Medical Image Reference Apparatus for Reproducing Past Imaging Conditions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical image diagnostic systems face challenges in accurately reproducing previous imaging conditions, such as photographing position and range, due to variations in patient positioning and operator conditions, leading to insufficient precision in comparative diagnoses.

Innovation Solution

An image reference apparatus and system that create and utilize 'shared objects' containing image information and accessory data, including position determination images, photographing conditions, and image creating conditions, to facilitate precise reproduction of past imaging settings across different medical imaging modalities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If test technicians manually set photographing conditions based on past images, then flexibility in adapting to different cases is maintained, but precision in reproducing past imaging conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision in reproducing past imaging conditionsVSAvoidcomplexity of information management system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary extraction and storage of photographing conditions (position, range, parameters) from past diagnostic images into structured metadata before new imaging is performed. This preliminary action enables precise reproduction of past conditions without manual intervention during the actual imaging process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary information processing system that acts as a mediator between past diagnostic images and current imaging decisions. This system extracts, stores, and retrieves photographing condition information, serving as an intermediary that bridges historical data and present application, thereby improving precision without directly complicating the imaging device itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If detailed photographing condition information is stored and retrieved, then diagnostic accuracy improves, but information management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidcomplexity of information management system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments photographing condition information into distinct, structured components including position information, photographing range, and imaging parameters. This segmentation allows for organized storage and selective retrieval of specific condition elements, improving diagnostic accuracy through comprehensive information availability while managing complexity through systematic organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transforms unstructured image data into structured parameter representations by extracting and standardizing photographing conditions into defined parameters. This parameter transformation enables reliable retrieval and reproduction of imaging conditions while simplifying information management through standardized data structures rather than raw image analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If test technicians refer to past images manually, then adaptability to different patient conditions is maintained, but time efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime efficiency in setting up testsVSAvoidtime spent searching and analyzing past images
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service retrieval of photographing conditions by automatically extracting, storing, and making available past imaging parameters without requiring manual analysis by test technicians. The system serves itself by autonomously managing the information lifecycle, thereby improving time efficiency while maintaining adaptability through accessible historical data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If comprehensive photographing information is extracted and stored, then reproduction precision improves, but data processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision in reproducing photographing position and rangeVSAvoidcomputational resources for information processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts only the essential photographing condition information (position, range, parameters) from comprehensive diagnostic images, separating critical data from unnecessary image content. This selective extraction achieves high reproduction precision for imaging conditions while reducing computational load by processing and storing only the extracted parameters rather than entire images.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2702940B1Image reference apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYST CORP
  • EP2702940B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2702940B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2702940B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An image reference apparatus which comprises a storage unit (77) for storing a group of images acquired in a predetermined image acquisition process performed by a medical image diagnostic apparatus, an operation unit (74) for selecting a first image from the acquired image group and inputting an image processing condition for creating a second image on the basis of the selected first image, an image creation processing unit (72) for creating the second image by performing image processing using the first image according to the image processing condition, and an object creating unit (76) for creating an object in which the image processing condition is added in the first image.