CT Projection Data Range Control for Subject Motion Margins
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Solution Overview
Problem
In photon counting CT apparatuses, the increased number of photoelectric conversion elements leads to longer output times for projection data, and fixed peripheral regions may fail to include the entire subject due to body movement during imaging.
Innovation Solution
A CT apparatus that calculates a margin degree for a peripheral region based on subject attributes and body movement, outputs projection data of an enlarged subject region, and adjusts the display range to ensure the entire subject is included.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the number of photoelectric conversion elements in the radiation detector is increased, then the imaging capability and coverage are improved, but the output time for projection data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary projection data from the radiation detector output. Instead of transmitting all detected projection data, the system identifies and transmits only the projection data corresponding to the subject region and the calculated peripheral region, reducing the data transmission burden while maintaining complete subject coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the projection data into different regions: subject region, peripheral region, and other regions. By calculating the peripheral region based on subject attributes and body movement characteristics, the system selectively processes and transmits only relevant segments, improving efficiency without sacrificing completeness.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed peripheral region is used for projection data output, then the data transmission range is simplified, but the entire subject may not be included due to body movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the peripheral region dynamic by calculating its size based on subject attributes (age, body type) and estimated body movement characteristics. The peripheral region size is adjusted dynamically for different subjects and imaging conditions, ensuring complete subject inclusion while adapting to individual variations in body movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of peripheral region size based on subject attributes and body movement characteristics. Different subjects receive different peripheral region extensions, optimizing the balance between data transmission efficiency and complete subject coverage for each individual case.
3Productivity
If only projection data of the subject region is output to reduce data amount, then transmission efficiency is improved, but projection data excluding parts of the subject may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of the peripheral region size before main imaging based on subject attributes and body movement characteristics. This advance preparation ensures that the correct projection data range is identified and transmitted, preventing any loss of subject information while optimizing transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from subject attributes and body movement characteristics to adjust the peripheral region size. This feedback mechanism ensures that the transmitted projection data always includes the entire subject, adapting to individual variations in body movement and subject characteristics.
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
Ensures complete subject inclusion in projection data output to the console, even with reduced data amounts, by dynamically adjusting the imaging range and display to accommodate body movement.
Implementation Method 1
in a photon counting CT apparatus, as the number of photoelectric conversion elements in a radiation detector increases
Data Source
AI summary
A CT apparatus sets a subject region in an imaging range of a radiation image by using information related to a subject, calculates, before main imaging of the subject, a size of a peripheral region, around the subject region and in a range outside the subject region, in which the subject is estimated to protrude from the subject region due to body movement, as a margin degree with respect to the subject region, and outputs, during the main imaging of the subject, projection data of a channel corresponding to a range of an enlarged subject region, which is obtained by adding the peripheral region to the subject region, to a console.