Radiographic Imaging Apparatus Positional Displacement Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Radiographic imaging apparatuses face challenges in accurately superimposing contrast agent images onto moving blood vessels due to positional displacement during X-ray fluoroscopic imaging, particularly in procedures like PCI where blood vessels move periodically due to heartbeat or respiration.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus generates two-dimensional projection images from stereoscopic images collected at multiple points with a contrast agent, and associates these images with fluoroscopic images to suppress displacement by using post-removal projection images that match the fluoroscopic images, ensuring accurate superimposition even with periodically moving regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a stereoscopic image is acquired in advance before fluoroscopic imaging, then the contrast agent image can be superimposed on the fluoroscopic image, but positional displacement occurs between the contrast agent image and the actual blood vessel due to periodic movement of the blood vessel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracy of contrast agent imageVSAvoidtime delay between stereoscopic image acquisition and fluoroscopic imaging

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the projection image selection adaptive to the temporal characteristics of blood vessel movement. Instead of using a fixed pre-acquired stereoscopic image, the system dynamically selects the most appropriate projection image from multiple time points based on the fluoroscopic image being displayed, thereby adapting to the periodic movement of blood vessels and minimizing positional displacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously comparing the fluoroscopic image with multiple projection images acquired at different time points, and selectively displaying the projection image that best matches the current state of the blood vessel. This feedback mechanism ensures that the superimposed contrast agent image remains accurately positioned despite temporal delays and periodic movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If multiple projection images are generated from stereoscopic images at multiple time points, then the displacement can be reduced by selecting the best matching image, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracy of contrast agent imageVSAvoidcomplexity of image processing and selection system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by generating projection images at multiple discrete time points rather than continuously, and selectively using only the most relevant projection image for each fluoroscopic frame. This approach achieves the benefit of reduced displacement while avoiding the excessive complexity of real-time continuous image generation and processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of manufacture

If the stereoscopic image is acquired at an arbitrary point of time, then the imaging process is simple, but the image of the contrast agent may be displaced from the actual blood vessel position during periodic movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of imaging processVSAvoidaccuracy of contrast agent positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary action by acquiring multiple projection images at different time points before fluoroscopic imaging begins. This allows the system to have a library of pre-acquired images to choose from, ensuring that when fluoroscopic imaging occurs, the most appropriate matching projection image is already available, thus maintaining both simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach effectively reduces positional displacement between actual blood vessels and superimposed contrast agent images, enabling precise imaging during procedures involving moving blood vessels, such as PCI, by generating and superimposing projection images that closely match fluoroscopic images.

Implementation Method 1

an irradiation unit configured to irradiate a subject with radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray radiation: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

a detection unit configured to detect the radiation which has transmitted through the subject

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11653888B2Radiographic imaging apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

This radiographic imaging apparatus (100) is provided with a control unit (5) configured to associate a projection image (70) in which at least a part of a post-removal projection image (70a) in which a contrast agent image (Ba) has been removed and at least a part of a fluoroscopic image (20) are most similar.