Quantitative Image Reconstruction Using Calibration Lookup Tables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive imaging techniques, such as two-dimensional X-ray and three-dimensional tomosynthesis, lack an absolute quantitative relationship between voxel intensities and material composition, relying heavily on subjective interpretation by radiologists, and face challenges in comparing images acquired using different techniques or at different times.
Innovation Solution
The generation of quantitative volumes from a plurality of quantitative projection images, where each voxel value corresponds to the composition of two or more materials or their mixture, using suitable calibration information and iterative processing to improve consistency, is achieved through a method and system that processes a plurality of projection images to create quantitative projection images and reconstructs them into a quantitative volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If quantitative projection images are generated and reconstructed into quantitative volumes, then measurement precision of material composition is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing calibration before the actual quantitative reconstruction process. Calibration images are acquired and processed in advance to establish the relationship between measured attenuation and material composition, creating lookup tables and calibration data that are stored for later use. This preliminary preparation enables the main reconstruction process to directly utilize pre-computed calibration information, achieving quantitative results without repeating the complex calibration calculations during each reconstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary calibration step that mediates between the raw projection images and the final quantitative volume. The calibration process creates intermediate calibration images and lookup tables that serve as a bridge, translating measured attenuation values into quantitative composition estimates. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall process by pre-establishing the transformation relationship, making the final reconstruction more straightforward and quantitatively accurate.
2Reliability
If multiple projection images are processed to generate quantitative volumes, then reliability of material identification is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calibration processing that establishes material composition relationships in advance. By acquiring calibration images and computing the attenuation-composition relationship beforehand, the system creates reusable calibration data that accelerates subsequent quantitative reconstructions. This preliminary action eliminates the need to perform complex iterative calibration calculations for each new set of projection images, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes calibration images and lookup tables as copies of the attenuation-composition relationship that can be reused across multiple reconstructions. Instead of recalculating the relationship from scratch for each new imaging session, the system creates a representative calibration model that can be applied repeatedly. This copying approach maintains accuracy by preserving the established relationship while dramatically reducing the computational time required for each new quantitative reconstruction.
3Manufacturing precision
If subjective interpretation by radiologists is replaced with quantitative reconstruction, then manufacturing precision of composition measurement is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the interpretation task from subjective qualitative assessment to objective quantitative measurement by changing the parameter representation. Instead of relying on radiologists to interpret gray-scale intensity variations subjectively, the system reconstructs volumes where voxel values directly represent quantitative composition estimates with known physical units and scales. This parameter change from qualitative intensity to quantitative composition eliminates subjectivity and provides precise, objective measurements that are inherently more accurate and comparable.
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 provides a more objective and consistent interpretation of material composition, enabling accurate comparison of images acquired under different conditions, reducing reliance on subjective judgment and improving the accuracy of material identification in medical and non-medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
A portion of the beam that traverses the subject, such as internal anatomies, results in attenuated X-rays which impact detector 18
Data Source
AI summary
A technique is provided for generating quantitative projection images from projection images. The pixels of the quantitative projection images correspond to quantitative composition estimates of two or more materials. The quantitative projection images are reconstructed to generate a quantitative volume in which each voxel value corresponds quantitatively to the two or more materials or a mixture of the two or more materials.