Optical Fiber 3D Positioning for Patient X-Ray Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical imaging systems face challenges in accurately positioning patients relative to the X-ray source and detector, leading to errors in image interpretation and the need for multiple acquisitions, which increases radiation exposure and time consumption.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing optical shape sensing devices with sensors arranged on the patient's body and the imaging apparatus to determine and correct patient posture, ensuring alignment with a predefined target posture before imaging, using optical fibers and gratings to measure shape changes and provide real-time feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If patient positioning is performed manually without real-time feedback, then the imaging process is simple, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates leading to multiple acquisitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback by monitoring patient body part position using sensors (e.g., optical, electromagnetic) and providing immediate feedback to the patient and operator through display interfaces. This enables continuous adjustment of patient posture during the imaging setup phase, ensuring accurate positioning before image acquisition begins, thereby eliminating the need for multiple retakes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning methods with automated sensor-based detection systems. Instead of relying on visual inspection and manual adjustment by technologists, the system uses electronic sensors to automatically detect patient body part positions and provides computational feedback, substituting mechanical intuition with precise electronic measurement and control.
2Reliability
If multiple image acquisitions are performed to correct posture errors, then image quality may improve, but radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary positioning verification before image acquisition by using sensors to detect and verify patient body part positions during the setup phase. This preliminary action ensures that all positioning corrections are made before the first image is taken, eliminating the need for subsequent retakes and associated radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback on patient positioning accuracy before image acquisition, allowing corrections to be made without exposing the patient to radiation. The feedback loop enables positioning optimization in the zero-radiation setup phase, ensuring the first image acquisition is successful and avoiding harmful repeated exposures.
3Measurement precision
If real-time posture monitoring is implemented, then positioning accuracy improves, but system complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming manual measurement and verification procedures with automated sensor-based detection. The electronic sensors continuously monitor patient position and provide immediate digital feedback, eliminating the need for repeated manual measurements and visual inspections by technologists, thereby reducing preparation time while maintaining or improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables patient self-positioning assistance by providing real-time feedback that patients can understand and act upon. The intuitive feedback interface allows patients to adjust their own positions based on visual or auditory cues, reducing the need for extensive manual guidance by technologists and accelerating the positioning process.
4Device complexity
If camera-based detection is used for posture error detection, then the system is simple, but the detection precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces camera-based optical detection with direct contact or proximity sensors (such as electromagnetic sensors, capacitive sensors, or force sensors) that physically or electromagnetically interact with patient body parts. These sensors provide direct measurement of position and orientation with higher precision than indirect optical methods, as they are not affected by lighting conditions, occlusions, or image processing limitations.
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
This system allows for precise patient positioning, reducing the need for retakes, minimizing radiation dose, and improving image quality by ensuring correct patient posture and imaging geometry, thus enhancing diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
shape sensing sensors of an optical shape sensing device... The set of sensors may include one or more cores of optical fibers and/or gratings (such as Fiber Bragg gratings) or other arrangements included in a given optical fiber core, capable of measuring shape changes
Implementation Method 2
The set of sensors may include one or more cores of optical fibers and/or gratings (such as Fiber Bragg gratings) or other arrangements included in a given optical fiber core, capable of measuring shape changes
Data Source
AI summary
A system (SYS) and related method for facilitating medical imaging of a patient by a medical imaging apparatus (IA). The system comprises an input interface (IN) for receiving measurements collected by shape sensing sensors (Sj) of an optical shape sensing device (SSD). The shape sensing sensors (Sj) are arrangeable relative to the patient's body, wherein the measurements are representative of a current posture of the patient's body. A posture determiner (PD) of the system (SYS) computes, based on the measurements, output data representative of whether the patient's body is in a predefined target posture.