Method for Evaluating a Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Image of a Heart, Image Processing Device, Computer Program and Computer-Readable Storage Medium

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This patent describes a method and software for analyzing contrast-enhanced MRI images of the heart. The invention involves identifying specific areas in the heart tissue (myocardium) that have absorbed a contrast agent, by distinguishing the inner and outer contours of the heart wall and marking regions between these contours where contrast agent accumulation indicates potential issues.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Diagnosis of myocardial infarction or scarring using MRI
• Automated cardiac image analysis in hospitals and clinics
• Development of computer-aided diagnostic tools for cardiology
• Research in cardiac disease progression and tissue characterization
• Screening for heart diseases in large populations

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables more accurate and objective identification of heart tissue abnormalities
• Reduces human error by automating the analysis of complex MRI images
• Speeds up diagnosis by providing rapid image processing
• Improves the reliability of cardiac disease detection and monitoring
• Facilitates integration into software for hospitals, making it widely accessible

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Patent Abstract

In a method and processor for evaluating a contrast agent-enhanced two-dimensional magnetic resonance slice image of a heart of a patient in order to determine picture elements revealing contrast agent deposits in the myocardium, an endocardium contour in the magnetic resonance slice image, taking into consideration deposition information describing picture elements potentially revealing contrast agent deposits and determined by image analysis on the basis of a shape assumption for the heart structure that is to be examined, in particular the left ventricle, such that picture elements potentially revealing contrast agent deposits are avoided as much as possible as a contour component. An epicardium contour enclosing the endocardium contour is then determined. Picture elements are marked that indicate contrast agent enhancement in the myocardium lying between the epicardium contour and the endocardium contour as contrast agent deposit.