Turning AI innovation into everyday efficiency with Smart Collimation Thorax
- By Philips
- May 01 2026
- 5 min read
A new approach to chest X-ray imaging
Turning AI innovation into everyday efficiency, Smart Collimation Thorax is designed to support radiographers directly at the wall stand during upright chest X-ray exams. Using AI-based landmark identification based on depth images generated with a 3D camera, it proposes personalized detector height alignment and collimation to help reduce repetitive manual steps while maintaining full clinical control. Download to explore the evidence and workflow impact in more detail.
At-a-glance:
- Smart Collimation Thorax uses AI-based landmark identification based on depth images generated with a 3D camera to support chest X-ray positioning and collimation.
- Performance testing found less unnecessary X-ray exposed area for both PA and LAT views.
- Smart Collimation Thorax achieved a higher rate of first-time-right collimation in both PA and LAT projections.
- Simulated-use results suggest automation can reduce exam time and ease repetitive manual tasks.
Turning AI innovation into everyday efficiency in chest X-ray workflow
In radiography, workflow improvements only matter if they translate into real clinical value. Smart Collimation Thorax is designed to support radiographers directly at the wall stand, helping reduce repetitive manual steps while keeping the user in control. Using AI-based landmark identification based on depth images generated with a 3D camera, the technology proposes personalized detector height alignment and collimation based on patient-specific anatomy. It is intended to help radiographers work more consistently and efficiently during routine upright chest exams.
Evidence behind the technology
Development and testing drew on multi-site clinical data from Europe and the United States, including more than 3,000 adult patients. Final performance testing used a fully unseen dataset of 755 PA views and 586 LAT projections.
Performance testing found statistically significant reductions in unnecessary X-ray exposed area for both PA and LAT views compared with user-set collimation. A significantly higher rate of first-time-right collimation was achieved for both projections, while Assisted Detector Height Alignment was found to be non-inferior to the user for PA imaging [1].
Supporting radiographers in daily practice
In a simulated-use evaluation with 12 radiographers, exam time was reduced by up to 35 seconds[2], and most participants indicated that the technology could help reduce human error linked to repetitive manual tasks[3]. Users also valued being able to trigger Smart Collimation Thorax from the wall stand while remaining with the patient during positioning and collimation[3].
Together, these findings suggest that Smart Collimation Thorax can support more consistent chest X-ray workflow while helping radiographers stay close to the patient and retain full clinical control. Download the white paper to explore the methodology, data and results in more detail.
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Footnotes
- Non-inferiority testing with non-inferiority margin of 0.015 (N=645) P<0.0001.
- Compared to not using SCT on the Radiography 7300 C, validated by 12 clinicians in a Philips’ development environment. Daily time saving calculation based on 35 adult upright chest patients per day. Results may vary. The average time saving is 8.1 secs.
- Validated by 12 clinicians in a Philips’ development environment, results may vary.
Disclaimer
Results are specific to the institution where they were obtained and may not reflect the results achievable at other institutions. Results in other cases may vary.