Body-Type-Aware Tomographic Imaging Positioning for Visceral Fat Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring visceral fat area using tomographic images are inappropriate for individuals with obese body types, as the position of the umbilicus can be biased, leading to inaccurate measurements due to the pelvis entering the image at the umbilicus position.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that derives a determination target position based on body information, such as body thickness distribution or optical images, and determines an appropriate imaging position for tomographic images relative to a reference position, adjusting for different body types to accurately capture visceral fat area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the umbilicus position is used as the imaging position for tomographic images, then the measurement is simple and quick, but the measurement precision deteriorates for individuals with obese body types due to pelvis intrusion into the image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the imaging position parameter from a fixed anatomical landmark (umbilicus) to a dynamically determined position based on body thickness distribution. By calculating the actual umbilicus position relative to the pelvis using body thickness data, the system adjusts the imaging position to avoid pelvis intrusion while maintaining measurement efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If the imaging position is adjusted to avoid pelvis intrusion for obese individuals, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional body information analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces body thickness distribution as an intermediary element that bridges the simple umbilicus positioning method and the accurate visceral fat measurement. By using this intermediate data layer, the system can determine the appropriate imaging position without requiring complex direct measurement of multiple anatomical landmarks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical method of manually identifying anatomical landmarks with an automated image processing approach. By using optical images and distance images to calculate body thickness distribution, the system substitutes manual anatomical measurement with computational analysis, reducing device complexity while improving precision.
3Measurement precision
If multiple anatomical landmarks are used to determine the imaging position, then the measurement precision improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased complexity in position determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to automatically determine the imaging position using the subject's own body information (optical images and distance images). The body thickness distribution calculation and umbilicus position determination are performed autonomously by the system without requiring operator intervention to identify multiple anatomical landmarks, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving precision.
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program which can acquire a tomographic image at an appropriate imaging position according to a body type of a subject.The information processing apparatus includes at least one processor. The processor derives a determination target position of a subject in a body axis direction on the basis of body information indicating a physical feature of the subject in a predetermined range along the body axis direction of the subject, derives a reference position of the subject in the body axis direction on the basis of a subject image that is an image captured for the subject, and determines an imaging position of a tomographic image on the basis of a relative positional relationship between the determination target position and the reference position.