Tomographic Image Display Apparatus Selective Data Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray CT image display systems face inefficiencies in generating and storing large amounts of slice data, leading to increased costs and potential precision issues in medical diagnostics, particularly with the generation of 3D images requiring high-resolution data, which can result in decreased diagnostic efficiency and increased resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
An image display apparatus and method that allows for the generation and display of image data with a desired resolution and form by designating a specific display range and thickness of tomographic images, using slab image data to reduce the amount of data needed from the image diagnostic apparatus, thereby optimizing resource usage and improving diagnostic efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If large amounts of slice data are generated for 3D image processing, then image resolution and diagnostic precision are improved, but data storage requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary slice data required for generating 3D images of specific regions of interest, rather than storing and processing all acquired slice data. This selective extraction reduces data volume while maintaining the resolution and precision needed for diagnostic purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the complete slice data into specific regions of interest based on anatomical or pathological criteria. By dividing the data into meaningful segments and processing only those relevant to the diagnostic task, the system achieves high resolution where needed while reducing overall data storage requirements.
2Loss of information
If all slice data is stored and processed, then complete image information is available, but communication resources and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential slice data needed for 3D image generation of specific regions, eliminating unnecessary data transmission and processing. This selective extraction maintains complete image information for the regions of interest while significantly reducing communication resource consumption and processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary identification and selection of regions of interest before data acquisition and processing. By pre-determining which slices are necessary for 3D image generation, the system avoids unnecessary data transmission and processing steps, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining information completeness.
3Ease of manufacture
If thick slice data is used for imaging, then data acquisition is simplified, but resolution and diagnostic precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into two stages: first acquiring thick slice data for simplicity and efficiency, then dividing this data into thinner, higher-resolution slices only for the specific regions where 3D image generation is required. This segmentation allows the system to maintain ease of data acquisition while achieving the necessary resolution for precise diagnostics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different slice thicknesses to different regions of the image data. Thick slices are used for general imaging where high resolution is not critical, while thin slices are generated only for specific regions of interest where 3D image generation requires high resolution. This local differentiation maintains acquisition simplicity overall while providing necessary precision where needed.
4Measurement precision
If thin slice data is acquired for high resolution, then image quality is improved, but data volume and storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts thin slice data only for the specific regions where high-resolution 3D image generation is required, rather than acquiring thin slices for the entire imaging volume. This selective extraction maintains high image quality for critical regions while significantly reducing the overall data volume and associated storage costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the imaging data into high-resolution thin slices only for regions of interest, while using coarser thick slices for the remaining areas. This segmentation strategy maintains superior image quality where needed without the prohibitive data volume and storage costs associated with acquiring thin slices throughout the entire imaging volume.
Data Source
AI summary
An image display apparatus comprises a reference image display unit, a setting unit, an image generating unit and a tomographic image display unit. The reference image display unit displays a reference image on a display unit. The setting unit sets a display range of tomographic images in a first direction and either of a number of the tomographic images in the first direction to be displayed or a thickness of the tomographic images in the first direction, to image data corresponding to a plurality of slices. The image generating unit generates either of the tomographic images having the set thickness in the first direction or the set number of the tomographic images in the first direction using image data corresponding to a plurality of slices in the display range. The tomographic image display unit displays the generated tomographic images.