Contrast Imaging Triggering via Density Change Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional contrast imaging with X-ray CT and MRI scanners face challenges in accurately setting the timing for imaging scans due to artifacts and density variations, leading to erroneous triggering and control issues.

Innovation Solution

An image diagnostic apparatus and method that utilize a density change acquisition unit, a trigger generating unit, and a control unit to acquire and process temporal density changes of a contrast agent, applying first and second threshold processes to detect and exclude abnormal data, ensuring accurate timing for imaging scans by distinguishing between contrast agent effects and artifacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If conventional contrast imaging monitors CT value changes within a ROI to decide imaging timing, then the imaging scan can be triggered automatically, but artifacts from X-ray high absorbers cause erroneous triggering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic imaging timing decisionVSAvoidaccuracy of triggering timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the ROI into multiple sub-ROIs and monitors CT value changes in each separately. By segmenting the monitoring region, the system can identify and exclude localized artifact effects from triggering decisions, allowing automatic timing determination while improving reliability against artifact-induced erroneous triggering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing step that analyzes the pattern and magnitude of CT value changes before triggering. This intermediary analysis distinguishes between legitimate contrast agent enhancement and artifact-induced changes, enabling automatic triggering while filtering out false positives from artifacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If contrast imaging is performed based on monitored signal values, then data acquisition timing can be decided automatically, but artifacts raise signal values causing erroneous timing setting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of data acquisition timing decisionVSAvoidaccuracy of signal value monitoring

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different quality criteria to different regions within the ROI. By evaluating signal changes locally in sub-ROIs and comparing them against expected contrast agent enhancement patterns, the system can identify artifact-affected regions and exclude them from triggering decisions, maintaining automatic timing efficiency while improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary analysis of signal value changes to distinguish between contrast agent effects and artifacts before making timing decisions. This preliminary filtering action occurs automatically during the monitoring phase, ensuring that only legitimate contrast enhancement triggers the imaging scan, thereby maintaining productivity while improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If control timing is set based on contrast agent density changes, then imaging modes can be changed appropriately, but artifacts cause erroneous control timing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to change imaging modesVSAvoidaccuracy of control timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic evaluation of density changes by continuously monitoring the rate and pattern of CT value changes over time. By adapting the triggering criteria based on the temporal characteristics of density changes, the system can distinguish between legitimate contrast agent dynamics and static or anomalous artifact patterns, enabling versatile imaging mode changes with reliable control timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9307947B2Image diagnostic apparatus and method of controlling the same

Publication Date: 2016.04.12 TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

An image diagnostic apparatus of an embodiment includes a density change acquisition unit, a trigger generating unit and a control unit. The density change acquisition unit is configured to acquire data corresponding to a temporal change in density of a contrast agent injected into an object. The trigger generating unit is configured to generate a trigger when abnormal data has been detected by a first threshold processing of the data. The trigger is generated by a second threshold processing of data other than the abnormal data. The control unit is configured to perform a control of contrast imaging for the object based on the trigger.