Biplane C-Arm Acquisition Multiplexing for Cardiac Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiac acquisition methods using a single C-arm plane in biplane systems are inefficient, requiring multiple rotation runs and resulting in prolonged acquisition times and potential image quality issues during secondary reconstructions due to incomplete coverage of cardiac phases.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a biplane acquisition method where both C-arm planes rotate simultaneously at the same speed, dividing the recording area into angular 'fans' and assigning them in a cyclical sequence to achieve complete coverage with reduced overhead, allowing for rapid triggered cardiac reconstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single C-arm plane is used for 3-D cardiac acquisition, then the system complexity is reduced, but the acquisition time increases and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two C-arm planes (Plane A and Plane B) to perform 3-D cardiac acquisition simultaneously. Plane A acquires data from 0° to 180° while Plane B acquires data from 180° to 360°, merging their capabilities to achieve complete angular coverage in a single rotation cycle, thereby reducing acquisition time while maintaining system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the 360° acquisition task into two distinct angular ranges: Plane A handles the first half (0°-180°) and Plane B handles the second half (180°-360°). This segmentation allows both planes to operate simultaneously without interference, effectively doubling the data collection rate and reducing total acquisition time.
2Measurement precision
If four rotation runs are performed to ensure complete coverage, then image quality is improved, but acquisition time increases and patient stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of four sequential rotation runs into a single simultaneous acquisition by employing two C-arm planes that rotate together. Plane A and Plane B each perform one rotation run covering complementary angular ranges, achieving complete 360° coverage in the time it would previously require four separate runs, thus reducing acquisition time while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous data acquisition by having both C-arm planes rotate simultaneously and continuously through their respective angular ranges. This eliminates the interruptions and sequential waits inherent in four separate rotation runs, maintaining uninterrupted useful action throughout the acquisition process and significantly reducing total time.
3Area of stationary object
If the C-arm plane is accelerated and braked multiple times for four rotation runs, then complete angular coverage is achieved, but delays increase and contrast medium injection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges four separate acceleration-braking cycles into a single simultaneous rotation cycle by using two C-arm planes. Each plane undergoes one acceleration-braking cycle covering its designated angular range, eliminating the repeated delays associated with four separate cycles. This reduces total delay time while achieving complete angular coverage.
4Device complexity
If only one C-arm plane is used in biplane systems, then device complexity is reduced, but acquisition efficiency decreases and acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges both C-arm planes (Plane A and Plane B) into the acquisition process, utilizing their combined capabilities to double the data collection efficiency. Plane A and Plane B simultaneously acquire data from complementary angular ranges, effectively doubling the acquisition efficiency compared to using a single plane, while the biplane system's inherent redundancy provides robustness.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for collecting three-dimensional data of an object from a series of projection images recorded by a biplane C-arm system is provided. A cardiac activity is recorded. The cardiac frequency and a start cardiac phase are determined for calculating parameters of the C-arm planes. The C-arm planes are set with the parameters and data is acquired in the start cardiac phase. The C-arm planes are uniformly rotated at a same speed in a forward motion over an angular area and record data at different angular areas at different cardiac phases. Data is acquired in the start cardiac phase after termination of the forward motion. The C-arm planes are uniformly rotated at a same speed in a backward motion over an angular area and records data at different angular areas at different cardiac phases. The captured data are reconstructed after termination of the backward motion upon completed acquisition.