System and method for monitoring multiple lesions
Inventors
Jeraj, Robert • Fernandes, Victor • Perk, Timothy • Ferjancic, Peter • Huff, Daniel
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12150776-B2
Publication Date
2024-11-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method and apparatus for tracking disease progression as revealed by multiple lesions perform a global optimization to identify corresponding lesions by overlap, for example, after outlines of the lesions have been morphologically dilated. A clustering algorithm addresses the problem of lesions separating into parts or joining together to provide a clear picture of disease progression.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an apparatus and system for assessing treatment of a patient by tracking diseased tissue across two time-separated scans. The electronic computer receives a first and a subsequent second scan revealing diseased tissue at different times with respect to treatment, where at least one lesion merges or splits between the first and second scans.
After receiving the first and second scans, the apparatus performs registration of the first and second scans and identifies first lesions in the first scan and second lesions in the second scan. It measures overlapping of first regions around the first lesions with second regions around the second lesions using lesion regions defined to form overlap regions, and it constructs an overlap matrix to support lesion matching.
The apparatus globally assigns first lesions to corresponding second lesions using a global optimization of assignment according to overlap to identify lesions that have split or merged. The approach further supports clustering for split/merge handling and compares changes in corresponding lesions to provide a report indicating disease progression, including corresponding, appearing, and disappearing lesion categories.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are directed to an apparatus for assessing treatment using two time-separated scans with registration, lesion identification, overlap-based measurement, global optimization assignment, and comparison of changes to produce a disease progression report, including handling lesions that split or merge. Across the independent claims, the inventive features include five features.
Global overlap-based lesion correspondence assignment for split/merged lesions
Globally assign first lesions to corresponding second lesions based on a global optimization of assignment according to overlap between first and second regions to identify lesions of the first and second scans that have split or merged.
Registration of first and second scans for lesion change assessment
Perform a registration of the first and second scans.
Overlap measurement of lesion regions around identified lesions
Measure an overlapping of first regions around the first lesions with second regions around the second lesions.
Disease progression reporting by comparing changes in corresponding lesions
Compare changes in corresponding first and second lesions as identified to provide a report indicating disease progression.
Post-identification clustering to combine overlapping lesions into a single lesion
Further including clustering lesions after identification to combine at least two lesions in one of the first and second scans that overlap with a single lesion in another of the first and second scans into a single lesion in one of the first and second scans.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage is directed to globally assigning lesion correspondence between a first and a subsequent second scan using overlap-based global optimization, optionally combined with clustering to handle split/merge by combining overlapping lesions, followed by comparing corresponding lesions to provide a report indicating disease progression.
Stated Advantages
Provides a report indicating disease progression by comparing changes in corresponding lesions.
Identifies lesions of the first and second scans that have split or merged using global optimization based on overlap.
Supports tracking lesion changes across corresponding, appearing, and disappearing lesion categories.
Enables lesion correspondence across scans by globally assigning first lesions to corresponding second lesions based on overlap.
Documented Applications
Assessing cancer treatment by receiving a first and subsequent second scan of tissue and providing a report indicating disease progression.
Molecular imaging scans and optional anatomical modalities (CT/MRI) for tracking diseased tissue across time via nonrigid registration and overlap-based lesion correspondence.
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