Ionizing Radiation Source Configuration Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing radiation exposure in medical operating rooms during interventional procedures are inefficient, as they rely on lengthy computations that cannot provide real-time data on radiation hazards, failing to account for practitioner exposure and image quality simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A method that pre-calculates radiation maps for different source configurations, allowing for real-time determination of settings that minimize radiation dose for both patients and practitioners while maintaining image quality, by tracking positions and environmental changes, and using pre-computed scatter maps to optimize configuration settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Monte Carlo calculations are used to estimate radiation hazard distribution, then reliable spatial distribution information is obtained, but computation time becomes excessively long (several minutes to hours)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates radiation hazard maps for multiple possible source configurations before the interventional procedure begins. These pre-computed maps store the radiation hazard distribution for each configuration, eliminating the need for lengthy Monte Carlo calculations during the procedure. When the source configuration changes, the system simply retrieves the corresponding pre-computed map, providing instant radiation hazard information without interrupting the procedure.
2Manufacturing precision
If the source of ionizing radiation is moved to provide images from different projection angles, then satisfactory imagery of target anatomical structures is achieved, but radiation dose absorbed by practitioners increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors the source configuration and retrieves the corresponding pre-computed radiation hazard map. This real-time feedback information is provided to practitioners, enabling them to adjust their positions and movements to minimize radiation exposure while maintaining necessary image acquisition. The system creates a closed-loop control where radiation hazard information guides practitioner behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides spatially-resolved radiation hazard information specific to different locations in the medical operating room. Instead of a single average dose value, practitioners receive information about radiation hazard at specific positions, enabling them to identify safe zones and adjust their positioning to minimize exposure while maintaining proximity to the patient when necessary for the procedure.
3Productivity
If real-time radiation hazard information is provided to practitioners, then radiation exposure can be minimized, but computation speed must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs all computationally intensive Monte Carlo calculations in advance, before the interventional procedure begins. Multiple radiation hazard maps corresponding to different source configurations are pre-computed and stored. During the procedure, the system only needs to retrieve the appropriate pre-computed map based on the current source configuration, providing real-time radiation hazard information without requiring additional computation time that would interrupt the procedure.
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 significantly reduces radiation doses absorbed by practitioners and patients in real-time, ensuring effective dose reduction and maintaining image quality during interventional procedures without interrupting the procedure.
Implementation Method 1
a source of ionizing radiation which exposes both the patient and practitioners evolving in a medical operating room to hazardous radiation doses
Implementation Method 2
exposure to ionizing radiation scattered by the environment in the medical operating room
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a configuration setting of a source of ionizing radiation reducing a radiation dose absorbed by a patient and a practitioner in a medical operating room during a procedure. Prior to the procedure a database of maps of simulated propagation and scattering of ionizing radiation in a model of the medical operating room is obtained for different configuration settings. During the procedure, a position of the practitioner is determined. After determining a set of configuration settings of the source enabling the production of an image of a target anatomical structure a radiation dose absorbed by the patient and the practitioner is determined using the maps from the database. A recommended configuration setting for which a combined radiation dose is reduced is then outputted.