Dynamic Projection Thickness for 3D Medical Image Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical image processing techniques struggle to maintain high visibility of regions of interest in three-dimensional images when the projection direction changes, often resulting in loss or mixing of relevant regions during observation.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that dynamically adjusts the projection direction and determines the projection thickness parameter based on the region of interest, allowing for high visibility rendering even when the projection direction is changed, by using an obtaining unit to gather information about the region of interest, a changing unit to alter the projection direction, and a determining unit to calculate the appropriate projection thickness for the changed direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If projection processing is performed with a fixed parameter regardless of projection direction, then the processing is simple, but regions of interest may be lost or mixed with unnecessary regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of projection processingVSAvoidaccuracy of region visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The projection parameter is made dynamic by automatically adjusting it according to the projection direction. The system determines the optimal projection parameter based on the current projection direction and the three-dimensional shape of the region of interest, rather than using a fixed parameter. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the region of interest remains clearly visible regardless of the projection direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the projection parameter (such as projection thickness or intensity) based on the projection direction and the geometric characteristics of the region of interest. By varying this parameter adaptively, the system maintains high visibility of the region of interest across different viewing angles without requiring complex manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If projection parameter is adjusted for each projection direction to maintain region visibility, then observation accuracy improves, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of region visibilityVSAvoidcomplexity of projection processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically determining the appropriate projection parameter based on the projection direction and the pre-acquired three-dimensional shape information of the region of interest. This automated process eliminates the need for manual parameter adjustment by operators, reducing processing complexity while maintaining high observation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The three-dimensional shape information of the region of interest is acquired in advance through preliminary imaging processes. This pre-acquired information is then used to automatically determine optimal projection parameters for subsequent projections, eliminating the need for real-time manual adjustment and simplifying the overall processing workflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If a fixed projection parameter is used, then processing speed is fast, but regions of interest may not be clearly rendered in all directions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of projection processingVSAvoidconsistency of region visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The projection parameter is changed adaptively based on the projection direction and the three-dimensional characteristics of the region of interest. This parameter variation ensures consistent and clear rendering of the region of interest across all projection directions while maintaining processing efficiency through automated determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the projection direction and the pre-acquired three-dimensional shape information to automatically adjust the projection parameter. This feedback mechanism ensures that the region of interest is consistently visible and clearly rendered regardless of the projection direction, improving reliability without significantly impacting processing speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10636196B2Image processing apparatus, method of controlling image processing apparatus and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2020.04.28 CANON KK

AI summary

An image processing apparatus obtains information representing a region of interest from a three-dimensional image, and, when a projection direction of the three-dimensional image is changed, based on the projection direction and the information representing the region of interest, determines a parameter that indicates a thickness of projection used in projection processing. The image processing apparatus uses the determined parameter to generate a projection image by applying projection processing toward the projection direction to the three-dimensional image.