Medical Imaging Device Position Mark Support for Tissue Movement Analysis

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical image diagnostic devices face difficulties in simplifying the operation of setting a large number of measurement reference points for evaluating the movement of biological tissues, which is a cumbersome process that hinders accurate diagnosis.

Innovation Solution

An image diagnostic apparatus and method that incorporates a position specification mark supporting unit, allowing for easy setting of measurement reference points using a mouse or trackball to display and measure distances between marks on tomographic images, facilitating the evaluation of tissue movement with reduced operational complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If measurement reference points are manually set on tomographic images for evaluating biological tissue movement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the cumbersome process of setting a large number of points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs functions that would otherwise require manual operator input. The measurement reference point setting unit automatically determines optimal measurement points based on image data analysis, eliminating the need for manual point-by-point selection by the operator while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of measurement point selection from manual coordinate input to automated algorithmic determination. By transforming the operational parameter from user-defined positions to system-calculated positions based on tissue boundary detection and movement patterns, the system resolves the contradiction between precision and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If a large number of measurement reference points are set for accurate tissue movement evaluation, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to the tedious setting process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the tomographic images to automatically identify and set measurement reference points before the actual movement evaluation begins. This preliminary automated point selection eliminates the time-consuming manual setup phase while ensuring that sufficient measurement points are established for accurate subsequent analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The automated point setting system performs the time-consuming task of establishing measurement references without operator intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in the point selection process and significantly reducing the time loss associated with manual configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP1911402B1Imaging diagnosis device, measurement point setting method, and program
Publication Date: 2012.02.22 HITACHI MEDICAL CORP
  • EP1911402B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1911402B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1911402B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An image diagnostic device of the present invention includes image display means (16) for displaying a diagnostic image, input means (18) for setting position a plurality of specifying marks on the displayed diagnostic image; and distance measuring means (19) for measuring a distance among the position specification marks which have been set on the diagnostic image. The image diagnostic device further includes position specification mark supporting means (20) for generating operation support information for setting another position specification mark in accordance with one position specification mark set by the input means (18). The image display means (16) displays the generated operation support information while correlating it to the diagnosis image.