Radiographic Imaging System Residual Image Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiographic imaging systems using flat panel detectors face challenges in capturing long regions like the whole spine or lower extremities due to residual images from previous exposures affecting subsequent images, especially in long region imaging where multiple short images are taken successively, leading to image degradation and improper diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A radiographic imaging system that includes moving means to position the imaging device, a radiation source, and image processing means to acquire dark images for residual image correction, allowing for the sequential acquisition and combination of corrected short images to produce a long radiographic image free from residual image effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple short images are taken successively to capture long regions, then the imaging coverage is improved, but residual image from previous exposures affects subsequent images
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by acquiring dark images before each short radiographic image to capture residual charge patterns. These dark images are then used to correct the subsequent short images, preventing residual image effects from degrading image quality while maintaining the ability to capture long regions through multiple successive exposures
2Productivity
If images are taken at very short intervals for long region imaging, then imaging efficiency is improved, but residual image does not decrease sufficiently affecting diagnosis
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces dark images as intermediary measurements between successive short radiographic images. These dark images serve as mediators that capture the residual charge state of the FPD, enabling computational removal of residual image effects from the short images. This allows images to be taken at very short intervals while maintaining diagnostic image quality through residual image correction
3Device complexity
If a single FPD is used for imaging, then device complexity is reduced, but imaging of long regions requires multiple exposures increasing time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous useful action by acquiring dark images and short images in an integrated sequential manner without breaking the imaging workflow. The dark image acquisition is performed immediately before each short image, allowing continuous monitoring and correction of residual image effects throughout the multi-exposure long region imaging process, thereby reducing total imaging time while using a single FPD
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 enables the production of high-quality long radiographic images by effectively eliminating residual image interference, ensuring accurate and proper diagnosis by minimizing the impact of residual images from previous exposures.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation detector for detecting radiation emitted from the radiation source and having penetrated a subject; and wherein the radiation detector converts the radiation that has penetrated the subject into an electric signal
Data Source
AI summary
A radiographic imaging system comprises: imaging unit including a radiation source for emitting radiation and a radiation detector for detecting radiation emitted from the radiation source and having penetrated a subject; moving unit for moving the imaging unit between a plurality of imaging positions that partially share an imaging region with each other; control unit for sequentially moving the imaging unit to the imaging positions with the moving unit, causing the radiation source to emit radiation to acquire a short image with the radiation detector in each imaging position, and acquiring a dark image with the radiation detector after acquiring the short image; and image processing unit for performing residual image correction upon the short image acquired in each of the imaging positions based upon the dark image acquired immediately before the acquisition of the short image and thereafter combining corrected short images to obtain a long radiographic image.