CT System Truncation Detection and Marking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CT systems struggle to accurately detect and mark truncated regions in images, leading to misdiagnosis due to unreal presentations and loss of bright rings, which are crucial for diagnosing diseases.
Innovation Solution
A computerized tomography (CT) method that projects a beam within a display field of view, detects truncation, and records the truncated location, allowing for visualization and marking of these regions in the reconstructed image, thereby enabling accurate identification and exclusion from diagnostic processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional CT systems apply zero padding, nearest padding, or mirror padding to truncated projection data, then image continuity is improved, but the truncated region becomes unreal and loses diagnostic value
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the truncated region from the overall image reconstruction process. By separately identifying and marking truncated locations through geometric calculation of projection boundaries, the system preserves the original truncated data characteristics while visually distinguishing these regions, allowing radiologists to recognize and exclude them from diagnostic interpretation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different treatment to different regions of the image. Truncated regions are marked with specific visual indicators (such as dashed lines or shading) while non-truncated regions maintain normal presentation. This local differentiation allows the majority of the image to maintain diagnostic quality while explicitly flagging problematic areas.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional CT systems compensate for truncation to improve image quality, then image completeness is improved, but the bright rings indicating truncated regions are lost, making it impossible for physicians to identify truncated areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system automatically detects truncation conditions during image reconstruction, calculates the specific truncated locations using geometric methods, and then overlays visual markers on the final image. This feedback loop ensures that truncation information is preserved and communicated to the radiologist without compromising image quality improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary identification of truncated regions during the image reconstruction process itself, before final image display. By calculating projection boundaries and marking truncated areas in advance, the system ensures that truncation location information is embedded in the final image, allowing physicians to immediately recognize problematic regions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional CT methods use padding approaches to reduce artifacts, then image smoothness is improved, but the presented truncated region does not reflect reality, leading to potential misdiagnosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image into truncated and non-truncated regions through geometric calculation of projection boundaries. By identifying the exact extent of truncation and applying separate visual marking to these segments, the system maintains measurement precision for truncated areas while still allowing smooth presentation of non-truncated regions.
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 method automatically detects and records truncation locations, providing accurate visualization and preventing misdiagnosis by ensuring truncated regions are not used for diagnosis, thus enhancing image quality and diagnostic accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
projecting a beam from a radiation source within a display field of view (DFOV) toward a subject to be imaged
Implementation Method 2
receiving, at a detector, the projected beam to collect projection data
Data Source
AI summary
A computerized tomography (CT) method and CT system. The method comprises projecting a beam from a radiation source within a display field of view (DFOV) toward a subject to be imaged; receiving, at a detector, the projected beam to collect projection data; determining whether in the projection a truncation occurs in which the subject exceeds the DFOV; and recording a truncated location of the projection if truncation occurs.