Radiography Tomosynthesis Positioning Evaluation From Projection Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiography systems with tomosynthesis imaging functions require complex re-optimization of positioning evaluation processes whenever reconstruction or synthesis processes are changed, making it difficult to assess object positioning accurately without relying on synthesized two-dimensional images.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device that performs reconstruction, synthesis, and anatomical structure extraction from tomographic images, allowing evaluation of object positioning based on a virtual radiation source position, independent of synthesized two-dimensional images, and displays the results alongside the synthesized image for improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If positioning evaluation is performed using synthesized two-dimensional images generated from tomosynthesis imaging, then the evaluation can be performed with three-dimensional imaging capability, but the process requires re-optimization whenever reconstruction or synthesis methods are changed, increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning evaluation function from the synthesized two-dimensional image generation process. Instead of relying on the complex reconstruction and synthesis processes to create a synthesized image for evaluation, the system directly evaluates positioning using the original projection images. This separates the positioning evaluation function from the image synthesis process, eliminating the need for re-optimization when synthesis methods change.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by not creating a synthesized image for evaluation, but rather evaluating positioning directly from the projection images. Instead of following the path of reconstruction → synthesis → evaluation, the system takes the path of projection image → direct evaluation, effectively reversing the dependency relationship and simplifying the process.
2Measurement precision
If synthesized two-dimensional images are used for positioning evaluation, then three-dimensional imaging data can be utilized, but the time required to obtain evaluation results is extended due to the reconstruction and synthesis processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs positioning evaluation using projection images that are already available from the tomosynthesis imaging process, without waiting for the reconstruction and synthesis processes to complete. This preliminary evaluation can be performed immediately on the acquired projection data, significantly reducing the time to obtain positioning evaluation results while maintaining accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If reconstruction and synthesis processes are changed to improve image quality, then tomographic and synthesized image quality improves, but the positioning evaluation process must be re-optimized, reducing adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning evaluation function from the image synthesis pipeline, making it independent of reconstruction and synthesis method changes. By evaluating positioning directly from projection images rather than from synthesized images, the system gains adaptability to different reconstruction and synthesis methods while maintaining evaluation consistency.
Data Source
AI summary
The information processing device includes a processor. The processor performs: a reconstruction process of reconstructing a plurality of tomographic images from a plurality of projection images obtained by tomosynthesis imaging that irradiates an object with radiation from a radiation source at a plurality of radiation source positions; a synthesis process of synthesizing the plurality of tomographic images to generate a synthesized two-dimensional image as a projection image based on a virtual radiation source position; an anatomical structure extraction process of extracting anatomical structures from a projection image corresponding to a radiation source position closest to the virtual radiation source position among the plurality of radiation source positions; and a display process of displaying an extraction result of the anatomical structures on a display device together with the synthesized two-dimensional image.