Trabecula Image Generation for Bone Mass Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for analyzing bone mass through trabecula images do not effectively enable subjects to easily recognize decreases in bone mass, which is crucial for preventing or treating bone diseases like osteoporosis.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that acquires radiographic and medical images, derives bone mass in specific regions, and generates a trabecula image by overlaying the medical image onto the radiographic image based on the derived bone mass, facilitating easy awareness of bone mass decreases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a trabecula image is generated using conventional techniques (morphological filter or energy subtraction), then the bone structure can be extracted, but the subject cannot easily recognize the decreased state of bone mass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a radiographic image (showing overall bone structure) with a medical image (showing detailed trabecula structure) to create a composite trabecula image. This merging allows the subject to simultaneously see both the overall bone structure and the detailed trabecula patterns, making it easier to recognize bone mass decreases
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by superimposing the medical image showing trabecula structures onto specific regions of the radiographic image. This allows different parts of the composite image to serve different purposes: the radiographic portion provides structural context while the medical image portion highlights bone mass characteristics, making the decreased state more recognizable
2Illumination intensity
If only a radiographic image is used for bone mass analysis, then the overall bone structure is visible, but the detailed trabecula state cannot be observed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an image processing apparatus as an intermediary that takes two separate images (radiographic and medical images) and combines them into a single composite trabecula image. This intermediary device allows the system to maintain simplicity while achieving detailed visualization by processing images digitally rather than requiring complex imaging hardware
3Measurement precision
If complex image processing is applied to extract trabecula information, then measurement precision improves, but the system becomes more complex and harder to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite trabecula image that copies and combines information from both radiographic and medical images. This copying approach allows the system to preserve the precision benefits of complex processing while presenting the result in a simplified, easily interpretable visual format that reduces operational complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes a first acquisition unit, a derivation unit, a second acquisition unit, and a trabecula image generation unit. The first acquisition unit acquires a first radiographic image and a second radiographic image by simple imaging of a subject including a bone tissue. The derivation unit derives a bone mass in a bone part region of the subject based on the first radiographic image and the second radiographic image. The second acquisition unit acquires a medical image that represents a state of a trabecula and is different from the first radiographic image and the second radiographic image. The trabecula image generation unit applies the medical image to the bone part region of the first radiographic image based on the bone mass derived by the derivation unit to generate a trabecula image representing a trabecula of the bone tissue.