Processing of projection area data generated by a computed tomography scanner

Abstract

An output data set is generated that includes the projection area data at the desired / target imaging angle. The input data set that includes the projection area data captured / acquired at the desired / target imaging angle and the projection area data captured / acquired at one or more further predetermined imaging angles is processed to generate the output data set.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of computed tomography (CT), and in particular to the processing of projection field data generated during a CT scanning procedure. [Background technology]

[0002] CT imaging has become an integral part of the medical imaging process to aid in the evaluation and diagnosis of patients / subjects.

[0003] A conventional CT scanner includes an x-ray generator mounted on a rotating gantry opposite one or more integral detectors. The x-ray generator rotates around an examination region between the x-ray generator and the one or more detectors, emitting (at least) radiation x-rays that traverse the examination region, as well as subjects and / or objects disposed therein. The one or more detectors detect the radiation traversing the examination region and generate signals (known as projection region data, or simply projection data) indicative of the examination region, as well as subjects and / or objects disposed therein. The projection region data refers to the raw detector data and is used to form a sinogram, the latter being a visual representation of the projection region data captured by the detectors.

[0004] A reconstructor is typically further used to process the projection domain data to reconstruct a volumetric image of the subject or object, i.e., to reconstruct image domain data. The volumetric image is composed of a number of cross-sectional image slices, each of which is generated from the projection domain data through a process of tomographic reconstruction, such as application of a filtered backprojection algorithm. The reconstructed image data is effectively the inverse Radon transform of the raw projection domain data. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] There is a continuing desire to improve the operation of CT scanners, and in particular to improve the quality of the images produced by CT scanners. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a computer-implemented method for processing projection field data generated by a CT scanner is provided.

[0007] The computer-implemented method includes the steps of acquiring a first input dataset including projection field data generated by a CT scanner at a desired imaging angle, the CT scanner generating the projection field data at different imaging angles relative to the examination region during a scanning operation; acquiring at least one further input dataset, each further input dataset including projection field data generated by the CT scanner at a corresponding at least one further imaging angle, wherein a difference between the desired imaging angle and each corresponding further imaging angle is predetermined; inputting the first input dataset and the at least one further input dataset into a machine learning algorithm, the machine learning algorithm processes the first input dataset and the at least one further input dataset to generate an output dataset, the output dataset being different from the first input dataset and including the projection field data at the desired imaging angle relative to the examination region; and processing the first input dataset and the at least one further input dataset using the machine learning algorithm to generate the output dataset.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention proposes to process the projection domain data, i.e. the raw detector data, before being reconstructed into image data. In particular, input projection domain data acquired at multiple imaging angles relative to the examination region are processed using machine learning methods to provide output projection domain data at a single imaging angle, i.e. the desired imaging angle.

[0009] The input projection field data includes a first input data set including projection field data acquired at a desired imaging angle and one or more (i.e., at least one) further input data sets including projection field data acquired at a predetermined imaging angle relative to the desired imaging angle, facilitating consistent input to the machine learning method.

[0010] The realization underlying this inventive concept is that projection domain data acquired at different imaging angles can provide useful spatial or additional information for processing (e.g., reducing noise) projection domain data acquired at a particular, i.e., desired, angle. For example, different imaging angles still image the same part / volume of the subject or examination region, i.e., more information is available for a particular viewpoint. This allows the amount of data to be increased to a machine learning algorithm using naturally existing information without additional cost, i.e., without the need for additional image acquisition.

[0011] Therefore, the concept of multi-channel input to the machine learning method is proposed, with each channel providing projection domain data acquired with a different imaging.

[0012] The imaging angle is defined as the angle at which the radiation source of the CT scanner emits radiation into the examination region, e.g., relative to the center of the examination region. Specifically, for a conventional CT scanner in which the radiation source is mounted on a rotating gantry, the imaging angle is defined as the angle that the radiation source makes with a horizontal plane passing through the center of rotation of the rotating gantry.

[0013] In a specific example, each data set includes projection area data for a particular portion of a projection volume, which is a volume of the examination area irradiated by the CT scanner during a particular instance of a scanning operation, and a portion of the projection volume of at least one (i.e., one or more) further input data set at least partially overlaps a portion of the projection volume of the first input data set.

[0014] The steps of the computer-implemented method are executed by a processing device or processing circuit. The machine learning algorithm is hosted by the processing device or processing circuit. The at least one further input dataset may include a single further input dataset or may include multiple further input datasets, for example, two or more further input datasets. If the further input dataset includes multiple further input datasets, the predetermined angle between the desired imaging angle and each further imaging angle is different for each further input dataset.

[0015] It should be apparent that the difference between the desired imaging angle and each further imaging angle is non-zero.

[0016] In some embodiments, the method further comprises using a machine learning algorithm to reduce at least one of noise and artifacts in the projection domain data of the first input dataset based on the first input dataset and at least one further input dataset to generate an output dataset. Thus, the machine learning method can use the first input dataset and one or more further input datasets to reduce noise and / or artifacts in the projection domain data of the first input dataset to generate an output dataset. The proposed concept is advantageous when used to reduce noise / artifacts in the projection domain data, since missing or erroneous data in the first input dataset can be completed or corrected, for example, using data in one or more further input datasets providing information about the same volume of the subject.

[0017] In some embodiments, the method further comprises performing spectral filtering of the projection domain data of the first input dataset based on the first input dataset and the at least one further input dataset using a machine learning algorithm. Thus, the machine learning method can perform spectral filtering of the projection domain data at the desired imaging angle using the first input dataset and the one or more further input datasets to generate an output dataset.

[0018] In some embodiments, the at least one further input data set comprises a first further input data set comprising projection field data generated by the CT scanner at a first imaging angle, wherein a difference between the desired imaging angle and the first imaging angle is equal to π.

[0019] In at least one embodiment, for each additional input data set, the difference between the desired imaging angle and the corresponding additional imaging angle is a multiple of a first predetermined angle. The first predetermined angle is equal to the smallest change in imaging angle that the CT scanner performs during the scanning operation. This embodiment takes advantage of the natural correlation in projection field data captured close to each other (e.g., sequentially captured) at the nearest available imaging angles.

[0020] However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that any given angle is suitable for the present invention, such as angles less than 0.5π, and more preferably angles less than 0.1π.

[0021] The at least one further input data set may include a second further input data set including projection area data generated by the CT scanner at a second imaging angle, where a difference between the desired imaging angle and the second imaging angle is a first predetermined angle, and a third further input data set including projection area data generated by the CT scanner at a third imaging angle, where a difference between the third imaging angle and the desired imaging angle is a first predetermined angle. The third imaging angle is different from the second imaging angle. For example, if the desired imaging angle is θ, the second imaging angle may be θ+Δθ (or θ+π+Δθ) and the third imaging angle may be θ-Δθ (or θ+π-Δθ). In both cases, the difference between the second / third imaging angle and the desired angle is the same, but the imaging angles are different.

[0022] The at least one further input data set may include a fourth further input data set including projection area data generated by the CT scanner at a fourth imaging angle, where a difference between the desired imaging angle and the fourth imaging angle is a second predetermined angle, the second predetermined angle being greater than the first predetermined angle, and a fifth further input data set including projection area data generated by the CT scanner at a fifth imaging angle, where a difference between the fifth imaging angle and the desired imaging angle is the second predetermined angle.

[0023] Preferably, the magnitude of the second predetermined angle is twice the magnitude of the first predetermined angle.

[0024] In some embodiments, the at least one further input dataset comprises 10 or fewer further input datasets. It is useful to restrict the maximum number of inputs to a limited amount to help keep correlations in the projection domain data from the first input dataset and the one or more further input datasets large enough to ensure accurate processing, for example, by a machine learning algorithm.

[0025] Optionally, the CT scanner generates projection field data for each of a plurality of different portions of a projection volume for the object, the projection volume being a volume of the examination region, each of the at least one further input data set including projection field data having a portion of the projection volume that at least partially overlaps with a portion of the projection volume of the projection field data of the first input data set.

[0026] This approach is particularly useful for helical scan trajectories where the correlation of projection field data acquired at different angles decreases with increasing acquisition trajectory pitch. This change can be accounted for by considering the portion of the projection volume associated with each instance of projection field data. In a specific example, this change can be accounted for by using geometric knowledge of the helical scan trajectory, including, for example, knowledge of the patient's movement on the support and the trajectory pitch.

[0027] The method may further comprise, for each of the at least one further input dataset, prior to inputting the first input dataset and the at least one further input dataset to the machine learning algorithm, processing the further input dataset to remove any portion of the projection volume of the projection volume of the further input dataset that corresponds to a portion of the projection volume of the projection volume of the further input dataset that does not overlap the projection volume of the first input dataset.

[0028] That is, a zero padding approach can be used to remove projection field data from one or more further input datasets that does not correlate with the projection field data in the first input dataset (i.e., projection field data of the further input datasets that corresponds to an examination region or subject volume that is not irradiated during collection of the projection field data of the first input dataset).

[0029] Optionally, the CT scanner includes a rotating gantry that rotates about a center of rotation, a radiation source rotatably supported on the rotating gantry and rotating with the rotating gantry and emitting radiation that traverses the examination region, and a detector array rotatably supported on the rotating gantry and rotating with the rotating gantry and generating projection region data responsive to radiation emitted through the examination region by the radiation source, wherein the imaging angle is the angle that the radiation source makes with a horizontal plane.

[0030] The horizontal plane may pass through the center of rotation of the rotating gantry, for example, the center of the examination region.

[0031] A computer program product is also proposed, comprising computer program code means which, when executed on a computing device having a processing system, causes the processing system to perform all the steps of any of the methods described herein. A computer readable medium may have the computer program or executable instructions embedded therein.

[0032] A device for processing projection field data generated by a CT scanner is also proposed.

[0033] The device includes a processing circuit or processor and a memory including instructions which, when executed by the processing circuit or processor, cause the processing circuit or processor to: acquire a first input dataset including projection field data generated by a CT scanner at a desired imaging angle, the CT scanner generating the projection field data at different imaging angles relative to the examination region during a scanning operation; acquire at least one further input dataset, each further input dataset including projection field data generated by the CT scanner at a corresponding at least one further imaging angle, a difference between the desired imaging angle and each corresponding further imaging angle being predetermined; inputting the first input dataset and the at least one further input dataset into a machine learning algorithm, the machine learning algorithm processing the first input dataset and the at least one further input dataset to generate an output dataset, the output dataset being different from the first input dataset and including the projection field data at the desired imaging angle relative to the examination region; and processing the first input dataset and the at least one further input dataset using the machine learning algorithm to generate the output dataset.

[0034] Also proposed is a CT system including the above device and a CT scanner, the CT scanner including a rotating gantry rotating about a center of rotation, a radiation source rotatably supported on the rotating gantry and rotating therewith and emitting radiation traversing an examination region, and a detector array rotatably supported on the rotating gantry and rotating therewith and generating projection region data responsive to radiation emitted by the radiation source through the examination region, the imaging angle being the angle that the radiation source makes with a horizontal plane.

[0035] The above devices may perform any of the methods described herein, and vice versa. Similarly, the computer program products, when executed, may perform any of the methods described herein, and vice versa. Those skilled in the art will be able to appropriately modify the devices, methods, and / or computer program products as required.

[0036] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0037] For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0038] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an imaging system including a CT scanner. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 conceptually illustrates different imaging angles of a CT scanner of an imaging system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a conceptual overview of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a conceptual overview of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary image generated using the projection domain data. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the method. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows the processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0040] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the devices, systems, and methods, are for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the devices, systems, and methods of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the figures are schematic representations only and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the figures to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0041] The present invention provides an approach for generating an output dataset comprising projection area data at a desired / target imaging angle, where a machine learning algorithm processes an input dataset comprising projection area data captured / acquired at the desired / target imaging angle and projection area data captured / acquired at one or more further predefined imaging angles to generate an output dataset.

[0042] Embodiments may be used to perform noise / artifact reduction in the projection domain space of CT projection domain data.

[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates an imaging system, and in particular a CT imaging system 100, in which embodiments of the present invention may be employed.

[0044] The CT imaging system 100 includes a CT scanner 101 and a processing interface 111 that processes data generated by the CT scanner 101 and performs actions using the data.

[0045] A CT scanner 101 often includes a fixed gantry 102 and a rotating gantry 104. The rotating gantry 104 is rotatably supported by the fixed gantry 102 and rotates about an examination region about a longitudinal or z-axis.

[0046] A patient support 120, such as a couch, supports an object or subject, such as a human patient, within the examination region. The support 120 moves the object or subject for loading, scanning, and / or unloading.

[0047] A radiation source 108, such as an x-ray tube, is rotatably supported by the rotating gantry 104. The radiation source 108 rotates with the rotating gantry 104 and emits radiation that traverses an examination region 106.

[0048] A radiation sensitive detector array 110 subtends an arc that spans an angle across the examination region 106 from the radiation source 108. The detector array 110 includes one or more rows of detectors extending along a z-axis direction to detect radiation traversing the examination region 106 and generate projection field data indicative thereof. For example, the projection field data is cone beam projection data.

[0049] Thus, the CT scanner 101 can generate / capture projection region data. As the rotating gantry 104 rotates around the examination region 106, the imaging angle of the CT scanner 101 changes relative to the examination region 106. Conceptually, this can be understood as the direction in which radiation is emitted from the radiation source 108 changes as the rotating gantry 104 rotates. The projection region data is generated by the CT scanner 101 for each of a plurality of imaging angles of the CT scanner 101 during a CT scanning procedure. Thus, multiple data sets are generated, each data set containing projection region data acquired at a different time point. Temporally adjacent data sets are generated at different imaging angles.

[0050] The patient support 120 moves along a longitudinal axis z during a CT scanning procedure. This may be done in steps, with the rotating gantry 104 making a full 2π rotation between each movement of the patient support 120. This is a process known as the "circular scan orbit" approach or the "stop-and-shoot" method.

[0051] Another imaging approach is the "helical scan orbit" approach, or helical CT scanning, in which projection field data is acquired during continuous rotation of the gantry and simultaneous translation of the patient support.

[0052] "Projection volume" refers to the entire volume of the examination region imaged during a CT scanning procedure. Each data set generated by a CT scanner includes projection region data taken at a particular imaging angle and represents a particular portion of the projection volume (e.g., represents an irradiated portion of the projection volume). Typically, the portion of the projection volume captured at a particular imaging angle is conical or cone-shaped.

[0053] A general purpose computing system or computer serves as an operator console 112 and includes input devices 114, such as a mouse, keyboard, etc., and output devices 116, such as a display monitor. The console 112 allows an operator to control the operation of the system 100.

[0054] A reconstructor 118 processes the projection domain data to reconstruct volumetric image data, which is displayed via one or more display monitors of the output device 116.

[0055] The reconstructor 118 may employ filtered backprojection (FBP) reconstruction, low noise reconstruction algorithms (such as iterative reconstruction) in the image domain and / or projection domain, and / or other algorithms. It is understood that the reconstructor 118 may be realized via at least one processor executing computer readable instructions encoded or embedded in a computer readable storage medium, such as a physical memory or other non-transitory medium. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more processors may execute computer readable instructions carried by carrier waves, signals, and other transitory or non-transitory media.

[0056] The present invention relates to the processing of projection field data generated by the CT scanner 101, for example, by a device such as the processing unit 119. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this projection field data may be obtained directly from the CT scanner or may be obtained via one or more other circuit elements, such as a memory or buffer (not shown) that stores the projection field data temporarily, semi-permanently, and / or permanently.

[0057] FIG. 2 conceptually illustrates a cross-sectional view of the rotating gantry 104 to illustrate different imaging angles of the CT scanner 101, as viewed on a horizontal plane passing through the rotational isocenter.

[0058] In particular, Figure 2 illustrates how a CT scanner acquires projection field data at multiple different imaging angles relative to an examination field. Figure 2 illustrates example positions 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206 of the radiation source as the rotating gantry rotates. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these positions are merely exemplary and that the radiation source may be positioned at other angles depending on the capabilities of the CT scanner and the CT scanning procedure. Projection field data generated at corresponding positions means that corresponding projection field data is generated at different imaging angles.

[0059] 2 also shows how the imaging angle varies with each position of the radiation source (indicated by the arrows). In the illustrated example, the CT scanner 101 rotates about a center of rotation 210, e.g., an axis passing through the center of the CT scanner entering / exiting the page. Thus, in the illustrated example, the imaging angle is the angle about the center of rotation of the CT scanner 101. In other words, the imaging angle represents the position of the radiation source around the cross section of the rotating gantry.

[0060] Specifically, the imaging angle is the angle, in this cross-sectional view, between the central direction of the radiation emission provided by the radiation source and a horizontal plane 220 passing through the center of rotation 210. In general, the imaging angle is the angle between an imaginary line passing through the radiation source, the center of rotation 210, and the horizontal plane 220.

[0061] Typically, when the radiation source is at a particular location (such as location 201), the radiation sensitive detector array 110 is positioned at the opposite location in the cross-sectional view (such as location 206). As previously mentioned, the radiation sensitive detector array 110 subtends an arc for the opposite angle of the radiation source 108.

[0062] The present invention proposes to generate extended, enhanced or modified projection field data for a desired imaging angle (such as angle θ) using projection field data from the desired imaging angle and one or more further imaging angles, the difference between the desired imaging angle and each further imaging angle being pre-determined.

[0063] 3 and 4 conceptually illustrate an overview 300 employed in various embodiments. One approach involves using a machine learning algorithm 320 to process a number of input data sets 310 that include projection domain data to generate an output data set 330, whereby the machine learning algorithm operates in the projection domain.

[0064] The output data set 330 includes the processed or modified projection field data at the desired imaging angle. The input data set 310 includes a first input data set 311 including projection field data at the desired imaging angle and one or more further input data sets 312, 313, 314 (a single further input data set 312 as shown in FIG. 3 or two or more further input data sets 312, 313, 314 as shown in FIG. 4), each further input data set including projection field data at a further imaging angle, the angle between the desired imaging angle and the further imaging angle being pre-determined.

[0065] Each input dataset contains projection domain data captured by a CT scanner, which may have been pre-processed, e.g., to filter out certain predefined frequencies, etc. The output dataset contains the projection domain data that has been processed with the machine learning algorithm.

[0066] Thus, rather than simply processing the projection field data at only the desired imaging angle to generate an output data set, the input to the machine learning algorithm is augmented / complemented with projection field data acquired at one or more different angles, i.e., the machine learning algorithm receives as input the "original" projection field data at the desired imaging angle and one or more other imaging angles, and generates as output processed and / or modified projection field data at the desired imaging angle.

[0067] As described in more detail below, when the machine learning algorithm 320 modifies the projection field data at the desired imaging angle, it uses the projection field data acquired at the other imaging angle to enhance image characteristics of any image subsequently generated using the projection field data at the desired imaging angle, including, for example, the amount of noise, number of artifacts, resolution, uniformity, signal-to-noise ratio, and / or contrast level.

[0068] In particular, the machine learning algorithm performs noise reduction and / or artifact reduction on the projection domain data.

[0069] In some embodiments, the machine learning algorithm performs spectral filtering of the projection domain data at the desired imaging angle, and this process can be enhanced by using projection domain data at additional imaging angles, for example to retain elements.

[0070] As an example, the machine learning algorithm receives low-dose projection area data and outputs simulated high-dose projection area data, i.e., low-noise projection area data having a noise level comparable to the high-dose projection area data.

[0071] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, for at least one of the one or more further input data sets, the difference between the further imaging angle and the desired imaging angle is π, i.e. 180°. This embodiment recognizes that the radiation emitted by the radiation source at either of these two imaging angles, i.e. at least a portion of the radiation, undergoes the same attenuation from the elements arranged in the examination region. However, the portions of the volume illuminated at both imaging angles at least partially overlap. Thus, the projection region data generated at both of these angles contains similar information that can be used to extend the projection region data acquired at either of these angles.

[0072] As an illustrative example, and referring again to FIG. 2 , the first input data set 311 comprises projection area data acquired when the radiation source is at position 201, and the first further input data set 312 comprises projection area data acquired when the radiation source is at position 206.

[0073] As a specific working example, the one or more further input data sets include only a single further input data set 312 having projection region data acquired at a further imaging angle, the difference between the further imaging angle and the desired imaging angle being π, as shown in, for example, Fig. 3. In another example, the one or more further input data sets include two or more further input data sets, at least one of which is similar to the single further input data set described above, as shown in, for example, Fig. 4.

[0074] In some embodiments, for at least one of the one or more further input data sets 312, 313, 314, the difference between the further imaging angle and the desired imaging angle is a multiple of a predefined angle Δθ, i.e. the difference is equal to k·Δθ. Thus, the projection image data of the one or more further input data sets are acquired at imaging angles θ±Δθ, θ±2Δθ, ..., θ±k·Δθ.

[0075] In some embodiments, the one or more further input datasets preferably comprise 20 or less further input datasets (so, for example, k is 20 or less), more preferably 10 or less further input datasets (so, for example, k is 10 or less), and even more preferably 5 or less further input datasets (so, for example, k is 5 or less), so that the correlation in the corresponding projection domain data can be kept sufficiently large, thereby improving the performance of the machine learning algorithm.

[0076] In some embodiments, the one or more further input data sets comprise at least four data sets, namely a first input data set, a second input data set, a third input data set, and a fourth input data set. The first and second input data sets include projection area data acquired at imaging angles of θ+Δθ and θ−Δθ, respectively, where θ is a desired imaging angle and Δθ is a predetermined angle. The third and fourth input data sets include projection area data acquired at imaging angles of θ+2·Δθ and θ−2·Δθ, respectively.

[0077] For example, the predetermined angle Δθ is equal to a minimum change in the imaging angle performed by the CT scanner during a scanning operation. For example, this minimum change is defined by the CT scanner itself, i.e., as a function of a pre-planned and / or predetermined scanning operation. Thus, the predetermined angle Δθ is equal to a fixed or predetermined angular increment of rotation of the CT scanner during a scanning operation.

[0078] As an illustrative example, and referring again to FIG. 2 , the first input data set 311 comprises projection area data acquired when the radiation source 108 is at position 201, the first further input data set 312 comprises projection area data acquired when the radiation source is at position 202, and the second further input data set 313 comprises projection area data acquired when the radiation source is at position 203.

[0079] In some embodiments, the value of Δθ is equal to π, which occurs when multiple measurements are made during a CT scanning procedure, such as during perfusion measurements, at a desired imaging angle and / or at an imaging angle opposite the desired imaging angle (i.e., with a difference of π).

[0080] In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the further input data sets comprises projection imaging data acquired at a different imaging angle than the projection imaging data of the first input data set.

[0081] In some embodiments, for at least one of the one or more further input data sets, a difference between the further imaging angle and the desired imaging angle is equal to π plus a multiple of the predetermined angle Δθ, such that the difference between the imaging angle of the projection area data of the further input data set and the desired imaging angle of the projection area data of the first input data set is π±k·Δθ.

[0082] Of course, any other type of predetermined angle can be used, for example, two or more predetermined angles, e.g., Δθ1, Δθ2, ..., Δθ k at least one of which is preferably, but not necessarily, equal to π and / or a multiple of π.

[0083] Any combination of previously identified predetermined angles may be used. As mentioned above, it is particularly advantageous if the one or more further input data sets include at least one further input data set in which the projection domain data is acquired / captured at an imaging angle that is π offset from the imaging angle of the projection domain data of the first input data set.

[0084] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the input datasets are concatenated or otherwise grouped to form a single dataset 319 that serves as input for the machine learning method.

[0085] The total number of input data sets for the machine learning algorithms illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 are merely examples; any number of suitable input data sets may be used.

[0086] The machine learning algorithm processes the input data set 310 to provide as output an output data set including processed projection domain data at a desired imaging angle, the processed projection domain data having improved imaging characteristics as described above and / or being registered, transformed, and / or translated to a predetermined coordinate system as compared to the imaging data included in the first input data set.

[0087] The process f(.) carried out by a machine learning algorithm can be modeled as follows:

number

number

[0088] The machine learning algorithm is hosted by the processing unit.

[0089] Thus, various embodiments of the present invention utilize machine learning algorithms to process input datasets to generate an output dataset. Machine learning methods can perform necessary feature registration tasks, such as mapping features of different input datasets to each other, in order to generate the output dataset.

[0090] A machine learning algorithm is any self-training algorithm that processes input data to generate or predict output data. According to an embodiment of the invention, the input data consists of input datasets including a first input dataset and one or more further input datasets, and the output data consists of said output dataset.

[0091] Machine learning algorithms suitable for use in the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Examples of suitable machine learning algorithms include decision tree algorithms and artificial neural networks. Other machine learning algorithms such as logistic regression, support vector machines, or naive Bayes models are suitable alternatives.

[0092] The structure of an artificial neural network, or simply a neural network, is inspired by the human brain. A neural network is made up of layers, each layer containing multiple neurons. Each neuron contains a mathematical operation. In particular, each neuron may contain a different weighted combination of a single type of transformation (e.g., the same type of transformation, such as sigmoid, but with different weights). In the process of processing input data, the mathematical operation of each neuron is performed on the input data to generate a numerical output, and the output of each layer of the neural network is fed in turn to the next layer. The final layer provides the output.

[0093] Methods for training machine learning algorithms are well known. Typically, such methods include obtaining a training data set that includes training input data entries and corresponding training output data entries. An initialized machine learning algorithm is applied to each input data entry to generate a predicted output data entry. The error between the predicted output data entry and the corresponding training output data entry is used to correct the machine learning algorithm. This process is repeated until the error converges and the predicted output data entry is sufficiently similar to the training output data entry (e.g., ±1%). This is commonly known as a supervised learning technique.

[0094] For example, if a machine learning algorithm is formed from a neural network, the weights of the mathematical operations of each neuron may be modified until the error converges. Known methods for modifying neural networks include gradient descent algorithms, backpropagation algorithms, etc.

[0095] The training input data entries correspond to example input data sets, and the training output data entries correspond to example output data sets.

[0096] As a working example, consider a scenario in which a machine learning algorithm is trained to, for example, denoise some projection domain data to generate denoised projection domain data, where the output data set is the denoised projection domain data and the input data set includes the projection domain data at a desired imaging angle and at least one other imaging angle.

[0097] In this scenario, training input data entries and training output data entries of the training data set are generated by first collecting projection area data that is known to produce one or more high quality images when processed by manual intervention / selection and / or automatic quality processing methods. The projection area data should include projection area data at the desired imaging angle and each additional imaging angle. Noise, such as white noise or pink noise, can be added to the projection area data to simulate low quality projection area data. The training input data entries are generated by selecting the simulated low quality projection area data at the desired / target imaging angle and one or more other projection area data at the additional imaging angles.

[0098] The "additional imaging angles" used to train a machine learning network do not have to be the exact same additional imaging angles used in subsequent inference, such as when performing a method according to an embodiment, although for improved performance it is preferred that the additional imaging angles used during training and the additional imaging angles used during inference are the same.

[0099] The machine learning network is, for example, a convolutional neural network (CNN) using U-Net, ResNet, or a deep feedforward neural network architecture. Thus, the machine learning network is a CNN-based machine learning framework, including common feedforward, encoder-decoder (U-Nets), or other common CNN architectures composed of various combinations of DenseNet or ResNet building blocks.

[0100] From the above, it can be seen that the proposed approach involves inputting projection region data acquired at different imaging angles and outputting projection region data at a target / desired imaging angle with improved characteristics. Because the input data set includes projection region data at the target / desired imaging angle, the proposed approach can effectively improve the characteristics of this projection region data.

[0101] The number of input datasets, i.e., the number of input channels, affects the number of feature maps in the first convolutional layer. In particular, the larger the number of input datasets, the larger the number of feature maps. Increasing the number of feature maps increases the network capacity and, in principle, makes it easier to learn more complex representations from the training data distribution.

[0102] FIG. 5 illustrates the effect / impact of various embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 5 illustrates three images showing the same portion of a patient (lower coronal section). Each image is generated by processing multiple projection region data sets, each set of projection region data at a specific imaging angle. Each set of projection region data has been through a de-noising process using a machine learning method to remove noise from the projection region data sets.

[0103] In the first image 510, each set of projection region data has been processed by a machine learning method that receives as input projection region data acquired only at the imaging angles of the projection region data set.

[0104] In the second image 520, each set of projection region data has been processed in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. In particular, each set of projection region data has been processed by a machine learning method that receives as input a first input data set including projection region data acquired at an imaging angle of the projection region data set (i.e., θ) and a further input data set including projection region data acquired at an opposite imaging angle having a predetermined relationship to the imaging angle of the projection region data set (i.e., θ+π).

[0105] In the third image 530, each set of projection region data has been processed using another embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, each set of projection region data has been processed by a machine learning method that receives as input a first input data set including projection region data acquired at an imaging angle (i.e., θ) of the projection region data set and two input data sets including projection region data at two further imaging angles (i.e., θ±Δθ) that are equally spaced from the angle θ. The value of Δθ is equal to the minimum change in angle performed by the CT scanner during the CT scanning procedure.

[0106] As shown in Figure 5, using projection region data acquired at two or more imaging angles to process certain projection region data within a projection region improves noise removal compared to using only projection region data acquired at a desired imaging angle. This effect is most noticeable in the second image 520, which is generated using projection region data acquired at an angle opposite the desired angle. However, improvements over the first image 510 are also seen in the third image 530.

[0107] It was noted above that each data set generated by the CT scanner may include projection area data for a particular portion of the projection volume, and this disclosure recognizes that a portion of the projection volume of one data set may overlap at least a portion of the projection volume of another data set.

[0108] To improve the performance of the machine learning algorithm, in a preferred embodiment a part of the projection volume of each of the one or more further input datasets at least partially overlaps with the projection volume of the first input dataset, i.e. the projection domain data of each of the further input datasets represents at least a part of the projection volume portion represented by the projection domain data of the first input dataset (i.e. information about which is contained in the projection domain data of the first input dataset).

[0109] The portion of the projection volume represented by a particular data set of projection region data can be readily ascertained based on the translation of the patient support, the rotation of the rotating gantry, and so on.

[0110] In some embodiments, prior to inputting the first input dataset and the one or more further input datasets to the machine learning algorithm, each further input dataset is processed to remove portions of the projection area data of the further input dataset that correspond to portions of a projected volume of the projection area data of the further input dataset that do not overlap with a projected volume of the first input dataset.

[0111] As one example, portions of the projected region data that do not correspond to portions of the projected volume that overlap with the projected volume of the first input data set are "zeroed out," i.e., zero padded. Other approaches, such as replacing values ​​with 1's rather than 0's, will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0112] For each further input dataset, a portion of the projection region data of that further dataset representing a portion of the projection volume that overlaps with a portion of the projection volume of the first input dataset is identified based on metadata of the projection region datasets, for example data identifying differences in imaging angles and changes in position of the patient support along the z-axis (i.e. translation of the patient support).

[0113] 6 illustrates a computer-implemented method 600 for processing projection field data generated by a CT scanner. The method 600 is performed by a device such as the processing unit 119 of FIG.

[0114] The method includes acquiring 610 a first input data set 605 including projection field data generated by a CT scanner at a desired imaging angle. The CT scanner generates projection field data at different imaging angles relative to the examination region during a scanning operation. An example of a suitable CT scanner has been described above with reference to FIG. 1, although other examples will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0115] The method 600 also includes acquiring 620 one or more further input data sets 607, each data set including projection field data generated by the CT scanner at one or more further imaging angles, the difference between the desired imaging angle and each further imaging angle being predetermined.

[0116] Further examples of input data sets that can be used in the method 600 have been described above.

[0117] The method 600 also includes inputting 630 the first input data set and the one or more further input data sets into a machine learning algorithm. The machine learning algorithm processes the first input data set and the one or more further input data sets to generate an output data set, different from the first input data set, that includes projection field data at a desired imaging angle relative to the examination field.

[0118] The method 600 also includes a step 640 of processing the first input data set and the further input data set to generate an output data set.

[0119] In some embodiments of the invention, the method 600 further comprises outputting 650 the output data set, i.e., outputting from the processing device. The output data set may be provided, for example, to a reconstruction device for reconstructing one or more images from the projection domain data of the output data set, or provided, for example, to a memory for storing the projection domain data for later processing. Other approaches and purposes for the projection domain data will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0120] Steps 630, 640, and 650 form the overall process of generating and outputting projection domain data.

[0121] As a further example, FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a device 70 or processing device in which one or more portions of the embodiments may be used. The various operations described above utilize the capabilities of device 70. For example, one or more portions of a system for processing images using CNN may be incorporated into any of the elements, modules, applications, and / or components described herein. In this regard, it should be understood that the functional blocks of the system may operate on a single computer or may be distributed across several computers or locations (e.g., connected via the Internet).

[0122] The device 70 includes at least one of, but is not limited to, a processor, a PC, a workstation, a laptop, a PDA, a palm device, a server, a storage, a cloud computing device, and a distributed processing system. In general, with respect to a hardware architecture, the device 70 includes one or more processing circuits 71, a memory 72, and one or more I / O devices 73 communicatively coupled via a local interface. The local interface may be, for example, but is not limited to, one or more buses or other wired or wireless connections as known in the art. The local interface may have a controller, a buffer (cache), a driver, a repeater, and a receiver to enable communication. Additionally, the local interface may include address, control, and / or data connections to enable appropriate communication between the aforementioned components.

[0123] Processing circuitry 71 is a hardware device that executes software that may be stored in memory 72. Processing circuitry 71 may be virtually any custom or commercially available processing circuitry, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), or any auxiliary processing circuitry of any of a number of processing devices associated with device 70, and processing circuitry 71 may also be a semiconductor-based microprocessor in the form of a microchip.

[0124] The memory 72 may include any one or combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), etc.) and non-volatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), programmable read only memory (PROM), tape, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), disk, diskette, cartridge, cassette, etc.). Further, the memory 72 may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and / or other types of storage media. The memory 72 may have a distributed architecture in which various components are remote from one another but accessible by the processing circuitry 71.

[0125] The software in memory 72 may include one or more separate programs, each including an ordered list of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. The software in memory 72 includes a suitable operating system (O / S) 75, a compiler 74, source code 73, and one or more applications 76, according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown, the applications 76 include a number of functional components for implementing the features and operations of the exemplary embodiments. The applications 76 of device 70 may represent various applications, computational units, logic circuits, functional units, processes, operations, virtual entities, and / or modules, according to an exemplary embodiment, although the applications 76 are not intended to be limiting.

[0126] O / S 75 controls the execution of other computer programs and provides scheduling, input / output control, file and data management, memory management, and communication control and related services. The inventors contemplate that application 76 for implementing the exemplary embodiment is applicable to any commercially available operating system.

[0127] The application 76 may be a source program, an executable program (object code), a script, or any other entity that includes a set of instructions to be executed. In the case of a source program, the program is typically translated via a compiler, such as compiler 74, which may or may not be included in memory 72, an assembler, an interpreter, etc., so that it operates properly in conjunction with the O / S 75. Additionally, the application 76 may be written as an object-oriented programming language with classes of data and methods, or a procedural programming language with routines, subroutines, and / or functions (e.g., but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Pascal, BASIC, API calls, HTML, XHTML, XML, ASP script, JavaScript, FORTRAN, COBOL, Perl, Java, ADA, .NET, etc.).

[0128] The I / O devices 73 include input devices such as, but not limited to, a mouse, keyboard, scanner, microphone, camera, etc. The I / O devices 73 also include output devices such as, but not limited to, a printer, display, etc. Finally, the I / O devices 73 also include devices that communicate both input and output such as, but not limited to, modulators / demodulators (for accessing remote devices, other files, devices, systems, or networks), radio frequency (RF) or other transceivers, telephone interfaces, bridges, routers, etc. The I / O devices 73 also include components for communicating over various networks such as the Internet or an intranet.

[0129] If device 70 is a PC, workstation, intelligent device, etc., the software in memory 72 may further include a Basic Input / Output System (BIOS), which is a set of essential software routines that initializes and tests hardware at power-up, starts O / S 75, and supports the transfer of data between hardware devices. The BIOS is stored in some type of read-only memory, such as ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, etc., so that it is executable when device 70 is powered on.

[0130] During operation of device 70, processing circuitry 71 executes software / executable instructions stored in memory 72, transfers data to and from memory 72, and generally controls the operation of device 70 in accordance with the software / executable instructions. Applications 76 and O / S 75, in whole or in part, are read by processing circuitry 71 and, in some cases, buffered within processing circuitry 71 before being executed.

[0131] It should be noted that if the application 76 is implemented in software, the application 76 may be stored on virtually any computer-readable medium for use with or in connection with any computer-related system or method. In the context of this document, a computer-readable medium may be an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical device or means that can store or retain a computer program for use with or in connection with a computer-related system or method.

[0132] The application 76 may be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use with or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device (such as a computer-based system, a system equipped with processing circuitry, or other system that can fetch instructions from an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions). In the context of this document, a "computer-readable medium" may be any means that can store, communicate, propagate, or transfer a program for use with or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatus, devices, or propagation media.

[0133] In the context of the present disclosure, the I / O device 73 receives the input data set from the medical imaging device 100. In another embodiment, the input data set is obtained from a memory location or unit (not shown).

[0134] The I / O device 73 may provide the output dataset to the user interface 111. The user interface 111 may provide a visual representation of the output dataset, such as displaying image(s) corresponding to the medical imaging data included in the output dataset.

[0135] Those skilled in the art will be readily able to develop devices having processing circuitry for carrying out the methods described herein, and each step of the flowchart thus represents a different action performed by the processing circuitry of the device and may be performed by a corresponding module of the processing circuitry of the device.

[0136] Thus, the embodiments use a device. The device can be implemented in various ways using software and / or hardware to perform the various functions required. The processor is an example of a device that employs one or more microprocessors that are programmed using software (such as microcode) to perform the necessary functions. However, the device may be implemented without regard to the employment of a processor, and may also be implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (such as one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) to perform other functions.

[0137] Examples of device components that may be employed in various embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0138] In various implementations, the processor or device may be associated with one or more storage media, such as volatile and non-volatile computer memories, such as RAM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM. The storage media may be encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on the processing circuitry, perform the necessary functions. The various storage media may be fixed within the processor or device, or may be transportable such that one or more programs stored thereon may be loaded into the processor or device.

[0139] It will be understood that the disclosed methods are computer-implemented methods. Therefore, the concept of a computer program comprising code means for carrying out any of the described methods when executed on a device equipped with processing circuitry, such as a computer, is also proposed. Thus, different parts, lines or blocks of code of a computer program according to an embodiment may be executed by a device or computer to carry out any of the methods described herein. In some alternative implementations, the functions shown in the block diagrams or flow charts may occur out of the order shown in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may be executed in the reverse order depending on the functionality involved.

[0140] Variations of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in implementing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the singular elements do not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain means are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these means cannot be used to advantage. In the case where a computer program is described above, it can be stored / distributed on any suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium, provided together with or as part of other hardware, but can also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless communication systems. It should be noted that when the term "adapted to" is used in the claims or description, the term "adapted to" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to". Any reference signs in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. 1. A computer-implemented method for processing projection field data generated by a computed tomography (CT) scanner, the computer-implemented method comprising: acquiring a first input data set including projection field data generated by the CT scanner at a desired imaging angle, the CT scanner generating projection field data at different imaging angles relative to an examination region during a scanning operation; acquiring at least one further input data set, each further input data set including projection field data generated by the CT scanner at a corresponding at least one further imaging angle, a difference between the desired imaging angle and each corresponding further imaging angle being predetermined; inputting the first input data set and the at least one further input data set into a machine learning algorithm, the machine learning algorithm processing the first input data set and the at least one further input data set to generate an output data set, the output data set being different from the first input data set and including projection field data at the desired imaging angle relative to the examination field; processing the first input dataset and the at least one further input dataset using the machine learning algorithm to generate the output dataset; Including, 11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the at least one further input data set comprises a first further input data set comprising projection field data generated by the CT scanner at a first imaging angle, wherein a difference between the desired imaging angle and the first imaging angle is equal to π.

2. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising using the machine learning algorithm to reduce noise and / or artifacts in the projection domain data of the first input dataset based on the first input dataset and the at least one further input dataset to generate the output dataset.

3. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: using the machine learning algorithm to perform spectral filtering of the projection domain data of the first input dataset based on the first input dataset and the at least one further input dataset to generate the output dataset.

4. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein for each of the at least one further input data set, a difference between the desired imaging angle and the corresponding further imaging angle is a multiple of a first predetermined angle.

5. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the first predetermined angle is equal to a minimum change in imaging angle performed by the CT scanner during a scanning operation.

6. The at least one further input data set comprises: a second further input data set comprising projection field data generated by the CT scanner at a second imaging angle, the difference between the desired imaging angle and the second imaging angle being the first predetermined angle; and a third further input data set comprising projection field data generated by the CT scanner at a third imaging angle, the difference between the third imaging angle and the desired imaging angle being the first predetermined angle; and The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , comprising:

7. The at least one further input data set comprises: a fourth further input data set including projection field data generated by the CT scanner at a fourth imaging angle, a difference between the desired imaging angle and the fourth imaging angle being a second predetermined angle, the second predetermined angle being greater than the first predetermined angle; a fifth further input data set including projection field data generated by the CT scanner at a fifth imaging angle, the difference between the fifth imaging angle and the desired imaging angle being the second predetermined angle; and The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , comprising:

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one further input data set comprises no more than ten further input data sets.

9. the CT scanner generates projection field data for each of a plurality of different portions of a projection volume for a subject, the projection volume being a volume of the examination region; 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one further input data set comprises projected domain data having a portion of the projected volume that at least partially overlaps with a portion of the projected volume of the projected domain data of the first input data set.

10. for each of the at least one further input dataset, prior to inputting the first input dataset and the at least one further input dataset into the machine learning algorithm:

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, further comprising processing the further input dataset to remove any portions of the projected region data of the further input dataset that correspond to portions of the projected volume of the projected region data of the further input dataset that do not overlap the projected volume of the first input dataset.

11. The CT scanner comprises: a rotating gantry that rotates around a center of rotation; a radiation source rotatably supported on the rotating gantry, rotating with the rotating gantry, and emitting radiation that traverses the examination region; a detector array rotatably supported on and rotating with the rotating gantry and generating projection field data responsive to radiation emitted by the radiation source through the examination region; Including, The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the imaging angle is the angle that the radiation source makes with respect to a horizontal plane.

12. 12. A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing executable instructions that, when executed by a processing circuit, cause the processing circuit to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. 12. A computer program comprising computer program code means which, when executed on a computing device having a processing system, causes the processing system to perform all the steps of the method of any one of claims 1 to 11.

14. 1. A device for processing projection field data generated by a computed tomography (CT) scanner, the device comprising: a processing circuit and a memory containing instructions; The instructions, when executed by the processing circuit, cause the processing circuit to: acquiring a first input data set including projection field data generated by the CT scanner at a desired imaging angle, the CT scanner generating projection field data at different imaging angles relative to an examination region during a scanning operation; acquiring at least one further input data set, each further input data set including projection field data generated by the CT scanner at a corresponding at least one further imaging angle, a difference between the desired imaging angle and each corresponding further imaging angle being predetermined; inputting the first input data set and the at least one further input data set into a machine learning algorithm, the machine learning algorithm processing the first input data set and the at least one further input data set to generate an output data set, the output data set being different from the first input data set and including projection field data at the desired imaging angle relative to the examination field; processing the first input dataset and the at least one further input dataset using the machine learning algorithm to generate the output dataset; The device, wherein the at least one further input data set includes a first further input data set including projection field data generated by the CT scanner at a first imaging angle, a difference between the desired imaging angle and the first imaging angle being equal to π.

Images