LiDAR-Guided CT Patient Positioning for Self-Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a way to properly position a patient for a CT scan without exposing a technologist to a highly contagious disease, as existing systems require technologist intervention which poses infection risk.
Innovation Solution
A LiDAR scanning system is integrated with a CT imaging system to generate a multi-dimensional avatar of the patient, displayed on a cradle, providing instructions for self-positioning, and guiding the patient to a target position for the scan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a technologist manually positions the patient for the CT scan, then the patient positioning accuracy is improved, but the technologist is exposed to highly contagious diseases
Solution Approach 1:
The patient uses the display device to view their own position and autonomously adjusts their positioning on the table based on visual feedback, eliminating the need for technologist intervention during the positioning process
Solution Approach 2:
A display device acts as an intermediary between the positioning system and the patient, providing visual feedback that guides the patient to the correct position without requiring direct technologist contact
2Measurement precision
If a technologist manually positions the patient for the CT scan, then the patient positioning accuracy is improved, but the workflow efficiency is reduced due to infection control protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patient autonomously performs the positioning task using visual guidance from the display, eliminating the time-consuming steps of technologist approach, contact, and repositioning required by infection control protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time visual feedback that enables the patient to make preliminary positioning adjustments before the scan begins, reducing the need for corrective actions and repeat scans
3Object-affected harmful factors
If automated positioning guidance is provided to the patient, then the technologist exposure risk is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a visual representation (avatar or graphical indicator) of the patient's position and displays it on the screen, allowing the patient to compare their actual position with the target position without complex mechanical intervention systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning assistance with an optical/electronic visualization system that provides guidance through display screens, reducing the need for complex mechanical positioning mechanisms
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
Enables patient self-positioning during CT scans, reducing technologist exposure to contagious diseases and improving workflow efficiency while ensuring accurate alignment for CT imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a light detection and ranging or laser imaging, detection, and ranging (LiDAR) guided patient positioning apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for a lidar guided patient positioning are described. An example imaging system includes a gantry having a bore, a table to move a subject relative to the bore, a radiation source mounted on the gantry and to emit an X-ray beam, and a detector to detect the X-ray beam. The system further includes a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) scanning system to acquire data of the subject. The system further includes processing circuitry to process the LiDAR data to generate a 3D point cloud representing a topography of the subject, estimate a center of a region of interest of the subject, calculate an offset of the center of the region of interest relative to an isocenter of the gantry, and adjust a height of the table based on the offset to align the center of the region of interest with the isocenter of the gantry.