4D Volume Visualization for Medical Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging systems are cumbersome and time-consuming, making it difficult for clinicians to quickly navigate and analyze medical images, particularly in critical conditions like brain attacks, where delays can lead to permanent injury or death.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for performing three-dimensional volume visualization of two-dimensional images, combining them to form four-dimensional volumes that represent changes over time, allowing for the display of blood flow through organs and enabling clinicians to view multiple image sets simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If clinicians view multiple images on different screens or sequentially, then they can review all necessary information, but the time for diagnosis increases and the difficulty in reviewing images increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple 2D images into a single 3D volume visualization that can be displayed on one screen. The 3D volume integrates information from multiple time points and spatial locations, allowing clinicians to view all necessary diagnostic information simultaneously in a single integrated display rather than across multiple screens or sequentially.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from 2D image viewing to 3D volume visualization, adding the spatial dimension to the viewing experience. This dimensional change allows clinicians to navigate through the volume interactively, viewing slices, volumes, or surfaces at different spatial locations and time points within a single unified interface, thereby reducing the time and effort required to review all necessary information.
2Measurement precision
If existing segmentation techniques are used, then anatomical regions can be identified, but the visualization becomes difficult to navigate and review
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic 3D volume visualization that allows interactive navigation through the anatomical structure. Clinicians can dynamically adjust viewing parameters, rotate views, slice through different planes, and navigate through time-points within the volume. This dynamic interaction makes the visualization much easier to navigate and review compared to static 2D images or fixed segmentation displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the 3D volume into manageable components that can be independently viewed and navigated. The volume can be divided into slices, surfaces, or regions of interest that clinicians can selectively examine. This segmentation of the 3D data structure maintains anatomical identification accuracy while enabling easy navigation through the complex anatomy by focusing on specific segments at a time.
3Device complexity
If a single image is displayed at a time, then the display system remains simple, but the clinician cannot view all necessary information simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple images and time-points into a single integrated 3D volume display. Instead of showing one image at a time or requiring multiple screens, the system presents a unified 3D volume that contains all necessary diagnostic information simultaneously. This single display provides comprehensive information about the anatomical structure across different time points and spatial locations, greatly improving diagnostic efficiency without requiring complex multi-screen setups.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for displaying medical image data. The method includes digitally combining 3D volume visualizations to form a plurality of four-dimensional (4D) volume visualizations representing the 3D volume visualizations over a period of time. The plurality of 4D volume visualizations include first and second 4D volume visualizations. The first 4D volume visualization including the entirety of the common region during a first time period, and the second 4D volume visualization including the entirety of the common region during a different second time period. The method also includes digitally combining the first and second 4D volume visualizations by digitally processing the first and second 4D volume visualizations to generate a modified 4D volume visualization of the entirety of the common region.