Medical Image Processing Device Using Intensity-Dependent Pseudocolor Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical observation devices, such as microscopes and endoscopes, face challenges in accurately distinguishing between ambiguous and unambiguous regions of interest in images, leading to potential misidentification of tissues or structures, which can result in incorrect surgical decisions.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that combines a digital pseudocolor pattern with input images, adjusting pattern characteristics based on local and global image characteristics to differentiate between ambiguous and unambiguous regions of interest, ensuring they are marked and displayed distinctly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single pseudocolor pattern is used to mark regions of interest, then the marking process is simple, but ambiguous regions cannot be differentiated from unambiguous regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different pseudocolor patterns to different regions based on their characteristics. Unambiguous regions receive one pattern while ambiguous regions receive a different pattern, allowing differentiation through local variation of the marking method
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters of the pseudocolor pattern (such as color, intensity, or pattern type) based on the region's characteristics. By adjusting these parameters according to whether a region is ambiguous or unambiguous, the system achieves better differentiation
2Productivity
If threshold-based marking is used for regions of interest, then the processing is straightforward, but regions near the threshold are misclassified
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single threshold for all regions, the patent applies multiple levels of marking. Regions that clearly exceed the threshold receive one type of marking, while regions near the threshold receive a different marking, ensuring that no region is misclassified due to threshold ambiguity
3Reliability
If multiple pseudocolor patterns are used to differentiate regions, then region differentiation is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different pseudocolor patterns locally to different regions based on their characteristics. This allows the system to maintain simplicity in the overall structure while achieving differentiation through localized variations in the marking approach
Data Source
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AI summary
An image processing device (100) for a medical observation device (102), such as a microscope (104) or endoscope, is disclosed. The image processing device (100) comprises an image processor (106). The image processor (106) is configured to obtain a digital pseudocolor pattern (116), which has a pattern characteristic (118) and comprises a pseudocolor (120). The image processor (106) is further adapted to combine the digital pseudocolor pattern (116) with an input area (122) of retrieved digital input image (108, 110), thus forming a patterned region (124). Moreover, the image processor (106) is adapted to vary the pattern characteristic at a location (126) in the patterned region (124) depending on one of the intensity (I) and brightness (B) at a corresponding location (128) in the input area (122) of at least one of the digital input images (108, 110) and retrieved digital input image (108, 110); and to output at least one digital output image (130) comprising the patterned region (124).