Medical Image Contrast-State Estimation for ROI Property Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical image analysis methods face challenges in accurately determining the contrast time phase due to variations in subject physique and missing metadata, leading to deteriorated performance in property analysis.
Innovation Solution
A medical image processing device that estimates the contrast state of medical images using image analysis and performs property analysis on regions of interest, stabilizing performance by suppressing variations in contrast state and selecting suitable images for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contrast time phase is determined using injection start time metadata, then property analysis can be performed, but performance deteriorates due to variations in contrast time phase caused by subject physique and physical condition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/metabolic system dependency (contradiction between injection time metadata and actual contrast state) with an image-based detection system. By analyzing image data to estimate contrast state directly, the system bypasses the unreliable metadata and subject-specific physiological variations, achieving accurate contrast time phase determination independent of injection timing information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an image-based contrast state estimation mechanism as an intermediary between the raw image data and the property analysis process. This intermediary estimates the contrast state by analyzing image characteristics, serving as a bridge that translates visual information into reliable contrast phase identification without depending on injection metadata or subject-specific physiological parameters.
2Reliability
If metadata does not include injection start time information, then property analysis cannot be performed accurately, but no alternative method exists to determine contrast time phase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the image data to determine its own contrast state through self-analysis. By extracting contrast state information directly from the image characteristics without requiring external metadata, the system makes the image data self-sufficient for contrast phase determination, eliminating dependency on missing injection start time information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the metadata-based information system with an image-based detection system. When injection start time information is lost or unavailable, the system uses image analysis to recover contrast state information, replacing the failed metadata pathway with a robust visual information pathway that can determine contrast time phase independently.
3Device complexity
If image analysis is performed without considering contrast state variations, then processing is simpler, but analysis accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary contrast state estimation before conducting the main property analysis. By first analyzing the image to determine the contrast state and then using this information to guide the subsequent property analysis, the system prepares the data in advance, ensuring that the analysis is performed with appropriate knowledge of the contrast phase without adding excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the estimated contrast state information is fed back into the property analysis process. This feedback loop allows the analysis to be adjusted based on the detected contrast phase, improving accuracy by ensuring that interpretation methods match the actual contrast state of the images being analyzed.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical image processing device includes one or more memories that store a program to be executed by the one or more processors and one or more processors configured to execute commands of the program, to acquire a plurality of medical images generated by performing contrast imaging, to estimate a contrast state of predetermined of contrast states for each of the plurality of medical images on a basis of an analysis of the plurality of medical images, to select the medical images from the plurality medical images by using contrast state information of the medical image, wherein the plurality of medical images corresponds to two or more of the predetermined contrast states, and to perform a property analysis on a region of interest included in the medical image, using contrast state information indicating the contrast state of the medical image.