Tomographic Image Evaluation for Spinal Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for automatic evaluation of tomographic image data records require significant manual effort and time to define slice images in the spinal column, especially when multiple sections are needed, leading to prolonged processing times.
Innovation Solution
A method for automatic evaluation of tomographic image data that includes scanning a patient, reconstructing three-dimensional image data, determining the spatial position and orientation of vertebrae, and automatically defining and displaying slice images relevant to spinal column diagnosis, with options to store only the necessary orientation and extent information to reduce data storage and allow for reproducible slice image creation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual definition of slice planes is used for each spinal column section, then diagnostic accuracy is maintained, but processing time increases significantly (about five minutes per section)
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic evaluation of tomographic image data records by autonomously determining spatial position and orientation of vertebrae, automatically defining slice areas, and creating slice images without requiring manual intervention for each spinal column section, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining diagnostic accuracy and reducing processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The method stores position, orientation and extent information of relevant slice images on a patient-specific basis during the initial processing, enabling rapid reproduction of slice images later without reprocessing the entire dataset, thus reducing processing time while maintaining diagnostic quality
2Reliability
If all slice images are stored on a patient-specific basis, then complete documentation is achieved, but data storage requirements increase enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and stores only the essential parameters (position, orientation and extent information) needed to reproduce slice images rather than storing complete slice image data, significantly reducing storage requirements while maintaining the ability to regenerate complete documentation when needed
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of storing multiple complete copies of slice image data, the system stores compact reference information that enables reproduction of slice images on-demand, reducing storage volume while preserving documentation completeness through selective regeneration
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed for automatic evaluation of tomographic image data records of a patient. In at least one embodiment, a scan of a patient being carried out using a tomography system, a three-dimensional tomographic image data record of at least a part of the patient is reconstructed, the spatial position and orientation of vertebrae is then determined, and medically relevant slice areas are determined automatically with a previously defined diagnostic question relating to the position, orientation and extent of spinal column diagnosis. Finally, with slice images of the relevant slice areas are produced and displayed. In addition, in at least one embodiment, a tomography system includes a computation unit with a memory for program code, with the memory also being used to store a program code which carries out the method steps of the method according to at least one embodiment of the invention during operation.