Endoscopic Display Segmentation for Non-Overlapping Diagnosis Assistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional diagnosis assisting apparatuses overlap the display of diagnosis assisting information and position information on medical images, potentially distracting doctors during diagnosis and hindering their ability to visually assess the target regions effectively.

Innovation Solution

A diagnosis assisting apparatus that includes a processor to detect target regions, classify them based on predetermined criteria, and control the display such that diagnosis assisting information is shown in one period without overlapping with the period when position information is superimposed on the image, allowing for non-interfering visualization of both during medical diagnosis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If diagnosis assisting information and position information are displayed simultaneously on the medical image, then both pieces of information are provided to the doctor, but the display becomes cluttered and distracting, reducing diagnostic accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidvisual distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is divided into multiple regions: a first region for displaying diagnosis assisting information and a second region for displaying the medical image with position information. This spatial segmentation allows both information types to be presented simultaneously without overlapping or interfering with each other, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and visual distraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If position information is superimposed on the medical image, then the target region location is clearly indicated, but the original image quality and diagnostic view are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition indication accuracyVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The display is segmented into a first region for diagnosis assisting information and a second region for the medical image. By separating the position information display from the medical image display, the original image quality is preserved while position information is clearly indicated through separate visual elements in the second region, maintaining both precision and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a spatial intermediary structure (the divided display regions) that mediates between the need for position indication and the need to preserve image quality. The second region acts as an intermediary space where position information can be displayed without degrading the medical image quality shown in the same region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If diagnosis assisting information is displayed continuously, then the doctor has constant reference, but the doctor cannot visually assess target regions without distraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnosis reference availabilityVSAvoidvisual assessment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The display is segmented into a first region for continuous diagnosis assisting information display and a second region for medical image display. This allows the doctor to have constant reference from the first region while simultaneously being able to visually assess target regions in the second region without distraction, as the two functions are spatially separated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent resolves the temporal conflict by introducing a spatial dimension. Instead of displaying all information on the same screen at the same time (temporal overlap), the system uses different spatial regions (first region for assisting information, second region for image) to display information that would otherwise conflict, allowing both continuous reference and undistracted visual assessment simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11457876B2Diagnosis assisting apparatus, storage medium, and diagnosis assisting method for displaying diagnosis assisting information in a region and an endoscopic image in another region

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

A diagnosis assisting apparatus includes a processor. The processor is configured to detect at least one target region from an acquired image and output position information of the target region. The processor is also configured to classify the target region based on predetermined classification conditions corresponding to diagnosis indices and output diagnosis assisting information indicating a degree of seriousness of the target region. The processor is then configured to control a display image such that a first period, during which the diagnosis assisting information is displayed in a first region, is different from a second period, during which the position information is superimposed on the image in a second region and is displayed.