COPD Progression Evaluation via Image Registration and Region Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for evaluating the progression of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or emphysema in medical images are prone to variations due to differences in imaging modalities, patient conditions, and radiologist interpretation, leading to inconsistent quantitative assessments.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for generating diagnosis assistance information by matching and analyzing finding regions in medical images over time, using thresholding, detection, segmentation, and classification to provide a consistent index for quantitative evaluation of COPD or emphysema progression, including size information and visualization of changes in finding regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods are used to evaluate COPD progression by visual comparison or individual quantitative assessment, then the evaluation process is simple and quick, but the results show high variability and inconsistency due to differences in imaging modalities, patient conditions, and radiologist interpretation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an image registration system as an intermediary that aligns finding regions across multiple medical images before comparison. This registration process creates a standardized reference framework that eliminates variability from different imaging modalities and positions, enabling consistent quantitative measurement of finding region changes over time while maintaining a manageable evaluation workflow
2Loss of information
If individual quantitative evaluation results are compared without registration, then the evaluation process is straightforward, but missing information occurs and variations depend on imaging conditions and radiologist reading conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs image registration as a preliminary action before conducting quantitative comparison of finding regions. By pre-aligning the images and establishing corresponding anatomical positions, the system ensures that all subsequent measurements are based on consistent spatial references, preventing information loss while keeping the overall evaluation process systematic and manageable
3Reliability
If visual comparison by radiologists is used, then no complex processing is needed, but the results are subject to radiologist conditions and interpretation variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual comparison process with an automated image processing system that performs registration and quantitative measurement. This substitution eliminates human interpretation variability while using systematic computational methods to achieve consistent, reproducible results across different cases and time points
Data Source
AI summary
A method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes obtaining a first finding region in a first medical image and size information of the first finding region; identifying a second finding region matching the first finding region in a second medical image obtained after the first medical image; obtaining size information of the second finding region; and generating diagnosis assistance information based on the size information of the first finding region and the second finding region.