Trabecular Bone Analyzer Tomographic Imaging Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trabecular bone analyzing methods, such as plain radiography and CT devices, fail to accurately quantify trabecular bone due to low resolution and excessive radiation exposure, with overlapping trabeculae in fluoroscopic images and inadequate detection element size in CT devices leading to suboptimal results.
Innovation Solution
A trabecular bone analyzer that includes a radiation source, detector, and image reconstruction unit to generate high-resolution tomographic images by moving the radiation source and detector synchronously, allowing for accurate quantification of trabecular bone structure and reduced radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If plain radiography is performed by irradiating a subject with radiation only once to acquire a fluoroscopic image, then the imaging process is simple and quick, but the resolution is insufficient due to overlapping trabeculae and trabecular bone cannot be accurately quantified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional plain radiography to three-dimensional tomographic imaging by rotating the radiation source and detector around the subject. This dimensional change allows separation of overlapping trabecular structures in space, enabling accurate quantification while maintaining imaging efficiency through automated rotation sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic movement of the radiation source and detector in rotation around the subject, rather than static positioning. This dynamic approach enables acquisition of multiple projection images from different angles, which are then reconstructed into high-resolution tomographic images for accurate trabecular bone analysis.
2Measurement precision
If a tomographic image is taken by a CT device by rotating a radiation source and a detector once around a subject, then three-dimensional structure can be visualized, but the resolution is inferior to fluoroscopic images and a wide region of the subject is exposed to radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating radiation exposure on a specific region of interest rather than rotating around the entire subject. The radiation source and detector rotate only over the targeted area, reducing overall radiation exposure while maintaining high-resolution three-dimensional visualization of the specific bone structure being examined.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes radiation parameters including reducing the rotation angle range and adjusting exposure timing to minimize total radiation dose. By carefully controlling the rotation extent and exposure sequence, the patent achieves adequate three-dimensional visualization with significantly reduced radiation exposure compared to conventional CT.
3Reliability
If the detection elements in a CT device are made large to accommodate the collimator, then scattered radiation can be managed, but the pixel size of the tomographic image becomes large and the resolution is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the plate-shaped collimator from the detection element structure. Instead of using physical collimators that force large detection element sizes, the system relies on software-based scattered radiation correction algorithms and precise geometric positioning to manage scattered radiation, thereby enabling the use of smaller detection elements and achieving higher image resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical collimator system with computational methods for scattered radiation management. By using image processing algorithms and mathematical corrections rather than physical collimating structures, the system achieves scattered radiation control without the resolution-penalizing constraint of large detection elements.
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
Enables precise quantification of trabecular bone structure with improved resolution and reduced radiation, providing a safer and more accurate assessment of bone strength and health compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation source that emits radiation; a detector configured to detect radiation that has passed through a subject
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a trabecular bone analyzer that can quantitatively determine the state of trabecular bone accurately. The trabecular bone analyzer of may perform trabecular bone analysis on a tomographic image D. In the tomographic image D, trabeculae forming a network may appear without overlapping. Therefore, such trabecular bone analysis may more accurately quantify trabecular bone.