Medical Image Alignment with Anatomical Atlas Context
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical image processing systems fail to provide an anatomical context for users viewing three-dimensional patient data, making it difficult for users to understand the anatomical context of the content within the field of view.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that aligns medical images with non-patient specific medical data to establish a graphical representation of the field of view within an anatomical context, using transformations to position the content correctly and provide a visualization that omits patient-specific details, allowing users to easily understand the anatomical context.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a 3D patient data set is displayed with a cutting plane to show slice position, then the spatial position of the slice is visualized, but the anatomical context of the slice content is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component - a medical atlas system - that acts as a mediator between the patient-specific 3D medical image data and the anatomical reference framework. The atlas provides pre-defined anatomical structures and relationships that bridge the gap between raw imaging data and interpretable anatomical context, allowing users to understand slice content without direct comparison to multiple reference sources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple previously separate elements into a unified display system: the patient-specific 3D medical image data, the medical atlas with anatomical structures, and the slice position visualization are combined into a single integrated output. This consolidation provides comprehensive anatomical context without requiring users to mentally integrate information from separate displays or sources
2Ease of operation
If multiple separate displays are used to show 3D data and 2D slices, then complete information is provided, but ease of obtaining anatomical context is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the display of 3D patient data, 2D slice content, and anatomical reference information into a single unified output display. The system integrates the medical atlas anatomical structures with the patient-specific imaging data and slice visualization, allowing users to obtain complete information and anatomical context simultaneously from one display rather than requiring multiple separate displays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the anatomical context information from the complete medical atlas and selectively overlays only the relevant anatomical structures that correspond to the current slice position and orientation. This segmentation approach provides focused anatomical context without overwhelming the user with unnecessary anatomical details from the entire atlas
Data Source
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AI summary
Image processing apparatus 110 for processing a medical image, comprising an input 120 for obtaining the medical image 122 and medical data 124, the medical image constituting a field of view in three-dimensional [3D] patient data, and the medical data showing an anatomical context of a content of the field of view, an output 130 for providing an output image 160 comprising the medical image and a visualization of the medical data, the medical data constituting non-patient specific medical data, and the imaging processing apparatus further comprising a processor 140 for (i) performing an image alignment between the medical image and the medical data for obtaining a transformation providing a position of the content with respect to its anatomical context, and (ii) using the transformation for establishing a graphical representation of the field of view in the visualization of the medical data at said position.