Automated Lung Field Bottom Vertex Detection in 3D Medical Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for determining the position of the top end of the diaphragm in medical image diagnosis are labor-intensive, lack reproducibility, and are based on subjective judgments, leading to variability among viewers and processes.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that extracts the lung field region and bottom region from three-dimensional medical images using pixel values, detects the vertex position of the lung field bottom region, and displays the results objectively, reducing subjectivity and improving reproducibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual determination of diaphragm top end position is performed by observing multiple cross-sectional images, then the position can be determined, but a lot of labor is required and efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual inspection process with an automated image processing system that uses computer algorithms to detect and determine the diaphragm top end position, thereby eliminating the need for observers to manually examine multiple cross-sectional images and significantly improving diagnosis efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing apparatus performs self-determination of the diaphragm position by automatically analyzing the medical images and identifying the top end position without requiring external human intervention, thus reducing labor while maintaining determination accuracy
2Measurement precision
If visual determination of diaphragm top end position is performed manually, then the position can be identified, but reproducibility is poor due to subjective judgment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective human visual judgment with an objective automated image processing system that consistently applies the same detection algorithms, eliminating variability between different observers and between repeated measurements by the same observer, thereby ensuring high reproducibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the subjective visual assessment into objective quantitative parameters through automated image analysis, using pixel-based detection and coordinate calculation to determine the diaphragm position, which provides consistent and reproducible measurement results
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a lung field region extracting unit, a lung field bottom region extracting unit, and a detecting unit. The lung field region extracting unit is configured to extract, based on pixel values of pixels constituting a three-dimensional medical image capturing a chest of a subject, a lung field region from the three-dimensional medical image. The lung field bottom region extracting unit is configured to extract a lung field bottom region from the lung field region. The detecting unit is configured to detect a vertex position of the lung field bottom region on the head side of the subject.