Radiographic Image Blending With Distance-Based Virtual Tube Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing techniques for combining radiographic images captured at different tube voltages fail to account for pixel values in unselected regions, leading to unnatural changes and unknown positional relationships between regions of interest and unselected structures.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that derives virtual tube voltages for both regions of interest and unselected regions based on their distances, generating combined images equivalent to those obtained at a virtual tube voltage, using a processor to acquire, process, and combine radiographic images captured at different tube voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pixel values of unselected region are set as pixel values corresponding to a default tube voltage, then the processing is simple, but the pixel values abruptly change between region of interest and unselected region causing unnatural appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different tube voltage assignments to different regions: region of interest uses a designated tube voltage while unselected regions use distances-based virtual tube voltages. This local differentiation ensures that each region's pixel values correspond to appropriate tube voltages, preventing abrupt changes at boundaries while maintaining processing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a static default tube voltage for all unselected regions, the patent dynamically assigns virtual tube voltages based on the distance from the region of interest. This dynamic approach creates a gradient transition that adapts to the spatial relationship between regions, ensuring smooth pixel value transitions while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If only pixel values of selected region of interest are set as pixel values in the case of a designated tube voltage, then the contrast effect is emphasized, but the positional relationship between region of interest and structures in unselected region becomes unknown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter assignment strategy by introducing distance-based virtual tube voltages for unselected regions. This allows the system to maintain the designated tube voltage for region of interest (preserving contrast effect accuracy) while simultaneously assigning meaningful tube voltage parameters to unselected regions based on their spatial distance, thereby preserving positional relationship information.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a combined image is generated by combining images at different tube voltages, then a virtual tube voltage image can be created, but unnatural changes occur in pixel values at region boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic virtual tube voltage assignment for unselected regions based on distance from the region of interest. This creates a continuous gradient of tube voltage values that adapts to the spatial configuration, ensuring smooth pixel value transitions at boundaries while maintaining the versatility of generating combined images at various virtual tube voltages.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus that acquires a plurality of radiographic images captured by irradiating a photographic subject with radiations at different tube voltages. From the plurality of radiographic images, the image processing apparatus generates, for a region of interest selected in the radiographic image, a first region image equivalent to an image to be obtained when a radiation at a first virtual tube voltage is radiated. From the plurality of radiographic images, the image processing apparatus generates, for an unselected region other than the region of interest in the radiographic image, a second region image equivalent to an image to be obtained when a radiation at a second virtual tube voltage according to a distance from the region of interest is radiated. The image processing apparatus generates a combined image obtained by combining the first region image and the second region image together.