X-ray Diagnostic Apparatus with Gaze-Controlled Lead Plate Shielding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current X-ray diagnostic techniques require operators to actively manage exposure doses, which can be distracting and lead to increased exposure for both the operator and the object being treated, especially during prolonged procedures like X-ray fluoroscopy.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray diagnostic apparatus that uses a stop unit with lead plates and an attention position specifying circuitry to automatically adjust the X-ray irradiation range based on the operator's line of sight, reducing exposure in areas not being directly observed while maintaining real-time imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the operator manually controls the ROI during X-ray fluoroscopy, then the exposure dose can be reduced to only the necessary area, but the operator's attention is diverted from the procedure and the control is not continuous
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts the ROI based on the operator's line of sight detected by the camera and line-of-sight determination unit. The ROI is self-adjusted without requiring manual input from the operator, thereby reducing exposure dose while maintaining procedural focus. The system serves itself by using the operator's natural gaze direction to control the irradiation area.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical control of ROI by the operator is replaced with an automated optical system. A camera captures the operator's line of sight, and a line-of-sight determination unit processes this information to automatically adjust the ROI. This substitutes the mechanical manual control with an optical-electronic system that continuously tracks and adjusts the irradiation area.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If X-ray fluoroscopy is performed continuously for several hours, then real-time monitoring is maintained, but the cumulative exposure dose to both the object and operator increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly irradiating the entire fluoroscopy field, the system applies X-rays only to the local area within the dynamically adjusted ROI. The ROI is continuously updated based on the operator's line of sight, ensuring that only the necessary local region receives radiation at any given moment. This localized irradiation approach maintains continuous monitoring while significantly reducing cumulative exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The ROI is made dynamic rather than static, automatically adjusting its position and size in real-time based on the operator's gaze. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the irradiation area always matches the current area of interest, allowing continuous monitoring of different regions without exposing the entire field continuously. The system adapts continuously to maintain optimal exposure reduction.
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 allows for reduced X-ray exposure doses without requiring the operator to be consciously aware of the reduction, thereby minimizing exposure to both the operator and the object, while enabling continuous monitoring of the procedure.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of lead plates 52 which include an aperture 52a and narrow an irradiation range of X-rays 10 with which an object P is irradiated by the X-ray source 10
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus includes an X-ray source, a plurality of lead plates, attention position specifying circuitry, stop control circuitry. The X-ray source generates X-rays. The plurality of lead plates includes an aperture which narrows an irradiation range of X-rays with which an object is irradiated by the X-ray source. The attention position specifying circuitry specifies an attention position based on a line of sight of an observer. The stop control circuitry performs movement control of the plurality of lead plates based on the specified attention position.