Non-Orthogonal 3D Medical Image Viewing Plane Linking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for viewing 3D medical image data sets are limited in flexibility and accuracy, particularly when dealing with multiple datasets, as they assume fixed orthogonal relations between viewing planes, which restricts the ability to inspect complex geometries and requires multiple viewing systems, leading to cumbersome operations and obscured structures of interest.
Innovation Solution
A method that defines and links non-orthogonal 2D image viewing planes in a 3D medical image data set, allowing automatic repositioning of viewing planes relative to each other based on arbitrary geometrical relations, enabling flexible inspection and additional information derivation from multiple 2D images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed orthogonal viewing planes are used in current methods, then the viewing system is simple and easy to operate, but the flexibility and accuracy in inspecting complex geometries is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic viewing planes that can be freely repositioned and reoriented in 3D space while maintaining automatic linking between multiple planes. This allows the viewing system to adapt to complex geometries by dynamically adjusting plane positions and orientations, rather than being constrained to fixed orthogonal configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D orthogonal viewing to 3D spatial viewing planes that can be positioned arbitrarily in three-dimensional space. This dimensional extension allows inspection of complex geometries from multiple angles and perspectives simultaneously, improving adaptability while managing complexity through software-based plane management.
2Loss of information
If multiple orthogonal viewing planes are used to inspect multiple datasets, then comprehensive data inspection is achieved, but the number of required viewing systems increases beyond practical implementation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple viewing planes into a single integrated viewing system that can display and compare multiple datasets simultaneously. By implementing automatic linking between planes, the system combines the functionality of multiple independent orthoviewers into one unified interface, reducing the need for multiple separate viewing systems while maintaining comprehensive data inspection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal viewing system that can handle multiple datasets and multiple viewing planes within a single interface. The system provides multi-functional capabilities by allowing users to inspect, compare, and analyze different datasets using the same viewing environment, eliminating the need for separate dedicated viewing systems for each dataset.
3Ease of operation
If traditional orthogonal viewing planes are used, then the viewing configuration is simple and stable, but additional segmentation operations are required to properly view structures of interest
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary positioning and orientation of multiple viewing planes to optimally display structures of interest before the user begins analysis. By pre-configuring planes to capture relevant anatomical structures and automatically linking them, the system reduces the need for subsequent segmentation operations and manual plane adjustments, improving ease of operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If fixed transformation matrices are used to link viewing planes, then the geometric relation between planes is stable, but the ability to maintain arbitrary geometrical relations is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic linking between viewing planes that maintains stable geometric relationships while allowing arbitrary positioning and orientation. The automatic repositioning mechanism dynamically adjusts plane positions based on user interactions with any single plane, preserving geometric consistency while enabling flexible exploration of different viewing configurations and arbitrary geometrical relations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of relating medical data image viewing planes to each other is provided. The method comprises defining at least two non-orthogonal two-dimensional (2D) image viewing planes in at least one three-dimensional (3D) medical image data set, and linking said 2D image viewing planes with a fixed relation to each other, such that when a first of said 2D image viewing planes is altered, the remaining 2D image viewing planes are automatically changed by said fixed relation with reference to said first 2D image viewing plane.