Patient Table Sensor Array for Precise Imaging Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging medical diagnostic equipment struggles to accurately account for patient body posture and dimensions during examinations, leading to imprecise positioning, incorrect diagnoses, and increased radiation exposure due to inadequate consideration of these factors.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a two-dimensional sensor array, including pressure sensors integrated into a mat or the patient table, to determine occupancy distribution and automatically adjust diagnostic equipment based on patient data, ensuring accurate determination of body shape, posture, and weight distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If patient data is manually collected and diagnostic equipment is manually adjusted, then operator flexibility is maintained, but positioning precision and diagnostic accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by equipping the patient table with sensors that automatically detect and record patient body dimensions, weight distribution, and posture before the examination begins. This pre-acquisition of patient data eliminates the need for manual measurement and enables automatic adjustment of diagnostic equipment parameters, thereby improving positioning precision without requiring complex manual intervention during the examination process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automatic adjustment mechanisms that use the collected patient data to autonomously configure diagnostic equipment settings. The computer-controlled system automatically adjusts imaging parameters, table positioning, and radiation dosage based on the detected patient characteristics, reducing reliance on operator skill and experience while maintaining high positioning accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If diagnostic equipment is adjusted based on standard parameters, then procedure simplicity is maintained, but image quality and diagnostic usability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting diagnostic equipment parameters based on detected patient-specific data. The system modifies radiation dosage, imaging resolution, table positioning, and exposure settings according to the patient's actual body dimensions, weight distribution, and posture detected by sensors, thereby optimizing image quality for each individual patient rather than using fixed standard parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through a closed-loop control mechanism where sensors continuously monitor patient position and body characteristics, the computer processes this data to determine optimal examination parameters, and the diagnostic equipment automatically adjusts accordingly. This real-time feedback ensures that imaging parameters remain optimized throughout the examination procedure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If radiation parameters are set without considering patient body dimensions, then setup time is reduced, but patient radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring patient body dimensions, weight distribution, and posture in advance using integrated sensors before the examination begins. This pre-acquisition of anatomical data enables the system to pre-calculate optimal radiation parameters including dosage, beam energy, and exposure duration tailored to the specific patient, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual adjustments and ensuring minimal radiation exposure from the start of the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes radiation parameters based on detected patient characteristics. The computer automatically adjusts radiation dosage, beam energy levels, and exposure timing according to the patient's actual body thickness, density distribution, and posture detected by sensors, thereby optimizing the balance between image quality and radiation protection for each individual examination.
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
This solution enables precise and reliable consideration of patient data, improving image quality and diagnostic usability while minimizing radiation exposure and preventing unnecessary radiation load on the patient.
Implementation Method 1
a first system component comprising binary-occupancy-value-detecting sensors distributed over the table top, particularly in the form of a two-dimensional sensor array, it being provided that each individual sensor at its relevant position on the table top detects the presence of a local occupancy by the patient as an occupancy value
Implementation Method 2
the sensors for detecting the binary occupancy values are provided in the form of optical sensors. Appropriately orienting the field of view of these optical sensors perpendicular to the table top allows the patient's outer contour and body posture on the patient table to be determined from the occupancy distribution ascertained using them
Data Source
AI summary
In order to enable patient data to be reliably taken into account in a simple manner for examination by means of an imaging medical diagnostic equipment of a patient positionable on a table top of a patient table, it is provided according to the invention for an occupancy distribution exerted by the patient on the table top to be ascertained, patient data corresponding to this occupancy distribution, specifically in respect of body dimensions and/or body posture, to be determined, and the diagnostic equipment to be adjusted according to the patient data; to ascertain the occupancy distribution, there is advantageously provided a distribution of pressure sensors.