Gravity Axis Overlay in Digital Radiography

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for evaluating the equilibrium position of the human body, particularly the spinal column, face issues with precision and reliability due to mechanical errors from mobile carriages and plumblines, and variable patient positioning, leading to suboptimal radiographic image analysis and diagnostic errors.

Innovation Solution

A system that digitizes radiographic images and generates a digitized image of the global axis of gravity using scanning means and calculation units, eliminating mechanical errors and improving accuracy through calibration sequences and correction parameters, while ensuring the image is produced outside the patient's space and insensitive to patient movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a mobile carriage with vertical plumbline is used to mark the global axis of gravity, then the position can be visualized on the radiographic image, but the precision and reliability are unsatisfactory due to mechanical errors and bulkiness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of global axis of gravity positionVSAvoidcomplexity of mechanical system with mobile carriage and plumbline

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical mobile carriage and plumbline system with an electronic/image processing system. The global axis of gravity position is determined through image processing of the radiographic image and calculated from force plate data, eliminating mechanical components and their associated errors. This substitution resolves the contradiction by improving precision while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy or representation of the global axis of gravity position through image processing techniques. Instead of using a physical plumbline that introduces mechanical errors, the system processes the radiographic image to generate a digital marker indicating the gravity axis position, thereby eliminating mechanical inaccuracies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If a mobile carriage with plumbline is used to indicate the global axis of gravity, then the position can be marked, but errors occur due to plumbline snagging and timing issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of global axis of gravity positionVSAvoiderrors from plumbline snagging and timing issues

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the mechanical plumbline system entirely and replaces it with an image processing approach. The global axis of gravity position is determined by processing the radiographic image and calculating coordinates from force plate data, completely removing sources of mechanical error such as plumbline snagging and timing synchronization issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary computational process between the force measurement and the position marking. Instead of directly using a physical plumbline, the system calculates the global axis of gravity position through image processing algorithms that analyze the radiographic image and force plate data, acting as an intermediary that eliminates direct mechanical contact and associated errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the patient position on the support means is variable and uncontrolled, then the patient can be positioned comfortably, but the readability of the radiographic image is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of patient positioningVSAvoidreadability of radiographic image

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the radiographic image itself is processed to determine the patient's position and the global axis of gravity location. The image processing system provides feedback about the actual patient positioning, allowing the system to accurately mark the gravity axis position regardless of patient comfort adjustments, thereby maintaining measurement precision while preserving ease of positioning.

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

The system significantly enhances the accuracy and reliability of radiographic images, allowing for high-resolution interpretation of the global axis of gravity relative to the patient's skeleton, minimizing errors and improving diagnostic precision.

Implementation Method 1

a source of X-rays, support means for a target plate sensitive to X-rays

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray radiation: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentUS7955279B2Device for evaluating a position of balance for the human body

Publication Date: 2011.06.07 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC

AI summary

According to the invention, the patient (4) is placed upon a patient support (3) between an X-ray source (1) and a support for the target plate (2) sensitive to the X-rays. The patient support (3) is connected to a device for detecting the horizontal position of the global axis of gravity (5) of the patient when the X-ray source (1) is in operation. The patient (4) can, for example, remain standing. The inventive device can superimpose an image (Hg) of the global axis of gravity (5) on the digital radiographic image of the patient (4).