Fundus Image Observation Program Key Frame Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fundus image observation techniques from fluorescent angiography are inefficient in selecting and displaying relevant images, placing a heavy burden on examiners and lacking in suitable layout for effective observation and diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A fundus image observation program that acquires and selects key frames from fluorescent angiographic images, displaying them in a list format on a computer interface, allowing for selection and display of key frames based on examiner input, with features like displacement correction, thumbnail display, and angiography timing selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all fluorescent angiographic images are displayed for examiner review, then complete diagnostic information is provided, but the examiner's workload and time burden increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and displays only key frames that contain important diagnostic information from the complete set of fluorescent angiographic images. The system automatically identifies and extracts frames showing critical contrast medium appearances (early, middle, and late stages) while excluding redundant frames, thereby reducing the number of images examiners need to review while preserving complete diagnostic information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary selection and organization of key frames before presenting them to the examiner. By pre-processing the image set to identify and arrange important frames in chronological order with proper timing information, the system reduces the examiner's workload without compromising diagnostic completeness.
2Reliability
If fluorescent angiography is performed in multiple sessions to capture different contrast medium appearance stages, then comprehensive imaging data is obtained, but the complexity of image data management and selection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sets of key frames from different photography sessions into a single unified display. The system integrates key frames capturing early, middle, and late contrast medium appearances from various sessions, organizing them chronologically with timing information, thereby simplifying data management while maintaining comprehensive imaging coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the angiography process into distinct stages (early, middle, late) and assigns different photographing frequencies to each stage. This segmentation allows the system to manage complex multi-session data by organizing it into manageable temporal segments, reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If continuous photographing is performed throughout the angiography procedure, then all contrast medium appearance changes are captured, but the amount of image data to be reviewed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic photographing with variable frequencies based on the angiography stage. During early stages when contrast medium changes rapidly, photographing occurs more frequently; during middle and late stages when changes are slower, photographing frequency is reduced. This periodic action captures all essential contrast medium appearances while minimizing the total number of images generated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the photographing frequency parameter according to the angiography stage and contrast medium flow characteristics. By dynamically adjusting the photographing interval parameter - shorter intervals during rapid changes, longer intervals during stable phases - the system maintains comprehensive coverage while reducing overall image data volume.
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 program reduces the examiner's burden by efficiently selecting and displaying key frames, improving the layout and usability of fundus images for observation and diagnosis, facilitating better analysis of fluorescent angiographic data.
Implementation Method 1
a fluorescent contrast agent such as fluorescein or indocyanine green is injected into a blood vessel of an examinee. The fluorescent contrast agent that has circulated into the examinee's eye is irradiated with excitation light to chronologically photograph the fundus that emits fluorescence
Data Source
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AI summary
A fundus image observation program is provided which can reduce a burden on an examiner upon checking images obtained through a fluorescent imaging procedure. A computer 1 acquires in advance at least one first fluorescent angiographic image photographed on the basis of a first photographing trigger signal, and at least one second fluorescent angiographic image photographed on the basis of a second photographing trigger signal whose output timing is different from the first photographing trigger signal, as one set of image group data in a memory 71 in a fluorescent imaging procedure for an examinee's eye. A fluorescent angiographic image photographed at any angiography timing is selectively displayed on a monitor 80 from the first and second fluorescent angiographic images included in the image group data on the basis of the image group data.