Lesion Grouping and Representative Display for Medical Image Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical professionals face challenges in efficiently diagnosing multiple lesions detected in medical images, as they need to individually assess each lesion to determine if they are associated with a multifocal disease or different diseases.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that acquire plural lesion candidates from a medical image, determine groups of similar lesions, select a representative lesion, and display information related to the representative lesion along with other lesions in the same group, allowing for distinguishable display and efficient image interpretation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of lesions are detected in a single medical image, then the detection precision is improved, but the time required for individual assessment of each lesion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent groups multiple lesion candidates into clusters based on their spatial relationships and similarity features. By merging the assessment of grouped lesions into a unified process centered on a representative lesion, the system reduces the total number of individual assessments required while maintaining diagnostic accuracy for all lesions in the group.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the large set of detected lesions into smaller, manageable groups based on spatial proximity and lesion characteristics. This segmentation allows medical professionals to assess groups rather than individual lesions, significantly reducing the time required for comprehensive evaluation while preserving detection precision.
2Loss of information
If all lesion candidates are displayed individually, then the completeness of information is improved, but the complexity of the display increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the display of multiple lesion candidates into a unified representation centered on a representative lesion. Information about all lesions in a group is integrated and presented together, reducing display complexity while ensuring that complete information about each lesion is preserved and accessible through the representative display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a representative lesion as a copy or proxy for other lesions in the same group. By displaying the representative lesion with associated group information, the system provides a simplified view that captures essential information about multiple lesions without requiring separate displays for each individual lesion.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry configured to: acquire plural lesion candidates from a medical image; determine a group of lesion candidates from the plural lesion candidates acquired; select a representative lesion candidate from the lesion candidates forming the group; and display information related to the representative lesion candidate, together with and distinguishably from information related to lesion candidates other than the representative lesion candidate, the lesion candidates forming the same group as the representative lesion candidate.