X-ray Imaging Management Apparatus Dose Comparison Warning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In X-ray imaging, manual setting of radiation conditions can lead to errors and inappropriate doses due to differences in imaging regions, resulting in potentially harmful or insufficient radiation exposure during sequential imaging operations.
Innovation Solution
An imaging management apparatus that obtains and compares dose information from previous and subsequent X-ray imaging operations, issuing warnings based on differences to prevent inappropriate radiation exposure by automatically adjusting settings and alerting users before subsequent imaging operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual setting of radiation conditions is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to errors and inappropriate doses
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically compares the radiation dose of the current imaging operation with the previous operation and provides feedback through warnings when inappropriate changes are detected. This feedback mechanism helps prevent manual setting errors while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary comparison of dose parameters before the imaging operation starts, allowing operators to correct potential errors in advance. By checking the dose setting against previous operations beforehand, the system prevents inappropriate radiation exposure without requiring complex real-time control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If radiation conditions are manually set for each imaging operation, then adaptability to different imaging regions is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to significant dose differences between sequential operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors and compares radiation dose parameters across sequential imaging operations, providing warnings when significant changes are detected. This feedback allows the system to maintain adaptability to different imaging regions while preventing unreliable dose variations through automated monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects and compares parameter changes (tube current, tube voltage, duration) between sequential operations. When changes exceed predetermined thresholds, the system issues warnings, ensuring that adaptability to different imaging regions does not compromise dose consistency and patient safety.
3Reliability
If automated dose comparison and warning system is added, then reliability of radiation dosage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dose comparison and warning functionality is merged with the existing imaging management apparatus that handles image acquisition and management. By integrating the new safety function into the existing system architecture, the patent avoids adding separate complex equipment while still achieving reliable dose monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own stored dose information from previous operations to automatically compare and evaluate current operation parameters. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external monitoring devices or complex inter-system communication, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A dose measured from region information, X-ray information, and a captured image in a previous imaging operation and a dose of radiation obtained from a DAP meter are saved as pieces of information. A dose used in a first imaging operation is based on the saved pieces of information, and a dose to be used in a second imaging operation is estimated from region information or X-ray information in the second imaging operation. If there is a significant difference between the dose in the first imaging operation and the estimated dose for the second imaging operation, a warning is issued. If an image of a region is captured for testing purposes, a warning is not issued.