Examination Table Pixel Conversion for Precise Scanogram Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical image capturing apparatuses, such as MRI and X-ray CT systems, face issues with positional deviation of the examination table due to inaccurate conversion of camera image pixels to distances, particularly when the examinee's body position is head-first, leading to misalignment during scanogram imaging.
Innovation Solution
An examination table movement control device that utilizes sensors to measure the distance from the sensor to the examinee's surface, converting camera image pixels into distances using conversion information to improve accuracy, considering the examinee's thickness and inclination of the camera, ensuring precise movement to the scanogram imaging start position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If camera image pixels are converted to distances using conventional methods, then the examination table can be moved automatically, but positional deviation occurs due to inaccurate conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sensor as an intermediary device to measure the actual distance from the camera to the examinee's body surface. This sensor measurement serves as a mediator between the camera image pixel data and the examination table positioning, enabling accurate conversion factors to be calculated that account for the examinee's body thickness and position, thereby resolving the positional deviation issue while maintaining automatic movement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the conversion parameters between camera pixels and actual distances based on sensor measurements. By calculating conversion factors specific to each examinee's body dimensions and position (measured by the sensor), the system adapts the positioning parameters in real-time, improving measurement precision without sacrificing automation
2Ease of operation
If the examination table is moved based on camera image without considering examinee thickness, then the process is simple, but the table position deviates from the target position
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by using the sensor to automatically measure the examinee's body dimensions and calculate the appropriate conversion factors. This self-service approach maintains operational simplicity while improving positioning precision, as the system automatically adjusts to each examinee without requiring manual intervention or complex procedures from the operator
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary measurement and calculation of conversion factors using the sensor before the actual examination table movement. By pre-calculating the accurate pixel-to-distance conversion based on the examinee's body characteristics, the system ensures precise positioning while keeping the main operation simple and straightforward
Data Source
AI summary
An examination table movement control device acquires sensor-to-measurement target part distance information representing a distance from a sensor to a surface of a measurement target part of an examinee that faces the sensor in an up-down direction, acquires first conversion information for converting the number of pixels in a camera image from a center position of the camera image to a measurement start position of the examinee into a distance from the center position of the camera image to the measurement start position, based on the sensor-to-measurement target part distance information, and converts the number of pixels in the camera image into a distance in a plane orthogonal to the up-down direction, with respect to a position in the up-down direction of the measurement start position of the examinee.