Treatment Tool Alignment With Optical Markers for Lower X-Ray Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for aiming and aligning a treatment tool with an imaging device, such as an X-Ray device, require rigid mechanical connections and complex tracking units, which are costly and expose patients to excessive X-Ray radiation.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a calibration plate with radiopaque and optical markers, a camera, and a processing unit to determine the position and orientation of the treatment tool relative to the X-Ray device, allowing alignment without rigid connections and reducing X-Ray exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If rigid mechanical connection and complex tracking unit are used for aiming and aligning treatment tool, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid mechanical connections and complex mechanical tracking units with an optical-based system. A camera captures images of optical markers on the treatment tool and calibration plate, and a processing unit calculates position and orientation data from these images, eliminating the need for complex mechanical tracking infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual markers (optical and radiopaque) that create image copies of the treatment tool's position and orientation. The camera captures optical marker positions, and the processing unit generates visual indicators that represent the treatment tool's alignment status, allowing indirect measurement without physical mechanical connections.
2Measurement precision
If multiple X-Ray exposures are used for tracking treatment tool, then measurement precision is improved, but patient radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical markers as an intermediary medium. Instead of using X-Ray imaging to track the treatment tool directly (which exposes the patient to radiation), the system uses optical markers that are imaged by a camera. The radiopaque markers serve as a bridge, visible in both X-Ray and optical images, allowing correlation without continuous X-Ray exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces X-Ray-based tracking with an optical imaging system. The camera captures images of optical markers on the treatment tool, and the processing unit determines position and orientation from these optical images, eliminating the need for multiple X-Ray exposures during the procedure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid mechanical connection is used between treatment tool and imaging device, then alignment stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static rigid mechanical connection to a dynamic optical-based system. The treatment tool can be freely positioned and oriented without mechanical constraints, and the system dynamically calculates alignment based on real-time camera images of the markers, providing both freedom of movement and alignment stability.
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
Enables accurate alignment of the treatment tool with reduced complexity and cost, minimizing patient exposure to X-Ray radiation by using visual indicators and guiding instructions.
Implementation Method 1
receive, from the X-Ray imaging unit, an X-Ray image including a visual representation of the at least one radiopaque marker
Implementation Method 2
receive, from the camera, a camera image including a visual representation of the at least one optical marker
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
In general, systems and methods for aiming of a treatment tool at a target area and/or aligning of the treatment tool with respect to an imaging device are disclosed. The system may determine a position and orientation of the treatment tool with respect to the imaging device and to display, on a display, a visual indicator that indicates the determined position and orientation of the treatment tool. A user may aim and/or align the treatment tool based on the visual indicator displayed on the display.