Dual-Energy Radiation Image Processing for Bone-Soft Tissue Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy subtraction processing methods struggle to accurately separate bone and soft tissue components in radiation images due to the overlap of soft parts and bone parts, and the varying compositions of soft tissues among individuals, leading to inaccurate attenuation coefficient determination.
Innovation Solution
A radiation image processing device and method that utilizes two radiation images with different energy distributions to derive attenuation characteristics, specify component regions, and emphasize specific components by deriving and applying attenuation ratios and thickness information to separate bone and soft tissue components accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If energy subtraction processing is performed using two radiation images with different energy distributions, then bone and soft tissue components can be separated, but the attenuation coefficient of the soft part cannot be accurately obtained in the bone region where soft part and bone part overlap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the subject into distinct regions: a first component region containing only the first component (soft part) and a second component region containing the second component (bone part). By processing these regions separately, the patent can accurately determine attenuation coefficients in the soft part region without interference from bone, while also handling the bone region with appropriate methods, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by deriving the attenuation coefficient of the first component in the second component region based on the attenuation coefficient derived in the first component region. This intermediary method allows accurate soft tissue attenuation characterization even in bone regions where direct measurement is impossible, without requiring complex simultaneous decomposition of overlapping tissues.
2Manufacturing precision
If the soft part is separated from the bone part in the radiation image, then specific components can be emphasized, but the soft part consists of multiple compositions (fat and muscle) mixed in complicated manner with varying compositions among individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter approach by focusing on the attenuation coefficient as a key characteristic that varies with energy distribution. By deriving attenuation coefficients at different energy levels and using these to characterize soft tissue regions, the patent can handle the complexity of multiple soft tissue compositions (fat, muscle) and individual variations through a unified parameter-based approach, achieving accurate separation without needing to explicitly model each composition.
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 precise separation of bone and soft tissue components in radiation images, allowing for accurate bone and soft part images to be derived, effectively addressing the limitations of previous methods.
Implementation Method 1
energy subtraction processing using two radiation images obtained by irradiating a subject with two types of radiation having different energy distributions by using the fact that an attenuation amount of the transmitted radiation differs depending on the substance constituting the subject
Data Source
AI summary
A processor acquires a first radiation image and a second radiation image which are acquired by imaging a subject, which includes a first component consisting of a plurality of compositions and a second component consisting of a single composition, with radiation having different energy distributions, derives a characteristic of the first component related to attenuation of the radiation based on the first and second radiation images in a first component region including only the first component in the first or second radiation image, derives the characteristic of the first component in a second component region including the second component in the first or second radiation image based on the characteristic of the first component derived in the first component region around the second component region, and derives a first component image and a second component image in which the first component and the second component are emphasized, respectively, based on the characteristic of the first component in at least a region of the subject in the first or second radiation image.