Polarization-Sensitive Tomographic Image Positioning for Disease Follow-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack effective methods to utilize polarization-sensitive tomographic images for disease follow-up, particularly in ophthalmologic applications, where polarization information is crucial for diagnosing conditions like glaucoma.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that acquires multiple tomographic luminance images and corresponding polarization-sensitive images, positions them based on luminance images, and compares them to provide effective pathological support for disease follow-up, using a configuration that includes a PS-OCT apparatus, PS-SLO, and a control unit with image processing units for generating and analyzing images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If polarization-sensitive tomographic images are acquired for disease follow-up, then diagnostic accuracy and pathological support are improved, but there is no effective method to position and compare these images over time, leading to loss of information and difficulty in detecting changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses luminance images as an intermediary to position polarization-sensitive images. The positioning unit positions the polarization-sensitive tomographic images based on the luminance images, which serve as a reference framework. This mediator approach enables accurate alignment of polarization images across different time points without directly comparing polarization data, thus preserving polarization information while enabling longitudinal analysis.
2Reliability
If multiple polarization-sensitive images are acquired at different times, then disease progression can be tracked, but without a positioning method, the images cannot be accurately aligned, resulting in loss of spatial correspondence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a positional reference framework by using luminance images to represent the spatial structure. The positioning unit copies the spatial information from luminance images to polarization-sensitive images, establishing corresponding relationships between different time points. This copying approach enables accurate spatial alignment without requiring direct manipulation of the polarization image data themselves.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If polarization information is used for tissue segmentation and diagnosis, then tissue distinction capability is improved, but without comparison methods across time, the full diagnostic potential cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary positioning of polarization-sensitive images using luminance images before comparison. The positioning unit pre-aligns the images based on spatial correspondence established through luminance reference, so that when comparison is performed, the images are already properly registered. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time alignment during comparison, thereby improving diagnostic efficiency while maintaining high tissue distinction capability.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide pathological support for users to effectively perform follow up on diseases, using polarization information obtained from polarization-sensitive tomographic images.An image processing apparatus includes a positioning unit configured to position multiple polarization-sensitive tomographic images corresponding to multiple tomographic luminance images, based on the plurality of tomographic luminance images obtained by photographing an object at different times; and a comparing unit configured to compare the plurality of polarization-sensitive tomographic images which are positioned.