Radiographic Imaging Apparatus Noise Reduction via Image Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatuses face challenges in reducing noise in subtraction images and minimizing radiation exposure when generating long images, particularly for wide-field imaging like blood vessels, leading to decreased image quality and increased radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
The X-ray imaging apparatus includes a table, imager, moving mechanism, controller, and image processor that captures mask and live images with common regions, aligns these regions, and generates corrected images to reduce noise, allowing for the creation of high-quality difference long images while minimizing radiation exposure by avoiding multiple image captures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple X-ray images are captured separately for generating difference long image and for noise correction, then noise reduction is achieved, but radiation exposure to subject increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the difference long image generation process and noise correction process into a single integrated imaging procedure. By acquiring mask images and live images simultaneously at multiple positions and performing both subtraction and noise correction in one workflow, the system eliminates the need for separate correction imaging, thereby reducing total radiation exposure while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary noise correction by acquiring multiple mask images at different positions during the initial imaging phase. These pre-acquired images are used to calculate noise characteristics and apply correction to the difference long image, eliminating the need for subsequent separate correction imaging and reducing overall radiation exposure.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple X-ray images are captured at different positions to generate difference long image, then wide area imaging is achieved, but the number of image captures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wide imaging area into multiple overlapping fields of view by capturing images at different positions. Each image captures a portion of the total area, and through stitching these segmented images together, the complete wide area is reconstructed. This allows comprehensive coverage while optimizing the number of captures needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous imaging acquisition across multiple positions without interruption, maintaining the imaging action throughout the examination. This continuous approach efficiently captures all necessary data in one coordinated sequence rather than requiring multiple separate imaging sessions, thereby reducing the total number of captures.
3Measurement precision
If noise correction is performed using separate X-ray image capturing, then noise reduction is achieved, but radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the imaging system to perform self-correction by using the mask images and live images already acquired during normal operation. The noise correction is achieved by processing these existing images through subtraction and statistical analysis, allowing the system to correct its own images without requiring additional separate correction imaging, thus avoiding increased radiation exposure.
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
This approach significantly reduces noise and radiation exposure, maintaining image quality by aligning and correcting common regions between images, thus preventing a decrease in the quality of difference long images and minimizing the amount of radiation exposure to the subject.
Implementation Method 1
an imager configured to irradiate the subject placed on the table with radiation and detect the radiation transmitted through the subject to image the subject
Data Source
AI summary
A radiographic imaging apparatus includes an image generator configured to generate a plurality of first images and a plurality of second images, and an image processor configured to align common regions between the plurality of first images and generate a difference long image by splicing images obtained by subtracting a plurality of corrected images from the plurality of second images.