X-ray Panel Segmentation for Targeted Tomosynthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current x-ray imaging techniques often expose non-diagnostically relevant tissues to significant x-ray doses, as collimators are used to restrict the exposed area, leading to inefficient use of x-ray flux and potential increased radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a flat panel x-ray source and detector, where a first set of x-ray emitters creates a scout image of the object and surrounding area, allowing for the selection of a region of interest, which is then targeted with a second set of x-ray emitters to produce tomosynthesis data, thereby minimizing unnecessary exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If collimators are used to restrict the exposed area, then radiation dosage to surrounding tissues is reduced, but the exposed area may not include all clinically relevant tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging process is segmented into multiple phases: a first low-dose phase captures a wide field of view to identify the region of clinical interest, and a second phase targets only that specific region with higher resolution. This segmentation allows the system to avoid exposing unnecessary surrounding tissues while ensuring complete coverage of clinically relevant areas.
Solution Approach 2:
A preliminary low-dose scout image is acquired before the main imaging process to identify the region of clinical interest. This preliminary action guides the subsequent targeted imaging, ensuring that the collimated field is precisely positioned to cover only the necessary anatomical structures without exposing unnecessary surrounding tissues.
2Manufacturing precision
If the collimated field is extended to cover more area, then complete images of clinically relevant regions are acquired, but surrounding organs incur higher radiation dose
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system applies different quality levels to different regions: a low-dose wide-field scout image provides initial context, while a higher-dose targeted image provides detailed visualization only of the region of clinical interest. This local differentiation optimizes radiation usage by concentrating dose where diagnostically necessary while minimizing exposure elsewhere.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying uniform radiation dosage across the entire field of view, the system uses partial action by targeting only the specific region of clinical interest identified in the scout image. This eliminates excessive radiation exposure to surrounding organs while maintaining complete coverage of the clinically relevant area.
3Reliability
If radiographers use a material margin around the region of clinical interest, then complete images are ensured, but regions not of clinical interest are exposed to x-ray radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The collimated field is dynamically adjusted based on the specific anatomy and clinical question identified in the scout image. Rather than using a fixed material margin, the system adapts the field boundaries to precisely match the region of clinical interest, ensuring complete diagnostic coverage while minimizing exposure to non-diagnostic regions through real-time optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The scout image provides feedback about the actual anatomical structures and their positions, which is used to adjust the collimated field boundaries for the main imaging phase. This feedback loop eliminates the need for fixed material margins by allowing radiographers to precisely define the region of interest based on actual anatomical variability, thereby reducing unnecessary radiation exposure.
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 approach allows for optimized use of x-ray flux, reducing patient dosage while maintaining image clarity by focusing radiation only on the region of clinical interest, thereby improving diagnostic efficiency and reducing radiation exposure.
Implementation Method 1
providing an x-ray imaging apparatus comprising a panel including an array of individually energisable x-ray emitters
Implementation Method 2
the tissue within the region exposed that absorbs a significant proportion of the x-ray
Implementation Method 3
using the detector to detect the x-rays after passing through the first object and surrounding area
Data Source
AI summary
An x-ray imaging apparatus comprises a panel including individually energisable x-ray emitters, a detector and a processor, wherein the emitters and detector remain relatively stationary. The first set of x-ray emitters of the panel is energised to direct x-rays at the first object and surrounding area. The detector detects x-rays passing through the first object and surrounding area. Detected x-rays are processed to create a first x-ray image of the first object and surrounding area. A region of interest is selected from the first image which is smaller than the image of the first object and surrounding area. A second set of x-ray emitters of the panel is energised to direct x-rays at the region of interest. The detector detects x-rays passing through the region of interest. Detected x-rays are processed to create images of the region of interest to obtain tomosynthesis data showing structure of the region of interest.