3D Medical Image Region Specification via Spatial Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image processing techniques for three-dimensional medical images require complex and time-consuming manual operations to switch between rotation and region specification processing, which are difficult for inexperienced users and do not allow efficient extraction of desired regions without keyboard usage.
Innovation Solution
An image processing method that assigns rotation processing to the center region of the display screen and region specification processing to the peripheral region, allowing intuitive switching between the two operations using a pointing device, with a center region icon for easy recognition and minimal disturbance to the image observation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If region specification processing and rotation processing are switched by combining mouse drag operation with keyboard shift button operation, then processing switching is simplified, but keyboard usage is required which contradicts the demand for mouse-only operation
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen is divided into a center region and a peripheral region. The center region is assigned for rotation processing while the peripheral region is assigned for region specification processing. This spatial segmentation allows users to switch between operations by simply changing the mouse pointer position without requiring keyboard input, thus achieving mouse-only operation while maintaining easy processing switching.
2Ease of operation
If functions are assigned to regions divided in a predetermined pattern as in Patent Document 1, then region specification is enabled, but the regions are too small requiring extra work for parallel movement or enlargement/reduction of the three-dimensional medical image
Solution Approach 1:
The center region and peripheral region are given different functional qualities suitable for their respective purposes. The center region, where rotation is performed, has a size appropriate for rotational manipulation. The peripheral region, where region specification occurs, provides sufficient space for specifying arbitrary parts of the three-dimensional image without requiring additional enlargement or movement operations, thus eliminating extra work time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different kinds of processing function are assigned to plural regions by dividing the display screen, then processing switching is enabled, but it is impossible to recognize by intuition the correspondence between regions and assigned functions
Solution Approach 1:
The center region and peripheral region are displayed with different visual characteristics (such as different colors or shading) to intuitively indicate their respective functions. The center region may be displayed with a distinct visual style to indicate rotation functionality, while the peripheral region has a different visual style to indicate region specification functionality. This visual differentiation enables users to immediately recognize which operation corresponds to which region without requiring memorization or instruction.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
Rotation and region-specification are performed on a three-dimensional medical image by easily switching by a simple operation that is easily understandable by intuition. The image is obtained, and displayed on a display screen. An input position by a user on the display screen and an input operation are received. If the input position is located in a center-region (6) of the display screen, rotation is performed on the displayed image (5) based on the input operation. If the input position is located in a region other than the center-region (6), region-specification is performed on the displayed image (5) based on the input operation. The region specification specifies a closed curve on the display screen based on the input operation, and deletes a part of the image that is an inside or an outside of a cylinder extending from the closed curve toward the depth direction of the display screen.