Quantitative method and device for water content ratio, tomography system and storage medium

Abstract

The invention provides a method for quantifying a water content ratio, which comprises the following steps of: scanning a brain by using first energy and second energy through dual-energy CT (Computed Tomography) equipment to generate plain scanning data of each voxel; setting the three substances of the dual-energy tomography three-substance separation mathematical model as water, grey matter and white matter; processing the plain scanning data of each voxel by using the dual-energy tomography three-substance separation mathematical model to obtain enhanced data of each voxel; and calculating the water content percentage of each voxel according to the enhancement data of each voxel. The method for quantifying the water content can quantify the water content of the encephaledema tissue of the acute stroke patient, and further quantify the edema proportion of the encephaledema tissue. The invention further provides a water content ratio quantifying device, a tomography system and a storage medium which relate to the method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical imaging and medical image processing technology, and in particular to a method, apparatus, tomographic scanning system and readable storage medium for quantifying the water content of cerebral edema tissue. Background Technology

[0002] In the clinical diagnosis and treatment of acute stroke (such as ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke), cerebral edema is a common secondary pathological change that can lead to increased intracranial pressure and worsened brain tissue damage, even endangering the patient's life. Therefore, early and accurate assessment of the degree of cerebral edema is crucial for guiding treatment decisions (such as dehydration therapy and surgical intervention).

[0003] Currently, clinical assessment of cerebral edema primarily relies on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Among these, CT, due to its speed and widespread availability, has become the preferred examination method in emergency situations. However, conventional CT can only determine the degree of edema by observing the decrease in brain tissue density (CT value), lacking precise quantitative indicators. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method, apparatus, system, and readable storage medium for quantifying the water content ratio, which can quantify the water content ratio of cerebral edema tissue in patients with acute stroke, thereby quantifying the edema ratio of cerebral edema tissue.

[0005] This invention provides a method for quantitatively determining the water content ratio, comprising: The brain is scanned using a dual-energy CT scanner with the first and second energies to generate plain scan data for each voxel. The mathematical model for separating three substances in dual-energy tomography was modified using the CT values ​​of water, gray matter, and white matter. Based on the modified dual-energy tomography three-substance separation mathematical model, the plain scan data of each voxel are processed to obtain the enhanced data of each voxel; and The percentage of water content in each voxel was calculated based on the enhancement data of each voxel.

[0006] The present invention provides a method for quantifying water content by modifying an existing dual-energy tomography (DCT) three-substance separation mathematical model. The three basic substances are replaced with water, gray matter, and white matter. The three-substance separation model is used to process DCT data of the brain, normalizing each voxel of the brain to a percentage of water content for quantification. This allows for the quantification of the water content in edematous tissue of patients with acute stroke, thereby quantifying the edema ratio of the edematous tissue.

[0007] In another illustrative embodiment of the quantitative method for water content, the three basic substances in the original dual-energy tomography (DCT) three-substance separation mathematical model are fat, soft tissue, and iodine. The DCT three-substance separation mathematical model is modified using the CT values ​​of water, gray matter, and white matter. Specifically, the CT value of fat in the DCT three-substance separation mathematical model is replaced with the CT value of water, the CT value of soft tissue is replaced with the CT value of gray matter, and the slope of iodine is replaced with a slope generated based on the CT values ​​of gray matter and white matter.

[0008] In another illustrative embodiment of the quantitative method for water content, the plain scan data of each voxel are processed based on a modified dual-energy tomography three-substance separation mathematical model to obtain the enhanced data of each voxel, including: A decay feature map is generated, which includes voxel points corresponding to each voxel, a first matrix point corresponding to water, a second matrix point corresponding to gray matter, and a third matrix point corresponding to white matter. The line connecting the first matrix point and the second matrix point forms a scale. A slope line is generated based on the second and third elementary substance points; and Enhanced data is obtained by projecting each voxel onto a scale using a mapping line parallel to the slope line.

[0009] In another illustrative embodiment of the quantitative method for water content, enhanced data is obtained by projecting each voxel point onto a scale based on a mapping line parallel to the slope line. Specifically, a mapping line parallel to the slope line is emitted from each voxel point, and the mapping line intersects with the scale to obtain enhanced data.

[0010] In another illustrative embodiment of the quantitative method for water content, the formula for calculating the percentage of water content is: ; in, This indicates the percentage of water content in each voxel. This represents the distance from the projection of each voxel point onto the scale to the first fundamental particle point. This represents the distance from the first matrix point to the second matrix point.

[0011] In another illustrative embodiment of the method for quantitatively determining the moisture content, the method further includes: An image showing the water content of brain edema tissue is generated based on the percentage of water content in each voxel.

[0012] The above steps can be used to visually demonstrate the water content of edematous brain tissue.

[0013] This invention also provides a quantitative device for water content ratio, including a computational processing unit configured to acquire plain scan data of each voxel, process the plain scan data of each voxel based on a dual-energy tomography (DCT) three-substance separation mathematical model to obtain enhanced data of each voxel, calculate the water content percentage of each voxel based on the enhanced data of each voxel, and generate an image for brain identification based on the water content percentage of each voxel. The plain scan data of each voxel is generated by scanning the brain with a dual-energy CT device at the first and second energies. The three basic substances in the dual-energy tomography three-substance separation mathematical model are water, gray matter, and white matter.

[0014] In another illustrative embodiment of the water content quantitative device, the calculation processing unit is configured to generate an attenuation feature map, which includes voxel points corresponding to each voxel, a first matrix point corresponding to water, a second matrix point corresponding to gray matter, and a third matrix point corresponding to white matter. The line connecting the first matrix point and the second matrix point forms a scale. A slope line is generated based on the second matrix point and the third matrix point. The calculation processing unit is also configured to project each voxel point onto the scale based on a mapping line parallel to the slope line to obtain enhanced data.

[0015] In another illustrative embodiment of the water content metering device, the calculation unit calculates the water content percentage according to the following formula: ; in, This indicates the percentage of water content in each voxel. This represents the distance from the projection of each voxel point onto the scale to the first fundamental particle point. This represents the distance from the first matrix point to the second matrix point.

[0016] In another illustrative embodiment of the water content quantification device, the calculation processing unit is further configured to generate an image displaying the water content of cerebral edema tissue based on the water content percentage of each voxel.

[0017] The present invention also provides a computed tomography (CT) system, including a dual-energy CT scanner, the aforementioned computational processing unit, and a display device. The dual-energy CT scanner is configured to scan the brain at a first energy level and a second energy level, generating plain scan data for each voxel. The computational processing unit is configured to acquire the plain scan data for each voxel. The display device is capable of displaying the information generated by the computational processing unit.

[0018] The present invention also provides a storage medium including a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the above-described method for quantifying the water content ratio. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The following figures are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating one implementation of a method for quantitatively determining the water content ratio.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a partial flowchart of a method for quantitatively determining the water content ratio.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the attenuation characteristics of a quantitative method for determining water content.

[0023] Figure 4 A schematic image showing the water content of edematous brain tissue.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a tomographic scanning system.

[0025] Label Explanation 10 Computational Processing Units 20 Dual-energy CT scanners 30 display devices Detailed Implementation

[0026] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of the invention, specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate components with the same or similar structures but the same function.

[0027] In this document, “illustrative” means “serving as an example, illustration or description”, and any illustration or implementation described herein as “illustrative” should not be construed as a more preferred or advantageous technical solution.

[0028] To keep the drawings simple, each drawing only schematically shows the parts related to the present invention, and they do not represent the actual structure of the product.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method for quantitatively determining water content. (Refer to...) Figure 1 The quantitative methods for water content include the following S10 to S50: S10: The brain is scanned using a dual-energy CT scanner with first and second energy to generate plain scan data for each voxel.

[0030] Dual-energy CT (DECT) is a non-contrast imaging technique that uses two different energies of X-rays to scan an object without the use of contrast agents. Different tissues in the brain absorb X-rays differently, exhibiting different attenuation coefficients μ. Dual-energy CT utilizes this characteristic, dividing the brain along a selected plane into many small cubic blocks called voxels; thus, the brain comprises multiple voxels. The X-ray tube of a dual-energy CT scanner emits X-rays. As the X-rays pass through the brain, each voxel along the ray direction absorbs a portion of the radiation, causing X-ray attenuation. The radiation after passing through the brain is received by a detector located opposite the X-ray tube. By analyzing the X-ray energy received by the detector, the dual-energy CT scanner can determine the X-ray attenuation coefficient of each voxel, and thus obtain the CT value of each voxel.

[0031] In dual-energy CT scanning, the first and second radiation energies differ, with one being high-energy and the other low-energy. In an illustrative embodiment, the first radiation energy could be, for example, 140 kVp, and the second radiation energy could be, for example, 80 kVp.

[0032] S20: Set the three substances in the mathematical model of three-substance separation in dual-energy tomography to water, gray matter and white matter.

[0033] Dual-energy tomography (DCT) three-substance separation mathematical model is an advanced image processing technique that uses two different energies of X-rays simultaneously to achieve precise differentiation and quantitative analysis of three different components in tissues or materials. These three substances include a first, second, and third basic substance. Current DCT three-substance separation mathematical models use fat, soft tissue, and iodine as the three basic substances. However, the brain is primarily composed of water, gray matter, and white matter. Therefore, in S20, the CT values ​​of fat in the DCT three-substance separation mathematical model need to be replaced with the CT values ​​of water, the CT values ​​of soft tissue with the CT values ​​of gray matter, and the slope of iodine replaced with a slope generated based on the CT values ​​of gray matter and white matter.

[0034] In dual-energy CT material separation technology, the "slope" describes the relationship between the CT values ​​of the same substance and different X-ray energies (i.e., high and low kilovolts, such as 80kV and 140kV). This invention utilizes the inherent, relatively stable tissues within the brain (gray matter and white matter) as an internal reference standard. The slope generated using the CT values ​​of gray matter and white matter is used to calibrate the range of CT value variations in healthy brain tissue in images to a standard scale with the standard CT values ​​of gray matter and white matter at both ends. The CT values ​​of each voxel in the image are recalibrated according to this standard scale, i.e., normalized. After processing, the CT values ​​of healthy gray matter and white matter are fixed at the standard values, thereby eliminating individual and scanning instrument differences.

[0035] S30: The plain scan data of each voxel is processed using a three-substance separation mathematical model of dual-energy tomography to obtain the enhanced data of each voxel. Figure 2 This is a partial flowchart illustrating a quantitative method for determining moisture content. (Refer to...) Figure 2 S30 specifically includes the following S31 to S33: S31: Generate a decay feature map, which includes voxel points corresponding to each voxel, a first basic substance point corresponding to water, a second basic substance point corresponding to gray matter, and a third basic substance point corresponding to white matter. The line connecting the first basic substance point and the second basic substance point forms a scale.

[0036] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the attenuation characteristic of a quantitative method for determining water content. (Refer to...) Figure 3 The horizontal axis of the attenuation feature map represents the CT value at the first ray energy, and the vertical axis represents the CT value at the second ray energy. In the attenuation feature map, each voxel corresponds to a voxel point. In the illustrative implementation, voxel A is used as an example. The coordinates of the voxel point corresponding to voxel A are (xa, ya), where xa is the CT value of voxel A at the first ray energy, and ya is the CT value of voxel A at the second ray energy. The CT values ​​of water, gray matter, and white matter at the first and second ray energies can be pre-measured. Water, gray matter, and white matter correspond to the first matrix point M1, the second matrix point M2, and the third matrix point M3, respectively.

[0037] S32: Generate a slope line based on the second and third fundamental substance points. Specifically, connect the second and third fundamental substance points.

[0038] S33: Based on the mapping line parallel to the slope line, project each voxel point onto the scale to obtain enhanced data.

[0039] Reference Figure 3Taking voxel A as an example, the projection process is equivalent to emitting a mapping line parallel to the slope line from voxel point A. The mapping line intersects the scale to obtain a projection point A'. By projecting each voxel point onto the scale, the voxels of the brain are normalized.

[0040] S40: Calculate the water content percentage of each voxel based on the enhancement data. For details, refer to... Figure 3 The formula for calculating the percentage of water content is: ; in, This indicates the percentage of water content in each voxel. This represents the distance from the projection of each voxel point onto the scale to the first fundamental particle point. This represents the distance from the first matrix point to the second matrix point. A normalized algorithm was used to calculate the water content percentage of each voxel, thus quantifying the proportion of edema in cerebral edema tissue.

[0041] S50: Generates an image showing the water content of edematous brain tissue based on the water content percentage of each voxel. Figure 4 An image showing the water content of edematous brain tissue. (Refer to...) Figure 4 In the illustrative embodiment, a pseudo-color image is generated based on the water content percentage of each voxel. The pseudo-color image can visually display the water content ratio of edematous brain tissue. Furthermore, the user can delineate regions of interest in the pseudo-color image and calculate the specific numerical value of the water content percentage within those regions.

[0042] The present invention provides a method for quantifying water content by modifying an existing dual-energy tomography (DCT) three-substance separation mathematical model. The three basic substances are replaced with water, gray matter, and white matter. The three-substance separation model is used to process DCT data of the brain, normalizing each voxel of the brain to a percentage of water content for quantification. This allows for the quantification of the water content in edematous tissue of patients with acute stroke, thereby quantifying the edema ratio of the edematous tissue.

[0043] This invention also provides a quantitative device for water content ratio, used to implement the aforementioned quantitative method for water content ratio. The quantitative device for water content ratio includes a calculation and processing unit 10, configured to acquire plain scan data of each voxel, process the plain scan data of each voxel based on a dual-energy tomography (DCT) three-substance separation mathematical model to obtain enhanced data of each voxel, calculate the water content percentage of each voxel based on the enhanced data, and generate an image for brain identification based on the water content percentage of each voxel. The plain scan data of each voxel is generated by scanning the brain with a dual-energy CT device at first and second energy levels. The three basic substances in the dual-energy tomography three-substance separation mathematical model are water, gray matter, and white matter.

[0044] In an illustrative embodiment, the computational processing unit 10 is configured to generate an attenuation feature map, which includes voxel points corresponding to each voxel, a first matrix point corresponding to water, a second matrix point corresponding to gray matter, and a third matrix point corresponding to white matter. The line connecting the first matrix point and the second matrix point forms a scale. A slope line is generated based on the second matrix point and the third matrix point. The computational processing unit 10 is also configured to project each voxel point onto the scale based on a mapping line parallel to the slope line to obtain enhanced data.

[0045] In the illustrative embodiment, refer to Figure 3 The calculation and processing unit 10 calculates the water content percentage according to the following formula: ; in, This indicates the percentage of water content in each voxel. This represents the distance from the projection of each voxel point onto the scale to the first fundamental particle point. This represents the distance from the first matrix point to the second matrix point. A normalized algorithm was used to calculate the water content percentage of each voxel, thus quantifying the proportion of edema in cerebral edema tissue.

[0046] In the illustrative embodiment, the computational processing unit 10 is configured to generate an image displaying the water content ratio of cerebral edema tissue based on the water content percentage of each voxel. This allows for a visual representation of the water content ratio of the cerebral edema tissue.

[0047] The present invention also provides a tomographic scanning system. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a tomographic scanning system. (Refer to...) Figure 5 The computed tomography (CT) system includes a dual-energy CT scanner 20, the aforementioned computational processing unit 10, and a display device 30. The dual-energy CT scanner 20 is configured to scan the brain at a first energy level and a second energy level, generating plain scan data for each voxel. The computational processing unit 10 is configured to acquire the plain scan data for each voxel and generate an image for identifying the brain. The display device 30 can display information generated by the computational processing unit 10, such as an image showing the water content of edematous brain tissue.

[0048] The present invention also provides a storage medium including a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the above-described method for quantifying the water content ratio.

[0049] It should be understood that although this specification is described according to various embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This way of describing the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0050] The detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific descriptions of feasible embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent implementation schemes or modifications made without departing from the spirit of the present invention, such as combinations, divisions or repetitions of features, should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A quantitative method for determining the water content ratio, characterized in that, include: The brain is scanned using a dual-energy CT scanner with the first and second energies to generate plain scan data for each voxel. The three substances in the mathematical model of three-substance separation in dual-energy tomography were set as water, gray matter and white matter. The plain scan data of each voxel are processed using the dual-energy tomography three-substance separation mathematical model to obtain the enhanced data of each voxel. as well as The percentage of water content in each voxel is calculated based on the enhancement data described for each voxel.

2. The quantitative method for water content ratio as described in claim 1, wherein the dual-energy tomography three-substance separation mathematical model includes the CT value of water, the CT value of gray matter, and the slope generated based on the CT values ​​of gray matter and white matter.

3. The quantitative method for determining the water content ratio as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The plain scan data of each voxel are processed using the aforementioned dual-energy tomography three-substance separation mathematical model to obtain the enhanced data of each voxel, including: A decay feature map is generated, which includes voxel points corresponding to each voxel, a first matrix point corresponding to water, a second matrix point corresponding to gray matter, and a third matrix point corresponding to white matter. The line connecting the first matrix point and the second matrix point forms a scale. A slope line is generated based on the second and third elementary material points; and The enhanced data is obtained by projecting each voxel point onto the scale according to the mapping line parallel to the slope line.

4. The quantitative method for determining the water content ratio as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The enhanced data is obtained by projecting each voxel point onto the scale based on a mapping line parallel to the slope line. Specifically, the mapping line parallel to the slope line is emitted from each voxel point, and the mapping line intersects with the scale to obtain the enhanced data.

5. The quantitative method for determining the water content ratio as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The formula for calculating the percentage of water content is: ; in, This indicates the percentage of water content in each voxel. This represents the distance from the projection of each voxel point onto the scale to the first fundamental particle point. This represents the distance from the first matrix point to the second matrix point.

6. The quantitative method for determining the water content ratio as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The quantitative method for the water content ratio also includes: An image showing the water content of brain edema tissue is generated based on the percentage of water content in each voxel.

7. A metering device for determining the water content ratio, characterized in that, The system includes a computational processing unit (10), which is configured to acquire plain scan data of each voxel, process the plain scan data of each voxel based on a dual-energy tomography three-substance separation mathematical model to obtain enhanced data of each voxel, and calculate the water content percentage of each voxel based on the enhanced data of each voxel; wherein, the plain scan data of each voxel is generated by scanning the brain with a first energy and a second energy using a dual-energy CT device, and the three basic substances of the dual-energy tomography three-substance separation mathematical model are water, gray matter and white matter.

8. The quantitative device for determining the water content ratio as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The computational processing unit (10) is configured to generate an attenuation feature map, which includes voxel points corresponding to each voxel, a first matrix point corresponding to water, a second matrix point corresponding to gray matter, and a third matrix point corresponding to white matter. The line connecting the first matrix point and the second matrix point forms a scale. A slope line is generated based on the second matrix point and the third matrix point. The computational processing unit (10) is also configured to project each voxel point onto the scale based on a mapping line parallel to the slope line to obtain the enhancement data.

9. The quantitative device for determining the water content ratio as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The calculation processing unit (10) calculates the water content percentage according to the following formula: ; in, This indicates the percentage of water content in each voxel. This represents the distance from the projection of each voxel point onto the scale to the first fundamental particle point. This represents the distance from the first matrix point to the second matrix point.

10. The quantitative device for determining the water content ratio as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The computational processing unit (10) is also configured to generate an image showing the water content of brain edema tissue based on the water content percentage of each voxel.

11. A tomographic scanning system, characterized in that, include: A dual-energy CT device (20) is configured to scan the brain with a first energy and a second energy, generating plain scan data of each voxel; The computational processing unit (10) as described in any one of claims 7 to 10 is configured to acquire the plain scan data of each voxel; as well as The display device (30) is capable of displaying the information generated by the computing processing unit (10).

12. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It includes a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements a quantitative method for the water content ratio as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images