Medical Image Diagnosis Apparatus Line Shape Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image diagnosis techniques face difficulties in visually observing and quantifying changes in three-dimensionally indicated line shape information, such as cerebral blood vessels and nerve fibers, making it challenging to assess the degree of disease abnormality and recovery effectively.
Innovation Solution
An image diagnosis apparatus that generates and compares line shape information from medical images using a line shape information generating unit and a comparing unit, which calculates and indicates the abnormality and recovery degrees by aligning and analyzing diffusion tensor tractography images of nerve fibers and blood vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If line shape information is displayed in three-dimensional form, then visualization of nerve fibers and blood vessels is improved, but visual observation of tiny changes becomes difficult due to high information density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex three-dimensional line shape information into multiple two-dimensional cross-sectional views. By dividing the 3D data into 2D slices, the information density in each view is reduced, allowing clinicians to observe subtle changes more easily while maintaining comprehensive visualization through multiple sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms three-dimensional line shape information into two-dimensional cross-sectional representations. This dimensionality reduction simplifies the visual presentation, decreasing information density per unit area and enabling better detection of subtle anatomical changes while preserving the essential spatial relationships through multiple 2D planes.
2Device complexity
If conventional visual observation methods are used, then image display is simple, but objective assessment of abnormality degree and recovery degree cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an image processing apparatus as an intermediary between the MRI data and the clinician's assessment. This apparatus automatically generates quantitative metrics (abnormality degree, recovery degree) by comparing line shape information across different time points, providing objective measurement while keeping the user interface relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces subjective visual assessment with automated image processing and analysis. By substituting the manual visual comparison method with computer-based algorithms that calculate abnormality and recovery degrees, the system achieves precise objective measurement while maintaining ease of use through automated generation of assessment results.
3Ease of operation
If multiple images are arranged side by side for comparison, then visual observation is enabled, but quantitative assessment of disease progression and recovery remains impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated system: it combines side-by-side image display with automated quantitative analysis. The image processing apparatus simultaneously performs visual comparison (maintaining ease of operation) and calculates abnormality/recovery degrees (preventing loss of quantitative information), delivering both qualitative and quantitative assessments in one unified output.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an image diagnosis apparatus includes a line shape information generating unit and a comparing unit. The line shape information generating unit is configured to generate first line shape information corresponding to a first medical image and second line shape information corresponding to a second medical image, respectively. The comparing unit is configured to compare the generated first line shape information with the second line shape information.