3D Medical Scan Visualization via Server-Side Preprocessing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for accessing and visualizing large medical scans, such as CT and MRI scans, are impractical due to high bandwidth and latency requirements, making it difficult for rural areas to utilize advanced 3D visualization and posing challenges in maintaining secure and private medical records over long periods.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for viewing three-dimensional virtual views of volume visualization datasets over the Internet using a centralized infrastructure, which includes a transmitter for secure data transfer, central data storage, processing servers, and a resource manager for load balancing, along with secure communication protocols, allowing for optimized bandwidth usage and efficient data management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If 3D virtual views of large medical scans are transmitted over the Internet, then advanced visualization is made accessible to remote users, but bandwidth consumption increases and interaction becomes unresponsive under low-bandwidth conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the medical scan data transmission by sending only the necessary portions or pre-processed representations rather than complete raw datasets. The system divides the large volume visualization dataset into manageable components that can be transmitted efficiently over low-bandwidth connections while still enabling interactive 3D visualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary processing of medical scan data on the server side before transmission, pre-generating 3D virtual views and extracting only the essential visual information needed for interaction. This preliminary action reduces the data size that must be transmitted over the network while maintaining visualization quality and interactivity.
2Ease of operation
If raw scan data is retrieved for processing to enable dynamic 3D views, then interactive visualization is achieved, but latency increases and interactivity is lost over high-latency networks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing of medical scan data on the server side before transmission, pre-generating 3D virtual views and extracting only the essential visual information needed for interaction. This preliminary action reduces the data size that must be transmitted over the network while maintaining visualization quality and interactivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer on the server side that acts as a mediator between the raw medical scan data and the client device. This intermediary performs real-time or near-real-time processing to generate 3D views, reducing the need for continuous data retrieval and processing at the client end, thereby minimizing latency and improving interactivity.
3Power
If complete volume visualization datasets are transmitted to user computers, then full processing capability is available locally, but storage requirements and infrastructure costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential visual information and processed representations from the complete volume visualization dataset, transmitting only what is necessary for 3D visualization rather than the entire dataset. This extraction approach maintains processing capability for visualization while dramatically reducing storage requirements at the client end.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses processed copies or representations of the medical scan data rather than transmitting and storing complete original datasets. These copied representations are sufficient for 3D visualization purposes but occupy significantly less storage space, reducing infrastructure costs while maintaining functional capability.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If medical scans are stored securely for long periods, then patient record retention requirements are met, but security and privacy maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and transmits only the visual information necessary for diagnosis and consultation from the stored medical scan data, rather than requiring continuous secure storage and access to complete datasets. This approach meets record retention requirements while reducing the ongoing security and privacy maintenance costs associated with storing and protecting large volumes of sensitive medical data.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for viewing at a client device a series of three-dimensional virtual views over the Internet of a volume visualization dataset contained on centralized databases employs a transmitter for securely sending volume visualization dataset from a remote location to the centralized database, more than one central data storage medium containing the volume visualization dataset, and a plurality of servers in communication with the centralized databases to create virtual views based on client requests. A resource manager load balances the servers, a security device controls communications between the client device and server and the resource manager and central storage medium. Physically secured sites house the components. A web application accepts at the remote location user requests for a virtual view of the volume visualization dataset, transmits the request to the servers, receives the resulting virtual view from the servers, and displays the resulting virtual view to the remote user.