CT Gantry Light Projection for Field of View Positioning

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional computed tomography apparatuses cannot confirm the positional relationship between the imaging region and the field of view in real space, leading to inadequate imaging for large subjects and unnecessary radiation exposure for small subjects.

Innovation Solution

A computed tomography apparatus with a gantry equipped with a light projection part that projects light to indicate the set field of view, allowing the examiner to confirm the positional relationship between the imaging region and the field of view by moving the light emission part to touch the outer circumference of the field of view, ensuring accurate positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the field of view is set to cover the entire imaging region, then imaging coverage is improved, but radiation exposure to unnecessary regions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging coverageVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by projecting light to indicate the field of view before actual radiation imaging is performed. This allows the operator to pre-verify that the imaging region will be properly covered within the field of view, and to adjust settings accordingly to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure to regions outside the imaging area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses light as an intermediary visual indicator to represent the field of view. This light projection serves as a mediator between the operator and the imaging parameters, allowing visual confirmation of the field of view boundaries without actually exposing the subject to radiation, thus enabling precise control to minimize unnecessary radiation exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the field of view is reduced to minimize radiation exposure, then radiation safety is improved, but imaging coverage may become insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation exposureVSAvoidimaging coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by projecting light to indicate the field of view before actual radiation imaging is performed. This allows the operator to pre-verify that the imaging region will be properly covered within the field of view, and to adjust settings accordingly to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure to regions outside the imaging area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses light as an intermediary visual indicator to represent the field of view. This light projection serves as a mediator between the operator and the imaging parameters, allowing visual confirmation of the field of view boundaries without actually exposing the subject to radiation, thus enabling precise control to minimize unnecessary radiation exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If conventional methods are used to determine imaging region position, then operation simplicity is maintained, but positional relationship confirmation between imaging region and field of view becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidpositional relationship information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses light as an intermediary visual indicator to represent the field of view. This light projection serves as a mediator between the operator and the imaging parameters, allowing visual confirmation of the field of view boundaries without actually exposing the subject to radiation, thus enabling precise control to minimize unnecessary radiation exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs light projection to visually indicate the field of view boundaries. By using optical signals (light), the system provides clear visual feedback about the positional relationship between the imaging region and field of view, making the previously invisible parameter information visible and confirmable to the operator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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

Enables precise confirmation of the imaging region within the field of view, preventing under-imaging in large subjects and reducing unnecessary radiation exposure in small subjects by visualizing the field of view in real space.

Implementation Method 1

A light projection part is provided in the gantry. A controller causes light indicating the set field of view to be projected by controlling the light projection part.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS9924872B2Computed tomography apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

A computed tomography apparatus capable of confirming the positional relationship of an imaging region and a field of view in a real space at the time of determining the position of the imaging region. The computed tomography apparatus according to an embodiment comprises a couch that moves a top board on which a subject is placed. A gantry comprises an opening into which a top board is inserted. A light projection part is provided in the gantry. A setting part sets a field of view with respect to the subject. A controller causes light indicating the set field of view to be projected by controlling the light projection part.