Fluoroscopic Imaging Apparatus with Wide Pre-Image for Slot Positioning

Solution Overview

Problem

In X-ray fluoroscopic imaging, determining the imaging start and end points for long imaging is inefficient due to insufficient information from narrow pre-images, leading to increased time and subject exposure.

Innovation Solution

An X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus with a wider pre-image generation field, allowing for accurate and rapid determination of imaging points by storing coordinate positions and calculating positions for the imaging system, reducing the need for repeated movements and exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the collimator restricts the X-ray beam to a narrow slit shape for strip image acquisition, then the imaging precision in the body axis direction is improved, but the information amount in pre-images is insufficient leading to increased time and exposure for determining imaging start and end points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging precisionVSAvoidtime for determining imaging start and end points

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary imaging with a wide beam width to capture pre-images containing sufficient anatomical information before the actual slot imaging. This preliminary action allows the imaging start and end points to be determined in advance by referring to the pre-images, avoiding repeated movements and reducing the time required for positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The collimator beam width is dynamically adjusted based on the imaging stage: a wide beam width is used during pre-imaging to capture sufficient information for determining imaging range, while a narrow slit shape is used during actual slot imaging for precise strip image acquisition. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between information amount and imaging precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the collimator restricts the X-ray beam to a narrow slit shape, then the strip image quality is improved, but the subject exposure increases due to repeated movements for determining imaging points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrip image qualityVSAvoidsubject exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary imaging with a wide beam width to capture pre-images containing sufficient anatomical information before the actual slot imaging. This preliminary action allows the imaging start and end points to be determined in advance by referring to the pre-images, avoiding repeated movements and reducing the time required for positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The collimator beam width is dynamically adjusted based on the imaging stage: a wide beam width is used during pre-imaging to capture sufficient information for determining imaging range, while a narrow slit shape is used during actual slot imaging for precise strip image acquisition. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between information amount and imaging precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the imaging system moves repeatedly to check pre-images for determining imaging start and end points, then the accuracy of imaging point determination is improved, but the productivity of long image acquisition is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of imaging point determinationVSAvoidproductivity of long image acquisition

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary imaging with a wide beam width to capture pre-images containing sufficient anatomical information before the actual slot imaging. This preliminary action allows the imaging start and end points to be determined in advance by referring to the pre-images, avoiding repeated movements and reducing the time required for positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enables efficient and accurate long image acquisition with reduced subject exposure by enhancing the information available in pre-images and minimizing the distance the imaging system needs to move.

Implementation Method 1

The X-ray detector 105 detects X-rays which are applied to the subject M from the X-ray tube 103 and are transmitted therethrough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray transmission: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

a collimator 107 which restricts X-rays applied from the X-ray tube 103 to a pyramid shape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10251617B2Fluoroscopic imaging apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.04.09 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

An X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus controls movement of shield plates so that a length of a first pre-image in an x direction is larger than a length of a strip image. A capturing position of the first pre-image is adjusted so that an upper end of the first pre-image matches an upper end of a capturing range of a long image. Thus, where a long region is set on the basis of the first pre-image at present, it is possible to check whether a desired X-ray image is included in a strip image. It is possible to correct a position of an imaging system to an appropriate position as an imaging start point by referring to an X-ray image included in the first pre-image having a large amount of information. Therefore, it is possible to acquire a long image appropriate for diagnosis through slot imaging using this apparatus.