CBCT Motion-Blurred Image Enhancement via Phase-Correlated Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging is susceptible to motion-blurred artifacts due to slow gantry rotation times, leading to aliasing issues like streaks in reconstructed images, which are difficult to resolve without increasing imaging time or radiation dose.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for enhancing motion-blurred images by generating phase-correlated images through image enhancement operations, including motion extraction, filtering, and segmentation, which reduce or remove artifacts by processing projections and re-projections to create improved multi-phase images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the gantry rotation rate is slowed down to reduce aliasing artifacts, then image quality improves, but imaging time increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational process (phase-correlated image generation and motion extraction algorithms) between the raw projections and final reconstructed image. This mediator processes the sparse projection data to synthesize higher-quality images without requiring slower physical gantry rotation, thereby resolving the contradiction between image quality and imaging time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-processing projections into phase-correlated images and pre-extracting motion information before final reconstruction. This preliminary processing allows the system to work with enhanced data that reduces aliasing artifacts, eliminating the need for slower gantry rotation to achieve quality images
2Manufacturing precision
If the gantry rotation rate is slowed down to reduce aliasing artifacts, then image quality improves, but radiation dose increases
Solution Approach 1:
The computational intermediary processes sparse projection data obtained at faster rotation rates, extracting motion information and generating phase-correlated images that reduce aliasing artifacts. This allows achieving quality images without increasing radiation dose, as the enhancement comes from processing rather than acquiring more data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter space by transforming raw projection data into phase-correlated images with explicit motion modeling. This parameter transformation allows the system to reconstruct quality images from fewer, faster-acquired projections, avoiding both increased imaging time and increased radiation dose
3Reliability
If CBCT data is acquired in multiple respiratory phases, then motion artifacts are captured, but aliasing streaks appear due to sparse sampling per phase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges information across multiple respiratory phases by generating phase-correlated images that explicitly model the periodic motion. By combining data from multiple phases with motion extraction algorithms, the system achieves both reliable motion representation and high image quality, eliminating the aliasing streaks that appear when phases are processed independently
Data Source
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AI summary
In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, a process for enhancing a motion-blurred image is presented. The process may include receiving a plurality of projections, wherein the plurality of projections contain computed tomography (CT) data obtained in multiple motion phases. The process may include generating an enhanced multiphase image by performing an enhancement operation based on the plurality of projections. The process may further include generating a plurality of phase-correlated images based on the plurality of projections and the enhanced multi-phase image.