CT Projection Data Cardiac Motion Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CT imaging techniques face challenges in imaging dynamic internal tissues like the heart due to motion-related artifacts, which can be exacerbated by the indirect nature of using ECG signals for cardiac motion estimation, and this can lead to blurring, streaking, or discontinuities in reconstructed images.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for extracting cardiac cycle information directly from CT projection data by analyzing the center of cardiac mass, estimating raw motion data, and processing it to extract a motion signal and periodicity information, allowing for cardiac motion estimation without relying on ECG devices, thereby reducing image artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ECG gating techniques are used to reduce cardiac motion artifacts, then image quality improves, but device complexity and patient preparation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts cardiac motion information directly from the CT projection data itself, rather than relying on external ECG devices. By analyzing the projection data to obtain center of cardiac mass and estimating motion data from these projections, the system eliminates the need for separate ECG monitoring equipment while still achieving motion compensation for improved image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The CT imaging system is enhanced to perform dual functions: it both acquires cardiac projection data for imaging purposes and simultaneously extracts cardiac motion information from the same data. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate ECG devices, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to produce motion-compensated images.
2Measurement precision
If ECG devices are used for cardiac gating, then cardiac motion estimation accuracy improves, but patient throughput decreases due to additional preparation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts cardiac motion information directly from the CT projection data itself, eliminating the need for external ECG devices and the associated patient preparation time. The center of cardiac mass and motion data are obtained from the projection data during the imaging process, maintaining measurement precision while improving patient throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The CT imaging system performs self-service by extracting its own cardiac motion information from the projection data it collects during imaging. This eliminates the need for separate ECG monitoring equipment and the associated patient preparation time, thereby improving patient throughput while maintaining the ability to estimate cardiac motion accurately.
3Reliability
If ECG-based gating is used to reduce motion artifacts, then image clarity improves, but the indirect measurement introduces potential errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts cardiac motion information directly from the CT projection data by analyzing the center of cardiac mass, rather than using indirect ECG electrical signals. This direct extraction method eliminates the indirect measurement step that causes timing discrepancies between electrical activity and actual mechanical motion, thereby improving motion measurement precision while maintaining image clarity.
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 enables more accurate and artifact-free cardiac imaging by directly deriving cardiac motion from CT projection data, improving image quality and patient throughput by eliminating the need for ECG devices.
Implementation Method 1
As the X-rays pass through the patient, the X-rays are attenuated based on the composition of the tissue they pass through
Data Source
AI summary
A method for extracting information of a cardiac cycle from projection data is presented. The method provides for acquiring one or more sets of computed tomography (CT) projection data. Further, the method includes analyzing the one or sets of CT projection data to obtain a center of cardiac mass. Also, the method provides for estimating raw motion data representative of the motion of the center of cardiac mass from the one or more sets of CT projection data. In addition, the method includes processing the center of mass through time to extract a motion signal from the raw projection data. Also, the method provides for extracting the periodicity information from the motion signal.