Translucent X-Ray Rendering for Occluded Anatomy Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical images, such as radiographic images, often have opaque surgical instruments that obstruct anatomical views, necessitating a method to render these instruments translucent without exposing the patient to additional ionizing radiation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilizes a three-dimensional dataset to predict and render metal objects translucent in two-dimensional medical images, allowing for real-time visualization of blocked anatomy without additional radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If two images with aligned anatomy are displayed to visualize both instruments and blocked anatomy, then anatomical information completeness is improved, but patient radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by acquiring a three-dimensional dataset (such as a CT scan) before the surgical procedure begins. This pre-acquired dataset is then used to predict and render the blocked anatomy in real-time during surgery, eliminating the need for additional radiation exposure while maintaining complete anatomical information visualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the patient's anatomy from the pre-acquired three-dimensional dataset. This digital model is then used to generate predictive images of blocked anatomical regions, allowing surgeons to visualize both instruments and anatomy without exposing the patient to additional radiation during the procedure.
2Loss of information
If metal instruments are removed from the field of view to see blocked anatomy, then anatomical information completeness is improved, but surgical precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the visualization of metal instruments with the visualization of blocked anatomy by using predictive rendering to fill in the obscured regions. This allows both the instruments (for surgical precision) and the blocked anatomy (for anatomical information completeness) to be visible simultaneously in a single composite image.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary computational process that analyzes the relationship between the metal instruments and the blocked anatomy. By using the three-dimensional dataset and predictive algorithms, the system generates an intermediary visualization that reveals the blocked anatomy while preserving the instrument positions, allowing surgeons to maintain precision while seeing complete anatomical information.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a single radiographic image is used to reduce radiation exposure, then patient radiation exposure is reduced, but anatomical information completeness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by acquiring a comprehensive three-dimensional dataset (such as a CT scan) before the surgical procedure begins. This pre-acquired dataset contains complete anatomical information without additional radiation exposure during surgery, and is then used to generate predictive images that reveal blocked anatomy in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional radiographic images to three-dimensional dataset analysis. By utilizing the third dimension (depth) in the pre-acquired dataset, the system can predict and render blocked anatomical regions that are not visible in the 2D image, providing complete anatomical information from a single low-radiation 2D exposure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure includes systems, methods and media for rendering objects translucent and for recovery of anatomical information blocked by the objects in medical images.