Virtual Endoscopic Projection Image Generation for Hollow Organ Observation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating projection images of hollow organs, such as those proposed in JP1998-234663A and JP2007-537771A, face challenges in observing surface shapes due to overlapping wall surfaces and increased time required for image confirmation, respectively.
Innovation Solution
A projection image generating device and method that sets a viewpoint inside a hollow organ, uses a clip plane to divide the field of view into two ranges, and projects images using templates defining opacity relationships to draw inner wall surfaces and contact surfaces, allowing for the generation of a complete projection image that includes obscured areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a view point is placed inside a hollow organ to generate a virtual endoscopic image, then the organ interior can be observed, but portions of the wall surfaces are blocked by folds or front walls and cannot appear on the image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the projection image into multiple regions: a first region showing the virtual endoscopic view from inside the hollow organ, and a second region showing the corresponding projection image from outside. This segmentation allows simultaneous display of both visible and blocked wall surface portions, resolving the contradiction between observing organ interior and accessing blocked surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single two-dimensional virtual endoscopic image to a multi-dimensional projection image display that includes both internal viewpoint (first dimension) and external projection viewpoint (second dimension). This dimensional expansion enables observation of blocked surfaces that would otherwise be invisible in conventional virtual endoscopy.
2Loss of information
If multiple images are displayed side by side to show different viewpoints, then comprehensive observation is enabled, but the number of images to be confirmed increases and time is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the virtual endoscopic image and the projection image into a single integrated display. The first region and second region are combined in one image output, allowing simultaneous viewing of both internal and external perspectives without requiring separate image confirmation steps, thus reducing time loss while maintaining observation completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The projection image serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays the virtual endoscopic view, shows the corresponding external projection view, and highlights blocked wall surface portions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate images, reducing confirmation time while providing comprehensive observation.
3Loss of information
If wall surfaces are drawn in overlapping manner to show blocked portions, then surface shape observation is enabled, but the complexity of the displayed images increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different rendering qualities to different regions: the first region uses virtual endoscopic rendering for internal views, while the second region uses projection rendering for external views. This local differentiation allows blocked portions to be displayed with appropriate clarity without requiring complex overlapping of multiple wall surface images, reducing overall processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A view point is set inside a hollow organ, a clip plane crossing an internal cavity of the hollow organ is set in a position spaced apart in a visual line direction from the view point, a field of view from the view point is divided into a first field-of-view range in which the inside of the hollow organ is viewed and a second field-of-view range other than the first field-of-view range, a projection image is acquired using a template which is defined so that an inner wall surface of a large intestine is able to be drawn in the first field-of-view range, a projection image is acquired using a template which is defined so that a contact surface with the inner wall surface of the air region of the large intestine is able to be drawn in the second field-of-view range, and the projection images are connected.