AI Camera Calibration for Tilted X-Ray Beam Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging systems fail to accurately align the center of an imaging device, such as a camera, with the center of an X-ray beam during tilts, leading to imprecision and guesswork in positioning, which results in obstructed and undiagnostic X-ray views of complex anatomies like the C1/C2 complex.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a protractor device with a horizontal and vertical leg, coupled via a rotating member, to mount an imaging device on an X-ray generator, coupled with AI and wireless communication to calibrate the camera center to the X-ray beam center, ensuring the camera remains at zero tilt while the X-ray beam tilts, using an AI function to align and register the patient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the camera device is fixed to the X-ray generator to maintain relative positioning, then the camera moves with the X-ray beam during tilts, but the camera center and X-ray beam center diverge, causing imprecision in patient positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment of the camera center with the X-ray beam center with an automated computational method. The AI function processes images captured by the camera to automatically determine and align the camera center with the X-ray beam center, eliminating the need for manual positioning adjustments during X-ray tilts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from captured images to continuously monitor and adjust the alignment between the camera center and X-ray beam center. The AI function analyzes the captured images to detect the positions of both centers and provides real-time alignment corrections, ensuring they remain coincident during X-ray generator tilts.
2Measurement precision
If the X-ray beam is tilted to bypass obstructing structures for imaging complex anatomies, then diagnostic quality improves, but the camera center and X-ray beam center no longer align, causing imprecision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical coupling between camera tilt and X-ray beam tilt with an independent computational alignment system. The AI function calculates and maintains the relationship between camera center and X-ray beam center independently of their physical orientations, allowing the X-ray beam to tilt for better anatomy imaging while the camera remains at zero tilt.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the functions of the camera and X-ray beam positioning. The camera is kept at zero tilt to maintain stable center alignment, while the X-ray beam is independently tilted to bypass obstructing structures. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without compromising the other.
3Measurement precision
If the camera is kept at zero tilt to maintain center alignment, then positioning precision is maintained, but the camera cannot follow the X-ray beam tilt to capture the tilted anatomy view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical requirement for the camera to physically tilt with the X-ray beam with a computational image processing system. The AI function processes the images captured at zero tilt to generate the diagnostic views, eliminating the need for the camera to adapt its physical angle while maintaining positioning precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for calibrating the center of an imaging device, such as a camera, to the center of an X-ray beam projected by a tiltable X-ray generator. The system includes a protractor assembly with a rotatable vertical leg mounted to the X-ray generator, supporting an imaging device maintained at zero tilt relative to an image receptor. Real-time imaging data is transmitted wirelessly to a head positioning system that incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and align the imaging device center to the X-ray beam center using image recognition. The AI system enables precise, software-based calibration without physical realignment of the patient's head, facilitating accurate and reproducible diagnostic imaging of complex cervical structures, such as the C1/C2 vertebrae. The system also minimizes unnecessary radiation exposure by enabling tighter collimation of the X-ray field.