Image processing apparatus and image processing method

Abstract

The invention provides an image processing apparatus and an image processing method. The image processing apparatus includes a gradient strength calculating unit that calculates a gradient strength of a pixel value of each pixel based on an intraluminal image that is a captured image of an intralumen; a closed region extracting unit that extracts a closed region from the intraluminal image, the closed region satisfying conditions that the pixel of which gradient strength is a predetermined value or more is not included in the closed region and a boundary of the closed region does not bend with a predetermined curvature or higher toward an inner side of the closed region; and an abnormal portion detecting unit that detects an abnormal portion inside the closed region. The closed region extracting unit includes an initial closed region setting unit that sets an initial shape of the closed region; an energy calculating unit that calculates values of a plurality of types of energy including at least energy determined by an outer shape of the closed region and energy determined by the gradient strength in the closed region; an energy-weighted sum calculating unit that calculates a weighted sum of the plurality of types of energy; and a closed region updating unit that updates a shape of the closed region within an update range based on the weighted sum. The closed region updating unit includes an update range determining unit that determines the update range in which the shape of the closed region is updated based on any one of the values of the plurality of types of energy.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to an image processing device and an image processing method for processing an image of a lumen in a living body obtained by photographing a lumen in a living body. Background technique [0002] Conventionally, endoscopes have been widely used as medical observation devices that are introduced into the body of a subject such as a patient to observe the inside of a lumen inside the body. In addition, in recent years, an ingestion-type endoscope (capsule endoscope) having an imaging device inside a capsule casing and a communication device for wirelessly transmitting image data captured by the imaging device outside the body has been developed. Observing and diagnosing images of internal lumens (in vivo lumen images) captured by these medical observation devices requires a lot of experience, so it is desirable to have a medical diagnosis support function that assists doctors in diagnosis. As one of the image recognition tec...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In addition, the second shape-dependent filter in JP-A-2002-99896 is used to emphasize a specific shape (shape of microcalcification shadow), but the abnormal part reflected on the image of the lumen in the living body does not have a definite shape

Therefore, it is difficult to assume the shape of the abnormal part in advance as in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-99896, and then design a structure for remaining through the first shape-dependent filter (for example, the aforementioned curved part with a large curvature). ) and the optimal shape-dependent filter for distinguishing abnormal parts

Therefore, even if the two shape-dependent filters are combined, it is difficult to distinguish and detect abnormal parts from groove positions and contour parts

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