Medical Image Processing Apparatus for Lesion Position Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting abnormalities during radiotherapy, such as patient movement or sudden changes, are inadequate as they fail to monitor internal conditions effectively, leading to unreliable lesion tracking and potential irradiation errors.
Innovation Solution
A medical image processing apparatus that acquires and compares multiple images of a patient before and during treatment, using a characteristic processor to determine the position of lesions and markers, and a determiner to assess if the lesion position is within a predetermined closed space, allowing for real-time adjustment of radiation beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple imaging apparatuses are used to acquire images from different directions, then the reliability of lesion position determination is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is segmented into multiple independent imaging apparatuses positioned at different locations. Each apparatus captures images from its specific direction, and the system processes these segmented image sets separately before integrating them for comprehensive lesion position determination, thereby improving reliability without overwhelming system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple imaging apparatuses serve the universal function of capturing anatomical images from different perspectives. Each apparatus can independently perform imaging, and collectively they provide multi-directional visualization for more accurate lesion localization and treatment planning
2Reliability
If real-time image comparison and abnormality detection are implemented during irradiation, then the safety of treatment is improved, but the measurement and detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and comparing images in real-time during irradiation. Abnormalities such as patient movement or respiratory changes are detected by comparing current images with reference images taken before treatment, enabling immediate safety interventions without complex real-time analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where images captured during irradiation are continuously compared with treatment plan images. When deviations are detected (such as lesion position changes or patient movement), the system provides feedback to alert operators and can automatically adjust treatment parameters to maintain safety
3Manufacturing precision
If the position of the lesion is tracked during irradiation to account for respiratory and heartbeat movements, then the manufacturing precision of treatment is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple images during the irradiation process to establish the dynamic range of lesion movement caused by respiration and heartbeat. This pre-characterization of motion patterns enables more precise real-time tracking and compensation without requiring complex continuous measurement systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system adopts a dynamic approach by capturing images at multiple time points during irradiation to account for physiological movements. The lesion position is tracked dynamically throughout the treatment process, allowing the system to adapt to respiratory and cardiac cycles, thereby improving targeting precision while managing measurement complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical image processing apparatus includes a first image acquirer that acquires a plurality of first images of an object to be treated, each of the plurality of first images being captured by a radiographic imaging apparatus at a respective time of a plurality of times; a second image acquirer that acquires a second image of the object to be treated, the second image being captured by a radiographic imaging apparatus at a time different from the plurality of times when the plurality of first images are captured; a characteristic processor that determines a plurality of positions of a first characteristic of the object to be treated from the plurality of first images, the characteristic processor that determines the position of a second characteristic corresponding to the first characteristic in the object to be treated from the second image; a calculator that establishes a first closed space including the plurality of positions of the first characteristic; and a determiner that determines whether or not the position of the second characteristic is within the first closed space, and the determiner that outputs a determination signal, based on a result of the determination.