Cone Beam Gated Imaging with Voxel-Weighted Artifact Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cone beam artifacts and blurring degrade image quality in high temporal resolution volumetric reconstructions, particularly in wide coverage computed tomography systems, due to incomplete voxel reconstructions and mis-weighting of frequencies, limiting field of view and temporal resolution.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a voxel-dependent redundancy weight during backprojection for high and low pass filtered projection data to generate high temporal resolution volumetric image data with reduced cone beam artifacts, using cardiac and aperture weights to ensure complete voxel reconstructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional CT reconstruction algorithms are used, then processing speed is fast, but image quality is degraded due to artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image reconstruction process into multiple stages: initial reconstruction using conventional algorithms, artifact detection, and iterative correction. This allows the system to maintain fast initial processing while applying detailed correction only where needed, resolving the contradiction between speed and quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate artifact correction step between initial reconstruction and final image output. This intermediary process uses detected artifact patterns to generate correction maps that are applied to improve image quality without requiring complete reprocessing of all data.
2Measurement precision
If iterative reconstruction algorithms are used, then image quality is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies iterative correction only partially - specifically to regions where artifacts are detected rather than uniformly across the entire image. This selective application reduces processing time while maintaining quality improvements in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary artifact detection and characterization before applying correction algorithms. By identifying artifact patterns upfront and preparing correction strategies in advance, the system reduces the overall processing time required for iterative reconstruction.
3Measurement precision
If motion correction techniques are applied, then image quality is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters used for motion correction by utilizing gating information from ECG signals to define specific temporal windows for reconstruction. This approach simplifies the computational complexity compared to general motion correction methods while maintaining effectiveness for cardiac imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies periodic gating based on the cardiac cycle, reconstructing images from data acquired during specific phases of the heartbeat. This periodic approach simplifies motion correction by focusing on repetitive cardiac motion patterns rather than requiring complex continuous correction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Achieves high temporal resolution and reduced cone beam artifacts in volumetric image data, mitigating the trade-off between resolution and artifact degradation, resulting in improved image quality and diagnostic value.
Implementation Method 1
a cone beam of X-rays is fired from an X-ray tube toward a subject
Implementation Method 2
a detector array opposite the X-ray tube measures transmitted X-rays to generate projection data
Data Source
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AI summary
An imaging system (702) includes a reconstructor (716) configured to reconstruct obtained cone beam projection data with a voxel-dependent redundancy weighting such that low frequency components of the cone beam projection data are reconstructed with more redundant data than high frequency components of the cone beam projection data to produce volumetric image data. A method includes reconstructing obtained cone beam projection data with a voxel-dependent redundancy weighting such that low frequency components are reconstructed with more redundant data than high frequency components to produce volumetric image data. A computer-readable storage medium, storing computer executable instructions, which when executed by a processor of a computer cause the processor to: obtain cone beam projection data and reconstruct the cone beam projection data with a voxel-dependent redundancy weighting such that low frequency components are reconstructed with more redundant data than high frequency components to produce volumetric image data.