Tomography System Using Confidence-Weighted Pixel Values
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tomography systems face challenges in producing high-fidelity volume images of vascular systems, particularly in avoiding artifacts caused by insufficiently trusted pixel values and managing overlapping shadow images, which affect imaging fidelity and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A tomography system utilizing two beam source-detector pairs capturing projection image data sets from different angles, with confidence values based on pixel-specific traversing lengths, to produce volume images by weighted averaging, interpolation, or replacing pixel values below threshold, and simplifying the system by using a monoplane configuration for mask image production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple beam source-detector pairs are used to capture projection images from different angles, then imaging fidelity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into multiple beam source-detector pairs, each capturing projections from different angles. This segmentation allows the system to overcome the limitation of single-angle imaging and achieve higher fidelity volume images by combining data from multiple independent measurement channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-angle (2D projection) imaging to multi-angle (3D tomographic) imaging by adding spatial dimensionality through multiple beam source-detector pairs positioned at different angular locations, enabling comprehensive volume reconstruction.
2Loss of information
If pixel values with low confidence are included in volume image production, then data completeness is improved, but image accuracy deteriorates due to artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality weights to different pixel values based on their confidence levels. Pixel values with high confidence (short traversing lengths) receive higher weights, while those with low confidence (long traversing lengths) receive lower weights or are excluded, allowing the system to maintain data completeness while ensuring image accuracy through localized quality assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of pixel value weighting based on confidence levels derived from traversing lengths. By dynamically adjusting the weight parameter according to the specific confidence value of each pixel, the system optimizes the balance between data completeness and image accuracy in the volume reconstruction process.
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 system enhances imaging fidelity by accurately weighting pixel values and reducing artifacts, while simplifying the system structure and avoiding unnecessary content in volume images, thus improving the reliability and quality of vascular system visualization.
Implementation Method 1
The first beam source-detector pair is configured for capturing a series of first projection image data sets containing first pixel values from a first projection angle. The second beam source-detector pair is configured for capturing a series of second projection image data sets containing second pixel values from a second projection angle.
Implementation Method 2
Each of the projection image data sets may be regarded as a data set of a (radiographic) shadow image on which structures located one after another in the beam path produce shadows that overlap one another.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a tomography system (TA) comprising a first (QD1) and a second (QD2) beam source-detector pair for capturing one series (A1, A2) of projection image data sets (PB1, PB2) each from one projection angle (W1, W2) each and a volume image production system (VE) for producing a series (AV) of volume images (VB) of a vascular system (GS) while taking into account first confidence values (VW1) of the first pixel values (PW1) and/or while taking into account second confidence values (VW2) of the second pixel values (PW2). The confidence value (VW1, VW2) of a pixel value (PW1, PW2) depends on a pixel-specific traversing length (L) that a projection beam (PS1, PS2) traverses on a path through parts (Gi) of the vascular system (GS) from the first (Q1) or the second (Q2) beam source to a pixel-specific sensor element (S) of the associated first (D1) or second (D2) detector. The invention further relates to a corresponding method (100) for producing a series (AV) of volume images (VB) of a vascular system (GS).