Radiation Image Contrast Conversion Across Imaging Apparatuses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Comparative interpretation of radiation images acquired by different imaging apparatuses with varying imaging conditions and characteristics results in inaccurate contrast matching, leading to a heavy burden on doctors and reduced detection accuracy of abnormal shadows.
Innovation Solution
A radiation image processing device that derives a body thickness distribution from two radiation images, removes scattered ray components, and converts images to match the contrast of a second imaging apparatus, using derived characteristics such as energy distribution, radiation attenuation coefficients, and point spread functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If radiation images are acquired by different imaging apparatuses with varying imaging conditions, then the versatility and adaptability of the system is improved, but the contrast of the radiation images becomes different, reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting imaging parameters (tube voltage, tube current, imaging distance) and processing parameters (scattered ray removal parameters, weighting coefficients) to transform radiation images from different apparatuses into a standardized contrast format. This allows the system to maintain adaptability across multiple apparatuses while ensuring contrast consistency through systematic parameter adjustment and optimization.
2Reliability
If scattered ray removal processing is performed to improve image contrast, then the purity of the radiation image is improved, but the complexity of the processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical scattered ray removal methods (such as physical grids) with computational algorithms. By using mathematical models to calculate and subtract scattered ray components based on imaging conditions and body thickness distribution, the system achieves effective scattered ray removal while reducing mechanical complexity and improving processing efficiency.
3Reliability
If energy subtraction processing is performed to derive bone and soft part images, then the purity of tissue-specific images is improved, but the complexity of the processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the radiation image into distinct tissue components (bone tissue image and soft tissue image) through energy subtraction processing. By using different weighting coefficients for images acquired at different energy levels, the system separates overlapping tissue signals to produce purified tissue-specific images, enabling accurate comparative interpretation of bone and soft tissue changes over time.
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 accurate matching of contrasts in radiation images acquired under different conditions, reducing the burden on doctors and improving the detection accuracy of abnormal shadows.
Implementation Method 1
scattered ray removal processing of removing a scattered ray component included in the radiation image is performed (for example, see JP2015-043959A). Specifically, the scattered ray removal processing is performed by deriving the scattered ray component of the radiation image based on a radiation attenuation coefficient of the subject, and subtracting the derived scattered ray component from the radiation image.
Implementation Method 2
derives a first bone part image representing a bone tissue of the subject and a first soft part image representing a soft tissue of the subject by performing weighting subtraction on the two radiation images from which the scattered ray component is removed
Data Source
AI summary
A processor acquires two radiation images having a contrast based on a first characteristic related to a first imaging apparatus, derives a body thickness distribution of a subject based on at least one of the two radiation images, removes a scattered ray component from the two radiation images based on the first characteristic, derives a first bone part image and a first soft part image representing a bone tissue and a soft tissue of the subject, respectively, from the two radiation images, converts the first bone part image and the first soft part image into a second bone part image and a second soft part image having a contrast based on a second characteristic related to a second imaging apparatus, based on the first characteristic, the second characteristic, and the body thickness distribution, and derives a processed radiation image having the contrast based on the second characteristic by adding the second bone part image and the second soft part image.