Medical Image Processing Apparatus for Automated Subtraction Pair Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In medical imaging, users face a cumbersome process when selecting images for generating subtraction images, as they need to manually choose between temporal subtraction and contrast phase subtraction images, requiring effort and expertise to determine the appropriate images for visualization of lesions or tumors.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that automatically selects the appropriate image pair for generating subtraction images based on examination date/time and contrast enhancement state, prioritizing image pairs with significant date/time differences for temporal subtraction and those with contrast differences for contrast phase subtraction, thereby reducing user effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual selection of images for subtraction image generation is performed, then the user can choose appropriate images for visualization, but the user burden and operation time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic image pair selection by itself without requiring user intervention. The selection unit automatically identifies appropriate comparison images based on examination data, contrast enhancement information, and timing, thereby eliminating the need for manual user selection while maintaining accurate image pairing for subtraction image generation
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-processes and organizes examination data, contrast enhancement state, and timing information before the subtraction image generation step. By preparing candidate comparison images in advance with all necessary metadata, the system enables rapid automatic selection without requiring users to perform preliminary manual search and selection
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of subtraction images (temporal and contrast phase) are generated, then comprehensive lesion visualization is achieved, but the complexity of image selection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the image selection process into distinct categories: temporal subtraction images (comparing same-phase images at different times) and contrast phase subtraction images (comparing contrast and non-contrast images). The selection unit automatically determines which segment to use based on the examination type and availability of required images, thereby managing complexity through structured categorization without limiting versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The selection unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it identifies both temporal and contrast phase subtraction image candidates, evaluates examination data and contrast enhancement state, determines appropriate pairing strategies, and generates subtraction images of different types as needed. This multi-functional approach handles diverse subtraction image requirements through a single integrated system rather than separate selection processes
Data Source
AI summary
To efficiently select an image to be used for generation of a subtraction image, provided is an image processing apparatus including: a first image acquiring unit configured to acquire first image data which is image data obtained by imaging a subject by a first examination; and a comparison image acquiring unit configured to acquire comparison image data for performing comparison to the first image data, the comparison image acquiring unit being configured to acquire the comparison image data in accordance with priority with respect to a combination including the first image data and a candidate for the comparison image data, the priority being calculated based on an examination date/time of the first examination and a contrast enhancement state of the first image data.