CBCT Imaging System with Low-Dose Pre-Shoot for Maxillofacial ROI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional x-ray CBCT imaging methods for the maxillofacial region often require higher doses due to reliance on average patient settings, leading to increased radiation exposure and reduced positioning accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a low-dose 'pre-shoot' to acquire and reconstruct a CBCT slice of the patient's maxillofacial region of interest, allowing for the definition of a more specific region of interest, which enables the determination of adapted operating parameters for subsequent data acquisition, reducing radiation exposure and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If predefined apparatus settings corresponding to an average patient are used, then the imaging process is simplified and faster, but the patient receives higher x-ray doses due to variation between patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a first low-dose CBCT scan before the main imaging procedure to obtain patient-specific anatomical information. This preliminary scan allows the system to pre-determine accurate positioning parameters and define the region of interest specific to each patient, thereby enabling optimized operating parameters for the subsequent high-quality scan that reduces the overall x-ray dose while maintaining imaging efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by adjusting operating parameters (such as x-ray dose, scan range, and positioning) based on patient-specific anatomical variations detected in the preliminary scan. The system modifies these parameters dynamically for each patient rather than using fixed average settings, thereby reducing unnecessary radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic quality
2Device complexity
If conventional CBCT imaging with average settings is used, then the imaging process is simpler, but the positioning accuracy of patient data volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary low-dose CBCT scan to accurately determine patient-specific positioning parameters before the main imaging procedure. This preliminary action enables precise localization of anatomical structures and definition of the region of interest, thereby achieving high positioning accuracy without requiring complex manual adjustment procedures during the main scan
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the preliminary CBCT scan to create a digital copy or representation of the patient's anatomy, which is then used to determine accurate positioning parameters and define the region of interest. This digital model allows the system to plan and optimize the main imaging procedure with high precision before actual data acquisition, thereby improving positioning accuracy while keeping the process automated
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a first low-dose pre-shoot is performed to define patient-specific region of interest, then x-ray dose is reduced and positioning accuracy is improved, but the imaging process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing a first low-dose CBCT scan before the main imaging procedure to obtain patient-specific anatomical information. This preliminary scan allows the system to pre-determine accurate positioning parameters and define the region of interest specific to each patient, thereby enabling optimized operating parameters for the subsequent high-quality scan that reduces the overall x-ray dose while maintaining imaging efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging process is segmented into distinct phases: a first low-dose preliminary scan phase for obtaining anatomical information and determining positioning parameters, followed by a second main scan phase using optimized parameters. This segmentation allows the system to separate the dose-reduction function (performed at low dose in the first phase) from the diagnostic imaging function (performed in the second phase), thereby achieving both dose reduction and diagnostic quality while automating the process to manage complexity
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 patient x-ray exposure by up to 95% and enhances the accuracy of operating parameters, ensuring more precise and patient-specific imaging without relying on averaged settings.
Implementation Method 1
acquire a first set of data relative to said patient's maxillofacial first region of interest ROI1 including the horizontal plane using x-ray CBCT imaging
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a method for obtaining operating parameters for an x-ray CBCT imaging apparatus in view of acquiring a set of data of a patient's maxillofacial region. The method comprises: identifying a patient's maxillofacial first region of interest (ROI1), determining a height of a horizontal plane of said patient's maxillofacial first region of interest (ROI1) when the patient is in an occlusion position or bites a patient positioning accessory, acquiring through a slit-shaped collimator window a first set of data relative to said patient's maxillofacial first region of interest (ROI1) including the horizontal plane using x-ray CBCT imaging, reconstructing an axial CBCT slice comprising the horizontal plane based on the first set of data relative to the patient's maxillofacial first region of interest (ROI1), displaying the reconstructed axial CBCT slice of the patients maxillofacial first region of interest (ROI1) from the acquired first set of data, defining at least partially a second region of interest (ROI2) based on the displayed reconstructed axial CBCT slice of the patient's maxillofacial first region of interest (ROI1) and intersecting the latter, obtaining operating parameters for an x-ray CBCT imaging apparatus based on at least the defined second region of interest (ROI2) in view of acquiring a second set of data including the defined second region of interest (ROI2).