Moveable Imaging System Gantry Alignment Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging systems struggle to efficiently acquire and align image projections of a subject from multiple positions, leading to misalignment and distortion in the final image.
Innovation Solution
A moveable imaging system that acquires a plurality of image projections from different positions and orientations relative to the subject, using a gantry that can translate, tilt, and rotate to capture comprehensive image data. The system employs a processor module to evaluate the image data and determine the alignment for generating a composite image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the imaging system moves to multiple positions to acquire image projections, then the comprehensiveness of image data is improved, but the alignment precision deteriorates due to movement and positioning errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs tracking devices to monitor the actual positions of the imaging system and subject during movement, feeding this position information back to the processor. The processor uses this feedback to calculate transformation matrices that compensate for deviations from intended positions, thereby maintaining alignment precision despite movement to multiple acquisition positions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of position by moving the imaging system through multiple predetermined positions around the subject. At each position, image projections are acquired and then transformed to a reference coordinate system using calculated transformation matrices, allowing the system to maintain precision despite physical movement
2Adaptability or versatility
If the imaging system moves relative to the subject to acquire projections at multiple positions, then the versatility of image acquisition is improved, but the image quality deteriorates due to distortion and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
Tracking devices provide real-time feedback on the positions of the imaging system and subject, enabling the processor to calculate accurate transformation matrices that compensate for movement-induced distortion and misalignment, thereby maintaining image quality across multiple acquisition positions
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary tracking of positions before image acquisition to pre-calculate transformation matrices. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare correction parameters in advance, ensuring that when images are acquired at multiple positions, the distortion and misalignment are already accounted for in the transformation process
3Adaptability or versatility
If the imaging system is moveable to capture images at multiple positions, then the comprehensiveness of the final image is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is designed with multi-functionality, where a single moveable imaging apparatus can perform multiple functions: acquiring image projections at various positions, tracking its own position, tracking the subject position, and processing images through coordinate transformation. This universal design consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into one integrated platform
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and method for operating an imaging system. The imaging system may move or be moved to acquire image data of a subject at different positions relative to the subject. The image data may, thereafter, be combined to form a single image.