CT Image Depth Emphasis via Weight Map Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for reconstructing medical images, such as cephalometric and panoramic images from CT data, struggle to effectively emphasize depth resolution information without causing confusion or increasing processing time, limiting their utility in medical diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A medical image processing device and method that divides CT images into sections, generates weight maps based on pixel values to emphasize depth information, and adjusts depth information in two-dimensional reconstruction images using user input, allowing for improved depth resolution and contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If depth resolution information is increased in a two-dimensional image by conventional methods, then depth information becomes more prominent, but the image becomes more like a CT image causing sense of difference and confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the processing of foreground and background regions. Depth enhancement is selectively applied to foreground objects while background regions maintain their original appearance characteristics. This is achieved through depth map generation and selective adjustment of image parameters based on depth information, allowing depth resolution to be improved in specific regions without affecting the overall image naturalness and causing confusion.
2Measurement precision
If conventional methods are used to emphasize depth information by identifying depth information in CT data, then depth resolution is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-generating depth maps from the original image using automated depth estimation algorithms before the main image processing. These pre-computed depth maps are then reused for various depth enhancement operations, avoiding the need to re-process the entire CT data multiple times. This significantly reduces processing time while maintaining improved depth resolution in the final output images.
3Ease of manufacture
If two-dimensional images are formed by overlapping slice images in a view direction, then cephalometric or panoramic images are created, but depth information representation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by integrating depth maps that provide an additional depth dimension to the traditional two-dimensional overlapping slice image method. While the base images are still formed by overlapping slices in a view direction for ease of manufacture, the depth maps add a third dimension of depth information that enhances depth representation without complicating the fundamental image formation process. This allows depth-resolved cephalometric and panoramic images to be created efficiently.
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical image processing device is disclosed. The disclosed medical image processing device may comprise: an input interface for receiving input in the form of a depth adjustment command from a user; an image processing and control unit for superimposing part or all of CT image data in a view direction so as to generate a two-dimensional reconstructed image, and for changing the contrast of at least part of the two-dimensional reconstructed image with respect to the depth adjustment command; and a display unit for displaying the two-dimensional reconstructed image.