Medical Image Processing Apparatus Deep Focus Low Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical microscopes often produce images with a shallow depth of field, causing objects at slightly different depths to be blurred, which affects observability and operability during procedures like brain surgery, where a deep focus image with low delay and high frame rate is desirable.
Innovation Solution
A medical image processing apparatus and method that composite multiple images captured while changing the focus position, allowing switching between the composite image and individual images based on analysis results, to generate a deep focus image with low delay and high frame rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If multiple images are captured while changing focus position to generate a deep focus image, then the depth of field is improved, but the processing time and delay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple images at different focus positions in advance, then processes them to generate a deep focus image. This allows the deep focus image to be prepared before being needed, reducing the delay when the image is actually required for medical procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the focus position during image capture, transitioning between different focal planes to capture images at various depths. This dynamic focusing allows the system to gather information from multiple depth levels efficiently, improving depth of field while managing processing time through controlled capture sequences.
2Length of stationary object
If multiple images are captured while changing focus position to generate a deep focus image, then the depth of field is improved, but the frame rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures multiple images at different focus positions as preliminary actions, then processes them to generate deep focus images. By preparing these images in advance during low-criticality periods, the system maintains high frame rates during critical surgical procedures without sacrificing depth of field.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic action by capturing images at regular intervals during focus position changes, then processing these periodic images to generate deep focus images. This periodic capture pattern allows efficient data collection while maintaining manageable processing rates that don't significantly impact overall frame rate.
3Ease of operation
If focus position is changed to capture images at different depths, then the observability of objects at varying depths is improved, but the complexity of image processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the image processing task by handling different depth regions separately. Each captured image at a specific focus position is processed independently to identify and isolate objects at that depth level, then these segmented results are combined to create the final deep focus image. This segmentation reduces overall processing complexity by breaking down a complex multi-depth problem into manageable single-depth sub-problems.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical observation system including a medical imaging device that captures a plurality of images of a living body while changing a focus position, and circuitry that generates a composite image by compositing the plurality of images captured by the medical imaging device, and switches output between the generated composite image and one of the plurality of images based on a result of analysis performed on at least one of the plurality of images.