Orthogonal Multi-Energy Scout Views for Aligned Bone Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiological imaging methods struggle to achieve accurate diagnosis and bone density evaluation simultaneously due to patient movement between scout and scan images, requiring multiple scans with different parameters, leading to suboptimal results and increased radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
A multi-energy scout view is performed using orthogonal radiation sources and detectors, followed by image modulation to combine partial scout views, allowing for accurate diagnosis and bone density evaluation in a single scan with reduced radiation dose.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mono-energy scout view is performed followed by a mono-energy scan image with adapted imaging parameters, then good quality diagnosis image can be obtained, but bone density evaluation cannot be performed accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The scout view is divided into multiple energy portions (first portion below threshold, second portion above threshold) to enable separate analysis for diagnosis and bone density evaluation. This segmentation allows the system to extract different types of information from different energy ranges of the same scout view data.
Solution Approach 2:
The scout view is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides information for diagnosis image quality assessment and enables bone density evaluation. By capturing multi-energy data in a single scout view, the system makes the scout view universal for both diagnostic purposes and bone density measurement without requiring separate scans.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a new scan image with different imaging parameters is performed for bone density evaluation, then bone density can be assessed, but the patient would have moved between scans causing loss of topological correspondence
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-energy scout view is performed in advance to capture all necessary information for both diagnosis and bone density evaluation before the patient moves. This preliminary multi-energy acquisition ensures that topological correspondence is maintained since no additional scans are needed after the patient position changes.
Solution Approach 2:
Both diagnosis information and bone density evaluation information are merged into a single multi-energy scout view acquisition. This combining of multiple functions into one scan eliminates the need for separate scans at different time points, thereby preserving topological correspondence.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple scan images with different parameters are performed for both diagnosis and bone density evaluation, then both can be assessed, but radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-energy scout view is designed to be universal, providing both diagnosis assessment and bone density evaluation in a single acquisition. This eliminates the need for multiple separate scans, thereby reducing the cumulative radiation dose to the patient while maintaining dual functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple imaging functions (diagnosis quality assessment and bone density evaluation) are merged into a single multi-energy scout view scan. This consolidation reduces the total number of scans required, directly lowering the radiation exposure while achieving both diagnostic goals.
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 method enables simultaneous high-quality diagnosis and bone density evaluation with exact topological correspondence, reducing radiation exposure and improving image contrast while maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
Radiological image is preferably X-ray image
Implementation Method 2
at least said frontal radiation detector being a multi-energy counting detector
Data Source
AI summary
A radiological imaging method including at least one operating mode wherein: frontal and lateral multi-energy scout views are made by a preliminary vertical scanning of a standing patient along the vertical scanning direction by: frontal and lateral radiation sources and frontal and lateral radiation detectors. The frontal and lateral radiation detectors give at least: a first frontal scout view corresponding to a low energy frontal scout view, a second frontal scout view corresponding to a high energy frontal scout view, a first lateral scout view corresponding to a low energy lateral scout view, a second lateral scout view corresponding to a high energy lateral scout view, the first frontal and lateral scout views and the second frontal and lateral scout views are combined and processed to evaluate at least: a patient's bone thickness, soft tissue thickness, and specific bone localization at different imaging positions along the vertical scanning direction.