| abstract |
A method and apparatus for annotation of medical imagery to facilitate patient identification, diagnosis, and treatment is characterized by an imaging device for producing a first signal representative of sensed characteristics of the individual and a minutiae generator which receives the first signal and produces a second signal representative of minutiae of the individual, the minutiae corresponding to specific branch points of blood vessels of the individual. A minutiae data generator analyzes the characteristics of minutiae and produces a third signal representative of the characteristics which is stored in a minutiae database for each of the plurality of known individuals and their medical conditions. The minutiae and minutiae data may be used to annotate medical imagery to facilitate subsequent image comparison by providing standardized registration points and time-varying characteristics. A minutiae matcher pairs corresponding second signals and third signals from a current patient with those from a database record, and the paired signals are used to align the images and compare them. The minutiae analysis techniques of the invention can be used to identify medical patients, assist in the diagnosis of medical conditions, and detect and monitor the use of alcohol and drugs, including anesthesia. |