X-ray Imaging Apparatus Patient Direction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current X-ray imaging apparatuses face challenges in accurately determining patient direction information from X-ray images, leading to potential misdiagnosis due to the bilateral symmetry of the human body and transmission characteristics of X-rays, making it difficult to distinguish front, back, left, and right body parts.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray imaging apparatus equipped with a camera to photograph the patient's image, acquire direction information, and output warnings if the patient's direction does not align with the X-ray imaging protocol, using a controller to recognize object features and display markers indicating the object's direction in the X-ray image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If X-ray imaging is performed without additional direction identification means, then the imaging process is simple and fast, but the patient direction information cannot be accurately determined leading to potential misdiagnosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device to capture optical images of the patient, which then serves as a reference for determining patient direction. The camera acts as a mediator between the X-ray imaging system and the patient, providing visual information that helps identify front, back, left, and right body parts without directly modifying the X-ray imaging process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and subjective judgment of patient orientation with an automated image processing system. The controller automatically analyzes the camera-captured image to extract direction information, substituting the mechanical/visual process with an automated computational approach that reduces human error and increases precision.
2Reliability
If manual direction identification is used, then the system operation is simple, but the direction determination is prone to human error and misdiagnosis
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically determining patient direction through image processing algorithms. The controller autonomously analyzes the camera image, identifies anatomical features, and determines orientation without requiring manual intervention from operators. This self-service capability eliminates human error while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback by displaying the captured image and automatically determined direction information to the user. This feedback mechanism allows operators to verify the accuracy of direction identification and make corrections if needed, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation through a user-friendly interface.
3Loss of information
If camera imaging is added to capture patient images for direction identification, then direction information accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera serves multiple functions: it captures images for direction identification, provides visual documentation of patient positioning, and can be used for quality control verification. This multi-functionality justifies the addition of the camera by maximizing its utility across different operational needs, thereby reducing the relative impact of increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera acts as an information intermediary that bridges the gap between physical patient positioning and digital record-keeping. By capturing optical images that preserve direction information, the camera prevents loss of critical orientation data without requiring complex modifications to the existing X-ray imaging system.
4Productivity
If automated image processing is used to extract direction information, then processing speed and accuracy are improved, but the computational requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing the patient image before X-ray exposure. This timing allows the image processing to begin in advance, and the direction information to be extracted and verified before the actual imaging procedure commences, thereby improving processing efficiency without adding complexity to the X-ray exposure process itself.
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray source configured to generate X-rays, and to irradiate the X-rays; an imaging unit configured to photograph an object image; a controller configured to acquire object direction information from the object image, and to determine whether the object direction information corresponds to information about an irradiation direction of X-rays; and a user interface configured to output a warning if the object direction information does not correspond to the information about the irradiation direction of X-rays.