Medical Image Point Adjustment Based on Caliper Type

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Medical professionals face challenges in accurately and efficiently designating measurement points in medical images, particularly due to the need to remember measurement guidelines and the skill level required for precise point selection, which can be time-consuming and inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that adjust the location of a point in a medical image based on a type of caliper set for measurement, automatically selecting and indicating the appropriate point by determining the type of caliper (inner, outer, or middle point) corresponding to the measurement item, reducing the need for manual precision and memory recall.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual point selection is used based on measurement guidelines, then measurement precision can be achieved, but operation time increases and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepoint selection accuracyVSAvoidtime for point designation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores multiple candidate points (inner point, outer point, middle point) based on the measurement item before the user needs to select. When a measurement item is selected, the system automatically retrieves and displays the corresponding candidate points, eliminating the need for users to manually search or remember guideline specifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically designates measurement points by selecting from pre-calculated candidate points based on the measurement item, without requiring manual intervention. The apparatus performs self-service by autonomously determining the appropriate measurement point location according to stored measurement guidelines, thereby reducing both time consumption and operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If manual point selection is used based on measurement guidelines, then accurate measurement can be achieved, but device complexity increases due to need for guideline storage and retrieval

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepoint selection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity for guideline management
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Measurement guidelines and candidate point data are pre-calculated and stored in the system memory during system setup or initialization. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex real-time calculations or external reference materials during actual measurement operations, simplifying the user interface while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automated point selection is implemented, then productivity increases, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to lack of manual adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection speedVSAvoidpoint selection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides different types of candidate points (inner point, outer point, middle point) tailored to specific measurement items and caliper types. Each measurement scenario receives locally optimized candidate points rather than a generic automated selection, ensuring both speed and accuracy by matching the point selection to the specific measurement requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2887319B1Method and apparatus for indicating point whose location has been adjusted based on type of caliper in medical image
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 SAMSUNG MEDISON CO LTD
  • EP2887319B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2887319B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(e)
  • EP2887319B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A method of obtaining a medical image with respect to an object, setting a measurement item and a type of caliper with respect to the image, selecting a point in the medical image based on an external input, adjusting a location of the selected point, based on the type of caliper that has been set, and indicating the location-adjusted point in the medical image, is provided.