Radiographic Device Position Matching for Faster Re-Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional radiographic devices induce unnecessary radiation exposure during repetitive imaging due to automatic brightness exposure control, especially when repositioning the radiation source and detector for re-imaging the same position.

Innovation Solution

The device stores reference position information and associated radiation output information, allowing for rapid automatic brightness adjustment by matching real-time position information, thereby reducing exposure time and dose.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If automatic brightness exposure control is performed during repositioning radiography, then image quality is maintained, but radiation exposure time increases unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidradiation exposure time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting the C-arm position and retrieving previously stored imaging parameters (kVp, mA, exposure time) before actual radiography occurs. This allows the system to skip the time-consuming automatic brightness adjustment process by pre-loading optimal parameters from the database, thus reducing radiation exposure time while maintaining image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a copy of previously successful imaging parameters and applies them to the current radiography session. By copying the exposure settings, kVp, and mA values from the database that correspond to the detected C-arm position, the system eliminates the need for real-time automatic brightness adjustment, significantly reducing radiation exposure time while preserving image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If conventional automatic brightness exposure control is used during repositioning, then accurate brightness adjustment is achieved, but cumulative radiation dose increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrightness adjustment accuracyVSAvoidcumulative radiation dose
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary retrieval of optimized imaging parameters from the database based on detected C-arm position before initiating radiography. This preliminary action bypasses the iterative automatic brightness adjustment process that exposes the patient to additional radiation, directly applying pre-determined optimal parameters to reduce cumulative radiation dose while maintaining brightness accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the C-arm position detection system to query the database for corresponding imaging parameters. This feedback mechanism ensures that the correct previously optimized parameters are retrieved and applied, maintaining brightness adjustment accuracy while eliminating unnecessary radiation exposure from repeated automatic adjustment attempts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If position information is stored and used for repositioning, then re-imaging accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvere-imaging accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit serves multiple functions: it detects C-arm position, queries the database for imaging parameters, retrieves stored parameters, and controls the radiography system. By making the control unit multi-functional, the system achieves accurate re-imaging through position-based parameter retrieval without adding separate dedicated components, thus improving re-imaging accuracy while minimizing the increase in system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The database acts as an intermediary between the C-arm position detection system and the radiography control system. It stores and retrieves imaging parameters based on position information, mediating the connection between position detection and image acquisition. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture while enabling accurate re-imaging through position-based parameter matching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 significantly reduces radiation exposure to patients and users by minimizing the time required for automatic brightness adjustment to less than 100 msec, enhancing image acquisition speed and reducing cumulative exposure.

Implementation Method 1

Radiographic devices using radiation such as X-rays are imaging devices that radiate radiation onto an affected part of a human or animal body and receive penetrating radiation to acquire an image of the affected part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray radiation: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentEP4268723B1Radiographic device and radiographic method using same
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 DRTECH CORP
  • EP4268723B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4268723B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4268723B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A radiographic device comprises: a radiation emission unit; an image acquisition unit; a support member which supports the radiation emission unit and the image acquisition unit; a drive unit which is capable of driving the support member; a location information detection unit which detects location information indicating the location of one or more of the radiation emission unit and the image acquisition unit; a storage unit which links reference location information, indicating the location of one or more of the radiation emission unit and the image acquisition unit, with corresponding radiation output information of the radiation emission unit, and stores same as positioning information; and a determination control unit which, if the location information detected by the location information detection unit matches with the reference location information of the positioning information, controls the radiation emission unit so that the radiation emission unit emits radiation by operating according to the radiation output information of the corresponding positioning information.