Processing method and device of flicker pulse, digital device and storage medium

Abstract

This application discloses a method, apparatus, digitizing device, and storage medium for processing flicker pulses. The processing method includes: presetting multiple thresholds, and performing multi-threshold sampling on the flicker pulses based on the thresholds to obtain sampling data; determining a correspondence table between pulse energy and threshold duration related to the thresholds; and determining a target energy value of the flicker pulse based on the sampling data and the correspondence table. This application can restore stacked pulses and perform accurate energy calculation and pulse counting on the restored pulses, avoiding miscounting of some pulses due to pulse stacking.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of data processing, and in particular to a method and device for processing scintillation pulses, a digital device, and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the process of detecting high-energy particles / rays, a photon counting CT detector can directly convert the detected high-energy particles / rays, such as X-rays, into electrical signals. By calculating the energy of each X-ray photon, the counts of photons of different energies can be obtained.

[0003] The higher the X-ray energy, the greater the pulse amplitude. The lower the X-ray energy, the smaller the pulse amplitude. The photon counting CT detector counts photons in the following manner: instead of directly obtaining the energy of the X-rays, the number of photons in each energy segment is obtained. The energy segment count can be obtained by first testing the relationship between the pulse amplitude and the pulse energy using a high-speed oscilloscope. The pulse amplitude T corresponding to the energy value E is used as a comparison threshold. The pulse that exceeds the threshold is considered to have an energy greater than E, and the pulse that is less than the threshold is considered to have an energy less than E.

[0004] In a photon counting CT, the pulse peak values T0, T1, T2, and T3 corresponding to the energies of 25 keV, 50 keV, 75 keV, and 100 keV are usually calculated first. The number of photons in the energy segments T0-T1, T1-T2, T2-T3, and greater than T3 is counted. The segmented energy photon counting is achieved.

[0005] In the prior art, a limited number of threshold values can be used to obtain segmented energy photon counting, but the accurate energy of each photon cannot be obtained, and true photon counting cannot be achieved. At the same time, if the peak value of a pulse is at the threshold value, the energy segment of the photon may be misjudged. SUMMARY

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present application is how to accurately calculate the pulse energy generated by a single photon.

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present application discloses a method and device for processing scintillation pulses, a digital device, and a storage medium.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present application, a method for processing scintillation pulses is provided. The method comprises: presetting a plurality of threshold values, and performing multi-threshold sampling on the scintillation pulses based on the threshold values to obtain sampling data; determining a correspondence table between pulse energy and threshold duration related to the threshold values; and determining a target energy value of the scintillation pulses based on the sampling data and the correspondence table.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present application, the determining the correspondence table comprises: obtaining a plurality of known pulses with known pulse energies; performing multi-threshold sampling on the known pulses based on the threshold value, to determine a first time and a second time at which the known pulses cross the threshold value; determining the threshold duration based on the first time and the second time; and determining the correspondence table based on a plurality of pulse energies and a plurality of threshold durations.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present application, the correspondence table reflects a correspondence between a number of threshold values crossed by the known pulses, pulse energies of the known pulses, and a first average threshold duration; the first average threshold duration comprises an average of threshold durations corresponding to each threshold value.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present application, the correspondence table reflects a correspondence between a threshold duration of a lowest threshold value crossed by the known pulses and a pulse energy of the known pulses.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present application, the correspondence table reflects a correspondence between a threshold duration of a highest threshold value crossed by the known pulses and a pulse energy of the known pulses.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present application, the correspondence table reflects a correspondence between a pulse energy of the known pulses and a second average threshold duration; the second average threshold duration comprises an average of threshold durations corresponding to a preset number of threshold values crossed by the known pulses.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present application, the determining the target energy value of the scintillation pulse comprises: determining a target threshold duration based on the sampling data; determining a threshold duration in the correspondence table that has a ratio to the target threshold duration smaller than a preset ratio, based on the target threshold duration and the correspondence table; and designating a pulse energy corresponding to the threshold duration as the target energy value.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present application, the determining the target energy value of the scintillation pulse comprises: determining a target threshold duration based on the sampling data; determining a relationship function between a pulse energy and a threshold duration based on the correspondence table; and determining the target energy value based on the target duration and the relationship function.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present application, the processing method further comprises: designating the target energy value to participate in pulse counting and spectrum plotting.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present application, a processing device for a scintillation pulse is provided. The processing device comprises: a sampling module configured to preset a plurality of thresholds and perform multi-threshold sampling on the scintillation pulse based on the thresholds to obtain sampling data; a determining module configured to determine a correspondence table between pulse energy and threshold duration related to the thresholds; and a calculating module configured to determine a target energy value of the scintillation pulse based on the sampling data and the correspondence table.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present application, to determine the correspondence table, the determining module is configured to: obtain a plurality of known pulses with known pulse energies; perform multi-threshold sampling on the known pulses based on the thresholds to determine first times and second times at which the known pulses cross the thresholds; determine the threshold durations based on the first times and the second times; and determine the correspondence table based on a plurality of pulse energies and a plurality of threshold durations.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present application, the correspondence table reflects a correspondence between a number of thresholds crossed by the known pulses, the pulse energies of the known pulses, and a first average threshold duration; the first average threshold duration comprises an average of the threshold durations corresponding to each threshold.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the present application, the correspondence table reflects a correspondence between the threshold duration of a lowest threshold crossed by the known pulses and the pulse energies of the known pulses.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present application, the correspondence table reflects a correspondence between the threshold duration of a highest threshold crossed by the known pulses and the pulse energies of the known pulses.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the present application, the correspondence table reflects a correspondence between the pulse energies of the known pulses and a second average threshold duration; the second average threshold duration comprises an average of the threshold durations corresponding to a preset number of thresholds crossed by the known pulses.

[0023] According to some embodiments of the present application, to determine the target energy value of the scintillation pulse, the calculating module is configured to: determine a target threshold duration based on the sampling data; determine a threshold duration in the correspondence table that has a ratio to the target threshold duration smaller than a preset ratio based on the target threshold duration and the correspondence table; and designate a pulse energy corresponding to the threshold duration as the target energy value.

[0024] According to some embodiments of the present application, to determine the target energy value of the scintillation pulse, the computing module is configured to: determine a target threshold duration based on the sampling data; determine a relationship function between pulse energy and threshold duration based on the correspondence table; and determine the target energy value based on the target duration and the relationship function.

[0025] According to some embodiments of the present application, the computing module is further configured to participate in pulse counting and energy spectrum mapping using the target energy value.

[0026] According to a third aspect of the present application, a processing device is provided. The processing device comprises a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the steps of the processing method described above are implemented.

[0027] According to a fourth aspect of the present application, a computer readable storage medium is provided. The storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the processing method described above are implemented.

[0028] The processing method disclosed in the present application can use the threshold duration determined by multi-threshold sampling to accurately calculate the energy of a single photon generated pulse and count the pulse, avoiding the miscounting caused by counting in the energy range. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] The present application will be further illustrated in the form of exemplary embodiments, which will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are not limiting, and in these embodiments, the same reference numbers represent the same structures, wherein:

[0030] Figure 1 is an exemplary flowchart of a processing method of a scintillation pulse according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0031] Figure 2 is an exemplary schematic diagram of the relationship between a scintillation pulse and a threshold value according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0032] Figure 3 is an exemplary module diagram of a data processing system for processing of a scintillation pulse according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0033] Figure 4 is an exemplary functional block diagram of a data processing system for processing of a scintillation pulse according to some embodiments of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In order to make the above objectives, features and advantages of the present application more clear and comprehensible, specific embodiments of the present application will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present application. However, the present application can be practiced in a number of different ways beyond the specific embodiments described and it is therefore contemplated that there are other embodiments of the present application that fall within the scope of the present application. It is additionally noted that functions explained as being performed by one or more entities can be implemented as hardware, software or a combination thereof.

[0035] It is to be noted that when an element is referred to as being "on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements can also be present. When an element is referred to as being "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements can also be present. As used herein the terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and the like are merely used for the purpose of explanation and are not intended to limit the present application.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used in the description of the application herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0037] Some preferred embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following description is for the purpose of illustration only and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

[0038] Figure 1 is an exemplary flowchart of a method of processing a scintillation pulse according to some embodiments of the present application. In some embodiments, the method of processing a scintillation pulse 100 can be performed by a data processing system 300. For example, the method of processing a scintillation pulse 100 can be stored in the form of a program or instructions in a storage device (such as a storage unit built-in or attached to the data processing system 300), which, when executed, can implement the method of processing a scintillation pulse 100. As shown, the method of processing a scintillation pulse 100 can include the following operations. Figure 1

[0039] At step 110, a plurality of threshold values are preset, and a multi-threshold sampling is performed on the scintillation pulse based on the threshold values to obtain sampling data.

[0040] ​In some embodiments, the scintillation pulses can be acquired by a radiation detection device, such as a semiconductor detector, including a P-N junction semiconductor detector, a lithium-drifted semiconductor detector, a high-purity germanium semiconductor detector, a germanium-lithium semiconductor detector, a silicon-lithium semiconductor detector, a silicon microstrip semiconductor detector, a metal- insulator-semiconductor detector, and the like. The semiconductor detector can directly convert the detected high-energy particles (e.g., X-ray photons) into an electrical signal, which is outputted in the form of scintillation pulses by electronics connected to the semiconductor detector.

[0041] In some embodiments, the plurality of thresholds can be used to compare with the amplitude of the scintillation pulses to determine the time points at which the scintillation pulses cross the thresholds. These time points and the corresponding thresholds form threshold-time pairs, which collectively constitute the sampling data. Based on the form of the scintillation pulses (electrical pulses), the thresholds can be voltage thresholds or current thresholds. The intervals between the plurality of thresholds can also be equal or unequal. For example, the plurality of thresholds can form an arithmetic sequence or a geometric sequence, or the size of a subsequent threshold can be the sum of the sizes of the two preceding thresholds. The present application does not make specific limitations.

[0042] Referring to Figure 2 , Figure 2 is an exemplary relationship diagram of a scintillation pulse and thresholds according to some embodiments of the present application. Figure 2 It is assumed in the diagram that the scintillation pulse has a pile-up phenomenon, and is a pile-up pulse (formed by superimposing two pulses shown by dashed lines). As shown in Figure 2 , four voltage thresholds are set, including V1, V2, V3, and V4 (V1 < V2 < V3 < V4). In the rising phase, the rising edge of the scintillation pulse first crosses the voltage threshold V1 from bottom to top, and the corresponding jump time is t 41 . Subsequently, the rising edge of the scintillation pulse crosses the voltage threshold V2 from bottom to top, and the corresponding jump time is t 42 . In this way, the rising edge of the scintillation pulse crosses the voltage threshold V3 from bottom to top at the jump time t 43 , and crosses the voltage threshold V4 from bottom to top at the jump time t 44 . In the falling phase, the falling edge of the scintillation pulse first crosses the voltage threshold V4 from top to bottom, and the corresponding jump time is t 45 . Subsequently, the falling edge of the scintillation pulse crosses the voltage threshold V3 from top to bottom, and the corresponding jump time is t 46 . In this way, the falling edge of the scintillation pulse crosses the voltage threshold V2 from top to bottom at the jump time t 47 , and crosses the voltage threshold V1 from top to bottom at the jump time t 48The voltage threshold V1 is crossed from top to bottom. One voltage threshold can correspond to two jump times, forming two threshold-time pairs. All four threshold pairs correspond to eight threshold-time pairs, which can constitute the sampling data, denoted as:

[0043] {(V1, t 41 ),(V2, t 42 ),(V3, t 43 ),(V4, t 44 ),(V4, t 45 ),(V3, t 46 ),(V2, t 47 ),(V1, t 48 )}.

[0044] It should be noted that the flicker pulse can not cross all the thresholds. If the flicker pulse only crosses one threshold (i.e., the voltage threshold V1), the sampling data can be {(V1, t 11 ),(V1, t 12 )}. If the flicker pulse crosses two thresholds (i.e., the voltage thresholds V1 and V2), the sampling data can be {(V1, t 21 ),(V2, t 22 ),(V2, t 23 ),(V1, t 24 )}. If the flicker pulse crosses three thresholds (i.e., the voltage thresholds V1, V2 and V3), the sampling data can be {(V1, t 31 ),(V2, t 32 ),(V3, t 33 ),(V3, t 34 ),(V2, t 35 ),(V1, t 36 )}.

[0045] In step 120, a correspondence table between the pulse energy and the threshold duration related to the threshold is determined.

[0046] In some embodiments, in order to determine the correspondence table, a plurality of known pulses with known pulse energies can be obtained, and then the known pulses are subjected to multi-threshold sampling based on the thresholds, and two time points at which the known pulses cross the thresholds are determined. The time interval between the two time points can be the threshold duration. The correspondence table can reflect the mapping relationship between the pulse energy of the pulse signal and the threshold duration at different thresholds.

[0047] In some embodiments, the multi-threshold sampling can be explained by taking the example of a known pulse crossing one threshold as shown in the previous step 110. Assuming the known pulse crosses the threshold V3, the transition time of the rising edge of the known pulse crossing V3 can be referred to as the first time, and the transition time of the falling edge of the known pulse crossing V3 can be referred to as the second time. The time difference between the second time and the first time can be the threshold duration corresponding to the threshold V3. The threshold durations corresponding to other thresholds are similar.

[0048] In some embodiments, the correspondence table can reflect the correspondence between the number of thresholds crossed by the known pulse, the pulse energy of the known pulse, and the first average threshold duration. For example, the first average threshold duration can be the average of the threshold durations corresponding to all thresholds crossed by the known pulse. If the known pulse crosses only one threshold, the threshold duration corresponding to the threshold can be recorded. If the known pulse crosses multiple thresholds, the average of the threshold durations corresponding to the thresholds can be recorded. Assuming that four thresholds V1, V2, V3, and V4 are preset. If a known pulse with a pulse energy E1 crosses only V1, corresponding to only one threshold duration TOT1, the correspondence table can record: the number of thresholds crossed is 1, TOT = TOT1, and the pulse energy E = E1. If a known pulse with a pulse energy E2 crosses V1 and V2, the threshold durations corresponding to the two thresholds are TOT1 and TOT2, respectively, the correspondence table can record: the number of thresholds crossed is 2, TOT = (TOT1 + TOT2) / 2, and the pulse energy E = E2. If a known pulse with a pulse energy E3 crosses V1, V2, and V3, the threshold durations corresponding to the three thresholds are TOT1, TOT2, and TOT3, respectively, the correspondence table can record: the number of thresholds crossed is 3, TOT = (TOT1 + TOT2 + TOT3) / 3, and the pulse energy E = E3. Similarly, when a known pulse with a pulse energy E4 crosses V1, V2, V3, and V4, the threshold durations corresponding to the four thresholds are TOT1, TOT2, TOT3, and TOT4, respectively, the correspondence table can record: the number of thresholds crossed is 4, TOT = (TOT1 + TOT2 + TOT3 + TOT4) / 4, and the pulse energy E = E4.

[0049] In some embodiments, the correspondence table can reflect a correspondence between the threshold duration of the lowest threshold value crossed by the known pulse and the pulse energy of the known pulse. Using the same example, assume that 4 threshold values V1, V2, V3 and V4 are preset. If a known pulse with pulse energy E1 only crosses V1, corresponding to only one threshold duration TOT1, the correspondence table can record: TOT = TOT1, pulse energy E = E1. If a known pulse with pulse energy E2 crosses V1 and V2, the two threshold values corresponding to threshold durations TOT1 and TOT2 respectively, the correspondence table can record: TOT = TOT1, pulse energy E = E2. If a known pulse with pulse energy E3 crosses V1, V2 and V3, the three threshold values corresponding to threshold durations TOT1, TOT2 and TOT3 respectively, the correspondence table can record: TOT = TOT1, pulse energy E = E3. By analogy, when a known pulse with pulse energy E4 crosses V1, V2, V3 and V4, the four threshold values corresponding to threshold durations TOT1, TOT2, TOT3 and TOT4 respectively, the correspondence table can record: TOT = TOT1, pulse energy E = E4.

[0050] In some embodiments, the correspondence table can reflect a correspondence between the threshold duration of the highest threshold value crossed by the known pulse and the pulse energy of the known pulse. Continuing the above example, assume that 4 threshold values V1, V2, V3 and V4 are preset. If a known pulse with pulse energy E1 only crosses V1, corresponding to only one threshold duration TOT1, the correspondence table can record: TOT = TOT1, pulse energy E = E1. If a known pulse with pulse energy E2 crosses V1 and V2, the two threshold values corresponding to threshold durations TOT1 and TOT2 respectively, the correspondence table can record: TOT = TOT2, pulse energy E = E2. If a known pulse with pulse energy E3 crosses V1, V2 and V3, the three threshold values corresponding to threshold durations TOT1, TOT2 and TOT3 respectively, the correspondence table can record: TOT = TOT3, pulse energy E = E3. By analogy, when a known pulse with pulse energy E4 crosses V1, V2, V3 and V4, the four threshold values corresponding to threshold durations TOT1, TOT2, TOT3 and TOT4 respectively, the correspondence table can record: TOT = TOT4, pulse energy E = E4.

[0051] In some embodiments, the correspondence table can reflect a correspondence between the pulse energy of the known pulse and a second average threshold duration. The second average threshold duration can be an average of threshold durations corresponding to a preset number of threshold values crossed by the known pulse. For example, the preset number of threshold values can be odd-numbered threshold values, or even-numbered threshold values, or middle values, etc. The present application does not make specific limitations. By way of example, assume that there are preset four threshold values V1, V2, V3 and V4. The preset number of threshold values is odd-numbered threshold values. If a known pulse with pulse energy E1 only crosses V1, and only one threshold duration TOT1 corresponds, then the correspondence table can record: TOT = TOT1, pulse energy E = E1. If a known pulse with pulse energy E2 crosses V1 and V2, and the threshold durations corresponding to the two threshold values are TOT1 and TOT2, respectively, then the correspondence table can record: TOT = TOT1, pulse energy E = E2. If a known pulse with pulse energy E3 crosses V1, V2 and V3, and the threshold durations corresponding to the three threshold values are TOT1, TOT2 and TOT3, respectively, then the correspondence table can record: TOT = (TOT1 + TOT3) / 2, pulse energy E = E3. When a known pulse with pulse energy E4 crosses V1, V2, V3 and V4, and the threshold durations corresponding to the four threshold values are TOT1, TOT2, TOT3 and TOT4, respectively, then the correspondence table can record: TOT = (TOT1 + TOT3) / 2, pulse energy E = E4.

[0052] Step 130, determining the target energy value of the scintillation pulse based on the sampling data and the correspondence table.

[0053] In some embodiments, the sampling data can be used to determine the target threshold duration. The target threshold duration can be determined according to the content included in the correspondence table. For example, assume that the correspondence table reflects a correspondence between the number of threshold values crossed, the pulse energy and the first average threshold duration, then the target threshold duration needs to be determined according to the number of threshold values crossed by the scintillation pulse and the threshold duration corresponding to each threshold value. For example, if the scintillation pulse only crosses one threshold value (i.e. voltage threshold value V1), then the sampling data is {(V1, t 11 ),(V1, t 12 )}. The target threshold duration is TOT s = t 12 -t 11 . If the scintillation pulse crosses two threshold values (i.e. voltage threshold values V1 and V2), then the sampling data is {(V1, t 21 ),(V2, t22 ), (V2, t 23 ), (V1, t 24 )} then the target threshold duration is TOT s = ((t 24 - t 21 ) + (t 23 - t 22 )) / 2. If the scintillation pulse crosses three thresholds (i.e. voltage thresholds V1, V2 and V3), then the sampled data is {(V1, t 31 ), (V2, t 32 ), (V3, t 33 ), (V3, t 34 ), (V2, t 35 ), (V1, t 36 )} then the target threshold duration is TOT s = ((t 36 - t 31 ) + (t 35 - t 32 ) + (t 34 - t 33 )) / 3. If the scintillation pulse crosses four thresholds (i.e. voltage thresholds V1, V2, V3 and V4), then the sampled data is {(V1, t 41 ), (V2, t 42 ), (V3, t 43 ), (V4, t 44 ), (V4, t 45 ), (V3, t 46 ), (V2, t 47 ), (V1, t 48 )} then the target threshold duration is:

[0054] TOT s = ((t 48 - t 41 ) + (t 47 - t 42 ) + (t 46 - t 43 ) + (t 45 - t 44 )) / 4.

[0055] When the correspondence table reflects a correspondence between the threshold duration of the lowest threshold crossed by the known pulse and the pulse energy of the known pulse, then the target threshold duration can be TOT s = t 12 - t 11 (1 threshold crossed by the scintillation pulse), or TOT s = t24 -t 21 (over 2 thresholds), or TOT s = t 36 -t 31 (over 3 thresholds), or TOT s = t 48 -t 41 .

[0056] When the correspondence table reflects a correspondence between the threshold duration of the highest threshold crossed by the known pulse and the pulse energy of the known pulse, then the target threshold duration can be TOT s = t 12 -t 11 (over 1 threshold), or TOT s = t 23 -t 22 (over 2 thresholds), or TOT s = t 34 -t 33 (over 3 thresholds), or TOT s = t 45 -t 44 .

[0057] When the correspondence table is a correspondence between a preset number of thresholds crossed, a pulse energy, and a second average threshold duration, for example, the preset number of thresholds is an odd-numbered threshold in order among the thresholds crossed by the scintillation pulse, then the target threshold duration can be TOT s = t 12 -t 11 (over 1 threshold), or TOT s = t 24 -t 21 (over 2 thresholds), or TOT s = ((t 36 -t 31 ) + (t 34 -t 33 )) / 2 (over 3 thresholds), or TOT s = ((t 48 -t 41 ) + (t 46 -t 43 )) / 4.

[0058] In some embodiments, based on the target threshold duration and the correspondence table, a ratio between the target threshold duration and a threshold duration in the correspondence table can be determined. For example, the ratio between the comparison threshold duration and each related threshold duration in the correspondence table can be determined iteratively. If the ratio is small, it can indicate that the flicker pulse is close to the pulse waveform of the known pulse, or the consistency between the flicker pulse and the pulse waveform of the known pulse is high. Then it can be considered that the target energy value of the flicker pulse is close to the pulse energy of the known pulse. In some embodiments, the preset ratio can be 1.05, 1.1, 1.15, 1.2, 1.25, 1.3, etc. In some embodiments, the preset ratio can be 1.2. When the ratio is less than the preset ratio, it can be considered that the flicker pulse is close to the pulse waveform of the known pulse related to the threshold duration corresponding to the ratio. The target energy value of the flicker pulse can be the pulse energy value corresponding to the threshold duration in the correspondence table.

[0059] As understood by those skilled in the art, within a limited range, the pulse energy and the threshold duration are in a linear relationship. Therefore, the pulse energy and the threshold duration in the correspondence table can be used to determine a relationship function. For example, the relationship function is determined as y=k*x+p. The pulse energy in the correspondence table can be y, and the threshold duration can be x, which are substituted into the equation to determine the expression of the relationship function. The target threshold duration can be substituted into the expression of the relationship function to determine the target energy value of the flicker pulse.

[0060] In some embodiments, after determining the target energy value of the flicker pulse, an energy range (for example, a pulse energy range corresponding to a certain energy channel) in which the target energy value is located can be determined. At this time, the number of pulses corresponding to the energy channel can be increased by one. After performing the stacking determination, the pulse restoration (if it is a stacked pulse), and the energy determination on a large number of flicker pulses, the energy spectrum can be plotted.

[0061] It should be noted that the above description of each step in Figure 1 is only for example and illustration, and does not limit the scope of the present specification. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes to each step in Figure 1 under the guidance of the present specification. However, these modifications and changes are still within the scope of the present specification.

[0062] The processing method disclosed in the present application can restore the stacked pulse, and accurately calculate the energy and count the pulse of the restored pulse, avoiding the situation of miscounting part of the pulse caused by the pulse stacking.

[0063] Figure 3 is an exemplary block diagram of a data processing system according to some embodiments of the present specification. The data processing system can implement the accurate calculation of the pulse energy of a scintillation pulse. As shown in Figure 3 the data processing system 300 can include a sampling module 310, a determining module 320, and a calculating module 330.

[0064] The sampling module 310 can be configured to sample a scintillation pulse based on a plurality of preset thresholds and obtain sampling data. The plurality of thresholds can be used to compare with the amplitude of the scintillation pulse and determine the time points at which the scintillation pulse crosses the thresholds. The threshold-time pairs composed of these time points and corresponding thresholds constitute the sampling data. Based on the representation of the scintillation pulse (electrical pulse), the thresholds can be voltage thresholds or current thresholds. The intervals between the plurality of preset thresholds can be equal or unequal.

[0065] The determining module 320 can be configured to determine a correspondence table between the pulse energy and the threshold duration associated with the thresholds. To determine the correspondence table, the determining module 320 can obtain a plurality of known pulses with known pulse energies, and then sample the known pulses based on the thresholds to determine two time points at which the known pulses cross the thresholds. The time interval between the two time points can be the threshold duration. The correspondence table determined by the determining module 320 can reflect the correspondence between the number of thresholds crossed by the known pulses, the pulse energy of the known pulses, and the first average threshold duration. The correspondence table determined by the determining module 320 can reflect the correspondence between the threshold duration of the lowest threshold crossed by the known pulses and the pulse energy of the known pulses. The correspondence table determined by the determining module 320 can reflect the correspondence between the threshold duration of the highest threshold crossed by the known pulses and the pulse energy of the known pulses. The correspondence table determined by the determining module 320 can reflect the correspondence between the pulse energy of the known pulses and the second average threshold duration. The second average threshold duration can be the average of the threshold durations corresponding to a preset number of thresholds crossed by the known pulses.

[0066] The computing module 330 can be configured to determine the target energy value of the scintillation pulse based on the sampling data and the correspondence table as described in step 130. The sampling data can be used to determine a target threshold duration. The target threshold duration can be determined based on the content included in the correspondence table. The computing module 330 can compare the target threshold duration with each of the threshold durations associated with the correspondence table to determine a ratio. The pulse energy value associated with the threshold duration that corresponds to a ratio smaller than a predetermined ratio can be determined as the target energy value of the scintillation pulse. The computing module 330 can also use the pulse energy and threshold duration in the correspondence table to determine a relationship function. The computing module 330 can substitute the target threshold duration into the expression of the relationship function to determine the target energy value of the scintillation pulse. After the target energy value of the scintillation pulse is determined, the energy range (e.g., the pulse energy range corresponding to a certain energy channel) in which the target energy value is located can be determined. At this time, the number of pulses corresponding to the energy channel can be incremented by one. After the energy determination is performed for a large number of scintillation pulses, the energy spectrum can be plotted.

[0067] Further descriptions of the above modules can be found in the flowchart section of the present application, for example, Figure 1 .

[0068] It should be understood, Figure 3 The system and its modules as described can be implemented in various ways. For example, in some embodiments, the system and its modules can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware. The hardware portions can be implemented with special logic, while the software portions can be stored in memory and executed by suitable instruction execution systems, such as microprocessors or specially designed hardware. Those skilled in the art can understand that the above-described methods and systems can be implemented using computer-executable instructions and / or included in processor control code, for example, provided on a carrier medium such as a disk, CD or DVD-ROM, programmable memory such as read-only memory (firmware), or data carrier such as an optical or electronic signal carrier. The system and its modules of the present specification can not only be implemented in hardware circuits such as very large scale integrated circuits or gate arrays, semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable logic devices, etc., but also in software, for example, executed by various types of processors, and also by a combination of the above hardware circuits and software (e.g., firmware).

[0069] It should be noted that the above description of modules is for convenience of description only, and should not limit the scope of the present specification to the embodiments described. It can be understood by those skilled in the art that, after understanding the principles of the system, various modules can be combined or connected with other modules to form a subsystem without departing from the principles. For example, the modules can share a storage module, and each module can have its own storage module. Such variations are within the scope of the present specification.

[0070] Figure 4 is an exemplary block diagram of a processing device according to some embodiments of the present application. The processing device 400 can include any components to implement the system described in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the processing device 400 can be implemented by hardware, software program, firmware or a combination thereof. For example, the processing device 400 can implement a data processing system 400. For convenience, only one processing device is drawn in the figure, but the computing functions described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in a distributed manner by a group of similar platforms to distribute the processing load of the system.

[0071] In some embodiments, the processing device 400 can include a processor 410, a memory 420, an input / output component 430 and a communication port 440. In some embodiments, the processor (e.g., CPU) 410 can execute program instructions in the form of one or more processors. In some embodiments, the memory 420 includes different forms of program memory and data memory, such as hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM) and the like, for storing a variety of data files processed and / or transmitted by the computer. In some embodiments, the input / output component 430 can be used to support input / output between the processing device 400 and other components. In some embodiments, the communication port 440 can be connected to a network for data communication. An exemplary processing device can include program instructions stored in read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM) and / or other types of non-transitory storage media, which are executed by the processor 410. The methods and / or processes of the embodiments of the present specification can be implemented in the form of program instructions. The processing device 400 can also receive programs and data disclosed in the present application through network communication.

[0072] For the convenience of understanding, Figure 4Only one processor is exemplarily drawn. However, it should be noted that the processing device 400 in the embodiments of the present specification can include multiple processors, and therefore the operations and / or methods described in the embodiments of the present specification as implemented by one processor can also be implemented by multiple processors jointly or independently. For example, if in the present specification, the processor of the processing device 400 performs step A and step B, it should be understood that step A and step B can also be performed jointly or independently by two different processors of the processing device 400 (for example, a first processor performs step A, a second processor performs step B, or the first and second processors jointly perform step A and step B).

[0073] The processing method of the scintillation pulse provided in the present application can be specifically used in photon detection, and can be applied to various fields, such as medical imaging technology, high-energy physics, laser radar, autonomous driving, precision analysis, optical communication, etc. In a specific example, the processing method of the scintillation pulse, the device, the equipment and the storage medium provided in the present application can be applied to photon counting CT. In the photon counting CT system, the image reconstruction can be performed after the photon data is collected by using the scheme according to the embodiments of the present application.

[0074] The basic concepts have been described herein, and it is obvious that the above detailed disclosure is only used as an example and does not constitute a limitation of the present specification. Although it is not explicitly stated herein, those skilled in the art can make various modifications, improvements and corrections to the present specification. Such modifications, improvements and corrections are suggested in the present specification, so such modifications, improvements and corrections still belong to the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present specification.

[0075] At the same time, specific words are used in the present specification to describe the embodiments of the present specification. As "one embodiment", "an embodiment", and / or "some embodiments" means a certain feature, structure or characteristic related to at least one embodiment of the present specification. Therefore, it should be emphasized and noted that the "an embodiment" or "one embodiment" or "one alternative embodiment" mentioned in different places in the present specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, certain features, structures or characteristics in one or more embodiments of the present specification can be properly combined.

[0076] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that various aspects of this specification can be described and illustrated in several patentable ways or situations, including any new and useful combination of processes, machines, products, or substances, or any new and useful improvements thereof. Accordingly, various aspects of this specification can be implemented entirely by hardware, entirely by software (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or by a combination of hardware and software. All of the above hardware or software may be referred to as a “data block,” “module,” “engine,” “unit,” “component,” or “system.” Furthermore, various aspects of this specification may be represented as a computer product located on one or more computer-readable media, including computer-readable program code.

[0077] Computer storage media may contain a propagated data signal containing computer program code, for example, on baseband or as part of a carrier wave. This propagated signal may take various forms, including electromagnetic, optical, and suitable combinations thereof. Computer storage media can be any computer-readable medium other than a computer-readable storage medium, which can be connected to an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device to enable communication, propagation, or transmission of a program for use. The program code located on the computer storage medium can be propagated through any suitable medium, including radio, cable, fiber optic cable, RF, or similar media, or any combination of the above media.

[0078] The computer program code required for the operation of each part of this manual can be written in any one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java, Scala, Smalltalk, Eiffel, JADE, Emerald, C++, C#, VB.NET, Python, etc.; conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as C, Visual Basic, Fortran 3003, Perl, COBOL 3002, PHP, ABAP; dynamic programming languages ​​such as Python, Ruby, and Groovy; or other programming languages. This program code can run entirely on the user's computer, or as a standalone software package on the user's computer, or partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In the latter case, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer through any network, such as a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), or connected to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet), or in a cloud computing environment, or used as a service such as Software as a Service (SaaS).

[0079] Furthermore, the order of the processing elements and sequences described in this specification are not intended to be construed as a limitation, unless specifically stated, but are included to provide a complete description of one or more embodiments of the present specification. Regardless of the particular sequence of processing elements, or the like, described in this specification, such sequence of processing elements is included in the claims, unless specifically stated to the contrary. Embodiments of the present specification can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. Embodiments of the present specification can also be implemented as instructions stored on a machine-readable medium, which can be read and executed by one or more processors to perform the operations described herein. A machine-readable medium can include any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine, including non-transitory machine-readable media, such as floppy disks, read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic tapes, optical tapes, optical disks, flash memory, and carrier waves. Such instructions can include, for example, instructions for a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, microprocessor, or baseband processor. Embodiments of the present specification can also be implemented as a computer program product that can include a computer-readable medium having stored medium instructions that can be executed by one or more processors to perform operations described herein.

[0080] Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term "comprising", used in the description, is not intended to exclude other elements or steps. It is to be understood that the description and the examples are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the present specification. Thus, the scope of the present specification should be given by the appended claims, along with their full scope of equivalents, and not by an restricting interpretation of the description or the examples.

[0081] Some embodiments use numerical designations to describe components, quantities of attributes. It is to be understood that such numerical designations used in the description of embodiments are, in some examples, modified by the adjectives "about", "approximately", or "generally". Unless otherwise stated, "about", "approximately", or "generally" indicates that the number can vary by ±20%. Accordingly, numerical parameters such as those included in the examples and claims are approximations, and can vary depending on the desired characteristics set for each individual embodiment. In some embodiments, numerical parameters are determined by the number of significant digits and by the general number base used. Numerical parameters in some embodiments of the present specification are therefore not limited to the precision of the numerical value that they represent.

[0082] Each patent, patent application, publication, and other material cited in this specification is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In the event of inconsistencies between the disclosure of this specification and the materials, documents, or articles that are hereby incorporated by reference, the disclosure of this specification shall prevail. In the event of inconsistencies between the disclosure of this specification and the claims, the claims shall prevail. It is specifically intended that the description of the present specification set forth herein be understood as an illustration of examples of the specification and does not limit the scope of the specification. For the purposes of the present specification, except where otherwise indicated, all numerical values are to be read as modifying only what is otherwise expressly stated.

[0083] Finally, it should be understood that the embodiments described herein are only given by way of example and that other modifications can occur to persons skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the present description is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described herein but is only limited by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A method of processing a flicker pulse, characterized by, The processing method comprises: presetting a plurality of thresholds, and performing multi-threshold sampling on the scintillation pulse based on the thresholds to obtain sampling data; obtaining a plurality of known pulses with known pulse energies; performing multi-threshold sampling on the known pulses based on the thresholds to determine first times and second times at which the known pulses cross the thresholds; determining threshold durations based on the first times and the second times; determining a correspondence table between pulse energies and threshold durations related to the thresholds based on the plurality of pulse energies and the plurality of threshold durations; determining a target energy value of the scintillation pulse based on the sampling data and the correspondence table.

2. The treatment method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The correspondence table reflects a correspondence between the number of thresholds crossed by the known pulses, the pulse energies of the known pulses, and a first average threshold duration; the first average threshold duration comprises an average of the threshold durations corresponding to each threshold.

3. The treatment method of claim 1, wherein, The correspondence table reflects a correspondence between the threshold duration of the lowest threshold crossed by the known pulses and the pulse energy of the known pulses.

4. The treatment method of claim 1, wherein The correspondence table reflects a correspondence between the threshold duration of the highest threshold crossed by the known pulses and the pulse energy of the known pulses.

5. The treatment method of claim 1, wherein The correspondence table reflects a correspondence between the pulse energies of the known pulses and a second average threshold duration; the second average threshold duration comprises an average of the threshold durations corresponding to a preset number of thresholds crossed by the known pulses.

6. The treatment method of claim 1, wherein The determination of the target energy value of the scintillation pulse comprises: determining a target threshold duration based on the sampling data; determining, based on the target threshold duration and the correspondence table, a threshold duration in the correspondence table whose ratio to the target threshold duration is less than a preset ratio; designating a pulse energy corresponding to the threshold duration as the target energy value.

7. The treatment method of claim 1, wherein The determination of the target energy value of the scintillation pulse comprises: determining a target threshold duration based on the sampling data; determining, based on the correspondence table, a relationship function between pulse energies and threshold durations; determining the target energy value based on the target threshold duration and the relationship function.

8. The treatment method of claim 1, wherein, The processing method further comprises: designating the target energy value to participate in pulse counting and energy spectrum plotting.

9. A processing device of a flicker pulse, characterized by, The processing device comprises: a sampling module configured to preset a plurality of thresholds, and perform multi-threshold sampling on the scintillation pulse based on the thresholds to obtain sampling data; a determination module configured to obtain a plurality of known pulses with known pulse energies; perform multi-threshold sampling on the known pulses based on the thresholds to determine first times and second times at which the known pulses cross the thresholds; determine threshold durations based on the first times and the second times; determine a correspondence table between pulse energies and threshold durations related to the thresholds based on the plurality of pulse energies and the plurality of threshold durations; a calculation module configured to determine a target energy value of the scintillation pulse based on the sampling data and the correspondence table.

10. The processing device of claim 9, wherein, The correspondence table reflects a correspondence between the number of thresholds crossed by the known pulses, the pulse energy of the known pulses, and a first average threshold duration; the first average threshold duration comprises an average of the threshold durations corresponding to each threshold.

11. The processing device of claim 9, wherein, The correspondence table reflects a correspondence between the threshold duration of the lowest threshold crossed by the known pulses and the pulse energy of the known pulses.

12. The processing device of claim 9, wherein, The correspondence table reflects a correspondence between the threshold duration of the highest threshold crossed by the known pulses and the pulse energy of the known pulses.

13. The processing device of claim 9, wherein, The correspondence table reflects a correspondence between the pulse energy of the known pulses and a second average threshold duration; the second average threshold duration comprises an average of the threshold durations corresponding to a preset number of thresholds crossed by the known pulses.

14. The processing device of claim 9, wherein, To determine a target energy value of the flicker pulses, the computing module is configured to: determine a target threshold duration based on the sampling data; determine a threshold duration in the correspondence table that has a ratio to the target threshold duration smaller than a preset ratio based on the target threshold duration and the correspondence table; assign a pulse energy corresponding to the threshold duration as the target energy value.

15. The processing device of claim 9, wherein, To determine a target energy value of the flicker pulses, the computing module is configured to: determine a target threshold duration based on the sampling data; determine a relationship function between pulse energy and threshold duration based on the correspondence table; determine the target energy value based on the target threshold duration and the relationship function.

16. The processing device of claim 9, wherein, The computing module is further configured to: participate in pulse counting and energy spectrum drawing using the target energy value.

17. A processing device, comprising: comprise: a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, the computer program, when executed by the processor, implements the steps of the processing method according to any one of claims 1-8.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, a computer program stored on the storage medium, the computer program, when executed by the processor, implements the steps of the processing method according to any one of claims 1-8.

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