Fluorescence Image Correction with Error Region Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fluoroscopy apparatuses face challenges in accurately correcting fluorescence images due to varying observation distances, leading to errors in lesion region detection, as existing methods fail to adequately normalize luminance values and account for image-acquisition conditions.
Innovation Solution
A fluoroscopy apparatus that includes a light source unit for generating illumination and excitation light, a fluorescence-image generating section, a return-light-image generating section, a fluorescence-image correcting section for normalizing luminance values, an error-image identifying section to standardize image-acquisition conditions and identify error regions, and an image display unit to display error regions, thereby correcting fluorescence images and improving lesion region observation accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If luminance values are divided by reference-light image to correct fluorescence image, then correction for observation distance variation is achieved, but error regions are not identified and lesion detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs feedback by comparing the corrected fluorescence image with the original image, calculating the difference to identify error regions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect where correction has introduced errors and where lesion regions may be present, thereby improving both correction accuracy and detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The difference image between the corrected fluorescence image and the original image serves as an intermediary that highlights error regions. This intermediary representation allows the system to indirectly detect problematic areas without directly observing the lesion regions, enabling reliable identification through the difference pattern.
2Device complexity
If fluorescence image correction is performed without standardizing image-acquisition conditions, then correction process is simplified, but error regions cannot be identified leading to reduced observation accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary standardization of image-acquisition conditions by capturing a reference-light image under the same conditions as the fluorescence image. This preliminary action establishes a baseline for accurate correction and enables subsequent identification of error regions through comparison, ensuring observation accuracy without excessive complexity.
3Ease of operation
If error regions are not identified and displayed, then the system operates simpler, but lesion regions may be overlooked reducing diagnostic reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses color or intensity changes in the difference image to visually indicate error regions. By representing error regions through distinct visual characteristics (such as highlighted areas or color-coded differences), the system maintains operational simplicity while reliably alerting users to potential lesion regions that require further attention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus effectively normalizes fluorescence image luminance values, identifies error regions, and prevents overlooking of lesion regions by displaying error indications, enhancing observation accuracy and prompting reobservation when observation distances are inadequate.
Implementation Method 1
a fluorescence-image generating section that generates a fluorescence image by image-capturing fluorescence generated in the subject by irradiation with the excitation light
Data Source
AI summary
A fluoroscopy apparatus is adopted which includes a fluorescence-image generating section that generates a fluorescence image of a subject, a white-light-image generating section that generates a white-light image of the subject, a fluorescence-image correcting section that generates a corrected fluorescence image in which luminance values of pixels are normalized by dividing the luminance values of the pixels of the fluorescence image by the luminance values of the pixels of the white-light image, an error-image identifying section that standardizes white-light-image acquisition conditions and identifies an error region, which is a region in which the luminance values of the corrected fluorescence image exceed a preset allowable error range, on the basis of a gray level of the normalized white-light image, and a monitor that displays the error region.