Dynamic Medical Imaging Parameter Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical X-ray systems operate with fixed parameter sets, which do not adapt dynamically to movement parameters, leading to inefficient use of radiation dose and image quality during patient movement, particularly in fluoroscopy where minimizing exposure is crucial.

Innovation Solution

A method where movement parameters interact with independent process parameters, such as radiation intensity or zoom factor, to dynamically adjust imaging settings based on movement speed, ensuring optimal exposure and image quality by reducing radiation dose during high-speed movements and increasing it during low-speed positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fixed parameter sets are used for imaging during patient movement, then operational simplicity is maintained, but radiation dose efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidradiation dose efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts imaging parameters based on real-time movement parameters. The control device receives movement data from sensors and automatically modifies process parameters such as radiation intensity, zoom factor, and detector gain without requiring manual intervention, thus maintaining operational simplicity while improving radiation dose efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback loop where sensors continuously monitor movement parameters and feed this information to the control device. The control device then adjusts imaging parameters based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop system that automatically optimizes radiation dose efficiency while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If high radiation intensity is used during patient movement, then image quality is maintained, but radiation exposure to patient and staff increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidradiation exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes imaging parameters dynamically based on movement conditions. During high-speed movement, the control device reduces radiation intensity while simultaneously adjusting other parameters such as detector gain and zoom factor to maintain acceptable image quality, thereby reducing radiation exposure without completely sacrificing diagnostic value

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different imaging parameter settings to different spatial and temporal regions. During movement phases, reduced radiation intensity is applied, while during stationary positioning phases, higher radiation intensity is used to capture detailed images, creating locally optimized quality levels that reduce overall radiation exposure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If high zoom factor is used for detailed imaging, then image detail is improved, but useful field of view decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage detailVSAvoiduseful field of view
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The zoom factor is dynamically adjusted based on movement parameters and anatomical data. During movement, lower zoom factors are used to maintain broader field of view for navigation, while during stationary positioning at critical anatomical locations, the system automatically increases zoom factor to capture detailed images of specific structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If manual table movement is allowed with high speed, then positioning efficiency is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning efficiencyVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the relationship between movement speed and braking force based on current operational context. During rapid repositioning phases, higher speeds are permitted with reduced braking for efficiency, while during final positioning phases, the system automatically reduces speed and increases braking force to achieve precise positioning, thus resolving the contradiction between efficiency and precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3437561B1Interacting of operative parameters in a medical system
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
  • EP3437561B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3437561B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The operation of a medical system is to be simplified or improved. To this end, a method for operating the medical system (1, 2) is proposed in which, according to a motion parameter, a patient (3) is moved relative to a component (5) of the system, or the component (5) is moved relative to the patient. There is an automatic interaction between the motion parameter and another process parameter of the medical system (1, 2), such that a value of the process parameter changes dynamically with a value of the motion parameter.