X-Ray Arm Motion Control Using Infrared Obstacle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray diagnostic apparatuses face issues with the arm coming into contact with a person or catching a leg due to inadequate detection of obstacles, leading to degraded operability and potential accidents.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an infrared camera to capture images and determine interference between the arm and a person, combined with an optical sensor for enhanced detection, allowing for controlled operation to prevent accidents and improve user operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the arm is rotated or moved in a situation where a person is around, then the X-ray diagnostic apparatus can perform imaging operations, but the arm may come into contact with the person or the person's leg may be caught by the arm
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of persons in the movable range before the arm moves. The processing circuitry acquires images from a camera, determines the classification of objects present in the movable range, and identifies persons before initiating arm movement. This preliminary action prevents harmful contact by knowing in advance whether a person is present in the path of the arm.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the movable range during arm operation using camera images. The processing circuitry determines the classification of objects in real-time and provides feedback on whether a person is present in the movable range. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect and respond to persons during operation, preventing arm contact with persons.
2Reliability
If obstacle detection is enhanced to prevent arm contact with persons, then safety is improved, but the system complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The camera serves multiple functions: it captures images for person detection, provides visual feedback to operators, and supports various classification algorithms. By making the camera multi-functional, the system achieves reliable person detection without adding separate dedicated sensors, thereby improving safety while limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical obstacle detection mechanisms with optical-based camera imaging and digital image processing. Instead of using physical sensors or mechanical detectors, the system uses software-based classification of objects in camera images to identify persons. This substitution achieves reliable detection while keeping the physical hardware relatively simple.
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
Enhances user operability by accurately detecting obstacles and preventing arm interference, thereby reducing accidents and improving the overall safety and efficiency of the X-ray diagnostic apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared camera 200 that captures an image of an examination room
Implementation Method 2
an optical sensor 51
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray diagnostic apparatus of an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry acquires an image of a movable range of a movable unit that can move freely in an examination room where X-ray imaging of a subject is performed, from a camera provided in the examination room, determines the classification of an object present in the movable range on the basis of the image, and controls the operation of X-ray imaging on the basis of the determination results.