Automated Patient Table Positioning Using Anatomical Landmarks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for positioning a patient table relative to medical installations, such as CT scanners or X-ray machines, are imprecise and labor-intensive, requiring manual adjustments and visual monitoring with laser light beams, which can lead to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in radiological examinations.
Innovation Solution
A user interface with a microprocessor that defines and stores reference location information on a patient image, allowing for automated alignment of the patient table with a medical installation's working area, enabling precise and quick positioning by using a positioning system and eliminating the need for manual readjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual positioning with laser light beam localizer is used, then the operator can visually monitor the positioning process, but the positioning precision and speed are insufficient and require manual readjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical positioning system with an automated computer-controlled positioning system. The control unit automatically calculates the required table displacement based on anatomical landmark coordinates and controls the drive unit to move the patient table precisely to the target position, eliminating manual visual monitoring and readjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-positioning by automatically identifying anatomical landmarks, calculating the optimal table position, and executing the movement without operator intervention. The control unit autonomously processes the positioning task using stored anatomical data and positioning algorithms.
2Measurement precision
If manual positioning with visual monitoring is used, then the process is simple to operate, but the positioning accuracy is imprecise and requires iterative adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control unit as an intermediary between the operator and the patient table positioning system. This control unit contains algorithms that process anatomical landmark coordinates, calculate optimal positioning, and control the drive unit, thereby achieving high precision without requiring complex manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification and coordinate measurement of anatomical landmarks before the actual positioning execution. By pre-calculating the required table displacement based on landmark coordinates, the system ensures accurate positioning in a single operation without iterative adjustments.
3Productivity
If automated positioning based on anatomical landmarks is implemented, then positioning speed and precision are improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it identifies anatomical landmarks, calculates their coordinates, determines the optimal patient table position, controls the drive unit movement, and can store positioning data for future use. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single integrated unit.
4Reliability
If reference location information is stored in electronic memory, then the positioning can be reproduced for follow-up examinations, but the system requires additional storage and retrieval functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy of the anatomical landmark coordinates and positioning parameters in electronic memory. This stored data can be retrieved and used to reproduce the exact same patient table position for follow-up examinations, ensuring consistency without requiring physical markers or manual re-measurement.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are described herein for determining anatomical landmarks on a patient by virtue of anatomical landmarks being called up from a database with an anatomical model and being converted into individual body dimensions and an individual position of the patient. As a result, anatomical landmarks may be called up from a database, calculated individually for the patient and used as an item of reference location information. The positioning of the patient table is thus considerably accelerated, wherein the accuracy is also improved. Thus, the item of reference location information may be calculated individually for the same patient in a different position or a different patient with different body dimensions by virtue of this item of reference location information being recalculated by the conversion rule for the respective patient.