Photoacoustic Image Processing Apparatus for Tissue Region Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photoacoustic imaging generates a large amount of data, which is not efficiently managed in existing systems, making it challenging to effectively process and interpret the images for medical diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that acquires and processes three-dimensional image data generated from photoacoustic waves by extracting specific regions within the data, using a combination of wavelengths to generate spectral images that distinguish between contrast agents and biological substances like hemoglobin, allowing for the separation of regions such as blood vessels and lymphatic vessels based on calculated oxygen saturation values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If photoacoustic imaging is performed to obtain comprehensive three-dimensional image data, then diagnostic information completeness is improved, but data volume and processing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the three-dimensional image data into multiple two-dimensional images based on depth information. Each two-dimensional image represents a specific depth layer, allowing clinicians to analyze individual layers separately rather than overwhelming three-dimensional data all at once. This segmentation reduces processing complexity while preserving complete diagnostic information across all depth layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms three-dimensional image data into multiple two-dimensional images by introducing a depth dimension as an organizing principle. Instead of presenting all three-dimensional data simultaneously, the system creates a series of two-dimensional cross-sections at different depths, making the data more manageable and interpretable while maintaining complete spatial information.
2Measurement precision
If multiple wavelengths are used to generate spectral images for distinguishing contrast agents and biological substances, then substance identification accuracy is improved, but measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary spectral analysis by acquiring images at multiple wavelengths before final image reconstruction. The spectral unmixing process is performed in advance to calculate concentration distributions of different substances (hemoglobin, oxygen, contrast agents) based on their unique spectral signatures. This preliminary spectral processing enables accurate substance identification while simplifying the final image presentation to clinicians.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly reduces data volume while enabling accurate identification and separation of different tissue regions, improving diagnostic capabilities by providing clear, interpretable images of lymphatic and blood vessel distributions.
Implementation Method 1
three-dimensional image data generated based on a photoacoustic wave generated from inside of a subject by radiating light to the subject
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect provides an image processing apparatus processing three-dimensional image data generated based on a photoacoustic wave generated from inside of a subject. The image processing apparatus includes first three-dimensional image acquisition unit for acquiring first three-dimensional image data in which a first region corresponding to a first substance in the subject is extracted from the three-dimensional image data, second three-dimensional image acquisition unit for acquiring second three-dimensional image data in which a second region corresponding to a second substance in the subject is extracted from the three-dimensional image data, first two-dimensional image acquisition unit for acquiring first two-dimensional image data associated with three-dimensional positional information of the first region from the first three-dimensional image data, and second two-dimensional image acquisition unit for acquiring second two-dimensional image data associated with three-dimensional positional information of the second region from the second three-dimensional image data.