Medical Image Display Control Apparatus for Hollow Organ Visualization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual endoscopic image display methods struggle to distinguish between internal structures like blood vessels, fat, or tumors within hollow organs and external structures such as bones, making it difficult to observe the intended features effectively.
Innovation Solution
A medical image display control apparatus and method that generates an inner wall image of a hollow organ from a three-dimensional image, using a specific region projection image to enhance visibility of visualization targets by projecting representative values from voxels along light ray vectors, while excluding non-target structures like bones from the projection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a maximum value or added value is projected on the virtual endoscopic image to display organs outside the hollow organ, then the visibility of external organs is improved, but bones and other external structures are also projected making it difficult to distinguish internal structures from external structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the projection process by creating separate projection images for different organ types. The projection image generation unit generates a first projection image for bones and a second projection image for other organs (blood vessels, fat, tumors) separately, then superimposes them in a controlled manner. This segmentation allows internal structures to be observed clearly while still providing information about external organs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different projection qualities and methods to different regions. The projection image generation unit sets different projection conditions for bones versus other organs, allowing each type of structure to be visualized with appropriate characteristics. This local differentiation ensures that internal structures remain distinguishable while external organs are still visible.
2Quantity of substance
If all voxels along light ray vectors are projected to maximize information display, then comprehensive organ information is obtained, but the image becomes cluttered and hard to interpret
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates different organ types from the mixed projection data. The projection image generation unit identifies and separates bone structures from other organs along the light ray vectors, creating distinct projection images for each category. This extraction process removes the clutter of mixed structures while preserving comprehensive information about each organ type in separate, interpretable images.
3Area of stationary object
If the projection distance is extended to capture more external structures, then the coverage of external organs is improved, but the resolution and clarity of internal structures decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the dimension of projection distance variation by generating multiple projection images at different distances from the hollow organ. The projection image generation unit creates a series of projection images with progressively extending projection distances, allowing observers to examine external structures at different depths while maintaining the ability to focus on internal structures at any desired distance.
Data Source
AI summary
Providing an inner wall image generation unit that generates, based on a three-dimensional image of a subject, an inner wall image representing the inner wall of a hollow organ of the subject, a specific region projection image generation unit that obtains a representative value based on a plurality of voxels on a light ray vector extending outside the hollow organ by a preset distance from each pixel of the inner wall image and generates a specific region projection image by projecting the representative value on the inner wall image, and a display control unit that superimposingly displays the specific region projection image on the inner wall image, wherein the specific region projection image generation unit sets some visualization target voxels from the voxels of the three-dimensional image, and obtains a representative value of a visualization target voxel in the plurality of voxels on the light ray vector.