Abdominal CT Image Measuring Apparatus for GFR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring diagnostic reference values from abdominal CT images are inefficient and lack precision, particularly in obtaining complex characteristic data such as CT values and volumes, due to reliance on manual processes and approximate contour determination, leading to low precision and high costs.
Innovation Solution
An abdominal CT image measuring apparatus and method that uses an interface for obtaining two-phase or multi-phase scan images, a part recognizing unit for identifying points representing the part under test, and a characteristic data computing unit to extract CT values and compute required data based on differences between CT values in different phases, employing registration algorithms and region growing techniques to improve accuracy and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual measuring methods are used to obtain characteristic data from CT images, then the measuring process can be performed with simple equipment, but the precision and efficiency of obtaining characteristic data such as CT values and volumes are low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measuring methods with automated computer-based image processing systems. The apparatus uses computer-controlled X-ray CT scanning combined with automated image reconstruction and characteristic data extraction algorithms, eliminating manual measurement operations while significantly improving both precision and efficiency of obtaining anatomical characteristic data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service measurement by automatically processing CT images to extract characteristic data without requiring manual intervention. The computer-controlled apparatus performs automated image reconstruction, segmentation, and calculation of anatomical parameters, allowing the system to serve itself in obtaining precise measurement data efficiently.
2Productivity
If approximate contour determination is used to measure complex shapes, then the measuring process is simpler and faster, but the precision of volume and characteristic data is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the complex anatomical structure into multiple cross-sectional slices from the CT scan data. Each slice is independently processed to determine precise boundary contours, and then these segmented slices are integrated through computer-controlled reconstruction algorithms to calculate accurate three-dimensional volumes, maintaining both speed and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional approximate contour drawing to three-dimensional precise volume calculation by utilizing the depth information inherent in CT scan data. The computer-controlled apparatus reconstructs the anatomical structure in three dimensions, allowing accurate volume measurement without requiring manual approximation, thus improving precision while maintaining efficiency.
3Device complexity
If scattered edge points are collected to determine approximate contours, then the measuring process requires less computation, but the resulting characteristic data has large errors and low precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous useful action by processing all pixel data within each CT slice continuously through automated algorithms, rather than sampling only scattered points. The computer-controlled system performs continuous image reconstruction and characteristic data extraction across the entire image dataset, ensuring no useful information is lost and achieving high precision without excessive computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a precise digital copy of the anatomical structure from the CT scan data through computer-controlled image reconstruction. This digital model accurately represents the original anatomy, allowing precise measurement of characteristic data without requiring complex physical measurements or scattered point sampling, thus achieving high precision with manageable computation.
4Measurement precision
If operators manually mark regions on each single-slice CT image, then some characteristic data can be obtained, but the process is time-consuming and the precision is insufficient due to complex shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing automated image preprocessing, noise filtering, and edge detection before the final characteristic data extraction. The computer-controlled system prepares the image data in advance through systematic processing steps, including automated segmentation algorithms that identify anatomical boundaries, thereby eliminating the need for time-consuming manual marking while ensuring high precision in the final measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the manual mechanical process of marking regions on each slice with automated computer-based image processing algorithms. The apparatus uses software-based segmentation and boundary detection that operates continuously across all slices, dramatically reducing time consumption while improving precision by eliminating human error and subjectivity in region delineation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses an abdominal CT image measuring apparatus and method. The abdominal CT image measuring apparatus includes: an interface unit; a part recognizing unit and a characteristic data computing unit. The present invention can determine the specific region of the part under test with a little amount of computation, by registration and subtraction operation on the two-phase scan images. This is easy to be carried out in computers, thus the computing speed of the characteristic data can be guaranteed and the efficiency can be improved. By the recognizing of the kidney regions and the abdominal aorta region in the present invention, the glomerular filtration rates obtained by applying the key concept of the present invention to the image measuring of glomerular filtration rate can meet the clinical application requirements in both precision and speed.