Structured Light Motion Sensing for Artifact-Reduced Medical Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical imaging devices face challenges in accurately detecting and compensating for breathing and heartbeat motions during scans, leading to image artifacts, and existing external motion monitoring systems are complex and difficult to integrate with other reconstruction algorithms.

Innovation Solution

A system for acquiring physiological signals using a projection module to project structured light, an acquisition module to capture reflected light, and a processing module to determine breathing and heartbeat signals, which can be integrated into medical imaging devices to improve image clarity and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If external motion monitoring devices are used to detect breathing and heartbeat motions, then motion information can be obtained for image reconstruction, but the system complexity increases and additional external devices are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the motion detection function into the medical imaging device itself by integrating a projection module and acquisition module. The projection module projects structured light patterns onto the target, and the acquisition module captures the reflected light to detect breathing and heartbeat motions. This integration eliminates the need for separate external motion monitoring devices while maintaining motion detection capability for image reconstruction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The medical imaging device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can both acquire medical imaging data and detect physiological motions (breathing and heartbeat). The projection and acquisition modules serve dual purposes by enabling both motion detection and providing structural information for imaging, thereby reducing overall system complexity while enhancing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If gated bin reconstruction algorithm is used independently, then image artifacts caused by motion can be eliminated, but the algorithm cannot be easily combined with other reconstruction algorithms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidalgorithm compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the processing module receives both medical imaging data and physiological signal data, then integrates them to generate corrected imaging data. The physiological signals (breathing and heartbeat) serve as feedback information that guides the reconstruction process, allowing the system to combine multiple reconstruction algorithms (gated bin, motion calibration, etc.) in a unified framework rather than using them independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric processing where different reconstruction strategies are applied to different datasets based on their characteristics. Medical imaging data undergoes one type of reconstruction while physiological signal data undergoes separate processing, and then the results are integrated. This asymmetric approach allows flexible combination of multiple algorithms while maintaining optimal performance for each data type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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

The system enhances imaging efficiency and accuracy by reducing artifacts caused by breathing and heartbeat motions, allowing for gated triggering and calibration based on physiological signals, and can be applied to various medical imaging modalities without requiring external devices.

Implementation Method 1

a projection module configured to project a structured light to a designated region of the target

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStructured light projection: Light

Implementation Method 2

an acquisition module configured to acquire reflected structured light formed by the structured light reaching the designated region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4370032B1Method, system, and medical imaging device for acquiring physiological signal of target
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE
  • EP4370032B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4370032B1 patent drawingFigure 2
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AI summary

A system (100) for acquiring a physiological signal of a target may include a projection module (110) configured to project a structured light to a designated region of the target; an acquisition module (120) configured to acquire a reflected structured light formed by the structured light reaching the designated region; and a processing module (130) configured to determine the physiological signal of the target based on the acquired reflected structured light.