C-Arm X-Ray Source Positioning for Lower Clinician Exposure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Medical personnel and patients are exposed to excessive radiation during interventional procedures due to improper orientation of C-arms and protective shields, leading to health issues and musculoskeletal problems, while maintaining clear views of the region of interest is crucial for procedure success.
Innovation Solution
A deep-learning based system that optimizes the position of the X-ray source on a C-arm using viewing angle and radiation exposure data to minimize clinician exposure while maintaining image quality, utilizing a control unit, position sensors, and machine learning algorithms to determine optimal X-ray source positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the C-arm is oriented to provide a clear view of the region of interest, then image quality is improved, but radiation exposure to medical personnel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the C-arm orientation and X-ray source position based on real-time analysis of multiple optimal views, selecting configurations that minimize radiation exposure to medical personnel while maintaining adequate image quality for the region of interest
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the orientation parameters and positional parameters of the C-arm and X-ray source to identify multiple optimal viewing angles, selecting parameters that reduce radiation exposure to personnel while preserving necessary image quality for procedural success
2Object-affected harmful factors
If protective shields are used to reduce radiation exposure, then radiation exposure to medical personnel is reduced, but the shields are cumbersome and heavy causing musculoskeletal problems
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes the need for heavy protective lead jackets by implementing a computational approach that identifies optimal C-arm orientations, eliminating the requirement for personnel to wear cumbersome protective equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical protective system (lead jackets and shields) with a computational and control-based system that optimizes equipment positioning to inherently reduce radiation exposure, eliminating the need for heavy personal protective equipment
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the X-ray source is positioned to minimize radiation exposure to medical personnel, then radiation exposure is reduced, but image quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically evaluates multiple optimal viewing angles and selects configurations that simultaneously satisfy both radiation exposure reduction and image quality requirements, adapting in real-time to procedural needs
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves dual functionality by identifying C-arm orientations that serve both purposes: minimizing radiation exposure to medical personnel and maintaining adequate image quality for viewing the region of interest, making the positioning serve multiple objectives simultaneously
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
Reduces radiation exposure to medical personnel significantly without compromising image quality, allowing for clear views of the region of interest, thus addressing health and musculoskeletal concerns and ensuring effective intervention procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The X-ray source 131 is configured to emit X-ray radiation toward the patient 155
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system and method are provided for reducing exposure to X-ray radiation from an X-ray. The method includes receiving views of a region of interest of a patient from multiple viewing angles corresponding to positions of the X-ray source; calculating view quality scores corresponding to the positions of the X-ray source; estimating radiation patterns of the X-ray radiation corresponding to the positions of the X-ray source; and predicting an optimal position of the X-ray source from the plurality of positions based on the position of the at least one clinician, the plurality of views, the plurality of view quality scores, and the plurality of estimated radiation patterns.