Bone Mineral Density Analysis Voltage Deviation Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone mineral density analysis methods using digital image processing are prone to errors due to variations in tube voltage, which can lead to unreliable results, especially when the effective tube voltage differs from the set normal voltage, and the use of expensive voltmeters is not feasible for all medical institutions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves projecting radiation onto a bone portion and a reference substance with varying radiation transmission characteristics, capturing images under different conditions and voltages, and correcting the image signals to account for deviations from the normal state or voltage, ensuring universal bone mineral density analysis results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tube voltage of the radiation tube is set to a specific normal tube voltage to obtain universal analysis results, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because the actual effective tube voltage may differ from the normal tube voltage due to temporal changes in radiation tube characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by capturing a radiation image of the reference substance at the normal tube voltage before capturing the bone portion image. This pre-captured reference image serves as a baseline for comparison, allowing the system to detect and correct voltage deviations without requiring real-time voltage measurement or adjustment during the actual bone density analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by comparing the radiation image of the reference substance captured at the actual tube voltage with the reference image captured at normal voltage. Based on this comparison, the system calculates a correction value and applies it to the bone mineral density measurement results, thereby compensating for voltage deviations and maintaining measurement reliability
2Reliability
If a tube voltmeter is used to measure and calibrate the tube voltage to prevent deviations, then the reliability is improved, but the cost increases significantly making it undesirable for permanent provision in medical institutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a radiation image of the reference substance as a copy or proxy for direct voltage measurement. Instead of using expensive physical voltage measurement devices, the system creates an indirect representation of tube voltage conditions through the radiation transmission characteristics of the reference substance, which can then be used for calibration and correction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, permanent measurement equipment (tube voltmeter) with a inexpensive, consumable approach using standard radiation images of a reference substance. These reference images can be captured using the existing imaging system without requiring additional costly hardware, making the solution economically viable for routine use in medical institutions
3Productivity
If the tube voltage varies when capturing radiation images, then the productivity is improved by allowing flexible operation, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates because the analysis may indicate erroneous results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses parameter changes by detecting variations in tube voltage through comparison of reference substance images and applying correction values to compensate for these changes. This allows the system to maintain measurement precision despite fluctuations in operating parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary capture and analysis of the reference substance image at the actual tube voltage before proceeding to bone density measurement. This preliminary action establishes the baseline for correction, enabling subsequent measurements to be adjusted for voltage variations without interrupting the workflow
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for accurate and reliable bone mineral density analysis regardless of deviations in image capturing conditions or tube voltage, providing consistent results similar to those obtained under normal conditions, without the need for expensive voltmeters.
Implementation Method 1
radiation generated from a radiation tube is projected simultaneously onto an analysis target bone portion and a reference substance... by detecting radiation transmitted through the bone portion and reference substance with an X-ray film or the like
Data Source
AI summary
From radiation images obtained by driving radiation tube with a plurality of tube voltages, including a normal tube voltage, a density gradient with respect to at least two sections of a reference substance having different radiation transmission characteristics is obtained for each of the plurality of tube voltages prior to obtaining a bone mineral density. If a radiation image captured for obtaining a bone mineral density is determined to have been captured under a tube voltage other than the normal tube voltage, an image signal representing the image and/or a bone mineral density analysis result is corrected so as to correspond to that which should have been obtained if the image had been captured under the normal tube voltage based on the relationship between the density gradient in the image and the density gradient in the radiation image captured under the normal tube voltage.