Adaptive X-ray Dose Control for Fluoroscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing x-ray devices for fluoroscopic monitoring struggle to quickly respond to sudden changes in image content while minimizing patient dose, as current methods either fail to adjust the recording dose dynamically or result in reduced image quality.
Innovation Solution
An x-ray device with a control system that automatically adjusts the recording dose based on changes in image content between consecutive fluoroscopy images, allowing for quick reaction to significant changes while maintaining image quality by combining fluoroscopy images with reduced dose to form display images at a reduced frame rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the recording rate of fluoroscopy images is reduced to minimize patient dose, then the patient dose is reduced, but the ability to respond to sudden changes in image content deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the recording rate adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically changes the recording rate based on detected changes in image content, allowing it to operate at lower rates during stable periods to reduce dose while automatically increasing the rate when significant changes occur, thus resolving the contradiction between dose reduction and response speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring fluoroscopy images for changes in image content and using this information to adjust the recording rate. The change detection mechanism provides feedback about the stability of the imaged scene, which then controls the recording rate, enabling automatic adaptation between low-dose mode and high-response mode
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the recording dose is reduced to minimize patient exposure, then patient dose is reduced, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using different recording doses for different situations rather than a uniform high dose. During stable periods, a reduced dose is sufficient to maintain acceptable image quality while reducing patient exposure. When changes are detected, the system temporarily uses higher dose to ensure image quality, thus applying just the necessary amount of radiation in each context
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the frame rate is reduced to lower the recording dose, then patient dose is reduced, but the ability to capture rapid changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the frame rate based on the activity level in the imaged region. During low-activity periods, a reduced frame rate suffices to maintain dose reduction while preserving essential information. When activity increases and changes are detected, the frame rate automatically increases to capture rapid changes, preventing information loss while minimizing overall dose
Data Source
AI summary
A method is for operating an x-ray device for recording a series of images, in particular for fluoroscopic monitoring of a recording region of a patient. The method includes acquiring fluoroscopy images of a patient with a recording rate and a recording dose; and displaying the fluoroscopy images acquired to a user on a display device at a frame rate. The recording dose is selected automatically as a function of a change in image contents between consecutive fluoroscopy images acquired.