Dynamic Comparison Area for Medical Image Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing techniques for medical imaging struggle to accurately compare two images captured at different times due to noise generated from errors in registration and differences in gray levels, often requiring manual adjustment of comparison areas which can lead to insufficient noise reduction or loss of necessary signals.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that acquires and compares pixel sizes of two images, determines the size of a comparison area based on the larger pixel size, and calculates differences using a converted image with adjusted resolution to minimize noise while preserving diagnostic signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed comparison area size is used in voxel matching, then the processing is simple, but noise reduction is insufficient or necessary signals are deleted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the comparison area size variable rather than fixed. The size is dynamically adjusted based on the pixel sizes of the images being compared, allowing the system to adapt to different imaging conditions and resolutions, thereby optimizing noise reduction while preserving necessary signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of comparison area size based on pixel size relationships. When pixel sizes differ between images, the comparison area size is adjusted accordingly, transforming a static parameter into a dynamic one that responds to image characteristics.
2Reliability
If images with different pixel sizes are compared directly, then processing is straightforward, but registration errors and gray level differences increase noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adjusting the comparison area size before performing the actual image comparison. This preparatory step ensures that the comparison is made under optimal conditions, reducing registration errors and gray level differences that would otherwise increase noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes processing parameters based on pixel size relationships. By adjusting the comparison area size according to the pixel sizes of the images being compared, the system adapts to different imaging conditions, thereby improving comparison accuracy without requiring complex preprocessing.
3Measurement precision
If the comparison area size is increased to reduce noise, then noise reduction improves, but diagnostic signals may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the comparison area size parameter dynamically based on pixel size relationships. This allows the system to optimize noise reduction for each specific imaging scenario without using a uniformly large comparison area that would cause signal loss, thereby maintaining diagnostic information while reducing noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by adjusting the comparison area size according to local image characteristics (pixel sizes). Rather than applying a uniform large comparison area throughout, the system adapts the area size to match the specific imaging conditions, preserving diagnostic signals while reducing noise in appropriate regions.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus acquires a first pixel size and a second pixel size that are pixel sizes in a predetermined axis direction of a first image and a second image captured at different points in time, respectively, determines whether the first pixel size and second pixel size differ from each other, and decides, if the first pixel size differs from the second pixel size, a size in a predetermined axis direction of a comparison area based on a larger one of the first pixel size and the second pixel size. The comparison area includes a plurality of gray levels, and is compared to a gray level of a position of interest in one of the first and second image, and the comparison area existing in the other of the first and second image, different from the one image.