Project title
Enhancing Safety and Quality of Medical X-ray Imaging
PI Institution Address
300 Longwood Ave Department of Radiology
Boston, MA 02115
United States
Phone Number
(857) 998-8322
Email
robert.d.macdougall@childrens.harvard.edu
Upload Cover
Letter/letter of intent
rmd_cover_letter_spr_mip_v2_31615.pdf 336.65 KB · PDF
Investigator/Applicant Robert
First Name
Investigator/Applicant D
Name MI
Investigator/Applicant MacDougall
Last Name
Investigator/Applicant M.Sc.
Degree
Investigator/Applicant
Name Address
300 Longwood Ave Department of Radiology
Boston, MA 02115
United States
Investigator/Applicant (857) 998-8322
Name Phone Number
Investigator/Applicant robert.d.macdougall@childrens.harvard.edu
Name Email
List Collaborating
Lead-PI, Robert MacDougall, M.Sc.
Institution #1 and
Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Associated
Email: robert.d.macdougall@childrens.harvard.edu
Investigator name and
email
List Collaborating
Co-PI, Steven Don, MD
Institution #2 and
St. Louis Children's Hospital and Washington University
Associated
Email: dons@mir.wustl.edu
Investigator name and
email (if necessary)
Abstract of Proposed Research Plan (300 words)
Medical X-ray imaging radiation dose has been estimated to cause up to 2% of future cancers. While many
imaging studies are medically indicated and appropriate, x-ray technique (i.e. the quantity and energy of
x-rays used) is typically not optimized due to the difficulty in obtaining relevant information about the
patient in a reasonable time. This issue is exacerbated in pediatric patients where time is of the essence
due to patient anxiety and motion.
Currently, image quality analysis and dose optimization is performed retrospectively. The proposed device
and software has the ability to make this a prospective process to improve the quality and safety of an
exam before x-rays are used. With the proposed technology, information available to the user before
acquisition includes but is not limited to: confirmation of correct body part in collimated x-ray field,
patient position relative to image receptor, position of Automatic Exposure Control sensors, body part
thickness, and degree of patient motion. This information allows for precise tailoring of acquisition
technique to minimize radiation dose and ensures a quality examination performed on the correct body
part will be obtained consistently without motion and eliminating the need for repeat images. The
information captured by the device can be included in DICOM meta-data and/or a Radiation Dose
Structured Report for accurate analysis of patient entrance exposure and effective dose.
The technology has been tested in a technologist education school in the setting of a mock x-ray room.
We hope to perform pre-clinical testing in a mock-up x-ray room to improve device configuration (i.e.
position of the mounting hardware) and optimization of software to improve the user interface. SPR grant
funds will allow us to collect feasibility data for technology that could drastically improve patient safety in
x-ray imaging.
Upload: Detailed plan
and bibliography
macdougall_multi_detailed_plan.pdf 684.12 KB · PDF
Resources and Environment:
The pre-clinical testing environment is located in a training facility at Forest Park Community College in
St. Louis, MO. The dedicated time of four technologists, each averaging 4 hours per week has been
allocated in the budget and therefore the facility will be fully available during the budgeted testing time.
Software optimization will take place in a lab/office setting at both Boston Children's Hospital and St.
Louis Children's Hospital/Washington University. A 0.4 FTE for software engineering services has been
allocated in the budget and will allow for 16 hours per week of engineering support.
The Co-PI's will have weekly conference calls and bi-monthly in-person trips will be scheduled to keep the
project on the proposed timeline.
Statistical support of 4 hours per week is available at Boston Children's Hospital and is provided outside
the grant funds.
Major Equipment:
The major equipment to be purchased with the grant funds is outlined in the
budget and includes: 4 Microsoft Kinect 2.0 systems @ $200 each, 4 Microsoft
Surface Pro 3 tablets @ $800 each, 2 custom Kinect mounts for a total of $5000
and on laptop and desktop @ $1900 each.
Additional
Though the collaborating institutions are separated geographically, we have
Information:
allocated travel expenses that will permit frequent in-person collaboration. We feel
that the distance could be an advantage as it pulls from the experience of two
different pediatric hospitals. The Co-PI's have demonstrated the ability to work
very effectively together despite the distance between institutions.
Award Payee First
Name
Robert
Award Payee Middle
D
Initial
Award Payee Last
MacDougall
Name
Award Payee Degree
MSc
Award Payee Address
300 Longwood Ave Department of Radiology
Boston, MA 02115
United States
Award Payee Phone
(857) 998-8322
Number
Award Payee Email
robert.d.macdougall@childrens.harvard.edu
Grant Administrator's
Jamie
First Name
Grant Administrator's
L
MI
Grant Administrator's
Chan
Last Name
Grant Administrator's
Address
300 Longwood Ave Office of Sponsored Programs
Boston, MA 02115-5724
United States
Grant Administrator's
(617) 919-2720
Phone Number
Grant Administrator's
Email
osp@childrens.harvard.edu
Upload letters from
Department Chair
verifying internal
macdougall_multi_chair_reference_letter1.pdf 365.14 KB · PDF
support for project.
Upload Letter of
Recommendation 2
macdougall_chair_reference_letter_2.pdf 104.30 KB · PDF
Upload letter from
Department Chair
from collaborating
institution #1
don_chair_reference_letter.pdf 165.54 KB · PDF
verifying internal
support for project.
Upload Budget
macdougall_multi_budget.pdf 157.22 KB · PDF
Upload Organziing PI
Curriculum Vitae
macdougall_multi_cv.pdf 137.43 KB · PDF
(Upload)
Collaborating PI CV
don_multi_cv.pdf 281.51 KB · PDF