Depth-Map Guided Tomographic Image Processing for Lower Handling Load
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems require significant storage capacity and processing time due to the large number of tomographic images generated during diagnosis, leading to increased handling loads.
Innovation Solution
An image processing system that generates and displays designated tomographic images corresponding to a specified region or depth, allowing for reduced storage of unnecessary tomographic images and efficient image handling by generating and displaying only relevant images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple tomographic images are stored for diagnosis, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but storage capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and displays only the specific tomographic image corresponding to the depth of the designated region on the two-dimensional image, rather than displaying all tomographic images. This extraction principle reduces storage requirements while maintaining diagnostic accuracy for the region of interest.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different image depths for different regions of the two-dimensional image. Each region has its corresponding tomographic image at the appropriate depth, optimizing storage by storing only region-specific depth information rather than all possible depths.
2Reliability
If multiple tomographic images are generated in real time, then diagnostic capability is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing depth information for each region of the two-dimensional image before actual diagnosis. When a region is designated, the corresponding tomographic image at the correct depth can be immediately retrieved and displayed without real-time calculation delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a depth map that stores pre-computed depth information for each region. This copy of depth information allows rapid retrieval of the appropriate tomographic image without performing full reconstruction calculations during diagnosis.
3Reliability
If multiple tomographic images are prepared for reference, then diagnostic thoroughness is improved, but handling load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and displays only the specific tomographic image that corresponds to the depth of the designated region, eliminating the need to manually search through multiple tomographic images. This extraction reduces handling load while maintaining diagnostic thoroughness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary depth map that automatically links two-dimensional regions to their corresponding three-dimensional depths. This intermediary eliminates the need for manual matching and reduces the handling load on diagnosticians.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
There is provided an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program which can reduce a load associated with the handling of tomographic images. A tomographic image generation unit 52 generates a plurality of tomographic images from a plurality of projection images. A composite two-dimensional image generation unit 54 generates a composite two-dimensional image from a plurality of images. An information generation unit 56 generates a depth map 43 representing a correspondence relationship between a position in the composite two-dimensional image and a depth of a tomographic plane corresponding to the position. A display controller 72 performs control of causing a display unit 44 to display the composite two-dimensional image. An acceptance unit 74 accepts region information representing a designated region designated with respect to the composite two-dimensional image. A designated tomographic image generation unit 53 generates, as a designated tomographic image, a tomographic image in a tomographic plane at a depth which corresponds to the designated region in the composite two-dimensional image and is specified on the basis of the depth map 43. The display controller 72 performs control of causing the display unit 44 to display the generated designated tomographic image.