Automated Radiography Positioning for Bone Mineral Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
The positioning of a target bone in radiography for diagnosing bone mineral density is heavily dependent on the skill of radiological technicians, leading to inconsistencies and increased burden due to trial and error in aligning the optical axis of the radiation with the target bone.
Innovation Solution
A positioning device and method that utilize a processor to acquire positioning images, specify standard and reference positions, derive relative movement amounts, and control the movement of the radiography apparatus components to accurately align the target bone with the optical axis, ensuring reproducible positioning and accurate bone mineral density measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual positioning by radiological technician is used, then positioning can be performed with simple equipment, but positioning precision and reproducibility deteriorate due to dependency on technician skill
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-positioning by automatically acquiring positioning images, detecting the target bone position, calculating the deviation from the optical axis, and controlling the movement of the imaging table. This eliminates dependency on technician skill while maintaining simple equipment architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning operations with an automated control system that uses image processing and algorithmic calculation to determine positioning adjustments. The processor substitutes for the technician's manual intervention in positioning the target bone.
2Measurement precision
If trial and error positioning is performed to achieve accurate alignment, then positioning precision can be improved, but time consumption and technician burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning by acquiring a positioning image before the actual diagnostic imaging, detecting the target bone position in advance, and calculating the required adjustment. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated trial and error during the main imaging process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback by displaying the calculated deviation amount and movement amount to the technician, allowing verification of the automated positioning calculation. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate alignment while reducing the time and effort required compared to manual trial and error.
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
Enables easy and reproducible positioning of the subject during imaging, reducing the technician's burden and improving the accuracy of bone mineral density follow-up by precisely aligning the target bone with the optical axis, thereby enhancing diagnostic consistency.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation source that irradiates the subject with radiation, at least one radiation detector that is disposed at a position facing the radiation source across the top plate, and derives a radiation image of the subject by detecting the radiation transmitted through the subject
Data Source
AI summary
A processor acquires a positioning image acquired by imaging a subject by a radiography apparatus, specifies a standard position in the positioning image and a reference position in a target structure included in the subject in the positioning image, and derives a relative movement amount of the top plate, the radiation source, and the radiation detector based on a deviation amount of the reference position from the standard position.