Radiography Apparatus Energy Subtraction Image Generation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiography apparatuses generate unnecessary energy subtraction images during continuous imaging for moving images, leading to inefficiencies in diagnosis, as not all acquired images are referred to for diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A radiography apparatus with a moving image capture mode that continuously acquires radiographic images using both first and second radiation sources, with a control unit to generate energy subtraction images only upon request, reducing unnecessary image generation and optimizing resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If energy subtraction images are continuously generated during moving image capture, then diagnostic structures are highlighted, but unnecessary image generation increases processing load and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs energy subtraction image generation only partially - specifically when contrast agent administration is detected - rather than continuously during the entire moving image capture period. This selective generation maintains diagnostic accuracy when needed while avoiding unnecessary processing during normal imaging, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and productivity
2Reliability
If energy subtraction images are generated for all acquired frames, then complete diagnostic coverage is achieved, but resource usage and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of contrast agent administration status before deciding whether to generate energy subtraction images. This preliminary action allows the system to proactively identify when diagnostic coverage is needed and prepare accordingly, ensuring reliability when contrast agents are used while minimizing processing time when they are not
3Measurement precision
If dual radiation sources are used for energy subtraction imaging, then structural highlighting is achieved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by alternating between first and second radiation sources in a time-division manner rather than operating both continuously. This allows structure differentiation through energy subtraction when needed while reducing overall energy consumption by activating only one radiation source at a time, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and energy usage
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
Effectively generates energy subtraction images only when needed, reducing the processing load and improving diagnostic efficiency by minimizing unnecessary image acquisition and generation.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation source that emits radiation; a radiation detector that detects the radiation transmitted through a subject
Implementation Method 2
directs a radiation source to continuously emit first radiation and second radiation having different energy distributions
Data Source
AI summary
An acquisition unit of a console acquires a first radiographic image and a second radiographic image. The first radiographic image and the second radiographic image are radiographic images which are output from a radiation detector by directing a radiation source to emit first radiation and second radiation in order to perform a moving image capture mode that continuously acquires a radiographic image required for the display of a moving image according to a preset frame interval. A receiving unit receives a request signal to request the generation of an energy subtraction image referred to for diagnosis. A generation unit generates the energy subtraction image in a case in which the receiving unit receives the request signal.