Synthetic Contrast-Enhanced Imaging With Nonlinear Noise Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating synthetic contrast-enhanced radiological images amplify noise to the same extent as the signal attributable to the contrast agent, leading to suboptimal image quality.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the generation of a synthetic contrast-enhanced representation by subtracting a first image from a second image, followed by a non-linear amplification of difference values and adding the result to one of the original images, to enhance the contrast while minimizing noise amplification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If linear amplification is applied to the difference values to enhance contrast, then the signal attributable to the contrast agent is amplified, but noise is amplified to the same extent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different amplification strategies to different ranges of difference values. Linear amplification with a first factor is applied to difference values above a threshold, while exponential amplification with a second factor is applied to difference values at or below the threshold. This local differentiation allows selective enhancement of contrast signal while controlling noise amplification through the threshold-based approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the amplification parameter from a single linear factor to a dual-factor system that switches between linear and exponential amplification based on the difference value magnitude. This parameter change enables differential treatment of signal and noise components, amplifying the contrast signal more aggressively while applying more conservative amplification to noise-prone regions.
2Measurement precision
If contrast enhancement is increased to improve image quality, then visualization of examination areas is improved, but noise amplification increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image processing into local regions based on difference value thresholds. Regions with higher difference values (likely containing contrast signal) receive linear amplification, while regions with lower difference values (likely containing noise) receive exponential amplification with a different factor. This local quality approach improves overall image quality while minimizing noise amplification in specific regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial amplification strategies where the amplification factor and method are selected based on the specific needs of different image regions. By using a threshold to divide the image into different processing zones, the patent applies excessive amplification only where needed for contrast enhancement while using more conservative amplification in other regions, thus improving image quality without uniformly amplifying noise throughout the entire image.
Data Source
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AI summary
The systems, methods and computer programs disclosed herein relate to the production of synthetic contrast-enhanced radiological images.