Multi-Energy CT Reconstruction via Periodic Voltage Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for collecting dual-energy CT data require high hardware specifications, such as rapid tube voltage switching or dual-source technology, which is costly and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A method for collecting multi-energy CT data by periodically varying the tube voltage during scanning, using a function that oscillates between the highest and lowest voltages, allowing for data collection at multiple sampling points, thereby reducing hardware requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If rapid tube voltage switching or dual-source technology is used to collect dual-energy data, then tissue discrimination capability is improved, but hardware complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy spectrum acquisition into multiple discrete voltage levels (at least three different sampling points between highest and lowest tube voltage). Instead of using complex dual-source or rapid switching systems, the invention divides the energy range into segments and collects data at each segment point, achieving multi-energy discrimination through sequential voltage sampling during a single scan rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic voltage variation during the scan, oscillating between highest and lowest tube voltage values according to a periodic function. This periodic action allows the system to collect multi-energy data by sampling at multiple voltage points throughout the oscillation cycle, eliminating the need for complex hardware while maintaining tissue discrimination capability.
2Productivity
If dual-source technology with two tubes is used, then data collection for two different energies is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single x-ray tube perform multiple functions by varying its voltage to produce multiple energy levels. Instead of requiring two separate tubes for dual-energy acquisition, the single tube is made universal by collecting data at multiple voltage sampling points, thereby achieving the same productivity with reduced hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple energy sources into a single x-ray tube system. By combining data collected at multiple voltage levels from one tube, the invention achieves dual-energy or multi-energy imaging capability without the need for separate tubes, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining data collection efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If tube voltage is rapidly switched among different projections, then dual-energy data is obtained, but hardware complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic voltage variation during the scan rotation, continuously or periodically changing the tube voltage according to a predefined function. This dynamic approach allows the system to sample multiple energy levels within a single rotation, achieving energy-specific data quality without the mechanical complexity of rapid switching mechanisms.
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 enables the reconstruction of tissue-discriminated images using multi-energy scan data without the need for high hardware, allowing for efficient energy switching or gradual voltage variation, thus avoiding the high hardware requirements of dual-energy data collection.
Implementation Method 1
For one material, such as water or bone, x-ray beams with two different energies have different attenuations
Implementation Method 2
Different tissue structures in a CT image can be discriminated by the different attenuations of x-rays with different energies in a material
Data Source
AI summary
A method for collecting multi-energy CT data is provided. A method of reconstruction from multi-energy CT scan is further provided, in which data collection is performed on the first-class object at voltage values of m sampling points of the first-class voltage varied periodically, to obtain n sets of multi-energy first-class scan data {y<sub2>i</sub2>}; and a data collection is performed on a double-cylinder correction phantom at the voltage values of m sampling points to obtain combination coefficients, and thus obtaining corresponding combination coefficients Cifirstand Cisecondcorresponding to the case that the first-class scan data is collected in the ith projection angle at the first-class voltage; and the image vectors Xfirst and Xsecond are obtained by calculating a minimum value of the difference between the first-class scan data {y<sub2>i</sub2>} and the combination projection data CifirstPi*Xfirst+CisecondPi*Xsecond.