Patent Application
20110237980
The present invention pertains to the classifying a three-dimensional object, in general, and to classifying a head shape to assess the type and severity of cranial deformity, in particular.
While there is no such thing as a “perfect head” there is definitely a “norm” for infant heads. Typically, the average skull is one third longer than it is wide, and is typically, although not perfectly, symmetric.
A common cranial deformity is plagiocephaly. Plagiocephaly literally means “oblique head” (from Greek: plagio=oblique, and cephale=head). It is also called a parallelogram deformity because when viewing down on the infant's head, the head forms a parallelogram shape. From this angle, it looks as if half of the head has been pushed forward. The head deformity is often accompanied by misalignment of the ears, facial asymmetry, and bulging forehead.
Another common cranial deformity is brachycephaly. With brachycephaly the head is flattened uniformly across the back, causing a wider and shorter head shape. Increased head height is also common in children with brachycephaly
An additional common cranial deformity is scaphocephaly. Scaphocephaly, also known as dilichocephaly, describes a head with a long, narrow shape. It is particularly common in premature babies who spend time in neonatal intensive care units NICU, or from a breech intrauterine orientation.
A further common cranial deformity is brachycephaly with plagiocephaly This deformity occurs when there is a combination of brachycephaly and plagiocephaly present.
All the above-described cranial deformities have become more prevalent since the “Back to Sleep” Campaign was initiated to help reduce the occurrence of sudden infant death syndrome (“SIDS”).
In accordance with the principles of the invention, a method and apparatus are provided that are utilized to classify the type of a particular complex object by comparing images of a subject object with images representative of one or more representative predetermined types of objects, utilizing the type of complex object identified by the comparison to select a group of second images against which the images of the subject object are compared to determine a second characteristic of the subject object. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the images of the subject object are image views in predetermined viewing orientations, and second images representative of the second characteristics are likewise image views in the same predetermined viewing orientations.
In accordance with the principles of the invention, a method and apparatus are provided that are utilized to determine the type of a particular medical condition by comparing images of a subject with images representative of one or more medical conditions, utilizing the type of medical condition identified to select a group of second images against which the images of the subject are compared to determine the severity of the medical condition. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the subject images are provided in predetermined viewing orientations, and the images representative of one or more medical conditions are likewise image views provided in the same predetermined viewing orientations.
The illustrative embodiment provides methods and apparatus to determine the type of an infant's head shape, i.e., plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, scaphocephaly, and brachycephaly with asymmetry, by comparing the subject infant's head shape to images of other infant's head shapes, where the other images point out different characteristics associated with each type of deformity.
In the illustrative embodiment the severity of the deformity of the subject infant's head shape, scaled from normal to severe, is determined by comparing the subject infant's head shape to second images of other infant's head shapes, where the second images point out the progression of the distortion of head shapes as the type of deformity progresses from mild to severe.
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the classifying a head shape by comparative assessment of a head shape against images of predetermined types of head shapes such that the type and severity of cranial deformities may be determined.
A method for providing assessment of cranial deformation of a subject's head, comprises providing a server and providing a database accessible by the server. The database comprises a first plurality of first image sets utilizable to assess a cranial deformity type and a second plurality of second image sets utilizable to assess the severity of a cranial deformity. The method includes utilizing the database to access the first plurality of first image sets to assess a type of cranial deformity of the subject's head; and utilizing the database to access the second plurality of second image sets to assess the severity of the cranial deformation of the subject's head.
An embodiment of the method further comprises providing a set of third images of the subject's head and comparing the third images with the plurality of first image sets to assess a type of cranial deformity.
In accordance with the embodiment, the method includes selecting one of the second image sets corresponding to the assessed type of cranial deformity; and comparing the third images with the selected one of said second image sets to assess the severity of the assessed type of cranial deformity.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment the method comprises automatically comparing the third images with the first plurality of first image sets to assess a type of cranial deformity; automatically selecting one of the second image sets corresponding to the assessed type of cranial deformity; and automatically comparing the third images with the selected one of the second image sets to assess the severity of the assessed type of cranial deformity.
In the embodiment, the method comprises selecting each first image set to comprise a group of images including one image for each of a plurality of head shapes. The plurality of head shapes comprises a normal head shape and one or more head shapes selected from the group comprising a plagiocephalic head shape, a brachycephalic head shape, and a scaphocephalic head shape.
Still further in accordance with the embodiment each first set of images is selected such that all head shape images are views of the corresponding head from one viewing orientation of a plurality of predetermined viewing orientations.
The predetermined viewing predetermined viewing orientations of said plurality of viewing orientations from: a first predetermined viewing orientation looking down at a head from above, a second viewing orientation from the side looking at the side of a head, a third viewing orientation from the front looking at the front of a head, and a fourth viewing orientation from below looking up at head towards the jaw of the head.
In another embodiment of the invention, the method comprises providing a downloadable application program and providing the database accessible by the application program.
In another embodiment of the invention, a combination is provided, the combination comprises an application program operable to provide assessment of cranial deformities and a database accessible by the application program. The database comprises a first plurality of first image sets utilizable to assess a cranial deformity type and a second plurality of second image sets utilizable to assess the severity of a cranial deformity. The application program utilizes the database to access the first plurality of first image sets to assess a type of cranial deformity of a subject's head. The application utilizes the database to access the second plurality of second image sets to assess the severity of the cranial deformation of the subject's head.
Apparatus operable to provide assessment of cranial deformities comprises programmable apparatus comprising a display and an application program including a database accessible by the application program. The database comprises a plurality of image sets, each set comprising a plurality of images of a corresponding head shape selected from a plurality of head shapes. Each image is an image of the corresponding head from one viewing orientation of a plurality of predetermined viewing orientations. The application program is operable to display selected groups of images such that a user of the apparatus may compare the selected group of images with the shape of a subject's head viewed from the same one predetermined viewing orientation.
The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawing figures in which like reference designators identify like elements, and in which:
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In the embodiment shown in
First image set 107 is a set of images 107a, 107b, 107c, 107d of a normally shaped head, a plagiocephalic head, a brachycephalic head shape and a scaphocephalic head shape all viewed in a second predetermined viewing orientation.
First image set 109 is a set of images 109a, 109b, 109c, 109d of a normally shaped head, a plagiocephalic head, a brachycephalic head shape and a scaphocephalic head shape all viewed in a third predetermined viewing orientation.
First mage set 111 is a set of images 111a, 111b, 111c, 111d of a normally shaped head, a plagiocephalic head, a brachycephalic head shape and a scaphocephalic head shape all viewed in a fourth predetermined position.
The plurality of predetermined viewing orientations of first image sets 105, 107, 109, 111 are selected from a first predetermined viewing orientation looking down at a head from above, a second viewing orientation from the side looking at the side of a head, a third viewing orientation from the front looking at the front of a head, and a fourth viewing orientation from below looking up at head towards the jaw of the head.
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In typical use or operation, a user at device 139 performs any one of a number of conventional operations that are commonly used to perform an Internet download to cause server 101 to download a first image set 105 which includes a views of the head shapes from above. The user would typically view a subject's head in the same viewing orientation and compare the subject's head shape to each of the images 105a, 105b, 105c, 105d in the first image set 105 and note which shape most closely corresponds to that of the subject's head shape.
Although not shown in the drawing Figures, textual descriptions are stored along with the image shapes. Stored in conjunction with said first image 105a is a textual description of the shape of a normal head. The textual description is that: “Back of the head is curved. Both sides of the head match.” Stored in conjunction with second image 105b is a textual description of the plagiocephalic head viewed from the first position that states: “One ear is closer to the shoulder on one side of the head. One side of the head looks higher than the other.” Stored in conjunction with third image 105c is a textual description of the brachycephalic head viewed from the first position that states: “The head is shorter length front to back. The head is of tall height. The forehead slopes back. The back of the head is flat.” Stored in conjunction with fourth image 105d is a textual description of the scaphocephalic head viewed from the first position that states: “The head is greater in length front to back.”
Next, the user at device 139 downloads from server 101 first image set 107 shown in
Stored in conjunction with image 107a is a textual description of the shape of a normal head that states: “Back of the head is curved. Both sides of the head match.” Stored in conjunction with image 107b is a textual description of the plagiocephalic head that states: One ear is closer to the shoulder on one side of the head. One side of the head looks higher than the other.” Stored in conjunction with image 107c is a textual description of the brachycephalic head that states: “The head is shorter length front to back. The head is of tall height. The forehead slopes back. The back of the head is flat.” Stored in conjunction with image 107d is a textual description of a scaphocephalic head that states: “The head is greater in length front to back.”
Next, the user at device 139 downloads from server 101a third image set 109 shown in
Stored in association with image 109a is a textual description of the shape of a normal head that states: “Eyes are the same size and at the same level on the face. Cheeks are the same size. Top of head is level.” Stored in association with image 109b is a textual description of a plagiocephalic head that states: “One eye is smaller than the other. One cheek is fuller than the other. Top of head is not level.” Stored in conjunction with third image 109c is a textual description of the brachycephalic head that states: “Face appears small to the size of the head. Head is wide. Bump above the ears creates the widest part of the head. Ears poke out at top.” Stored in conjunction with fourth image 109d is a textual description of the scaphocephalic head that states: “Increased head height. Head is narrow.”
In addition, a general textual description is provided with first image set 109 that is downloaded to user device 139. That description states: “When looking at your baby's face; the best way to see any asymmetry is to place the baby in front of a mirror and look at their reflection. Because you are used to seeing your baby head on, this view in the mirror will allow you to see any differences.”
Next, the user at device 139 downloads from server 101a first image set 111 shown in
In the fourth viewing position, the image subjects are lying on their backs with their nose pointing toward the ceiling and the image is from below looking up at head towards the jaw of the head.
A first image 111a is the shape of a normal head. Stored in conjunction with said first image 111a is a textual description of the shape of a normal head. The textual description is that: “Eyes and ears are the same on both sides. Forehead is arched and level.” Stored in conjunction with second image 111b is a textual description of the plagiocephalic head as viewed from the fourth position that states: “Forehead is angled and not level. Face has a slope and seems to be lopsided. Eyes and ears are not level. One cheek and side of the face is more full than the other.” Stored in conjunction with third image 111c is a textual description of the brachycephalic head that states: “Head is wide. Bump above ears is the widest point of the head.” Stored in conjunction with fourth image 111d is a textual description of the scaphocephalic head that states: “Head is narrow. Forehead is square.”
By viewing the downloaded images, an assessment may be made with respect to the type of cranial deformity.
In the event the assessment is that the infant has a plagiocephaly head shape, a further image or image set 121 may be downloaded from database 103. Image group 121 is a view looking down at the top of an infant's head. As shown in
Although image set 121 shown in
System 100 may be further used to provide an assessment of the severity of the deformation of the subject's head. Second image sets 159, 161, 163 are stored in database 103 that are used to provide comparative determination of severity of deformation. Second image set 159 comprises a set of images of plagiocephalic head shapes of different severity. Second image set 161 comprises a set of images of brachycephalic head shapes of different severity. Second image set 163 comprises a set of images of scaphocephalic head shapes of different severity.
The user at device 139, after making an assessment of the type of cranial deformity utilizes that assessment to download a corresponding one of the second image sets 159, 161, 163 to assess the severity of the deformity.
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Second image set 161 comprises a view of a normal head shape and brachycephalic head shapes at different levels of severity. To the right of the normal head shape, the images respectively represent mild, moderate and severe brachycephalic head shapes. The user at device 139 by comparing the subject's head with the shapes shown in second image set 161 may make a standardized assessment of the severity of the deformity.
Second image set 163 comprises a view of a normal head shape and scaphocephalic head shapes at different levels of severity. To the right of the normal head shape, the images respectively represent mild, moderate and severe scaphocephalic head shapes. The user at device 139 by comparing the subject's head with the shapes shown in second image set 163 may make a standardized assessment of the severity of the deformity.
In a second embodiment of the invention, images of a subject's head may be uploaded or otherwise provided to server 101. Application program 102 may further be operable to compare the uploaded images of the subject's head to the image sets stored in database 103 to both automatically determine the nature of the deformity and then automatically determine the severity of the deformity in accordance with the standards represented by the stored images. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various algorithms may be utilized to perform the assessment of deformity type and severity of deformity. In other embodiments, the uploaded images of the subject's head may be directly compared to image sets that are used to automatically determine both the type and severity of assessments at the same time.
Turning now to
Device 739 may be a remote apparatus comprising a display 741. The application program is operable on the remote apparatus device 739 to display the selected first sets 105, 107, 109, 111 and second image sets 159, 161, 163 such that a user of said apparatus may compare the selected image sets with the shape of an infant's head viewed from the same one predetermined viewing orientation. Device 739 may be any of a large number of apparatus including various, computers, Internet devices, data terminals, text and display apparatus, wireless communication devices such as cellular telephones, or any other device in which a memory, a display, and an inputting apparatus are provided.
The operation of device 739 with downloadable application APP is the same as the operation described above with respect to
In certain embodiments, device 739 may include a camera which is utilized to capture images of a subject's head that application program 102 automatically compares to the images stored in database 103 to automatically determine the type of deformity and the severity of the deformity.
In some embodiments of the invention application APP is not downloaded from the Internet or a server, but rather is provided on a memory device including, but not limited to memory devices such as compact disk, DVD, flash memory or similar and equivalent memory devices.
It will be particularly appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to assessment of heads, but may equally be utilized to assess the type and severity of various medical conditions that are ascertainable from an image of the condition. Even further, the present invention may be utilized to categorize various three-dimensional objects according to type and to further provide a classification or assessment within the type.
It will be appreciate by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. It will be further appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments shown and described herein and that the invention is intended to be limited in scope only by the claims appended hereto.
