CT Image Visualization with Picture-in-Picture Overlay

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current image visualization techniques in CT scanners require users to switch between multiple views of the same anatomical area, which slows down the examination interpretation process and often necessitates smaller image sizes and reduced resolution when displaying multiple views simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A method for concurrently displaying multiple views of the same anatomical area using different processing algorithms, where each view is superimposed over a sub-portion of the image data without overlapping, allowing automatic synchronization of certain visual characteristics while maintaining image size and resolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple views are displayed simultaneously on the same screen, then the user can review multiple views without switching, but the image size and resolution are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of viewing multiple viewsVSAvoidimage resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from displaying multiple views sequentially (time dimension) or reducing image size (2D space) to utilizing the third dimension of screen depth through picture-in-picture technology. The primary view occupies the main display area while secondary views are displayed as smaller overlay windows, effectively using spatial layering to maintain full resolution of all views simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If the user switches between different views to review multiple views, then image resolution is maintained, but the examination interpretation process is slowed down

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage resolutionVSAvoidexamination interpretation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate view displays into a single integrated interface using picture-in-picture technology. The primary view and multiple secondary views are merged into one cohesive display where all views are visible simultaneously at full resolution, eliminating the need for switching between separate full-screen displays and thereby maintaining both high resolution and fast interpretation speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If multiple views are displayed simultaneously, then viewing efficiency is improved, but the number of views that can be displayed is limited by screen space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of views displayable
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display into a primary view area and multiple secondary view areas of smaller size. This segmentation allows the main display space to be dedicated to the primary view while smaller overlay windows accommodate additional secondary views, effectively increasing the total number of views that can be displayed simultaneously without compromising the quality of the primary view or requiring excessive screen real estate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3061073B1Image visualization
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3061073B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3061073B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3061073B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method includes visually presenting a primary image (208) in a main viewport (204) of a display monitor (116). The primary image is processed with a first processing algorithm. The method further includes visually presenting a primary region of interest (210) over a sub-portion of the primary image. The primary region of interest identifies an area of interest in the primary. The method further includes visually presenting, concurrently with visually presenting a primary region of interest, at least one secondary region of interest (212, 214) over a different sub-portion of the primary image. The at least one secondary region of interest shows the same area of interest as in the primary region of interest, but processed with a second different processing algorithm.