Medical Imaging Preparation Guidance for Patient Self-Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of experienced technicians for medical imaging examinations is exacerbated by the difficulty in patient self-preparation, particularly in correctly positioning components like MR coils and achieving the right patient pose, which is challenging even for experts due to visual estimation and reachability issues in typical medical imaging environments.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses patient-related information to guide self-preparation by adapting medical imaging apparatus parameters and providing guidance, utilizing cameras, databases, and algorithms to determine keypoint positions and generate visual instructions for component placement and patient pose.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If patient self-preparation is enabled, then the need for experienced technicians is reduced, but the difficulty of correctly positioning components and achieving proper patient pose increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables patients to independently perform examination preparation tasks including positioning themselves on the patient support, placing MR coils on their bodies, and adjusting components without requiring experienced technicians. The automated guidance system provides real-time feedback to help patients achieve correct positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual estimation and physical adjustment by technicians with an automated optical measurement system using cameras and keypoint detection algorithms. The system automatically determines patient pose, component positions, and provides guidance information, substituting human expertise with computer vision technology.
2Ease of manufacture
If visual estimation is used for component placement, then the process is simple, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual visual estimation with an automated optical measurement system comprising cameras that capture images of the patient and components. Keypoint detection algorithms automatically identify anatomical landmarks and component positions, providing precise measurements without requiring technician expertise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously captures images during the preparation process and provides real-time feedback information to the patient about component positioning accuracy. The guidance information is updated based on detected keypoint positions, allowing iterative adjustment until correct placement is achieved.
3Reliability
If components are placed below the patient's body, then the imaging quality is improved, but the ease of patient self-placement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary automated guidance system that mediates between the patient and the component placement task. The system provides visual guidance information showing the patient exactly where to place components on their body, making the difficult task of placing components below the body feasible for self-preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting patient pose and calculating optimal component positions before the patient actually places the components. The guidance information is prepared in advance based on detected keypoint positions, enabling the patient to correctly place components on their first attempt.
4Productivity
If automated adaptation of imaging parameters is implemented, then the need for experienced technicians is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single automated preparation system: patient pose detection, component position detection, imaging parameter adaptation, and guidance information generation. This multi-functional approach consolidates tasks that would otherwise require separate systems or manual intervention by technicians.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adapts imaging parameters such as field of view, scan range, and protocol settings based on detected patient characteristics and examination requirements. This automated parameter adjustment replaces manual configuration by technicians, reducing the need for experienced staff despite increased system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to device, system and method of preparing a medical imaging examination of a patient. The method comprises obtaining patient-related information related to the medical imaging examination; adapting one or more parameters of the medical imaging examination and/or a medical imaging apparatus used for the medical imaging examination based on the obtained patient-related information; and generating and providing guidance information based on the obtained patient-related information, the guidance information being configured to guide the patient how to prepare for the medical imaging examination.