Virtual Interpolated Compensation for 4D CT Image Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 4D CT techniques face challenges due to sparse sampling rates, leading to mismatches and defects in 3D images, particularly in phases with varying organ movement speeds, resulting in organ contour defects and surface splits.
Innovation Solution
A virtual interpolated compensation method is employed to select the most suitable image slice based on breathing feature value differences and image differences with reference slices, ensuring accurate sorting and reconstruction of 3D CT images, even in cases of insufficient sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If sparse sampling rate is used in 4D CT, then scan time and radiation dose are reduced, but image sorting accuracy deteriorates causing mismatches and defects in 3D images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual interpolated image slice as an intermediary to bridge the gap between actual scanned slices. When no actual slice exists at a target respiratory phase, the system generates a virtual interpolated slice by combining adjacent real slices, thereby maintaining continuous coverage without requiring dense sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the missing image slice through interpolation. The virtual interpolated slice replicates the appearance of the missing real slice at the target respiratory phase, allowing the system to proceed with reconstruction despite the absence of the actual scanned image.
2Loss of energy
If sparse sampling rate is used in 4D CT, then radiation dose to patient is reduced, but manufacturing precision of 3D image deteriorates causing organ contour defects
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual interpolated slice acts as a mediator that fills gaps in the sampling sequence. By combining information from adjacent real slices, it reconstructs the missing anatomical information, ensuring that the final 3D image maintains continuity and precision without requiring additional radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the missing slice through interpolation algorithms, preserving the anatomical structure and intensity characteristics. This virtual copy indistinguishably replaces the missing real slice in the reconstruction process, maintaining image quality while reducing radiation dose.
3Quantity of substance
If no image slice exists at target respiratory phase, then sampling rate remains low, but 3D CT image construction fails with mismatches and surface splits
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual interpolated slice serves as a bridge between adjacent real slices, ensuring continuous coverage even when actual slices are missing. This intermediary maintains the temporal and spatial continuity required for reliable 3D reconstruction, preventing mismatches and surface splits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system generates a virtual copy of the missing slice that matches the expected anatomical appearance at the target respiratory phase. This virtual copy integrates seamlessly with adjacent real slices, ensuring that the 3D reconstruction remains reliable and free of artifacts.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for sorting CT image slices comprising, if no image slice comprises a target respiratory phase at a couch position, determining a target breathing feature value corresponding to the target respiratory phase based on a respiratory motion curve of a scanned patient, searching from a plurality of image slices at the couch position for one or more image slices comprising a breathing feature value close to the target breathing feature value to serve as candidate image slices, and selecting, based on a breathing feature value difference between the breathing feature value of each of the candidate image slices and the target breathing feature value and/or an image difference between each of the candidate image slices and at least one reference image slice, a single image slice from the candidate image slices for constructing the 3D CT image for the target respiratory phase.