Portable Fluoroscopy X-Ray Radiation Field Tracking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Portable digital radiography (DR) detectors used in fluoroscopy face challenges in maintaining regulatory guidelines for beam coverage and perpendicularity, particularly in environments like ICUs where patient movement and alignment issues are common, and there is a need for improved radiation tracking to limit exposure to the patient and medical staff.

Innovation Solution

A method for fluoroscopy using a portable DR detector system that includes defining and monitoring zones within the detector to track the radiation field, with visible collimator illumination guiding source positioning and automatically terminating x-ray emission if the field exceeds predetermined boundaries, ensuring the radiation field is contained within the detector boundaries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If portable DR detectors are used in fluoroscopy, then patient access to imaging services is improved, but radiation field alignment and positioning control deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient access to imaging servicesVSAvoidradiation field alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the radiation field position relative to the detector using sensors and processing circuitry, providing real-time feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of the radiation field to maintain proper alignment with the detector during fluoroscopy procedures, resolving the alignment issues introduced by portable detector usage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical coupling between the radiation source and detector with an electronic control system that uses sensors, processors, and algorithms to maintain proper geometric relationships. This substitution allows the system to achieve precise alignment control through electronic means rather than rigid mechanical connections, enabling portable detector usage while maintaining alignment precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Area of stationary object

If the radiation field is expanded to cover larger areas, then imaging coverage is improved, but radiation exposure to patient and staff increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging coverageVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different quality characteristics to different regions of the radiation field by defining zones (safe zone, warning zone, termination zone) with distinct radiation exposure levels and control requirements. This allows optimized radiation distribution where higher exposure is concentrated only in necessary imaging areas while minimizing exposure in surrounding regions, thus improving coverage efficiency while reducing overall radiation exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If real-time fluoroscopy imaging is performed, then procedural guidance capability is improved, but radiation dosage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedural guidance capabilityVSAvoidradiation dosage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic pulsed fluoroscopy imaging rather than continuous radiation exposure, synchronizing radiation emission with the frame rate requirements of the procedure. This periodic action maintains real-time imaging capability for procedural guidance while significantly reducing cumulative radiation dosage compared to continuous exposure, achieving the balance between productivity and energy loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Adaptability or versatility

If the radiation field position is made adjustable, then positioning flexibility is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sensors and processing circuitry to continuously monitor the actual radiation field position and provides real-time feedback to the control system. This feedback enables dynamic compensation for positioning adjustments, maintaining alignment precision even when the radiation field position is changed to accommodate different imaging requirements, thus resolving the trade-off between flexibility and precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 ensures proper field limitation and alignment, minimizing patient and staff exposure while maintaining regulatory compliance, allowing for safe and effective fluoroscopic imaging in dynamic environments.

Implementation Method 1

visible collimator illumination guiding source positioning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCollimator illumination: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3806743B1Radiation tracking for portable fluoroscopy x-ray imaging system

Publication Date: 2023.05.10 CARESTREAM HEALTH INC

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A method for fluoroscopy energizes a radiation source to form a scout image on a detector and processes the scout image to determine and report a radiation field position with respect to a predetermined zone of the detector. The radiation source is energized for fluoroscopic imaging of a subject when the reported radiation field position is fully within the predetermined zone.