X-ray Imaging Apparatus Operator Burden Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional X-ray imaging apparatuses burden operators with the necessity of manually inputting imaging failure reasons, which is unnecessary in certain cases, leading to increased operational burden and potential errors.

Innovation Solution

An X-ray imaging apparatus with a necessity/unnecessity setting mechanism and display controller that determines and displays the need for inputting imaging failure reasons based on the operator's role, imaging protocol, or procedure, automatically skipping unnecessary input operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the operator manually inputs imaging failure reasons for all imaging failures, then complete statistical analysis data is obtained, but the operator burden increases and potential errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of statistical analysis dataVSAvoidoperator burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines whether imaging failure reason input is necessary by evaluating imaging conditions, protocol types, and failure patterns, eliminating the need for operators to manually assess each case. The apparatus serves itself by making intelligent decisions about data collection requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the requirement for manual input based on changing parameters such as imaging protocol type, operator role, and imaging conditions. By changing the parameter of 'input necessity' from fixed to variable, the system optimizes between data completeness and operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the system requires manual input of imaging failure reasons in all cases, then data completeness is maintained, but the imaging process efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of failure reason dataVSAvoidimaging process efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines whether imaging failure reason input is necessary by evaluating imaging conditions, protocol types, and failure patterns, eliminating the need for operators to manually assess each case. The apparatus serves itself by making intelligent decisions about data collection requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the requirement for manual input based on changing parameters such as imaging protocol type, operator role, and imaging conditions. By changing the parameter of 'input necessity' from fixed to variable, the system optimizes between data completeness and operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the system provides mandatory input interfaces for imaging failure reasons, then data collection is ensured, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveensurance of data collectionVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines whether imaging failure reason input is necessary by evaluating imaging conditions, protocol types, and failure patterns, eliminating the need for operators to manually assess each case. The apparatus serves itself by making intelligent decisions about data collection requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The interface dynamically adapts its behavior based on system-determined conditions. The input interface is displayed or hidden, and its state changes based on the evaluated necessity, making the system flexible rather than rigidly complex

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11432785B2X-ray imaging apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.09.06 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

In order to perform a setting of whether or not an input of an imaging failure reason at the time of an imaging failure is necessary, a check box 8j on whether or not the input of the imaging failure reason is necessary is displayed on a screen. When an operation to input a check mark in the check box 8j is performed, it is set that the input of the imaging failure reason is necessary. When an operation to remove the check mark from the check box 8j is performed, it is set that the input of the imaging failure reason is unnecessary. When it is set that the input of the imaging failure reason is necessary, a screen for inputting the imaging failure reason is displayed. When it is set that the input of the imaging failure reason is unnecessary, a screen for inputting the imaging failure reason is skipped. As a result, when the input of the imaging failure reason is unnecessary, the input operation is automatically skipped, reducing the burden on the operator.