X-Ray Image Correction for Off-Focal Radiation Artifacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off focal radiation (OFR) in X-ray tubes generates unfocused X-rays, leading to image fuzziness and reduced spatial and intensity resolution, affecting tomographic reconstructions and Hounsfield unit accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method involving X-ray image processing that separates high-energy and low-energy components, using weighting factors to correct artifacts caused by OFR, utilizing Monte Carlo simulations or machine learning for spectrum determination, and applying image-processing algorithms to enhance image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If off focal radiation is used in X-ray imaging, then the radiation efficiency is improved, but the spatial resolution and image sharpness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the X-ray spectrum into high-energy and low-energy components, processing each separately to correct OFR artifacts while maintaining the benefits of off-focus radiation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful OFR artifacts into useful information by using the high-energy component (which is less affected by OFR) to correct the low-energy component, thereby transforming the problem into a solution
2Power
If off focal radiation is used in X-ray imaging, then the radiation output is increased, but the intensity resolution and Hounsfield unit accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the high-energy image (less affected by OFR) is used to correct the low-energy image, continuously improving the intensity resolution and Hounsfield unit accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The high-energy component acts as an intermediary that mediates the correction of OFR artifacts in the low-energy component, enabling accurate intensity measurement without sacrificing radiation output
3Productivity
If off focal radiation is used in X-ray imaging, then the electron utilization is improved, but the image sharpness and tomographic reconstruction accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing into separate high-energy and low-energy components, allowing independent correction of sharpness issues in the low-energy component using the high-energy component as reference
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 significantly improves image quality by reducing OFR artifacts, enabling precise diagnosis and care through enhanced resolution and clarity.
Implementation Method 1
X-ray radiation outside of the central ray) is a known problem with X-ray tubes in which electromagnetic fields are used to accelerate electrons to an anode made from a material with a high atomic number (e.g., tungsten)
Implementation Method 2
A large portion of the electrons is backscattered and accelerated again, although the portion then strikes the anode outside of the focal spot/focal path. Some of the electrons interact with the anode and generate unfocussed X-rays
Data Source
AI summary
A method for correcting artifacts includes recording an X-ray image of an object by an X-ray detector. A primary X-ray spectrum of X-ray radiation is provided, and an off focal radiation spectrum in relation to the primary X-ray spectrum is provided. An image X-ray spectrum is determined from the X-ray image for each image pixel. One weighting factor each is determined by calculating a quotient between high-energy irradiation and overall energy irradiation for each image pixel, and a weighted image is determined from the weighting factors of the image pixels. A high-energy image is provided from high-energy components of the image X-ray spectrum, and low-energy components of the image X-ray spectrum are processed by taking into account image features and/or structures of the high-energy image. The high-energy component and the processed low-energy component are recombined for each image pixel, and a corrected X-ray image is created.