Radiographic Detector On-Device Calibration and Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiographic image processing systems face inconsistencies in exposure techniques and require lengthy image processing times to produce presentation-ready medical images, with current calibration methods often necessitating frequent recalibration and data transfer between systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a digital radiographic detector with integrated memory for storing calibration data and processing capabilities, allowing for on-device calibration corrections, image processing, and synchronization of technique information across multiple systems, enabling the production of DICOM-standard images directly from the detector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If calibration data is stored in external systems requiring data transfer, then system complexity is reduced, but image processing time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the calibration data storage and image processing functions directly into the radiographic detector by integrating a memory device and processor. This merging eliminates the need for separate external systems, allowing calibration corrections to be applied immediately at the detector level, thus reducing image processing time while accepting increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary calibration by storing calibration data in the detector's memory device before actual image acquisition. This preliminary preparation allows the processor to immediately apply calibration corrections when images are captured, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-processing and data transfers.
2Reliability
If calibration corrections are applied at external systems, then device complexity is reduced, but exposure technique consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the calibration correction functionality directly into the detector's processor, enabling consistent application of exposure techniques regardless of which system performs the correction. This ensures reliability by maintaining uniform processing standards across multiple radiographic systems while accepting increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal calibration correction capabilities within the detector that can serve multiple radiographic imaging systems. The detector becomes a multi-functional device that can be used across different systems while maintaining consistent exposure technique corrections, thereby improving reliability through standardization.
3Productivity
If full image processing is performed at the detector, then productivity increases by reducing transfer time, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines image processing functions within the detector to eliminate data transfer steps, significantly improving productivity. By performing calibration corrections and image processing at the detector level, the system reduces overall processing time and increases throughput, accepting the trade-off of higher energy consumption and device complexity.
4Measurement precision
If calibration data is frequently updated across multiple systems, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calibration and stores the calibration data in the detector's memory device. This preliminary calibration ensures measurement precision is maintained without requiring frequent recalibration across multiple systems, as the detector carries its own calibration data independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal calibration solution where the detector can be used across multiple radiographic systems while maintaining consistent calibration accuracy. The calibration data stored in the detector eliminates the need for frequent recalibration when moving between systems, preserving measurement precision without time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of methods and/or apparatus for a radiographic imaging system can include a radiographic detector including an image receptor to receive incident radiation and generate uncorrected electronic image data; a storage device to store calibration data at the detector, and a processor to generate calibration-corrected image data from the uncorrected electronic image data and the calibration data. The calibration-corrected image data can be further processed by the processor to perform image processing before transmitting a corrected image (e.g., DICOM image) to the radiographic imaging system. The detector can further include a display to display imaging system controls or the corrected image.