Multi-Density Skin Marker for Radiographic Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Radiolucent skin markers fail to register clearly on radiographic images of dense tissue and lack a three-dimensional perspective, making it difficult for radiologists to accurately diagnose and orient images during medical imaging exams.
Innovation Solution
A multi-density radiolucent skin marker with a substrate and imaging body comprising portions of different radiographic densities, created by overlapping or positioning imaging bodies of varying thicknesses and densities, which enhances visibility and adds depth to the image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a radiolucent skin marker is used, then the marker allows radiation to pass through for imaging dense tissue, but the marker fails to register clearly on the radiographic image
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging body is constructed with multiple regions of different radiographic densities. The first portion has a first radiographic density and the second portion has a second radiographic density, creating local variations in radiation attenuation. This allows different parts of the marker to serve different functions: some regions maintain visibility while others allow tissue imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging body combines materials or structures with different radiographic densities into a single composite component. This multi-density construction enables the marker to simultaneously provide visible reference points and allow radiation transmission for imaging the underlying dense tissue.
2Ease of manufacture
If a flat marker with uniform thickness is used, then the marker is simple to manufacture, but the marker fails to provide three-dimensional perspective on the image
Solution Approach 1:
The marker transitions from a two-dimensional flat structure to a three-dimensional structure by varying the thickness of the imaging body. The first and second portions have different thicknesses, creating depth variation that provides three-dimensional perspective information in the radiographic image while maintaining manufacturability through layered construction.
3Measurement precision
If a radiolucent marker is used for dense tissue imaging, then the exposure time must be increased to obtain clear tissue images, but the marker disappears from the resulting image during longer exposure
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the imaging body have different radiographic densities optimized for different functions. The first portion with its specific radiographic density allows sufficient radiation transmission for clear dense tissue imaging during extended exposure, while the second portion with different density maintains marker visibility throughout the exposure duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The marker employs varying radiographic density parameters across different portions of the imaging body. This parameter variation allows the marker to maintain visibility across different exposure durations while enabling clear imaging of dense tissue, resolving the trade-off between exposure time and marker visibility.
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
The multi-density skin marker provides improved visibility on dense tissue images and adds a three-dimensional perspective, ensuring the marker remains visible during longer exposure times and aiding in accurate diagnosis and image orientation.
Implementation Method 1
Materials with high thicknesses and/or high densities are more radiopaque, and produce a brighter, denser radiographic image, than thinner and/or less dense materials.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-density skin marker for medical imaging exams is provided. The skin marker contains a multi-density imaging body. In one embodiment, a multi-density skin marker includes a marker substrate and a multi-density imaging body supported by the marker substrate. The multi-density imaging body comprises a first portion having a first radiographic density and a second portion having a second radiographic density. The two radiographic densities differ, such that a radiographic image of the multi-density skin marker comprises a plurality of shades.