X-ray Diagnosis Apparatus Top Panel Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current X-ray image diagnosis apparatuses face challenges in obtaining appropriate stepping DSA images due to varying contrast medium flow velocities in both legs, especially when blood vessels are narrowed, leading to inefficiencies in image acquisition timing.

Innovation Solution

An X-ray image diagnosis apparatus that automatically adjusts the movement of the top panel based on changes in pixel values within pre-defined regions of interest (ROIs) to synchronize with the flow of the contrast medium, ensuring timely image capture across multiple stages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual control of top panel sliding is used in stepping DSA, then operator skill determines image quality, but timing cannot be fixed when contrast medium flows differ in both legs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidadaptability to different blood flow conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects contrast medium flow in each leg independently and controls the top panel sliding timing based on the slower flow, eliminating dependence on operator skill and manual timing judgment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors pixel value changes in ROIs of both legs and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the top panel sliding timing, ensuring synchronization with actual contrast medium flow conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If the top panel slides according to average contrast medium velocity, then overall flow is tracked, but individual leg timing is lost when velocities differ

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetop panel sliding speedVSAvoidtiming precision for each leg
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the imaging area into separate ROIs for left and right legs, independently measuring contrast medium flow in each region to determine appropriate sliding timing for each leg

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different timing control to different legs based on their individual contrast medium flow characteristics, with the top panel sliding speed adjusted according to the slower leg's flow conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If multiple ROIs are monitored to detect contrast medium flow, then flow detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow detection reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pixel value change detection method is universally applied to multiple ROIs simultaneously, using the same simple threshold-based logic to detect contrast medium flow in each leg without requiring complex specialized algorithms for each region

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2364642B1X-ray image diagnosis apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYST CORP
  • EP2364642B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2364642B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2364642B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

An X-ray image diagnosis apparatus includes an imaging unit that supports an X-ray generation unit and an X-ray detection unit in such a way that the units face each other and is possible to take an image of a subject placed on a top panel of a bed; a control unit that performs control in such a way that a step movement process of at least one of the imaging unit and top panel is carried out and images of the subject are taken at a plurality of stages; and an image processing unit that processes image data taken at a plurality of the stages. The control unit sets a plurality of regions of interest in an imaging area of the subject when an image is taken after a contrast medium is injected into the subject, measures a change of an image level in the region of interest to detect a flow of the contrast medium, and makes at least one of the imaging unit and top panel move to the next imaging stage based on the detection result.