Spectrum scanning data acquisition method, system, device, medium and imaging equipment

Abstract

The embodiment of the specification provides a spectral scanning data acquisition method, system, device, medium and imaging equipment. The spectral scanning data acquisition method comprises the following steps: acquiring switching time of a data acquisition system at least one group of energy switching; dividing at least one sampling period of a detector into a first stage and a second stage based on the switching time, wherein the first stage corresponds to the process of energy switching, and the second stage corresponds to the stage that energy switching successfully reaches the detector; and determining the data output of the second stage collected by the detector as imaging data, wherein the data is the data corresponding to the energy signal output by the ray source.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to the field of medical technology, and in particular to a method and system for acquiring energy spectrum scanning data. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of technology, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) imaging has gradually been applied in clinical computed tomography (CT) scans to measure atomic numbers, substance concentrations, and other parameters. Rapid energy switching is a method for achieving EDS CT, which involves rapidly switching energy levels during a single scan and acquiring data at each energy output. This allows for the reconstruction of single-energy images, effective atomic number images, and matrix material images using data from different energy levels, providing richer information for clinical CT diagnosis.

[0003] Energy switching is controlled by an energy switching signal, which is then modulated by a high-voltage generator. Since energy switching takes time, the acquired data includes information from this process, which can affect image quality.

[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a method and system for acquiring energy spectrum scanning data, which can effectively acquire data at stable energies, thereby improving image quality. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This specification provides, in one aspect, a method for acquiring energy spectrum scanning data, comprising: acquiring the switching time of a data acquisition system during at least one set of energy switching; dividing at least one sampling period of a detector into a first stage and a second stage based on the switching time, wherein the first stage corresponds to the energy switching process and the second stage corresponds to the stage where the energy switching successfully reaches the detector; and determining the data output of the second stage acquired by the detector as imaging data, wherein the data is data corresponding to the energy signal output by the X-ray source.

[0006] In some embodiments, the switching time includes at least a first switching time and a second switching time, wherein the first switching time reflects the time to switch from a first energy source to a second energy source, and the second switching time reflects the time to switch from the second energy source to the first energy source.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first switching time and the second switching time are determined based on the energy difference between the first energy and the second energy and the response speed of the data acquisition system.

[0008] In some embodiments, the sampling periods of the detector are of the same duration.

[0009] In some embodiments, the detector performs continuous sampling during the plurality of sampling periods, and the detector discards the data acquired in the first phase of each sampling period and outputs the data acquired in the second phase of each sampling period as the imaging data.

[0010] In some embodiments, at least two of the multiple sampling periods of the detector are at different times.

[0011] Another aspect of this specification provides an energy spectrum scanning data acquisition system, comprising: an acquisition module for acquiring the switching time of the data acquisition system during at least one set of energy switching; a division module for dividing at least one sampling period of the detector into a first stage and a second stage based on the switching time, wherein the first stage corresponds to the energy switching process and the second stage corresponds to the stage where the energy switching successfully reaches the detector; and a data processing module for determining the data output of the second stage acquired by the detector as imaging data, wherein the data is data corresponding to the energy signal output by the X-ray source.

[0012] Another aspect of this specification provides an imaging device, comprising: a radiation source for emitting radiation; a control system for controlling the radiation source to output signals of different energies; a data acquisition system for acquiring projection data corresponding to the energies; a data processing system for acquiring the switching time of the data acquisition system during at least one set of energy switching; based on the switching time, dividing at least one sampling period of a detector in the data acquisition system into a first stage and a second stage, the first stage corresponding to the energy switching process, and the second stage corresponding to the stage where the energy switching successfully reaches the detector; and outputting the projection data acquired by the detector in the second stage as imaging data.

[0013] Another aspect of this specification provides an energy spectrum scanning data acquisition device, including at least one storage medium, including a set of instructions; and one or more processors in communication with said at least one storage medium, wherein, when the instructions are executed, said one or more processors are configured to perform the method as described above.

[0014] Another aspect of this specification provides a computer device including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, characterized in that the processor, when executing the computer program, implements the method described above.

[0015] Another aspect of this specification provides a computer-readable storage medium that stores computer instructions, which, when read by a computer, execute the method described above. Attached Figure Description

[0016] This specification will be further described by way of exemplary embodiments, which will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are not limiting; in these embodiments, the same reference numerals denote the same structures, wherein:

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an application scenario of an example performance spectrum scanning data acquisition method according to some embodiments of this specification;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the modules of an example performance spectrum scanning data acquisition system according to some embodiments of this specification;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an example performance spectrum scanning data acquisition method according to some embodiments of this specification;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating example performance spectrum scan data acquisition according to some embodiments of this specification;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an exemplary imaging device according to some embodiments of this specification. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments in this specification, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some examples or embodiments of this specification. For those skilled in the art, these drawings can be applied to other similar scenarios without creative effort. Unless obvious from the context or otherwise specified, the same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same structures or operations.

[0023] It should be understood that the terms “system,” “device,” “unit,” and / or “module” used herein are one way to distinguish different components, elements, parts, sections, or assemblies at different levels. However, if other terms can achieve the same purpose, they may be replaced by other expressions.

[0024] As indicated in this specification and claims, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the words "a," "an," "an," and / or "the" do not specifically refer to the singular and may also include the plural. Generally speaking, the terms "comprising" and "including" only indicate the inclusion of expressly identified steps and elements, which do not constitute an exclusive list, and the method or apparatus may also include other steps or elements.

[0025] Flowcharts are used in this specification to illustrate the operations performed by the system according to embodiments of this specification. The related descriptions are provided to aid in a better understanding of the control method and / or system. It should be understood that preceding or subsequent operations are not necessarily performed precisely in sequence. Instead, steps can be processed in reverse order or simultaneously. Furthermore, other operations can be added to these processes, or one or more steps can be removed from them.

[0026] CT scans work by emitting X-ray beams to scan a specific thickness of the human body. A detector receives the X-rays that pass through this layer, converts them into visible light, then converts them into electrical signals via photoelectric conversion, and finally converts them into digital signals via an analog-to-digital converter. These digital signals are then processed by a computer to obtain a reconstructed image. Spectral CT is an examination method that utilizes the different absorption rates of X-rays of varying energies. For example, during a single scan, the energy can be rapidly switched, and data can be acquired at each energy output. Using this data from different energies, single-energy images, effective atomic number images, and matrix material image reconstructions can be achieved, providing richer information for clinical diagnosis via CT.

[0027] Energy switching is controlled by an energy switching signal, which is then modulated by a high-voltage generator. Since energy switching takes time, the acquired data includes information from the energy switching process, which can affect image quality.

[0028] This specification provides an energy spectrum scanning data acquisition method and system, which acquires the switching time of the data acquisition system during at least one set of energy switching, as well as multiple sampling periods of the detector, and divides at least one sampling period into a first stage and a second stage based on the switching time; the data output of the second stage acquired by the detector is determined as imaging data, which can eliminate the influence of data during the energy switching process on the reconstructed image while ensuring continuous sampling by the detector.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an application scenario of an example performance spectrum scanning data acquisition method according to some embodiments of this specification.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, the imaging system 100 may include an imaging device 110, a processing device 120, a terminal device 130, a storage device 140, and a network 150. In some embodiments, the processing device 120 may be part of the imaging device 110. The connections between the components in the imaging system 100 may be variable. Figure 1As shown, in some embodiments, imaging device 110 can be connected to processing device 120 via network 150. For example, imaging device 110 can be directly connected to processing device 120, as indicated by the dashed bidirectional arrow connecting imaging device 110 and processing device 120. As another example, storage device 140 can be connected to processing device 120 directly or via network 150. As an example, terminal device 130 can be directly connected to processing device 120 (as indicated by the dashed arrow connecting terminal device 130 and processing device 120) or connected to processing device 120 via network 150.

[0031] Imaging device 110 can scan a target object (scanned object) within a detection area or scanning area to obtain scan data of the target object (e.g., reconstructed image). For example, imaging device 110 can use high-energy rays (such as X-rays, gamma rays, etc.) to scan the target object to collect scan data related to the target object, such as three-dimensional images. The target object can be biological or non-biological. By way of example only, the target object can include a patient, an artificial object (e.g., a phantom), etc. As another example, the target object can include a specific part, organ, and / or tissue of a patient (e.g., head, ears, nose, mouth, neck, chest, abdomen, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, spine, heart, or tumor tissue, etc.).

[0032] In some embodiments, the imaging device 110 may include a single-modal scanner and / or a multimodal scanner. A single-modal scanner may include, for example, an X-ray scanner, a computed tomography (CT) scanner, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner, an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanner, an ultrasound (US) scanner, an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) scanner, a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) scanner, a far-infrared (FIR) scanner, a digital radiography (DR) scanner (e.g., moving digital radiography), a digital subtraction angiography (DSA) scanner, a dynamic spatial reconstruction (DSR) scanner, etc. A multimodal scanner may include, for example, an X-ray imaging-magnetic resonance imaging (X-ray-MRI) scanner, a positron emission tomography-X-ray imaging (PET-X-ray) scanner, a single-photon emission tomography-magnetic resonance imaging (SPECT-MRI) scanner, a positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scanner, a digital subtraction angiography-magnetic resonance imaging (DSA-MRI) scanner, etc. The above description of the imaging equipment is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of this specification.

[0033] In some embodiments, the imaging device 110 may include a medical bed 115. The medical bed 115 can be used to place a target object for scanning to obtain reconstructed images. In some embodiments, the medical bed 115 may include an automated medical bed and / or a manually operated medical bed. In some embodiments, the medical bed 115 may be independent of the imaging device 110.

[0034] In some embodiments, the imaging device 110 may include a display device. The display device may be used to display scan data of the target object (e.g., reconstructed images, etc.).

[0035] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the imaging device 110 may further include a radiation source 111, a gantry 112, a detector 114, a data acquisition system control board (DCB) 117, a control system 118, and a data processing system 119. The radiation source 111 can emit X-rays (e.g., radiation 113) towards the target object. The gantry 112 can support the detector 114 and the radiation source 111. The detector 114 can be used to detect radiation (e.g., X-rays) emitted from the radiation source 111. The data acquisition system control board (DCB) 117 can be used to control the detector 114, for example, by sending sampling commands. The control system 118 can be used to control the radiation source 111 to output signals of different energies. The data processing system 119 can be used to process the acquired data to obtain a reconstructed image of the target object.

[0036] Detector 114 and DCB 117 can form a data acquisition system (DAS) for acquiring projection data corresponding to different energies. In some embodiments, detector 114 may include one or more detector building blocks (DBBs). Detector modules may include scintillation detectors (e.g., cesium iodide detectors), gas detectors, etc. Detector modules may include single-row detectors and / or multi-row detectors.

[0037] In some embodiments, the control system 118 may include a radiation controller and a rack controller. The radiation controller can be used to control the radiation source 111 to output signals of different energies; for example, the radiation controller can provide power and timing signals for the X-ray source 111. The rack controller can be used to control the rotational speed and position of components on the rack 112 (e.g., the radiation source 111 and the detector 114).

[0038] By way of example only, the data processing system 119 can acquire the switching time of the data acquisition system during at least one set of energy switching, and multiple sampling periods of the detector 114, divide at least one sampling period into a first stage and a second stage based on the switching time, determine the projection data of the second stage acquired by the detector 114 as imaging data, and perform image reconstruction based on the imaging data.

[0039] Processing device 120 can process data and / or information acquired from imaging device 110, terminal device 130, storage device 140, or other components of imaging system 100. For example, processing device 120 can acquire a first switching time and a second switching time of the data acquisition system in imaging device 110 during at least one set of energy switching, and multiple sampling periods of detector 114, dividing at least one sampling period into a first stage and a second stage based on the first switching time or the second switching time, and performing image reconstruction based on the projection data of the second stage acquired by detector 114. Furthermore, processing device 120 can access information and / or data from imaging device 110, terminal device 130, and / or storage device 140 via network 150.

[0040] In some embodiments, the processing device 120 and the imaging device 110 may be integrated into one unit. For example, the processing device 120 may be part of a data processing system 119. In some embodiments, the processing device 120 and the imaging device 110 may be directly or indirectly connected to work together to implement the methods and / or functions described herein.

[0041] In some embodiments, the processing device 120 may include input and / or output devices. These input and / or output devices enable interaction with the user (e.g., displaying reconstructed images). In some embodiments, the input and / or output devices may include a display screen, keyboard, mouse, microphone, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0042] Terminal device 130 can be connected to and / or communicate with imaging device 110, processing device 120, and / or storage device 140. For example, terminal device 130 can acquire and display reconstructed images from processing device 120. In some embodiments, terminal device 130 may include mobile device 131, tablet computer 132, laptop computer 133, etc., or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, terminal device 130 (or all or part of its functions) may be integrated into processing device 120.

[0043] Storage device 140 may store data, instructions, and / or any other information. In some embodiments, storage device 140 may store data acquired from imaging device 110 and / or processing device 120 (e.g., reconstructed images, etc.). In some embodiments, storage device 140 may store computer instructions, etc., for implementing energy spectrum scanning data acquisition methods.

[0044] In some embodiments, storage device 140 may include one or more storage components, each of which may be a separate device or part of another device. In some embodiments, storage device 140 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage, removable memory, volatile read-write memory, etc., or any combination thereof. Exemplary mass storage may include disks, optical disks, solid-state drives, etc. RAM may include dynamic RAM (DRAM), double-data-rate synchronous dynamic RAM (DDR SDRAM), static RAM (SRAM), thyristor RAM (T-RAM), and zero-capacitance (Z-RAM), etc. ROM may include mask ROM (MROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (PEROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disc ROM (CD-ROM), and digital universal disk ROM, etc. In some embodiments, storage device 140 may be implemented on a cloud platform.

[0045] Network 150 may include any suitable network capable of facilitating information and / or data exchange. In some embodiments, at least one component of imaging system 100 (e.g., imaging device 110, processing device 120, terminal device 130, storage device 140) may exchange information and / or data with at least one other component of imaging system 100 via network 150. For example, processing device 120 may acquire reconstructed images from imaging device 110 via network 150.

[0046] It should be noted that the imaging system 100 is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of this specification. Various modifications or variations can be made by those skilled in the art based on the description in this specification. For example, the imaging system 100 can perform similar or different functions on other devices. However, these changes and modifications will not depart from the scope of this specification.

[0047] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the modules of an example performance spectrum scanning data acquisition system according to some embodiments of this specification.

[0048] like Figure 2As shown, in some embodiments, the energy spectrum scanning data acquisition system 200 may include an acquisition module 210, a partitioning module 220, and a data processing module 230. In some embodiments, the energy spectrum scanning data acquisition system 200 may be integrated into the processing device 120 or the data processing system 119.

[0049] The acquisition module 210 can be used to acquire the switching time (e.g., first switching time and second switching time) of the data acquisition system during at least one set of energy switching. The first switching time reflects the delay time of the data acquisition system when switching from a first energy source to a second energy source, and the second switching time reflects the delay time of the data acquisition system when switching from a second energy source to a first energy source.

[0050] In some embodiments, the acquisition module 210 can also be used to determine the first switching time and the second switching time based on the energy difference between the first energy and the second energy and the response speed of the data acquisition system.

[0051] The segmentation module 220 can be used to acquire multiple sampling periods of the detector in the data acquisition system, and divide at least one sampling period into a first stage and a second stage based on the switching time (e.g., a first switching time or a second switching time). The first stage corresponds to the energy switching process, and the second stage corresponds to the stage where the energy switching successfully reaches the detector.

[0052] The data processing module 230 can be used to determine the second-stage data output acquired by the detector as imaging data. In some embodiments, the data processing module 230 can process the imaging data to obtain a reconstructed image. For example, the data processing module 230 can perform noise reduction, filtering, image reconstruction, and other operations on the imaging data to obtain a reconstructed image of the target object (e.g., a CT image).

[0053] More information about the acquisition module 210, the partitioning module 220, and the data processing module 230 can be found in [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 3 As described in the text, it will not be repeated here.

[0054] It should be noted that the above description of the energy spectrum scanning data acquisition system 200 is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of this specification. Various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art based on the description herein. However, such changes and modifications do not depart from the scope of this specification.

[0055] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an example performance spectrum scanning data acquisition method according to some embodiments of this specification.

[0056] In some embodiments, process 300 may be performed by processing device 120 or energy spectrum scanning data acquisition system 200. The operational diagrams of process 300 presented below are illustrative. In some embodiments, the process may be accomplished using one or more additional operations not described and / or one or more operations not discussed. Additionally, Figure 3 The order of operations shown in and described below in process 300 is not intended to be restrictive.

[0057] Step 310: Acquire the switching time of the data acquisition system during at least one set of energy switching. In some embodiments, step 310 may be performed by the processing device 120 or the acquisition module 210.

[0058] In spectral CT, the rapid energy switching data acquisition scheme involves processes such as rapid energy switching output control, actual energy output, and data acquisition. Energy switching control is generally achieved through input / output (I / O) switching control signals, but the actual energy switching lags behind the input / output switching control signals. Specifically, due to the delay in the I / O switching control signal electronic circuitry, the energy switching rise (e.g., from low energy to high energy) and fall (e.g., from high energy to low energy) processes, as well as the time required for energy to be loaded into the X-ray tube (i.e., the X-ray source) and for the generated X-rays to reach the detector (e.g., detector 114), all result in a time delay from the issuance of the command to the acquisition of the corresponding energy by the detector.

[0059] In some embodiments, the imaging device (e.g., imaging device 110) can switch between at least two energies. For example, spectral CT can rapidly switch between a first energy and a second energy, such as switching from the first energy to the second energy, then from the second energy to the first energy, then from the first energy to the second energy, and so on. Alternatively, spectral CT can rapidly switch between multiple energies, such as a first energy, a second energy, a third energy, a fourth energy, etc., such as switching from the first energy to the second energy, from the second energy to the third energy, from the third energy to the fourth energy, from the fourth energy to the third energy, from the third energy to the second energy, and from the second energy to the first energy, etc.

[0060] In some embodiments, the imaging device can periodically switch between at least two energies. Taking the switching between two energies as an example, a cycle can be defined as spectral CT switching from a first energy to a second energy and then back to the first energy.

[0061] In some embodiments, the switching time may include a first switching time and a second switching time. The first switching time may reflect the delay time of the data acquisition system when switching from a first energy source to a second energy source. The second switching time may reflect the delay time of the data acquisition system when switching from a second energy source to a first energy source.

[0062] As an example only, let's take two energy switching scenarios as an example, such as... Figure 4 As shown in (a), the first row corresponds to the switch control signal, which is a pulse sequence; the second row corresponds to the energy change during data acquisition (Energy received by DAS), where the first switching time is the decrease time when the first energy switches to the second energy, and the second switching time is the rise time when the second energy switches to the first energy; the third row corresponds to DCB data sampling; and the fourth row corresponds to DBB data sampling after real-time implementation of this scheme. The first and second switching times may differ. Figure 4 Taking the example of China and Israel, where the rate of descent is slow and the rate of ascent is fast during energy switching.

[0063] In some embodiments, the first switching time and the second switching time can be determined based on the energy difference between the first energy and the second energy and the response speed of the data acquisition system. In some embodiments, the processing device 120 can determine the response speed of the data acquisition system based on historical sampling data of the imaging device 110 or system parameters (e.g., parameters described in the device manual). In some embodiments, the values ​​of the first energy and the second energy can be determined based on the target object, for example, based on the scanned portion of the target object to determine the corresponding first energy and the second energy. In some embodiments, the values ​​of the first energy and the second energy can be determined based on device parameters, for example, based on the energy range supported by the imaging device.

[0064] In some embodiments, a trained machine learning model can be used to determine the first and second switching times. For example, the first energy, the second energy, and the response speed of the data acquisition system can be input into a trained time determination model, which then analyzes the data and outputs the corresponding first and second switching times. Alternatively, the energy difference between the first and second energies and the response speed of the data acquisition system can be input into a trained time determination model, which then analyzes the data and outputs the corresponding first and second switching times.

[0065] In some embodiments, the first switching time and the second switching time can be determined through statistical analysis. In some embodiments, the first switching time and the second switching time can be obtained from a storage device (e.g., storage device 140). In some embodiments, the first switching time and the second switching time can be determined by any other feasible method, and this specification does not limit this.

[0066] It is understood that the first and second switching times mentioned above are only examples. When there is a switching between two or more energy sources, there may also be a third switching time, a fourth switching time, ..., an Nth switching time, etc. For example, the delay time of switching from the second energy to the third energy data acquisition system can be determined as the third switching time, and the delay time of switching from the third energy to the second energy data acquisition system can be determined as the fourth switching time. Accordingly, the third switching time and the fourth switching time can be determined based on the energy difference between the second energy and the third energy and the response speed of the data acquisition system. This specification does not impose specific limitations on this.

[0067] Step 320: Based on the switching time, at least one sampling period of the detector is divided into a first stage and a second stage. In some embodiments, step 320 may be performed by the processing device 120 or the partitioning module 220.

[0068] A sampling period can refer to one energy data acquisition. Each data acquisition corresponds to one view, and the time for each acquisition is called the integration time. For example... Figure 4 As shown in (a), the views corresponding to DCB are V1, V2, V3, V4, ..., and each view is a sampling period. DCB generates the rotation angle and sends sampling commands to each detector module (DBB). Each detector module collects scanning data based on the sampling commands. That is, the sampling period corresponding to the detector is the same as the sampling period corresponding to DCB, which is also V1, V2, V3, V4, ....

[0069] In some embodiments, the detector may include multiple sampling periods. In some embodiments, the detector performs continuous sampling during multiple sampling periods. That is, the detector starts sampling after receiving a sampling command and stops sampling after completing the entire scanning process.

[0070] In some embodiments, the duration of multiple sampling periods of the detector can be the same, i.e., the integration time for each sampling is the same. For example... Figure 4 As shown in (a), the integration times of V1, V2, V3, and V4 are the same.

[0071] In some embodiments, the times of at least two of the multiple sampling periods of the detector may be different. For example, the integration times of V1 and V2 are different, while the integration times of V1, V3, and V4 are the same; or, the integration times of V1, V2, V3, and V4 are all different; or, the integration times of V1 and V2 are the same, the integration times of V3 and V4 are the same, and the integration times of V1 and V3 are different.

[0072] The second stage corresponds to the stage where the energy switch is successfully completed and reaches the detector. In other words, the data collected by the detector in the second stage is valid data that does not include the energy switch process.

[0073] In some embodiments, the division of the first stage and the second stage based on a first switching time or a second switching time can be determined based on the energy value corresponding to the sampling period. As an example only, if the detector's sampling period corresponds to a second energy, meaning the detector collects data corresponding to the second energy during that sampling period, then the sampling period is divided into a first stage and a second stage based on the first switching time from the first energy to the second energy; if the detector's sampling period corresponds to the first energy, meaning the detector collects data corresponding to the first energy during that sampling period, then the sampling period is divided into a first stage and a second stage based on the second switching time from the second energy to the first energy. Figure 4 (b) is an enlarged view of some data in 4(a). As shown in 4(b), the sampling period V1 corresponds to the second energy, so the first sampling period can be divided into stages based on the first switching time from the first energy to the second energy; the sampling period V2 corresponds to the first energy, so the second sampling period can be divided into stages based on the second switching time from the second energy to the first energy.

[0074] In some embodiments, the sampling phase corresponding to the first switching time (or the second switching time) within the sampling period can be defined as the first phase, and the remaining sampling phases can be defined as the second phase. For example... Figure 4 As shown in (b), based on the first switching time, the sampling period V1 is divided into a first stage V1' and a second stage V2', where V1' is the time period from the first energy to the second energy, and V2' is the time period for collecting valid data.

[0075] In some embodiments, the sampling period can be divided into a first stage and a second stage based on the end time of the first switching time or the second switching time. For example, the end time of the first switching time or the second switching time can be determined as the start time of the second stage.

[0076] Based on the above, if the detector module receives the sampling command from the DCB and directly performs data acquisition according to the data acquisition method planned by the DCB, then even if the sampling delay time is adjusted, the detector will still acquire data during the energy switching process in each sampling cycle. For example... Figure 4 As shown in (a), each sampling period, V1, V2, V3, V4…, includes data acquisition of an energy switching process (e.g., switching from the first energy to the second energy, or vice versa). By dividing the sampling period based on the first or second switching time, the stage for acquiring valid data in each sampling period can be determined (e.g., V2', V4', V6', V8').

[0077] It is understandable that the first and second stages are only used as examples of two different phases in the sampling period. Depending on the energy and the energy switching time, the time periods of the first and second stages for each sampling period may be the same or different. Figure 4 As shown in (a), sampling periods V1 and V3 both correspond to data acquisition for the second energy, and both switch from the first energy to the second energy, meaning the corresponding switching times are the same (both are the first switching time). Therefore, the time periods of the first stage after division are the same (e.g., V1' and V5') and the time periods of the second stage are the same (e.g., V2' and V6'). Sampling periods V1 and V2 correspond to data acquisition for different energies (second energy and first energy), and the switching times are also different. Therefore, the time periods of the first stage (e.g., V1' and V3') and the second stage (e.g., V2' and V4') after division are different.

[0078] Step 330: The data output from the second stage acquired by the detector is determined as imaging data. In some embodiments, step 330 may be performed by the processing device 120 or the data processing module 230.

[0079] Imaging data can refer to data used to obtain reconstructed images (e.g., CT images). In some embodiments, the imaging data can be processed to obtain reconstructed images. For example, the processing device 120 can perform one or more operations on the imaging data, such as filtering, noise reduction, and image reconstruction, to obtain CT images.

[0080] In some embodiments, the detector may discard data acquired in the first stage of each sampling cycle and output data acquired in the second stage of each sampling cycle to obtain imaging data. For example, detector 114 may discard data corresponding to the energy signals output by the X-ray source acquired in stages V1', V3', V5', and V7', and output data corresponding to the energy signals output by the X-ray source acquired in stages V2', V4', V6', and V8' to DCB 117. DCB 117 outputs the received data to data processing system 119, and data processing system 119 performs image reconstruction based on the output data to obtain a reconstructed image of the target object.

[0081] The detector discards the data collected in the first stage and outputs the data collected in the second stage, which makes the actual number of samples collected by the detector consistent with the number of samples planned by DCB.

[0082] In some embodiments, the data acquisition system can output all the data acquired by the detector (e.g., all the data corresponding to different energy signals output by the X-ray source) to the data processing system, and the data processing system can select the second-stage sampling data from it to determine the imaging data in order to obtain the reconstructed image.

[0083] In some embodiments, the image reconstruction method may include, but is not limited to, projection reconstruction, shape restoration by light and shadow, stereoscopic reconstruction, and laser ranging reconstruction, etc., and this specification does not limit it.

[0084] It should be noted that the above description of process 300 is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of this specification. Various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art based on the description herein. However, such changes and modifications do not depart from the scope of this specification.

[0085] The beneficial effects that the embodiments of this specification may bring include, but are not limited to: (1) By dividing the sampling period of the detector into a first stage and a second stage according to the mutual switching time between different energies (e.g., the first switching time and the second switching time), and performing image reconstruction based on the sampling data of the second stage, the data collected during the energy switching process can be discarded, and the data collected under stable energy can be retained, thereby ensuring that the quality of the reconstructed image is not affected; (2) The detector discards the data collected in the first stage of each sampling period and outputs the data collected in the second stage of each sampling period for image reconstruction, so that the actual sampling number of the detector is consistent with the sampling number planned by DCB, and the influence of the data during the energy switching process on the reconstructed image can be eliminated on the basis of ensuring continuous sampling of the detector; (3) The energy switching time is determined based on the energy difference and the system response speed, which can ensure the accuracy of the energy switching time determination, thereby improving the accuracy of effective data acquisition; (4) The division of the detector sampling period is independent of the period time, and can be applied to multiple scenarios with the same or different sampling periods, with high flexibility.

[0086] The basic concepts have been described above. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, the detailed disclosure above is merely illustrative and does not constitute a limitation of this specification. Although not explicitly stated herein, those skilled in the art may make various modifications, improvements, and corrections to this specification. Such modifications, improvements, and corrections are suggested in this specification and therefore remain within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments described herein.

[0087] Furthermore, this specification uses specific terms to describe embodiments thereof. For example, "an embodiment," "one embodiment," and / or "some embodiments" refer to a particular feature, structure, or characteristic associated with at least one embodiment of this specification. Therefore, it should be emphasized and noted that references to "an embodiment," "one embodiment," or "an alternative embodiment" in different locations throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, certain features, structures, or characteristics in one or more embodiments of this specification can be appropriately combined.

[0088] Furthermore, unless expressly stated in the claims, the order of processing elements and sequences, the use of numbers and letters, or other names described in this specification are not intended to limit the order of the processes and methods described herein. Although various examples have been discussed in the foregoing disclosure of some embodiments of the invention that are currently considered useful, it should be understood that such details are for illustrative purposes only, and the appended claims are not limited to the disclosed embodiments; rather, the claims are intended to cover all modifications and equivalent combinations that conform to the spirit and scope of the embodiments described herein. For example, while the system components described above can be implemented using hardware devices, they can also be implemented solely using software solutions, such as installing the described system on existing servers or mobile devices.

[0089] Similarly, it should be noted that, in order to simplify the description disclosed herein and thus aid in the understanding of one or more embodiments of the invention, the foregoing description of embodiments in this specification may sometimes combine multiple features into a single embodiment, drawing, or description thereof. However, this method of disclosure does not imply that the subject matter of this specification requires more features than those mentioned in the claims. In fact, the embodiments contain fewer features than all the features of a single embodiment disclosed above.

[0090] In some embodiments, numbers describing the quantity of components and attributes are used. It should be understood that such numbers used in the description of embodiments are modified in some examples with the terms "approximately," "approximately," or "generally." Unless otherwise stated, "approximately," "approximately," or "generally" indicates that the numbers are allowed to vary by ±20%. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters used in the specification and claims are approximate values, which may be changed depending on the characteristics required by individual embodiments. In some embodiments, numerical parameters should take into account specified significant digits and employ a general method of digit reservation. Although the numerical ranges and parameters used to confirm their breadth of range in some embodiments of this specification are approximate values, in specific embodiments, such values ​​are set as precisely as feasible.

[0091] For each patent, patent application, patent application publication, and other material, such as articles, books, specifications, publications, and documents, referenced in this specification, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This excludes historical application documents that are inconsistent with or conflict with the content of this specification, as well as documents that limit the broadest scope of the claims in this specification (currently or subsequently appended to this specification). It should be noted that in the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the descriptions, definitions, and / or terminology used in the supplementary materials to this specification and the content of this specification, the descriptions, definitions, and / or terminology used in this specification shall prevail.

[0092] Finally, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the embodiments described herein. Other variations may also fall within the scope of this specification. Therefore, alternative configurations of the embodiments described herein are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting, and should be considered consistent with the teachings of this specification. Accordingly, the embodiments described herein are not limited to those explicitly introduced and described herein.

Claims

1. A method for acquiring energy spectrum scanning data, characterized in that, include: Using a trained machine learning model, the switching time of the data acquisition system during at least one energy switch is determined. The switching time includes at least a first switching time and a second switching time. The first switching time reflects the time to switch from a first energy source to a second energy source, and the second switching time reflects the time to switch from the second energy source to the first energy source. The input data of the trained machine learning model consists of the first energy source, the second energy source, and the response speed of the data acquisition system. The output data of the trained machine learning model consists of the first switching time and the second switching time. Based on the switching time, at least one sampling period of the detector is divided into a first stage and a second stage. The first stage corresponds to the energy switching process, and the second stage corresponds to the stage when the energy switching successfully reaches the detector. The detector outputs data to obtain imaging data; wherein the detector discards the data collected in the first stage of each sampling cycle and outputs the data collected in the second stage of each sampling cycle, and the data collected by the detector is the data corresponding to the energy signal output by the X-ray source.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detector has multiple sampling periods with the same duration.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The detector performs continuous sampling during the plurality of sampling periods, and the detector discards the data acquired in the first stage of each sampling period and outputs the data acquired in the second stage of each sampling period as the imaging data.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least two of the multiple sampling periods of the detector have different times.

5. A method for acquiring energy spectrum scanning data, characterized in that, include: Using a trained machine learning model, the switching time of the data acquisition system during at least one energy switch is determined. The switching time includes at least a first switching time and a second switching time. The first switching time reflects the time to switch from a first energy to a second energy, and the second switching time reflects the time to switch from the second energy to the first energy. The input data of the trained machine learning model consists of the energy difference between the first energy and the second energy and the response speed of the data acquisition system. The output data of the trained machine learning model consists of the first switching time and the second switching time. Based on the switching time, at least one sampling period of the detector is divided into a first stage and a second stage. The first stage corresponds to the energy switching process, and the second stage corresponds to the stage when the energy switching successfully reaches the detector. The detector outputs data to obtain imaging data; wherein the detector discards the data collected in the first stage of each sampling cycle and outputs the data collected in the second stage of each sampling cycle, and the data collected by the detector is the data corresponding to the energy signal output by the X-ray source.

6. A spectral scanning data acquisition system, characterized in that, include: An acquisition module is used to determine the switching time of a data acquisition system during at least one set of energy switching using a trained machine learning model. The switching time includes at least a first switching time and a second switching time. The first switching time reflects the time to switch from a first energy source to a second energy source, and the second switching time reflects the time to switch from the second energy source to the first energy source. The input data of the trained machine learning model are the first energy source, the second energy source, and the response speed of the data acquisition system. The output data of the trained machine learning model are the first switching time and the second switching time. The segmentation module is used to divide at least one sampling period of the detector into a first stage and a second stage based on the switching time. The first stage corresponds to the energy switching process, and the second stage corresponds to the stage when the energy switching successfully reaches the detector. The data processing module is used to acquire the data output by the detector to obtain imaging data; wherein, the detector discards the data acquired in the first stage of each sampling cycle and outputs the data acquired in the second stage of each sampling cycle, and the data acquired by the detector is the data corresponding to the energy signal output by the X-ray source.

7. An imaging device, characterized in that, include: A radiation source, used to emit radiation; A control system is used to control the output of signals of different energies from the radiation source. A data acquisition system for acquiring projection data corresponding to the energy; Data processing system, used for Using a trained machine learning model, the switching time of the data acquisition system during at least one energy switch is determined. The switching time includes at least a first switching time and a second switching time. The first switching time reflects the time to switch from a first energy source to a second energy source, and the second switching time reflects the time to switch from the second energy source to the first energy source. The input data of the trained machine learning model consists of the first energy source, the second energy source, and the response speed of the data acquisition system. The output data of the trained machine learning model consists of the first switching time and the second switching time. Based on the switching time, at least one sampling period of the detector in the data acquisition system is divided into a first stage and a second stage. The first stage corresponds to the energy switching process, and the second stage corresponds to the stage when the energy switching successfully reaches the detector. The detector outputs data to obtain imaging data; wherein the detector discards the data acquired in the first stage of each sampling period and outputs the data acquired in the second stage of each sampling period.

8. An energy spectrum scanning data acquisition device, comprising at least one storage medium, including a set of instructions; and one or more processors communicating with said at least one storage medium, wherein, When the instructions are executed, the one or more processors are used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions, wherein when a computer reads the computer instructions in the storage medium, the computer performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

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