Tomographic Image Generation Device Scattered Ray Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tomographic images generated by tomosynthesis imaging are often blurred due to mechanical errors and body motion, leading to reduced image quality, especially in breast cancer detection, and require higher radiation doses due to the need for shorter exposure times and the absence of scattered ray removing grids.
Innovation Solution
A tomographic image generation device and method that combines tomosynthesis and simple imaging data, performing image quality correction to compensate for differences in image quality between projection images and two-dimensional images, including scattered ray removal and radiation quality correction, and reconstructs images with a larger weight assigned to the two-dimensional image to improve image quality and reduce exposure dose.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tomosynthesis imaging is performed without a scattered ray removing grid to enable imaging from multiple radiation source positions, then the ability to obtain projection images from different angles is improved, but scattered rays cause contrast lowering and image quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a scattered ray removing grid as an intermediary component positioned between the subject and the radiation detector. This grid selectively removes scattered rays while allowing primary rays to pass through, thereby resolving the contradiction by enabling multi-angle imaging without the harmful effects of scattered rays degrading image quality
2Adaptability or versatility
If the radiation source is moved to different positions for tomosynthesis imaging, then the ability to generate tomographic images is improved, but mechanical errors and body motion cause blur in the reconstructed images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary image processing corrections before tomographic reconstruction to compensate for expected mechanical errors and body motion. By pre-correcting for these anticipated deviations, the system maintains image sharpness and reconstruction accuracy even when the radiation source is moved to different positions
3Manufacturing precision
If exposure time is shortened during tomosynthesis imaging to reduce body motion blur, then image sharpness is improved, but the radiation dose required increases to maintain sufficient signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for long mechanical exposure times with computational image processing techniques. By using advanced reconstruction algorithms and image processing methods, the system achieves sufficient image quality with shorter exposure times, thereby reducing the radiation dose required while maintaining image sharpness
4Measurement precision
If both tomosynthesis imaging and simple imaging are performed to improve image quality, then lesion detection capability is improved, but the total exposure dose to the subject increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of both tomosynthesis imaging and simple imaging by integrating their respective image processing pipelines. The system combines the depth resolution of tomosynthesis with the high contrast of simple imaging techniques, achieving improved lesion detection capability while optimizing the total radiation dose through coordinated imaging protocols
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
The approach enhances image quality by aligning the image quality of tomosynthesis images with two-dimensional images, reducing the radiation dose required for tomosynthesis imaging and minimizing the impact of scattered rays, resulting in clearer and more accurate tomographic images while lowering the exposure dose for the subject.
Implementation Method 1
imaging is performed by applying radiation to the subject from different radiation source positions by moving the radiation source
Implementation Method 2
a scattered ray removing grid (which will hereinafter be simply referred to as 'grid') is used to prevent lowering of the contrast due to scattered rays of the radiation in the subject
Data Source
AI summary
A first image obtaining unit obtains a plurality of projection images corresponding to different radiation source positions, the projection images being imaged under a first imaging condition for tomosynthesis imaging, and a second image obtaining unit obtains a two-dimensional image imaged with a given radiation source position under a second imaging condition for simple imaging. An image quality correction unit performs image quality correction on the projection images to compensate for a difference of image quality between the projection images and the two-dimensional image based on a difference between the first imaging condition and the second imaging condition. A reconstruction unit reconstructs the projection images having been subjected to the image quality correction and the two-dimensional image to generate a tomographic image of a slice plane of the subject.