Interactive Mesh Editing for 3D Medical Images

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mesh editing systems lack flexibility in adjusting the view orientation of 3D medical images, making it time-consuming to achieve an optimal view for editing anatomical structures, especially when the initial orientation is not suited for the editing action.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for interactive mesh editing that automatically adjusts the view of a 3D image and mapped mesh based on user input, determining the local orientation of the mesh part by applying statistical functions to its surface elements, and switching to an orthogonal view for optimal editing, reducing the need for manual navigation and improving editing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional view switching between coronal, sagittal, and transversal orientations is used, then the system maintains simple operation, but the flexibility for obtaining a suitable view is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveview orientation flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the view orientation based on the user's editing actions and the local geometry of the mesh. Instead of fixed pre-defined orientations, the view adapts in real-time to provide an optimal perspective for the current editing task, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and complexity by making the system responsive to user needs rather than requiring complex manual navigation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically determines and switches to the optimal view orientation without requiring the user to manually navigate through multiple fixed orientations. The system serves itself by autonomously selecting the best viewing angle based on the mesh geometry and editing context, thereby providing view flexibility while maintaining simple operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If interactive reformatting of the view to an arbitrary orientation is implemented, then view flexibility is improved, but adapting the view on-the-fly during mesh editing becomes prohibitively time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveview orientation flexibilityVSAvoidtime for view adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and prepares optimal view orientations based on the mesh geometry before the user needs them. By anticipating the required view based on the current editing context and mesh characteristics, the system has the appropriate view ready when the user needs it, eliminating time-consuming on-the-fly adjustments while maintaining flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the user's editing actions and automatically adjusts the view orientation in response to these actions. This feedback loop ensures the view remains optimal throughout the editing process without requiring manual intervention, resolving the time loss by making view adaptation an automatic responsive process rather than a manual iterative process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the initial view orientation is not suited for the editing action, then the system maintains simple operation, but the editing effectiveness and user efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidediting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between simple operation mode and optimized viewing mode based on the editing context. When an editing action is initiated, the system automatically adjusts the view to the optimal orientation, providing both simplicity (automatic adjustment) and efficiency (optimal view for editing) without requiring the user to manually navigate complex orientations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3314582B1Interactive mesh editing
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3314582B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3314582B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3314582B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A system and method are provided for interactive editing of a mesh which has been applied to a three-dimensional (3D) image to segment an anatomical structure shown therein. To facilitate the interactive editing of the applied mesh, a view of the 3D image is generated which shows a mesh part to be edited, with the view being established based on a local orientation of the mesh part. Advantageously, the view may be generated to be substantially orthogonally to the mesh part, or to a centerline of the anatomical structure which is determined as a function of the mesh part. Accordingly, an orthogonal view is established which facilitates the user in carrying out the editing action with respect to the mesh part. It is therefore not needed for the user to manually navigate through the 3D image to obtain a view which is suitable for mesh editing, which is typically time consuming.