Medical Image Processing System with Remaining Time Notification

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Solution Overview

Problem

In medical image processing systems, delayed notification of feature region recognition results can distract users and make it unclear whether recognition processing is correct or has failed until the results are displayed.

Innovation Solution

A medical image processing system with a time count unit, remaining time calculation unit, and display control unit that provides remaining time notification information, allowing users to track the status of recognition processing through visual, auditory, or changing display styles until the recognition result is displayed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the recognition result is displayed immediately after feature region detection, then the diagnostic accuracy is improved, but the user's attention is distracted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoiduser attention distraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the feature region and prepares the recognition result, but delays the display action until an optimal timing. The notification timing is determined in advance based on whether a lesion portion is actually present, ensuring the result is shown at the most appropriate moment without distracting the user during critical observation periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user about the detection status and timing. By notifying the user of the feature region detection result only when a lesion portion is confirmed to be present, the system gives meaningful feedback that enhances diagnostic accuracy without causing unnecessary attention distraction during normal observation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the notification of recognition result is delayed to prevent distraction, then user attention is maintained, but the user cannot grasp whether recognition processing is correct or has failed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser attention distractionVSAvoidrecognition processing status information
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides continuous feedback to the user about the recognition processing status. By notifying the user of the detection result and the timing information, the system ensures that the user can grasp whether recognition processing is being performed correctly or has failed, while still maintaining user attention through delayed notification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the feature region is highlighted immediately upon detection, then diagnostic information is provided promptly, but the user's observation is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic information provision speedVSAvoidobservation interruption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection and analysis of the feature region, determining whether a lesion portion is present, but delays the highlighting action until the optimal timing is reached. This ensures diagnostic information is provided promptly when needed, while avoiding interruption of the user's observation during critical examination periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback about the detection result and timing, highlighting the feature region only when a lesion portion is confirmed to be present. This feedback mechanism ensures diagnostic information is provided efficiently without causing unnecessary observation interruption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3841957B1Medical image processing system
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP3841957B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3841957B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3841957B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided is a medical image processing system in which when notification of a recognition result of a feature region is delayed, a user is able to grasp whether recognition processing is being performed correctly or the recognition processing has failed in a period until the recognition result is displayed. A remaining time calculation unit (44) calculates, based on a notification waiting time indicating a time from when a feature region (SP) is recognized to when a notification of a recognition result of the feature region is started and a count time counted by a time count unit (42), a remaining time until the notification of the recognition result of the feature region is provided. A display control unit (37) displays on a monitor (34) remaining time notification information obtained based on at least the remaining time.