Mask-Free Digital Subtraction Angiography via Temporal Image Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital subtraction angiography methods require a non-contrast 'mask' image, which can lead to registration issues due to movement between image acquisition, resulting in artifacts in the subtracted angiographic image.
Innovation Solution
The method involves obtaining multiple contrast-enhanced images, performing registration between them, and subtracting pixel values without a mask image, followed by temporal maximum intensity projection and noise reduction algorithms to enhance image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mask image is acquired before contrast images, then the subtraction process can be performed, but movement between acquisitions causes registration issues and artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the mask image acquisition step from the traditional DSA process. Instead of acquiring a separate pre-contrast mask image that is susceptible to movement artifacts, the method uses only contrast-enhanced images for subtraction, eliminating the source of registration problems while maintaining the ability to visualize blood vessels through temporal subtraction of sequential contrast images
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs registration on multiple contrast images before performing the subtraction operation. By pre-registering the series of contrast images to a common reference frame, the method ensures that all images are properly aligned before subtraction, preventing the registration artifacts that would otherwise occur when subtracting a separately acquired mask image
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple contrast images are obtained and registered, then image quality improves, but processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies registration and subtraction operations to a limited set of contrast images (typically 3-10 images) rather than processing entire continuous image sequences. This partial processing approach achieves sufficient image quality for clinical diagnosis while significantly reducing the computational time and processing load compared to comprehensive processing of all acquired images
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for performing DSA (digital subtraction angiography), which does not require a non-enhanced or “mask” image to be obtained.