Polar to Cartesian Scan Conversion Using GPU Wrapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for converting polar imaging data from medical imaging devices to Cartesian format are complex and expensive, requiring significant custom hardware, making them impractical for widespread use.
Innovation Solution
A method that wraps polar imaging data around a cone to reduce its height to zero, utilizing commercially available graphics processing units to convert the data into a recognizable Cartesian format, allowing for simpler and more cost-effective image processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If prior art systems use custom hardware for polar to Cartesian conversion, then conversion accuracy is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex custom hardware systems with a software-based solution running on standard computing devices. The conversion process is implemented through computer-readable instructions that perform polar-to-Cartesian coordinate transformation using mathematical algorithms, eliminating the need for specialized hardware circuits while maintaining conversion accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes commercially available general-purpose computing devices with standard processors and graphics processing units that can perform multiple functions. These universal devices replace dedicated custom hardware, allowing the same system to handle various medical imaging tasks including polar-to-Cartesian conversion, image processing, and data analysis without requiring specialized hardware for each function.
2Ease of manufacture
If prior art systems use custom hardware for polar to Cartesian conversion, then conversion functionality is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs commercially available off-the-shelf computing components that are mass-produced and inexpensive compared to custom hardware. These standard processors, memory units, and storage devices can be readily manufactured and replaced, significantly reducing the cost of building and maintaining the medical imaging system while eliminating the need for expensive custom hardware development.
3Productivity
If polar images are converted using prior art methods, then Cartesian format output is achieved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex dedicated processing hardware with software algorithms running on standard computing equipment. The conversion process uses efficient mathematical computations implemented in software, leveraging the processing power of modern CPUs and GPUs to achieve fast conversion speeds without requiring specialized hardware circuits for each processing step.
Data Source
AI summary
The improved system and method converts medical imaging data in R-θ or polar format to a Cartesian format that is readily recognizable to the human eye. The system and method texturize or wrap the R-θ imaging data around an object, which is preferably a cone. The height of the cone is zero, or reduced to zero, to create the Cartesian format. To texturize or wrap the R-θ imaging data around the cone, the preferred embodiment uses a commercially available graphics processing unit and software.