IP Library Granted Patent US 12,290,392
Granted Patent B2
US 12,290,392 · App. 17/807,528 · Granted May 6, 2025

Image processing apparatus and storage medium

Inventor: Tatsuya Takagi (Mitaka, JP)
Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
A61B6/5217A61B6/5294A61B6/563G16H30/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,290,392
App. No.
17/807,528
Granted
May 6, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image processing apparatus includes a hardware processor. The hardware processor estimates a body thickness and an irradiation field region of a subject based on a radiograph obtained by radiographing the subject. Further, the hardware processor calculates a distance from a focus of a radiation source to a radiation entrance point based on the body thickness. Still further, the hardware processor calculates an irradiation field size based on the irradiation field region. Yet further, the hardware processor calculates an exposure dose based on the distance, the irradiation field size, and an imaging condition used in radiographing the subject.

Claims (19)

1. A combination including an image processing apparatus and a radiology information system that manages a radiograph obtained by radiographing a subject,

the image processing apparatus configured to estimate a body thickness and an irradiation field region of the subject based on the radiograph, calculate a focus to surface distance (FSD) from a radiation focus to a radiation entrance point based on the estimated body thickness, and calculate an exposure dose based on the calculated FSD, a result of the estimated irradiation field region, and imaging condition information, and

the radiology information system comprising a hardware processor that

receives information output from the image processing apparatus, the information including body thickness information indicating the body thickness and exposure dose information indicating the exposure dose,

manages the body thickness information and the exposure dose information, and

calculates a diagnostic reference level based on the body thickness information and the exposure dose information.

2. The combination including the image processing apparatus and the radiology information system according to claim 1 , wherein the hardware processor manages, based on the body thickness information, the exposure dose by a body type of the subject.

3. The combination including the image processing apparatus and the radiology information system according to claim 1 , wherein the hardware processor manages index information representing a quality of the radiograph together with the body thickness information and the exposure dose information.

4. The combination including the image processing apparatus and the radiology information system according to claim 3 , wherein the index information includes at least one of an EI value and an S value.

5. The combination including the image processing apparatus and the radiology information system according to claim 1 , wherein the hardware processor manages the radiograph based on the radiograph being a successful image or a failed image.

6. The combination including the image processing apparatus and the radiology information system according to claim 1 , wherein the image processing apparatus calculates the FSD by subtracting the estimated body thickness from a radiation-source-to-detector distance used during the radiographing, the radiation-source-to-detector distance being included in the imaging condition information.

7. The combination including the image processing apparatus and the radiology information system according to claim 1 , wherein the image processing apparatus obtains preset information as the imaging condition information when actual imaging condition information used during the radiographing is not obtained.

8. A system comprising:

an image processing apparatus that estimates a body thickness and an irradiation field region of a subject based on a radiograph, calculates a distance (FSD) from a radiation focus to a radiation entrance point based on the estimated body thickness, and calculates an exposure dose based on the calculated FSD, a result of the estimated irradiation field region, and imaging conditions used in radiographing the subject;

an external apparatus that is external and connected to the image processing apparatus; and

a hardware processor that

receives information output from the image processing apparatus, the information including body thickness information indicating the body thickness and exposure dose information indicating the exposure dose,

manages the body thickness information and the exposure dose information, and

calculates a diagnostic reference level based on the body thickness information and the exposure dose information.

Priority Claims (1)
JP 2019-029110 · Feb 21, 2019 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation 16786051 · Feb 10, 2020
Related Publication 20220313195A1 · Oct 6, 2022
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