Medical Image Annotation Switching During Interpretation Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image display systems require radiologists to perform manual operations to switch between displaying and hiding annotations, which becomes troublesome due to the large number of medical images interpreted daily.
Innovation Solution
An image display apparatus and method that automatically switches annotations based on detected operations unrelated to annotation display or hiding, such as paging or inputting comments, without requiring a dedicated operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If annotations are superimposed on the medical image to assist interpretation, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but operational complexity increases due to manual switching requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects radiologist operations and autonomously switches annotation display states without requiring manual intervention. The annotation display control unit monitors operations and automatically hides annotations when paging or zoom operations are detected, then restores them when operations complete, making the system self-regulating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors radiologist operations as feedback and uses this information to dynamically adjust annotation display. When paging or zoom operations are detected, the system responds by hiding annotations, and when operations complete, annotations are restored, creating a closed-loop control system.
2Measurement precision
If manual operation is required to switch annotation display, then control precision is improved, but time efficiency deteriorates due to frequent operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic annotation switching based on detected operations, eliminating the need for radiologists to manually operate annotation display controls. This automation maintains precise control over annotation visibility while freeing up the radiologist's time for interpretation work.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively hides annotations before they would interfere with upcoming operations by detecting operation start conditions, and restores them after operations complete. This preliminary action prevents interference without requiring reactive manual intervention.
3Loss of information
If annotations are always displayed to provide diagnostic information, then information completeness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to interference with other tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The annotation display state dynamically changes based on the radiologist's current operation. Annotations are displayed during interpretation tasks to provide information, but automatically hidden during paging or zoom operations to eliminate interference, creating an adaptive display system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses operation detection as feedback to determine when annotations should be visible or hidden. When paging or zoom operations are detected, annotations are hidden; when operations complete, annotations are restored, ensuring information is available when needed but does not interfere when unnecessary.
Data Source
AI summary
A processor superimposes and displays relevant information related to a medical image on the medical image so as to be switchable between display and hiding. The processor switches at least a part of the relevant information to be hidden in a case where another operation related to display or interpretation of the medical image is detected, the other operation being an operation other than a dedicated operation for switching between display and hiding of the relevant information while the relevant information is being displayed.