Method for quantitative analysis of blood vessel structure

Abstract

We disclose quantitative geometrical analysis enabling the measurement of several features of images of tissues including perimeter, area, and other metrics. Automation of feature extraction creates a high throughput capability that enables analysis of serial sections for more accurate measurement of tissue dimensions. Measurement results are input into a relational database where they can be statistically analyzed and compared across studies. As part of the integrated process, results are also imprinted on the images themselves to facilitate auditing of the results. The analysis is fast, repeatable and accurate while allowing the pathologist to control the measurement process.

1 . A method to facilitate visualization of a feature in a tissue comprising the steps of: 
 (a) obtaining an image of a tissue specimen;    (b) using objectively-defined criteria to locate a feature of interest in the image;    (c) using mathematical algorithms to construct boundaries of the feature; and    (d) using objectively-defined criteria to establish self-consistency.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue specimen is a section of blood vessel tissue, liver tissue, kidney tissue, bile duct tissue, gastrointestinal tract tissue, lymphatic vessel tissue, bronchial tissue.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the tissue specimen is a blood vessel section.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the feature of interest comprise adventitia, media, internal elastic lamina and intima.  
   
   
       5 . A method for rapidly localizing a fractured boundary segment in a blood vessel image and generating a contour connecting the fractured ends, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) processing a cross section of the blood vessel defining a target for imaging;    (b) imaging the target to capture image of the entire target;    (c) identifying different boundary segments including the fractured boundary segment by using an image processing algorithm    (d) computing boundary segment perimeters and areas after step (c); and    (e) generating a contour connecting the fractured ends based on the boundary segment perimeters and areas    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the different boundary segments are adventitia, media, internal elastic lamina and intima.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the fractured boundary segment is internal elastic lamina.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the boundary segment perimeters comprise perimeter of the vessel, adventitia, media and lumen.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the boundary segment areas comprise area of the vessel, lumen, media and neointima.  
   
   
       10 . A method for determining the extent of restenosis in a given blood vessel with a fractured boundary segment, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) imaging a cross section of the given blood vessel to capture an image;    (b) extracting features of the image to identify different boundary segments based on intensity, color and morphology of the image;    (c) applying image processing algorithms and computing fracture length of the fractured boundary segment, and perimeters and areas of the given blood vessel, lumen, media and neointima after step (b);    (d) determining the extent of restenosis in the given blood vessel by computing a ratio selected from the group consisting of 
 (i) neointimal area/vessel area  
 (ii) neointimal area/medial area  
 (iii) (neointimal area/vessel area)/(fracture length/vessel perimeter).  
   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the ratio is neointimal area/vessel area.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the ratio is neointimal area/vessel area.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the ratio is (neointimal area/vessel area)/(fracture length/vessel perimeter).  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein values computed are imprinted such that said values are viewed as part of the image.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the fracture boundary segment is internal elastic lamina.