Anatomy Position Indicators for Accurate Orthopedic Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical imaging systems face challenges in achieving correct patient positioning, particularly for orthopedic images, leading to retakes and additional radiation due to suboptimal placement of the target anatomy.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a neural network to process target anatomy information from an image device, generating a visual representation of position indicators, such as bone contours, to guide correct positioning on a display, with adjustable overlays and guiding elements to ensure optimal alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If medical personnel judge patient positioning based on experience and visual inspection of medical images, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the positioning accuracy is insufficient leading to retakes and additional radiation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a neural network and visualization interface that mediates between the raw medical image and the operator's decision-making. The neural network processes the image data and generates position indicators (such as bone contour overlays and alignment guides) that assist the operator in achieving accurate positioning without requiring extensive manual analysis or complex adjustment procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual visual inspection and experience-based judgment mechanism with an automated image processing system using neural networks. This substitution transforms the positioning assessment from a subjective, experience-dependent process to an objective, algorithm-driven process that provides quantitative position indicators and visual feedback

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If the system provides detailed visual representation with multiple position indicators and guiding elements, then the positioning precision improves, but the information processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidinformation processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the positioning information into distinct visual components: position indicators (such as predicted bone contours), guiding elements (such as alignment lines and markers), and quality assessment indicators. This segmentation allows the complex positioning task to be broken down into manageable visual cues that can be processed and understood separately, reducing the cognitive load on the operator while maintaining high positioning precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes color changes and visual differentiation to encode positioning information. Different colors or visual styles are used to indicate various anatomical structures, positioning states, and quality levels. This visual encoding allows multiple pieces of information to be conveyed simultaneously through intuitive color-coded indicators, reducing the complexity of information processing while enhancing positioning precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP4611638B1System and method for computation and visualization of a position indicator of a target anatomy
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4611638B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP4611638B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4b
  • EP4611638B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~6

AI summary

The invention concerns a system for visualization of a position indicator of a target anatomy. The system comprising a processor configured to receive an image from an image device, the image comprising target anatomy information, process the received target anatomy information using a neural network for predicting at least one position indicator of a position of the target anatomy, generate a visual representation of the position indicator of the target anatomy based on the analysis of the neural network, wherein the visual representation is visualized on a display, wherein the visual representation indicates by the position indicator whether the target anatomy is in an optimal position suitable for a medical imaging process. The invention further concerns a method for generating a visual representation of a position indicator of a target anatomy.