Medical Image Protocol Standardization for Cross-Device Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optimizing and sharing medical image processing parameters across different devices and institutions is challenging due to the complexity and time-consuming nature of setting and maintaining consistent scanning and post-processing parameters, which affects image quality and comparability over time.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that creates a scanning protocol including scanning and post-processing parameters, stores source and processed image data with associated parameters, and allows for data sharing and comparison, using a computer program to facilitate the creation, acquisition, and storage of image data, enabling compatibility and efficient comparison of medical images across different devices and institutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple scanning and post-processing parameters are manually optimized for each device and institution, then image quality can be improved, but the time and complexity required for parameter setting increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the complex manual optimization process into an automated parameter selection system. The system pre-defines multiple parameter sets corresponding to different imaging scenarios and automatically selects appropriate parameters based on imaging conditions, eliminating the need for manual optimization while maintaining image quality standards across different devices and institutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates standardized parameter templates that can be copied and reused across different devices and institutions. These templates encapsulate optimized parameter configurations for various imaging scenarios, allowing consistent reproduction of high-quality images without repeating the optimization process at each site.
2Stability of the object's composition
If parameter settings are standardized across different devices and institutions, then image comparability is improved, but the flexibility in optimizing for specific device characteristics is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the parameter configuration into hierarchical levels: standardized core parameters that ensure consistency across devices, and device-specific adjustable parameters that allow local optimization. This segmentation enables both standardization for comparability and flexibility for device-specific characteristics to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic parameter selection where the parameter set is not fixed but adapts based on device characteristics, imaging conditions, and protocol requirements. The system can automatically adjust parameters within standardized frameworks to accommodate different device capabilities while maintaining overall consistency.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual optimization of scanning and post-processing parameters is performed, then image quality can be enhanced, but the time required for processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs parameter optimization in advance during system setup and protocol development phases. Optimized parameter sets are pre-configured and stored for different imaging scenarios, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual optimization during routine operations. The system simply retrieves and applies pre-optimized parameters based on imaging conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated parameter selection and optimization capabilities that operate without manual intervention. The system automatically selects appropriate parameter sets based on imaging protocols and conditions, and can even perform real-time parameter adjustments during scanning, completely eliminating manual parameter setting time while maintaining image quality.
4Manufacturing precision
If parameter settings are customized for each specific imaging scenario, then image quality is improved, but the difficulty in sharing and comparing data across different devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal parameter framework that can accommodate multiple imaging scenarios and device types. The standardized protocol structure and parameter templates are designed to be device-agnostic, allowing the same protocol to be applied across different MRI systems while maintaining image quality and enabling data sharing and comparison across institutions.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a scanning protocol creation unit, an image acquisition unit, a post-processing unit, and a storage unit. The scanning protocol creation unit creates a scanning protocol for a particular part of body of an object. The image acquisition unit acquires source image data by scanning the particular part using an imaging device according to scanning parameters in the scanning protocol. The post-processing unit performs post-processing on the source image data according to post-processing parameters in the scanning protocol to obtain processed image data. The storage unit stores the scanning protocol, or store the source image data and the processed image data or index identifiers thereof in association with parameters related to the scanning protocol as single job data of the object. The scanning protocol includes the scanning and the post-processing parameters, and information related to the imaging device and the post-processing unit.