Radiation Imaging Apparatus Orientation Protocol Mismatch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current X-ray imaging systems face issues with radiologists manually selecting incorrect imaging protocols and annotating orientations, leading to errors in chest X-ray imaging, where the order of imaging directions can be changed and annotation mistakes occur.
Innovation Solution
A radiation imaging apparatus equipped with an orientation determination unit that automatically determines whether the subject orientation is for front or side imaging using visible or range images, and includes a protocol acquisition unit to compare selected protocols with determined orientations, issuing warnings or changing conditions to prevent errors and ensuring accurate annotations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If radiologists manually select imaging protocols from a protocol list, then imaging flexibility and adaptability are improved, but selection errors and annotation mistakes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically determining subject orientation and selecting appropriate imaging protocols without requiring manual radiologist input. The orientation determination unit automatically analyzes subject posture and selects the correct protocol, eliminating human error while maintaining imaging flexibility through automated adaptation to different subject orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by comparing the determined subject orientation with the selected protocol and providing warnings when inconsistencies are detected. This feedback mechanism prevents selection errors by alerting radiologists to mismatched protocols and orientations, thereby improving reliability while preserving the ability to manually adjust when needed.
2Ease of operation
If manual protocol selection is used, then radiologist discretion is maintained, but time consumption increases due to re-selection and re-imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically determining subject orientation and pre-selecting the appropriate imaging protocol before the radiologist needs to make a selection. This preliminary automation eliminates the need for time-consuming re-selection and re-imaging while still allowing radiologist discretion for final approval or adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism warns radiologists of protocol_orientation mismatches before imaging occurs, preventing wasted time on incorrect imaging. This real-time feedback allows radiologists to correct selections immediately rather than discovering errors after imaging, significantly reducing re-imaging time while maintaining operational control.
3Measurement precision
If automatic orientation determination is implemented, then annotation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The orientation determination unit serves multiple functions: it determines subject orientation, selects appropriate imaging protocols, and provides annotation information. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for each task, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving high orientation determination accuracy through a single integrated unit.
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
The apparatus ensures appropriate X-ray imaging by automatically determining subject orientations, preventing erroneous imaging and annotation mistakes, and allowing for consistent protocol selection, thereby improving imaging quality and reducing re-imaging needs.
Implementation Method 1
The X-rays emitted from the X-ray irradiation unit pass through the subject from the back side to the front side of the subject M, and are detected by the X-ray detection unit 33
Data Source
AI summary
A controller (50) is provided with: an orientation determination unit (51) configured to determine an orientation of a subject; a protocol acquisition unit (52); an annotation processing unit (53) configured to perform annotation; a difference determination unit (54) configured to determine whether the currently selected protocol and the orientation of the subject determined by the orientation determination unit (51) are inconsistent with each other; and a warning unit (55) configured to issue a warning and an imaging prohibition unit (56) configured to prohibit imaging when the difference determination unit (54) determines that the currently selected protocol among the protocols acquired by the protocol acquisition unit (52) and the orientation of the subject determined by the orientation determination unit (51) are inconsistent with each other.