Radiation Image Processing Device Scattered Radiation Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiation image processing technologies struggle to accurately remove scattered radiation components, which are essential for precise diagnosis and calculation, especially when elements like imaging tables, grids, and air layers are interposed between the subject and the radiation detector.

Innovation Solution

A radiation image processing device and method that estimate and remove scattered radiation components by acquiring a first radiation image, estimating the radiation components transmitted through the subject and additional elements, and generating a second radiation image that accurately represents the subject's image by accounting for the scattering characteristics of these elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If virtual grid processing is used to reduce scattered radiation components, then scattered radiation components can be reduced, but the accuracy of scattered radiation component removal deteriorates when elements are interposed between the subject and radiation detector

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescattered radiation componentsVSAvoidaccuracy of scattered radiation component removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the radiation transmission path into multiple sections: radiation transmitted through the subject, radiation transmitted through elements (imaging table, grid, air layer), and scattered radiation components. By separately estimating and processing each segment, the system achieves accurate scattered radiation removal even when elements are interposed between the subject and detector.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary estimation of the radiation component transmitted through the subject before processing the element transmission. This preliminary estimation serves as a basis for subsequently calculating the element-transmitted radiation, enabling accurate separation of scattered radiation components through predictive preprocessing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If scattered radiation components are not accurately removed, then processing is simpler, but diagnostic accuracy and calculation precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing complexityVSAvoiddiagnostic accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary computational model that estimates radiation transmission through elements based on their scattering characteristics. This intermediary estimation acts as a mediator between the raw radiation image and the final processed image, enabling accurate scattered radiation removal without requiring complex physical modifications to the imaging system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If elements are interposed between subject and radiation detector, then subject support and imaging stability are improved, but scattered radiation components increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging stabilityVSAvoidscattered radiation components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of elements generating scattered radiation into a beneficial outcome by measuring and utilizing the scattering characteristics of these same elements. The elements that cause scattered radiation are also the source of information used to accurately estimate and remove the scattered components, transforming a problem into a solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 enables the accurate removal of scattered radiation components, leading to improved diagnostic accuracy and precise calculations, even when elements are interposed between the subject and the radiation detector.

Implementation Method 1

a radiation image taken from a subject Obj using radiation Ra

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-Ray transmission: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

estimating a component of radiation which has passed through an element through which the radiation further passes after passing through the subject, using an estimation result of the component of radiation transmitted through the subject and scattering characteristics of the element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS12279903B2Radiation image processing device and radiation image processing method

Publication Date: 2025.04.22 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

A radiation image processing device includes: a first estimation section that estimates components of radiation Ra having passed through a subject Obj using a first radiation image taken from the subject Obj; a second estimation section that estimates components of the radiation Ra, which have passed through an additional scattering element EL, using an estimation result of the first estimation section and scattering characteristics f2(X) of the additional scattering element EL; and a first image generation section that generates a second radiation image, which has been transmitted through the subject Obj and the additional scattering element EL, using an estimation result of the second estimation section.