Motion-Compensated Medical Imaging Without Gating Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging technologies face challenges in generating high-quality images of moving patients or objects, as motion artifacts lead to blurred anatomical structures, making diagnosis difficult, especially when irregular movements are involved, and existing methods like ECG gating are limited and impractical for non-cardiac applications.
Innovation Solution
A method that acquires projection images from different angles during a target object's periodic or quasi-periodic motion without using synchronization signals, generating a reference image automatically and iteratively determining a motion field to create a motion-compensated 3D reconstruction, allowing for accurate image compensation without the need for gating signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ECG gating or synchronization signals are used to acquire projection images at the same phase of motion cycles, then motion artifacts are reduced for cardiac imaging, but the method is limited to cardiac applications and requires additional hardware such as electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system uses the target object itself (or its surrounding structures) to provide reference information for motion compensation, eliminating the need for external synchronization hardware. The system automatically identifies stationary structures within the imaging field and uses them as natural references for motion estimation and compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces computational algorithms as an intermediary between image acquisition and reconstruction. These algorithms estimate motion fields from the acquired projection images and apply motion compensation during reconstruction, serving as a software-based mediator that replaces hardware synchronization systems.
2Productivity
If projection images are acquired during patient motion without motion compensation, then acquisition time is reduced and no additional exposure is needed, but motion artifacts cause blurred anatomical structures making diagnosis difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs motion estimation and compensation calculations during or immediately after the image acquisition process, before final reconstruction. This preliminary processing of motion data allows the system to correct for motion effects without requiring additional acquisition time or repeated exposures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic motion compensation approach that continuously estimates motion fields from the acquired projection images and adapts the reconstruction process accordingly. Rather than assuming rigid motion models, the system dynamically adjusts compensation parameters based on actual observed motion in the data.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional reconstruction methods are used assuming the examination object is motionless, then the reconstruction process is simple and fast, but the assumption is unrealistic for live patients who move during imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the reconstruction parameters by incorporating motion field estimates into the reconstruction algorithm. Instead of using fixed reconstruction parameters based on stationary assumptions, the system dynamically adjusts parameters according to estimated motion, maintaining mathematical consistency while accounting for patient movement.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method and an imaging device for generating a motion-compensated image of a target object. The disclosure further relates to a corresponding computer program and a computer-readable storage medium. In the method, a reference image is generated from projection images of a target object. Furthermore, a motion field which characterizes a motion of the target object shown is determined iteratively. In each case, after a predetermined number of iterative acts, the existing reference image is replaced by a provisional motion-compensated image, which is then used for the further iteration. The initial reference image is generated without using a synchronization or gating-signal that characterizes a motion of the target object.