External Raw Scan Data Storage for Retrospective CT Reconstruction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging technologies, such as CT scanners, only temporarily store raw data, making it impossible to perform additional image reconstructions without repeating the scan, which exposes patients to additional radiation and limits diagnostic accuracy and the adoption of new reconstruction algorithms.
Innovation Solution
A system for collecting, storing, and analyzing raw scan data independently of the scanner, allowing for image reconstruction using third-party software and reducing the need for repeat scans by storing raw data in a database for later processing and interpretation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If raw scan data is temporarily stored only on the scanner, then the scanning process is simple and fast, but additional image reconstructions cannot be performed without repeating the scan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts raw scan data from the scanner's temporary storage and transfers it to an external database system. This separation allows the scanner to maintain its simple, fast operation while the external database enables additional reconstructions without requiring repeat scans, thus improving diagnostic accuracy without significantly increasing scanner complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an external database system as an intermediary between the scanner and reconstruction software. This mediator stores raw data permanently and provides it to multiple reconstruction algorithms, enabling retrospective reconstructions without repeating scans while keeping the scanner itself relatively simple
2Adaptability or versatility
If raw scan data is saved for later use, then retrospective reconstructions can be performed, but storage space and data management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The external database system serves multiple functions: storing raw scan data, enabling retrospective reconstructions, supporting multiple reconstruction algorithms, and providing data to different users. This multi-functionality justifies the storage investment by providing versatile access to the data without requiring separate storage systems for each purpose
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by saving raw scan data immediately after acquisition in an external database. This advance preparation ensures data is available for future retrospective reconstructions and algorithm testing without requiring repeat scans, making the additional storage volume worthwhile for long-term research and diagnostic flexibility
3Adaptability or versatility
If only proprietary scanner software is used for reconstruction, then the system is simple to operate, but adoption of new reconstruction algorithms is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts raw scan data from the proprietary scanner environment and places it in an external database accessible to third-party software. This separation allows researchers and developers to create and test new reconstruction algorithms independently without modifying the scanner's proprietary software, thus increasing algorithm diversity while maintaining the original system's ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The external database acts as an intermediary that decouples the scanner's proprietary software from reconstruction algorithms. This mediator allows multiple independent software applications to access the same raw data without interfering with each other or the scanner's operation, enabling algorithm diversity while keeping the scanning process simple and user-friendly
4Measurement precision
If repeat scans are performed to obtain additional reconstructions, then more diagnostic information can be obtained, but patients are exposed to additional radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by permanently storing raw scan data in an external database immediately after acquisition. This advance preparation enables multiple retrospective reconstructions using the same original data, providing enhanced diagnostic precision through different algorithms and parameters without requiring patients to undergo additional radiation exposure from repeat scans
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatus and methods for collecting, storing, processing, reconstructing, and interpreting raw scan data from a medical diagnostic imaging scan. Raw data after a scan such as a Computed Tomography (CT) scan is sent to a raw scan database system and image reconstruction system, where image volumes are reconstructed using software from the software bank and sent to a data management system. Raw scan data generated once by a scanner is continuously used at later times to reconstruct images of the patient without having to perform additional patient scans.