X-ray Diagnostic Apparatus Digital Annotation Reproduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current X-ray diagnostic apparatuses require cumbersome and repetitive tasks for marking and re-marking fluoroscopic images from different angles during procedures like stent-graft placement, as handwritten marks on transparent sheets become invalid when image capturing positions change, and real-time fluoroscopic road-mapping is similarly labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray diagnostic apparatus with a movement mechanism for the tabletop and image capturing unit, an acquisition unit for device position information, a display unit for image annotation, and a management unit to associate X-ray images with annotation and position information, allowing for easy registration and retrieval of image capturing positions and annotations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If handwritten marks are made on transparent sheets for fluoroscopic images, then annotations can be added to guide surgical procedures, but the marks become useless when image capturing position changes, requiring repetitive marking tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a touch panel display to create digital copies of annotations on displayed images. When the image capturing position changes, the system automatically reproduces the annotations on the new image, eliminating the need for manual remarking. This digital copying approach maintains annotation validity across different viewing angles and positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary registration of the relationship between the display screen and the imaging unit. By establishing this spatial relationship in advance, the system can automatically reproduce annotations at correct positions when images are captured from different angles, preventing the need for repetitive manual annotation tasks.
2Productivity
If fluoroscopic road-mapping is used to superimpose fluoroscopic images in real time, then dynamic guidance is achieved, but troublesome marking tasks are required repeatedly for checking from multiple angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical marking operations with automated digital annotation reproduction. The touch panel display system automatically reproduces annotations based on the registered spatial relationship between the display and imaging unit, substituting the manual process of attaching transparent sheets and handwriting marks with an automated digital system.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch panel display serves multiple functions: displaying fluoroscopic images, providing a interface for annotation input, and automatically reproducing annotations across different imaging angles. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate marking tools and processes for each viewing angle.
3Reliability
If multiple transparent sheets are attached for different image capturing positions, then annotations can be maintained for each angle, but the device complexity and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple physical transparent sheets, the system creates digital copies of annotations on a single touch panel display. The registered spatial relationship enables automatic reproduction of annotations at correct positions for different imaging angles, maintaining annotation consistency without requiring multiple physical layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the annotation information from physical transparent sheets and transfers it to the digital display system. By separating the annotation data from the physical medium, the system can reproduce annotations digitally without the complexity of managing multiple transparent sheets and their physical attachments.
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 streamlines the process by allowing easy reproduction of annotated images from different angles, reducing user workload, shortening surgical times, and improving the success rate of procedures like stent-graft placement while minimizing radiation exposure and contrast medium usage.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating the subject with X-rays from an X-ray irradiation unit; and detecting the X-rays that pass through the subject by use of an X-ray detector
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus includes an image capturing unit which captures an X-ray image of a subject on a tabletop, a movement mechanism which moves the tabletop and the image capturing unit relative to each other, an acquisition unit which acquires device position information on the tabletop and the image capturing unit in capturing the X-ray image, a display unit which displays the X-ray image captured by the image capturing unit, an input unit which inputs added information to be added to the X-ray image displayed on the display unit, and a management unit which manages the X-ray image captured by the image capturing unit, the device position information acquired by the acquisition unit, and the added information inputted by the input unit in association with one another.