the filtered values, each candidate image being generated by setting each candidate value to the corresponding filtered value or to the reset value according to said comparison of the filtered value with the candidate threshold, calculating (A9-A14) a plurality of comparison values corresponding to the candidate images, the comparison value of each candidate image being calculated according to a further comparison between the candidate values in an immobilization region corresponding to a group of locations containing a significant amount of the immobilized contrast agent and the candidate values in a circulation region corresponding to at least part of the locations excluding the immobilization region, determining (A15) a peak of the comparison values, and setting (A16) the amplitude threshold according to the peak of the comparison values.