X-ray Imaging Device Emission Control via Instrument Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray imaging devices lack precise and flexible control over X-ray emission parameters, particularly during medical procedures, leading to suboptimal image quality and excessive radiation exposure, as current methods rely on manual selection of protocols or imprecise patient thickness estimation.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray imaging device processes images to extract information about medical instruments, such as position, type, and movement, to adapt emission parameters like voltage, intensity, and frequency in real-time, minimizing the X-ray dose based on the specific needs of each procedure phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual selection of emission protocols is used, then the practitioner can choose a protocol optimized for a specific procedure, but it requires manual intervention and does not adapt to different phases of the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the medical instrument in the image and determines the procedure phase without manual intervention. The processor analyzes image data to identify instrument presence and automatically selects appropriate emission parameters, making the system self-serve rather than requiring practitioner input for each phase change.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes emission parameters (voltage, current, pulse duration) based on detected instrument presence and procedure phase. Different parameter sets are automatically applied for different phases such as instrument insertion, positioning, and operation, allowing adaptability without manual protocol selection.
2Ease of operation
If a single emission protocol is used for all procedure phases, then the device is simple to operate, but it cannot provide optimized control for each phase of the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The emission parameters transition from static (single protocol) to dynamic (phase-specific). The system continuously monitors image data for instrument detection and automatically adjusts emission parameters in real-time according to the detected procedure phase, providing both simplicity and phase-specific optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-defines multiple emission parameter sets for different procedure phases in advance. When an instrument is detected, the system automatically selects and applies the appropriate pre-prepared parameter set, eliminating the need for manual selection while maintaining phase-specific optimization.
3Measurement precision
If X-ray emission parameters are controlled based on patient thickness estimation, then the emission dose can be optimized, but the precision is insufficient and it cannot be adapted to every type of procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical/physical measurement of patient thickness with an intelligent image processing system. The processor analyzes digital images to detect the presence and position of medical instruments, using pattern recognition and algorithmic analysis instead of simple thickness measurement to determine optimal emission parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing system acts as an intermediary between the patient anatomy and the emission control system. Rather than directly measuring thickness or manually selecting protocols, the system uses image analysis of instrument presence as an intermediate step to automatically determine the appropriate emission parameters for the specific procedure phase.
4Manufacturing precision
If higher X-ray dose is emitted to ensure sufficient image quality, then image quality is improved, but unnecessary radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies the principle of partial action by emitting X-rays only when and where needed based on instrument detection. When a medical instrument is detected in the image, the system activates optimized emission parameters focused on the instrument region, rather than uniformly high-dose emission across the entire field, reducing unnecessary radiation while maintaining image quality for the critical area.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling the emission of an X-ray imaging device configured to take images of a patient's body, into which a medical instrument has been inserted, is provided. The method comprises: processing at least one image of the patient's body taken by the X-ray imaging device to extract information representing the instrument, wherein the at least one image comprises the instrument; and adapting X-ray emission parameters of the X-ray imaging device, depending on the information extracted from the at least one image, to minimize the X-ray dose emitted towards the patient's body.