CT X-ray Source Periodic Triggering for Arrhythmia Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computed tomography methods, particularly spiral scanning, result in high radiation doses when imaging rapidly moving organs like the heart, especially in arrhythmic patients, as they require continuous X-ray emission and prolonged examination times due to uncertainty in matching heart phases with measurement intervals.
Innovation Solution
A method where the X-ray radiation source is activated only during specific, dynamically determined time intervals based on the organ's movement cycle, with the circumferential ring fixed relative to the body, allowing for reduced radiation exposure by matching measurement time intervals to the structure of the cycle signal, including variability and characteristic features like the R-peak in an EKG.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If spiral scanning is used to image rapidly moving organs, then continuous image data acquisition is achieved, but radiation dose increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The X-ray source is activated periodically only during specific measurement time intervals that correspond to the desired organ phase (e.g., diastole), rather than continuously. This is achieved by triggering the X-ray source based on a cycle signal (such as EKG) and activating it only for limited measurement time intervals, thereby reducing radiation exposure while still capturing the necessary image data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system determines the measurement time intervals in advance based on the organ's movement cycle and the desired phase. By predicting when the organ will be in the optimal phase for imaging and pre-scheduling the measurement intervals, the system ensures that X-ray activation occurs only at the most appropriate moments, avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure.
2Reliability
If measurement time intervals are extended to account for arrhythmia variability, then image quality is maintained, but radiation dose increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the measurement time intervals based on the actual organ movement cycle detected during the examination. By continuously monitoring the cycle signal and adjusting the timing and duration of measurement intervals in real-time, the system maintains optimal image quality even when the organ's rhythm varies, while avoiding fixed extended intervals that would increase radiation dose unnecessarily.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the cycle signal (e.g., EKG) as feedback to determine when to activate the X-ray source. By continuously monitoring the organ's movement cycle and using this information to trigger measurements at the optimal moments, the system ensures image quality is maintained while minimizing radiation exposure to only when necessary.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sequential scanning is used to reduce radiation dose, then radiation exposure is minimized, but examination time increases due to repeated positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines sequential positioning with periodic X-ray activation during each positioning. By fixing the circumferential ring at each position and triggering measurements only during specific time intervals corresponding to the organ's optimal phase, the system reduces radiation dose while maintaining efficient examination timing through synchronized positioning and measurement cycles.
4Loss of information
If continuous X-ray emission is used during spiral scanning, then complete image data is captured, but unnecessary radiation is applied during non-measurement phases
Solution Approach 1:
The X-ray source is activated periodically only during specific measurement time intervals that correspond to the desired organ phase, rather than continuously. This is achieved by triggering the X-ray source based on a cycle signal (such as EKG) and activating it only for limited measurement time intervals, thereby reducing radiation exposure while still capturing the necessary image data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and isolates only the necessary measurement intervals from the continuous X-ray emission timeline. By identifying and selecting specific time windows when image data acquisition is actually needed based on the organ's movement cycle, the system removes unnecessary radiation exposure during other periods while maintaining complete image data capture.
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 significantly reduces radiation doses by ensuring that image data is captured during the optimal heart phase, minimizing unnecessary radiation and examination time, even in arrhythmic patients, while maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
an X-ray radiation source rotates, as described, very quickly along a circumferential ring (normally in a so-called gantry housing) around the body of the patient, and passes radiation through the body during the process. A detector is in each case located opposite the X-ray radiation source and detects the X-rays, which have been attenuated by the body
Data Source
AI summary
A method is described for imaging an organ in a human or animal body via a computed tomography system having an X-ray radiation source which rotates around the body along a circumferential ring. In at least one embodiment, the circumferential ring in each case is fixed in one position for recording of an image data segment on one slice plane during one revolution of the X-ray radiation source relative to the body, and the X-ray radiation source is triggered by a cycle signal which represents a movement cycle of the organ and is activated for a limited measurement time interval. In at least one embodiment, the circumferential ring is moved sequentially to further positions relative to the body between each of the recordings, in order to record image data on further slice planes. In at least one embodiment, the timing and duration of the measurement time interval for an image data segment to be recorded are dynamically matched to a structure of the cycle signal. Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, a control device for a computed tomography system and/or a computed tomography system having a control device such as this are described.