公开(公告)号：US08755601B1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-17

申请号：US13540126

申请日：2012-07-02

Applicant: Michael Boitano

Inventor： Michael Boitano

IPC: G06T5/40

CPC classification number: G06T5/40 ,  G01R33/56 ,  G06T5/007 ,  G06T7/90 ,  G06T2207/10088 ,  G06T2207/30004

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to enhance the image contrast of a digital image device, while simultaneously compensating for image intensity inhomogeneity, regardless of the source, correcting intensity inhomogeneities, and producing a more uniform image appearance. Also, the image is enhanced through increased contrast, e.g., tissue contrast in a medical image. In the method, the error between the histogram of the spatially-weighted original image and a specified histogram is minimized. The specified histogram may be selected to increase contrast for accentuation, e.g., on localized regions of interest. The weighting is preferably achieved by two-dimensional interpolation of a sparse grid of control points overlaying the image. A sparse grid is used rather than a dense one to compensate for slowly-varying image non-uniformity. Also, sparseness reduces the computational complexity, as the final weight set involves the solution of simultaneous linear equations whose number is the size of the grid.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供一种增强数字图像装置的图像对比度的方法和装置，同时补偿图像强度不均匀性，而不管源，校正强度不均匀性，并产生更均匀的图像外观。 此外，通过增加的对比度，例如医学图像中的组织对比度来增强图像。 在该方法中，空间加权的原始图像的直方图与指定的直方图之间的误差被最小化。 可以选择指定的直方图以增加强调的对比度，例如在感兴趣的局部区域上。 加权优选通过覆盖图像的控制点的稀疏网格的二维插值来实现。 使用稀疏网格而不是密集网格来补偿缓慢变化的图像不均匀性。 此外，稀疏度降低了计算复杂度，因为最终权重集涉及数字是网格大小的并行线性方程组的解。

公开(公告)号：US07432707B1

公开(公告)日：2008-10-07

申请号：US11656562

申请日：2007-01-23

Applicant: Michael Boitano

Inventor： Michael Boitano

IPC: G01V3/00

CPC classification number: G01R33/56 ,  G01R33/5608 ,  G06T5/009 ,  G06T5/40 ,  G06T2207/10088 ,  G06T2207/30004

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to enhance the image contrast of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device while simultaneously compensating for image inhomogeneity, regardless of the source. The method makes no assumptions as to the source of the inhomogeneities, e.g., physical coil characteristics or patient placement. In the method, the error between the histogram of the spatially-weighted original image and a specified histogram is minimized. The specified histogram may be selected to increase tissue contrast generally or to accentuate a particular tissue class. The weighting is achieved by two-dimensional interpolation of a sparse grid of control points overlaying the image. The sparse grid is used rather than a dense one to compensate for the slowly varying image non-uniformity. Also, sparseness reduces the computational complexity as the final weight set involves the solution of simultaneous linear equations whose number is the size of the chosen grid.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供一种用于增强磁共振成像（MRI）装置的图像对比度的方法和装置，同时补偿图像不均匀性，而不管源。 该方法不对不均匀性的来源（例如物理线圈特征或患者放置）做出假设。 在该方法中，空间加权的原始图像的直方图与指定的直方图之间的误差被最小化。 可以选择指定的直方图以一般地增加组织对比度或强调特定组织分类。 通过覆盖图像的控制点的稀疏网格的二维插值来实现加权。 使用稀疏网格而不是密集网格来补偿缓慢变化的图像不均匀性。 此外，稀疏性降低了计算复杂度，因为最终权重集涉及数字是所选网格的大小的联立线性方程组的解。

公开(公告)号：US10976387B1

公开(公告)日：2021-04-13

申请号：US14273740

申请日：2014-05-09

Applicant: Raymond V. Damadian ,  Michael Boitano ,  Robert Wolf ,  Jevan Damadian ,  John F. Greenhalgh

Inventor： Raymond V. Damadian ,  Michael Boitano ,  Robert Wolf ,  Jevan Damadian ,  John F. Greenhalgh

IPC: A61B5/05 ,  G01R33/28 ,  A61B5/055 ,  A61B19/00 ,  A61B5/00

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems magnetic resonance imaging. The system may acquire images associated with a target region the body part including the target region moves, using a series of imaging planes correlated with the motion. The images are then displayed in time order sequence to provide a motion picture. The system may also provide for imaging in multiple planes such as mutually-perpendicular planes with rapid and facile switching between these planes. The multi-plane views can be used, for example, to monitor insertion of an instrument into the patient.

公开(公告)号：US06366094B1

公开(公告)日：2002-04-02

申请号：US09686640

申请日：2000-10-11

Applicant: Godfrey Vassallo ,  Michael Boitano ,  John Linardos ,  Jevan Damadian ,  Jayne J. Cohen ,  Raymond V. Damadian

Inventor： Godfrey Vassallo ,  Michael Boitano ,  John Linardos ,  Jevan Damadian ,  Jayne J. Cohen ,  Raymond V. Damadian

IPC: G01V300

CPC classification number: G01R33/54 ,  G06F19/00

Abstract: A personal computer or “PC” based software control system for a magnetic resonance imaging or “MRI” scanner. The software control system manages various types of MRI scanners without modification of the software control system. The control system manages the scanning process through a device driver interface which abstracts the particulars of the specific hardware used to interface to the magnetic, radio frequency, image display, image acquisition, patient handling and scan control subsystems.

Abstract translation: 用于磁共振成像或“MRI”扫描仪的个人计算机或“基于PC”的软件控制系统。 软件控制系统管理各种类型的MRI扫描仪，无需修改软件控制系统。 控制系统通过设备驱动程序接口管理扫描过程，该设备驱动程序接口提取用于与磁，射频，图像显示，图像采集，患者处理和扫描控制子系统接口的特定硬件的细节。

公开(公告)号：US07894668B1

公开(公告)日：2011-02-22

申请号：US11656565

申请日：2007-01-23

Applicant: Michael Boitano

Inventor： Michael Boitano

IPC: G06K9/00

CPC classification number: G06T5/40 ,  G01R33/56 ,  G06T5/007 ,  G06T7/90 ,  G06T2207/10088 ,  G06T2207/30004

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to enhance the image contrast of a digital image device while simultaneously compensating for image intensity inhomogeneity, regardless of the source. The present invention corrects intensity inhomogeneities producing a more uniform image appearance. Also, the image is enhanced through increased contrast, e.g., tissue contrast in a medical image. The method makes no assumptions as to the source of the inhomogeneities, e.g., physical device characteristics or positioning of the object being imaged. In the method, the error between the histogram of the spatially-weighted original image and a specified histogram is minimized. The specified histogram may be selected to increase contrast generally or particularly for accentuation, e.g., on localized regions of interest. The weighting is preferably achieved by two-dimensional interpolation of a sparse grid of control points overlaying the image. A sparse grid is used rather than a dense one to compensate for slowly-varying image non-uniformity. Also, sparseness reduces the computational complexity, as the final weight set involves the solution of simultaneous linear equations whose number is the size of the chosen grid.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供了一种增强数字图像设备的图像对比度的方法和装置，同时补偿图像强度不均匀性，而不管源。 本发明校正了产生更均匀图像外观的不均匀性的强度。 此外，通过增加的对比度，例如医学图像中的组织对比度来增强图像。 该方法不对不均匀性的来源（例如物理设备特性或被成像对象的定位）做出假设。 在该方法中，空间加权的原始图像的直方图与指定的直方图之间的误差被最小化。 可以选择指定的直方图以增加对比度，特别是对于增强，例如，在局部感兴趣的区域上。 加权优选通过覆盖图像的控制点的稀疏网格的二维插值来实现。 使用稀疏网格而不是密集网格来补偿缓慢变化的图像不均匀性。 此外，稀疏度降低了计算复杂度，因为最终权重集涉及其数目是所选网格的大小的联立线性方程组的解。

公开(公告)号：US10679365B1

公开(公告)日：2020-06-09

申请号：US13303779

申请日：2011-11-23

Applicant: Raymond V. Damadian ,  Robert Viel ,  Robert Wolf ,  Michael Boitano

Inventor： Raymond V. Damadian ,  Robert Viel ,  Robert Wolf ,  Michael Boitano

IPC: G06T7/38 ,  A61B5/055 ,  G06T7/32 ,  A61B5/00

Abstract: A method and system for correlating slice profiles associated with a series of magnetic resonance images taken at a plurality of positions. The method comprises first positioning a patient in a first position in the imaging volume of the magnet. A scout scan is then acquired. Selection is then made of an anatomical landmark in the scout scan, which will be referred to as an anatomical fiducial. A particular slice, typically one of a stack of slices to be acquired in a subsequent scan, is selected and precisely positioned at the location of the anatomical fiducial in the scout scan. Following completion of the scan, the patient may be repositioned, necessitating a new scout scan to set up parameters for a second scan.

公开(公告)号：US08599215B1

公开(公告)日：2013-12-03

申请号：US12387823

申请日：2009-05-07

Applicant: Michael Boitano

Inventor： Michael Boitano

IPC: G06T11/60 ,  G09G5/00

CPC classification number: G06T3/4038 ,  A61B5/055 ,  A61B5/4561 ,  A61B5/7425

Abstract: An apparatus and method for joining two MRI image data sets to form a composite image. The images are joined together at one or more places along the common area by processing the first and second image data using the square of the normalized intensity difference between at least one group of pixels in the first image data and another group of pixels in the second image data.

Abstract translation: 一种用于连接两个MRI图像数据集以形成合成图像的装置和方法。 通过使用第一图像数据中的至少一组像素与第二图像中的另一组像素之间的归一化强度差的平方来处理第一和第二图像数据，沿着公共区域在一个或多个位置处将图像连接在一起 图像数据。

公开(公告)号：US08213715B1

公开(公告)日：2012-07-03

申请号：US12932272

申请日：2011-02-22

Applicant: Michael Boitano

Inventor： Michael Boitano

IPC: G06K9/00

CPC classification number: G06T5/40 ,  G01R33/56 ,  G06T5/007 ,  G06T7/90 ,  G06T2207/10088 ,  G06T2207/30004

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to enhance the image contrast of a digital image device while simultaneously compensating for image intensity inhomogeneity, regardless of the source. The present invention corrects intensity inhomogeneities producing a more uniform image appearance. Also, the image is enhanced through increased contrast, e.g., tissue contrast in a medical image. The method makes no assumptions as to the source of the inhomogeneities, e.g., physical device characteristics or positioning of the object being imaged. In the method, the error between the histogram of the spatially-weighted original image and a specified histogram is minimized. The specified histogram may be selected to increase contrast generally or particularly for accentuation, e.g., on localized regions of interest. The weighting is preferably achieved by two-dimensional interpolation of a sparse grid of control points overlaying the image. A sparse grid is used rather than a dense one to compensate for slowly-varying image non-uniformity. Also, sparseness reduces the computational complexity, as the final weight set involves the solution of simultaneous linear equations whose number is the size of the chosen grid.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供了一种增强数字图像设备的图像对比度的方法和装置，同时补偿图像强度不均匀性，而不管源。 本发明校正了产生更均匀图像外观的不均匀性的强度。 此外，通过增加的对比度，例如医学图像中的组织对比度来增强图像。 该方法不对不均匀性的来源（例如物理设备特性或被成像对象的定位）做出假设。 在该方法中，空间加权的原始图像的直方图与指定的直方图之间的误差被最小化。 可以选择指定的直方图以增加对比度，特别是对于增强，例如，在局部感兴趣的区域上。 加权优选通过覆盖图像的控制点的稀疏网格的二维插值来实现。 使用稀疏网格而不是密集网格来补偿缓慢变化的图像不均匀性。 此外，稀疏度降低了计算复杂度，因为最终权重集涉及其数目是所选网格的大小的联立线性方程组的解。

公开(公告)号：US6157194A

公开(公告)日：2000-12-05

申请号：US978888

申请日：1997-11-26

Applicant: Godfrey Vassallo ,  Michael Boitano ,  John Linardos ,  Jevan Damadian ,  Jayne J. Cohen ,  Raymond V. Damadian

Inventor： Godfrey Vassallo ,  Michael Boitano ,  John Linardos ,  Jevan Damadian ,  Jayne J. Cohen ,  Raymond V. Damadian

IPC: G01R33/54 ,  G01V3/00

CPC classification number: G01R33/54

Abstract: A personal computer or "PC" based software control system for a magnetic resonance imaging or "MRI" scanner. The software control system manages various types of MRI scanners without modification of the software control system. The control system manages the scanning process through a device driver interface which abstracts the particulars of the specific hardware used to interface to the magnetic, radio frequency, image display, image acquisition, patient handling and scan control subsystems.