Talbot-Lau Interferometer Phase Stepping Loop for Real-Time X-Ray Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interferometric x-ray imaging methods require multiple phase stepping measurements, leading to prolonged image acquisition times and reduced image rates, making real-time fluoroscopy challenging.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where phase stepping is carried out in an endless loop, allowing for continuous readout of interference patterns, temporal averaging of image data, and weighting of phase steps to produce intermediate and final image data records, enabling faster image reconstruction and real-time imaging by reusing previous measurement data and eliminating invalid recordings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If phase stepping measurements are performed to obtain interferometric x-ray images, then image quality and contrast information are improved, but image acquisition time increases and image rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-acquiring phase stepping measurements in an endless loop before actual imaging is needed. These measurements are stored and can be rapidly reused for multiple images without repeating the full phase stepping sequence, thus maintaining high image quality while dramatically improving image rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by continuously acquiring phase stepping measurements in an endless loop, ensuring that measurement data is always available. This continuous acquisition allows the system to maintain both high measurement precision and high productivity by seamlessly generating images without interruption or repeated full measurement cycles.
2Measurement precision
If complete phase stepping cycles are performed for each image, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs phase stepping measurements in advance and stores them for later use. This preliminary action ensures measurement accuracy is established beforehand, while subsequent image generation can rapidly reuse these measurements without time-consuming repeated acquisitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers and reuses previously acquired phase stepping measurements for generating multiple images. Instead of discarding measurements after a single use, the system recovers and applies them repeatedly, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while significantly reducing time consumption for each subsequent image.
3Loss of information
If phase stepping is performed at multiple positions to read interference patterns, then image information completeness is improved, but processing complexity and acquisition time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent completes the full phase stepping measurement sequence in advance, ensuring all image information is captured beforehand. This preliminary comprehensive measurement reduces processing complexity during actual imaging, as the system can rapidly retrieve and process pre-acquired data without needing to perform complex real-time measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of phase stepping measurement data for reuse in generating multiple images. By copying the pre-acquired measurement data rather than repeatedly acquiring it, the system maintains complete image information while reducing processing complexity and acquisition time for subsequent images.
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 approach significantly increases the image rate of x-ray recordings, allowing for real-time phase-contrast and dark-field imaging by reducing the need for complete phase stepping cycles and improving computational efficiency, while maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
The Talbot effect is used in the design, the effect, in relation to a selected x-ray energy or x-ray wavelength, producing a self-image of the grating at specific distances from the phase grating G1 in the form of an interference pattern arising there.
Implementation Method 2
an interference pattern with a period is respectively produced at intervals by the phase grating in accordance with the Lau condition. The interference pattern being read in temporal succession as readout data with the aid of the analysis grating and a pixelated detector disposed downstream in the beam direction at at least three phase positions within at least one period of the interference pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an x-ray apparatus for interferometric 2D x-ray imaging, use a Talbot-Lau interferometer having at least one phase grating and an analysis grating for producing 2D images of an object to be examined using a phase stepping method. A stepwise readout of a detector is carried out continuously at a multiplicity of the phase positions of an interference pattern. Time sequences of readout interval data records which overlap in time are extracted from the readout data records, and at least one result image data record is calculated from an absorption image and/or a phase-contrast image and/or a dark-field image from each readout interval data record.