Medical Image Processing Apparatus for Abnormal Region Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical image processing technologies face challenges in easily identifying abnormal regions, such as cancer cells, especially when they are minute or when the efficiency of contrast agent intake is low, due to limitations in Dual Energy CT imaging methods.
Innovation Solution
A medical image processing apparatus and method that utilize two CT images captured with different X-ray tube voltages to calculate a correlation between CT values and X-ray tube voltages, allowing users to designate an enhancement degree for generating an enhanced image by adjusting window width and level values, thereby improving the visibility of abnormal regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Dual Energy CT imaging is used to capture images with different X-ray tube voltages, then image contrast for identifying abnormal regions is improved, but the complexity of image processing and parameter adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores correlation data between CT values, X-ray tube voltages, and window width/level parameters before actual imaging. When processing images, the system automatically retrieves and applies these pre-established correlations based on the imaging conditions, eliminating the need for manual parameter optimization and simplifying the processing workflow while maintaining high contrast accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of window width and level values is required to enhance image contrast, then diagnostic accuracy can be improved, but the time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines optimal window width and level parameters by self-calculating based on the correlation between CT values and X-ray tube voltages. The processing apparatus autonomously selects enhancement parameters without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining high diagnostic accuracy while significantly improving ease of operation and reducing user burden.
3Measurement precision
If contrast agent intake is low or abnormal regions are minute, then the challenge in identifying these regions increases, but enhancing image contrast can resolve this issue
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts window width and level parameters based on the correlation with X-ray tube voltage to optimize contrast for detecting minute or low-contrast regions. By automatically modifying these display parameters according to the imaging conditions and detected tissue characteristics, the system enhances the visibility of subtle abnormalities that would otherwise be difficult to detect, directly addressing the detection difficulty without requiring contrast agent intervention.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A medical image processing apparatus (101) acquires a plurality of medical images obtained by imaging an identical region of an object under different radiographing conditions, acquires a correlation between a signal value and a radiographing condition at a pixel at a same position in the plurality of medical images, acquires a virtual radiographing condition that is different from the radiographing conditions of the plurality of medical images, generates an image for a diagnosis by acquiring a signal value of each pixel based on the correlation and the virtual radiographing condition, and acquires a window width value and a window level value for displaying one medical image of an identical cross section of the object.