Radiation Image Dose Estimation Without Direct Region
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiation imaging systems struggle to estimate the reaching dose when information communication is unavailable, pixel values in direct radiation regions are saturated, or no direct radiation region exists, hindering scattered radiation reduction processes.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that obtain the reaching dose or pixel value based on a captured radiation image and imaging protocol, using features like body thickness and radiation quality information to calculate the dose, even in the absence of direct radiation regions or saturation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dose information is obtained from pixel value in direct radiation region, then scattered radiation obtaining process can be executed, but it becomes impossible when pixel value is saturated or no direct radiation region exists
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the dose obtaining unit capable of multiple dose obtaining methods: it can obtain dose from pixel values in direct radiation regions when available, and alternatively obtain imaging information through information communication when direct radiation regions are unavailable or saturated. This multi-functional approach ensures the scattered radiation obtaining process can execute under various imaging conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces imaging information (such as tube current, irradiation time, SID) as an intermediary to estimate the reaching dose when direct measurement from pixel values is not feasible. This intermediary approach allows the system to bypass the limitation of saturated or absent direct radiation regions by using alternative information sources to calculate the dose.
2Reliability
If dose information is obtained through information communication, then reaching dose can be estimated, but it becomes impossible when communication environment has adverse influence
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the radiation imaging apparatus to obtain dose information through self-service by calculating the reaching dose from pixel values in direct radiation regions when available, rather than relying entirely on external information communication. This self-sufficient approach reduces dependency on communication systems and their associated complexity.
3Measurement precision
If conventional scattered radiation reducing process is used, then scattered radiation can be reduced when direct radiation region is available, but the process cannot be executed when pixel value is saturated or no direct radiation region exists
Solution Approach 1:
The scattered radiation obtaining process is designed to be universal by incorporating multiple dose obtaining pathways. When direct radiation regions are available, it uses pixel value-based dose calculation for high precision. When direct radiation regions are absent or saturated, it switches to information communication-based dose estimation, ensuring the process remains applicable across different imaging scenarios.
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
Enables the estimation of reaching dose and subsequent scattered radiation reduction, independent of communication availability and direct radiation region saturation, by processing radiation images and imaging protocols within the image processing apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a device called a flat panel detector (to be referred to as an "FPD" hereinafter) in which a number of semiconductor elements each for converting radiation into an electrical signal are disposed in a two-dimensional matrix
Implementation Method 2
radiation entering the FPD is mainly separated into two kinds of components including primary radiation that travels in a straight line from a radiation source to reach the FPD and secondary radiation (to be referred to as "scattered radiation" hereinafter) that reaches the FPD after the direction of radiation changes in the subject
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus for processing a radiation image output from a radiation detection unit including a plurality of pixels, comprises: an imaging protocol obtaining unit configured to obtain an imaging protocol for imaging a subject; and a dose obtaining unit configured to obtain dose information of radiation based on a feature amount of the radiation image and information obtained from the imaging protocol.