Dual-Energy Difference Imaging for Accurate Contrast Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing methods fail to accurately represent the contrast amount in difference images generated from low-energy and high-energy images, making it difficult to understand the actual contrast amount and observe the contrast medium effectively.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that generates a difference image by capturing low-energy and high-energy images, enhances the contrast medium in the difference image, and displays the image along with contrast amount information, which can be a numerical value, heat map, or the difference image itself, to facilitate accurate evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If image processing is performed to enhance the contrast medium in the difference image, then the contrast medium becomes easier to observe, but the pixel value no longer corresponds to the actual contrast amount
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the display into multiple regions: one displaying the enhanced difference image for easy observation, and another displaying the unprocessed difference image or contrast amount information for accurate measurement. This segmentation allows simultaneous access to both enhanced visualization and accurate data without interference between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces contrast amount information as an intermediary element that bridges the enhanced image and the actual contrast measurement. This intermediary displays the contrast amount derived from the unprocessed image, allowing users to accurately evaluate contrast while viewing the enhanced image, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of observation and measurement precision.
2Illumination intensity
If contrast enhancement processing is applied to the difference image, then the contrast medium is highlighted, but the relationship between pixel value and actual contrast amount is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by displaying the unprocessed difference image or calculating contrast amount information from the unprocessed image before applying enhancement processing. This preliminary display preserves the original contrast amount information, preventing its loss while still allowing enhancement processing to be applied to the image for better visualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the difference image that has not been processed, and displays this copy alongside the enhanced image. This copy serves as a reference that maintains the original pixel value-to-contrast-amount relationship, preventing information loss while the enhanced image provides improved visualization.
3Ease of operation
If the difference image is processed to improve visibility, then observation is facilitated, but accurate evaluation of contrast amount becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display interface into multiple functional zones: one for displaying the enhanced difference image to facilitate observation, and another for displaying contrast amount information derived from the unprocessed image to enable accurate measurement. This segmentation eliminates the difficulty of measuring contrast amount by providing dedicated display space for accurate data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides feedback by displaying contrast amount information that reflects the actual contrast in the unprocessed image. This feedback mechanism allows users to accurately evaluate contrast amounts while simultaneously viewing the enhanced image, resolving the difficulty of measurement that would otherwise exist.
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
Enables easy observation and evaluation of the contrast medium by providing clear contrast amount information, allowing for precise assessment of contrast medium distribution.
Implementation Method 1
acquires a low-energy image captured by a radiography apparatus by emitting radiation having first energy to a subject into which a contrast medium has been injected, and a high-energy image captured by the radiography apparatus by emitting radiation having second energy higher than the first energy to the subject
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus including: at least one processor that is configured to: acquire a low-energy image captured by a radiography apparatus by emitting radiation having first energy to a subject into which a contrast medium has been injected, and a high-energy image captured by the radiography apparatus by emitting radiation having second energy higher than the first energy to the subject into which the contrast medium has been injected, generate a difference image showing a difference between the low-energy image and the high-energy image, perform image processing of enhancing the contrast medium shown in the difference image, and display a difference image after the image processing and contrast amount information about a contrast amount of a difference image before the image processing.