Radiation Tomography Image Processing for End Section Disturbance Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiographic apparatuses experience image disturbances at the end sections of tomographic images due to the movement of the X-ray tube and FPD, leading to missing subject images, which results in unnatural and less visible tomographic images when attempting to compensate for these gaps.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that generates a gradient vector map to identify the extending direction of linear structural objects, extrapolates missing image sections by duplicating and smoothing pixel arrays in the orthogonal direction, and superimposes these extrapolated images to create a more natural and clear tomographic image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the radiation source and FPD move synchronously in opposite directions to capture a series of transparent images, then a tomographic image can be acquired by superimposing these images, but image disturbances occur at the end sections of the tomographic image due to missing subject images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing extrapolation processing on the transparent images before superimposition to predict and fill in the missing subject images at the end sections. The extrapolation section extends the image data in the moving direction by analyzing the gradient vector map and duplicating pixel arrays, ensuring that complete subject image information is available before the tomographic image generation occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism by using the gradient vector map and extrapolation processing as a mediator between the captured transparent images and the final tomographic image. This intermediary process analyzes the image data, identifies missing sections, and generates predictive extensions that bridge the information gap at the end sections before the final superimposition.
2Loss of information
If simple duplication of end section images is performed to compensate for missing images, then image gaps can be filled, but the extrapolated images become unnatural and visibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by performing directional duplication based on gradient vectors that represent the local structure and orientation of subjects in the image. Instead of uniform duplication in all directions, the pixel arrays are duplicated specifically in the moving direction according to the local image characteristics, ensuring that the extrapolated regions maintain natural appearance and structural continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by using gradient vector analysis to determine the optimal duplication direction and magnitude. The extrapolation process dynamically adjusts the pixel array duplication based on local image parameters such as gradient magnitude and direction, rather than applying fixed duplication rules, thereby maintaining naturalness in the extrapolated regions.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus and a radiation tomography apparatus capable of acquiring a tomographic image of high visibility are provided. The image processing apparatus initially generates a map m showing an extending direction of a linear structural object seen in an original image P0. Then, the apparatus generates an extrapolated image P1 by adding the area positioned at the side section of the original image P0 to the side section so as to extend the linear structural object seen in the side section by referring to the map m. By adding the side section to the original image P0 while shifting the pattern of the side section so as to extend the linear structural object seen in the side section of the image, the subject image can be naturally compensated. After this operation, by generating the tomographic image D, a tomographic image D having improved visibility can be generated.