Medical Imaging Subject Tracking with Anatomical Key Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
In medical imaging systems, operators cannot monitor a subject's position or posture in real time within the scan room, leading to delays in starting or stopping scan-related processing and potential safety accidents due to the subject's movements or changes in posture.
Innovation Solution
A subject tracking method using an image capture apparatus to detect anatomical key points in multiple frames of image data, determining the subject's state based on these points, and triggering automated procedures such as positioning, orientation, and occlusion detection to enhance scanning efficiency and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the operator controls the medical imaging system from a separate operating room, then the system operation is simplified and radiation safety is improved, but the operator cannot monitor the subject's position or posture in real time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an image capture apparatus as an intermediary device that captures images of the subject from the scan room and transmits them to the operating room. This mediator enables the operator to monitor the subject's position and posture without requiring physical presence in the scan room, thus maintaining radiation safety while eliminating information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical presence of the operator in the scan room with an automated image capture and transmission system. Instead of the operator physically monitoring the subject, the system uses optical imaging and digital communication to convey subject status information, enabling remote monitoring while improving safety.
2Loss of information
If the operator enters the scan room to monitor the subject, then real-time monitoring is possible, but radiation exposure to the operator increases and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image capture apparatus serves as a mediator that allows the operator to obtain subject position information without entering the radiation field. The apparatus captures images and transmits them through a safe communication channel, eliminating radiation exposure while maintaining information flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the operator's physical presence in the scan room with an automated imaging system. The mechanical action of the operator entering the radiation field is replaced by an optical-electronic system that captures and transmits information remotely, eliminating harmful radiation exposure.
3Reliability
If manual monitoring of subject position is performed, then safety can be maintained, but the response time to detect and respond to subject movements is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The image capture apparatus operates continuously to capture subject position and posture information, eliminating the intermittent nature of manual monitoring. This continuous capture ensures that any subject movement is immediately detected and transmitted, reducing response time while maintaining safety through uninterrupted monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces slow manual visual monitoring with an automated optical imaging system that continuously captures and rapidly transmits images. This substitution eliminates human reaction time delays and provides immediate detection and response capability while maintaining safety standards.
4Loss of information
If an image capture apparatus is added to the system, then real-time monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image capture apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a monitoring device and as a trigger for automated scanning operations. By combining multiple functions into a single apparatus, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automated processing where the image capture apparatus automatically triggers scanning operations based on detected subject movements or position changes. This self-service capability eliminates the need for additional manual control mechanisms, reducing operational complexity while maintaining real-time monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
A subject tracking method for medical imaging is provided. The method includes acquiring a plurality of frames of image data containing a subject, which are captured via an image capture apparatus; detecting information of anatomical key points in each of the plurality of frames of image data; and determining a state of the subject based on the information of the anatomical key points.