Medical Image Processing Apparatus Viewpoint Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current three-dimensional display methods in medical imaging, such as volume rendering and surface rendering, are time-consuming and require preparing numerous two-dimensional images to allow for smooth rotation of observation targets, leading to inefficiencies in displaying anatomical structures and losing fine texture information.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that acquires two-dimensional images from multiple viewpoints and surface data from three-dimensional images, generating composite images by projecting surface data onto two-dimensional images, allowing for dynamic viewpoint changes without prepping large numbers of images, using a display switching control unit to toggle between composite and two-dimensional images based on user operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If volume rendering is used to display three-dimensional anatomical structures, then the position and size of lesions can be easily confirmed, but it takes time to perform calculation and display for each viewpoint change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores multiple two-dimensional projection images from different viewpoints before actual observation. When the user changes viewpoints, the system simply switches between pre-prepared images rather than performing time-consuming volume rendering calculations in real-time, thus resolving the contradiction between accurate 3D representation and calculation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically switches between different pre-calculated two-dimensional images based on the current viewpoint, creating the illusion of real-time 3D rotation without actual real-time rendering. This dynamic image switching maintains measurement precision while avoiding time-consuming recalculation.
2Productivity
If surface rendering is used to display three-dimensional structures, then display speed is improved, but fine texture information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the three-dimensional volume data into multiple two-dimensional projection images from different viewpoints. Each projection image retains the fine texture information from the original volume data, and by switching between these segmented views, the system achieves both fast display speed and preservation of texture details.
3Productivity
If two-dimensional images from various angles are prepared in advance to allow smooth rotation, then display speed is improved, but an enormous number of images are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses partial action by preparing only a limited set of two-dimensional projection images from key viewpoints rather than all possible angles. This partial preparation is sufficient to create the perception of smooth 3D rotation while dramatically reducing the number of images needed compared to complete coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A two-dimensional image acquisition unit acquires a plurality of two-dimensional images generated from a three-dimensional image of a patient in a case where an observation target is viewed from a plurality of different viewpoints, and a surface data acquisition unit acquires surface data of each of a plurality of structures on the patient from the three-dimensional image. A composite image generation unit generates a composite image in which a composite target image generated from the surface data and the two-dimensional image are composed, and a display switching control unit receives an operation of displaying or non-displaying any of the structures and performs display by switching between the composite image of the composite target image and the two-dimensional image corresponding to the structure to be displayed and the two-dimensional image of the structure to be non-displayed.