Low-Dose CBCT Scan for Maxillofacial Parameter Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional x-ray imaging methods for the maxillofacial region require manual adjustment of operating parameters, which can lead to unnecessary x-ray doses and inefficiencies, as they rely on predefined patient morphologies and do not adapt effectively to individual patient characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a low-dose x-ray CBCT scan to acquire and reconstruct a CBCT slice of the patient's maxillofacial region, allowing for the determination of optimized operating parameters, including x-ray dose and trajectory, based on individual patient morphology, thereby reducing exposure and improving parameter accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of operating parameters is used based on predefined patient morphologies, then the imaging process is simple to operate, but the x-ray dose cannot be optimized for individual patients leading to unnecessary radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary low-dose CBCT scan to acquire patient morphology information before the main imaging procedure. This preliminary action enables automatic determination of operating parameters, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while optimizing the x-ray dose based on individual patient characteristics such as bone density and anatomical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines operating parameters by analyzing the patient's morphology from the preliminary scan data. The computer processing unit autonomously selects optimal x-ray dose, exposure time, and other parameters based on extracted anatomical features, replacing manual practitioner adjustment with self-service automation.
2Measurement precision
If a high x-ray dose is used for data acquisition, then image quality is improved, but patient radiation exposure increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes x-ray imaging parameters based on patient-specific morphology. By analyzing bone density, anatomical structure, and region of interest from the preliminary scan, the system adjusts x-ray dose, kVp, and mA parameters to achieve optimal image quality with the minimum necessary radiation, rather than using fixed high-dose settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different x-ray dose levels to different regions of the patient's anatomy based on their specific characteristics. Regions with higher bone density or requiring more detail receive appropriately higher doses, while other regions receive lower doses, optimizing the overall radiation exposure while maintaining necessary image quality.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If individualized operating parameters are determined for each patient, then x-ray dose is optimized, but the complexity of the imaging system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the imaging process into distinct phases: a preliminary low-dose CBCT scan for morphology assessment, followed by automatic parameter determination, and finally the main imaging procedure. This segmentation allows the complex parameter optimization to be based on separate preliminary data acquisition, reducing the overall system complexity while achieving individualized dosing.
Solution Approach 2:
The preliminary low-dose CBCT scan serves as an intermediary step that provides the necessary patient morphology information without directly contributing to the final diagnostic images. This intermediary data acquisition enables automatic parameter optimization while keeping the main imaging system relatively simple, as the complexity is confined to the parameter determination algorithm rather than the imaging hardware.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a preliminary low-dose scan is performed to determine operating parameters, then x-ray dose is reduced and parameters are optimized, but the total imaging time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging process is divided into periodic phases: a brief preliminary scan phase for parameter determination, followed by the main imaging phase using optimized parameters. The preliminary phase is kept short and automated to minimize time addition, while enabling significant radiation dose reduction and parameter optimization in the subsequent main imaging phase.
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 reduces x-ray exposure by using a low initial dose for data acquisition, allowing for precise adjustment of operating parameters tailored to the patient's morphology, resulting in optimized imaging with reduced radiation and improved image quality.
Implementation Method 1
x-ray imaging apparatus comprising an x-ray source and at least one x-ray sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a method for obtaining operating parameters for x-ray imaging a patients maxillofacial region, the method comprising: —identifying a patients maxillofacial first region of interest ROI1, —determining a height of a horizontal plane of said patients maxillofacial first region of interest ROI1 when the patient is in an occlusion position or bites a patient positioning accessory, said horizontal plane passing through the teeth and the bones of the jaw, —acquiring through a slit-shaped collimator window a first set of data relative to said patients maxillofacial first region of interest ROI1 including the horizontal plane using x-ray CBCT imaging and a first x-ray dose, said first set of data being suitable for generating a CBCT slice, —reconstructing the CBCT slice comprising the horizontal plane based on the first set of data relative to the patients maxillofacial first region of interest ROI1, —obtaining operating parameters for an x-ray imaging apparatus based on the reconstructed CBCT slice in view of acquiring a second set of data of a patients maxillofacial second region of interest ROI2 using a second x-ray dose, the first x-ray dose being lower than the second x-ray dose.