Radiation Imaging Apparatus Scattered Radiation Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In long-length radiation imaging, the use of large and heavy grids to suppress scattered radiation leads to handling difficulties and inconsistent image quality due to varying imaging distances, resulting in low accuracy in position alignment of radiographic images from multiple detection apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

A radiation imaging apparatus that includes a radiation detector, a scattered radiation reduction unit, a position alignment unit, and a combining unit to reduce scattered radiation components and improve position alignment accuracy by estimating and correcting scattered radiation in radiographic images from multiple detection apparatuses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a grid is used to suppress scattered radiation, then scattered radiation is reduced, but the grid becomes extremely large and heavy, making it difficult to handle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescattered radiationVSAvoidhandling difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical grid system with a computational scattered radiation estimation and correction system. Instead of using physical grids to block scattered radiation, the system estimates scattered radiation based on imaging conditions and object information, then corrects the radiographic images through image processing algorithms, thereby eliminating the need for large and heavy physical grids

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the approach from physical parameter-based radiation blocking to information-based radiation correction. By utilizing imaging conditions (such as radiation dose, imaging distance) and object information to estimate scattered radiation parameters, the system dynamically adjusts correction strategies without requiring physical grid adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a grid optimized for one type of imaging is used for another type of imaging, then imaging convenience is improved, but insufficient dose or shading occurs, causing deterioration in image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging flexibilityVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic scattered radiation estimation system that adapts to different imaging conditions in real-time. The estimation parameters are adjusted based on the specific imaging scenario (normal imaging or long-length imaging), ensuring optimal correction performance for each imaging type without requiring separate physical grids

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal scattered radiation correction system that can handle both normal imaging and long-length imaging through a single integrated approach. The system uses imaging conditions and object information to dynamically configure the estimation and correction process, making one system suitable for multiple imaging applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If scattered radiation correction is performed before position alignment, then scattered radiation influence is reduced, but position alignment accuracy remains low due to scattered radiation in the images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescattered radiation influenceVSAvoidposition alignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary scattered radiation estimation and correction using only the imaged object's information before position alignment. This preliminary correction removes the majority of scattered radiation influence from each individual image, creating cleaner input for the subsequent position alignment process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where position alignment results are used to refine scattered radiation estimation. After initial position alignment, the system uses the aligned images to better estimate scattered radiation that may have entered from adjacent detection apparatus regions, then performs additional correction to improve final image quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10825189B2Radiation imaging apparatus, radiation imaging system, radiation imaging method, and computer-readable medium therefor

Publication Date: 2020.11.03 CANON KK

AI summary

Provided is a radiation imaging apparatus including: a radiation detector configured to generate a first radiographic image and a second radiographic image based on a radiation; a scattered radiation reduction unit configured to reduce a scattered radiation component from the first radiographic image and the second radiographic image; a position alignment unit configured to perform position alignment on the first radiographic image and the second radiographic image, using the first radiographic image and the second radiographic image from which the scattered radiation component has been reduced; and a combining unit configured to combine the first radiographic image and the second radiographic image that have been subjected to the position alignment.