Dual Energy Medical Image Composition Ratio Automation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for generating composite images from high-energy and low-energy tomographic images obtained by dual energy imaging require users to manually adjust composition ratios and review multiple images, imposing a significant burden as they seek optimal image quality for diagnosis.

Innovation Solution

A medical image processing apparatus and method that determines an analysis purpose for dual energy images, references a composition ratio table to automatically set the optimal combination ratio, and combines images to generate a composite image, reducing user intervention and improving efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the user manually adjusts the composition ratio and checks multiple composite images to achieve optimal image quality, then the image quality can be optimized for diagnosis, but the user burden and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically determining the optimal composition ratio through image analysis and automatically generating the composite image with the determined ratio, eliminating the need for user trial-and-error adjustments and significantly reducing time consumption while maintaining optimal image quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically changes the composition ratio parameter based on image analysis results, selecting the optimal ratio from available options without user intervention, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving optimal image quality and reducing time consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the user manually changes the composition ratio and checks generated composite images by trial and error, then the optimal composition ratio can be found, but the user burden increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomposition ratio optimizationVSAvoiduser burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing the images and determining the optimal composition ratio, then automatically generating the composite image, completely eliminating the manual trial-and-error process and significantly reducing user burden while achieving optimal composition ratio

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical manual adjustment process with an automated image analysis and determination process, substituting user manual operations with computational analysis to find the optimal composition ratio, thereby reducing user burden

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple composite images are generated for user selection, then the user can choose the image with desired quality, but the complexity of the process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage quality selectionVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically determining the optimal composition ratio and generating only the necessary composite image, eliminating the need to generate and present multiple images for user selection, thereby maintaining adaptability while reducing process complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts and presents only the optimal composite image based on automatic analysis, removing the unnecessary step of generating and reviewing multiple images, thereby reducing process complexity while maintaining the ability to provide desired image quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach simplifies the generation of composite images by automating the composition ratio determination, reducing user burden and ensuring accurate image quality equivalent to comparative images, whether obtained through dual energy imaging or single-energy imaging.

Implementation Method 1

a subject is imaged with a CT apparatus using two types of X-rays having different energy distributions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray emission: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

X-ray absorptions of substances vary depending not only on the type of each substance but also on the X-ray energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS8428321B2Medical image processing apparatus and method, as well as program

Publication Date: 2013.04.23 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

An analysis purpose of first and second medical images, which are obtained by carrying out dual energy imaging using two types of radiations having different energies, is determined. A composition ratio of the first and second medical images depending on the determined analysis purpose is determined with referencing a composition ratio table, which indicates different composition ratios of the first and second medical images associated with different analysis purposes. Then, the first and second medical images are combined at the determined composition ratio to generate a composite image.