X-Ray Positioning Guidance Using 3D Bony Landmark Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray imaging systems face challenges in aligning the region of interest, X-ray source, and detector accurately, often requiring experienced radiographers, leading to potential image quality issues, increased costs, and radiation exposure due to repeated imaging.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a parametric 3D model to determine guidance data based on palpable bony landmarks, enabling accurate alignment of the region of interest, X-ray source, and detector through a processor that provides visual or audio guidance, potentially automating the positioning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual alignment by experienced radiographers is used, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but operational complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service positioning by having the patient participate in the alignment process through tactile feedback. The patient feels the positioning of bony landmarks via the examination table or positioning device, providing input that automatically adjusts the alignment without requiring experienced radiographers to manually identify and position landmarks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual alignment process with an automated sensor-based system. Sensors detect the position of bony landmarks and feed this information to a processing unit that calculates the required alignment adjustments, substituting human expertise with an automated electromechanical system.
2Measurement precision
If manual alignment by experienced radiographers is used, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service positioning by having the patient participate in the alignment process through tactile feedback. The patient feels the positioning of bony landmarks via the examination table or positioning device, providing input that automatically adjusts the alignment without requiring experienced radiographers to manually identify and position landmarks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual alignment process with an automated sensor-based system. Sensors detect the position of bony landmarks and feed this information to a processing unit that calculates the required alignment adjustments, substituting human expertise with an automated electromechanical system.
3Reliability
If repeated imaging is performed due to insufficient image quality, then diagnostic accuracy can be improved, but radiation exposure and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary alignment verification before the actual X-ray imaging is performed. By using sensors to detect bony landmarks and automatically adjusting the positioning, the system ensures that the patient, X-ray source, and detector are correctly aligned prior to image acquisition, preventing the need for repeated imaging and reducing radiation exposure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is related to a method for providing guidance data (30, 41) for positioning a region of interest (20, 31, 41, 56) of a subject (54), an X-ray source (52), and an X-ray detector (21, 34, 53). The method comprises: obtaining, by a processor (11), current positioning data of at least one palpable bony landmark (23, 33) derived from a palpation; obtaining current positioning data of the X-ray source (52) and of the X-ray detector (21, 34, 53) (S20); determining guidance data (30, 41) for positioning the region of interest (20, 31, 41, 56), the X-ray source (52) and the X-ray detector (21, 34, 53) and providing, by the processor (11), the guidance data (30, 41) (S40).