X-Ray Microtomography Reconstruction with FBP-Corrected Iteration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Iterative reconstruction algorithms in X-ray micro tomography systems are susceptible to non-uniformities, distortions, and shading artifacts due to interior tomography issues, especially when the scanner acquisition geometry results in incomplete projection views, which are common with high magnification and limited field of view.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid approach combining analytical reconstruction, specifically Filtered Back Projection (FBP), with iterative reconstruction, where FBP is used to correct projection data by extending the reconstruction volume in the Z-direction and applying a box filter to minimize noise, followed by iterative reconstruction to eliminate interior tomography artifacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If iterative reconstruction algorithms are used to improve image quality and reduce noise susceptibility, then image quality and accuracy are improved, but processing time and computational cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by first performing analytical reconstruction (FBP) to create an initial volume dataset and generate corrected projection data before executing the iterative reconstruction algorithm. This preliminary processing prepares the data in advance, reducing the computational burden and processing time required for the subsequent iterative reconstruction while maintaining improved image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If analytical reconstruction (FBP) is used to provide fast processing and low computational cost, then throughput increases and cost decreases, but image noise susceptibility increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidimage noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the advantages of both analytical and iterative reconstruction methods by combining them in a hybrid approach. The analytical reconstruction (FBP) provides fast processing and low computational cost, while the iterative reconstruction algorithm corrects noise and artifacts. The projection data is corrected using analytical reconstruction results, then fed into iterative reconstruction to eliminate noise, achieving both speed and quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If iterative reconstruction algorithms are applied to interior tomography data, then image quality improves, but non-uniformities, distortions and shading artifacts increase due to incomplete projection views

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidartifacts

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by first performing analytical reconstruction to create an initial volume dataset and generate corrected projection data before executing the iterative reconstruction algorithm. This preliminary processing prepares the data in advance, reducing the computational burden and processing time required for the subsequent iterative reconstruction while maintaining improved image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If the reconstruction volume is extended in the Z-direction to improve coverage, then interior tomography accuracy improves, but computational complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterior tomography accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method effectively reduces non-uniformities and distortions in iterative reconstruction, achieving improved image quality and accuracy without requiring additional data sets or a priori knowledge, thus enhancing the performance of iterative reconstruction in interior tomography scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

an X-ray source system for generating an X-ray beam and a detector system for detecting the X-ray beam after transmission through a sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray generation and transmission: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

The most common analytical method is filtered back projection (FBP). The projections are first processed using a high-frequency amplification filter, usually a ramp filter, in the frequency domain. Then, each filtered projection is 'smeared' back onto the imaging plane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltered back projection:

Implementation Method 3

Iterative reconstruction is another approach that reconstructs slices from successive estimates of the projection data forming each slice. Multiple iterations of the estimated projection data for each slice are executed for this purpose.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIterative reconstruction:

Data Source

PatentUS20250245881A1Iterative Reconstruction Method and System for Interior Tomography

Publication Date: 2025.07.31 CARL ZEISS X-RAY MICROSCOPY INC

AI summary

An X-ray micro tomography system provides the ability to proscriptively determine regularization parameters for iterative reconstruction of a sample, from projection data of the sample. This allows a less experienced operator to determine the regularization parameters with adequate precision.