X-ray Arcing Artifact Reduction in 3D Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transient arcing in X-ray tubes during three-dimensional image dataset generation leads to underexposure and contrast variations, complicating the interpretation of medical images due to increased probability of arcing during data acquisition and its influence on individual projection images.
Innovation Solution
A method to evaluate projection images for arcing interference by assessing image data and radiation source parameters, allowing for the disregard or reduced weighting of affected images or their replacement with synthetic images generated from other images, thereby reducing artifacts in the reconstruction process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If projection images are recorded with short exposure times to increase data acquisition speed, then productivity is improved, but the probability of arcing occurring increases and the influence of arcing on individual projection images becomes stronger
Solution Approach 1:
The control device monitors radiation source parameters (current, voltage, impedance) in real-time before and during the exposure of each projection image. By detecting arcing conditions preliminarily through parameter evaluation, the system can identify affected images before they are fully acquired, allowing for selective disregard or replacement of corrupted data in the reconstruction process, thus maintaining high productivity while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the control device continuously evaluates radiation source parameters and image data quality. When arcing is detected through parameter analysis, the system responds by adjusting the reconstruction process to disregard or replace affected projection images, creating a closed-loop control that maintains image quality without sacrificing acquisition speed
2Loss of information
If conventional reconstruction methods are used that combine data from all projection images, then completeness of data utilization is improved, but banding artifacts and contrast variations occur due to arcing in individual images
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality assessment by evaluating radiation source parameters and image data specifically for each projection image individually. Instead of treating all images uniformly, the control device identifies which specific images are affected by arcing through local parameter analysis, allowing selective processing where only corrupted images are disregarded or replaced while preserving the integrity of unaffected images in the reconstruction
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters dynamically by adjusting the weighting or inclusion of individual projection images in the reconstruction process based on evaluated arcing conditions. When arcing is detected in specific images, the control device modifies the reconstruction input by disregarding or replacing only those affected images, thereby maintaining parameter optimization for the overall dataset while eliminating local artifacts
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
Significantly reduces or eliminates artifacts induced by arcing, particularly banding, simplifying the evaluation of three-dimensional image datasets by mitigating the impact of arcing on image quality.
Implementation Method 1
X-rays emitted by a radiation source of the X-ray device
Implementation Method 2
acquired radiation intensities or attenuations determined therefrom of X-rays
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a three-dimensional image dataset by an X-ray device is disclosed herein. The method includes recording projection images of an examination object from a plurality of recording angles, and reconstructing the image dataset from the projection images, wherein, for at least one examined projection image, in each case an interference condition is evaluated the fulfillment of which is dependent upon at least parts of the image data of the (respective) examined projection image and/or upon at least one parameter of the radiation source during the recording of the (respective) examined projection image and indicates that the (respective) examined projection image is a projection image with interference during the recording of which arcing has occurred in the radiation source. The method also includes disregarding at least one projection image with interference, or giving the projection image a lower weighting than all the projection images with no interference, or replacing the projection image with a synthetic projection image.