X-Ray Tube Current Setpoint Control for Fast 2D Image Acquisition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray imaging systems face challenges in varying tube current parameters instantaneously, leading to latency issues and suboptimal image quality when acquiring a plurality of 2D images, particularly for patients with varying body densities, such as high BMI or osteoporosis, and the need to develop a method to address these challenges.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method to control the X-ray imaging system by modeling the response of the system as a first order equation to determine a setpoint value for the tube current parameter, allowing it to reach the desired value within a predetermined time frame, and adjusting the tube current and exposure time parameters based on patient modeling and quality metrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tube current parameter is changed instantaneously to adapt to varying patient densities, then the image quality and radiation dose optimization are improved, but the system response latency increases and the filament cannot reach the required current value in time
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit pre-calculates and applies a temporary elevated tube current value before the filament can naturally reach the desired current level. This preliminary action compensates for the filament's thermal inertia and ensures the X-ray beam intensity is sufficient from the start of the exposure, eliminating latency-related image quality degradation while adapting to varying patient densities.
2Measurement precision
If the tube current parameter is increased to improve signal-to-noise ratio for high BMI patients, then the image quality is improved, but the radiation dose to the patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the tube current parameter in real-time based on the specific patient density and the required image quality. By using feedback from patient characteristics and continuously optimizing the tube current setting, the system achieves the necessary signal-to-noise ratio for highBMI patients while minimizing radiation dose exposure, avoiding fixed high-dose protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit modifies the tube current parameter based on calculated values derived from patient density and imaging requirements. By changing the parameter dynamically rather than using fixed settings, the system optimizes the balance between signal quality and radiation dose for each specific patient scenario.
3Ease of operation
If the acquisition parameters are determined once using a reference position, then the operation is simplified, but the image quality deteriorates for patients with non-homogenous body properties
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of acquisition parameters based on patient density and anatomical characteristics before the actual imaging sequence. This pre-computation allows the system to automatically adjust parameters for each specific patient scenario without requiring manual intervention, maintaining operational simplicity while significantly improving image quality for non-homogenous patients.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor and adjust acquisition parameters based on patient characteristics and imaging requirements. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to non-homogenous body properties in real-time, maintaining optimal image quality while keeping the user interface simple.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a source (101) of an X-ray imaging system (100), comprising:changing a desired output value of a tube current parameter of said source (100) from a first value to a second value different from the first value,computing a third value of the tube current parameter different from the second value such that the output tube current value becomes substantially equal to the second value within a predetermined time frame (ΔT) from said change of the desired output value,providing said computed third value as a setpoint value for the source (101).The invention also relates to a method for acquiring a plurality of 2D images of a region of interest of a patient's body (P) along a path of acquisition (T) with an X-ray imaging system (100), wherein acquisition parameters of the X-ray imaging system (100) vary along the path of acquisition (T), the acquisition parameters comprising a tube voltage parameter, a tube current parameter and an exposure time parameter, the method comprising:a) determining a set of values of acquisition parameters for each acquired image along the path of acquisition (T);b) if for an acquired image the value of the tube current parameter is modified with respect to a previous image acquisition, applying the above method to determine a third value to use as setpoint value for the source (101) of the X-ray imaging system (100), instead of the value determined in step a), to achieve the value determined in step a) as output of the source (101) at the time of the image acquisition.