Automated Medical Image Indicia Masking System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical imaging systems face challenges in efficiently and accurately masking or obfuscating patient identification data encoded within images, which is time-consuming and imprecise, especially in digitized formats used in diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
An automated technique that employs image processing methods to identify and mask patient-identifying indicia in medical images by altering pixel values to render them undecipherable, using systems and computer programs capable of recognizing and modifying image data in digitized images from various imaging modalities like CT, MRI, and X-ray systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual masking techniques are used to remove patient identification data from medical images, then privacy protection is achieved, but the process becomes extremely time-consuming and imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical masking operations with an automated computer-based system that uses image processing algorithms to automatically detect and mask indicia in medical images, eliminating the need for manual intervention while improving both precision and efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the computer automatically performs the entire masking process including detection, identification, and masking of patient information without requiring human operators to manually examine and mask each image, thereby resolving the time-consuming nature of manual processes
2Loss of information
If pixel-based indicia are encoded directly into medical images, then diagnostic information is enhanced, but patient privacy protection becomes more difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary automated detection and masking of patient identification indicia before images are distributed or stored, ensuring that privacy protection is built into the image processing workflow from the outset rather than being added as a subsequent manual step
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs automated computer-based detection algorithms to identify pixel-based indicia containing patient information, replacing manual inspection methods and enabling reliable automated privacy protection that can consistently identify and mask all instances of patient identification data
3Productivity
If automated masking systems are implemented, then processing efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal automated masking system that can handle multiple types of medical images (X-ray, CT, MRI) and various formats of patient identification indicia through a single integrated platform, achieving high productivity across diverse applications without requiring separate specialized systems for each image type
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex manual masking procedures with a streamlined automated computer-based solution that uses image processing algorithms to automatically detect, identify, and mask patient information, reducing operational complexity despite the advanced technology employed
Data Source
AI summary
A technique is provided for obfuscating or masking indicia viewable in a reconstructed image. Image data is acquired and stored and then accessed and the reconstructed image is analyzed to determine whether any indicia are viewable in the image that are in need of masking. Such indicia may include, for example, patient-identifying data. Other information may be left unmasked, such as orientation information, descriptive information, dates, and so forth. The technique permits automated recognition of indicia and altering of image data files so as to render certain sensitive information undecipherable in the processed reconstructed images.