Stereo Radiograph Display with Abnormal Shadow Marking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for displaying stereo radiographic images in medical procedures, such as stereo biopsy, are cumbersome and lead to eye fatigue due to the difficulty in matching the sense of depth of a three-dimensional cursor with the stereoscopic effect of abnormal shadows, making it challenging to accurately target lesions with biopsy needles.
Innovation Solution
A radiographic image display device that includes an abnormal shadow detection unit, a display unit, a display control unit, and an input unit to display a stereo image with a three-dimensional cursor that can be easily moved to detected abnormal shadows, along with an abnormal shadow specification unit that specifies corresponding shadows across multiple images and a warning system for when corresponding shadows cannot be specified.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a three-dimensional cursor is used to designate abnormal shadows on stereo images, then the ability to specify lesion positions is improved, but the operator experiences eye fatigue and difficulty matching depth perception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses marks (arrows, circles, or other symbols) that are copied onto the stereo image to indicate abnormal shadows, replacing the need for a three-dimensional cursor. These marks are superimposed on the image plane and can be easily recognized without requiring depth matching operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the depth information from the cursor interaction and represents it through two-dimensional marks on the image plane. The abnormal shadow positions are identified and marked separately, allowing the operator to see the locations without manipulating a three-dimensional cursor.
2Reliability
If multiple abnormal shadows are detected and marked on stereo images, then the completeness of lesion detection is improved, but the complexity of matching corresponding shadows across images increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a CAD system that automatically detects and marks multiple abnormal shadows without requiring manual intervention for each shadow. The system self-identifies corresponding shadows across different images by analyzing the stereo pair, reducing the operational complexity despite detecting multiple lesions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides visual feedback by displaying marks on both the stereo image and the corresponding two-dimensional image. This feedback mechanism helps operators verify the accuracy of automatic shadow detection and matching, improving reliability while maintaining manageable system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If a three-dimensional cursor with depth adjustment is used, then the precision of abnormal shadow designation is improved, but the time required for operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection and marking of abnormal shadows using image processing algorithms before the operator needs to designate them. The CAD system pre-identifies and marks all abnormal shadows, so the operator only needs to review and confirm the markings without time-consuming depth adjustment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a three-dimensional cursor that requires depth adjustment, the patent copies abnormal shadow positions as two-dimensional marks on the image plane. This copying approach maintains precision by accurately representing shadow locations while eliminating the time-consuming depth matching process.
Data Source
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AI summary
When displaying a stereo image of radiographic images, troublesome work for indicating an abnormal shadow with a three-dimensional cursor is reduced. An abnormal shadow detection unit 8c detects abnormal shadows from radiographic images for left and right eyes for displaying a stereo image. When a plurality of abnormal shadows are detected, an abnormal shadow specification unit 8d specifies abnormal shadows corresponding to each other in two radiographic images. A display control unit 8e gives a three-dimensional cursor to a predetermined abnormal shadow of the plurality of abnormal shadows, and displays a stereo image using the radiographic images for left and right eyes.