Peak Skin Dose Estimation Using Flattened Ellipsoid Model
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current x-ray imaging procedures, such as fluoroscopy, face challenges in accurately estimating peak skin dose (PSD) due to manual input requirements and computational complexity, leading to potential skin damage from excessive radiation exposure, especially when actual procedures deviate from expected nominal procedures.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that automatically computes PSD estimates using a flattened ellipsoid skin model and Radiation Dose Structured Report data, accounting for radiation exposure events and patient positioning, to provide immediate post-procedure notifications if the PSD exceeds a threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual input methods are used for PSD estimation, then user control and customization are improved, but accuracy and reliability deteriorate due to human error and deviation from actual procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically retrieves actual procedure data from the imaging device without requiring manual user input. The processor accesses stored procedure information including radiation exposure parameters, patient positioning data, and imaging settings directly from the imaging device's memory, eliminating human error while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses actual procedure data captured during imaging as feedback to compute the PSD estimate. By continuously monitoring and retrieving real-time procedure parameters from the imaging device, the system ensures the estimation reflects the actual performed procedure rather than expected or nominal values
2Measurement precision
If automated PSD computation is implemented, then accuracy and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device is designed to perform multiple functions: acquiring imaging data, storing procedure parameters, and computing PSD estimates. The processor and memory components serve both primary imaging functions and dosimetry calculations, eliminating the need for separate dedicated hardware and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The PSD computation system is merged with the existing imaging device architecture. The processor that controls imaging operations also computes PSD estimates, and the same memory storage is used for both imaging data and dosimetry parameters, integrating multiple functions into a unified system
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive radiation exposure data is collected, then PSD estimation accuracy is improved, but data processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Procedure data including radiation exposure parameters, patient positioning information, and imaging settings are stored in the imaging device memory during the actual procedure execution. This preliminary data collection and organization occurs concurrently with imaging, so when PSD computation is needed, the data is already prepared and readily accessible, minimizing processing time
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises at least one electronic processor programmed to: control an imaging device to perform an imaging procedure on a patient wherein the imaging procedure comprises a plurality of radiation exposure events; automatically construct a data structure which stores information for the radiation exposure events including at least radiation dose information for the radiation exposure events determined during the imaging procedure; compute a peak skin dose (PSD) estimate for the imaging procedure from the information for the radiation exposure events retrieved from the data structure; determine whether the PSD estimate exceeds a PSD threshold; and output a notification if the PSD estimate exceeds the PSD threshold.