Dynamic Image Storage Range Control for Medical Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medical image diagnosis apparatuses face difficulties in efficiently storing and retrieving specific time-phase images from dynamic image sequences, requiring extensive time and effort to identify and playback images of interest, leading to inadequate user experience.

Innovation Solution

A medical image diagnosis apparatus with a storage/playback control unit that determines a dynamic image storage range based on an image of interest, ensuring the image of interest is always included, and provides explicit information during playback to intuitively guide the operator to the relevant frame.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the whole dynamic image storage range is intended for inspection, then complete coverage of the inspection period is achieved, but it becomes difficult to identify and access specific time phases of interest

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete coverage of inspection periodVSAvoiddifficulty to identify time phase of interest

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the dynamic image storage by introducing markers that divide the continuous image sequence into meaningful segments. These markers identify specific time phases of interest (such as mode transitions or manually designated frames), allowing operators to easily locate and access relevant portions without searching through the entire storage range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces markers as intermediary elements that mediate between the operator and the dynamic image storage. These markers serve as visual indicators and navigation aids, enabling operators to quickly identify time phases of interest without directly searching through all images in the storage range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If markers are manually inserted in focused time phases during inspection, then specific time phases can be identified, but a lot of time and effort are needed to reach the desired image

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification of specific time phaseVSAvoidtime and effort to reach desired image

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by automatically inserting markers at key time phases (such as mode transitions) during the inspection process. This eliminates the need for operators to manually search for these critical moments, as the system has already prepared the navigation aids in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to operators by displaying marker positions and their corresponding time phases, enabling quick navigation to desired images. This feedback mechanism reduces the time and effort required to locate specific time phases by providing real-time navigation information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the dynamic image storage range is designated individually based on time or heart rate, then specific storage ranges can be defined, but images of specific time phases may not be included and separate operations are needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual designation of storage rangeVSAvoidtroublesome operation to designate storage range

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal marker-based system that works across different storage range designation methods (time-based, heart rate-based, or automatic). The markers serve multiple functions: they identify time phases of interest, enable navigation, and work regardless of how the storage range is defined, eliminating the need for separate operations to ensure specific images are included.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Duration of action of stationary object

If dynamic images are stored extending over a fixed period, then continuous monitoring is achieved, but images of temporal interest are difficult to grasp intuitively during playback

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous monitoring periodVSAvoidintuitive grasp of temporal interest

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses visual differentiation (analogous to color changes) by displaying markers with distinct visual characteristics that stand out from the continuous image sequence. These markers highlight temporal phases of interest, enabling operators to intuitively grasp which portions of the stored dynamic images contain clinically relevant information during playback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS10157639B2Medical image diagnosis apparatus and medical image processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.12.18 TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

A medical image diagnosis apparatus including an image collection system that collects first dynamic images extending over a first period and a display control circuit that uses the first dynamic images and time information related to an image corresponding to a first predetermined time phase in the first period to simultaneously display the first dynamic images, the first predetermined time phase, and a relationship of the image currently displayed with a time phase in the first period at least in a predetermined period going back from the predetermined time phase in a monitor.