Photon-Counting CT Energy Binning for Real-Time Fluoroscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photon-counting CT devices face challenges in real-time data transmission due to the enormous amount of data generated, making it difficult to generate images required during surgical manipulations like catheter treatment and puncture.
Innovation Solution
The X-ray CT device employs a processing circuitry that adjusts conditions for data acquisition, bundles data into energy bins, and switches between modes to reduce data transmission, using a direct conversion type detector and a data acquisition system (DAS) to manage data efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a photon-counting CT device is used to acquire data by counting X-ray photons for energy, then measurement precision is improved, but the quantity of data generated increases enormously making real-time transmission difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous energy spectrum into discrete energy bins (e.g., first energy bin for lower energy, second energy bin for higher energy). The processing circuitry counts photons in each energy bin separately, transforming the continuous energy measurement problem into discrete segmented measurements. This segmentation allows precise energy discrimination while reducing the complexity of data transmission by organizing photons into manageable energy categories.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential energy information by sorting photons into a limited number of energy bins rather than transmitting all raw photon count data. The processing circuitry extracts the key feature (energy level) of each photon and groups them into predefined bins, discarding redundant information while preserving the critical energy discrimination capability needed for medical imaging.
2Productivity
If data is transmitted in real-time during surgical manipulation, then productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need to handle enormous data amounts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary sorting and binning of photons by energy level at the detector side before transmission. The processing circuitry pre-organizes the photon data into energy bins during the acquisition phase, so that when data is transmitted for real-time image generation, it is already in the processed format. This preliminary action reduces the computational burden during real-time operations and simplifies the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing circuitry at the detector side autonomously performs the energy binning and photon sorting operations without requiring complex external processing. The detector system serves itself by incorporating the energy discrimination and data organization functions directly in the acquisition stage, reducing the need for complex post-processing equipment and enabling real-time transmission of already-processed data.
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
This approach allows for reduced data transmission while maintaining image quality, enabling real-time image generation during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a so-called photon-counting CT device that acquires data obtained by counting the number of X-ray photons for energy
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray CT device of an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry acquires data corresponding to energy when X-rays radiated by an X-ray tube are transmitted through a subject. The processing circuitry adjusts conditions including first and second conditions for the data when the data is acquired. The processing circuitry switches the condition between the first condition and the second condition during a fluoroscopic imaging manipulation performed by radiating the X-rays to the subject. The processing circuitry bundles the data discriminated into some of a plurality of energy bins.