PET Scanner Variable Overlap Acquisition Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
In PET imaging, existing intermittent movement scan methods cannot differentiate acquisition times between areas requiring high image quality and those that do not, leading to inefficient data acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A medical image diagnostic apparatus that allows for variable overlap of acquisition areas and adjustable acquisition times for each area, enabling tailored image acquisition based on user input and anatomical positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If intermittent movement scan is used with fixed acquisition time settings, then the imaging process is simple to operate, but it is impossible to differentiate acquisition time between areas requiring high image quality and those that do not
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the continuous acquisition area into multiple unit acquisition areas along the long axis direction of the top plate. Each unit acquisition area can be independently assigned an acquisition time, allowing differentiation between areas requiring high image quality and those that do not. This segmentation enables flexible time allocation without increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows different acquisition times to be assigned to different unit acquisition areas based on their specific requirements. Areas requiring high image quality can be assigned longer acquisition times, while less critical areas use shorter times. This local quality approach optimizes image quality where needed without unnecessarily extending the total acquisition time.
2Manufacturing precision
If acquisition time is set for the entire acquisition area, then the operation is simple, but it cannot provide high image quality for specific portions requiring detailed examination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the acquisition area into multiple unit acquisition areas that can be independently configured. This allows the system to provide high image quality for specific portions by assigning longer acquisition times to those areas while maintaining simple operation through automated calculation of total acquisition time and structured interface design.
3Productivity
If unit acquisition areas are arranged without overlap, then the data acquisition is efficient, but the boundary between areas creates image quality discontinuity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies overlapping between adjacent unit acquisition areas to ensure that boundary regions are covered by multiple areas. This merging approach maintains image quality continuity at boundaries while the systematic arrangement of overlapping areas preserves data acquisition efficiency through automated processing.
4Adaptability or versatility
If fixed overlap ratio is used for acquisition areas, then the system configuration is simple, but it cannot accommodate flexible boundary positioning for different imaging requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic overlap ratio system where the overlap between adjacent unit acquisition areas can be adjusted based on specific imaging requirements. This allows flexible boundary positioning for different anatomical regions while the system automatically calculates and configures the optimal overlap ratio, maintaining ease of use despite increased adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, medical image diagnostic apparatus includes a bed, a display, and processing circuitry. The bed movably supports a top plate. The display displays a setting window for setting an acquisition time of PET event data for each acquisition area. The processing circuitry sets an acquisition time for each acquisition area in response to a setting instruction of the acquisition time for each acquisition area. The acquisition area includes a unit acquisition area or a plurality of unit acquisition areas which overlap with each other with variable overlap ratio. The unit acquisition area corresponds to a coverage of a gamma ray detector. The processing circuitry adjusts the overlap ratio of at least one of two neighboring acquisition areas so that the boundary of the neighboring acquisition areas is set to a position designated by a user.