Web Browser Medical Image Manipulation via Flash Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current web-based medical imaging systems require specialized software and plugins, such as ActiveX components and Java Applets, which are cumbersome to install and maintain, and do not support dynamic manipulation and annotation, making them unsuitable for remote diagnostics and communication in medical contexts.
Innovation Solution
The system utilizes general purpose viewing agents like web browsers, leveraging native graphics services like Adobe Flash, Adobe Flex, and Ajax, to enable remote viewing, manipulation, and annotation of medical images without the need for additional software installation, using asynchronous communication with servers to provide dynamic image manipulation and annotation capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If specialized software components like ActiveX or Java Applets are installed in the browser, then medical image viewing and manipulation functionality is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to installation and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using Adobe Flash technology, which is a general-purpose platform already widely installed in browsers for various purposes. By leveraging Flash's universal presence, the system provides specialized medical imaging functionality without requiring dedicated medical imaging software components, thus avoiding the complexity of installation and maintenance while maintaining adaptability for viewing, manipulating, and annotating medical images
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses Adobe Flash as an intermediary technology layer between the web browser and the medical imaging functionality. Flash acts as a mediator that provides the necessary imaging capabilities through its native graphics services, eliminating the need for direct installation of specialized medical imaging components while still delivering the required functionality through a familiar and already-deployed platform
2Ease of operation
If Adobe Flash technology is used for image manipulation, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision may worsen due to bit-depth reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by processing only the necessary portions of the image data for display purposes. It converts high-bit-depth medical images to 8-bit format suitable for Flash display, performing the conversion only to the extent needed for visualization while maintaining the ability to access and manipulate the full-resolution original images on the server when needed for diagnostic precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a visual representation of the medical image in Flash format for display and manipulation purposes, while the original high-precision image data remains preserved on the server. The Flash-based copy enables ease of operation for viewing and annotation, while the original copy maintains manufacturing precision for diagnostic accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus may include a processor configured to determine a first value for a center of brightness and a second value for a window width for contrast. The processor may further be configured to process a first image to generate a second image having a reduced bit-depth based at least in part upon the determined first and second values. The processor may additionally be configured to provide the second image to a remote device to facilitate viewing and manipulation of the second image in a general purpose viewing agent. Corresponding methods, computer program products, and systems are also provided.