Depth-Based Breathing Monitoring for Chest X-Ray Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chest radiography techniques often fail to capture images at full inspiration due to patient non-compliance with breathing instructions, leading to motion blur and degraded image quality.
Innovation Solution
A breathing status determination device that uses a sequence of depth images captured by a sensor to track changes in depth values within specific regions of interest (ROIs) on the patient's body, determining a breathing signal to guide or automate the image acquisition process, without the need for wearable sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the operator gives a breathing command and triggers X-ray image acquisition without visual feedback, then the workflow is simple and quick, but the patient may not fully comply with breathing instructions leading to motion blur and degraded image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a visual feedback system that displays real-time breathing state information to both the operator and patient. Depth sensors continuously monitor breathing motion and provide visual indicators (such as color-coded zones or graphical representations) showing whether the patient is at the optimal breathing state for image acquisition. This feedback loop enables the patient to self-regulate their breathing to achieve the desired state, significantly improving breathing compliance without requiring complex manual intervention.
2Reliability
If the operator waits for the patient to complete breathing instructions before triggering image acquisition, then image quality improves, but the examination time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of the patient's breathing state using depth sensors before the actual image acquisition is triggered. By continuously analyzing breathing motion in real-time and providing visual feedback in advance, the system allows the patient to prepare and reach the optimal breathing state beforehand. This preliminary preparation phase ensures that when the X-ray is actually taken, the patient is already in the correct breathing state, eliminating the need for repeated adjustments and reducing total examination time.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual feedback system enables the patient to self-regulate their breathing based on real-time visual indicators. Instead of requiring the operator to manually guide and adjust each breathing cycle, the patient independently monitors their own breathing state through the visual feedback and makes self-corrections to achieve the optimal state. This self-service approach accelerates the process by eliminating redundant operator-patient interaction cycles while maintaining high image quality standards.
3Measurement precision
If wearable sensors are used to monitor breathing status, then breathing signal accuracy improves, but patient comfort and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical wearable sensors with a non-contact optical measurement system using depth sensors (such as time-of-flight cameras or structured light systems). These sensors capture the three-dimensional shape and motion of the patient's torso and chest wall, extracting breathing signals from the temporal changes in depth values. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact with the patient's body, removing discomfort associated with wearable devices while maintaining high measurement precision through optical field-based detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary optical field (depth sensing technology) that indirectly measures breathing motion without physical contact. Instead of attaching sensors directly to the patient's body, the depth sensors detect changes in the optical path caused by breathing-induced body surface displacement. This intermediary measurement approach preserves patient comfort and dignity while achieving accurate breathing signal extraction through sophisticated image processing and motion analysis algorithms.
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
Improves image quality by ensuring images are taken at optimal breathing states, reducing the need for retakes and enhancing diagnostic accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
an input unit, configured to receive a sequence of depth images that is continuously captured with a sensor having a field of view covering a torso of a patient
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to chest radiography. In order to improve image quality and consistency, there is provided a breathing status determination device, which comprises an input unit, a processing unit, and an output unit. The input unit is configured to receive a sequence of depth images that is continuously captured with a sensor having a field of view covering a torso of a patient positioned for a chest radiography image examination. The processing unit is configured to analyse the received sequence of depth images to determine a change of depth values inside one or more region-of-interests (ROIs) overtime that represents a respiratory motion of the patient, and to determine a breathing signal based on the determined change of depth values inside the one or more ROIs over time. The output unit is configured to provide the determined breathing signal.