X-ray CT System Automated Dose Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray CT systems may fail to prevent excessive radiation exposure due to human error in inputting imaging conditions, such as incorrect tube voltage and tube current, leading to inappropriate radiation doses.
Innovation Solution
The X-ray CT system incorporates a measurement unit to determine patient attributes, a part identification unit to specify the imaging area, a calculation unit to compute the radiation dose based on the specified part, and a notification unit to alert technologists of inappropriate imaging conditions, ensuring accurate and safe radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional X-ray CT systems rely on technologists to manually input imaging conditions, then the system is easy to operate, but human error may occur leading to excessive radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically acquires patient attributes (weight, body diameter) through integrated measurement units and autonomously calculates appropriate imaging conditions and radiation doses, eliminating the need for manual technologist input. This self-service mechanism prevents human error while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by comparing automatically calculated radiation doses against predetermined standard doses, and provides alerts when deviations occur. This closed-loop feedback ensures radiation exposure remains within safe limits while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the system automatically calculates radiation dose based on measured patient attributes, then radiation exposure safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (patient measurement, attribute analysis, part identification, dose calculation, and safety monitoring) into a single integrated X-ray CT system. This merging approach improves radiation safety while minimizing the increase in perceived device complexity by unifying previously separate functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs multiple functions simultaneously: measuring patient attributes, identifying imaged parts, calculating radiation doses, comparing with standards, and providing alerts. This multi-functionality achieves comprehensive safety monitoring without requiring separate dedicated devices for each function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the system provides alerts for inappropriate imaging conditions, then radiation exposure safety is improved, but productivity decreases due to additional verification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of appropriate imaging conditions and radiation doses before actual imaging begins. By pre-determining safe parameters based on measured patient attributes, the system enables rapid imaging execution without requiring time-consuming manual verification during the imaging process.
Solution Approach 2:
The alert mechanism provides immediate feedback when imaging conditions deviate from standards, allowing for quick correction. This rapid feedback loop minimizes interruptions to the imaging workflow while ensuring safety compliance, thereby maintaining productivity.
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
This solution effectively prevents excessive radiation exposure by ensuring that imaging conditions are appropriate based on patient attributes, reducing the risk of radiation-related harm and adhering to standard doses.
Implementation Method 1
X-ray CT system that reconstructs tomogram images of a subject based on X-rays transmitting the subject
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray CT system is provided that determines input imaging conditions based on the attributes of subjects that were measured by the apparatus itself and can prevent excessive radiation exposure due to human error. The X-ray CT system comprises a measurement unit, a part identification unit, a calculation unit, a comparison unit, and a notification unit. The measurement unit measures the attributes of a subject placed on a couch. The part identification unit identifies the part of the subject being imaged based on the measured attributes of the subject. The calculation unit calculates a radiation dose based on the identified unit being imaged. The comparison unit makes a determination by comparing the calculated radiation dose and the radiation dose based on the imaging conditions input for examination. The notification unit notifies the results determined by the comparison unit.