Pre-Exposure Dose Control for Radiographic Imaging Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiographic imaging systems often require retaking images due to improper subject positioning during main exposures, leading to unnecessary radiation exposure, as they rely on main exposure images for positioning verification rather than pre-exposure images.

Innovation Solution

A radiographing control apparatus that retrieves pre-exposure image data, analyzes it for proper positioning, calculates the total dose required for diagnostic images, and outputs main exposure conditions to prevent improper exposures, combining pre-exposure and main exposure image data to generate diagnostic images without increasing the overall radiation dose.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If main exposure image is used to check subject positioning, then diagnostic image quality is obtained, but unnecessary radiation exposure occurs due to retaking images when positioning is improper

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a pre-exposure at a lower dose before the main exposure to check subject positioning. The pre-exposure image is displayed to the operator, allowing positioning verification before committing to the higher-dose main exposure. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary main exposures when positioning is improper, thereby reducing radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If pre-exposure image is used for positioning verification, then radiation dose is reduced, but positioning check must be performed before main exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation doseVSAvoidtime for positioning check

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-exposure is performed and the image is automatically displayed in a browsable manner before the main exposure. This allows the operator to verify positioning during the preparation phase without adding significant time to the overall process, as the positioning check is integrated into the workflow before the critical main exposure step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-exposure image serves as an intermediary between positioning verification and main exposure. Instead of directly using the main exposure image for positioning checks (which would require retaking), the system introduces a low-dose pre-exposure image as an intermediate step that enables positioning verification without compromising the main diagnostic image or requiring additional exposures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If pre-exposure is performed before main exposure, then positioning can be verified, but additional exposure step is added to the process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning verificationVSAvoidexposure process steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-exposure serves multiple functions: it provides positioning verification for the operator, establishes baseline image data for comparison, and enables automatic exposure control calculations. By making the pre-exposure multi-functional, the system justifies the additional step as providing multiple benefits rather than merely adding complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-exposure image is displayed to the operator in a browsable manner, providing immediate feedback on positioning quality before the main exposure. This feedback mechanism allows the operator to correct positioning issues before proceeding, ensuring reliable positioning verification while integrating smoothly into the existing workflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 ensures proper subject positioning before main exposures, reducing unnecessary radiation exposure and maintaining image quality by combining image data effectively, thus preventing misalignment and dose increase.

Implementation Method 1

an X-ray flat imaging device that detects X-ray emitted to a detector plane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray detection: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentUS11504084B2Radiographing control apparatus, radiographic imaging apparatus and radiographic imaging system

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

A radiographing control apparatus includes a hardware processor. A radiographic imaging apparatus is exposed to a radiation from an irradiating apparatus through the subject. The hardware processor retrieves pre-exposure image data which the radiographic imaging apparatus generates by performing a pre-exposure to the subject at a pre-exposure dose of less than a dose of a subsequent main exposure, and calculates a total dose required to obtain diagnostic image data to be used for diagnosis. The hardware processor outputs a main exposure dose based on the calculated total dose to the irradiating apparatus and the radiographic imaging apparatus. The hardware processor retrieves main exposure image data which the radiographic imaging apparatus generates by performing the main exposure to the subject at the main exposure dose, and combines the main exposure image data with the pre-exposure image data to generate the diagnostic image data.