Medical Image Observation Apparatus with Segmented Display for Parallel Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical image observation apparatuses are cumbersome as they require users to switch screens to view an image list and a desired image simultaneously, hindering parallel image selection and verification processes.
Innovation Solution
An image observation apparatus with an extraction unit, list generation unit, and display that extracts medical images, generates a list of reduced images arranged by apparatus type, and displays the list alongside the selected image on the monitor, allowing for simultaneous viewing of image lists and images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the image observation apparatus displays multiple types of medical images on the screen at a time using a multi-modality function, then the user can observe morphological images and functional images simultaneously, but the user is unable to perform image selection and image verification processes in parallel, requiring screen switching which is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen is segmented into multiple independent display areas, with each area dedicated to a specific function (image list display area, image verification area, image selection area). This segmentation allows simultaneous execution of image selection and verification processes without interfering with each other, resolving the contradiction by providing functional separation while maintaining overall system integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from sequential screen switching (temporal dimension) to simultaneous multi-area display (spatial dimension). By utilizing the spatial dimension of the display screen to present multiple functions concurrently, the system eliminates the need for screen switching while maintaining ease of operation for both image selection and verification processes.
2Productivity
If the image observation apparatus displays an image list and a desired image on separate screens, then each screen can be optimized for its specific function, but the user needs to switch screens constantly which reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the image list display function and image verification function into a single integrated display screen with multiple display areas. This combining eliminates the time loss associated with screen switching while maintaining the functional optimization of separate display regions, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing functional effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
By displaying both the image list and verification images simultaneously on the same screen, the system enables continuous workflow where the user can select images and verify them in an uninterrupted sequence. This eliminates the discontinuous screen switching action, maintaining continuous useful action and improving overall productivity.
3Loss of information
If the image observation apparatus divides the image display area into multiple areas for displaying different medical images, then multiple images can be viewed simultaneously, but the user cannot view the image list and desired image in parallel
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen is divided into multiple segmented display areas, each dedicated to a specific function (image list, verification image, etc.). This segmentation ensures that no information is lost while enabling parallel access to different types of information, resolving the contradiction by providing structured spatial organization of information.
Solution Approach 2:
The display screen is designed with multi-functional display areas that can simultaneously serve different purposes (image list display, image verification, image selection). This universality allows the single screen to fulfill multiple functions in parallel, eliminating the need for separate screens and improving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The extraction unit extracts a plurality of medical images as a list display target from an image storage unit storing a plurality of medical images and an plurality of apparatus types in association with each other. The list generation unit generates a list in which a plurality of reduced images respectively corresponding to the plurality of extracted medical images are arranged. The plurality of reduced images are arranged for each apparatus type in the list, and the list clearly indicates a reduced image corresponding to a candidate image of the plurality of extracted medical images that is more likely to be used. The display displays the generated list.