Diagnostic Imaging Apparatus Time-Intensity Curve Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diagnostic accuracy for cancer detection using contrast agent images is hindered by the difficulty in recognizing brightness changes over time, leading to potential delays in diagnosis due to the need for additional processing.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic imaging apparatus and method that displays a reference time-intensity curve and multiple marker time-intensity curves corresponding to captured images, allowing users to easily identify capture time points or sections, and divides scan video images into phases to obtain specific images based on these curves, enhancing user convenience and diagnosis speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the user views the contrast agent image in real-time to diagnose cancer, then diagnosis speed is maintained, but diagnosis accuracy decreases due to difficulty in recognizing brightness changes over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous scan video image into multiple captured images at different time points, and further segments the brightness change information by displaying separate time-intensity curves for different regions of interest. This segmentation allows the user to focus on specific temporal and spatial characteristics of contrast agent flow, improving cancer detection accuracy without requiring prolonged review of entire video sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces time-intensity curves as an intermediary visualization tool that translates complex temporal brightness changes into simplified graphical representations. These curves serve as a mediator between the raw scan video data and the user's diagnostic judgment, making it easier to recognize cancerous tissue characteristics while maintaining efficient workflow.
2Measurement precision
If the user performs additional processing such as rechecking the contrast agent image to increase diagnosis accuracy, then diagnosis accuracy improves, but diagnosis is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing by automatically generating time-intensity curves and capturing key frames during the initial scan, organizing the data before the user begins diagnosis. This preliminary action prepares the diagnostic information in an easily consumable format, eliminating the need for time-consuming rechecking and manual analysis while maintaining high diagnostic accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If the scan video image is displayed without phase division, then the complete imaging process is visible, but it becomes difficult to identify specific capture time points and brightness changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scan video image into multiple captured images based on time points or time sections, and displays them in an organized manner with corresponding time-intensity curves. This segmentation approach simplifies the identification of capture time points and brightness changes without requiring complex processing during the diagnostic phase, as the segmentation is performed automatically during image acquisition.
Data Source
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AI summary
A diagnostic imaging apparatus and a method of operating the diagnostic imaging apparatus. The diagnostic imaging apparatus includes: a probe that scans a subject, into which a contrast agent is injected, to obtain a scan signal; and a display unit that displays a scan video image obtained based on the scan signal, on a first region of a screen, and N captured images from the scan video image on a second region of the screen, where N is a natural number.