Medical Imaging Apparatus Patient Entertainment Display
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Long-duration medical imaging processes, such as MRI scanning, can cause patient boredom and movement, leading to image quality degradation due to the prolonged time required.
Innovation Solution
A medical imaging apparatus that includes an image projector and screen unit to provide entertainment content to patients during scanning, allowing for out-of-bore display of images, which can be projected onto a push/pull, rotational, or fixed screen, controlled by sensors to adjust based on patient position and gaze.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If MRI scanning is performed for long duration to obtain high-quality images, then image quality is improved, but patient boredom and movement increase leading to image quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
A display device is introduced as an intermediary element within the MRI system to show images and information to the patient during scanning. This mediator engages the patient's attention, reducing movement and boredom, thereby maintaining image quality without extending scan time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service entertainment by displaying real-time or pre-acquired images to the patient, allowing them to occupy themselves during the scan without requiring additional staff intervention or extending the scanning process.
2Ease of operation
If display device is added to provide entertainment content, then patient boredom is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display device serves multiple functions: it displays real-time MRI images, shows pre-acquired images, provides information about the scanning process, and entertains the patient. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive patient engagement in a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring complex real-time image processing and display systems, the patent utilizes copies of previously acquired images or simplified image representations that can be displayed on relatively simple display devices, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining patient engagement.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
A medical imaging apparatus is provided. The medical imaging apparatus includes a table on which a subject lies and that carries the subject; a gantry that forms an internal space and scans the subject carried into the internal space; a screen unit mounted on the gantry or outside the gantry; and an image projector that projects an image onto the screen unit. In accordance with embodiments of the medical imaging apparatus, various content may be provided for a person subject to scanning to relieve his/her boredom or inconvenience during the scanning process.