CT Gantry Optical Imaging for Remote Position Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current X-ray CT systems face challenges in accurately aligning the imaged cross-section position without exposing patients to radiation, as users need to physically move between rooms and struggle to visualize the radiation exposure line when the gantry is tilted, making it difficult to ensure sensitive areas are protected.
Innovation Solution
The integration of optical imaging devices C1 and C2, combined with a processor, generates a virtual plane and median line on the couchtop, allowing users to adjust the imaging position and angle remotely using Augmented Reality, ensuring accurate alignment and protection of sensitive tissues while staying in the manipulation room.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an area lighting instrument projects laser light onto the couchtop to indicate imaged cross-section position, then the user can visually check the position without radiation exposure, but the user still needs to physically move from the manipulation room to the examination room to perform position aligning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the imaged cross-section position and projects it onto the couchtop using an area lighting instrument. This virtual image allows the user to see the exact position where radiation will be applied without being exposed to radiation themselves. The virtual plane and median line are generated based on imaging conditions and projected to guide positioning operations remotely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual image as an intermediary between the user and the actual imaged cross-section position. Instead of directly observing or physically positioning at the examination room, the user interacts with the virtual projection on the couchtop, which mediates the positioning task and enables remote operation from the manipulation room.
2Illumination intensity
If the area light projector displays only the surface position on the couchtop, then the projection is simple and clear, but it cannot show the line in the depth direction where radiation exposure occurs when the gantry is tilted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent solves this by projecting not just a simple line but a virtual plane with multiple dimensional information onto the couchtop. The virtual plane includes the imaged cross-section position, the median line indicating the center, and when the gantry is tilted, the radiation exposure line in the depth direction is also projected. This multi-dimensional projection preserves all necessary spatial information while maintaining visual clarity on the two-dimensional couchtop surface.
3Ease of operation
If the user stays in the manipulation room to operate the imaging system, then the user avoids physical movement and radiation exposure, but the user cannot directly observe and adjust the imaging position on the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates accurate virtual copies of the imaging geometry and projects them onto the couchtop. The virtual plane represents the exact imaged cross-section position, and the median line represents the precise center line. These virtual projections allow the user to remotely and accurately align the imaging position by comparing the virtual indicators with the actual patient anatomy visible on the couchtop, achieving measurement precision equivalent to direct observation.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical image diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment includes a gantry and a processor. The gantry includes an imaging system configured to perform an imaging process on a subject by using one of radiation and magnetism. The processor is configured to generate a second image by combining a first image acquired by imaging the subject while using an optical imaging device different from the imaging system, with a plane related to an imaging position in the imaging process using the imaging system.