3D Joint Damage Visualization System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining and visualizing damage to anatomical joints are inefficient, as they only convey a fraction of the information gathered by medical experts, leading to inadequate decision support for surgeons and orthopedic staff.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves receiving medical image stacks, generating three-dimensional image representations, marking damage, and creating a graphical user interface with manipulation and browsing functionalities to visualize and interact with 3D models of anatomical joints, allowing for more comprehensive communication of damage information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional annotation formats are used to communicate medical expert analysis, then the process is simple and quick, but only a fraction of the gathered information can be communicated, making the decision support inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D annotation overlays on medical images to 3D visualizations of anatomical structures with damage. By creating three-dimensional representations of bones, cartilage, and other anatomical features, the system communicates spatial relationships and damage extent more effectively than flat annotations, reducing information loss while maintaining manageable complexity through automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates simplified 3D models and visual representations that copy and represent the essential features of complex medical image data. These visual copies convey damage information, anatomical relationships, and diagnostic findings in an intuitive format that preserves critical information without requiring the surgeon to interpret raw imaging data directly.
2Measurement precision
If detailed analysis of medical image stacks is performed to accurately determine damage, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but the time and computational resources required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary automated processing of medical image stacks to generate 3D anatomical models and identify potential damage areas before surgeon review. By pre-segmenting anatomical structures and pre-visualizing damage in three dimensions, the system prepares diagnostic information in advance, maintaining high accuracy while reducing the time surgeons need to spend on detailed analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual, time-consuming analysis of medical image stacks by surgeons with automated computer-based processing. Algorithms automatically segment anatomical structures, detect damage, and generate 3D visualizations, substituting mechanical human analysis with automated computational processes that maintain diagnostic accuracy while significantly reducing preparation time.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for determining and visualizing damage to an anatomical joint of a patient. The system is to: obtain a three dimensional image representation of an anatomical joint which is based on a medical image stack; determine damage to an anatomical structure in the anatomical joint by analyzing the medical image stack; mark damage to the anatomical structures in the obtained three dimensional image representation; obtain a 3D model based on the three dimensional image representation; and create a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI may comprise: functionality to visualize and enable manipulation of the at least one 3D model; functionality to enable removal of the visualization of the anatomical structure from the 3D model; functionality to visualize and enable browsing of the medical image stack; and functionality to visualize the position of the medical image that is currently visualized.