Patient Positioning via Graphic Interface and Camera Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for positioning a patient with respect to the isocenter of a medical imaging scanner are complex and time-consuming, often requiring additional marking units like lasers and involving the patient's movement into and out of the scanner, which can prolong examination time and patient discomfort.

Innovation Solution

A method using a graphic interface with a touch display to acquire and evaluate patient position data, allowing manual gestures to specify the isocenter position within the patient image, potentially eliminating the need for additional marking units and enabling precise positioning outside the scanner, thereby reducing patient exposure time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If additional marking units like laser units are used to mark localization points on the patient, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a camera to capture an image of the patient and displays it on a graphic interface, creating a visual copy of the patient's position. This allows the localization point to be marked on the displayed image rather than physically marking the patient with laser units, thereby maintaining positioning precision while eliminating the need for complex marking hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/optical marking system (laser units) with an electronic display system. The camera captures the patient's position, the computer processes the image data, and the graphic interface displays the localization point, substituting physical marking mechanisms with electronic visualization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If the patient is moved into the patient-receiving region for positioning and marking, then positioning accuracy is improved, but examination time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidexamination time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the positioning operation before the patient is introduced into the patient-receiving region. The camera captures the patient's position on the support device outside the scanner, and the localization point is determined on the displayed image, allowing positioning to be completed in advance without requiring the patient to be inside the scanner

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By creating and manipulating a visual copy of the patient's position through the camera and graphic interface, the system allows positioning operations to be performed externally, eliminating the need to move the patient into the scanner for marking operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If complex marking procedures are performed inside the scanner, then positioning precision is improved, but patient discomfort increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidpatient discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical marking procedures with electronic display and interaction. The localization point is shown on the graphic interface as an overlay on the patient image, and the operator interacts with the display to specify the position, eliminating the need for physical markers or lasers that would require the patient to be inside the scanner

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a visual copy of the patient through camera imaging and display, allowing all positioning interactions to occur externally through the graphic interface, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of requiring the patient to be inside the scanner during positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10216376B2Method for specifying a position of a patient with respect to the isocenter of a medical imaging scanner

Publication Date: 2019.02.26 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

In a method and medical imaging apparatus for specifying a position of a patient with respect to the isocenter of the scanner of the medical imaging apparatus, position data of the patient are acquired before introducing the patient into the patient-receiving region of the scanner and the acquired position data are evaluated with respect to a patient image. The patient image is transferred to a graphic interface, wherein the patient image is displayed. A position of a patient with respect to the isocenter is specified by determining at least one localization point in the patient image via the graphic interface.