Radiation Imaging System Movement Detection via Regression Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radiation imaging systems using fringe scanning methods face challenges in accurately detecting image quality deterioration due to changes in the relative position between the imaging device and the subject, leading to potential misdiagnosis or excessive exposure, especially when the subject moves or is positioned incorrectly, without the use of special markers.

Innovation Solution

A radiation imaging system that performs fringe scanning with a Talbot-Lau interferometer, generating differential phase, absorption, and small-angle scattering images, and uses regression analysis to detect image quality deterioration by calculating indicator values from these images, such as coefficients of regression and standard deviations, without requiring a special marker.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fringe scanning is performed to obtain high-resolution images, then image resolution is improved, but image quality deterioration occurs when relative position changes during imaging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage resolutionVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting subject movement before completing the full fringe scanning process. The movement detection unit analyzes initial images to determine if the subject has moved, and if so, prevents reconstruction or triggers re-imaging, thereby avoiding the production of low-quality images that would result from positional changes during scanning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring image data during the fringe scanning process. The movement detection unit provides real-time feedback on subject position changes, allowing the system to adjust or abort the imaging process accordingly, ensuring that only images acquired under stable positional conditions are reconstructed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If markers are used to detect subject movement, then movement detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement detection accuracyVSAvoidimaging system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the imaging system to detect subject movement using its own existing imaging capabilities rather than requiring external markers or additional specialized equipment. The movement detection unit processes the same image data that would be used for reconstruction, allowing the system to monitor for movement artifacts without adding separate detection hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by designing the movement detection unit to perform multiple functions: it analyzes image data not only for the purpose of reconstruction but also to detect subject movement and assess image quality. This multi-functional approach allows a single component to serve both diagnostic and quality control purposes, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If multiple images are reconstructed to assess image quality, then detection accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage quality detection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies taking out by extracting only the essential information needed for movement detection from the full set of reconstructed images. Rather than requiring complete reconstruction of all images for quality assessment, the system identifies and analyzes key features or representative images that sufficiently indicate the presence of movement artifacts, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 detection of image quality deterioration due to positional changes, reducing the risk of misdiagnosis and excessive radiation exposure by analyzing the relationship between reconstructed images, thereby improving the reliability of imaging results.

Implementation Method 1

A radiation imaging device with a Talbot interferometer or Talbot-Lau interferometer employs a fringe scanning method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTalbot effect:

Implementation Method 2

performing imaging M times (M is a positive integer of more than 2) while moving one of gratings 1/M of a slit interval of the grating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP3108813B1Radiation imaging system and image processing device
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 KONICA MINOLTA INC
  • EP3108813B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3108813B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3108813B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A radiation imaging system includes a radiation imaging device, a reconstruction unit and a detection unit. The reconstruction unit generates at least two of a differential phase image, an absorption image and a small-angle scattering image based on periodic pattern images of a subject obtained by the imaging device. The detection unit performs regression analysis on at least two images of (a) the differential phase image, a differential absorption image of the absorption image and a differential small-angle scattering image of the small-angle scattering image or (b) a phase image of the differential phase image, the absorption image and the small-angle scattering image; calculates a value of an indicator indicating a relationship between the at least two images; and detects image quality deterioration due to change in relative position of the imaging device and the subject based on the value.