Cardiac Motion Compensation in CT Imaging via Iterative Vessel ROI Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiac motion compensation methods in computed tomography (CT) imaging systems face challenges in accurately estimating and compensating for cardiac motion, leading to suboptimal image quality due to motion artifacts.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for cardiac motion compensation in CT imaging systems, which iteratively reconstructs projection data based on estimated cardiac motion, determines a vessel region of interest (ROI), and updates the estimated cardiac motion using an optimization cost function associated with the vessel ROI, until a predefined termination criterion is met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional motion compensation methods are used, then the image reconstruction process is simpler and faster, but the motion estimation accuracy is insufficient leading to motion artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary vessel segmentation and skeleton extraction before motion estimation. By pre-identifying vessel structures and their skeletons, the system establishes a reference framework that guides subsequent motion estimation, allowing for more accurate motion tracking without excessively complicating the overall reconstruction process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vessel skeletons as an intermediary structure between the raw projection data and the final motion-compensated image. These skeletons serve as mediators that capture essential motion patterns while simplifying the complexity of directly analyzing complete vessel structures for motion estimation
2Productivity
If iterative motion estimation is performed to improve accuracy, then motion compensation efficiency improves, but computational time and resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vessel structures into skeletal frameworks, dividing the complex motion estimation problem into manageable components. By working with simplified skeletal representations rather than complete vessel structures, the system achieves accurate motion estimation with reduced computational burden
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies motion estimation selectively to vessel regions identified through segmentation rather than processing the entire image volume. This partial action approach focuses computational resources on critical areas where motion compensation is most needed, improving efficiency without sacrificing accuracy
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method for performing cardiac motion compensation in a computed tomography (CT) imaging system is provided. The method includes receiving projection data acquired from an imaging object by the CT imaging system. The method also includes, until a predefined termination criterion is met, iteratively reconstructing, based on estimated cardiac motion, the received projection data to generate a motion-compensated image of the imaging object, determining a vessel region of interest (ROI) within the generated motion-compensated image, and updating the estimated cardiac motion, based on an optimization cost function associated with the determined vessel ROI. The method further includes outputting, as a final reconstructed image of the imaging object, the generated motion-compensated image.