Medical Image Analysis Apparatus Timing Difference Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to easily compare the timings of expansion and constriction among multiple local portions of organs, which is crucial for accurate diagnosis of cardiac diseases, as they do not provide a simple operation to assess the presence or absence and extent of differences in movement timing.
Innovation Solution
A medical-use image data analyzing apparatus that includes an image input unit, a movement detector, a time distance calculator to determine the time when movement parameters reach maximum or minimum values, and a display device to show these time distances for respective local portions, allowing for easy comparison and visualization of movement timing differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods are used to measure organ movement, then displacement of local portions can be detected, but comparison of timings of expansion and constriction among multiple local portions becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the timing comparison problem from a temporal analysis into a spatial visualization by displaying time distances as positional offsets on the image. The time distance calculation unit computes temporal differences between local portions, and the display unit visually represents these differences as spatial distances from reference points, allowing intuitive comparison across multiple locations simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a time distance calculation unit as an intermediary that computes the temporal difference between movement timings of different local portions. This intermediary converts complex temporal phase relationships into simplified time distance values that can be directly visualized and compared, bridging the gap between raw movement data and diagnostic interpretation.
2Loss of information
If detailed movement analysis of multiple local portions is performed, then diagnostic information can be obtained, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential diagnostic information by calculating time distances between local portions and displaying only the most significant timing differences. Rather than presenting complete raw movement data from all locations, the system extracts and visualizes the phase relationship information that is most relevant for diagnosing cardiac diseases, reducing analysis time while preserving diagnostic value.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual representation where time distances are displayed as spatial offsets or color-coded indicators on the image. This visual encoding allows multiple local portions to be compared simultaneously through intuitive visual cues rather than requiring detailed numerical analysis, significantly reducing the time needed to interpret movement timing differences.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical-use image data analyzing apparatus, aiming for detecting with a simple operation, presence or extent of difference in timing of movements among local portions as to facilitate diagnosis of diseases such as cardiac infarction, includes: an image input unit configured to input an image data of a test subject; a movement detector configured to detect movement of the test subject, based on the image data; a time distance calculator which calculates a time distance up to a time point when movement parameter, which is calculated from the movement, reaches local maximum or local minimum; a display device configured to display the time distances for the respective local portions of the test subject; and a memory.