Medical Image Change Display via Intermediate Dataset Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods face challenges in effectively displaying and analyzing changes in medical image data acquired at different times, making it difficult to perceive and track anatomical, metabolic, or functional changes in the human body.
Innovation Solution
The method involves acquiring anchor medical image datasets, determining transformations between them, calculating intermediate datasets to represent changes, and displaying these as a smooth image sequence, which can be done using elastic image fusion and volume rendering to enhance perceivability of changes over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional side-by-side or overlay comparison methods are used for medical images, then the comparison process is simple, but the perceivability of changes in medical image data is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transformation from one medical image to another into multiple intermediate transformation steps, generating intermediate images that bridge the gap between temporal points. This segmentation makes changes perceptible by breaking down large transformations into manageable increments, allowing observers to track anatomical changes step-by-step rather than comparing disparate images directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the image comparison by creating a sequence of intermediate images that represent transformations at different temporal points. This transforms a static two-image comparison into a dynamic temporal sequence, adding the dimension of time progression to make changes perceptible through gradual transformation rather than abrupt comparison.
2Loss of information
If multiple intermediate image datasets are calculated to show smooth transitions, then the perceivability of changes is improved, but the computational complexity and storage needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by calculating intermediate images only for specific transformation steps rather than generating every possible intermediate state. By selecting key temporal points and generating intermediate images only where necessary to illustrate significant changes, the method achieves smooth transition visualization without the computational burden of exhaustive intermediate image generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of transformation progression by controlling the number and spacing of intermediate transformation steps. By adjusting this parameter, the system can balance between smoothness of transition and computational complexity, generating enough intermediate images to make changes perceptible while avoiding unnecessary computational overhead from excessive intermediate states.
Data Source
AI summary
Method for displaying changes in medical image data, comprising the steps ofacquiring at least two medical anchor image datasets representing medical image data at different points in time,determining at least one transformationcalculating at least one intermediate image dataset representing intermediate image data by using the transformation anddisplaying the medical image data represented by the anchor image datasets and the intermediate image dataset(s) as an image sequence.