Optical-Radiography Image Overlay for Precise Subject Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiography technologies face challenges in obtaining high-quality radiation images due to inadequate registration and positioning of the radiation source, detector, and subject, particularly when these components are movable, and there is a need for precise subject posture alignment.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that utilizes optical imaging to extract feature points from a subject, specify a target imaging region, and generate a superimposed image for alignment, with warnings for misalignment or improper positioning, using a trained model for enhanced registration and positioning accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If optical imaging is used to guide positioning, then positioning support is improved, but registration accuracy between radiation source, detector, and subject deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning supportVSAvoidregistration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a superimposed image as an intermediary that combines the optical image with the radiation image. This superimposed image serves as a mediator that allows operators to visually align the radiation imaging field with the anatomical target by overlaying reference markers from the optical image onto the radiation image, thereby improving registration accuracy while maintaining ease of positioning support

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the optical image and superimposes it onto the radiation image. By copying the optical image features and overlaying them with the radiation image, the system enables precise registration without requiring direct mechanical coupling between the optical and radiation systems, thus maintaining both ease of operation and measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If feature points are extracted from optical images, then subject positioning is improved, but alignment accuracy with radiation field deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubject positioningVSAvoidalignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The superimposed image acts as an intermediary that reconciles the feature points extracted from optical images with the radiation field. By overlaying the optical image containing feature points onto the radiation image, the system enables visual verification and adjustment of alignment, thereby maintaining both subject positioning ease and alignment accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If multiple feature points are extracted and analyzed, then positioning accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary extraction of multiple feature points from the optical image before the actual imaging process. By pre-identifying and marking the feature points in advance, the system reduces the processing time during actual operation while maintaining high positioning accuracy through the use of these pre-analyzed feature points in generating the superimposed image

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4670639A1Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP4670639A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4670639A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4670639A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An information processing apparatus including at least one processor, in which the processor is configured to acquire at least one optical image obtained by optical imaging of a subject, extract a feature point of the subject based on the optical image, specify a target imaging region that is a target in a case in which the subject undergoes radiography from a direction substantially the same as an imaging direction of the optical imaging in the optical image, based on the feature point, generate a superimposed image in which the target imaging region is superimposed on the optical image, and perform control of displaying the superimposed image on a display.