Medical Image Processing Apparatus for 4-D Rendering

Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical image processing technologies face challenges in accurately diagnosing the influence of calcified parts on aortic valve movements due to distortion in 4-D rendering, which is caused by nonlinear interpolation processing, leading to inadequate visualization of valve orifice changes.

Innovation Solution

A medical image processing apparatus that generates interpolation volume data by distinguishing between feature and non-feature regions, using nonlinear alignment for non-feature regions and linear alignment for feature regions to prevent distortion, thereby enabling accurate visualization of calcified parts and their surroundings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If nonlinear alignment processing is used to generate smooth 4-D rendering with high time resolution, then the movement of the valve is reproduced smoothly, but the calcified part becomes distorted and loses its precise shape

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime resolutionVSAvoidshape precision of calcified part

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the volume data into two distinct types: feature volume data containing calcified parts that require shape preservation, and non-feature volume data containing soft tissues that benefit from nonlinear deformation. This segmentation allows different processing strategies to be applied to each type, resolving the contradiction between smooth motion reproduction and shape precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different interpolation qualities to different regions: linear interpolation is used for feature regions (calcified parts) to maintain precise shape, while nonlinear interpolation is used for non-feature regions (soft tissues) to achieve smooth motion. This local differentiation of processing quality resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region according to its specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If linear alignment processing is used to maintain the precise shape of calcified parts, then shape precision is improved, but the smooth movement reproduction is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape precision of calcified partVSAvoidtime resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the volume data into two distinct types: feature volume data containing calcified parts that require shape preservation, and non-feature volume data containing soft tissues that benefit from nonlinear deformation. This segmentation allows different processing strategies to be applied to each type, resolving the contradiction between smooth motion reproduction and shape precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different interpolation qualities to different regions: linear interpolation is used for feature regions (calcified parts) to maintain precise shape, while nonlinear interpolation is used for non-feature regions (soft tissues) to achieve smooth motion. This local differentiation of processing quality resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region according to its specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If 4-D rendering with high time resolution is used to reproduce smooth valve movement, then diagnostic capability for valve movement is improved, but diagnostic accuracy for calcified part influence is degraded due to distortion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic efficiencyVSAvoiddiagnostic accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the volume data into two distinct types: feature volume data containing calcified parts that require shape preservation, and non_feature volume data containing soft tissues that benefit from nonlinear deformation. This segmentation allows different processing strategies to be applied to each type, resolving the contradiction between smooth motion reproduction and shape precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different interpolation qualities to different regions: linear interpolation is used for feature regions (calcified parts) to maintain precise shape, while nonlinear interpolation is used for non_feature regions (soft tissues) to achieve smooth motion. This local differentiation of processing quality resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region according to its specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9519993B2Medical image processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2016.12.13 TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

A medical image processing apparatus according to an embodiment for visualization of each of plural captured image volume data having time of day information includes a generator configured to generate interpolation volume data for interpolation in the plural captured image volume data, based on the plural captured image volume data, and a display unit configured to visualize and display the plural captured image volume data and the interpolation volume data. The generator extracts a feature region in the captured image volume data, and is configured such that processing for generating the interpolation volume data for the feature region is different from processing for generating the interpolation volume data for other regions, so as to suppress a change in shape of the feature region.