Tomosynthesis Image Processing Artifact Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tomosynthesis imaging generates composite two-dimensional images that can be affected by artifacts and tissue thickness, making it difficult to detect structures like abnormal shadows, especially when radiation incidence angles are limited.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device generates multiple composite two-dimensional images using different methods, including frequency decomposition and weighting, to create images with improved quality and highlighted structures, and an image display device displays these images for easier interpretation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If composite two-dimensional images are generated from tomosynthesis imaging, then tissue thickness information is incorporated, but artifacts are introduced that reduce structure visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the composite two-dimensional image into multiple frequency bands using wavelet transform. This segmentation allows separate processing of different frequency components, enabling artifact removal in specific frequency ranges while preserving structural information in others, thus resolving the contradiction between incorporating tissue thickness and eliminating artifacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts artifact components from the composite image by identifying and isolating them in the frequency domain through wavelet transform. By separating artifacts from genuine structural information and selectively removing only the artifact frequency components, the method retains tissue thickness information while eliminating harmful artifacts.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If multiple processing methods are applied to generate different composite images, then structure visibility is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability by allowing automatic selection among multiple processing methods (wavelet transform, Fourier transform, addition method, averaging method) based on the specific characteristics of each image. This dynamic approach optimizes structure visibility for different imaging scenarios while managing processing complexity through intelligent method selection rather than applying all methods uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes processing parameters adaptively by selecting different transformation methods and frequency band divisions based on image characteristics. This parameter adaptation enables optimal structure visibility for various tissue types and imaging conditions while avoiding unnecessary complex processing, thus balancing visibility improvement with complexity management.
Data Source
AI summary
A combination unit generates a plurality of composite two-dimensional images from a plurality of tomographic images acquired by performing tomosynthesis imaging on an object using different generation methods. In this case, the combination unit generates a first composite two-dimensional image having a quality corresponding to a two-dimensional image acquired by simple imaging or a second composite two-dimensional image in which a structure included in the object has been highlighted as at least one of the plurality of composite two-dimensional images.