Mammography Control Device Blur Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In tomosynthesis imaging, there is a significant difference in the degrees of blur between low-energy and high-energy projection images due to varying irradiation times and focus sizes, which deteriorates the quality of the generated tomographic images.
Innovation Solution
A control device and method that adjusts the focus size and irradiation time of a mammography apparatus to match the blur levels of low-energy and high-energy projection images by controlling the radiation source's movement and energy emission at multiple angles, ensuring the focus size and blur of low-energy images are comparable to those of high-energy images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the irradiation time for high-energy radiation is increased to improve image quality, then the image quality improves, but the difference in blur degree between low-energy and high-energy projection images increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the focus size parameter of the radiation source based on the radiation energy level. Specifically, when high-energy radiation is emitted with a longer irradiation time, the focus size is reduced to compensate for the increased blur, thereby maintaining consistent image quality and blur degree across different energy levels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the focus size of the radiation source according to the irradiation conditions. The focus size is not fixed but is adapted in real-time based on the energy level and irradiation time, allowing the system to maintain optimal image quality under varying operational parameters
2Manufacturing precision
If the focus size of the radiation source is reduced for high-energy radiation to decrease blur, then the blur decreases, but the irradiation time must be increased which reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the combination of focus size and irradiation time parameters for high-energy radiation. By reducing the focus size, the system achieves acceptable blur control with a moderate increase in irradiation time, balancing image quality requirements with productivity constraints
3Manufacturing precision
If different focus sizes are used for low-energy and high-energy radiation, then the blur control improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a control system that automatically adjusts the focus size parameter based on the selected radiation energy level. This parameter change is achieved through coordinated control of the radiation source and positioning system, managing the increased device complexity through automated control logic
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 effectively suppresses the difference in blur levels between low-energy and high-energy projection images, improving the quality of the tomographic difference images by aligning the blur, thereby enhancing image clarity.
Implementation Method 1
irradiates a breast, into which a contrast medium is injected, with radiation from a radiation source to capture a radiographic image of the breast
Implementation Method 2
Contrast imaging which irradiates an object into which a contrast medium is injected with radiation having different energy levels to capture a low-energy image and a high-energy image
Data Source
AI summary
A control device includes a processor that controls a mammography apparatus that irradiates a breast with radiation to capture a radiographic image of the breast such that the radiation with either first energy or second energy higher than the first energy is emitted at each of irradiation positions having different irradiation angles while a radiation source is being moved to capture low-energy projection images with the first energy and high-energy projection images with the second energy, an irradiation time for which the radiation with the second energy is emitted is longer than an irradiation time for which the radiation with the first energy is emitted, and a focus size of the radiation source in a case in which the radiation with the first energy is emitted is larger than a focus size of the radiation source in a case in which the radiation with the second energy is emitted.