De-blooming Reconstructed CT Images via Dynamic Thresholding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging systems, particularly CT imaging, face challenges in reducing artifact bloom in reconstructed images, which affects the assessment of stent integrity and stenosis, often leading to increased noise and undesirable vessel narrowing due to the limitations of existing de-blooming methods.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that dynamically determine an intensity threshold based on contrast medium enhancement across a volume, allowing for the identification and de-blooming of regions within the reconstructed image, using a point-spread-function and anti-diffusion operations to reduce blooming effects while maintaining accurate vessel dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If dynamic x-ray focal spot deflection is used to reduce blooming, then blooming effects are reduced, but noise in projections and 3D image increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the de-blooming process into multiple stages: first applying a preliminary de-blooming algorithm to reduce blooming effects, then applying a secondary algorithm to selectively remove only the blooming artifacts while preserving edges. This segmentation allows the system to address blooming without excessive noise reduction, as each stage can be optimized independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing characteristics to different regions of the image. By detecting edges and calculating local properties, the system applies stronger de-blooming to regions with high blooming (such as calcified plaque) while preserving edges and reducing noise less aggressively in regions where edges need to be maintained. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by treating blooming reduction and noise control as separate, region-dependent objectives.
2Manufacturing precision
If high-resolution reconstruction kernel is used, then spatial resolution is improved, but noise increases requiring higher radiation dose
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies de-blooming algorithms as a preliminary action before final image reconstruction or display. By reducing blooming effects in the projections or intermediate images, the system enables the use of high-resolution reconstruction kernels without the noise penalty, as the blooming that would otherwise mask fine details is removed beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces de-blooming algorithms as an intermediary processing step between data acquisition and final image reconstruction. This intermediary process cleansse the projections of blooming artifacts, allowing the subsequent high-resolution reconstruction to proceed with improved signal-to-noise ratio, effectively mediating between the desire for high resolution and the constraint of noise levels.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If edge-enhancement operations are applied to reduce blooming, then blooming appearance is reduced, but vessel width is narrowed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying edge-enhancement operations that inadvertently narrow vessels, the patent inverts the approach by using de-blooming algorithms that specifically target and remove the blooming artifacts without enhancing edges. The method detects and removes the excessive brightness associated with blooming while preserving the original vessel geometry, effectively achieving blooming reduction without the harmful side effect of vessel narrowing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of edge-enhancement operations (which narrow vessels) into a beneficial process by using de-blooming algorithms that specifically target blooming artifacts. The method identifies regions with blooming (characterized by specific intensity patterns) and removes only those artifacts while preserving vessel edges, turning what would be a harmful edge-enhancement process into a beneficial selective artifact removal process.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for reducing artifact bloom in a reconstructed image of an object is provided. The system includes an imaging device, and a controller. The imaging device is operative to obtain one or more slices of the object. The controller is in electronic communication with the imaging device and operative to: generate the reconstructed image based at least in part on the one or more slices; and de-bloom one or more regions within the reconstructed image based at least in part on a contrast medium enhancement across at least part of a volume of the object.