Tomosynthesis Imaging Control Device Radiation Position Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tomosynthesis imaging technologies face challenges in achieving optimal image quality while minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure and reducing imaging time, as existing methods often require excessive radiation emission or re-imaging due to inadequate initial image quality.
Innovation Solution
A tomosynthesis imaging control device that uses multiple radiation tubes to emit radiation at a reduced number of positions, with a determination unit assessing the image quality using machine learning models and adjusting the irradiation positions based on image quality evaluation thresholds to ensure the required diagnostic quality is met, thereby optimizing radiation usage and imaging time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the number of irradiation positions is increased or the interval between irradiation positions is reduced to improve image quality, then the image quality is improved, but the imaging time increases and unnecessary radiation is emitted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by emitting radiation at a reduced number of irradiation positions (e.g., 3 positions instead of 9) to obtain sufficient image quality for diagnosis. The determination unit evaluates whether the obtained image quality meets the required level, and if not, additional irradiation positions are selectively added. This avoids the excessive action of always using all available irradiation positions, thereby reducing imaging time and unnecessary radiation exposure while maintaining adequate image quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If the number of irradiation positions is increased or the interval between irradiation positions is reduced to improve image quality, then the image quality is improved, but unnecessary radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through the determination unit that evaluates the image quality obtained from the initial set of irradiation positions. Based on this evaluation, the system determines whether additional irradiation positions are needed to achieve the required diagnostic quality level. This feedback mechanism prevents unnecessary radiation exposure by only adding irradiation positions when actually needed, rather than uniformly applying radiation at all available positions.
3Loss of time
If the number of irradiation positions is reduced to prevent over-specification of image quality, then radiation exposure and imaging time are reduced, but the image quality may be insufficient for diagnosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the number of irradiation positions adaptive rather than fixed. The system starts with a reduced number of irradiation positions to minimize imaging time and radiation exposure, then dynamically adjusts by adding additional positions only when the determination unit evaluates that the current image quality is insufficient for diagnosis. This dynamic adjustment ensures image quality adequacy while avoiding unnecessary exposure and time consumption.
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 solution enables the generation of tomographic images with the necessary image quality for diagnosis while minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure and reducing imaging time by dynamically adjusting irradiation positions based on real-time image quality assessment.
Implementation Method 1
tomosynthesis imaging that irradiates an object with radiation at a plurality of different irradiation angles
Data Source
AI summary
A control device includes a control unit and a determination unit. The control unit controls an operation of radiation tubes such that radiation is emitted at irradiation positions whose number is smaller than the total number of irradiatable positions preset so as to correspond to irradiation angles. The determination unit determines whether or not the radiation needs to be additionally emitted at the irradiatable positions different from the irradiation positions in order to obtain the tomographic image with an image quality level required for diagnosis, on the basis of a determination image obtained by the emission of the radiation at the irradiation positions.