Lesion Orientation Assessment in 3D Medical Imaging

The patent transforms the three-dimensional medical image data into a two-dimensional representation where the skin surface is flattened and displayed as a reference plane. This dimensional transformation allows lesion orientation to be visualized and measured accurately in 2D space while maintaining the spatial relationships from the original 3D data, resolving the contradiction between using 3D imaging and achieving accurate orientation measurement.

The patent introduces an intermediate computational processing step that identifies the skin surface geometry from the 3D medical image and uses it as a reference frame. This intermediary process creates a virtual ultrasound-like view where the skin surface orientation is explicitly represented, enabling accurate lesion orientation assessment without direct ultrasound acquisition.

The patent makes the 3D medical imaging modality (MR or CT) multi-functional by enabling it to provide both the primary diagnostic information and the lesion orientation assessment that previously required separate ultrasound imaging. This universal application of a single imaging modality reduces the need for multiple procedures while maintaining comprehensive diagnostic capability.

The patent merges the functions of 3D medical imaging and ultrasound-based orientation assessment into a single integrated analysis process. By combining the volumetric data from MR/CT with automated surface detection and orientation calculation, the system consolidates multiple imaging purposes into one procedure, reducing total imaging time and patient burden.

The patent implements self-service functionality where the system automatically identifies the skin surface, calculates its orientation, and determines lesion orientation relative to this surface without requiring manual intervention. The automated detection and computation processes perform the complex analysis tasks independently, improving diagnostic efficiency while the modular architecture manages system complexity.

The patent replaces manual visual assessment and manual measurement techniques with automated computational algorithms. The computer-based system performs complex 3D-to-2D transformations, surface detection, and orientation calculations that would be extremely time-consuming and subjective if done manually, thereby improving productivity while the algorithms manage the computational complexity.