Color-coded virtual colon dissection for polyp detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical diagnostic imaging systems, particularly in tomographic reconstruction, face challenges in detecting colorectal cancerous polyps in virtually dissected views due to the lack of visual cues, leading to potential misdiagnosis and prolonged interpretation times.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that overlays coded data on a virtually dissected anatomical structure by computing display index values and assigning attributes such as color to highlight shape, fluid, and fecal matter data, enhancing visual cues for faster identification of polyps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a virtual dissection is used to view the interior of anatomical structures, then non-invasive examination is achieved, but visual cues are insufficient leading to difficulty in detecting polyps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color coding to different anatomical structures and features within the virtual dissection. Polyps are highlighted with distinct colors, fluid regions are color-coded, and fecal matter is differentiated by color. This visual enhancement transforms the grayscale or low-contrast virtual dissection into a color-rich display that makes polyps and other features immediately distinguishable, directly resolving the detection difficulty while maintaining non-invasive examination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms raw imaging data into enhanced visual representations by computing display index values and applying color mappings. The system changes the visual parameters of the anatomical structures by assigning different colors and visual attributes to different tissue types, fluid regions, and potential polyps. This parameter transformation makes previously invisible or indistinct features clearly visible without requiring invasive procedures
2Ease of operation
If manual inspection of virtual dissection is performed, then interpretation is possible, but interpretation time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
By automatically applying color codes to different structures and features, the system eliminates the need for manual interpretation of grayscale images. The color-coded display provides immediate visual cues that guide the observer's attention directly to relevant features, dramatically reducing the time required to interpret the virtual dissection while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate processing step that automatically generates color-coded visual cues from the raw imaging data. This intermediary system acts as a mediator between the raw data and the final interpretation, providing pre-processed visual information that accelerates the interpretation process without replacing the need for medical professional review
3Measurement precision
If visual cues are added to virtual dissection, then polyp detection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a systematic approach to parameter transformation where display index values are computed from the imaging data and then mapped to color codes. This structured parameter change process, while adding functionality, follows a clear algorithmic framework that manages system complexity through organized data flow and standardized processing steps
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for displaying a set of data with a virtually dissected anatomical structure. In an embodiment, the anatomical structure is a colon and various attributes of the colonic lumen are assigned a color. In an embodiment, a virtual dissection of the colon is created by mapping a three-dimensional data set to a two dimensional data set. A plurality of display index values are computed which correspond to the three-dimensional data set. Various colors are assigned to specific display index values. The three-dimensional display index values are mapped to a two-dimensional set of display index values. As directed by a user, various color cues may be displayed with the virtually dissected lumen to provide color highlights to various aspects of the colon, such as highlighting shape, fluid, or fecal presence.