X-ray CT Breathing Feedback System for Artifact Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray computed tomographic apparatuses face challenges in stabilizing breathing motion and objectively assessing electrocardiogram capture, leading to suboptimal image quality due to reliance on verbal instructions and lack of real-time feedback on cardiac motion.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a breath detector, regular respiration waveform generator, and display unit to provide subjects with visual and auditory feedback on their breathing patterns, along with a cardiac index calculating unit to objectively assess and display cardiac stability, enhancing breathing stability and reducing artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If spoken instructions are used to stabilize breathing motion, then the operator can communicate with the subject, but the breathing motion cannot be effectively stabilized
Solution Approach 1:
The system displays the subject's actual respiration waveform in real-time, allowing the subject to visually monitor and adjust their breathing. This visual feedback loop enables the subject to self-regulate breathing motion, effectively resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability of breathing stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The subject uses their own respiration waveform as a guide to stabilize their breathing independently. By displaying the detected respiration pattern, the system enables the subject to self-correct breathing motion without relying on external verbal instructions, thereby improving both ease of operation and reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If ECG-gated scanning method is used, then cardiac motion can be synchronized, but the operator cannot check how electrocardiograms are captured
Solution Approach 1:
The system displays the detected ECG waveform and calculated cardiac indexes (such as RR interval) in real-time, providing visual feedback to the operator. This allows verification of proper ECG capture while maintaining cardiac motion synchronization, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the one-dimensional ECG signal into multiple dimensions by calculating and displaying various cardiac indexes (RR interval, heart rate, etc.). This dimensional expansion provides comprehensive verification of ECG capture quality while maintaining the original synchronization function.
3Ease of operation
If voice instructions are provided during examination, then the subject receives guidance, but the subject feels insecure without information about remaining time
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a visual dimension to the audio instructions by displaying examination progress, remaining time, and breathing phase information on the screen. This multi-sensory approach provides comprehensive information feedback that reduces subject anxiety while maintaining guidance effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The examination information is segmented into distinct visual elements (breathing phase indicator, remaining time counter, examination progress bar) that can be independently perceived. This segmentation allows the subject to process information in manageable units, reducing cognitive load and insecurity.
4Ease of operation
If conventional voice instructions are used, then the subject receives breathing guidance, but the subject cannot visually confirm breathing patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dual feedback channels: audio instructions guide the subject on what to do, while the displayed respiration waveform provides visual confirmation of actual breathing patterns. This combined feedback system simultaneously improves ease of operation and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges audio instruction delivery with visual waveform display into a unified guidance system. The breath detector, waveform generator, and display unit work together to provide both verbal guidance and visual verification, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray computed tomographic apparatus includes a gantry 100 including an X-ray tube 101 which generates X-rays and an X-ray detector 103 which detects X-rays transmitted through a subject to be examined, a reconstruction device 114 which generates tomogram data on the basis of an output from the X-ray detector, a breath detector 203 which detects a respiration waveform representing a temporal change in respiration index value associated with the subject, a regular respiration waveform generating unit 207 which generates a respiration waveform with a regular respiration cycle which originates from the detected respiration waveform, and a gantry mount display 201 which displays the generated regular respiration waveform.