Unified Medical Image Management Across Multiple Cameras

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image management systems struggle to efficiently link and manage medical images captured by multiple imaging apparatuses, particularly when different cameras are used for various sites of a patient, leading to difficulties in patient identification and image organization.

Innovation Solution

An image management method and device that allow users to set a group of imaging apparatuses, register patient identification information, acquire images from multiple cameras, and link these images with the patient identification information, enabling efficient management and organization of medical images across multiple cameras.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple imaging apparatuses are used to capture images of different sites, then imaging coverage and diagnostic capability are improved, but image management complexity and operator burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging coverageVSAvoidimage management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple imaging apparatuses into a single integrated management system where all devices are grouped under a common patient identification framework. Images from different cameras are merged into one unified patient record, eliminating the need for separate management of each device and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The image management system is designed to handle multiple types of imaging apparatuses (different sites, different modalities) through a universal interface. The system can accommodate various imaging devices using the same patient identification and image linking mechanism, making it adaptable to different imaging scenarios without requiring device-specific management procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If manual linking of images to patient identification is performed, then image association accuracy can be ensured, but operator burden and examination time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage association accuracyVSAvoidexamination time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically associating imaging apparatuses with patient identification information before image acquisition. The imaging devices are pre-configured with patient IDs, and images are automatically linked upon capture, eliminating the need for manual post-acquisition association and reducing examination time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The image management system performs self-service by automatically linking images to patient identification without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously matches images with patient records based on embedded identification data, reducing operator burden while ensuring consistent and accurate association.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If imaging apparatuses are managed independently, then device operation simplicity is maintained, but patient identification errors and image misassociation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operation simplicityVSAvoidpatient identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary image management system that acts as a mediator between independent imaging apparatuses and patient records. This intermediary automatically matches images with patient identification information, ensuring accurate association without requiring complex manual matching procedures, thus maintaining operational simplicity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If a unified image management system is implemented, then image organization efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage organization efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The unified image management system is segmented into modular functional components: patient identification management, imaging apparatus registration, image acquisition, and automatic linking. This segmentation allows each module to perform its function independently and efficiently, improving overall image organization while keeping individual components simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250104843A1Image management method and image management device

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is an image management method executed by a computer, the method including: setting an imaging apparatus group including a plurality of imaging apparatuses in response to a user's operation of selecting the imaging apparatuses; registering identification information capable of identifying a subject in association with the imaging apparatus group; acquiring a plurality of images captured by respective ones of the plurality of imaging apparatuses included in the imaging apparatus group; and linking the acquired images with the identification information.