Radiographic Apparatus Longitudinal Image Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray imaging techniques for long areas, such as in scoliosis or full lower limb radiography, face challenges in maintaining image size consistency due to patient growth or misalignment, leading to errors during comparative observations.
Innovation Solution
A radiographic apparatus with a radiation emitting device and detecting device movable parallel to each other, incorporating an image composing device to set and maintain the length of radiographic images, and an image joining or extending device to adjust for differences in image length, ensuring consistent scaling without expansion or reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If radiographic images are obtained by moving the X-ray tube and X-ray detector parallel to each other along the body axis, then a long X-ray image covering a large area can be obtained, but the image size changes due to patient growth or misalignment, making comparative observation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by setting a reference image before patient treatment and using it to guide subsequent imaging. The reference image is obtained first, then the imaging conditions are adjusted based on this reference to ensure consistent sizing in follow-up examinations, preventing size variation before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes imaging parameters (such as tube-to-detector distance, magnification factors, or positioning) to maintain consistent image size across different examination sessions. By adjusting these parameters based on the reference image, the system compensates for patient growth or positioning variations while preserving the ability to capture large areas
2Area of stationary object
If the size of the radiographic image is adjusted to accommodate patient growth or repositioning, then the entire area of interest can be captured, but the scale of the site of concern changes, inducing errors in comparative analysis
Solution Approach 1:
A reference image is captured beforehand that includes the site of concern at a known scale. This reference serves as a baseline for maintaining consistent scaling in subsequent images, allowing accurate comparative measurement even when the overall field of view needs to be adjusted
Solution Approach 2:
The reference image acts as an intermediary between the varying patient anatomy/positioning and the requirement for consistent measurement scale. By using the reference image as a mediator, the system can adjust imaging parameters to capture different areas while maintaining the site of concern at a consistent scale through reference-based normalization
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 ensures that radiographic images are consistently scaled, reducing errors in comparative analysis by compensating for length discrepancies through the use of dummy images or extension, maintaining a constant scale for accurate observation.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation emitting device for emitting radiation toward a patient, and a radiation detecting device for detecting radiation transmitted through the patient
Data Source
AI summary
In a radiographic apparatus of this invention, when obtaining a long image in a longitudinal direction, an image composing unit combines a plurality of radiographic images in the longitudinal direction based on detected radiation, and a setting unit sets a length of a radiographic image to be composed in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, with the setting unit setting the length of the radiographic image to be composed in the longitudinal direction, the length can be set without requiring an expansion or reduction of the radiographic image of a site of concern. The site of concern is constantly maintained on the same scale to reduce the chance of inducing errors.