OCT 3D Registration via Reference Figure Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) 3D image registration is challenged by motion artifacts due to object movement during slice image recording, leading to imaging errors in the 3D tomogram.
Innovation Solution
A process where first OCT slice images are used to determine the position and orientation of a reference figure representing a structural feature, allowing subsequent second slice images to be displaced and aligned with this reference to minimize motion artifacts, thereby reducing errors in 3D registration and creating a more accurate 3D projection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional 3D registration is performed by arranging slice images in the original recording coordinate system, then the registration process is simple, but motion artifacts cause imaging errors in the 3D tomogram
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first recording a set of slice images to determine the position and orientation of a reference figure before recording the main set of slice images. This preliminary determination of the reference figure's spatial parameters allows subsequent images to be accurately registered even when motion occurs during the main recording, thereby improving 3D registration accuracy without requiring complex real-time motion compensation systems
Solution Approach 2:
The reference figure serves as an intermediary element between the imaging system and the object being examined. By determining the position and orientation of this reference figure and using it to guide the recording of subsequent slice images, the patent enables accurate 3D registration without requiring direct complex coordination between all imaging parameters, thus reducing system complexity while maintaining precision
2Measurement precision
If the recording time for each slice image is extended to improve image quality, then image resolution improves, but object movement during recording increases motion artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent records a preliminary set of slice images to determine the reference figure's position and orientation before recording the main set of high-quality slice images. This preliminary action establishes spatial reference information that allows the main images to be accurately registered afterward, enabling the use of longer exposure times for better image quality without suffering from motion artifacts during the actual image acquisition
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging process is divided into distinct periodic phases: a preliminary recording phase for reference figure determination, followed by a main recording phase for high-quality slice acquisition. This periodic structure allows each phase to be optimized independently - the preliminary phase captures spatial reference information quickly, while the main phase can use longer exposure times for superior image quality without motion contamination
Data Source
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AI summary
In a process for optical coherence tomography a plurality of first OCT slice images (34), each first slice image representing a different slice of an object (12), are recorded. Subsequently a reference figure (44) that is representative of the three-dimensional contour of at least one structural feature (36) of the object (12) in a given three-dimensional coordinate system x, y, z is ascertained by feature recognition of the at least one structural feature (36) in the first slice images (34). Then a plurality of second OCT slice images (46), each second slice image representing a different slice of the object (12), are recorded. At least a fraction of the second slice images (46) are displaced in the coordinate system x, y, z until each second slice image (46) is in feature overlap with the reference figure (44). Lastly, a set of three-dimensional OCT image data is generated at least from the feature-overlapped second slice images (46).