Re-imaging Support for Radiographic Joint Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining positioning misalignment in radiographic imaging, particularly at joints like the elbow, knee, and ankle, are not accurate as they only assess misalignment in one direction, leading to incomplete judgment and potential re-imaging errors.
Innovation Solution
A re-imaging determination support device that uses a hardware processor to judge misalignment in two predetermined regions of a radiographic image, employing a learned model to analyze the first and second misalignment, and outputs support information for re-imaging decisions, thereby providing a more accurate assessment of joint positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If only one region is judged for positioning misalignment in joints with high degree of freedom (elbow), then the judgment process is simple, but the accuracy of positioning misalignment judgment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the judgment task into multiple independent region assessments. For the elbow joint, it separately evaluates misalignment in the forearm side region and upper arm side region. Each region is judged independently using the same criteria, then the results are combined to determine overall positioning accuracy. This segmentation allows comprehensive evaluation without overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional judgment (single region) to two-dimensional judgment (multiple regions). By adding the dimension of spatial coverage, the system evaluates positioning misalignment from multiple perspectives simultaneously, improving accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity through automated multi-region processing.
2Ease of operation
If only one region is judged for positioning misalignment in joints with low degree of freedom (knee, ankle), then the judgment process is simple, but the accuracy of positioning misalignment judgment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation to joints with low degree of freedom by dividing the evaluation into multiple regions (e.g., thigh side region and lower leg side region for the knee). Although these joints have limited movement freedom, positioning errors can still occur in multiple directions, so evaluating each region separately ensures comprehensive detection without oversimplifying the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the dimension of multi-region evaluation to joints with low degree of freedom. By assessing multiple regions simultaneously, the system captures positioning misalignment in all possible directions, transforming a potentially inaccurate single-point judgment into a comprehensive multi-dimensional evaluation that maintains simplicity through automation.
3Measurement precision
If multiple regions are judged for positioning misalignment, then the accuracy of positioning misalignment judgment improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal judgment algorithm that works across all joint types (elbow, knee, ankle) and all regions. The same core logic and criteria are applied consistently to each region, eliminating the need for separate complex judgment mechanisms for different joints. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically evaluating multiple regions using standardized criteria without requiring manual intervention or complex adaptive logic. The automated multi-region judgment process handles all evaluation tasks uniformly, reducing the need for human expertise in each specific region and simplifying the overall device architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A re-imaging determination support device including a hardware processor that: judges a first misalignment of a predetermined region in a radiographic image; judges a second misalignment of a predetermined region in the radiographic image; and outputs re-imaging determination support information that supports determining whether or not to perform re-imaging for the radiographic image, based on at least a judgement of the first misalignment and a judgement of the second misalignment.