IMU-Based Motion Compensation for CT Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging technologies face challenges in generating clear, motion-compensated images or videos of moving objects, such as patients during medical imaging, leading to blurred CT volume images due to respiratory motions, which are diagnostically unusable without active breathing control or additional radiation burden.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device equipped with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) acquires motion data to directly measure and compensate for the motion of the target object, eliminating the need for reference images and reducing radiation burden by using this data to generate motion-compensated images or videos, which can be integrated into augmented reality representations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If mechanical ventilation is switched off or patient is instructed to hold breath, then motion artifacts are reduced, but patient comfort deteriorates and procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical breathing control (ventilation suspension) and manual breath-holding instructions with an automated sensor-based motion detection and compensation system. Accelerometers and gyroscopes mounted on the patient's chest detect respiratory motion, and software algorithms compensate for this motion during image reconstruction, eliminating the need for mechanical intervention or patient cooperation.
2Manufacturing precision
If reference images are used for motion compensation, then motion artifacts are reduced, but radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces motion sensors (accelerometers and gyroscopes) as an intermediary device that indirectly measures respiratory motion without requiring additional imaging. These sensors mounted on the patient's chest capture motion data that is then used to guide image reconstruction, replacing the need for reference images obtained through additional radiation exposure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If image rate is reduced to lower radiation burden, then radiation exposure decreases, but motion compensation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary motion measurement by continuously capturing respiratory motion data via accelerometers and gyroscopes at high rates throughout the imaging procedure. This pre-acquired motion information is then stored and applied during image reconstruction, allowing accurate motion compensation even when images are acquired at reduced rates to minimize radiation exposure.
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 approach allows for accurate and detailed measurement of object motion, enabling improved image quality without active breathing control, reducing radiation exposure, and providing a robust motion-compensated overlay that functions at reduced image rates, even during irregular breathing motions.
Implementation Method 1
an inertial measurement unit for acquiring motion data, in particular acceleration data, of the target object
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device and a method for generating a motion-compensated image or video are provided. The imaging device has a data acquisition facility for acquiring image data of a target object. The imaging device is configured to acquire, using a registration facility, a posture of an inertial measurement unit and, on the basis thereof, to carry out a registration between coordinate systems of the inertial measurement unit and the image data. The imaging device is further configured to acquire motion data from the inertial measurement unit arranged on the target object and, by processing the motion data, to generate the motion-compensated image or video.