Medical Image Processing Superimposing Figures Inside Lesion Boundaries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical image processing techniques hinder the observation of the boundary between a region of interest and a region of non-interest by either obscuring the boundary with surrounding figures or extending beyond the lesion region, potentially leading to oversight of lesions during endoscopy.
Innovation Solution
A medical image processing apparatus that superimposes a figure on the region of interest without overlapping with the boundary between the region of interest and the region of non-interest, allowing for clear visualization of the boundary by positioning the figure inside the region of interest, adjusting its size and shape based on the area of the region of interest, and using different figures or coordinates to ensure unobstructed observation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a figure surrounding a lesion region is displayed to report the region of interest, then the region of interest can be identified, but the boundary of the lesion region becomes difficult to visually recognize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the reporting function into two separate visual elements: a bounding box for reporting the region of interest and a separate figure (arrow, dot, or marker) for indicating the center or reference point. This segmentation allows the boundary to remain visible while still providing clear region identification, resolving the contradiction between reporting effectiveness and boundary recognizability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element (the figure representing center coordinates or reference point) that mediates between the bounding box and the lesion boundary. This intermediary figure is positioned within the bounding box but does not obscure the boundary, serving as a visual anchor without interfering with boundary observation.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a figure surrounding the lesion region is displayed such that the figure does not overlap the boundary, then the boundary can be observed, but the figure significantly extends off the lesion region and may hinder observation of normal mucous membrane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the figure (arrow, dot, or marker) smaller and positioning it specifically at the center or reference point within the bounding box, rather than using a large surrounding figure. This localized approach ensures the figure remains within the lesion region boundaries, preventing extension into normal mucous membrane areas while still providing clear region identification.
3Loss of information
If the figure is made large to ensure clear reporting, then the region of interest is clearly identified, but the boundary observation is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reporting information into two distinct visual components: a bounding box that provides clear region identification and a separate small figure that indicates the center or reference point. This segmentation allows the figure to remain small and non-obtrusive while still effectively reporting the region of interest, resolving the contradiction between reporting clarity and boundary observability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a medical image processing apparatus, a medical image processing method, a program, and a diagnosis support apparatus that report a region of interest without hindering observation of the boundary between the region of interest and a region of non-interest in a medical image. A medical image processing apparatus includes a superimposition processing unit that superimposes, on a medical image, a figure for reporting a region of interest included in the medical image. The superimposition processing unit superimposes the figure on an inside of the region of interest such that at least part of a boundary between the region of interest and a region of non-interest is not superimposed with the figure, thereby reporting the region of interest without hindering observation of the boundary between the region of interest and the region of non-interest.