DR. JEFFREY W HOFFMEISTER, M.D.
Osteopathic Medicine at Monterey Ct, Manhattan Beach, CA

License number

California G71479

Professional information

Method For Combining Automated Detections From Medical Images With Observed Detections Of A Human Interpreter

US Patent:

6650766, Nov 18, 2003

Filed:

Oct 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/280237

Inventors:

Steven K. Rogers - Beavercreek OH
Philip Amburn - Dayton OH
Telford S. Berkey - London OH
Randy P. Broussard - West River MD
Martin P. DeSimio - Fairborn OH
Jeffrey W. Hoffmeister - Manhattan Beach CA
Edward M. Ochoa - Franklin OH
Thomas F. Rathbun - Monument CO
John E. Rosenstengel - Beavercreek OH

Assignee:

Qualia Computing, Inc. - Beavercreek OH

International Classification:

G06K 900

US Classification:

382132, 128922

Abstract:

A method and system for detecting and displaying clustered microcalcifications in a digital mammogram, wherein a single digital mammogram is first automatically cropped to a breast area sub-image which is then processed by means of an optimized Difference of Gaussians filter to enhance the appearance of potential microcalcifications in the sub-image. The potential microcalcifications are thresholded, clusters are detected, features are computed for the detected clusters, and the clusters are classified as either suspicious or not suspicious by means of a neural network. Thresholding is preferably by sloping local thresholding, but may also be performed by global and dual-local thresholding. The locations in the original digital mammogram of the suspicious detected clustered microcalcifications are indicated. Parameters for use in the detection and thresholding portions of the system are computer-optimized by means of a genetic algorithm.