Mammography Irradiation-Field Foreign-Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiography systems fail to adequately detect foreign objects within the irradiation region of radiation, necessitating re-capture of radiographic images when subjects move or foreign objects enter the irradiation field, which is not addressed by current techniques.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device and method that utilizes a processor to analyze captured images from a visible light image capture device and a distance image capture device, such as a TOF camera, to detect foreign objects within the irradiation region by analyzing the compression member's image or distance data, and control the emission of radiation based on these analyses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visible light indication is used to show irradiation range, then user can check positioning, but foreign object detection remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection functions (foreign object detection, positioning verification, irradiation range indication) into a single integrated image processing system. The processor analyzes captured images to simultaneously perform all these functions, eliminating the need for separate detection devices and reducing overall system complexity while improving detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The image capture device and processing system serve multiple purposes: capturing visible light images for foreign object detection, verifying subject positioning, indicating irradiation ranges, and providing real-time monitoring. This multi-functional approach replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate devices, resolving the contradiction between detection capability and system complexity.
2Reliability
If manual positioning check is performed, then user can verify irradiation range, but subject movement between checking and imaging causes detection failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs foreign object detection and positioning verification immediately before radiation emission using the same image capture device. By conducting the detection action right at the moment needed (just before imaging), the system ensures that any subject movement occurring between manual checking and actual imaging is detected, thereby improving reliability without adding time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The image capture device continuously monitors the irradiation region from positioning through imaging completion. This continuous monitoring ensures that the detection action is always current, eliminating the vulnerability window where subject movement could occur between separate checking and imaging steps, thus improving reliability without extending total procedure time.
3Measurement precision
If re-capture is performed when foreign object is detected, then imaging accuracy is maintained, but imaging efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs foreign object detection before radiation emission as a preliminary check. By detecting foreign objects in advance using visible light imaging and processing, the system can prevent incorrect imaging before it occurs, maintaining accuracy while avoiding the need for re-capture and thus preserving imaging efficiency.
4Measurement precision
If compression member image is analyzed for foreign object detection, then detection capability is improved, but image processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and analyzes only the compression member image portion from the full captured image for foreign object detection. By isolating and processing only the relevant region (the compression member area) rather than the entire image, the system improves detection precision in the critical area while minimizing processing complexity through region-of-interest analysis.
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
Effectively detects foreign objects in the irradiation region, preventing unnecessary re-imaging by ensuring accurate positioning and emission control, thereby enhancing imaging efficiency and reducing patient exposure.
Implementation Method 1
The distance image capture device may capture the distance image using a time-of-flight (TOF) method
Data Source
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AI summary
A CPU acquires a distance image or a visible light image captured by a TOF camera or a visible light camera that has, as an imageable region, a region including an irradiation region which is a space in which a breast of a subject imaged by a mammography apparatus is irradiated with radiation emitted from a radiation source and detects whether or not a foreign object other than an object to be imaged is present in the irradiation region on the basis of the distance image or the visible light image.