Dynamic Sharpening for Medical Slab Projection Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional techniques for displaying three-dimensional medical image data into two-dimensional images, such as slab projection, often result in reduced visibility of the region of interest, especially when the slab thickness increases, leading to decreased contrast and sharpness.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that adjusts image processing parameters based on slab thickness, employing sharpening processes like multi-resolution sharpening to enhance the visibility of the region of interest, with the sharpening effect being intensified for larger slab thicknesses and reduced or omitted for smaller thicknesses or no projection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If slab projection is performed with increased slab thickness, then the projection range covers more of the three-dimensional image data, but the visibility and contrast of the region of interest deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojection range volumeVSAvoidvisibility of region of interest

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies image processing parameters (sharpening filters, contrast enhancement) that are dynamically adjusted based on the slab thickness. When slab thickness increases, the patent intensifies the sharpening and contrast enhancement parameters to compensate for the inherent blur and contrast loss, thereby maintaining region of interest visibility while preserving the extended projection range

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs image processing (sharpening, contrast enhancement) on the projection image to pre-compensate for and counteract the blur and contrast reduction that occurs during slab projection. This preliminary anti-action restores the visibility of the region of interest before final display

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Ease of operation

If slab projection is performed, then three-dimensional image data can be displayed as two-dimensional image, but the contrast and sharpness of the projection image deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay convenienceVSAvoidimage sharpness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts image processing parameters including sharpening strength, contrast enhancement levels, and filter settings based on the projection conditions and slab thickness. This ensures that the projection image maintains adequate sharpness and contrast while preserving the convenience of two-dimensional display

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical/mechanical image acquisition optimization with computational image processing. Instead of adjusting physical imaging parameters, the patent uses digital image processing techniques (sharpening filters, contrast enhancement algorithms) to restore and improve image quality after projection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11457877B2Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 CANON KK

AI summary

An image processing apparatus includes projection unit configured to generate first two-dimensional image data by applying a projection process to three-dimensional image data, acquisition unit configured to acquire a second parameter related to image processing based on a first parameter related to the projection process, and image processing unit configured to generate second two-dimensional image data by applying the image processing to the first two-dimensional image data using the at least one or more second parameters.