Context Sensitive Magnifying Glass for Medical Image Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Healthcare professionals face challenges in accurately measuring medical images due to errors introduced by the resolution of display devices and the need for repetitive zooming and input actions, which disrupt workflow and increase time spent on interpreting medical images.

Innovation Solution

A context-sensitive magnifying glass is displayed within the medical image, allowing for localized enlargement of a region of interest, enabling precise measurements by mapping inputs from input devices to anatomical coordinates, reducing the need for repetitive zooming and maintaining context.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If zoom feature is used to enlarge the image for precise measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but workflow efficiency deteriorates due to repetitive zooming in and out

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidworkflow efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested magnifying glass interface where a magnified view of the region of interest is embedded within the broader image context. This allows the user to see both the detailed measurement area and the overall image context simultaneously, eliminating the need to repeatedly zoom in and out while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Measurement precision

If zoom feature is used to enlarge the image for precise measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of context information worsens as other lesions are removed from view

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidcontext information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The magnified region is displayed as an overlay or inset within the full image view, allowing simultaneous visualization of both the detailed measurement area and the broader contextual information including other lesions. This nested display preserves context while enabling precise measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional input tools and menus are added to enable measurements, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the existing display interface into a measurement tool by allowing direct interaction with the displayed image. The display device itself becomes the measurement interface, eliminating the need for separate complex measurement tools and menus, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Adaptability or versatility

If additional input tools and menus are added to enable measurements, then measurement capability is improved, but time consumption increases due to repetitive inputs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for separate measurement tools and repetitive input actions by enabling direct measurement interactions on the displayed image. This integration reduces the number of steps and time required to perform measurements while maintaining full measurement functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP3523810B1Context sensitive magnifying glass
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3523810B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3523810B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3523810B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A medical imaging system (100) includes a user interface (110) and a magnifying view engine (130). The user interface displays a view of a medical image on a display device (114) and to provide a moveable indicator (116) identifying a moveable point positioned in the displayed medical image. The magnifying view engine (130) generates a localized enlargement of a region of interest within the displayed medical image in response to selection of an existing end point or an existing contour in the displayed medical image according to a first input by one or more input devices and indicated by a current position of the moveable indicator.