X-ray CT Scan Range Automation with Protocol-Linked Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical image diagnostic devices face challenges in accurately setting the scan range due to variations in reference points between hospitals and operators, leading to increased labor and inaccuracy in X-ray CT apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A medical image diagnostic device with a storage system that links range setting patterns to inspection protocols, allowing for automatic scan range setting based on corresponding inspection targets and margin values, enabling precise adjustment according to individual patient differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automatic scan range setting is implemented using fixed reference points, then automation level increases, but accuracy deteriorates because the fixed reference does not match individual operator or hospital preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static, fixed reference points into dynamic, adjustable reference points. The system allows operators to define custom reference points and scan ranges based on individual preferences and hospital protocols, making the automation adaptable rather than rigid. This resolves the contradiction by enabling high automation while maintaining accuracy through user-configurable parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces parameter changeability to the automatic setting system. Instead of using fixed reference points, the system allows modification of reference point positions, scan range boundaries, and other parameters according to individual operator or hospital requirements. This parameter flexibility enables the system to achieve both high automation and high accuracy by adapting to different usage scenarios.
2Measurement precision
If manual scan range setting is performed by operators, then accuracy can be maintained according to individual preferences, but labor and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by allowing operators to define their preferred reference points and scan ranges in advance during a setup phase. Once defined, these preferences are stored and automatically applied to subsequent examinations, eliminating the need for manual setting during actual operations. This resolves the contradiction by performing the labor-intensive accuracy calibration once beforehand, then achieving high-speed automated execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the scanner automatically retrieves stored operator or hospital preferences and applies them without human intervention during examination. The system serves itself by automatically setting scan ranges based on pre-defined parameters, eliminating repetitive manual labor while maintaining accuracy consistent with individual operator preferences.
3Device complexity
If uniform scan range settings are applied across all operators and hospitals, then system simplicity increases, but adaptability deteriorates because individual preferences cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scan range setting into distinct components: reference point definition, scan range boundary definition, and margin value setting. Each component can be independently configured and stored as a separate parameter set. This segmentation allows the system to maintain overall simplicity through modular architecture while achieving high adaptability by combining different segment values in various configurations according to operator or hospital preferences.
Data Source
AI summary
With regard to a setting reference for X-ray irradiation range and image generation range, which differs by hospital or technician, a structure to automatically set a desired X-ray irradiation range and an image generation range infallibly, is provided. In an X-ray CT apparatus, a scan range automatic setting unit extracts an inspection target as an arbitrary body part designated by an operator before inspection from a positioning image, and generates an extraction region range including it. The operator sets an arbitrary margin value by line operation or numerical input using a GUI with respect to the extraction region range (S104). The scan range automatic setting unit generates and stores a range setting pattern in which the inspection target and the margin value are made to correspond to each other (S105), and links the range setting pattern to an inspection protocol (S106). Then immediately after positioning-image image sensing (S109), the scan range automatic setting unit extracts the inspection target from the positioning image (S112), and automatically sets a scan range, in accordance with the range setting pattern made to correspond to the inspection target and linked to the inspection protocol (S114).