Acoustic Wave Image Display Color Coding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices for displaying photoacoustic and ultrasound images struggle with accurately identifying multiple acoustic wave images superimposed on each other, leading to confusion in clinical and medical research applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an acoustic wave image display device that uses distinct display colors and menu icons for each type of image, along with operation icons, to facilitate intuitive identification and processing of photoacoustic and ultrasound images, allowing for color switching, transparency adjustment, and display order manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple acoustic wave images are displayed superimposed on each other, then the information density and clinical utility are improved, but the ability to accurately identify each image type deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color coding to visually distinguish between different types of acoustic wave images. Photoacoustic images are displayed in a first color while ultrasound images are displayed in a second color, allowing multiple images to be superimposed without confusion about which image corresponds to which modality. This color differentiation maintains high information density while preserving clear identification of each image type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the display information by associating separate menu icon groups with each image type. The first menu icon group is displayed in the first color and controls photoacoustic image processing, while the second menu icon group is displayed in the second color and controls ultrasound image processing. This segmentation allows users to clearly identify which control options correspond to which image type even when images are superimposed.
2Device complexity
If GUI is used to perform input operations, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in identifying multiple images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends color coding to menu icons, making the GUI both simple and easy to operate. Menu icons are displayed in colors that match their associated image types, allowing users to intuitively identify which controls affect which images without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces color as an intermediary visual cue between the images and the control interface. This color mediator connects the first image type with its corresponding menu icon group and the second image type with its corresponding menu icon group, enabling accurate operation selection without complicating the GUI structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables accurate and intuitive identification of multiple acoustic wave images, enhancing the usability and clarity of image processing in medical research by visually distinguishing between different image types and allowing for seamless switching and manipulation of image displays.
Implementation Method 1
Noninvasive measurement (photoacoustic measurement) that uses the photoacoustic effect has attracted attention in recent years. In photoacoustic measurement, for example, pulsed light of the wavelength range of visible light, near-infrared light, or intermediate infrared light is emitted to a subject. A light-absorbing material in the subject absorbs energy of the pulsed light and generates elastic waves (photoacoustic waves).
Data Source
AI summary
A first acoustic wave image is displayed in a first display color, and a second acoustic wave image is displayed in a second display color different from the first display color. A group of first menu icons for designating a process to be performed on the first acoustic wave image and a group of second menu icons for designating a process to be performed on the second acoustic wave image are displayed on menu icon display means. The group of first menu icons is displayed in the first display color, and the group of second menu icons is displayed in the second display color.