Virtual Ray Projection for Endoscopic Image Distortion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image processing methods for visualizing tubular tissues using cylindrical projection techniques suffer from scale distortion and duplicate object display issues due to meandering central paths, which complicates the detection of lesions and increases calculation load.
Innovation Solution
The method involves setting a central path for the tubular tissue, determining a region for visualization, and adjusting the direction of virtual rays so that adjacent planes do not cross each other, thereby preventing scale distortion and duplicate displays, even in areas where the path significantly bends, by minimizing the angle between normal vectors or reducing virtual spring energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a central projection method is used to simulate endoscope inspection, then the visualization of tubular tissue interior can be achieved, but the region displayed at one time is limited and many images are required for diagnosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional central projection method that displays a limited field of view to a curved surface projection method that unfolds the three-dimensional tubular tissue interior onto a two-dimensional plane. This dimensional transformation allows the entire interior surface to be visualized simultaneously in a single panoramic image, eliminating the need to scroll through multiple sequential images and significantly reducing the time required for diagnostic review.
2Device complexity
If virtual rays are projected perpendicular to the central path, then the projection can be simplified, but scale distortion and duplicate object display occur when the path bends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic adaptation mechanism where the projection planes are adjusted based on the local curvature of the central path. Instead of using fixed perpendicular projections, the method dynamically determines projection directions by calculating the curvature radius at each position and adjusting the plane orientations accordingly. This dynamic approach prevents virtual rays from crossing each other in bent regions, eliminating duplicate object display and scale distortion while maintaining projection simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the projection parameters by introducing curvature radius as a controlling variable. The projection interval and plane orientation are changed as functions of the local curvature radius rather than being fixed. This parameter adaptation allows the projection system to automatically adjust to path bending, maintaining image accuracy without increasing computational complexity significantly.
3Productivity
If the projection interval is fixed, then the calculation is simplified, but virtual rays cross each other in bent portions causing duplicate display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed projection interval into a variable interval determined by the local curvature radius. The projection interval is set proportional to the curvature radius at each position, ensuring that virtual rays remain sufficiently spaced even in highly curved regions. This parameter change prevents ray crossing and duplicate display while maintaining calculation efficiency through a clear, deterministic formula.
Data Source
AI summary
Disks having the maximum radius of a large intestine are created and the contours of the disks are connected by virtual springs. Next, the directions of the disks are adjusted so that virtual spring energy becomes the minimum, so that the adjacent disks are prevented from crossing each other. Virtual rays are projected along the disks for generating an image of inside the large intestine. Accordingly, quivering of the virtual rays along a central path lessens and effect of the scale on the image along the central path can be prevented and in the portion where the central path largely bends, duplicate display of the same observation object can also be prevented.