Chest Image Processing for Dense Tissue Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is difficult for inspectors to confirm abnormalities in areas of chest images where tissue density is high and visibility is low, as conventional systems struggle to effectively highlight these regions.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that detects dense tissue areas, cuts out and deforms the image to uniformize tissue density, and displays the deformed image to enhance visibility of these regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the area where the lesion is likely to be overlooked is detected and displayed as in PTL 1, then the area where the lesion is likely to be overlooked is highlighted, but it is difficult for an inspector to confirm whether there is an abnormality in the displayed area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the density parameter of the tissue by applying deformation processing to create a synthetic image where the density of the dense tissue area is made uniform with surrounding areas. This parameter change enhances visibility while preserving diagnostic quality, allowing inspectors to clearly confirm abnormalities in previously difficult-to-visualize dense tissue regions.
2Quantity of substance
If the density of tissue in a chest image is high, then the tissue area is dense, but visibility of the area becomes low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a synthetic image as an intermediary representation. This synthetic image is generated by deforming the original medical image to uniformize tissue density, serving as a mediator that preserves the anatomical structure and diagnostic information while improving visibility. The synthetic image acts as a bridge between the high-density original tissue and the inspector's ability to visually confirm abnormalities.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image processing device includes a detection means 31X, an acquisition means 32X, a deformation means 33X, and a display control means 34X. The detection means 31X is configured to detect a dense portion where tissue is dense from a chest image. The acquisition means 32X is configured to acquire a first image obtained by cutting out an area based on the dense portion from the chest image. The deformation means 33X is configured to deform the first image based on information related to density of the tissue in the first image. The display control means 34X is configured to display, on a display device, a second image obtained by deforming the first image. It can be used to assist a user in decision making and the like.