Digital X-Ray Detector Subpixel Shifting for Super-Resolution Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing x-ray imaging technologies face challenges in achieving high spatial resolution due to reduced photon incidence and noise introduction from digitization, especially when imaging small structures, and multiple exposures are undesirable in clinical and non-destructive testing applications.
Innovation Solution
A super-resolution technique is applied using a portable radiographic detector assembly that acquires multiple images with subpixel displacements of the image plane, combining them to reconstruct higher quality images with increased resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pixel size is reduced to improve spatial resolution, then spatial resolution is improved, but the amount of incident photons reaching each pixel is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple low-resolution images are merged through image fusion algorithms to produce a single high-resolution image. The system captures images at different subpixel displacements and combines them using computational methods to achieve super-resolution, effectively merging information from multiple photon samples to overcome the photon starvation problem of small pixels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from spatial dimension only to spatio-temporal dimension by capturing multiple images over time with subpixel displacements. This adds the time dimension to the imaging process, allowing reconstruction of high-resolution spatial information from temporal sequences of low-resolution frames.
2Measurement precision
If multiple radiographic exposures are performed to improve resolution, then spatial resolution is improved, but ionized radiation exposure to the patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces dynamic subpixel displacements between consecutive low-resolution images rather than requiring static multiple exposures. By moving the detector or object by subpixel amounts between frames, the system captures different spatial sampling patterns that can be computationally fused, achieving super-resolution with minimal additional radiation dose.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sampling parameters by introducing subpixel shifts in detector position or object position between exposures. This parameter variation allows the same radiation dose to capture multiple different spatial samples, which are then combined to achieve higher resolution without proportionally increasing radiation exposure.
3Measurement precision
If multiple images are acquired with subpixel displacements to achieve super-resolution, then spatial resolution is improved, but acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic subpixel displacements between consecutive image acquisitions, creating a systematic sampling pattern. This periodic motion allows the use of efficient reconstruction algorithms that can process the sequential images rapidly, achieving super-resolution without requiring excessive acquisition time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary subpixel displacements and image captures in a predetermined sequence, allowing offline computational processing. By preparing the data acquisition in advance with known displacement patterns, efficient super-resolution reconstruction can be performed subsequently, reducing the perceived processing time.
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 enhances spatial resolution, reduces noise, and improves image sharpness by leveraging subpixel motion to combine multiple low-resolution images into a single high-resolution image.
Implementation Method 1
A portable radiographic detector assembly for holding and displacing a digital radiographic detector
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4a~4d
AI summary
An apparatus and method for generating a high-resolution radiographic image of an object by capturing a first radiographic image of the object using an x-ray source and a digital radiographic detector, then displacing at least one of the x-ray source and the detector. A second radiographic image of the object is captured, using the displaced x-ray source or digital radiographic detector, and the two captured images of the object are combined.