Radiographic Image Correction for Contrast Agent Artifact Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiography techniques face challenges in distinguishing contrast agent imaging from artifacts, particularly in the vicinity of skin lines, due to oblique incident and scattered ray components, which affect image quality and make it difficult to accurately identify contrast agent imaging.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that acquires first and second radiographic images using different energy radiations, generates a difference image, and corrects for oblique incident and scattered ray components, as well as density unevenness, to enhance contrast agent imaging by removing artifact components, thereby improving image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If scattered ray component removal is performed to improve image quality, then image quality is improved, but artifacts similar to contrast agent imaging still occur and cannot be distinguished from actual contrast agent components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing into multiple distinct correction steps: scattered ray component removal, oblique incident component removal, and density unevenness correction. Each step addresses a specific artifact type, allowing systematic elimination of different artifact sources while preserving contrast agent imaging information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary correction process that operates on the difference image before final display. The correction unit acts as a mediator that selectively removes artifact components (oblique incident, scattered ray, density unevenness) without affecting the contrast agent imaging, enabling clear distinction between artifacts and actual contrast agent components
2Reliability
If multiple correction processes are applied to remove artifact components, then artifact removal is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple correction functions (scattered ray removal, oblique incident removal, density unevenness correction) into a single integrated correction unit. This unified approach processes the difference image through multiple correction steps without requiring separate processing systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive artifact removal
Solution Approach 2:
The correction unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple types of artifacts (scattered rays, oblique incidents, density unevenness) through a single processing module. This universal correction mechanism eliminates the need for separate specialized processors for each artifact type, simplifying the overall system architecture
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
The solution effectively removes artifacts similar to contrast agent imaging, enhancing the appearance and accuracy of contrast agent imaging, making it easier to distinguish from actual contrast agent components, thus improving the overall image processing outcome.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating a subject in a state in which a contrast agent is administered with radiation of the first energy and the second radiographic image captured by irradiating the subject with radiation of the second energy different from the first energy
Implementation Method 2
a scattered ray component caused by a scattered ray of radiation
Implementation Method 3
a contrast agent is administered with radiation of the first energy and the second radiographic image captured by irradiating the subject with radiation of the second energy different from the first energy
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus including: an acquisition unit that acquires a first radiographic image captured by irradiating a subject, in which a contrast agent is administered, with radiation of a first energy and a second radiographic image captured by irradiating the subject with radiation of a second energy; a generation unit that generates a difference image between the first and the second radiographic image; and a correction unit that performs a correction on either one of the first and second radiographic images or the difference image to remove an artifact component which generates an artifact predetermined as an appearance similar to that of a contrast agent imaging by the contrast agent, wherein, in a case in which the correction unit performs the correction on the first and the second radiographic image, the generation unit generates a difference image between the corrected first and second radiographic image.