3D Medical Imaging Analysis with Interconnected Visual Outputs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current three-dimensional imaging modalities overwhelm radiologists with excessive data, making it impractical for them to manually evaluate hundreds or thousands of locations within a branching anatomical structure to determine if parameter values fall within expected ranges.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a processor to generate overview, cross-sectional, and statistical images simultaneously, with a visual output device displaying these images interconnectedly, allowing updates and inputs to automatically update other images, facilitating efficient analysis of three-dimensional image data, particularly in anatomical structures like the lung.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If three-dimensional imaging modalities are used to obtain detailed information about branching structures, then the amount of diagnostic information available increases, but the time and effort required to manually evaluate hundreds or thousands of locations increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated processing system that acts as an intermediary between the three-dimensional imaging data and the radiologist. This system automatically evaluates parameter values at multiple locations within branching structures, generating reports that highlight areas of interest, thereby eliminating the need for manual evaluation of hundreds or thousands of locations while preserving all diagnostic information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical evaluation process with an automated computational system. The processor automatically calculates parameter values (such as wall thickness, lumen area, and wall-to-lumen area ratio) at numerous locations within the branching structure, substituting the radiologist's manual measurement and evaluation work with automated image processing algorithms
2Measurement precision
If manual evaluation of parameter values at multiple locations is performed, then diagnostic accuracy is maintained, but productivity decreases due to the excessive number of locations that must be checked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the imaging system to perform self-evaluation by automatically processing the three-dimensional data and computing parameter values at multiple locations. The system generates its own diagnostic assessment by identifying locations where parameter values fall outside expected ranges, eliminating the need for external manual evaluation while maintaining diagnostic accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the evaluation process by changing from manual parameter measurement to automated computational analysis. The system processes multiple parameters (wall thickness, lumen area, wall-to-lumen area ratio) simultaneously across numerous locations, using computational algorithms to maintain measurement precision while dramatically increasing evaluation efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for analyzing three-dimensional image data are disclosed herein. The system includes a processor configured to generate an overview image of at least a portion of a patient. The processor is configured to generate a cross-sectional image including a cross-sectional view of the overview image. The processor is also configured to generate a statistical image showing a parameter value relating to the portion of the patient shown in the overview image. The system also includes a visual output device connected to the processor. The visual output device is configured to display the overview image, the cross-sectional image, and the statistical image generally simultaneously. Also, the overview image, the cross-sectional image, and the statistical image are interconnected such that an update, change, or input applied to any one of the images results in an update to one or more of the other images.