Tomographic Gating via Internal Projection Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tomographic imaging systems face challenges in producing clear images due to organ movement during procedures like CT, PET, and SPECT scans, as they require external monitoring devices and synchronization, increasing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A retrospective gating method that acquires projection images continuously and processes them to select images taken under the same physiological state, eliminating the need for external monitoring apparatus by calculating and marking the projected positions of moving targets like the heart, and using these to reconstruct images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If external physiological monitoring apparatus is connected for prospective gating, then image clarity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gating function from external physiological monitoring apparatus and implements it within the tomographic imaging system itself. The system uses its own detectors and controllers to monitor organ movement and selectively acquire projection images during specific physiological phases, eliminating the need for external ECG machines or piezoelectric sensors while maintaining image clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tomographic imaging system is designed to perform multiple functions: it not only acquires projection images for reconstruction but also simultaneously monitors organ movement and performs gating control. The controller integrates these functions by analyzing detector signals to determine organ position and using this information to gate the acquisition process, making the system self-sufficient without external specialized equipment.
2Manufacturing precision
If external physiological monitoring apparatus is connected for prospective gating, then image clarity is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for expensive external physiological monitoring equipment by extracting and implementing the gating functionality within the existing tomographic imaging system. The system uses its own detectors and control mechanisms to achieve gating, thereby eliminating additional equipment costs while maintaining the ability to produce clear images by selecting projections during specific physiological phases.
3Manufacturing precision
If prospective gating with external monitoring is used, then image clarity is improved, but synchronization difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gating control function with the existing tomographic imaging control system. The controller that already manages the rotation of the light source and detector is extended to also handle organ movement monitoring and gating decisions. This integration eliminates the need for separate synchronization mechanisms between imaging and physiological monitoring systems, as the single controller manages both functions seamlessly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-gating using its own detectors and control logic. The controller analyzes signals from the detectors to determine organ position and automatically adjusts the acquisition gating accordingly, without requiring external monitoring equipment or complex inter-system synchronization. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system architecture and eliminates synchronization challenges.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for gating in tomographic imaging system includes steps of: (a) performing a tomographic imaging on an object for acquiring a plurality of projection images at different projection angles (θ), wherein a target of the object moves periodically; (b) obtaining a projected position ((t, s)) of the target on each of the projection images, wherein the projected position ((t, s)) is a center of a target zone on each of the projection images; (c) calculating a parameter value of pixel values in the target zone on each of the projection images, and obtaining a curve of a moving cycle of the target according to the parameter values of the projection images; and (d) selecting the projection images under the same state in the moving cycle for image reconstruction according to the curve of the moving cycle of the target.