Photon Scatter Imaging Using Compton Scattering Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging devices, particularly in medical settings like SPECT, discard scattered photon events as noise, leading to image blurring and increased radiological dosing, as they lack the capability to efficiently separate and utilize these events for image formation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves identifying scattered photon events by their energy to determine Compton scattering angles and associating them with the likely source location, allowing for the reconstruction of images using both unscattered and scattered events, thereby reducing the need for higher doses and longer imaging times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If scattered photon events are discarded as noise, then image noise is reduced, but image resolution and contrast deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful scattered photon events into beneficial data by using Compton scattering physics to determine the likely source location of scattered photons. Instead of discarding scattered events as noise, the system calculates Compton scattering angles from photon energy measurements and associates scattered events with their probable emission locations, thereby converting a previously harmful factor into useful imaging information that improves resolution and contrast.
2Reliability
If higher radiological dosing is used, then image quality improves, but patient safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables better image quality at lower doses by converting scattered photon events into useful data. By implementing scatter correction that associates scattered events with their likely source locations using Compton scattering physics, the system extracts more diagnostic information from the same radiation dose, reducing the need to increase patient exposure to improve image quality.
3Reliability
If longer imaging times are used, then image quality improves, but examination efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent improves image quality without extending imaging time by converting scattered photon events into beneficial data. The scatter correction methodology processes scattered events to determine their likely source locations, extracting additional diagnostic information from the same imaging session and eliminating the need for prolonged acquisition times to achieve adequate image quality.
4Measurement precision
If scattered photon events are used for image formation, then image resolution improves, but image noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments scattered photon events into distinct categories based on their likely source locations determined through Compton scattering angle calculations. By dividing the scattered event data according to spatial origin rather than treating all scattered events uniformly, the system can selectively incorporate relevant scattered events into image formation while excluding those that would contribute primarily to noise, thereby improving resolution without proportionally increasing noise.
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 enhances image resolution and contrast, reduces patient dosing, and shortens examination times by effectively incorporating scattered photon data into image reconstruction, improving diagnostic efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The imaging device may include a gamma camera sensitive to the emission source... The camera may contain individual pixels which may allow the imaging source to determine the location, energy, timing, and intensity of the emitted signal
Implementation Method 2
identifying a second subset of the dataset associated with at least one scattered photon event... determining, for a scattered photon event, a likely location of emission of the scattered photon event using data from the first subset
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving a dataset associated with a plurality of photon emission events interacting with a detector array of an imaging device; identifying a first subset of the dataset associated with a plurality of unscattered photon emission events from the plurality of photon emission events; identifying a second subset of the dataset associated with at least one scattered photon event from the plurality of photon emission events; determining, for a scattered photon event, a likely location of emission of the scattered photon event using data from the first subset of the dataset associated with the plurality of unscattered photon events; and correcting the dataset by associating the scattered photon event with the determined likely location of emission. Other aspects are described and claimed.