Shape Adaptive Collimator for Low-Dose X-Ray Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging systems, particularly in angiography, often result in unnecessary X-ray exposure due to uniform image acquisition and fixed radiation doses, failing to adapt to the dynamic nature of cardiac anatomy and function, which can lead to inadequate imaging of anatomical features during specific phases of the heart cycle.
Innovation Solution
A medical imaging system employing a shape adaptive collimator and synchronization processor to adjust X-ray beam dimensions and exposure timing in response to hemodynamic and electrophysiological signals, allowing for non-uniform radiation exposure and adaptive dose optimization, enabling reduced patient X-ray exposure while capturing detailed anatomical images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If uniform radiation exposure and fixed image scanning rate are used, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but radiation dose to patient increases and image quality during specific cardiac phases deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is divided into multiple independently controllable segments that can be adjusted to match the shape and size of the region of interest. This segmentation allows radiation to be focused only on the necessary anatomical areas, reducing overall patient exposure while maintaining image quality in critical regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator configuration is made dynamically adjustable during the imaging procedure, allowing real-time adaptation to different cardiac phases and anatomical variations. The synchronization system dynamically adjusts image acquisition timing based on ECG signals, enabling optimal capture of cardiac structures at different points in the cardiac cycle.
2Measurement precision
If fixed image scanning rate and uniform radiation exposure are employed, then ease of operation is improved, but image quality during specific heart cycle phases (e.g., Q wave, S wave) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses ECG signal feedback to automatically synchronize image acquisition with specific cardiac phases. The synchronization processor continuously monitors ECG waves and triggers image capture at predetermined phases (such as Q wave or S wave), ensuring high-quality imaging of cardiac structures during critical moments without requiring manual timing adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
Image acquisition is performed periodically at specific intervals synchronized with the cardiac cycle rather than continuously or at fixed rates. This periodic action ensures that images are captured at optimal moments in the cardiac cycle, improving visualization of cardiac anatomy and function while reducing unnecessary radiation exposure during non-critical phases.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If rectangular collimator shape is used, then manufacturing is simplified and device complexity is reduced, but radiation exposure to areas outside the region of interest increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the collimator are designed with different properties and configurations tailored to specific anatomical regions. The collimator segments can be shaped and positioned to match the local geometry of the region of interest, ensuring that radiation is delivered precisely where needed while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces patient X-ray exposure by adaptively controlling radiation dose and timing, improving image quality and reducing unnecessary radiation, especially during dynamic cardiac activities, while maintaining high-resolution imaging of specific anatomical regions of interest.
Implementation Method 1
The shape adaptive collimator includes multiple different portions of X-ray absorbent material automatically adjustable to alter the dimensions of a spatial cross section of an X-ray beam of radiation
Implementation Method 2
The synchronization processor provides a heart rate related synchronization signal derived from a patient cardiac function associated parameter
Data Source
AI summary
A medical imaging system adaptively acquires anatomical images using a shape adaptive collimator including multiple different portions of X-ray absorbent material automatically adjustable to alter the dimensions of a spatial cross section of an X-ray beam of radiation into a non-rectangular shape, in response to a control signal. The synchronization processor provides a heart rate related synchronization signal derived from a patient cardiac function related parameter. The synchronization signal enables adaptive variation in timing of image acquisition within an individual heart cycle and between successive heart cycles of each individual image frame of multiple sequential image frames. The X-ray image acquisition device uses the shape adaptive collimator for acquiring anatomical images of the region of interest with reduced patient X-ray exposure in response to the synchronization signal. A display processor presents resultant images.