Real-time Diagnosis of Ovarian Malignancy
The Invention Automatic, non-invasive and immediate diagnosis of ovarian malignancy with an accuracy rate of over 90% is made possible through this innovative Real-time Diagnostic ultrasound package. The package includes two components, which together increase the likelihood of a highly accurate diagnosis. This new technology combines a computerized analysis of a B-scan Ultrasound, and an analysis of the Doppler Velocity Spectrum. The complex algorithms for automatic Doppler spectra analysis and image processing are able to quantitatively estimate the blood flow to the suspected tumor (Doppler US) and to do a morphologic evaluation of the suspected tumor. Analysis of these results is then followed by an evaluation of the tumor’s malignancy. The Doppler analysis alone seems to be very sensitive to differentiating between benign and malignant tumors, even at early stages. The two tests can be used independently or together as a package that will provide the physician and patient with immediate and reliable information about the tumor via a non-invasive method. The Technological Innovation The Real-time Diagnosis of Ovarian Malignancy consists of two individual approaches, which, when combined, yield a much more accurate and detailed characterization of ovarian tumors.The first approach – the automatic ultrasound analysis – is capable of locating the margins of the tumor and classifying the tumor into 3 main categories (cyst, solid and semi-solid) according to the statistical parameters (mainly the gray levels) from the region of interest. A specifically developed algorithm is then responsible for the evaluation of the tumor’s characteristics, including its degree of malignancy.
The second approach – the Doppler based technology – is capable of discriminating between benign and malignant tumors, using a newly developed parameter for the calculations. This new parameter is called “DVD_S” (“end-Diastolic Velocity Distribution Slope”), and its discriminative ability is a result of the characteristic blood flow in tumorous blood vessels as opposed to normal ones.
Both US tests (B-scan and Doppler) are performed as usual in the clinical setup, during which the graphs and images are digitized into the computer. The physician then marks the Region of Interest (ROI) in the image. This is the only manual stage in the process. Commercial Applications The Real-time Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer algorithmic method is capable of discriminating between benign and malignant ovarian tumors even during the early stages of their development, thus enabling immediate, early diagnosis and more effective treatment. Implementation The software is implemented on a PC. The ultrasound tests themselves remain unchanged, and therefore there is no need for new instruments. References
§ Zimmer Y, Tepper R, Akselrod S. “An automatic approach for morphological analysis and malignancy evaluation of ovarian masses using B-scans” Ultrasound Med Biol. Vol. 29, No. 11, pp. 1561–1570, 2003.
§ Zimmer Y, Tepper R, Akselrod S. “A two-dimensional extension of minimum cross-entropy thresholding for the segmentation of ultra-sound images.” Ultrasound Med Biol. Vol. 22 pp.1183–1190, 1996.
§ Zimmer Y, Tepper R, Akselrod S. “Computerized quantification of structures within ovarian cysts using ultrasound images.” Ultrasound Med Biol. Vol.25 pp.189–200, 1999.
§ Shaharabany Y, Akselrod S, Tepper R., "A sensitive new indicator for diagnostics of ovarian malignancy, based on the Doppler velocity spectrum" Ultrasound Med Biol. Vol. 30 No. 3, pp 295, 2004. Links http://www.tau.ac.il/~solange/ Patent Granted US; IL; pending
Inventor(s): Professor Solange Akselrod
Type of Offer: Licensing
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