X-ray dose adjusting method and device, medical image system, medium and product

Abstract

The invention provides an X-ray dose adjusting method and device, a medical image system, a medium and a product. The X-ray dose adjusting method for the medical image system comprises the following steps: acquiring a set first frame rate; at least sending an instruction for executing dose adjustment based on a second frame rate, the second frame rate being greater than the first frame rate and being less than or equal to the maximum allowable frame rate of the medical image system; determining whether the dose adjustment reaches a stable state; and in response to determining that the dose adjustment reaches the stable state, at least sending an instruction for switching the medical image system to the first frame rate. According to the method provided by the embodiment of the invention, dosage adjustment can be carried out based on a relatively high frame rate, the time of dosage adjustment is shortened, and the imaging quality is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of medical imaging, and in particular to an X-ray dose adjustment method for a medical imaging system, an apparatus for a medical imaging system, a medical imaging system, a non-transient computer-readable storage medium, and a computer program product. Background Art

[0002] X-rays have been widely used in the field of medical imaging. When using X-ray imaging equipment to examine patients, it is often necessary to adjust the X-ray dose for different patients before the examination in order to obtain images that meet quality requirements.

[0003] The methods described in this section are not necessarily methods that have been previously conceived or employed. Unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any method described in this section is considered to be prior art simply because it is included in this section. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated, the issues mentioned in this section should not be considered to have been recognized in any prior art. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an X-ray dose adjustment method for a medical imaging system, comprising: acquiring a set first frame rate; sending at least an instruction to perform dose adjustment based on a second frame rate, wherein the second frame rate is greater than the first frame rate and less than or equal to a maximum allowable frame rate of the medical imaging system; determining whether the dose adjustment has reached a stable state; and in response to determining that the dose adjustment has reached a stable state, sending at least an instruction to switch the medical imaging system to the first frame rate.

[0005] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an X-ray dose adjustment device for a medical imaging system, comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire a set first frame rate; a first instruction sending unit configured to at least send an instruction to perform dose adjustment based on a second frame rate, wherein the second frame rate is greater than the first frame rate and less than or equal to a maximum allowable frame rate of the medical imaging system; a determination unit configured to determine whether the dose adjustment has reached a stable state; and a second instruction sending unit configured to, in response to determining that the dose adjustment has reached a stable state, at least send an instruction to switch the medical imaging system to the first frame rate.

[0006] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a medical imaging system is provided, comprising: at least one processor; and a memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the computer program implements the above method when executed by the at least one processor.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program implements the above method when executed by a processor.

[0008] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided, including a computer program, wherein the computer program implements the above method when executed by a processor.

[0009] By using the method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, dose adjustment can be performed based on a higher frame rate, thereby shortening the dose adjustment time and improving the imaging quality.

[0010] It should be understood that the content described in this section is not intended to identify the key or important features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings exemplarily illustrate the embodiments and constitute a part of the specification, and together with the text description of the specification, are used to explain the exemplary implementation of the embodiments. The embodiments shown are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the claims. In all drawings, the same reference numerals refer to similar but not necessarily identical elements.

[0012] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the above and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent to those skilled in the art. In the accompanying drawings:

[0013] Figure 1 is a flow chart of an X-ray dose adjustment method for a medical imaging system according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 2A and Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of a pulse sequence for an X-ray generator;

[0015] Figure 3 A flowchart of at least sending an instruction to perform dose adjustment based on a second frame rate in an X-ray dose adjustment method according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 4 A flowchart of determining a second frame rate in a method for adjusting an X-ray dose according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 5 A flowchart for determining whether dose adjustment has reached a stable state in an X-ray dose adjustment method according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 6is a flow chart of an X-ray dose adjustment method for a medical imaging system according to some other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram of an X-ray dose adjustment device for a medical imaging system according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0020] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary configuration of an electronic device that can be used to implement the methods described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] In order to have a clearer understanding of the technical features, purposes and effects of the present disclosure, specific embodiments of the present disclosure are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals represent the same parts.

[0022] In this document, “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration”, and any diagram or implementation described in this document as “exemplary” should not be interpreted as a more preferred or more advantageous technical solution.

[0023] In order to simplify the drawings, only the parts related to the present disclosure are schematically shown in each figure, and they do not represent the actual structure of the product. In addition, in order to simplify the drawings and facilitate understanding, in some figures, only one of the parts with the same structure or function is schematically drawn or marked.

[0024] In this article, "one" not only means "only one", but also means "more than one". In this article, "first", "second", etc. are only used to distinguish each other, rather than to indicate their importance and order, or the premise of each other's existence.

[0025] Although various operations are depicted in the drawings as being in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that the operations must be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, nor should it be understood as requiring that all illustrated operations must be performed to achieve desirable results.

[0026] X-ray imaging equipment is a type of medical imaging system that uses an X-ray generator to emit X-rays. The X-ray generator includes an X-ray tube and a high-voltage generator. The X-ray tube usually includes an anode target and a cathode. The cathode filament can be energized to generate thermal electrons. Driven by the high voltage between the cathode and anode, the electrons move at high speed and hit the anode target surface, radiating X-rays, which are emitted through the window. When the X-ray tube is running, the object to be tested is exposed to X-rays. Using X-rays, the operator can irradiate any part to be examined, and then generate an image through film or imaging device.

[0027] Exposure parameters may include, for example, tube voltage (or exposure voltage, unit kV), tube current (or exposure current, unit mA), exposure time (or expressed as exposure pulse width, unit s or ms), and exposure milliampere seconds (i.e., the product of tube current and exposure time, unit mAs). Tube voltage may refer to the voltage output by a high-voltage generator to the X-ray tube, which characterizes the penetrating power of X-rays emitted by the X-ray tube. The higher the tube voltage, the greater the kinetic energy obtained by the electrons emitted by the cathode of the X-ray tube, and the greater the energy (i.e., penetrating power) of the generated X-rays. Tube current may refer to the current output by a high-voltage generator to the X-ray tube, which characterizes the number of X-rays emitted by the X-ray tube. The greater the tube current, the more electrons are emitted by the cathode of the X-ray tube, the more electrons hit the anode target surface per second, and thus the more X-rays are generated. Exposure pulse width is used to describe the pulse width of X-rays emitted by the X-ray tube.

[0028] X-ray imaging technology can be used to monitor dynamic processes in the area to be tested in the body of the object to be tested. The number of frames imaged per unit time is called the "frame rate". In this article, "frame rate" refers to the frequency at which a medical imaging system, such as an X-ray imaging device, presents images. The lower the frame rate is set, the longer the time interval between images presented to the operator of the medical imaging system. The "maximum allowed frame rate" refers to the highest frame rate that a medical imaging system can achieve.

[0029] The fluoroscopy curve is used to describe the exposure parameters of each exposure point used by the X-ray tube during the exposure process, wherein the exposure point corresponds to the exposure dose of the X-ray tube, and the exposure dose is related to the tube voltage, tube current, and exposure time of the X-ray tube. The fluoroscopy curve includes one or more of the following curves: voltage curve, current curve, exposure time curve (or pulse width curve), and milliampere-second curve. The horizontal axis of the voltage curve, current curve, exposure time curve, and milliampere-second curve represents different exposure points, and the vertical axis is used to describe the voltage value, current value, exposure time value, or milliampere-second value of the exposure, respectively. The fluoroscopy curve is usually a curve calibrated before the medical imaging system leaves the factory.

[0030] Exposure parameter adjustment is one of the important links in the workflow of medical imaging systems, such as X-ray imaging devices. Selecting appropriate exposure parameters is not only conducive to image quality optimization diagnosis, but also can avoid patients from being exposed to excessive X-ray radiation. In the related art, dose adjustment according to a preset perspective curve is the main method to prompt a medical imaging system (e.g., an X-ray imaging device) to find appropriate exposure parameters (e.g., to enable the average grayscale value of the image to reach a target value). Specifically, in the actual use of a medical imaging system, there are a variety of different imaging technologies, patients with different conditions, and various different parts of the patient to be measured. In order to obtain the best image quality during the image shooting of the patient, an imaging protocol is usually preset for the user in the medical imaging system, and the user can manually select the imaging protocol. There are multiple imaging protocols predefined for different imaging parts, patient sizes, and patient positions. These imaging protocols are usually related to the operating parameters to be implemented by the control device of the medical imaging system, such as the frame rate, exposure dose, noise processing, and signal post-processing of the X-ray imaging device, so that the user can select a clear image shooting mode based on the target part of the patient that currently needs to be shot. This imaging protocol is also called "Organ Program (OGP)" in medical imaging systems. In actual use, in general, users of medical imaging systems can select the corresponding organ program (OGP) according to the organ / part to be detected, the patient's body shape and position (such as frontal or lateral position) through human-computer interaction devices (such as touch screen, keyboard, mouse, etc.). As a result, the medical imaging system can automatically determine the expected X-ray dose corresponding to the organ / part based on the preset perspective curve corresponding to the organ program, and determine the tube voltage value, tube current value, exposure time length, etc. of the X-ray tube. Then, the X-ray imaging device usually The exposure parameters can be adjusted by double exposure to adapt to the individual differences of the subjects to be tested. For example, a short pre-exposure is first performed to adjust the dose according to the preset perspective curve to obtain a more appropriate exposure parameter, and then the exposure parameter is used for exposure. Alternatively, the patient can be exposed multiple times, and based on the quality of the images obtained by the multiple exposures, multiple dose adjustments are performed to obtain more appropriate exposure parameters. However, if multiple exposures are performed at the frame rate specified by the organ program, the dose adjustment time may last too long, and the user of the X-ray imaging device may start the perspective or photography operation before the dose adjustment reaches a stable state, resulting in poor imaging quality.

[0031] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for adjusting X-ray dose for a medical imaging system (e.g., an X-ray imaging device) is proposed, which can complete dose adjustment in a shorter time, avoid starting fluoroscopy or photography operations before the dose adjustment reaches a stable state, and avoid the resulting degradation in imaging quality.

[0032] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Figure 1 An X-ray dose adjustment method 100 for a medical imaging system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0034] The method 100 includes:

[0035] S110, obtaining a set first frame rate;

[0036] S120, sending at least an instruction to perform dose adjustment based on a second frame rate, wherein the second frame rate is greater than the first frame rate and less than or equal to a maximum allowable frame rate of the medical imaging system;

[0037] S130, determining whether the dosage adjustment has reached a stable state; and

[0038] S140: In response to determining that the dose adjustment reaches a stable state, at least send an instruction to switch the medical imaging system to a first frame rate.

[0039] The medical imaging system may include a direct digital X-ray imaging system or a digital X-ray imaging system using a stitching technology, such as a mobile or fixed C-arm X-ray medical device.

[0040] By using the method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, X-ray dose adjustment can be performed based on a higher frame rate, thereby shortening the dose adjustment time. Figure 2A and Figure 2B A schematic diagram of a pulse sequence of an X-ray generator used in a medical imaging system is shown. Figure 2A FIG. 4 shows a pulse sequence for an X-ray generator when a first frame rate is used. Figure 2A As shown, in the dose adjustment stage T1 and the stable imaging stage T2 after the dose adjustment reaches a stable state, the frame rate of the medical imaging system is set to a set first frame rate. Figure 2B FIG. 1 shows a pulse sequence schematic diagram for an X-ray generator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2B In the illustrated case, during the dose adjustment phase T1, the frame rate is set to a second frame rate greater than the first frame rate, and during the stable imaging phase T2, the frame rate is switched to the set first frame rate. Figure 2BAs shown, in the dose adjustment stage, the interval between each two adjacent pulses of the pulse sequence for the X-ray generator is shorter, thereby shortening the time of the dose adjustment stage and achieving the expected target dose more quickly. For example, if the first frame rate is set to 0.5fps and the dose adjustment is iteratively completed within 10 frames, the time of the dose adjustment stage is 20 seconds; if the dose adjustment is performed at the maximum allowable frame rate of 30fps and the dose adjustment is also iteratively completed within 10 frames, the time of the dose adjustment stage is only one-third of a second, which can be seen that the dose adjustment time is greatly shortened.

[0041] In step S110, the medical imaging system, for example, an X-ray control unit obtains a set first frame rate, wherein the set first frame rate is, for example, a frame rate pre-set in an organ program selected by a user, or a frame rate input by a user. Furthermore, the X-ray control unit may send information including the first frame rate to the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector, so that the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector can perform a perspective operation according to the first frame rate.

[0042] In step S120, the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector are triggered to perform dose adjustment based on a second frame rate, wherein the second frame rate is between the set first frame rate and the maximum allowable frame rate that the medical imaging system can achieve, or is equal to the maximum allowable frame rate.

[0043] Figure 3 A flowchart of at least sending an instruction for performing dose adjustment based on a second frame rate in a dose adjustment method 100 according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0044] In some embodiments, step S120, at least sending an instruction to perform dose adjustment based on the second frame rate, includes: S310, sending a perspective curve based on the first frame rate, the perspective curve specifying exposure parameters for each exposure point based on the first frame rate, and the perspective curve is configured to enable the medical imaging system (specifically, its X-ray tube) to operate at the second frame rate with the exposure parameters specified by the perspective curve.

[0045] See also Figure 2B At a higher frame rate, the interval between each two adjacent pulses of the pulse sequence for the X-ray tube is shorter, so the average power of the X-ray tube will increase, and its workload will increase accordingly. For example, the X-ray tube will generate a large amount of heat during the emission of X-rays, so the heat capacity load of the X-ray tube will increase at a higher frame rate. Therefore, selecting a perspective curve that is applicable to both the first frame rate and the second frame rate can ensure that even at a higher second frame rate, the X-ray tube can still work normally according to the perspective curve based on the first frame rate, that is, work according to the same exposure parameters as at the first frame rate, and will not be interrupted due to excessive workload (e.g., heat capacity load).

[0046] In some other embodiments, further, step S120, at least sending an instruction to perform dose adjustment based on the second frame rate, includes: sending a perspective curve based on the first frame rate, the perspective curve specifies exposure parameters for each exposure point based on the first frame rate, and the perspective curve is configured to enable the X-ray tube of the medical imaging system to operate at the exposure parameters specified by the perspective curve at the maximum allowable frame rate. Thus, no matter how the second frame rate is determined, the sent perspective curve based on the first frame rate is applicable to the second frame rate.

[0047] In some embodiments, step S120, at least sending an instruction to perform dose adjustment based on the second frame rate, also includes: S320, determining the second frame rate based on at least one of the response delay time of the hardware of the medical imaging system and the communication delay time between the software; and sending information about the second frame rate.

[0048] In some embodiments, the second frame rate is determined so that the hardware of the medical imaging system can operate in the same operating mode at the second frame rate as at the first frame rate, wherein the hardware includes at least one of the following: an X-ray generator, an X-ray detector, and a system timing control unit (STU). Specifically, the second frame rate is determined to be greater than the set first frame rate and less than or equal to the maximum possible frame rate at which the hardware of the medical imaging system does not need to switch the operating mode during operation, so that the hardware of the medical imaging system can operate in the same operating mode at the second frame rate as at the first frame rate. If the set first frame rate is less than the mode switching frame rate of the hardware (after reaching the mode switching frame rate, the hardware needs to switch the operating mode), the maximum possible frame rate is the mode switching frame rate. If the set first frame rate is greater than or equal to the mode switching frame rate of the hardware, the maximum possible frame rate is the maximum allowable frame rate of the medical imaging system. In one or more examples, if the set first frame rate is less than the mode switching frame rate of the hardware of the medical imaging system, the second frame rate is determined as the mode switching frame rate so as to quickly achieve dose adjustment; if the first frame rate is greater than or equal to the mode switching frame rate of the hardware of the medical imaging system, for example, the second frame rate is determined as the maximum allowable frame rate of the medical imaging system so as to achieve dose adjustment as soon as possible.

[0049] In a medical imaging system, when switching between different frame rates, the hardware of the medical imaging system needs to switch to different working modes when necessary, and the hardware of the medical imaging system works in different configurations in different working modes. Generally, after receiving the working mode switching instruction, the hardware of the X-ray imaging device cannot switch to the next mode immediately, but requires a corresponding response time. By determining the second frame rate so that the hardware of the medical imaging system can work in the same working mode as in the first frame rate at the second frame rate, even if switching between the second frame rate and the first frame rate, the hardware of the medical imaging system does not need to switch the working mode, thereby avoiding the response delay time caused by switching the working mode. In some examples, the second frame rate is determined so that the X-ray detector can work in the same working mode as in the first frame rate at the second frame rate. For example, in the case where the first frame rate is lower than the mode switching frame rate of the X-ray detector, the second frame rate is determined to be greater than the first frame rate and less than or equal to the mode switching frame rate, and in particular, is determined to be the mode switching frame rate of the X-ray detector, thereby making the dose adjustment process faster. Generally, the working mode switching of the X-ray detector requires more response time, thereby ensuring that the frame rate cannot be switched smoothly due to the response delay of the X-ray detector. In other examples, the second frame rate is determined so that all hardware of the medical imaging system can operate in the same operating mode at the second frame rate as at the first frame rate. For example, in the case where the first frame rate is lower than the mode switching frame rate of all hardware of the medical imaging system, the second frame rate is determined to be greater than the first frame rate and less than or equal to the mode switching frame rate of all hardware of the medical imaging system, and in particular, is determined to be a smaller value among the mode switching frame rates of all hardware of the medical imaging system, thereby making the dose adjustment process faster. In this way, it can be ensured that the frame rate is switched smoothly for all hardware.

[0050] For example, the X-ray detector is designed to work at a maximum frame rate of 30fps, work in a first working mode at a frame rate of 0 to 20fps, and work in a second working mode at a frame rate of 20 to 30fps, that is, if the frame rate is switched from 10fps to 30fps, the X-ray detector needs to switch from the first working mode to the second working mode. If the set first frame rate is 10fps, the second frame rate can be determined as the mode switching frame rate of 20fps of the X-ray detector, rather than the maximum allowable frame rate of 30fps, so that the dose adjustment can be achieved quickly and the switch from the second frame rate to the first frame rate can be smoothly performed after the dose adjustment is completed, and the X-ray detector will not have a response delay. If the set first frame rate is greater than the mode switching frame rate of the X-ray detector, for example, 25fps, the second frame rate can be determined as the maximum allowable frame rate of 30fps of the X-ray detector, so as to achieve dose adjustment as soon as possible.

[0051] Figure 4A flow chart of determining the second frame rate in the dose adjustment method 100 according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. According to some embodiments, step S320, based on at least one of a response delay time of hardware of the medical imaging system and a communication delay time between software, determining the second frame rate includes:

[0052] S410, obtaining the communication delay time required for communication between software of the medical imaging system;

[0053] S420, obtaining the response delay time required for switching the working mode of the hardware of the medical imaging system; and

[0054] S430: Based on the communication delay time and the response delay time, determine whether to determine the second frame rate so that the hardware of the medical imaging system can operate in the same operating mode at the second frame rate as at the first frame rate.

[0055] In the above-mentioned embodiment of determining the second frame rate, the delay time of the software and hardware of the medical imaging system is taken into account. If the delay time of the software and hardware is too long, the second frame rate is determined to be greater than the first frame rate and less than or equal to the maximum possible frame rate when the hardware is working without switching the working mode. For example, in the case where the first frame rate is lower than the mode switching frame rate of the hardware, the second frame rate is determined to be the mode switching frame rate of the hardware. If the delay time of the software and hardware is within the allowable range, for example, the software and hardware can react in time to present the medical imaging image, the second frame rate can be arbitrarily set within the range greater than the first frame rate and less than or equal to the maximum allowable frame rate of the system. For example, in order to make the dose adjustment process faster, the second frame rate can be determined as the maximum allowable frame rate of the medical imaging system.

[0056] As described above, when switching between different frame rates, the hardware of the medical imaging system needs to switch to different working modes when necessary, thus generating a response delay time. In addition, the communication between the software of the X-ray imaging device (e.g., an X-ray control unit for controlling exposure, a generator interface for communicating with the system, software for image processing, etc.) is not instantaneous and takes a certain amount of time. In steps S410 to S420, the communication delay time and the hardware response delay time are obtained. In step S430, if the sum of the communication delay time and the hardware response delay time is greater than the time to present a frame of image based on the first frame rate, it means that when switching from the second frame rate to the first frame rate, the time for the X-ray control unit to notify the hardware to switch modes and the time for the hardware to switch modes is greater than the time to generate a frame of image. In fact, the switching from the second frame rate to the first frame rate will be delayed, resulting in the failure to generate a perspective image in time. In this case, the second frame rate is determined to enable the hardware of the medical imaging system to work in the same working mode as at the first frame rate at the second frame rate, that is, the second frame rate is determined as the frame rate at which the hardware does not switch working modes, thereby avoiding the adverse effects on the perspective image caused by the working mode switching. If the communication delay time and the hardware response delay time are less than or equal to the time required to present a frame of image based on the first frame rate, that is, the hardware of the medical imaging system can complete the switching of the working mode within one frame, then the second frame rate can be selected as needed without considering whether the hardware of the medical imaging system needs to switch the working mode between the second frame rate and the first frame rate.

[0057] In other embodiments, instead of step S430, it is determined based on the communication delay time and the response delay time whether the second frame rate is determined to enable the hardware of the medical imaging system to operate in the same operating mode at the second frame rate as at the first frame rate. If the communication delay time and the hardware response delay time are greater than the time it takes to present a frame of image based on the first frame rate, then in the last frame or frames of the dose adjustment stage, an instruction to switch the medical imaging system to the first frame rate is sent in advance.

[0058] Figure 5 A flow chart of determining whether the dose adjustment has reached a stable state in the X-ray dose adjustment method 100 according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In some embodiments, step S130, determining whether the dose adjustment has reached a stable state, includes:

[0059] S510, determining whether the deviation between the actual dose and the target dose is within an allowable range;

[0060] S520, in response to a deviation between the actual dose and the target dose being within an allowable range, determining that the dose adjustment reaches a stable state; and

[0061] S530: In response to the deviation between the actual dose and the target dose not being within an allowable range, determining that the dose adjustment has not yet reached a stable state.

[0062] In steps S510 to S530, the actual dose of X-rays emitted by the medical imaging system is determined, for example, based on the relationship between the brightness, image contrast, signal-to-noise ratio, etc. of the original image and the X-ray dose, the actual dose of X-rays emitted by the medical imaging system when shooting the original image is determined. Then, the actual dose is compared with the target dose. If the deviation between the two is within the allowable range, it is determined that the dose adjustment has reached a stable state, and the subsequent steps in method 100 are continued. If the deviation between the two is not within the allowable range, the dose adjustment is continued, and steps S510 to S530 are repeated.

[0063] In some embodiments, step S140, in response to determining that the dose adjustment reaches a stable state, at least sending an instruction to switch the medical imaging system to the first frame rate, also includes: sending an instruction to enable the medical imaging system to perform perspective based on the first frame rate.

[0064] Figure 6 An X-ray dose adjustment method 600 for a medical imaging system according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The method 600 includes:

[0065] S610, obtaining a set first frame rate, and sending information about the first frequency to hardware of the medical imaging system;

[0066] S620: Send a perspective curve based on the first frame rate, where the perspective curve specifies exposure parameters for each exposure point based on the first frame rate, and the perspective curve is configured to enable an X-ray tube of the medical imaging system to operate at the exposure parameters specified by the perspective curve at the second frame rate;

[0067] S630, obtaining an instruction indicating whether to start dosage adjustment;

[0068] S640, in response to the instruction indicating whether to start dose adjustment indicating to start dose adjustment, sending an instruction to perform dose adjustment based on a second frame rate, wherein the second frame rate is greater than the first frame rate and less than or equal to the maximum allowable frame rate of the medical imaging system;

[0069] S650, determining whether the dosage adjustment reaches a stable state; and

[0070] S660: In response to determining that the dose adjustment reaches a stable state, at least send an instruction to switch the medical imaging system to a first frame rate.

[0071] In method 600, steps S610, S650 to S660 are similar to steps S110, S130 to S140 described above, and step S620 is similar to step S310 described above, which will not be repeated here. Through the X-ray dose adjustment method 600 according to other embodiments of the present disclosure, an option of whether to turn on dose adjustment is provided. In some examples, the above-mentioned instruction indicating whether to turn on dose adjustment can be a user instruction. In steps S630 and S650, it is determined whether the user instructs to turn on dose adjustment. If the user instructs to turn on dose adjustment, an instruction to perform dose adjustment based on the second frame rate is sent similar to step S120. If the user does not instruct or instructs not to turn on dose adjustment, a perspective or exposure operation is performed based on the set first frame rate. Thus, the user is provided with the option of choosing whether to turn on dose adjustment.

[0072] Figure 7 FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an X-ray dose adjustment device 700 for a medical imaging system according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 7 As shown, an X-ray dose adjustment device 700 for a medical imaging system includes: an acquisition unit 710, configured to acquire a set first frame rate; a first instruction sending unit 720, configured to at least send an instruction to perform dose adjustment based on a second frame rate, wherein the second frame rate is greater than the first frame rate and less than or equal to the maximum allowable frame rate of the medical imaging system; a determination unit 730, configured to determine whether the dose adjustment has reached a stable state; and a second instruction sending unit 740, configured to at least send an instruction to switch the medical imaging system to the first frame rate in response to determining that the dose adjustment has reached a stable state.

[0073] It should be understood that Figure 7 The various modules of the apparatus 700 shown in FIG. Figure 1 The steps in the method 100 described above correspond to each other. Therefore, the operations, features and advantages described above for the method 100 are also applicable to the apparatus 700 and the modules included therein. For the sake of brevity, some operations, features and advantages are not described in detail here.

[0074] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a medical imaging system is provided, comprising: at least one processor; and a memory in communication with the at least one processor; wherein the memory stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by the at least one processor, the steps in the method 100 or 600 described above are implemented. The medical imaging system may be an X-ray imaging device, such as a direct digital X-ray imaging system or a digital X-ray imaging system using a stitching technology, such as a mobile or fixed C-arm X-ray medical device.

[0075] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided, comprising: at least one processor; and a memory in communication with the at least one processor; wherein the memory stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by the at least one processor, the steps in the method 100 described above are implemented. A medical imaging device comprises such an electronic device.

[0076] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program is provided, wherein the computer program implements the steps in the method 100 or 600 described above when executed by a processor.

[0077] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided, including a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps in the method 100 or 600 described above are implemented.

[0078] In the following, combined Figure 8 Illustrative examples of such electronic devices, non-transitory computer-readable storage media, and computer program products are described.

[0079] Figure 8 An example configuration of an electronic device 800 that can be used to implement the methods described herein is shown. The electronic device 800 can be a variety of different types of devices, such as a server of a service provider, a device associated with a client (e.g., a client device), a system on a chip, and / or any other suitable computer device or computing system. Examples of electronic devices 800 include, but are not limited to, desktop computers, server computers, laptop or netbook computers, mobile devices (e.g., tablet computers, cellular or other wireless phones (e.g., smart phones), notepad computers, mobile stations), and the like.

[0080] The electronic device 800 may include at least one processor 802, memory 804, communication interface(s) 806, a display device 808, other input / output (I / O) devices 810, and one or more mass storage devices 812 that can communicate with each other, such as via a system bus 814 or other appropriate connection.

[0081] The processor 802 may be a single processing unit or multiple processing units, all of which may include a single or multiple computing units or multiple cores. The processor 802 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuits, and / or any device that manipulates signals based on operating instructions. Among other capabilities, the processor 802 may be configured to obtain and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 804, mass storage device 812, or other computer-readable media, such as program codes of an operating system 816, program codes of an application program 818, program codes of other programs 820, and the like.

[0082] The memory 804 and the mass storage device 812 are examples of computer-readable storage media for storing instructions that are executed by the processor 802 to implement the various functions described above. For example, the memory 804 may generally include both volatile memory and non-volatile memory (e.g., RAM, ROM, etc.). In addition, the mass storage device 812 may generally include a hard drive, a solid-state drive, a removable medium, including external and removable drives, a memory card, a flash memory, a floppy disk, an optical disk (e.g., a CD, a DVD), a storage array, a network attached storage, a storage area network, etc. The memory 804 and the mass storage device 812 may all be collectively referred to herein as memory or computer-readable storage media, and may be a non-transitory medium capable of storing computer-readable, processor-executable program instructions as computer program code, which may be executed by the processor 802 as a specific machine configured to implement the operations and functions described in the examples herein.

[0083] A plurality of program modules may be stored on the mass storage device 812. These programs include an operating system 816, one or more application programs 818, other programs 820, and program data 822, and they may be loaded into the memory 804 for execution. Examples of such applications or program modules may include, for example, computer program logic (e.g., computer program code or instructions) for implementing the following components / functions: the apparatus 700 (including the acquisition module 710, the first instruction sending module 720, the determination module 730, and the second instruction sending module 3740), the method 100 or 600 (including any suitable steps of the method 100 or 600), and / or other embodiments described herein.

[0084] Although in Figure 8800, but modules 816, 818, 820, and 822, or portions thereof, may be implemented using any form of computer-readable media accessible by the computer device 800. As used herein, "computer-readable media" includes at least two types of computer-readable media, namely, computer storage media and communication media.

[0085] Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented by any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes but is not limited to RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD), or other optical storage devices, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, magnetic disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transmission media that can be used to store information for access by a computer device.

[0086] In contrast, communication media may embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism. Computer storage media as defined herein does not include communication media.

[0087] The electronic device 800 may also include one or more communication interfaces 806 for exchanging data with other devices, such as through a network, direct connection, etc., as discussed above. Such communication interfaces may be one or more of the following: any type of network interface (e.g., a network interface card (NIC)), a wired or wireless (such as an IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN (WLAN)) wireless interface, a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wi-MAX) interface, an Ethernet interface, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a cellular network interface, a Bluetooth™ interface, a Near Field Communication (NFC) interface, etc. The communication interface 806 may facilitate communication within a variety of network and protocol types, including wired networks (e.g., LAN, cable, etc.) and wireless networks (e.g., WLAN, cellular, satellite, etc.), the Internet, etc. The communication interface 806 may also provide communication with an external storage device (not shown) such as a storage array, a network attached storage, a storage area network, etc.

[0088] In some examples, a display device 808 such as a monitor may be included for displaying information and images to the user. Other I / O devices 810 may be devices that receive various inputs from the user and provide various outputs to the user, and may include touch input devices, gesture input devices, cameras, keyboards, remote controls, mice, printers, audio input / output devices, and the like.

[0089] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present disclosure shall be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting X-ray dose for a medical imaging system, comprising: Get the set first frame rate; at least sending an instruction to perform dose adjustment based on a second frame rate, wherein the second frame rate is greater than the first frame rate and less than or equal to a maximum allowable frame rate of the medical imaging system; determining whether the dosage adjustment has reached a steady state; and In response to determining that the dose adjustment reaches a stable state, at least an instruction is sent to switch the medical imaging system to the first frame rate.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: At least sending an instruction to perform dose adjustment based on the second frame rate, including: A perspective curve based on a first frame rate is sent, wherein the perspective curve specifies exposure parameters for each exposure point based on the first frame rate, and the perspective curve is configured to enable an X-ray tube of a medical imaging system to operate at the exposure parameters specified by the perspective curve at a second frame rate.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The second frame rate is determined so that the hardware of the medical imaging system can operate in the same operating mode at the second frame rate as at the first frame rate, wherein the hardware includes at least one of the following items: an X-ray generator, an X-ray detector, and a system timing control unit.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: Obtaining the communication delay time required for communication between software of the medical imaging system; Obtaining a response delay time required for switching working modes of hardware of the medical imaging system; as well as Based on the communication delay time and the response delay time, it is determined whether the second frame rate is determined so that the hardware of the medical imaging system can operate in the same operating mode at the second frame rate as at the first frame rate.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: Obtaining an instruction indicating whether to start dosage adjustment; as well as In response to the instruction indicating whether to start dose adjustment indicating to start dose adjustment, an instruction to perform dose adjustment at a second frame rate is sent.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: In response to determining that the dose adjustment reaches a stable state, at least sending an instruction to switch the medical imaging system to the first frame rate, further comprising: Sending an instruction to cause the medical imaging system to perform fluoroscopy based on the first frame rate.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Determining whether the dosage adjustment has reached a steady state comprises: Determine whether the deviation between the actual dose and the target dose is within the allowable range; In response to a deviation between the actual dose and the target dose being within an allowable range, determining that the dose adjustment reaches a stable state; and In response to the deviation between the actual dose and the target dose not being within an allowable range, it is determined that the dose adjustment has not yet reached a stable state.

8. An X-ray dose adjustment device for a medical imaging system, comprising: An acquisition unit, configured to acquire a set first frame rate; A first instruction sending unit is configured to send at least an instruction to perform dose adjustment based on a second frame rate, wherein the second frame rate is greater than the first frame rate and less than or equal to a maximum allowable frame rate of the medical imaging system; a determining unit configured to determine whether the dosage adjustment reaches a stable state; and The second instruction sending unit is configured to at least send an instruction to switch the medical imaging system to the first frame rate in response to determining that the dose adjustment reaches a stable state.

9. A medical imaging system, comprising: at least one processor; as well as a memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; in The memory stores a computer program, which, when executed by the at least one processor, implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein: The computer program implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 when executed by a processor.

11. A computer program product comprising a computer program, wherein: The computer program implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 when executed by a processor.

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