Tomography Imaging Green's Function Modification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tomographic imaging systems face challenges in producing accurate images due to the assumption of a homogeneous background Green's function, which ignores field distortions caused by matching media, leading to inversion artifacts.

Innovation Solution

Surrounding the imaging region with an electrically conducting surface to create field distortions, using a modified Green's function that accounts for these distortions in the inversion algorithm, specifically within the Contrast Source Inversion (CSI) algorithm, to improve image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a homogeneous background Green's function is used in the inversion algorithm, then the system is simpler to implement, but field distortions caused by matching media are ignored leading to inversion artifacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinversion algorithm complexityVSAvoidimage accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the Green's function by incorporating the effects of the matching medium boundary, transforming it from a homogeneous unbounded domain function to a bounded domain function that accounts for field distortions. This parameter change in the mathematical model resolves the contradiction by improving image accuracy while maintaining algorithmic tractability through closed-form solutions for common geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an electrically conducting surface as an intermediary element that creates controlled field distortions. This conducting boundary acts as a mediator between the radiation source and the imaging region, and its effects are incorporated into the Green's function to eliminate inversion artifacts caused by ignoring the matching medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If radiation is applied to the imaging region, then tomographic data is gathered, but field distortions occur due to matching media that degrade image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging capabilityVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful field distortions caused by the matching medium into a beneficial effect by deliberately incorporating an electrically conducting surface that creates controlled, predictable field distortions. These controlled distortions are then accounted for in the inverted Green's function, transforming what would be artifacts into useful information for improving image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If an unbounded domain Green's function is assumed, then the mathematical model is simpler, but it does not match the physical situation of imaging systems with matching media

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodel implementation easeVSAvoidphysical model accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the domain parameter of the Green's function from unbounded to bounded, and incorporates the matching medium properties into the mathematical model. Closed-form solutions are provided for common geometries (spherical, cylindrical, planar boundaries), maintaining ease of implementation while significantly improving physical model accuracy to match real imaging systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 use of an electrically conducting surface significantly enhances tomographic image quality by increasing interrogation energy and reducing artifacts associated with unbounded domain Green's function assumptions, as demonstrated by improved reconstruction results in synthetic examples.

Implementation Method 1

Upon applying radiation to the image region, the system creates field distortions reflected by the shaped-boundary thereby producing an improved field distribution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS8478555B2System and methods of improved tomography imaging

Publication Date: 2013.07.02 UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA

AI summary

The present invention is a system and methods of improved tomography imaging such as microwave tomography (MWT). An improved inversion technique surrounds the imaging region with an electrically conducting surface to create field distortions producing an improved tomographic image. The improved inversion technique of the present invention creates a new physical situation for proposed imaging systems.