Graphical Positioning System for X-ray Imaging Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patient positioning in X-ray imaging is challenging for technicians, requiring time and often involving staff movement between the X-ray system and control interface, leading to potential misalignment and unnecessary radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray imaging guiding system that uses graphical positioning information, including a graphical target anatomy representation, adaptable to specific X-ray image acquisitions, projected onto the patient or detector surface, allowing for intuitive alignment of anatomy with the X-ray beam, even from a separate control room, using visible light projections and adaptable display surfaces like e-paper or OLEDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a technician manually positions the patient using traditional light projections and control interfaces in a separate room, then the system can perform basic positioning, but the process becomes time-consuming and prone to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the positioning guidance system with the X-ray detector arrangement by integrating graphical positioning information directly onto the detector surface. This integration eliminates the need for separate control interfaces and allows the technician to view and adjust positioning guidance in real-time at the point of imaging, significantly reducing positioning time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses graphical representations and visual overlays that replicate anatomical structures and positioning guidance on the detector surface. These graphical copies of anatomical information provide intuitive visual feedback to the technician, enabling rapid and accurate positioning without requiring physical measurement or repeated adjustments.
2Ease of operation
If staff members move between the X-ray system and control interface location, then they can access control functions, but this increases the complexity of the workflow and potential for error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control interface and positioning guidance functionality directly at the X-ray detector location. This integration allows the technician to perform all positioning and control functions at a single station, eliminating the need to move between separate rooms and simplifying the overall workflow while reducing potential for error.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional positioning methods are used without adaptive graphical information, then the system remains simple, but it cannot provide intuitive guidance for accurate anatomy alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates graphical copies of anatomical structures and positioning guidance directly on the detector surface. These visual representations provide intuitive guidance that mirrors the actual anatomical structures, enabling precise alignment without requiring complex measurement procedures or extensive training.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color-coded graphical information to indicate different anatomical structures, target zones, and positioning guidance. Color changes and variations in the graphical display provide immediate visual feedback to the technician, enhancing alignment precision through intuitive color-coded guidance rather than complex numerical parameters.
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
Facilitates accurate and efficient patient positioning, reducing unnecessary radiation exposure and improving diagnostic quality by providing intuitive, adaptable, and interactive positioning guidance for both technicians and patients, enabling high throughput in X-ray imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a projection arrangement for visible light projection is provided, and the graphical target anatomy representation is provided as a visible light projection in a projection direction towards the detector arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray imaging guiding system for positioning a region of interest of a patient for X-ray image acquisition includes an X-ray detector arrangement, and graphical positioning information. The graphical positioning information includes a graphical target anatomy representation. The graphical target positioning information is provided in spatial relation with the X-ray detector arrangement. The graphical target anatomy representation indicates a target position of a respective anatomy of the patient for a determined X-ray image acquisition. Further, the graphical positioning information is adaptable in accordance with the determined X-ray image acquisition.