Patient-Specific Effective Dose Estimation Before Medical Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical imaging methods provide only rough approximations of effective dose, which vary significantly between patients and depend on imaging parameters, failing to account for individual patient sensitivity to ionizing radiation.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for estimating the effective dose of a subject prior to the medical image acquisition, wherein the predetermined subject model is adapted to the subject model is adapted to the current subject using image data, simulating ionizing radiation exposure to estimate the effective dose based on a predetermined subject model, and adjusting imaging parameters to minimize exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a predetermined subject model is adapted to the current subject using image data, then the measurement precision of effective dose estimation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffective dose estimation precisionVSAvoidmodel adaptation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A predetermined subject model is created in advance and stored in a database. Before actual imaging, this pre-prepared model is adapted to the current subject using image data from the imaging device, allowing rapid personalization without complex real-time calculations during the imaging process itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The predetermined subject model serves as a template or copy that can be quickly adapted to represent different subjects. Instead of creating a completely new model for each patient, the system copies and adapts the existing predetermined model using subject-specific image data, reducing computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Object-affected harmful factors

If imaging parameters are adjusted to minimize radiation exposure, then the harmful factors to the subject are reduced, but the image quality may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation exposureVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system estimates the effective dose using the adapted subject model and provides feedback to the operator about the radiation exposure level. This feedback loop allows adjustment of imaging parameters to achieve optimal balance between image quality and radiation dose, rather than using fixed parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables dynamic adjustment of imaging parameters (such as tube current, voltage, exposure time) based on the adapted subject model and estimated effective dose. Parameters are optimized for each subject's anatomy and imaging requirements, allowing lower radiation doses while maintaining adequate image quality through personalized parameter selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4674350A1Method and device for prospective effective dose estimation
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4674350A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4674350A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4674350A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention concerns a method for estimating an effective dose applied to a subject being exposed to ionizing radiation during medical imaging, the method comprising the steps of obtaining image data of the subject arranged for the medical imaging using an image device, adapting a predetermined subject model comprising model subject information to the subject to be exposed to ionizing radiation by a processing unit on the basis of the image data of the subject; estimating the effective dose on the basis of the adapted predetermined subject model and based on received radiation source information with respect to the ionizing radiation the subject should be exposed to, wherein the effective dose is estimated for the current subject prior to the medical image acquisition. The invention further concerns a device for estimating an effective dose and a system comprising such a device.