Radiological Depth Camera Fusion for Densitometric Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack the ability to integrate radiological systems and depth cameras effectively to obtain densitometric images of objects, which is essential for applications like food quality control and medical diagnostics, as they either fail to provide accurate spatial information or require costly and complex dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry methods.
Innovation Solution
A device and method combining radiological systems with depth cameras, including image processing to combine radiological absorption data with three-dimensional surface information from depth sensors, allowing for the calculation of material thickness and densitometric imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radiological systems are used alone to obtain densitometric images, then material density information can be obtained, but accurate spatial information and surface topology are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines radiological systems with depth cameras to merge density information from X-ray imaging with spatial information from depth sensing. This integration allows the system to obtain both material density characteristics and accurate three-dimensional spatial data simultaneously, resolving the information loss problem when using radiological systems alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The depth camera acts as an intermediary that captures spatial and surface topology information which is then fused with radiological density data. This intermediary device compensates for the spatial information deficiency in pure radiological systems while maintaining density measurement capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry methods are used to obtain densitometric images, then accurate density information can be obtained, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a depth camera as an intermediary device that works in conjunction with a standard radiological system. This combination provides densitometric imaging capabilities without requiring complex dual-energy X-ray equipment, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves multiple functions using a standard radiological system paired with a depth camera, eliminating the need for specialized dual-energy equipment. The depth camera adds spatial and density analysis capabilities to the radiological system, creating a multi-functional setup with lower complexity.
3Loss of information
If depth cameras are used alone to obtain spatial information, then three-dimensional surface data can be obtained, but material density information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the output of depth cameras (spatial information) with radiological imaging data (density information) through image fusion techniques. This combination ensures that neither spatial nor density information is lost, as each modality compensates for the other's deficiencies.
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 integration enables the acquisition of accurate densitometric images by correlating radiological absorption with three-dimensional surface data, enhancing diagnostic capabilities and reducing the need for costly dual-energy methods while providing spatial information.
Implementation Method 1
In X-ray images, each pixel corresponds to the attenuated intensity due to absorption and diffraction phenomena between two surfaces limiting a volume
Implementation Method 2
Time of flight cameras employ an alternative technique similar to the one used in radar systems. In this case a specific sensor is used to measure the time of flight of a light pulse
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a method for obtaining densitometric images which comprise at least one radiological device, at least one depth sensor, and image processing means, which combine the radiological absorption information from the set of recorded radiological images obtained with the radiological systems with the distances of the traversed material, provided by the three-dimensional reconstruction of the objects obtained by means of the depth sensors.