Systems and methods for medical image analysis

Abstract

Systems, instruments, and methods for medical treatment are disclosed. The methods comprise, by a computing device: receiving information identifying at least one first point on a body part shown in a medical image; overlaying a first mark on the medical image for the at least one first point; generating a spline based at least on the first mark; overlaying a second mark for the spline on the medical image; identifying a location of at least one second point on the body part shown in the medical image based on the first and second marks; overlaying a third mark for the at least one second point on the medical image; and using at least the third mark to facilitate the medical treatment of an individual whose body part is shown in the medical image.

Description

BACKGROUND

Spinal disorders such as degenerative disc disease, disc herniation, osteoporosis, spondylolisthesis, stenosis, scoliosis and other curvature abnormalities, kyphosis, tumor, and fracture may result from factors including trauma, disease and degenerative conditions caused by injury and aging. Spinal disorders typically result in symptoms including pain, nerve damage, and partial or complete loss of mobility.

Non-surgical treatments, such as medication, rehabilitation, and exercise can be effective, however, may fail to relieve the symptoms associated with these disorders. Surgical treatment of these spinal disorders includes correction, fusion, fixation, discectomy, laminectomy, and/or implantable prosthetics. As part of these surgical treatments, spinal constructs, which include implants such as bone fasteners, connectors, plates, and vertebral rods are often used to provide stability to a treated region. These implants can redirect stresses away from a damaged or defective region while healing takes place to restore proper alignment and generally support the vertebral members. The particular curvature, length and/or other parameters of the implants can be a key factor in obtaining successful results from surgery.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to implementing systems and methods for medical treatment. The methods may comprise performing the following operations by a computing device: causing an imaging device to capture a medical image; receiving information identifying at least one first point (e.g., a first vertebrae endpoint) on a body part (e.g., a spine) shown in a medical image; overlaying a first mark on the medical image for the first point; generating a spline (e.g., a piecewise polynomial curve) based on the first mark and/or machine learned model(s) (e.g., defining possible structure(s) of the body part); overlaying a second mark for the spline on the medical image; identifying a location of at least one second point (e.g., a second different vertebrae endpoint) on the body part (e.g., the spine) shown in the medical image based on the first mark, the second mark, machine learned model(s) and/or contents of a scientific database; overlaying a third mark for the second point on the medical image; address an error in at least one characteristic of the third mark; and/or using at least the third mark to facilitate the medical treatment of an individual whose body part is shown in the medical image.

In some scenarios, the second mark comprises a curved line that (i) extends between a mid-point of the first mark and a mid-point of another mark, and (ii) extends along a centerline of the body part. The error is addressed by: analyzing differences in gray levels for pixels residing within a given area surrounding an end of the third mark to determine a precise location of an object corner (e.g., a vertebrae corner); and modifying at least one of a shape of the third mark, a size of the third mark and a location of the third mark relative to the medical image in accordance with results of the analyzing.

The present disclosure relates also relates to a system comprising a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprises programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to implement the above-described method for medical treatment.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular descriptions of exemplary embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers generally represent like parts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description.

FIG. 1 provides an illustration of an illustrative system.

FIG. 2 provides an illustration of an illustrative computing device.

FIG. 3 provides an illustration of an illustrative process for analyzing images.

FIG. 4 provides an illustration of a spine.

FIG. 5 provides an illustration of a vertebra.

FIGS. 6A-6B (collectively referred to as “FIG. 6”) provide a flow diagram of an illustrative method for medical treatment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion omits or only briefly describes certain conventional features related to surgical systems for treating the spine, which are apparent to those skilled in the art. It is noted that various embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are intended to be non-limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims. Further, particular features described herein can be used in combination with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and permutations.

Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be given their broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied from the specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in the art and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc. It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless otherwise specified, and that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to implementing systems and methods for analyzing medical images. The methods involve: causing an imaging device to capture a medical image; receiving information identifying at least one first point (e.g., a first vertebrae endpoint) on a body part (e.g., a spine) shown in a medical image; overlaying a first mark on the medical image for the first point; generating a spline (e.g., a piecewise polynomial curve) based on the first mark and/or machine learned model(s) (e.g., defining a possible structure of a spine); overlaying a second mark for the spline on the medical image; identifying a location of at least one second point (e.g., a second different vertebrae endpoint) on the body part (e.g., the spine) shown in the medical image based on the first mark, the second mark, machine learned model(s) and/or contents of a scientific database; overlaying a third mark for the second point on the medical image; address an error in a characteristic of the third mark; and/or using at least the third mark to facilitate the medical treatment of an individual whose body part is shown in the medical image.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is provided an illustration of an illustrative system 100. System 100 is generally configured to analyze images to detect a spine and/or a vertebrae of a patient 104. During operation, the patient 104 may be placed on a support structure 106 (e.g., table) such that imaging device(s) 102 is(are) aligned with a body part of interest (e.g., a back).

The imaging device(s) 102 can include, but is(are) not limited to, an X-ray system. The imaging device(s) 102 is(are) generally configured to capture at least one image 118 of a treatment area (e.g., at least a portion of the patient's spine). The image can include, but is not limited to, a Digital Tomosynthesis (DT) scan image, a Computed Tomography (CT) scan image, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) image and/or a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan image).

The image 118 is communicated from the imaging device 102 to a computing device 108 via a communications link 120 and/or via a network 112 using communication links 122, 124. Additionally or alternatively, the image 118 is communicated from the imaging device 102 to a server 114 via network 112 using communication links 122, 126. The server 114 is configured to access a datastore 116 for reading information 128 therefrom and writing information 128 thereto. The network can include, but is not limited to, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), an Intranet and/or the Internet. The communication links 120, 122, 124, 126 can be wired communication links and/or wireless communication links.

The image 118 is analyzed by the computing device 108 and/or server 114. The image analysis is generally performed automatively to detect a vertebral object and/or generate measurement data for the same. The manner in which such detection is made will become apparent as the discussion progresses. In some scenarios, the detection is achieved using anatomical knowledge and/or scientific literature to identify approximate positions of vertebrae in a given image, and then analyzing content of each approximate position to determine whether a vertebral object resides thereat.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is provided an illustration of an illustrative architecture for a computing device 200. The computing device 108 and/or server 114 of FIG. 1 is at least partially the same as or similar to computing device 200. As such, the discussion of computing device 300 is sufficient for understanding the vehicle on-board computing device 220 of FIG. 2.

Computing device 200 may include more or less components than those shown in FIG. 2. However, the components shown are sufficient to disclose an illustrative solution implementing the present solution. The hardware architecture of FIG. 2 represents one implementation of a representative computing device configured to perform medical image processing, as described herein. As such, the computing device 200 of FIG. 2 implements at least a portion of the method(s) described herein.

Some or all components of the computing device 200 can be implemented as hardware, software and/or a combination of hardware and software. The hardware includes, but is not limited to, one or more electronic circuits. The electronic circuits can include, but are not limited to, passive components (e.g., resistors and capacitors) and/or active components (e.g., amplifiers and/or microprocessors). The passive and/or active components can be adapted to, arranged to and/or programmed to perform one or more of the methodologies, procedures, or functions described herein.

As shown in FIG. 2, the computing device 200 comprises a user interface 202, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 206, a system bus 210, a memory 212 connected to and accessible by other portions of computing device 200 through system bus 210, a system interface 260, and hardware entities 214 connected to system bus 210. The user interface can include input devices and output devices, which facilitate user-software interactions for controlling operations of the computing device 200. The input devices include, but are not limited to, a physical and/or touch keyboard 250. The input devices can be connected to the computing device 200 via a wired or wireless connection (e.g., a Bluetooth® connection). The output devices include, but are not limited to, a speaker 252, a display 254, and/or light emitting diodes 256. Display 254 can include, but is not limited to, a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a plasma display and/or a touch-screen display. System interface 260 is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communications to and from external devices (e.g., network nodes such as access points, etc.).

At least some of the hardware entities 214 perform actions involving access to and use of memory 212, which can be a Random Access Memory (RAM), a disk drive, flash memory, a Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) and/or another hardware device that is capable of storing instructions and data. Hardware entities 214 can include a disk drive unit 216 comprising a computer-readable storage medium 218 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions 220 (e.g., software code) configured to implement one or more of the methodologies, procedures, or functions described herein. The instructions 220 can also reside, completely or at least partially, within the memory 212 and/or within the CPU 206 during execution thereof by the computing device 200. The memory 212 and the CPU 206 also can constitute machine-readable media. The term “machine-readable media”, as used here, refers to a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions 220. The term “machine-readable media”, as used here, also refers to any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions 220 for execution by the computing device 200 and that cause the computing device 200 to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure.

The methodologies of the present disclosure may be implemented at least partly by application(s) 224. The application(s) 224 may include, but are not limited to, web-enabled applications that uses text, widgets, graphics, audio, video and other media to present data and to allow interaction with data via a network (e.g., network 112 of FIG. 1). The widgets are configured to facilitate user-software interactions with computing device 200. In this regard, the widgets can include, but are not limited to, menus, windows, dialogue boxes, tool bars and/or controls (for example, radio buttons, check boxes, and/or sliding scales).

In some embodiments, one or more features of the present solution described herein can utilize a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) and/or cookies, for example for storing and/or transmitting data or user information. The URL can include a web address and/or a reference to a web resource that is stored on in a datastore (e.g., datastore 116 of FIG. 1). The URL can specify the location of the resource on a computer and/or a computer network. The URL can include a mechanism to retrieve the network resource. The source of the network resource can receive a URL, identify the location of the web resource, and transmit the web resource back to the requestor. A URL can be converted to an IP address. A Doman Name System (DNS) can look up the URL and its corresponding IP address. URLs can be references to web pages, file transfers, emails, database accesses and/or other applications. The URLs can include a sequence of characters that identify a path, domain name, a file extension, a host name, a query, a fragment, scheme, a protocol identifier, a port number, a username, a password, a flag, an object and/or a resource name. The systems disclosed herein can generate, receive, transmit, apply, parse, serialize, render, and/or perform an action on a URL.

A cookie (also referred to as an HTTP cookie, a web cookie, an internet cookie, and a browser cookie) can include data sent from a website and/or stored on the computing device 200 and/or another computing device. This data can be stored by a web browser while the user is browsing through data. The cookies can include useful information for websites to remember prior browsing information. The useful information can include, but is not limited to, a shopping cart on an online store, a clicking of buttons, login information and/or records of web pages or network resources visited in the past. Cookies can also include information that the user enters such as names, addresses, passwords, credit card information, etc. Cookies can also perform computer functions. For example, authentication cookies can be used by applications 224 (e.g., a web browser) to identify whether the user is already logged in (e.g., to a web site). The cookie data can be encrypted to provide security for the consumer. Tracking cookies can be used to compile historical browsing histories of individuals. Systems disclosed herein can generate and use cookies to access data of an individual. Systems can also generate and use JSON web tokens to store authenticity information, HTTP authentication as authentication protocols, IP addresses to track session or identity information and/or URLs.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is provided an illustration of an illustrative method 300 for analyzing a medical image 302. It should be noted that machine learned models are used in method 300 for various purposes. The manner in which the machine learned models are used will become evident as the discussion progresses. The machine learned models are generated based on medical images for a plurality of individuals. Each machine learned model represents a possible structure of a body part (e.g., a spine). In this regard, each machine learned model may define relative locations of femoral heads to vertebrae, relative locations of vertebrae to each other, dimensions of vertebrae, relative locations of vertebrae edges, angles of vertebrae edges relative to a reference line, a centerline of the spine, and a curvature of the centerline.

After the machine learned models have been generated, an individual (e.g., individual 110 of FIG. 1) of a medical practice (e.g., a doctor, a nurse, or a technician) performs a user-software action to launch a software application (e.g., software application 224 of FIG. 4) installed on a computing device (e.g., computing device 108 of FIG. 1, server 114 of FIG. 1, and/or computing device 200 of FIG. 2). The software application is generally configured to cause a medical image 302 of a patient (e.g., patient 104 of FIG. 1) to be captured by an imaging device (e.g., imaging device 102 of FIG. 1). The medical image 302 may be captured during an office visit. The medical image 302 comprises an image of a part of the patient's body (e.g., a spine).

Next, the medical image 302 is presented to the individual on a display (e.g., display 254 of FIG. 2) of the computing device. The individual visually analyzes the medical image 302 to identify at least one point on the patient's body (e.g., spine 314) shown in the medical image 302. In the spine scenarios, each point can include, but is not limited to, a point on a femur, a cervical vertebra C1-C8, a thoracic vertebra T1-T12, a lumbar vertebra L1-L5, a sacral vertebra S1-S4 or other part along the vertebral column of the patient (e.g., patient 104 of FIG. 1). An illustration showing the listed types of vertebrae is provided in FIG. 4.

Once the point(s) on the patient's body (e.g., spine 314) has(have) been identified, a mark is overlaid or superimposed on the medical image 302 for each identified point. Techniques for overlaying or superimposing marks on images are well known. Any known or to be known technique can be used herein. For example, a mark can be overlaid or superimposed on the medical image 302 via user-software interactions performed by the individual using an annotation or drawing tool of the software application. The present solution is not limited in this regard. Annotation and drawing tools are well known.

The mark can include, but is not limited to, a line, a circle, and/or a square. For example, a circular mark 315 is drawn on the medical image 302 so as to encompass a femoral edge. A first linear mark 316 is drawn on the medical image 302 so as to extend parallel to and/or along an top end plate of a sacral vertebrae S1. A second linear mark 317 is drawn on the medical image 302 so as to extend parallel to and/or along a top end plate of a lumbar vertebrae L1. The present solution is not limited to the particulars of this example.

Next in 308, the computing device performs operations to generate, create or select a spline based on the machine learned models and/or the marks 315, 316, 317 overlaid/superimposed on the medical image 302. In some scenarios, the computing device inputs information about the marks 315, 316, 317 into a machine-learning algorithm. The machine-learning algorithm can employ supervised machine learning, semi-supervised machine learning, unsupervised machine learning, and/or reinforcement machine learning. Each of these listed types of machine-learning is well known in the art.

In some scenarios, the machine-learning algorithm includes, but is not limited to, a decision tree learning algorithm, an association rule learning algorithm, an artificial neural network learning algorithm, a deep learning algorithm, an inductive logic programming based algorithm, a support vector machine based algorithm, a Bayesian network based algorithm, a representation learning algorithm, a similarity and metric learning algorithm, a sparse dictionary learning algorithm, a genetic algorithm, a rule-based machine-learning algorithm, and/or a learning classifier systems based algorithm. The machine-learning process implemented by the present solution can be built using Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) tools (e.g., SAS available from SAS Institute Inc. of Cary, N.C.).

The machine-learning algorithm uses the inputted information and the previously generated machine learned models to generate/create a spline using curve fitting and/or select a pre-defined spline from a plurality of pre-defined possible splines. Curve fitting is well known in the art. In some scenarios, the spline includes a piecewise polynomial curve. Accordingly, a mathematical function may be employed to generate the spline as an alternative to or in addition to the machine-learning algorithm. The mathematical function can be defined by one or more polynomial equations representing one or more numerically complex contours on a given body part (e.g., a spine).

A mark for the spline is then overlaid or superimposed on the medical image 302. For example, a curved line 318 is overlaid or superimposed on the medical image 302 as shown in FIG. 3. Line 318 extends between the first mark 316 and the second mark 317. Line 318 starts at a mid-point 324 of the first mark 316 and ends at a mid-point 326 of the second mark 317. In effect, the line 318 generally follows and extends along a centerline of the vertebrae L1-L5. The present solution is not limited in this regard.

The mark 318 may be presented to the individual via the display (e.g., display 254 of FIG. 2) of the computing device. In some scenarios, the software application is configured to (i) allow the individual to adjust or modify the mark 318 and/or (ii) approve the mark 318, prior to proceeding with the operations of 310.

In 310, the computing device performs operations to identify locations and/or positions of vertebra endplates in the medical image 302. As shown in FIG. 5, a vertebral endplate 504, 506 of a vertebrae 500 comprises a surface defining a transition region where a vertebral body 502 and an intervertebral disc (not shown) interface with each other. These identifications can be made based on the machine learned models, the marks 315, 316, 317, 318 overlaid/superimposed on the medical image 302, and/or contents of scientific database (e.g., datastore 116 of FIG. 1 that stores models of a normal spine and relative vertebrae locations/positions). In some scenarios, the computing device inputs information about the marks 315, 316, 317, 318 into a machine-learning algorithm. The machine-learning algorithm can be the same as or different than the machine-learning algorithm employed in 308.

The machine-learning algorithm uses inputted information about marks 315, 316, 317, 318 and the previously generated machine learned models to generate or select possible locations/positions for vertebrae endplates. For example, the machine-learning algorithm can determine a location or position of a vertebrae endplate based on a body part identifier (e.g. L1 or S1) associated with each mark 315, 316, 317, a distance between marks 316, 317 in the medical image 302, a distance between mark 315 and each mark 316, 317 in the medical image 302, a location of spline mark 318 in the medical image 302, a shape of the spline mark 318, a curvature of the spline mark 318, an angle 330 of mark 316 relative to a reference line 328, and an angle 332 of mark 317 relative to the reference line 328. The listed information is used to identify a machine learned model from a plurality of pre-defined machine learned models. The locations/positions for vertebrae endplates specified in the identified machine learned model are then considered to be the locations/positions of vertebrae endplates in the medical image 302. The present solution is not limited to the particulars of this example.

A mark 320 is overlaid or superimposed on the medical image 302 at each identified location or position for a vertebra endplate. Each mark 320 can include, but is not limited to, a linear line. The mark 320 can have a center point 340 that resides on the spline mark 318 such that the linear line extends an equal amount in opposing directions from the spline mark 318.

The mark(s) 320 may be presented to the individual via the display (e.g., display 254 of FIG. 2) of the computing device. In some scenarios, the software application is configured to (i) allow the individual to adjust or modify the mark(s) 320 and/or (ii) approve the mark(s) 320, prior to proceeding with the operations of 312.

In 312, the computing device performs operations to address any errors in the positions/locations/sizes of the mark(s) 320 in the medical image 302. These operations involve defining circles 334 within the medical image 302. Each circle 334 has a pre-defined size and encompasses an end point 336 of a given mark 320. The computing device then analyzes the area of the medical image contained in each circle 334 to determine a precise location of a vertebrae's corner. For example, the computing device analyzes differences in pixel color, gray level and/or contrast within the given area to determine the precise location of a vertebrae's corner. As shown in FIG. 3, the pixel(s) associated with the vertebrae's corner has(have) a weaker gray level than the pixels associated with a surrounding structure. This difference in color, gray level and/or contrast is used to identify the precise location of a vertebrae's corner. The present solution is not limited to the particulars of this example.

Once the precise location(s) of the vertebrae corner(s) is(are) identified, the computing device may perform operations to adjust or modify the shape(s), size(s) and/or location(s) of the mark(s) 320 relative to the medical image 302. For example, a length of a given mark 320 is increased or decreased, and/or an angle of a given mark 320 is changed relative to the reference line 328 based on displacements or differences between the locations of the mark corners and the respective precise locations(s) of vertebrae corner(s). The present solution is not limited to the particulars of this example.

Subsequent to completing the operations of 312, the computing device may use information about the marks 315, 316, 317, 318 and/or 320 to create a treatment plan for the patient. For example, the information about the marks 315, 316, 317, 318 and/or 320 is used by the computing system to identify a possible abnormal condition or medical disease of the patient and/or make a prediction about a future medical disease or abnormal condition for the patient. This identification/predication can be made by comparing the particulars of marks 315, 316, 317, 318 and/or 320 to particulars of marks contained in pre-defined machine learned module(s). An abnormal condition or medical disease is identified/predicted when the particulars of the marks 315, 316, 317, 318 and/or 320 match the particulars of marks contained in pre-defined machine learned module(s) by a certain amount (e.g., 70%). The identified or predicted medical disease or abnormal condition is then used to generate a treatment plan. The treatment plan comprises an electronic and/or paper document that describes the patient's individualized diagnosis, needs, goals, treatment interventions and treatment providers. The treatment plan may also include measurements of radiographic parameters (e.g., spinopelvic and frontal) at different stages (e.g., preoperatively and surgical planning stages). The radiographic measurements can include, but are not limited to, pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, pelvic angle, sagittal vertical axis, and vertebra lordosis. The treatment plan may further include planning specifications (e.g., a rod is to be lengthened according to coronal deformity).

In some scenarios, a treatment system (e.g., treatment system 150 of FIG. 1) may then be programmed such that it can perform operations in accordance with the treatment plan. The treatment system can include, but is not limited to, an implant creating system, a surgical tool, and/or a radiation therapy device. Each of the listed treatment systems are well known. The treatment system may then perform operations to (i) produce, locate, order or otherwise obtain a medical device to be implanted in the patient (e.g., a cage, a hook, a plate, a screw, a rod and/or a spinal cord stimulator) and/or (ii) apply a treatment to the patient during a medical procedure (e.g., facilitate the control of and/or the implanting of one or more medical devices or tools).

The above described solution can be employed and incorporated in other systems such as those disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/837,461, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/404,276, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/958,409, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/182,466, and International Patent Application No. PCT/FR17/053506. The entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is provided a flow diagram of an illustrative method 600 for medical treatment. As shown in FIG. 6A, method 600 begins with 602 and continues with 604 where medical images for a plurality of individuals are obtained. The medical images can include, but are not limited to, a DT scan image, a CT scan image, an MRI image, and/or a PET scan image. In 606, machine learned models are generated based on the medical images. Each machine learned model represents a possible structure of a body part (e.g., a spine). For example, each machine learned model may define relative locations of a femoral edge to vertebrae, relative locations of vertebrae to each other, dimensions of vertebrae, relative locations of vertebrae edges, angles of vertebrae edges relative to a reference line, a centerline of the spine, and a curvature of the centerline. The present solution is not limited to the particulars of this example.

In 608, a software application (e.g., software application 224 of FIG. 2) is launched. Techniques for launching software applications installed on computing devices are well known in the art. The software application is configured to cause a medical image (e.g., medical image 302 of FIG. 2) of an individual (e.g., individual 104 of FIG. 1) to be captured by at least one imaging device (e.g., imaging device(s) 102 of FIG. 1). The medical image is presented on a display (e.g., display 254 of FIG. 2) of a computing device (e.g., computing device 108 of FIG. 1, server 114 of FIG. 1, and/or computing device 200 of FIG. 2).

Next in 614, the medical image is visually analyzed or inspected to identify point(s) on a body part shown therein. For example, one or more vertebrae endplates of a spine is identified in the medical image. A mark is overlaid or superimposed on the medical image for each identified point, as shown by 616. An annotation tool or drawing tool can be used to overlay or superimpose the mark(s) on the medical image.

In 618, a spline is generated based on the machine learned model(s) and/or particulars of the mark(s) overlaid/superimposed on the medical image in 616. The spline may be generated in the same or substantially similar manner as that described above in relation to FIG. 3. A mark for the spline is overlaid/superimposed on the medical image in 620. The mark for the spine may be presented on the display of the computing device, as shown by 622. Manual adjustments to, modifications to and/or approval of the spline mark may optionally be allowed in 624. The manual actions can be achieved using one or more widgets of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) presented on the display of the computing device. The GUI can be the same as or different than the GUI in which the medical image is displayed.

In 626, the computing device performs operations to identify second point(s) on the body part shown in the medical image. For example, the computing device identifies location(s) and/or position(s) of vertebra endpoint(s) in a spine shown in the medical image. The manner in which the identification(s) is(are) made is the same as or substantially similar to that described above in relation to FIG. 3. In this regard, the identification(s) is(are) made based on the machine learned model(s), the marks overlaid/superimposed on the medical image in 616 and/or 620, and/or contents of a scientific database (e.g., database 116 of FIG. 1).

In 628, a mark is overlaid or superimposed on the medical image for each identified second point (e.g., location/position for a vertebrae endplate). Upon completing 628, method 600 continues with 630 of FIG. 6B.

As shown in FIG. 6B, 630 involves optionally presenting the mark(s) for the vertebrae endplates on the display of the computing device. The software application may allow manual adjustments to, modification of and/or approval of the mark(s) for the vertebra endplates, as shown by 632. The manual actions can be achieved using one or more widgets of a GUI presented on the display of the computing device. The GUI can be the same as or different than the GUI in which the medical image is displayed.

In 634, image recognition is used to identify and address any errors in mark(s) for the vertebrae endplate(s). The manner in which the image recognition is performed is the same as or substantially similar to that described above in relation to block 312 of FIG. 3. Next, method 600 may continue with 636, 638 and/or 640. 636-640 involve: using the particulars of the marks to create a treatment plane; programming a treatment system (e.g., treatment system 150 of FIG. 1) with the treatment plan; and/or performing operations by the treatment system to treat the individual. Subsequent to completing 634, 636, 638 or 640, 642 is performed where method 600 ends other operations are performed (e.g., return to 602 of FIG. 6A).

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplification of the various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A method for medical treatment, comprising: receiving, by a computing device, information identifying at least one first point on a body part shown in a medical image;overlaying, by the computing device, a first mark on the medical image for the at least one first point;generating, by the computing device, a spline based at least on the first mark;overlaying, by the computing device, a second mark for the spline on the medical image;identifying, by the computing device, a location of at least one second point on the body part shown in the medical image based on the first and second marks;overlaying, by the computing device, a third mark for the at least one second point on the medical image;analyzing differences in gray levels for pixels residing within a given area surrounding an end of the third mark to determine a precise location of an object corner; andmodifying at least one of a shape of the third mark, a size of the third mark and a location of the third mark relative to the medical image in accordance with results of the analyzing; andusing at least the third mark to facilitate the medical treatment of an individual whose body part is shown in the medical image.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising performing operations, by the computing device, to cause an imaging device to capture the medical image.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one machine learned model is additionally used to generate the spline.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the at least one machine learned model defines a possible structure of a spine.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the spline comprises a piecewise polynomial curve.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second mark comprises a curved line that (i) extends between a mid-point of the first mark and a mid-point of another mark, and (ii) extends along a centerline of the body part.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second points comprise vertebrae endpoints.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the location of the at least one second point is identified further based on at least one of a machine learned model and contents of a scientific database.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the precise location of the object corner is determined by: defining a circle within the medical image that encompasses an end point of the third mark; andconsidering the given area as comprising an area of the medical image contained in the circle.

10. A system, comprising: a processor;a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to implement a method for medical treatment, wherein the programming instructions comprise instructions to: receive information identifying at least one first point on a body part shown in a medical image;overlay a first mark on the medical image for the at least one first point;generate a spline based at least on the first mark;overlay a second mark for the spline on the medical image;identify a location of at least one second point on the body part shown in the medical image based on the first and second marks;overlay a third mark for the at least one second point on the medical image;analyze differences in gray levels for pixels residing within a given area surrounding an end of the third mark to determine a precise location of an object corner; andmodify at least one of a shape of the third mark, a size of the third mark and a location of the third mark relative to the medical image in accordance with results of the analyzing; anduse at least the third mark to facilitate the medical treatment of an individual whose body part is shown in the medical image.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the programming instructions further comprise instructions to cause an imaging device to capture the medical image.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein at least one machine learned model is additionally used to generate the spline.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the at least one machine learned model defines a possible structure of a spine.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein the spline comprises a piecewise polynomial curve.

15. The system according to claim 10, wherein the second mark comprises a curved line that (i) extends between a mid-point of the first mark and a mid-point of another mark, and (ii) extends along a centerline of the body part.

16. The system according to claim 10, wherein the first and second points comprise vertebrae endpoints.

17. The system according to claim 10, wherein the location of the at least one second point is identified further based on at least one of a machine learned model and contents of a scientific database.

18. The system according to claim 10, wherein the precise location of an object corner is determined by: defining a circle within the medical image that encompasses an end point of the third mark; andconsidering the given area as comprising an area of the medical image contained in the circle.