Neonatal radiography exposure control system and method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a neonatal radiography exposure control system and method, the method comprising the following steps: continuously photographing the patient's body contour and extracting contour feature points to locate the feature central axis; locating body part feature points based on the feature central axis; tracking body part feature points, repeatedly raising and lowering the flat-panel detector, and triggering the X-ray machine to expose when the exposure conditions are met. Since neonates have no compliance and their limbs move rapidly and irregularly, the present invention determines the neonate's body contour and limb movements by identifying feature points, and exposes when the exposure conditions are met. The present invention efficiently and stably identifies neonates, avoids secondary radiographs caused by occlusion of the neonate's arms and jaw, or body distortion, and actively creates shooting opportunities, providing a reliable technical basis for obtaining stable quality international standard neonatal chest images.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of ray detection, and in particular to a neonatal radiography exposure control system and method. Background Art

[0002] In neonatal diagnosis and treatment, chest X-rays are not only a crucial diagnostic tool for neonatal diseases with high morbidity and mortality rates, but also the gold standard for positioning the head of a PICC after insertion. Therefore, the quality of X-ray images is directly related to the success rate of treatment for high-risk neonates. When taking a chest X-ray, the patient's arms are naturally extended, the lower limbs are flat, the head is tilted, and the head is straight. However, during actual X-rays, neonates can twist their bodies due to crying, agitation, and unconscious movements, or their arms can swing and obscure their chest, resulting in wasted images. Neonatal chest X-rays that fail to meet clinical diagnostic and treatment requirements require re-takes, increasing the patient's radiation dose, the workload of medical staff, wasting medical resources, and even delaying diagnosis and treatment. To avoid repeated X-rays due to twisting, some technicians expand the irradiation field. However, neonatal gonads and organs are highly sensitive to radiation, and such radiation damage is lifelong and irreversible. Therefore, improving the success rate of a first-pass X-ray while minimizing the irradiation field is imperative.

[0003] Existing research on radiation detection is mostly limited to controlling the detection device itself. For example, Patent Publication No. CN104825176B discloses an X-ray exposure control method, device, and X-ray equipment; Patent Publication No. CN109618113B discloses an automatic exposure control method and automatic exposure control component system. These technologies are ineffective for radiographing newborns. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a radiography system that can automatically determine the timing of an image. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In response to the problem that the existing technology cannot grasp the timing of capturing photos during neonatal radiography, the present invention provides a neonatal radiography exposure control system and method. By identifying the neonatal movements, the timing of capturing photos can be accurately grasped, multiple radiographs can be prevented, and the physical damage to the neonate can be reduced.

[0005] The following are the technical solutions of the present invention.

[0006] A method for controlling exposure for neonatal radiography includes the following steps: continuously photographing the patient's body contour and extracting contour feature points to locate the feature central axis; locating body part feature points based on the feature central axis; tracking the body part feature points; and repeatedly raising and lowering the flat-panel detector to trigger the X-ray machine for exposure when the exposure conditions are met. The feature central axis is the central axis of the human body determined based on bilaterally symmetrical feature points. Since neonates have no compliance and their limbs move rapidly and irregularly, the present invention determines the neonate's body contour and limb movements by identifying feature points, and performs exposure when the exposure conditions are met. At the same time, the present invention utilizes the body's inertia at the beginning of the lift to briefly unfold the neonate's torso. If the exposure conditions are met at this time, exposure is performed; if not, the next lift is performed. Therefore, the timing of shooting is more accurate, and shooting opportunities are actively created to improve efficiency.

[0007] Preferably, the process of extracting the contour feature points includes: removing a preset background color from the image, and forming a closed image composed of the remaining colors as the contour, and setting the number of contour feature points to be extracted according to the required accuracy. The contour can be identified through image processing, and the feature points can be further extracted.

[0008] As an alternative, the process for extracting contour feature points involves capturing the image with a thermal imager. Within the displayed image, enclosed areas with a temperature above a threshold are defined as the contour area, and the number of contour feature points extracted is set based on the desired accuracy. Because newborns have a higher body temperature than the surrounding environment, contours can also be identified using thermal imaging.

[0009] As an alternative, the process for extracting contour feature points involves installing an array of light sensors within the X-ray machine's flat-panel detector. Enclosed areas where light intensity falls below a threshold are defined as the contour range, and the number of contour feature points to be extracted is set based on the desired accuracy. When a newborn lies on the flat-panel detector, the light sensors in some areas are blocked, significantly reducing the received light intensity, allowing the body's contour to be determined.

[0010] Preferably, the body part feature point positioning process includes: calculating the distance of each contour feature point from the feature center axis at different times; the portion with the largest change is positioned as the distal feature point of the hands and feet, including the fingertip feature points and the toe feature points; the portion with the largest change in transverse diameter on both sides of the feature center axis at the same time is the acromion feature point from the neck to the shoulder; and the elbow feature point is identified based on the perpendicular line between the acromion feature point and the midpoint of the line connecting the fingertip feature point. The torso part can be determined by the change of the feature points in the time dimension, and the specific part, such as the acromion, can be identified by the change of the feature points in the spatial dimension.

[0011] Preferably, the exposure condition includes: when the elbow feature point and the fingertip feature point are both away from the acromion feature point by a specified distance. When the elbow and palm are simultaneously away from the body, it is the best time to shoot, and thus this can be used as the exposure condition.

[0012] The present invention also includes a neonatal radiography exposure control system, which is used for the above-mentioned control method, including a processing unit, an X-ray machine and a flat-panel detector. The end of the tube hanging rail device of the X-ray machine is provided with an exposure device and an imaging device for photographing the patient's body contour, and a lifting device is provided under the flat-panel detector.

[0013] Preferably, a hot air blower is further provided at the end of the tube hanging rail device. The hot air blower can blow hot air slightly higher than the comfortable temperature of the human body, so that the newborn's body tends to expand rather than curl up, facilitating quick exposure opportunities.

[0014] The substantial effects of the present invention include: innovative use of non-contact portrait recognition technology to efficiently and stably identify newborns, effectively controlling the X-ray photography range, avoiding secondary radiography caused by occlusion of the newborn's arms and jaw, or body distortion, providing a reliable technical basis for obtaining stable quality international standard newborn chest images, and facilitating chest X-ray examinations of infants and young children. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a system schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] The figure includes: 1-X-ray machine, 2-planar detector, 3-tube hanging rail device, 4-exposure device, 5-hot air blower. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The technical solutions of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the embodiments. In addition, numerous specific details are provided below to better illustrate the present invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be implemented without certain specific details. In some instances, methods, means, components, and circuits well known to those skilled in the art are not described in detail in order to highlight the main purpose of the present invention.

[0018] Example 1:

[0019] like Figure 1 The figure shows a neonatal radiography exposure control system, which includes a processing unit, an X-ray machine 1 and a flat-panel detector 2. An exposure device 4 and an imaging device for capturing the patient's body contour are provided at the end of the X-ray machine's tube hanging rail device 3. A lifting device (not shown) is provided under the flat-panel detector.

[0020] A hot air blower 5 is also provided at the end of the tube hanging rail device. The hot air blower can blow out hot air slightly higher than the comfortable temperature of the human body, so that the body of the newborn tends to expand rather than curl up, which is convenient for quickly obtaining exposure opportunities.

[0021] A method for controlling exposure for neonatal radiography includes the following steps: continuously photographing the patient's body contour and extracting contour feature points to locate the characteristic central axis; locating body part feature points based on the characteristic central axis; tracking the body part feature points, repeatedly raising and lowering the flat-panel detector, and triggering the X-ray machine to expose when exposure conditions are met. The characteristic central axis is the body's central axis determined based on bilaterally symmetrical feature points. Because neonates lack compliance and their limb movements are rapid and irregular, the present invention determines the neonate's body contour and limb movements by identifying feature points, and performs exposure when exposure conditions are met.

[0022] The process of extracting contour feature points involves removing a preset background color from the image. The remaining colors form a closed image, which is the contour. The number of contour feature points to be extracted is set based on the required accuracy. Through image processing, the contour can be identified and further feature points can be extracted.

[0023] The process of locating body feature points involves calculating the distance of each contour feature point from the feature's central axis at different times. The points with the largest changes are located as distal feature points of the hands and feet, including fingertip and toe features. The points with the largest changes in transverse diameter on either side of the feature's central axis at the same time are the acromion feature points from the neck to the shoulder. Finally, the elbow feature points are identified by drawing a perpendicular line between the acromion feature point and the fingertip feature points at the midpoint. By analyzing the temporal changes of feature points, the torso can be identified, and by analyzing the spatial changes of feature points, specific parts, such as the acromion, can be identified.

[0024] Exposure conditions include: the elbow and fingertip feature points are both a specified distance away from the shoulder feature point. The optimal moment to capture the image is when the elbow and hand are both away from the torso, so this can be used as the exposure condition.

[0025] Example 2:

[0026] This embodiment is substantially similar to Example 1, except that the contour feature point extraction process includes capturing images with a thermal imager. Enclosed areas within the displayed image with a temperature above a threshold are defined as the contour range, and the number of contour feature points extracted is set based on the desired accuracy. Because newborns have a higher body temperature than the ambient temperature, contours can also be identified using thermal imaging.

[0027] Example 3:

[0028] This embodiment is substantially similar to Example 1, differing in that the contour feature point extraction process includes: An array of light sensors is placed within the X-ray machine's flat-panel detector. Enclosed areas where light intensity falls below a threshold are defined as the contour range, and the number of contour feature points to be extracted is set based on the desired accuracy. When a newborn lies on the flat-panel detector, the light sensors in some areas are blocked, significantly reducing the received light intensity, allowing the body contour to be determined.

[0029] The substantial effects of the above embodiments include: innovative use of non-contact portrait recognition technology to efficiently and stably identify newborns, effectively controlling the X-ray range, avoiding secondary radiography due to occlusion by the newborn's arms and jaw, or body distortion, providing a reliable technical basis for obtaining stable quality international standard newborn chest images, and facilitating chest X-ray examinations of infants and young children.

[0030] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed structures and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the embodiments of the structure described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of modules or units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another structure, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, structure or unit, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0031] In addition, the functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0032] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a device (which can be a single-chip microcomputer, chip, etc.) or a processor (processor) to execute all or part of the steps of the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0033] The above content is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for controlling exposure of neonatal radiographs, characterized in that: The method comprises the following steps: continuously photographing the patient's body contour and extracting contour feature points to locate the feature central axis; Locate the feature points of the body parts according to the feature axis; Track body feature points; Repeatedly raising and lowering the flat-panel detector triggers the X-ray machine to expose when the exposure conditions are met. The exposure conditions include: when the elbow feature point and the fingertip feature point are both away from the acromion feature point to a specified distance, the inertia of the body at the beginning of the lift is used to briefly expand the newborn's torso. If the exposure conditions are met at this time, the exposure is performed; if not, the exposure is waited for the next lift; The shooting process also includes blowing hot air on the newborn's body to make it more unfolded.

2. A method for controlling exposure of neonatal radiographs according to claim 1, characterized in that: The process of extracting the outline feature points includes: removing a preset background color from the image, and the closed image composed of the remaining colors is the outline, and the number of extracted outline feature points is set according to the required accuracy.

3. A method for controlling exposure of neonatal radiographs according to claim 1, characterized in that: The process of extracting the contour feature points includes: shooting with a thermal imager, wherein the closed image in the displayed image with a temperature higher than a threshold is the contour range, and the number of extracted contour feature points is set according to the required accuracy.

4. A method for controlling exposure of neonatal radiographs according to claim 1, characterized in that: The process of extracting contour feature points includes: setting a photosensitive device array in the flat panel detector of the X-ray machine, receiving a closed area with light intensity below a threshold as the contour range, and setting the number of contour feature points to be extracted according to the required accuracy.

5. A method for controlling exposure of neonatal radiographs according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The positioning process of the feature points of the body parts includes: calculating the distance of each contour feature point from the feature center axis at different times, and the part with the largest change is positioned as the distal feature point of the hands and feet, including the fingertip feature points and the toe feature points; the part with the largest change in transverse diameter on both sides of the feature center axis at the same time is the acromion feature point from the neck to the shoulder; and confirming the elbow feature point based on the vertical line at the midpoint of the line connecting the acromion feature point and the fingertip feature point.

6. A neonatal radiography exposure control system, used in the control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device comprises a processing unit, an X-ray machine and a flat panel detector. The end of the tube hanging rail device of the X-ray machine is provided with an exposure device and an imaging device for photographing the patient's body contour. A lifting device is provided under the flat panel detector.

7. A neonatal radiography exposure control system according to claim 6, characterized in that: A hot air blower is also provided at the end of the ball tube hanging rail device.

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