Radiographic Image Processing Using Pixel-Specific Attenuation Coefficients
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiographic image processing methods face challenges in accurately removing unnecessary structures and scattered ray components due to the use of constant radiation attenuation coefficients across all pixels, which varies with subject thickness and composition, leading to reduced image contrast and accuracy in energy subtraction and scattered ray removal processes.
Innovation Solution
A radiographic image processing device and method that acquires radiographic images with varying composition ratios, sets attenuation coefficients for each pixel based on the composition ratio, and performs image processing, including energy subtraction and scattered ray removal, using these coefficients to enhance accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the same radiation attenuation coefficient is used for all pixels in energy subtraction process, then the processing is simple, but it is difficult to completely remove unnecessary structures and reduce image accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by setting different radiation attenuation coefficients for different pixel regions based on their respective composition ratios. Instead of using a uniform coefficient across the entire image, the system calculates and applies location-specific coefficients that match the actual tissue composition at each pixel, thereby improving the accuracy of energy subtraction processing while maintaining reasonable computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the attenuation coefficient adaptive rather than static. The coefficient is dynamically determined based on the composition ratio calculated from the radiographic image data, allowing the system to automatically adjust the processing parameters to match the actual subject composition, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and accuracy.
2Ease of manufacture
If the same radiation attenuation coefficient is used for all pixels in scattered ray removal process, then the processing is simple, but it is difficult to remove scattered ray components with high accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality in scattered ray removal by using location-specific attenuation coefficients derived from the composition ratio at each pixel. This allows the scattered ray component estimation to account for variations in tissue composition across different regions of the subject, improving the accuracy of scattered ray removal while maintaining a relatively simple processing framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter (attenuation coefficient) from a constant value to a spatially varying parameter based on composition ratio. This parameter change enables the scattered ray removal process to adapt to local tissue characteristics, thereby improving accuracy without requiring fundamentally complex processing methods.
3Device complexity
If presumption-based attenuation coefficient is used in energy subtraction, then the weighting coefficient calculation is simplified, but the same coefficient cannot account for variations in subject thickness and composition across different locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating the composition ratio from the radiographic image data before performing the energy subtraction process. This preliminary calculation of tissue composition allows the system to determine appropriate attenuation coefficients in advance, ensuring that the subsequent weighting coefficient calculation accounts for subject variations without adding significant complexity to the overall process.
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 allows for high-accuracy image processing by adapting attenuation coefficients to pixel-specific composition ratios, improving the removal of unnecessary structures and scattered rays, thereby enhancing the quality of radiographic images.
Implementation Method 1
the radiation attenuation coefficient varies depending on the thickness of the substance in the subject
Implementation Method 2
there is a problem that radiation is scattered in the subject to generate scattered rays and the contrast of the acquired radiographic image is reduced by the generated scattered rays
Data Source
AI summary
A processor acquires at least one radiographic image of a subject including a plurality of compositions and acquires a composition ratio of the subject. The processor sets an attenuation coefficient of radiation used in a case in which the radiographic image is acquired for each pixel of the radiographic image according to the composition ratio. The processor performs image processing on the radiographic image using the set attenuation coefficient.