Radiation Image Processing Device Weighting Subtraction Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation image processing methods struggle to accurately estimate bone density and remove scattered ray components due to degradation of radiation sources and detectors over time, leading to degraded image quality, as they fail to maintain precise imaging conditions.
Innovation Solution
A radiation image processing device that acquires and processes multiple radiation images with different energy distributions, removes scattered rays, and adjusts weight coefficients to derive accurate bone part images and density estimates, while issuing warnings when imaging conditions deviate, allowing for timely calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If energy subtraction processing and bone density estimation are performed using standard methods, then bone part images can be acquired, but image quality degrades over time due to tube and detector degradation causing deviation from set imaging conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors the subtraction level parameter that reflects imaging condition deviations and provides feedback to the operator through display and warning mechanisms. When the subtraction level exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system warns the operator to perform calibration, creating a closed-loop feedback system that maintains measurement precision despite equipment degradation over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of imaging condition stability by continuously tracking the subtraction level parameter and issues warnings before significant degradation occurs. This preliminary detection allows operators to perform calibration at appropriate timings, preventing bone density estimation accuracy from degrading.
2Measurement precision
If calibration is performed frequently to maintain imaging condition accuracy, then measurement precision is maintained, but operation complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback monitoring of the subtraction level parameter to determine when calibration is actually needed, rather than performing calibration at fixed intervals. This on-demand calibration approach based on real-time condition monitoring reduces unnecessary calibration operations and optimizes the balance between maintaining precision and minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors its own imaging condition stability through the subtraction level parameter and autonomously determines when calibration is required, reducing the burden on operators to manually assess calibration needs and enabling more efficient use of calibration time.
3Measurement precision
If the subtraction level is adjusted to compensate for equipment degradation, then image quality can be maintained, but operational errors increase if adjustment exceeds threshold values
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous feedback on the subtraction level parameter and compares it against predetermined thresholds. When the subtraction level approaches or exceeds the threshold, the system warns the operator, preventing excessive adjustments that would compromise operational reliability while still allowing corrective action to maintain image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes predetermined threshold values that serve as safety margins before operational errors occur. By warning operators before the subtraction level reaches critical values, the system provides a cushioning effect that prevents excessive adjustments and maintains operational stability while still enabling quality preservation through timely corrective actions.
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 ensures accurate bone density estimation and effective scattered ray removal, maintaining image quality by enabling timely calibration of imaging apparatuses, thus addressing the issue of degraded performance due to equipment degradation.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating a subject with two types of radiation having different energy distributions by utilizing attenuation amounts of transmitted radiation different from each other depending on a substance configuring the subject
Implementation Method 2
the sensitivities of a tube of radiation and the radiation detector that generates the radiation image, which are used in a radiography apparatus, by detecting the radiation transmitted through the subject
Implementation Method 3
a method of removing a scattered ray component of radiation included in a radiation image using a body thickness of a subject
Data Source
AI summary
A processor displays a subtraction image in which a specific tissue in a subject is extracted, the subtraction image being derived by performing weighting subtraction on a plurality of radiation images acquired by imaging the subject with radiation having different energy distributions and being subjected to predetermined image processing, receives an instruction to change a subtraction level corresponding to a weight coefficient used in a case of performing the weighting subtraction, determines whether or not a change amount of the subtraction level exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and issues a warning in a case in which the determination is affirmative.