Contouring Tool Automatic Interpolation Extrapolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical imaging contouring tools require users to repeatedly switch between contour drawing and interpolation/extrapolation modes, making the process inefficient and prone to trial-and-error, especially when generating and refining 3D structures from 2D image slices.
Innovation Solution
Integrating automatic interpolation and extrapolation functions with the contour-drawing tool, allowing users to perform manual contour drawing and editing while the system calculates and displays interpolated and extrapolated contours in the background, enabling immediate refinement and adaptation based on user modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If users repeatedly switch between contour drawing and interpolation/extrapolation modes in conventional tools, then contour generation can be completed, but the process becomes inefficient and prone to trial-and-error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate functions (contour drawing, interpolation, and extrapolation) into a single integrated contouring tool. This merging eliminates the need for users to switch between different modes or tools, thereby improving productivity by reducing operational steps and complexity while maintaining all necessary functionality in one unified interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The contouring tool is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it can draw contours, interpolate missing contours, and extrapolate beyond existing data ranges. This multi-functionality allows a single tool to replace what were previously separate specialized tools, improving both efficiency and ease of operation by providing comprehensive capabilities in one interface.
2Manufacturing precision
If users draw contours on every slice, then complete coverage is achieved, but the time and effort required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating interpolated and extrapolated contours based on user-provided seed contours. Instead of requiring users to manually contour every slice, the system pre-calculates and provides contour suggestions for intermediate slices, which users can then review and accept or modify as needed, significantly reducing the time required while maintaining completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The contouring system provides self-service functionality by automatically filling in missing contours through interpolation and extrapolation algorithms. The system serves itself by generating contour data that would otherwise require manual input, allowing users to focus only on reviewing and correcting the automatically generated contours rather than creating every contour from scratch.
3Ease of manufacture
If interpolation and extrapolation are implemented as separate tools, then each function can be optimized independently, but users are forced to switch between tools repeatedly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges interpolation and extrapolation functions with the contour drawing tool into a single integrated system. This combination maintains the independence and optimization of each individual function while eliminating the need for tool switching. The integrated tool provides seamless access to all functions, improving workflow efficiency and productivity without sacrificing the development flexibility or functional optimization of the individual components.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for generating a contour automatically based on one or more user-generated contours for a three dimensional (3D) structure. In one aspect, a method of integrating image contour generation and editing with contour interpolation and contour extrapolation is provided. Manual contour drawing and editing may be performed by a user while interpolation and/or extrapolation of contours is automatically calculated in the background. Results of the interpolation and/or extrapolation may be displayed immediately, allowing the user to easily make refinements to any contours, as needed. In one aspect, interpolated and extrapolated contours may be automatically adapted (e.g., recalculated) according to user-modifications of contours.