Multi-Energy Radiation Imaging for Soft Tissue Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging systems using radiation, such as X-rays, face challenges in distinguishing between different tissues within soft tissue due to similar attenuation coefficients, making it difficult to differentiate between them in radiation images.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that irradiate multi-energy radiation with multiple energy bands to a calibration model, estimate attenuation coefficients, and determine an optimal energy band combination to improve image contrast, allowing for the estimation of tissue thickness and material probability in radiation images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If monochromatic radiation is used for imaging, then the imaging process is simple, but different soft tissues cannot be distinguished due to similar attenuation coefficients
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation energy spectrum is segmented into multiple energy bands (first energy band and second energy band), allowing differentiation of soft tissues by comparing attenuation coefficients at different energy levels. This segmentation enables the system to overcome the limitation of monochromatic radiation while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the energy parameter of radiation by using multi-energy radiation with at least two different energy bands. By measuring attenuation coefficients at different energy levels, the system can distinguish between soft tissues that have similar attenuation coefficients at a single energy level, thereby improving measurement precision without excessive complexity increase.
2Measurement precision
If multiple energy bands are used to differentiate soft tissues, then tissue differentiation improves, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a limited number of energy bands (at least two, but not necessarily all possible energy levels) to achieve sufficient tissue differentiation. This partial action approach provides adequate measurement precision for clinical purposes while avoiding the excessive complexity that would result from using all possible energy levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-energy radiation system serves multiple functions: it can differentiate between various soft tissues (fat, glandular, fibrous), estimate thickness of each tissue type, and provide comprehensive diagnostic information. This multi-functionality justifies the increased system complexity by delivering enhanced diagnostic capabilities in a unified imaging process.
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
Enhances the ability to differentiate between various tissues by optimizing energy band combinations, leading to improved image quality and accuracy in tissue identification and diagnosis.
Implementation Method 1
an attenuation degree of the X-rays by a material is different. For instance, an attenuation coefficient of bone is very high in comparison with that of soft tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for capturing a radiation image of a subject including at least two materials includes a radiation irradiating unit configured to irradiate multi-energy radiation including at least two energy bands to a calibration model including a plurality of thicknesses of each of the at least two materials; an attenuation-coefficient estimating unit configured to estimate attenuation coefficients for each of the at least two materials for each of the at least two energy bands based on values obtained by passing the multi-energy radiation through the calibration model; and an energy-band determining unit configured to determine an optimal combination of at least two energy bands to be included in multi-energy radiation to be irradiated to the subject from a plurality of different combinations of at least two energy bands based on the estimated attenuation coefficients and the values obtained by passing the multi-energy radiation through the calibration model.