Radiographic Device Sweep Angle Image Sorting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radiography systems require a long time for image examination due to the need to produce and review numerous tomographic images, which wastes time and may lead to incomplete image assessments using reduced sets of projection images, resulting in inferior image quality and uncertainty about the success of image acquisition.

Innovation Solution

A radiography system with a movable radiation source and detector that produces tomographic images by reconstructing radiographic images from multiple angles, utilizing a process sequence controller to prioritize the production and display of a first group of images based on sweep angle parameters, allowing for early determination of image adequacy and reducing the number of images needed for examination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If all tomographic images are produced and examined to ensure accurate determination of image acquisition success, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage examination accuracyVSAvoidimage examination time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complete set of tomographic images into multiple groups based on sweep angle ranges. The controller prioritizes production and presentation of images from the first group (smaller sweep angles) before producing images from subsequent groups (larger sweep angles). This segmentation allows radiologists to perform preliminary image quality assessment using only a subset of images, significantly reducing examination time while maintaining sufficient accuracy for determining image acquisition success.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of time

If the number of tomographic images produced is reduced to save time, then loss of time decreases, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage production timeVSAvoidimage quality assessment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different priorities to different groups of tomographic images based on their sweep angle characteristics. Images in the first group (smaller sweep angles) are produced and made available for examination first, as they provide sufficient quality for preliminary assessment. This localized optimization allows time reduction without sacrificing overall assessment accuracy, since the most critical images are available immediately while other images can be produced asynchronously if needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 enables precise and timely image examination by selecting the minimum required tomographic images for evaluation, ensuring accuracy and reducing the overall time required for image examination while ensuring image quality for diagnosis.

Implementation Method 1

a radiation source (21) for projecting radioactive rays (L2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray radiation: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

a radiographic image detector (22) for detecting radiographic images of the subject by detecting radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadiation detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2979638B1Radiographic device, radiographic method and radiographic control program
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP2979638B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2979638B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2979638B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A radiography system (10) includes an imaging controller (31), a reconstruction processor (44), a process 5sequence controller (45) and a display section (42). The imaging controller (31) controls a radiation source (21) to move in a range of a designated sweep angle and project X-rays at different angles to an imaging subject, while controlling a flat panel detector (22) to acquire a set of projection images. The reconstruction processor (44) uses the set of projection images to produce a plurality of tomographic images for use in diagnosis. The process sequence controller (45) determines a parameter for sorting the plurality of tomographic images into first and second groups according to the sweep angle of the radiation source so as the first group of tomographic images to be produced prior to the second group of tomographic images. The display section (42) displays at least the first group of tomographic images.