3D Medical Subtraction Image Resolution Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for generating subtraction images from three-dimensional medical images captured at different times result in low visibility when projected parallel to a slice plane, especially when slice intervals are large, due to inadequate resolution in the slice direction.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that adjusts the resolution of the subtraction image in the slice direction to a predetermined high resolution, ensuring high visibility by matching the slice interval of the subtraction image with the original image's resolution, thereby maintaining detailed information and preventing the generation of rough images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a difference image is generated from two three-dimensional images obtained with large slice intervals, then the subtraction image can be generated, but the slice interval of the difference image becomes large resulting in low visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the resolution parameter of the subtraction image in the slice direction to a predetermined high resolution, independent of the original image's slice interval. This parameter change ensures that the subtraction image maintains high visibility and appropriate resolution in all axial directions, resolving the contradiction between generating subtraction images from large slice interval data and maintaining measurement precision.
2Ease of manufacture
If projection image is generated by projecting luminance value of difference image in direction parallel to slice plane, then two-dimensional projection is achieved, but image visibility becomes difficult to see
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter change by setting the resolution of the subtraction image in the slice direction to a predetermined high resolution before projection. This ensures that when the projection image is generated by projecting luminance values in a direction parallel to the slice plane, the resulting image maintains high visibility and appropriate quality, resolving the contradiction between ease of projection processing and projection image quality.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus that generates a three-dimensional image as a subtraction image from a first medical image and a second medical image which are three-dimensional images obtained by imaging a subject, the image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire the first medical image and the second medical image, a determination unit configured to determine a resolution of the subtraction image, and, a subtraction image generation unit configured to generate the subtraction image having the resolution determined by the determination unit, wherein the determination unit determines a resolution of at least one axial direction among three axial directions configuring the resolution of the subtraction image, based on a resolution of the first medical image and a predetermined first resolution.