3D Resolution Gauge for Tomographic Imaging Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CT resolution gauges primarily focus on in-plane resolution, neglecting the impact of slice thickness, which can lead to misleading assessments of image resolution in 3D imaging, as they assume infinitely thin slices, not accurately representing anatomical structures with variations in all axes.
Innovation Solution
A 3D resolution gauge with periodic patterns oriented at a constant acute angle, such as 45°, extending into the z-axis to equally weigh x-y and z-axis resolutions, allowing simultaneous visualization of combined effects in a single scan, applicable to various tomographic imaging systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional 2D resolution gauges are used to evaluate in-plane resolution, then in-plane (x,y) resolution measurement is achieved, but slice thickness (z-axis) resolution effects are neglected or minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional 2D resolution gauges to a 3D resolution gauge that incorporates the z-axis dimension. The gauge includes periodic structures extending in three dimensions, allowing simultaneous evaluation of in-plane (x,y) and slice thickness (z) resolution effects in a single CT scan, thereby preventing loss of z-axis resolution information
2Ease of operation
If resolution gauges are designed with constant z-axis extent or periodic patterns constant in z-axis direction, then in-plane resolution assessment is simplified, but the gauge does not represent actual patient anatomy resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates different regions within the resolution gauge with varying z-axis extents and orientations. The gauge includes both structures with constant z-axis extent and structures with varying z-axis extent, allowing local evaluation of different resolution aspects while maintaining overall assessment reliability that reflects actual patient anatomy
3Loss of time
If a single scan is used to evaluate resolution, then evaluation time is reduced, but simultaneous visualization of combined x-y and z-axis resolution effects is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple resolution evaluation functions into a single 3D resolution gauge structure. The gauge combines periodic patterns oriented at different angles and with different z-axis extents, allowing simultaneous visualization of combined x-y in-plane resolution and slice thickness z-direction resolution effects in a single CT scan, thereby reducing evaluation time while maintaining measurement capability
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional resolution gauge for evaluating performance of a tomographic imaging system includes a series of groupings of 3-dimensional line pairs. All of the line pairs are oriented at a common set acute angle relative to a reference x-y imaging plane. The frequency of the line pairs of respective groupings of the series vary from highest density to lowest density corresponding to fine resolution and coarse resolution, respectively. Imaging of the series of groupings by the tomographic imaging system provides, in a single scan, a simultaneous visualization of combined effects of x-y in-plane resolution and slice thickness z direction resolution.