Pilot Tone System for X-Ray Motion Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Subject motion during X-ray imaging acquisitions leads to artifacts in medical images, as existing technologies lack effective means to accurately monitor and account for motion in real-time.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray system employing a pilot tone system with radio-frequency signals transmitted and received using transmit and receive coils, allowing for the determination of subject motion by analyzing changes in RF coupling, which can be used to correct image reconstruction and improve image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If subject motion monitoring is not implemented, then the X-ray imaging system operates without additional complexity, but motion artifacts appear in the medical images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the motion monitoring function with the existing X-ray imaging system by integrating a pilot tone system that uses the same radio-frequency coils already present in the system. The pilot tone signal is transmitted through the transmit coil and received by the receive coil, merging motion detection capabilities into the existing imaging infrastructure without adding separate dedicated motion sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The radio-frequency coils in the X-ray system serve dual purposes: they function as imaging coils for acquiring medical imaging data and as pilot tone coils for detecting subject motion. The same hardware components are utilized for both imaging and motion monitoring, making the system multi-functional and avoiding additional dedicated hardware.
2Measurement precision
If a separate single radio frequency source is used for pilot tone generation, then the system structure is simple, but only single-channel pilot tone data is obtained limiting motion detection capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pilot tone system into multiple independent channels, each with its own radio frequency source, transmit coil, and receive coil. This segmentation allows simultaneous transmission of multiple pilot tone signals at different frequencies, enabling independent monitoring of motion in different regions or directions, thereby improving motion detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-channel to multi-channel pilot tone systems, adding the dimension of channel multiplicity. By utilizing multiple radio frequency sources and corresponding coil pairs, the system captures motion information from multiple independent perspectives, enhancing the dimensional richness of motion detection data.
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
Enables accurate monitoring and correction for subject motion, reducing artifacts and enhancing the quality of X-ray images by using pilot tone data to inform image acquisition and reconstruction processes.
Implementation Method 1
a pilot tone signal (a radio frequency signal) is transmitted using a transmit coil and then pilot tone data is received using at least one receive coil
Implementation Method 2
As the subject moves the RF coupling between the transmit coil and the receive coil changes. The change in the RF coupling causes a change in the pilot tone data
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
2019PF00293 32 ABSTRACT: Disclosed is an X-ray system (100, 700) configured for acquiring medical imaging data (134) from a subject (102) at least partially within an imaging zone (105). The X-ray system comprises a memory (128) storing machine executable instructions (130). The X-ray system further comprises a processor (122) configured for controlling the X-ray system. The X-ray system further comprises a pilot tone system (106), wherein the pilot tone 5 system comprises a radio frequency system (108) comprising multiple transmit channel (110) and multiple receive channel (112). The multiple transmit channel is configured for transmitting multiple pilot tone signal (136) via multiple transmit coil (114). The multiple receive channel is configured for receiving pilot tone data (138) via multiple receive coil (116). Execution of the machine executable instructions causes the processor to: transmit 10 (202) the multiple pilot tone signal by controlling the multiple transmit channel; acquire (204) the pilot tone data by controlling the multiple receive channel; and determine (206) a motion state (140, 700, 700', 702, 702') of the subject using the pilot tone data.