Tomographic Image Generation for Curved Spinal Cord Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tomographic image generating technologies fail to accurately detect spinal cords with significant curvature, as they are premised on axial sections being perpendicular, leading to suboptimal image acquisition for individuals with spinal curvature.
Innovation Solution
A tomographic image generating apparatus and method that includes a curve generator to approximate the spinal cord's shape, allowing for the generation of tomographic images perpendicular to this curve, thereby improving the detection of sectional shapes and achieving more accurate, desired images by interpolating and superposing images to align them with a straight line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If axial sections are generated perpendicular to a fixed direction for a substantially straight spinal cord, then the detection accuracy is improved for straight spinal cords, but the detection accuracy deteriorates for spinal cords with large curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming the fixed-direction axial section approach into a dynamic curved section approach. The system generates a curve approximating the spinal cord's actual path and creates tomographic images perpendicular to this curve at multiple positions, allowing the sectioning direction to adapt dynamically to the spinal cord's curvature rather than remaining fixed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of sectioning orientation from a fixed global direction to a local direction perpendicular to the approximated spinal cord curve. By computing a distance map and performing graph search to generate the curve, then using this curve to define local perpendicular planes for tomographic imaging, the system adapts the sectioning parameters to match the anatomical curvature
2Ease of manufacture
If a fixed directional sectioning method is used, then the processing simplicity is improved, but the image quality deteriorates for curved spinal cords
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first generating an approximate curve of the spinal cord through voxel data processing, distance map computation, and graph search before performing the actual tomographic image generation. This preliminary curve generation step enables subsequent images to be accurately oriented perpendicular to the spinal cord's actual path, improving image quality without significantly complicating the overall process
3Device complexity
If conventional axial sectioning is applied to curved spinal cords, then the device complexity is minimized, but the detection precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the curved spinal cord into multiple local sections along the approximated curve. By generating tomographic images perpendicular to the curve at multiple discrete positions rather than using a single fixed-direction sectioning approach, the system achieves better detection precision while maintaining relatively simple processing at each segment
Data Source
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AI summary
A tomographic image generating apparatus (10) includes a tomographic image acquirer (22) for acquiring a plurality of first tomographic images (36) perpendicular to a predetermined direction from a three-dimensional medical image including an organ (40) having a predetermined linear structure, a first detector (24) for detecting sectional shapes of the organ (40) which are included respectively in the first tomographic images (36), a curve generator (26) for generating a first curve (46) as an approximate curve by interpolating respective positions of the detected sectional shapes of the organ (40), and a tomographic image generator (28) for generating a plurality of second tomographic images (38) perpendicular to the first curve (46) from the three-dimensional medical image.