Radiographic Image Inspection With Automatic Laterality Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The image inspection step in radiography, which includes tasks such as defective image determination, adjustment of density and contrast, and superimposition of markers indicating imaging direction and laterality, places a significant workload on radiological technicians and doctors, and existing automated systems struggle to accurately determine these without manual comparison and input.
Innovation Solution
An image inspection device that uses a processor to acquire and analyze radiation images, recognize imaging conditions, and automatically superimpose markers indicating imaging direction and laterality, utilizing camera images and imaging menus to enhance accuracy and reduce manual workload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual image inspection is performed by radiological technicians, then accuracy of marker superimposition is maintained, but workload and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-inspection of radiographic images by the processing unit itself. The processing unit automatically determines imaging quality, identifies imaging conditions, and superimposes markers without requiring manual intervention by radiological technicians, thereby reducing workload while maintaining inspection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical inspection process with an automated information processing system. The processing unit uses image processing algorithms to analyze radiographic images, determine imaging quality, and superimpose markers automatically, substituting the manual mechanical operations of technicians with computational processes.
2Productivity
If automated image inspection is implemented, then workload is reduced, but accuracy of determining imaging conditions and superimposing markers decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it determines imaging quality, identifies imaging conditions (such as imaging direction and laterality), and superimposes markers all in one automated process. This multi-functional approach enables comprehensive automatic inspection while maintaining accuracy across different tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where the processing unit analyzes the radiographic image, determines imaging conditions based on the analysis results, and adjusts marker superimposition accordingly. The automated determination process incorporates feedback from image analysis to ensure accurate identification of imaging conditions and appropriate marker placement.
3Measurement precision
If manual comparison with menu or order is required, then accurate marker content determination is achieved, but complexity of the inspection process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing unit performs preliminary automatic determination of imaging conditions directly from the radiographic image before marker superimposition is required. By pre-identifying imaging conditions such as direction and laterality from the image data itself, the system eliminates the need for subsequent manual comparison with menus or orders, simplifying the overall process while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An image inspection device includes a radiation image acquisition unit that acquires a radiation image obtained by imaging a subject using radiation, an imaging condition recognition unit that recognizes an imaging condition relating to an imaging direction and/or laterality of the subject reflected in the radiation image, and a marker superimposition unit that superimposes, on the radiation image, a marker indicating the imaging direction and/or laterality of the subject reflected in the radiation image by using a result of the recognition of the imaging condition recognition unit.