System and method for processing images

Abstract

A method of processing a plurality of time separated images comprises selecting a plurality of imaging units in each image; measuring a temporal difference in each imaging unit; and selecting temporal differences above a threshold limit.

1 . A method of processing a plurality of time separated images comprising:
 selecting a plurality of imaging units in each image;   determining a temporal difference for each imaging unit; and   selecting temporal differences above a threshold limit.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising ranking each measured temporal difference prior to said selecting. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising constructing a processed image using the selected temporal differences. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each imaging unit is one of a pixel and a voxel. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each imaging unit is one of a plurality of pixels and a plurality of voxels. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temporal difference is based on contrast enhancement. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the temporal difference is a difference of a contrast agent. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein contrast enhancement is based on the concentration of the contrast agent. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein contrast enhancement is based on the activation of the contrast agent. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further composing characterizing the measured temporal differences with a blind signal separation statistical technique. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the temporal difference comprises calculating a covariance matrix of temporal differences for the imaging units. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising analyzing the covariance matrix with a blind signal separation statistical technique to determine common temporal patterns among the temporal differences. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising analyzing the eigenvectors of the covariance matrix. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein eigenvalues of the eigenvector represent the degree of temporal difference. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the selecting of temporal differences comprises selecting eigenvalues above the threshold limit. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the threshold limit is adjustable. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the blind signal separation statistical technique is selected from the group consisting of principal component analysis, independent component analysis, blind source deconvolution, Karhunen-Loeve transform and Hotelling transform. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of time separated images are obtained using a dynamic medical imaging technique. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the dynamic medical imaging technique comprises use of a contrast agent. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the time separated images are obtained using a protocol having a reduced radiation dose. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the time separated Images are obtained using a protocol having a reduced amount of contrast agent. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the dynamic medical imaging technique is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional MRI, positron emission tomograghy, nuclear medecine or computed tomography. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the dynamic medical imaging technique is computed tomography (CT). 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the time separated images are obtained using a CT Perfusion protocol having a reduced radiation dose. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the time separated images are obtained using a CT Perfusion protocol having a reduced amount of contrast agent. 
     
     
         26 . A system for processing a plurality of time separated images comprising:
 an interface for receiving a plurality of time separated images; and   a processing structure for selecting a plurality of imaging units in each image, determining a temporal difference for each imaging unit, and selecting temporal differences above a threshold limit.   
     
     
         27 . A computer readable medium embodying a computer program for processing a plurality of time separated images, the computer program comprising:
 computer program code for selecting a plurality of imaging units in each image;   computer program code for determining a temporal difference for each imaging unit; and   computer program code for selecting temporal differences above a threshold limit.   
     
     
         28 . A system for processing a plurality of time separated images according to the method of  claim 1 .