Multifocal Collimator Image Correction via Buffer Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multifocal collimators produce distorted images due to geometric and intensity distortions, which are challenging to correct in real-time, especially in medical imaging applications like patient position monitoring, as existing methods are processor-intensive and introduce latency.
Innovation Solution
The system processes event streams from imaging systems by mapping bins from a first buffer to normalization and count buffers, reducing geometric distortions and correcting intensity distortions through a ratio of count buffer values to normalization buffer values, and displaying an updated image that combines previous and updated images with a persistence factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If typical methods are used to produce undistorted images from multifocal collimator systems, then geometric and intensity distortions are corrected, but processor intensity increases and latency is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores correction factors for geometric and intensity distortions in lookup tables during system initialization. During live imaging, these pre-computed correction factors are applied directly to the acquired data without real-time complex calculations, thereby achieving distortion correction while maintaining low latency for clinical applications
2Area of stationary object
If multifocal collimator is used for imaging, then field of view and imaging capability are improved, but geometric distortion and intensity distortion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different correction factors to different regions of the image based on their specific distortion characteristics. The correction process accounts for location-dependent geometric distortions and intensity variations by using spatially-varying correction parameters derived from the multifocal collimator's optical geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the distorted image data by applying parameter-based correction factors that compensate for the multifocal collimator's optical characteristics. These correction parameters address both geometric position shifts and intensity variations across the field of view, converting distorted data into accurate spatial and intensity representations
3Loss of time
If real-time image correction is implemented, then latency is reduced for clinical applications, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs complex correction factor calculations during system initialization or calibration phases, storing the results in lookup tables. During real-time clinical imaging, only simple table lookups and basic arithmetic operations are required, achieving real-time performance without the computational burden of complex real-time corrections
Data Source
AI summary
In an imaging system employing a multifocal collimator, displaying an image. Framing an event stream into a first buffer. Mapping each first buffer bin to a bin of each of a normalization buffer and a count buffer. Normalization buffer and count buffer are the same dimension. First buffer bins correspond to normalization buffer bins and the count buffer bins such that geometric distortion from the multifocal collimator is substantially reduced. The value of each normalization buffer bin corresponds to the quantity of corresponding first buffer bins corresponding to that normalization buffer bin, and a value of each count buffer bin corresponds to total counts of the one or more of the first buffer bins corresponding to the each count buffer bin. Determining an updated image as the ratio of the values of count buffer bins to the normalization buffer bins. Displaying an image as a function of the updated image.