Development of a portable X-ray imaging system "Visual stethoscope" for emergency medicine

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24601007
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: 医学物理学・放射線技術学
• Research Institution: Kanazawa University
• Principal Investigator: TANAKA Rie 金沢大学, 保健学系, 助教 (40361985)
• Research Collaborator: SANADA Shigeru 金沢大学, 保健学系, 教授 (50020029) ; MATSUMOTO Isao 金沢大学, 医学系, 准教授 (80361989) ; SAKUTA Keita 金沢大学・附属病院, 放射線部 ; KAWASHIMA Hiroki 金沢大学・附属病院, 放射線部
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 肺機能イメージング / X線動画像 / コンピュータ支援診断 / 救急画像診断 / 肺換気 / 肺血流 / 呼吸器 / 循環器

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to develop a portable X-ray imaging system “Visual stethoscope”, which provides real-time information on cardiac/pulmonary function for emergency medicine. Imaging is performed during respiration in 5 ~10 seconds using a portable flat-panel detector (FPD) system. We developed image analysis methods to detect abnormalities based on decreased changes in X-ray translucency (=pixel value) and shape of lung structures. The feasibility of a portable X-ray imaging system “Visual stethoscope” was revealed in our clinical study. The present method is expected to be a simple and rapid X-ray functional imaging in emergency medicine.

Free Research Field

放射線技術科学