Range Imaging Camera for Medical Scanner Motion Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Medical imaging systems face challenges in accurately capturing and compensating for patient movement during scans, particularly respiratory motion, which can degrade scan data and require cumbersome sensors or fiduciary marks for tracking.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a range imaging camera to capture spatial data for controlling a medical imaging scanner, allowing for the detection and quantification of patient movement without additional sensors, and enabling touch-free or gesture-based control of the imaging system, as well as automatic adjustment of scan procedures to compensate for motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors such as strain gauges are placed on the patient's chest to track respiratory motion, then patient motion can be detected and compensated, but the apparatus becomes more complex and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the motion tracking function from the patient's body by using a range imaging camera to capture spatial data of the patient and environment. This eliminates the need for sensors attached to the patient, removing the harmful complexity while preserving motion detection capability through external optical measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The range imaging camera acts as an intermediary between the patient's motion and the control system. Instead of directly measuring physiological parameters with sensors on the patient, the system uses the camera to capture spatial position data, which is then processed to determine respiratory motion and guide scanner adjustments
2Loss of information
If fiduciary marks are used to track patient movement through image comparison, then sequential images can be aligned, but sufficient information for comprehensive motion compensation cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional image comparison of fiduciary marks to three-dimensional spatial data capture using a range imaging camera. This dimensional enhancement provides comprehensive spatial position information of the patient's body parts and surrounding objects, enabling accurate motion tracking without relying on mark comparison
3Reliability
If a patient detection pad or light curtain is used to indicate patient contour, then basic safety detection is provided, but the data is too limited for comprehensive motion control beyond the pad's dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The range imaging camera serves multiple functions: it provides safety detection by tracking patient contour and position, enables comprehensive motion tracking for respiratory compensation, and supports gesture-based operator control. This single device replaces the limited functionality of detection pads and light curtains while extending capabilities to the entire scanner environment
4Ease of operation
If handheld devices are used for operator control, then direct manipulation is possible, but the control method becomes less intuitive and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables gesture-based control where the operator's natural hand movements are directly captured and interpreted by the range imaging camera. This self-service approach allows intuitive control without requiring handheld devices or complex interfaces, as the system responds directly to the operator's gestures in the environment
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 improves the reliability and efficiency of medical imaging by providing accurate motion compensation and intuitive operator control, reducing the need for handheld devices and enhancing the system's ability to detect potential hazards and predict collisions.
Implementation Method 1
a monitoring system including a range imaging camera positioned such that a field of view of the range imaging camera includes the scanner
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a scanner configured to generate scan data of a patient volume or area, a processor configured to implement control operations, the control operations being directed to acquisition of the scan data or to processing of the scan data, and a monitoring system including a range imaging camera positioned for a field of view such that the monitoring system is configured to capture spatial data indicative of movement of an object spaced from the scanner. The processor is configured to implement an adjustment in the control operations based on the spatial data.