Radiographic Dynamic Image Sampling for Faster Abnormality Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiographic image processing systems with low processing performance require excessive time to determine abnormalities in dynamic images, hindering smooth image checking by users.

Innovation Solution

A radiographic image processing apparatus that acquires and processes a subset of frame images from dynamic images using hardware processors to determine abnormalities, employing various algorithms to reduce processing time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If abnormality determination is repeated for each frame image in dynamic images, then detection reliability is improved, but processing time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabnormality detection reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the dynamic image into multiple frame images and selectively processes only specific frames (e.g., every Nth frame or frames at predetermined time intervals) rather than processing all frames sequentially. This segmentation approach maintains detection reliability by sampling representative frames while significantly reducing processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by determining abnormalities using only a subset of frame images rather than all frame images. This allows the system to achieve sufficient detection accuracy without the excessive processing time that would result from analyzing every single frame, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Measurement precision

If all frame images are processed to determine abnormalities, then detection precision is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabnormality detection precisionVSAvoidimage processing productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sequence of frame images and selects specific frames for abnormality determination based on predetermined criteria (such as time intervals or frame numbers). This segmentation maintains detection precision by ensuring representative samples are analyzed while improving productivity by reducing the total number of images processed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by processing only a subset of frame images rather than all images in the dynamic sequence. This approach achieves sufficient detection precision through strategic sampling while significantly improving productivity by reducing processing volume, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12493950B2Radiographic image processing apparatus and computer-readable medium

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

There is provided a radiographic image processing apparatus including: an acquirer that acquires a dynamic image including a plurality of frame images captured by a radiographic imaging apparatus; a hardware processor that determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the dynamic image by using some of the frame images of the acquired dynamic image; and a notifier that notifies of a result of the determination by the hardware processor.