Photoacoustic Image Displacement Correction via Composite Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photoacoustic imaging technologies face challenges in accurately estimating and correcting positional displacement between image data sets due to changes in the relative positional relationship between the object and the photoacoustic wave reception unit, leading to lower image quality, especially with weaker sound pressure signals compared to ultrasound systems.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that acquires multiple image data sets, composites them using similarity functions to estimate and correct positional displacement, employing a driving unit to adjust the reception unit's position and a processing flow to enhance estimation precision by selecting and weighting pulse volume data sets based on image quality and positional reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image data sets are composited after multiple light irradiations, then image quality can be improved through data accumulation, but positional displacement occurs due to changes in the relative positional relationship between the object and the photoacoustic wave reception unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by estimating and correcting positional displacement before compositing the image data sets. The system calculates the displacement amount between the object and photoacoustic wave reception unit for each light irradiation, and corrects the image data sets accordingly before they are composited. This ensures that the compositing operation is performed on properly aligned data, maintaining both image quality and positional accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the composited image data itself to estimate the positional displacement. The system compares the composited image data with reference data or previous composites to determine the displacement amount, then uses this information to correct subsequent image data sets. This closed-loop approach continuously refines the positional accuracy while maintaining image quality through multiple irradiations.
2Measurement precision
If positional displacement is corrected by comparing image data sets, then estimation precision can be improved, but the complexity of the processing system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using composited image data as a mediator for estimating positional displacement. Rather than directly comparing individual image data sets, the system composites multiple data sets first to create a more robust reference, then uses this composite to estimate displacement. This intermediary step improves estimation precision by reducing noise and enhancing feature visibility, while keeping processing complexity manageable through efficient compositing algorithms.
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
Improves the precision of positional displacement estimation and correction, resulting in higher-quality composited image data sets by minimizing the effects of positional changes during multiple light irradiations, even with weaker sound pressure signals.
Implementation Method 1
image data of the object is acquired using acoustic waves (photoacoustic waves) emitted by the photoacoustic effect, due to energy of the light being absorbed
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a first acquisition unit acquiring first multiple image data sets, a second acquisition unit acquiring first composited image data using first two or more image data sets of the first multiple image data sets, a third acquisition unit acquiring second composited volume data, using second two or more image data sets of the first multiple image data sets, the second two or more image data sets different from the first two or more image data sets, a fourth acquisition unit acquiring information relating to positional displacement between the first the second composited volume data, using the first the second composited image data, and a fifth acquisition unit acquiring information relating to positional displacement of the first multiple of image data sets, using information relating to the positional displacement between the first the second composited image data.