Digital Radiograph Marker Overlay System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital X-ray imaging systems face issues with lead markers causing image artifacts and human errors due to remote annotation and inefficient workflow in digital radiography, particularly in tomosynthesis applications.
Innovation Solution
A technique using non-lead markers or tags placed on the image detector that are detectable by the system, allowing automatic digital placement of markers as overlays or annotations, reducing artifacts and minimizing errors by enabling technologists to remain close to the patient during positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lead markers are placed in the field of view to indicate patient positioning, then patient position and image orientation are clearly indicated, but significant ripple artifacts are created that interfere with diagnostic utility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the marker function from the field of view by placing markers on the detector surface outside the exposure field. This removes the harmful radiation interaction while preserving the positioning indication function through digital overlay on the reconstructed image.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the marker indication by detecting the physical marker position on the detector and rendering it as a digital overlay on the reconstructed image. This copy provides the same informational function without the harmful physical presence in the beam path.
2Extent of automation
If technologists use graphical user interface to define patient position remotely, then digital markers can be automatically placed, but incorrect annotations occur due to remote positioning and workflow changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the marker detection system automatically provide position information back to the image reconstruction process. This closed-loop approach eliminates the need for manual annotation and ensures accuracy by using actual detected marker positions rather than remote user input.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting marker positions and placing digital overlays without requiring technologist intervention. The system serves itself by using its own detection capabilities to generate the positioning information, eliminating human error in the annotation process.
3Loss of information
If multiple annotations are added to indicate patient positioning, then comprehensive positioning information is provided, but workflow efficiency decreases and error potential increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple positioning annotations into a single integrated digital overlay system. Instead of adding separate annotations for different positioning aspects, the system combines all marker detection information into unified digital markers that convey complete positioning information in one step, maintaining completeness while improving efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique is disclosed for placing markers on digital radiographic images, such as projection X-ray and tomosynthesis images. A tag encoding data is disposed on or near a component of a radiographic imaging system, such as on a digital detector. The tag is read during an imaging session, and human readable indicia for the marker is generated that can be permanently included in the resulting images or displayed when desired, such as in an overlay.