Medical Image Data Fusion for CBCT Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging technologies, such as cone beam computed tomographs (CBCT), often produce incomplete image data sets that do not cover the entire body region, resulting in lower spatial resolution and dynamic range compared to fan beam CT or magnetic resonance tomographs (MRT), making it challenging to obtain a complete and up-to-date image for surgical or treatment planning purposes.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that generate a complete medical image data set by adapting an initial image data set to a second, incomplete data set using a third data set representing the body's contour, through techniques like elastic image fusion, which aligns and modifies the initial data set to match the current state of the body, thereby enhancing dynamic range and accuracy without transforming data into sinograms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If CBCT is used for 3D imaging to reduce preparation time, then imaging speed is improved, but detection range and image quality (spatial resolution and dynamic range) deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines CBCT and CT imaging modalities by integrating the CBCT detection range with the CT image data. The CT image is aligned to the CBCT coordinate system and used to supplement regions outside the CBCT detection range, merging the fast but limited CBCT data with the comprehensive but slower CT data to achieve both speed and quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging process is segmented into two parts: the CBCT captures the region of interest with high speed, while the CT provides the surrounding regions with higher resolution. The final complete image is constructed by segmenting and combining these different quality data sources according to their respective detection ranges.
2Area of stationary object
If CT or MRT is used to obtain complete body region images, then image quality and detection range are improved, but imaging time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of performing a complete CT scan of the entire body region, the patent uses partial CT data only for the regions outside the CBCT detection range. The CBCT data is used for the central region where high speed is critical, and only supplementary CT data is acquired for the peripheral regions, reducing total imaging time while maintaining complete coverage.
3Loss of information
If CT image is aligned and converted to sinogram to supplement CBCT regions, then complete image data is achieved, but processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of converting the CT image to sinogram space to match the CBCT reconstruction process, the patent inverts the approach by keeping both datasets in image space and performing alignment and supplementation directly in the spatial domain. This avoids the complex sinogram transformation while achieving the same goal of data integration.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for generating a complete medical image data set from an incomplete image data set, comprising the method steps of: providing a first image data set which represents an image of a first region of a body, including at least a part of the surface of the body, at a first point in time; providing a second, incomplete image data set which represents an image of a second region of the body at a second point in time, wherein the first region and the second region overlap; providing a third data set which represents the contour of the body in the form of points on the surface of the body, substantially at the second point in time; adapting the first image data set to the second image data set by taking into account the third data set; and accepting the adapted first image data set as a complete image data set.