Difference Image Display With Supplemental Context for Medical Evaluation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical imaging techniques struggle to assist users, particularly doctors, in appropriately evaluating difference images generated from comparing medical images captured at different time points, as these images are simply displayed without adequate context or supplemental information.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that displays difference images alongside supplemental information, such as patient details and imaging parameters, to facilitate better evaluation of temporal changes in medical images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If difference images are simply displayed without supplemental information, then the display process is simple and fast, but the user cannot appropriately evaluate the difference image

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaluation accuracyVSAvoidinformation processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the difference image with supplemental information (such as patient details, imaging parameters, and comparison images) into a single integrated display. This merging allows users to evaluate the difference image accurately while maintaining a unified and manageable information presentation structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The display apparatus is designed to handle multiple types of information simultaneously - difference images, original images, patient information, and imaging parameters - making it a multi-functional system that can provide comprehensive evaluation support in a single interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple images and supplemental information are displayed together, then the user can evaluate the difference image appropriately, but the information processing becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedifference image evaluation accuracyVSAvoiduser operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The supplemental information is segmented into distinct categories (patient information, imaging parameters, comparison images) and organized in a structured manner. This segmentation allows users to access specific types of information efficiently without being overwhelmed by the total information volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system acts as an intermediary by automatically processing and organizing the complex information relationships between difference images and supplemental data, presenting them in a user-friendly format that simplifies the evaluation process for doctors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive supplemental information is provided, then the interpretation of difference images is improved, but the amount of information to be processed increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemporal change detection precisionVSAvoidinformation volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the most relevant supplemental information needed for difference image evaluation, such as key imaging parameters and critical patient details, rather than displaying all possible information. This extraction reduces information volume while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Different types of supplemental information are presented with different levels of detail and prominence based on their relevance to difference image evaluation. Critical information is highlighted while less important details are presented in a condensed format, optimizing the information-to-processing-ratio.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3631807B1Information processing apparatus and method for controlling the same
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 CANON KK
  • EP3631807B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3631807B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3631807B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes an image obtaining unit configured to obtain a first inspection image having first supplemental information and a second inspection image having second supplemental information, a difference image obtaining unit configured to obtain a difference image generated using the first and second inspection images, a difference information obtaining unit configured to obtain difference information on a difference between the first supplemental information and the second supplemental information, and an association unit configured to associate the difference information with the difference image.