Imaging Support Apparatus Cross-Section Reproducibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Diagnostic imaging tests often struggle to reproduce desired cross-sections due to variations in settings between operators, leading to inconsistencies in image quality and speed of diagnosis.

Innovation Solution

An imaging support apparatus that acquires a first and a second image, calculates a correction value to align the second image with the first, and determines reproducibility based on this value, allowing for adjustments to ensure consistent imaging settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual setting by operator is used for imaging, then flexibility in adjusting settings is improved, but reproducibility of imaging cross-section deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in adjusting settingsVSAvoidreproducibility of imaging cross-section

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically determining the imaging cross-section based on previous imaging results and storing it as reference data before actual imaging occurs. This preliminary determination eliminates the need for manual operator settings during follow-up imaging, ensuring reproducible cross-sections while maintaining flexibility through automated adaptation to individual patient anatomy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If protocol-based imaging range setting is used, then imaging speed is improved, but adaptability to individual subject conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging speedVSAvoidadaptability to individual subject conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from previous imaging results to automatically determine the imaging cross-section for current imaging. The imaging support apparatus retrieves stored reference data from prior examinations, compares it with current patient positioning, and automatically adjusts the cross-section settings. This feedback mechanism maintains imaging speed while adapting to individual subject conditions without requiring manual operator intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If follow-up imaging uses varying operator settings, then ease of operation is improved, but image diagnosis quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidimage diagnosis quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging support apparatus performs self-service by automatically determining the imaging cross-section without requiring operator intervention. The system autonomously retrieves reference data from previous imaging, calculates the appropriate cross-section based on current patient positioning, and sets the imaging parameters automatically. This self-service approach ensures consistent image diagnosis quality across different operators while maintaining ease of operation through automated processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250054607A1Imaging support apparatus, imaging support method, and imaging support program

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 CANON KK

AI summary

According to one embodiment, an imaging support apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire a first image and a second image older than the first image. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate a correction value for reproducing the second image. The processing circuitry is configured to determine reproducibility of the second image based on the correction value.