Cabinet X-ray Superimposition for Specimen Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breast specimen radiography systems face limitations in sensitivity due to dense fibroglandular tissue, leading to potential missed breast cancer diagnoses, and lack a system for real-time camera integration in cabinet x-ray units to facilitate specimen orientation and confirmation.
Innovation Solution
A cabinet x-ray system incorporating an x-ray tube, detector, and real-time camera that captures and superimposes high-definition optical images with x-ray images, allowing for exact orientation and adjustable opacity, enabling improved visualization and confirmation of specimen margins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional breast specimen radiography systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the sensitivity is limited due to dense fibroglandular tissue causing overlapping structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines X-ray imaging and optical imaging systems into a single integrated cabinet unit. The X-ray tube, detector, and optical camera are merged into one device, allowing simultaneous acquisition of both imaging modalities. This resolves the contradiction by improving detection sensitivity through combined imaging while keeping the system structure relatively compact and integrated rather than separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The cabinet x-ray system is designed to perform multiple functions: X-ray imaging, optical imaging, and superimposition of both image types. This multi-functional design improves detection capability by providing complementary imaging modes while consolidating what would otherwise require separate devices into one universal system
2Productivity
If separate X-ray and optical imaging systems are used, then each system can be optimized independently, but the workflow efficiency is reduced due to separate analysis of images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the X-ray image and optical image into a single superimposed display showing both image types simultaneously with corresponding markers. This integration allows clinicians to analyze both imaging modalities together in one view, significantly improving workflow efficiency by eliminating the need to switch between separate systems or mentally correlate findings from separate images
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an image processing and superimposition module that acts as an intermediary between the X-ray and optical imaging systems. This mediator aligns and overlays the two different image types with precise spatial correspondence, enabling efficient comparative analysis while managing the complexity of integrating two distinct imaging modalities
3Measurement precision
If real-time camera integration is added to cabinet x-ray system, then specimen orientation confirmation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The real-time optical camera is integrated into the existing cabinet x-ray structure, merging the optical imaging capability with the radiography system. The camera is positioned within the cabinet to capture specimens from the same perspective as the X-ray imaging, providing accurate orientation confirmation without requiring external or separately positioned equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The optical camera creates a visual copy or representation of the specimen's external appearance and orientation. This optical copy can be directly compared with the X-ray image to confirm specimen positioning and orientation, providing precise measurement information while using a relatively simple camera-based approach rather than complex measurement devices
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
Enhances diagnostic accuracy by providing real-time, high-definition optical and x-ray imaging with exact orientation, reducing the impact of dense breast tissue and improving the detection of breast cancer, while also being applicable for non-destructive testing and pathology.
Implementation Method 1
an x-ray system including an x-ray tube, a detector and a specimen platform
Implementation Method 2
a camera to capture an optical image of the specimen
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to the field of a cabinet x-ray incorporating an x-ray tube, an x-ray detector, and a real-time camera, either High Definition or Standard Resolution, for the production of organic and non-organic images. The computing device receives video data from the real-time camera and the x-ray detector and creates, based on the video data, a superimposed image of the captured x-ray image with the captured real-time image. In particular, the disclosure relates to a system and method with corresponding apparatus for capturing a real-time image simultaneously with the x-ray image allowing a cabinet x-ray unit to display a superimposed image of the two images and optimizes the images to result in a superimposed image with exact orientation of the 2 images and overlaying the 2 images on the display.