Photoacoustic Imaging Artifact Removal via Multi-Angle Signal Processing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional photoacoustic imaging methods face challenges in observing fine and three-dimensional intricate tissues, such as blood vessels, due to artifacts caused by light multi-reflection and signal discontinuities, which hinder clear visualization in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional images.
Innovation Solution
A photoacoustic image generation method and apparatus that involves emitting light at varying angles to generate photoacoustic signals from multiple cross-sections, removing discontinuous signal components, and constructing a three-dimensional image from processed signals to reduce artifacts and enhance visualization of intricate tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If light is emitted toward the subject at a fixed angle, then the photoacoustic imaging process is simple, but artifacts are caused due to light multi-reflection and signal discontinuities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by changing the emission angle of light dynamically across multiple cross-sections. Instead of using a fixed emission angle, the system varies the angle θ for different cross-sections (e.g., θ1, θ2, θ3 for cross-sections CS1, CS2, CS3), which prevents consistent artifact patterns and enables artifact removal through signal continuity analysis in three-dimensional space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional imaging to three-dimensional imaging by adding the angle dimension. Photoacoustic images are generated for multiple cross-sections at different angles, and these are integrated into a three-dimensional coordinate system (x, y, z) where z represents the angle dimension. This enables distinction between continuous tissue structures and discontinuous artifacts.
2Reliability
If multiple cross-sections are imaged at varying angles, then artifacts are reduced and three-dimensional visualization is improved, but the imaging process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into multiple discrete cross-sections (CS1, CS2, CS3, etc.), each imaged at a specific angle. This segmentation allows systematic collection of photoacoustic signals from different perspectives, which can then be integrated into a comprehensive three-dimensional image. The segmentation approach makes the complex process manageable and structured.
3Reliability
If two-dimensional photoacoustic images are displayed separately, then artifact distinction is possible, but fine three-dimensional intricate tissues cannot be observed clearly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple two-dimensional photoacoustic images taken at different angles into a single three-dimensional image. By integrating the image data from cross-sections CS1, CS2, CS3, etc., which were captured at angles θ1, θ2, θ3 respectively, the system creates a unified three-dimensional representation that simultaneously preserves artifact distinction capability and enhances fine tissue observation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an image generation unit as an intermediary that processes photoacoustic signals from multiple angles and cross-sections. This intermediary converts the multi-angle signal data into a three-dimensional image format, serving as a bridge between the raw multi-dimensional data and the final visual representation that enables both artifact identification and fine tissue observation.
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 allows for the generation of three-dimensional photoacoustic images with reduced artifacts, enabling easier observation of fine and intricate tissues like blood vessels by removing discontinuous signal components and constructing accurate three-dimensional representations.
Implementation Method 1
a photoacoustic imaging apparatus for imaging the inside of a living body using the photoacoustic effect has been known. In this photoacoustic imaging apparatus, pulsed light, such as pulsed laser light, is emitted to the living body. Inside the living body to which the pulsed light has been emitted, the volume of the living tissue that has absorbed the energy of the pulsed light increases due to heat, and acoustic waves are generated.
Data Source
AI summary
In a photoacoustic image generation apparatus for obtaining a photoacoustic signal by emitting light toward a subject from a light source and detecting photoacoustic waves emitted from the subject having received the light and imaging the subject based on the photoacoustic signal, there are provided: means for removing a signal showing a component appearing discontinuously in the subject from photoacoustic signals relevant to a plurality of cross sections of the subject that have been generated by changing an angle between an emission direction of the light and a surface of the subject; and means for constructing a three-dimensional image of the subject from photoacoustic signals showing the plurality of cross sections after the removal processing.