X-ray CT Apparatus High Exposure Area Dose Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray CT apparatuses do not consider skin dose during image capture, leading to additional X-ray exposure in areas with high cumulative exposure doses, which can increase patient radiation risk.
Innovation Solution
The X-ray CT apparatus incorporates a specifying unit to identify high exposure areas and a setting unit to adjust scan conditions, such as tube current and scan range, to minimize X-ray exposure in these areas, either by avoiding direct application of X-rays or reducing the radiation dose relative to other areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the X-ray CT apparatus applies X-rays to image the subject without considering skin dose, then the internal exposure imaging is achieved, but the cumulative skin dose increases in areas already exposed by X-ray diagnostic apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The specifying unit performs preliminary identification of high exposure areas by referencing exposure dose information from the DTS before the X-ray CT imaging process begins. This allows the system to pre-determine which areas require dose reduction, enabling the setting unit to adjust scan conditions in advance to avoid additional exposure in these critical regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The setting unit applies different scan conditions to different regions of the subject based on their exposure status. For high exposure areas identified by the specifying unit, the system reduces tube current or adjusts scan parameters locally, while maintaining standard imaging parameters in other areas. This localized adjustment ensures internal exposure imaging quality is preserved in non-critical areas while protecting high dose regions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the X-ray CT apparatus reduces X-ray exposure in high cumulative dose areas, then patient safety is enhanced, but image quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by selectively reducing X-ray exposure only in high cumulative dose areas identified by the specifying unit, rather than uniformly reducing exposure across the entire imaging field. The setting unit adjusts scan conditions such as tube current or scan range specifically for these critical regions, maintaining full exposure and image quality in areas that do not require dose reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes feedback from the DTS exposure dose information to dynamically adjust scan conditions. The specifying unit continuously references cumulative exposure data to identify areas requiring protection, and the setting unit modifies imaging parameters based on this feedback loop, ensuring that dose reduction does not compromise necessary diagnostic image quality.
3Productivity
If the X-ray CT apparatus uses standard scan conditions without adjustment, then imaging speed and productivity are maintained, but additional harmful radiation is applied to high exposure areas
Solution Approach 1:
The specifying unit performs preliminary identification of high exposure areas using pre-existing DTS exposure dose information before the CT scan begins. This advance identification allows the setting unit to pre-calculate optimized scan conditions that reduce exposure in critical areas while maintaining standard imaging parameters elsewhere, avoiding the need for time-consuming adjustments during the actual imaging process and thus preserving imaging efficiency.
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 effectively reduces additional X-ray exposure in high cumulative dose areas, enhancing patient safety while maintaining image quality by optimizing scan conditions based on exposure dose information.
Implementation Method 1
an X-ray tube for applying X-rays to a subject P
Implementation Method 2
an X-ray detector for detecting X-rays applied from the X-ray tube
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray CT apparatus includes a specifying unit, a setting unit, a controller, and a reconstruction unit. The specifying unit refers to exposure dose information to specify a high exposure area in an imaging area in a subject. The setting unit sets a scan condition under which a cross section of the imaging area can be imaged and under which X-rays are not directly applied to the high exposure area or another scan condition under which a cross section of the imaging area can be imaged and under which an X-ray radiation dose directly applied to the high exposure area is reduced relative to an area other than the high exposure area. The controller collects data of X-rays applied from an X-ray tube and detected by an X-ray detector under the set scan condition. The reconstruction unit reconstructs a tomographic image using the collected data of X-rays.