Depth Map for Rapid Tomographic Image Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for displaying tomographic images during medical image diagnosis with two-dimensional radiological images are time-consuming and complex, as they require manual switching between multiple tomographic images and lack real-time detection of corresponding images.
Innovation Solution
An image display device and method that creates a depth map associating positions on the two-dimensional radiological image with corresponding tomographic plane positions, allowing rapid display of relevant tomographic images by using depth information and pseudo two-dimensional image generation for efficient image diagnosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual switching between multiple tomographic images is used for image diagnosis, then the doctor can review different tomographic planes, but the diagnostic time increases and the operation becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-processes the two-dimensional radiological image to generate a depth map with depth information indicating the position of corresponding tomographic planes before diagnosis is performed. This preliminary preparation allows the doctor to immediately access the relevant tomographic image by simply designating a position on the displayed two-dimensional image, without needing to manually switch through multiple tomographic images, thereby significantly reducing diagnostic time while maintaining diagnostic accuracy
2Measurement precision
If multiple tomographic images are displayed simultaneously for cross-referencing, then the doctor can compare different views, but the device complexity and operation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the specific tomographic image that corresponds to the designated position on the two-dimensional radiological image by utilizing the pre-generated depth map. Instead of displaying multiple tomographic images simultaneously for cross-referencing, the system selectively displays only the relevant tomographic image, thereby reducing display system complexity and operational complexity while maintaining the ability to compare views for accurate diagnosis
3Ease of operation
If automatic tomographic plane switching is implemented, then the tomographic images are displayed in sequence, but the diagnostic process still requires multiple steps and time
Solution Approach 1:
The depth map is pre-generated with depth information that directly associates positions on the two-dimensional radiological image with corresponding tomographic plane positions. When the doctor designates a position on the displayed two-dimensional image, the system immediately retrieves and displays the corresponding tomographic image using the pre-prepared depth information, eliminating the need for sequential automatic switching and reducing diagnostic time to a single-step operation
Data Source
AI summary
When at least one of a two-dimensional radiological image and a plurality of tomographic images of the same subject is displayed on a monitor, a depth map creation unit creates a depth map in which each position on the pseudo two-dimensional image is associated with depth information indicating the position of a tomographic plane corresponding to each position in a depth direction. A display control unit specifies the depth information of a predetermined position in the two-dimensional radiological image, with reference to the depth map, and displays the tomographic image of the tomographic plane indicated by the specified depth information on the monitor.