Radioscopy Noise Reduction by Body Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radioscopy apparatuses face challenges in noise reduction processing due to varying body thickness of subjects, as existing methods do not adequately adjust noise reduction techniques to match the subject's thickness, leading to conspicuous noise in radiographic images.
Innovation Solution
A processing apparatus and method that includes a processor to measure subject body thickness, adjust noise reduction processing strength based on thickness, and execute recursive or spatial filter processing, along with edge enhancement, to optimize image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If noise reduction processing is applied to radiographic images from subjects with thick body parts, then noise is reduced, but image edges and structures become blurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different noise reduction strengths to different regions of the radiographic image based on local body thickness. Thinner regions receive stronger noise reduction while thicker regions receive weaker noise reduction, preserving edge sharpness in critical areas while reducing noise where appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts noise reduction parameters (filter strength, recursion depth) based on measured body thickness values. By changing these parameters according to the actual anatomical conditions, the system optimizes the balance between noise reduction and edge preservation for each specific imaging scenario.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If stronger noise reduction processing is applied to all images, then noise is reduced, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies noise reduction processing selectively based on body thickness measurements. For thin body parts where noise is less problematic, minimal or no noise reduction is applied. For thick body parts where noise is more severe, stronger noise reduction is applied. This partial action approach reduces overall processing time while maintaining image quality where needed.
3Measurement precision
If body thickness measurement is performed continuously, then appropriate noise reduction can be applied, but measurement time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs body thickness measurement before the main radiographic imaging process. This preliminary measurement provides the necessary information for configuring noise reduction parameters without interfering with the primary imaging workflow. The measurement is done once per imaging sequence rather than continuously during acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a body thickness measurement sensor as an intermediary device that provides information about the subject's anatomy. This sensor acts as a mediator between the imaging system and the noise reduction processing, enabling adaptive parameter selection without requiring complex real-time analysis of the radiographic images themselves.
Data Source
AI summary
A body thickness conversion unit converts a body thickness from a distance image imaged by a distance measurement camera to acquire the body thickness. A strength setting unit sets strength of noise reduction processing to a radiographic image to be stronger as the body thickness is thicker. A radiographic image acquisition unit acquires the radiographic image output from a radiation detector in radioscopy. A noise reduction processing unit executes the noise reduction processing on the radiographic image with the strength set by the strength setting unit.