Adaptive Image Projection System for MR Scanner Anxiety Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients undergoing scanning examinations, such as MR scans, often experience anxiety due to the confined environment of MR scanners, which can negatively impact the quality of scanning results and patient comfort.
Innovation Solution
An image projection system is installed in the scanner room, featuring a reflector unit that adjusts the projection of images onto different surfaces based on the patient's location and the presence of clinical personnel, allowing for 2D or 3D image projection and adaptive image content based on physiological parameters, to reduce anxiety and enhance comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a patient undergoes scanning examination in a confined scanner room, then the scanning examination can be performed, but the patient experiences anxiety and discomfort due to the narrow tunnel environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the projection system by switching between different projection modes (first mode for entry area, second mode for scanner bore area) based on patient location. This allows the system to address anxiety at different spatial-temporal stages of the scanning process without requiring physical expansion of the scanner room volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The projection system acts as an intermediary element between the confined scanner environment and the patient's psychological state. By projecting images onto surfaces in the entry area and scanner bore area, the system mediates the patient's perception of the confined space, reducing anxiety without altering the physical scanner room structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the scanner room environment is modified to reduce patient anxiety, then patient comfort improves, but the scanner room structure and existing equipment cannot be changed
Solution Approach 1:
The projection system serves as a non-invasive intermediary that modifies the patient's perception of the scanner room without physically altering the room structure or existing equipment. Images are projected onto existing surfaces (walls, ceiling, scanner bore area), allowing environmental modification while preserving the original scanner room configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the visual parameters of the scanner room environment by projecting images with different characteristics (first images in entry area, second images in scanner bore area) based on patient location. This allows adaptation of the environment to reduce discomfort without modifying the physical scanner room infrastructure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If images are projected onto a fixed surface in the scanner room, then patient distraction is provided, but the patient cannot see the projected image when taking different positions within the scanner room
Solution Approach 1:
The projection system dynamically switches between different projection modes based on real-time detection of patient location. The controller activates the first projection mode when the patient is in the entry area and the second projection mode when the patient is in the scanner bore area, ensuring continuous visual distraction regardless of patient position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from location detection (via sensors or cameras) to automatically adjust the projection mode and image content. This closed-loop control ensures that the projected images remain visible and distracting to the patient throughout the entire scanning process, adapting to position changes without manual intervention.
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 anxiety by providing a distraction and enhancing comfort through adaptive image projection, improving the scanning experience and potentially improving scanning results by maintaining patient relaxation.
Implementation Method 1
an image projector installed in the scanner room for projecting an image onto a surface of the room
Implementation Method 2
a reflector unit comprising a reflector, where the reflector is positioned relative to the image projector so that in a first mode of the reflector unit the image is projected onto a first room surface, and in a second mode of the reflector unit the image is projected onto a second room surface
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a system for reducing anxiety of patients before and during e.g. MR scanning examinations. The method is based on displaying images on walls (106,107) of the scanner room (100) so that when the patient enters the scanner room, then an image is displayed on a wall visible to the patient, e.g. a wall adjacent to the entry door (103). When the patient is laying on the table (102) of the scanner (101) the projection of images is switched to another wall by reflecting the projected images using e.g. a mirror which is moved into the light rays emitted by an image projector.