Cephalometric X-Ray Imaging Calibration with Pivoting Detector Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray imaging systems, particularly those combining Panoramic, Cephalometric, and Computed Tomography modalities, face challenges in accurate calibration, leading to repeated X-ray exposures and inefficiencies when modifying or supplementing imaging components.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray imaging system with a column, upper shelf, and rotating part that allows controllable pivoting and rotation, along with a Cephalometric patient support, enables precise calibration by determining the position and orientation of components relative to a coordinate frame, using light sources for alignment and capturing image data to adjust detector positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an imaging system is modified or supplemented to allow for multiple types of images, then the versatility of the imaging system is improved, but the calibration accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automated calibration procedures before imaging to pre-determine the positions and orientations of all components. This preliminary calibration action ensures that even though the system supports multiple imaging modalities (Panoramic, Cephalometric, CT), each modality maintains accurate calibration by establishing reference coordinate systems in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses detected positions of calibration objects (such as ear rods, nasion support) to provide feedback for adjusting and refining the calibration parameters. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically correct calibration errors that may arise from adding multiple imaging modalities, thereby maintaining measurement precision while preserving versatility.
2Device complexity
If manual calibration procedures are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically detecting calibration objects and computing component positions without requiring manual intervention. The imaging system itself provides the calibration function, eliminating the need for separate manual calibration procedures. This maintains relatively simple device operation while significantly improving productivity by reducing calibration time and enabling faster transition between imaging modalities.
3Ease of operation
If calibration is not accurate, then the ease of operation is improved, but the harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from accurate calibration data to ensure proper positioning and orientation of imaging components. This feedback mechanism prevents incorrect imaging setups that would require retakes, thereby reducing unnecessary X-ray radiation exposure to patients while maintaining ease of operation through automated calibration processes.
Solution Approach 2:
By performing calibration as a preliminary action before imaging, the system ensures that all subsequent imaging operations are based on accurate reference data. This preliminary calibration prevents operational errors that could lead to repeated exposures, thus reducing harmful radiation factors while keeping the operation simple for the user.
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 system reduces the need for repeated X-ray exposures by ensuring accurate imaging, simplifies workflow, and maintains imaging quality across different modalities through automated calibration and versatile movement mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
The rotating part or another component of the X-ray imaging system includes a source of visible light, for example, a laser, an LED, or other light source
Implementation Method 2
Detection systems, particularly those used in medical applications, direct X-rays through the body part of interest toward an X-ray detector
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for operating an imaging system to perform Cephalometric imaging. The imaging system includes a column, an upper shelf pivotably coupled to the column, a rotating part coupled to the upper shelf and linearly translatable along a length of the upper shelf in a direction radial to the column, a first x-ray source coupled to the rotating part, and an x-ray detector coupled to the rotating part on an opposite side of a first imaging volume from the first x-ray source. A center position of the Cephalometric patient support is determined relative to the imaging system in at least two dimensions by scanning the imaging volume while adjusting a pivot angle of the upper shelf and by scanning the imaging volume while adjusting a linear position of the rotating part along the upper shelf.