Automated Patient Positioning via External Image Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging methods, such as CT and MRI, require skilled operators for accurate patient positioning, which can lead to user-dependent deviations and suboptimal image quality, especially in resource-limited settings where training is inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A method and facility for positioning an examination object using an external-image recording unit to determine and correct the position and orientation of the object based on predefined reference positions, employing software components for position-determining, checking, and correcting units, allowing for semi- or fully automated positioning without requiring specialized knowledge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual positioning methods are used, then device complexity is low, but positioning precision deteriorates due to user-dependent deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated image processing system that uses cameras to capture external images of the patient and software algorithms to automatically determine body part positions and orientations. This substitution eliminates user-dependent positioning deviations while introducing computational complexity rather than mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the patient's body by capturing external images and generating a three-dimensional body model from these images. This digital model serves as a template for automatic positioning, allowing the system to identify and locate body parts without direct manual measurement or operator intervention.
2Measurement precision
If automated positioning systems are implemented, then positioning precision improves, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system performs self-service by automatically capturing images, processing them to identify body part positions, determining orientations, and generating positioning recommendations without requiring operator expertise. The system serves itself by using the captured images as input for automatic analysis and decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the captured external images are processed to generate positioning recommendations that are fed back to the operator or automatically applied. This continuous feedback loop allows the system to learn from the actual patient position and adjust its recommendations accordingly.
3Manufacturing precision
If standardized positioning procedures are implemented, then manufacturing precision improves, but adaptability deteriorates for different patient conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic positioning recommendations that adapt to individual patient conditions by analyzing the specific external images captured for each patient. The system adjusts positioning parameters based on the actual body part positions, orientations, and anatomical variations observed in each patient, rather than applying a fixed rigid protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes positioning parameters dynamically based on the analyzed image data. By extracting positional and orientational parameters from the external images and comparing them against reference values, the system automatically adjusts positioning recommendations to suit each patient's specific anatomical characteristics and examination requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is described for positioning of an examination object for an imaging method. The method is used to record an external image of externally visible features of the examination object. The recording of the external image is used as the basis for determining a position and/or orientation of at least one part of the examination object assigned to the imaged features. Subsequently, a check is performed as to whether the determined position and/or orientation of the at least one part of the examination object conforms to a reference position and/or reference orientation. Finally, if the determined position and/or orientation of the at least one part of the examination object does not conform to the reference position and/or reference orientation, the position and/or orientation of the at least one part of the examination object is corrected. Also described is an object-positioning facility. Furthermore, an imaging medical facility is described.