Standardizing H/M Ratios Across Imaging Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for comparing Heart/Mediastinum (H/M) ratios calculated from images captured in different imaging environments face challenges in ensuring accuracy and consistency due to variations in imaging conditions, leading to discrepancies among practitioners.
Innovation Solution
A computer-readable storage medium and information processing apparatus that acquire and calculate phantom H/M ratios, using digital phantom data to position regions of interest (ROIs) and derive a conversion function to standardize H/M ratios across different imaging environments, enabling accurate comparison and conversion of H/M ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If H/M ratios are calculated from images captured in different imaging environments, then diagnostic coverage is expanded, but measurement precision deteriorates due to variations in imaging conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a conversion function as an intermediary tool that transforms H/M ratios from different imaging environments into a standardized reference environment. This conversion function acts as a mediator between measurements taken under varying conditions, enabling consistent comparison and diagnosis across different imaging systems without requiring changes to the actual imaging environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the H/M ratio values through mathematical transformation based on the specific imaging environment characteristics. By modifying the ratio parameters according to known relationships between different imaging conditions and a reference environment, the system maintains measurement precision while expanding diagnostic coverage across multiple imaging environments.
2Measurement precision
If conversion functions are developed to standardize H/M ratios, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing conversion functions for different imaging environments before actual diagnosis occurs. These conversion functions are prepared in advance based on characterized relationships between imaging environments and the reference environment, allowing rapid application during diagnosis without requiring complex real-time calculations or adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a mathematical model (conversion function) that replicates the relationship between different imaging environments and the reference environment. Instead of physically adjusting each imaging system to match the reference, the system copies the environmental characteristics into a transformable mathematical representation that can be applied consistently across all measurements.
3Reliability
If phantom data is used to establish conversion functions, then reliability improves, but loss of time increases due to additional calibration steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing phantom-based conversion function calibration in advance, before actual patient diagnostics. The phantom data is processed beforehand to establish the mathematical relationships between imaging environments and the reference environment, so that when actual diagnoses are performed, only simple look-up and conversion operations are needed, minimizing time loss during critical diagnostic periods.
Data Source
AI summary
An object is to more accurately compare diagnosis indexes with each other, which are calculated from data obtained in different environments with a cardiac-function diagnostic medicine. A conversion function calculation unit acquires a first phantom Heart/Mediastinum ratio (H/M ratio) and a second phantom H/M ratio based on a phantom, the first phantom H/M ratio that is an H/M ratio of the phantom in the first imaging environment being acquired by performing, based on phantom data that is data of a first phantom image obtained by imaging the phantom in the first imaging environment and digital phantom data that is data of a digital phantom including a cardiac ROI and a mediastinum ROI, positioning of the digital phantom on the first phantom image, and by calculating based on the phantom data of the first phantom image to which the cardiac ROI and the mediastinum ROI are set; and obtains a conversion function based on the first phantom H/M ratio and the second phantom H/M ratio.