Robotic Arm Micro-CT Imaging for Inner Ear Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical CT systems struggle with suboptimal image resolution for middle and inner ear structures, while micro-CT systems are limited in clinical applications due to challenges in interior tomography.
Innovation Solution
A robotic arm-based clinical micro-CT system incorporating a micro-focus X-ray tube and photon-counting detector, coupled with a computing device for data acquisition, reconstruction, and background compensation, enabling high-resolution imaging with background attenuation estimation and registration modules to enhance image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional medical CT systems are used, then clinical applications are feasible, but image resolution is suboptimal for middle and inner ear structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging task into two segments: a conventional CT scan for overall anatomy and a micro-CT scan for high-resolution detailed imaging of specific regions of interest. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both clinical feasibility and high resolution for middle and inner ear structures by applying different imaging modalities to different parts of the imaging workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using micro-CT technology specifically for imaging small structures like middle and inner ear components, while conventional CT is used for broader anatomical context. The micro-CT subsystem is optimized locally for high-resolution imaging of specific regions rather than requiring the entire system to operate at micro-CT capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If micro-CT systems are used for clinical applications, then image resolution improves, but challenges in interior tomography arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into global scanning with conventional CT and local scanning with micro-CT. This segmentation simplifies the interior tomography challenge by focusing the high-resolution micro-CT only on specific regions of interest rather than requiring complex full-volume micro-CT imaging, thereby reducing the overall device complexity while maintaining high resolution capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary global CT scanning to identify and locate regions of interest before performing the more complex micro-CT scanning. This preliminary action simplifies subsequent micro-CT interior tomography by pre-defining the volume of interest, reducing the complexity of the detailed imaging process.
3Measurement precision
If robotic arm-based micro-CT system is implemented, then spatial resolution reaches 50 micrometers, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates robotic arms into the existing CT scanner infrastructure, making the robotic components serve multiple functions: positioning the micro-CT subsystem, aligning with conventional CT scans, and enabling reproducible imaging trajectories. This multi-functionality approach achieves high spatial resolution while managing system complexity by consolidating multiple functions into integrated components rather than separate systems.
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
Achieves a spatial resolution of at least 50 micrometers with reduced radiation dose, facilitating precise diagnosis and analysis of inner ear structures by improving image resolution without compromising other image quality indices.
Implementation Method 1
emitting, by an x-ray source, x-ray photons
Implementation Method 2
detecting, by an x-ray detector, at least some of the emitted x-ray photons
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, there is provided a micro-CT (computed tomography) apparatus. The micro-CT apparatus includes an x-ray source coupled to a source robotic arm, an x-ray detector coupled to a detector robotic arm, and a computing device. The computing device includes a data acquisition module and a reconstruction module. The data acquisition module is configured to acquire local scan data of a volume of interest (VOI) contained in an imaging object. The reconstruction module is configured to reconstruct an image of the VOI based, at least in part, on the local scan data, and based, at least in part, on background compensation data.