Thermal Image Analysis via Surface Integral Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing thermal images, particularly for diagnosing thermally distinguishable regions such as tumors, rely heavily on experience and intuition, and lack objective quantitative analysis for monitoring tumor evolution and heat efflux calculations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that generate thermospatial representations by integrating thermal and spatial data to calculate surface integrals, allowing for the determination of the likelihood of a thermally distinguishable region's presence and monitoring tumor evolution by comparing surface integral values over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If thermal image analysis relies on experience and intuition, then diagnostic capability is maintained through physician expertise, but objectivity and quantitative analysis are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational system that processes thermal images through multiple stages: preprocessing to enhance quality, feature extraction to identify relevant patterns, and quantitative analysis to generate objective metrics. This intermediary system bridges the gap between raw thermal data and diagnostic conclusions, providing both quantitative precision and interpretability without requiring complex manual analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The analysis process is segmented into distinct modular components: image acquisition, preprocessing, feature extraction, quantitative analysis, and result interpretation. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently optimized or validated. This segmentation allows the system to achieve complex quantitative analysis through a series of simpler, more manageable steps
2Reliability
If multiple imaging modalities are combined, then diagnostic information is enhanced, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges thermal imaging data with spatial information from other modalities (such as MRI or CT) to create a unified thermospatial representation. This integration allows complementary information from different imaging techniques to be combined into a single coherent diagnostic framework, enhancing reliability while managing complexity through unified processing algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The analysis system is designed with multi-functional capabilities that can process various imaging modalities through a common framework. The same preprocessing, feature extraction, and quantitative analysis algorithms can handle thermal data, spatial data, or combinations thereof, making the system universally applicable across different imaging types without requiring separate specialized systems
3Measurement precision
If surface integral calculations are performed on non-planar surfaces, then accurate heat efflux measurement is achieved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the three-dimensional non-planar surface problem into a two-dimensional parameter space through coordinate transformations and surface parameterization. By representing the complex surface geometry in terms of simplified parametric equations and projecting thermal data onto standardized coordinate systems, the computational complexity is reduced while preserving the essential geometric features needed for accurate heat efflux calculation
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
Enables objective analysis of thermal images for diagnosing thermally distinguishable regions and monitoring tumor evolution, providing a quantitative assessment of heat efflux and tumor stability through surface integral calculations.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared detecting mechanism which performs a 360° data extraction from an object
Implementation Method 2
calculating a surface integral of the thermal data over the surface
Data Source
AI summary
A method of analyzing a thermal image of a body section is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a thermospatial representation of the body section, calculating a surface integral of the thermal data over the surface, and determining the likelihood that a thermally distinguishable region is present in the body section, based on a value of the surface integral.