Dark-Field X-Ray Signal Normalization for Lung Ventilation Defect Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic tools are unable to accurately determine the presence of ventilation defects in a patient's lung, which is crucial for monitoring disease progression and adjusting treatment effectively.
Innovation Solution
A calculation device is developed to compare dark-field X-ray images taken at expiration and inspiration states, normalizing the signals by lung thickness and analyzing the differences to identify areas with ventilation defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dark-field X-ray imaging is used to detect lung ventilation, then the ability to identify ventilation defects is improved, but the accuracy of determining ventilation defect presence is insufficient without normalization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by normalizing the dark-field X-ray signal with the lung thickness value. This transformation changes the signal parameter from raw intensity to a normalized ratio, which accounts for variations in lung thickness during the respiratory cycle. The normalization process converts the signal S to S/TH, where S is the dark-field signal and TH is the lung thickness, thereby improving measurement accuracy while maintaining diagnostic reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by acquiring both the dark-field X-ray signal and the lung thickness value at the same time point before performing the comparison. The system preliminarily processes the data by normalizing the signal with the thickness value, and then compares the normalized values between expiration and inspiration states. This preliminary normalization step ensures that subsequent comparisons are accurate and reliable
2Ease of operation
If dark-field X-ray signals are compared without normalization, then the measurement process is simplified, but the diagnostic accuracy is reduced due to lung thickness variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the measurement approach by introducing normalization as a parameter change. Instead of directly comparing raw dark-field signals, the system converts them to normalized signals by dividing by the corresponding lung thickness values. This parameter transformation maintains ease of operation through automated processing while significantly improving measurement precision by eliminating thickness-related variations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces lung thickness as an intermediary parameter that mediates between the raw X-ray signal and the final diagnostic result. The thickness value serves as a mediator that accounts for anatomical variations during respiration, allowing the system to maintain simple operation while achieving accurate ventilation defect detection through the intermediate normalization step
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
The device effectively determines the presence and extent of ventilation defects in the lung by analyzing changes in dark-field X-ray signals during the respiratory cycle, providing valuable diagnostic information.
Implementation Method 1
The basic concept for DAX imaging is to use a Talbot-Lau type interferometer, i.e., to add three gratings G0, G1, and G2 into the X-ray beam
Implementation Method 2
A dark-field X-ray signal is generated by changes in the refractive index on a micrometre scale
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a calculation device (10) for comparing dark-field X-ray images. The calculation device in (10) is configured for receiving a first dark-field X-ray image (11) describing first dark-field X-ray signals of a patient at an expiration state and for receiving a second dark-field X-ray image (12) describing second dark-field X-ray signals of the patient at an inspiration state. The calculation device is further (10) configured for normalizing the first dark-field X-ray signals of the first dark-field X-ray tin image (11) with a lung thickness value describing the lung thickness at the expiration state and for normalizing the second dark-field X-ray signals of the second dark-field X-ray image (12) with a lung thickness value describing the lung thickness at the inspiration state. Further, the calculation device (10) is configured for comparing the normalized first dark-field X-ray signals with the normalized second dark-field X-ray signals, thereby determining a comparison result (13) and for determining whether at least one area of the patient's lung with a ventilation defect exists based on the comparison result (13).