Radiography Positioning via Fluoroscopy and AI Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiography systems lack an efficient method for accurately positioning body regions, leading to suboptimal recordings, increased patient and staff time, additional radiation exposure, and reduced system lifespan due to the subjective nature of positioning assessments.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for radiography systems that utilize fluoroscopy to produce positioning recordings, generate positioning information, and output this information for improved alignment, allowing for automated or assisted correction of positioning before radiography recordings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If subjective assessment by specialist staff is used to evaluate positioning quality, then the method is simple and requires no additional equipment, but positioning accuracy is insufficient leading to suboptimal recordings
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures a fluoroscopy image, processes it through AI algorithms to evaluate positioning quality, and provides feedback to the specialist staff. This closed-loop feedback mechanism transforms subjective assessment into objective, data-driven guidance, improving positioning accuracy without requiring complex manual measurement tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual positioning assessment method (subjective visual evaluation by staff) with an automated image processing and AI-based evaluation system. This substitution eliminates human subjectivity and significantly improves measurement precision while keeping the overall system architecture relatively simple.
2Measurement precision
If multiple recordings are performed to ensure correct positioning, then positioning accuracy can be improved through repositioning, but patient radiation exposure increases and examination time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary fluoroscopy-based positioning assessment before the actual radiography recording. By evaluating positioning quality in advance using low-dose fluoroscopy and AI algorithms, the system identifies and corrects positioning errors before committing to a full radiography exposure, thereby reducing the need for re-takes and minimizing total radiation dose to the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing multiple full-dose radiography recordings to verify positioning, the system uses a partial action approach: a single low-dose fluoroscopy recording is taken for positioning assessment, followed by AI evaluation. This partial assessment prevents the need for excessive full-dose recordings, significantly reducing patient radiation exposure while maintaining positioning accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If multiple recordings are performed due to incorrect positioning, then correct positioning can be achieved, but examination time and staff workload increase
Solution Approach 1:
The AI-based positioning evaluation system provides immediate feedback on positioning quality after each fluoroscopy image is captured. This real-time feedback enables rapid correction of positioning errors before proceeding to radiography recording, eliminating time-wasting trial-and-error approaches and significantly improving examination efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automated positioning evaluation and quality assessment without requiring additional manual intervention from specialist staff. The AI algorithms automatically analyze fluoroscopy images, evaluate positioning accuracy, and provide guidance, allowing the system to serve itself in the positioning assessment task while freeing staff to focus on patient care and procedure execution.
4Measurement precision
If frequent radiography recordings are performed, then positioning issues can be corrected, but the service life of the radiography system is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning verification using fluoroscopy and AI evaluation before executing the actual radiography recording. This preliminary check ensures that positioning is correct prior to exposing the radiography system to frequent operational cycles, thereby reducing the frequency of corrective recordings and extending the service life of the radiography equipment.
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 enhances the accuracy of radiography positioning, reduces the need for re-takes, minimizes radiation exposure, and extends the service life of radiography systems by providing objective and efficient alignment verification.
Implementation Method 1
radiography system being switched into the fluoroscopy mode and the positioning recording being a fluoroscopy recording
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are disclosed for ensuring correct positioning for a radiography recording. The method includes providing an examination request of the body region; pre-positioning the body region in the radiography system for the radiography recording; pre-positioning at least one of a recording unit of the radiography system and an image detector of the radiography system for the radiography recording; producing a positioning recording of the body region via the radiography system, the radiography system being switched into the fluoroscopy mode and the positioning recording being a fluoroscopy recording; producing positioning information from the positioning recording; and outputting the positioning information.