Adaptive Tomographic Imaging for SPECT Scan Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging systems, such as SPECT, often employ uniform scan speeds and intervals, leading to sub-optimal data acquisition and increased radiation dosage, compromising image quality and patient comfort due to inadequate distribution of scan time and potential for image artifacts from patient motion.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive imaging method that acquires preliminary projection data to optimize image quality metrics by determining an acquisition protocol for specific regions of interest, adjusting parameters like scan duration and collimator settings in real-time to improve signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio, allowing for efficient imaging without additional radiation or scanning time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If uniform scan speed is used in conventional SPECT systems, then the scanning process is simple and fast, but the image quality deteriorates and radiation dose increases due to sub-optimal data acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a uniform, static scan speed to a variable, adaptive scan speed that changes in real-time based on projected image quality metrics. The system dynamically adjusts the scan interval at each view angle to optimize data acquisition, thereby improving image quality while managing radiation dose and scan time efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the scan interval parameter from a fixed uniform value to a variable parameter that is optimized at each view angle. By calculating projected image quality metrics and adjusting the scan interval accordingly, the system optimizes data acquisition parameters to improve image quality without increasing overall scan time or radiation dose.
2Measurement precision
If prolonged scans are used to acquire adequate imaging statistics, then image quality improves, but patient comfort deteriorates and image artifacts increase due to patient motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a preliminary scan to acquire initial projection data, which is then used to calculate projected image quality metrics and determine an optimized acquisition protocol. This preliminary action enables the system to plan the subsequent scan more efficiently, reducing the need for prolonged scanning and minimizing patient motion artifacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring and using projected image quality metrics to adjust the acquisition protocol in real-time. The feedback loop ensures that scan time and radiation dose are optimized at each view angle, preventing unnecessary prolonged scans that would compromise patient comfort and increase motion artifacts.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform scan interval is used, then the system is simple to operate, but radiation dose increases due to sub-optimal data acquisition at different view angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing the scan interval at each specific view angle based on the projected image quality metric for that particular angle. Instead of using a uniform scan interval, the system tailors the acquisition parameters locally to each view angle, thereby reducing unnecessary radiation dose while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the scan interval parameter dynamically at each view angle based on calculated projected image quality metrics. This parameter optimization allows the system to reduce radiation dose by avoiding excessive scanning at view angles where the metric indicates insufficient data quality would not significantly improve the final image.
4Quantity of substance
If extended scan time is allocated to each view angle, then sufficient projection data is acquired, but scan time increases compromising patient comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the scan interval variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the time allocated for data acquisition at each view angle based on projected image quality metrics, ensuring sufficient projection data is acquired only where necessary and reducing overall scan time where the metric indicates adequate data quality can be achieved with shorter scanning.
Data Source
AI summary
Nuclear imaging systems, non-transitory computer readable media and methods for adaptive imaging are presented. Particularly, the present method includes acquiring preliminary projection data by scanning each of one or more views of a subject for a determined preliminary scan interval. Further, a region of interest of the subject is identified. The preliminary projection data is then used to perform a constrained optimization of a rapidly computable image quality metric for determining an acquisition protocol that improves the image quality metric at the identified region of interest. Particularly, the determined acquisition protocol is used to acquire target projection data corresponding to at least the identified region of interest. Further, an image of at least the identified region of interest is reconstructed using the target projection data, the preliminary projection data, or a combination thereof.