X-ray Imaging Device Phase-Contrast Grating Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray imaging devices face challenges in capturing high-contrast images of biological soft tissues and polymer materials due to low X-ray absorption, leading to image quality deterioration and increased imaging time, especially when using the fringe scanning method which requires moving gratings and results in thermal variations and artifacts.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray imaging device that moves both the subject and the imaging system relative to each other, allowing for precise alignment of pixel values with phase information from Moire fringes, reducing errors and artifacts, and enabling continuous imaging without the need for grating retraction or enlargement, thus improving image quality and reducing imaging time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If imaging is performed by translating a grating in the fringe scanning method, then phase-contrast imaging of low-X-ray-absorption substances is enabled, but the visual field size is limited to the size of the grating
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system divides the visual field into multiple regions by using multiple gratings with different transmission rates. Each grating captures a specific portion of the subject, and the image processing unit synthesizes these partial images into a complete phase-contrast image, thereby expanding the visual field beyond the limitations of a single grating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-dimension grating translation approach to a multi-dimensional solution by arranging multiple gratings in different positions and orientations. This allows simultaneous capture of multiple field regions, effectively expanding the visual field without requiring large-area single gratings.
2Area of stationary object
If the area of a grating is increased by bonding multiple gratings, then a large-area grating is obtained, but artifacts occur at the border where gratings are bonded
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of bonding multiple gratings to create a large-area grating, the system uses multiple separate gratings positioned to cover different regions of the subject. This segmentation approach avoids the border artifacts that would result from bonding while still achieving large-area coverage through coordinated imaging of multiple regions.
3Measurement precision
If the user removes the subject to capture a correction image in the fringe scanning method, then the correction image can be captured, but the interval between subject imaging and correction image imaging becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures correction images using multiple gratings with different transmission rates while the subject remains in position. By preliminarily acquiring correction data from multiple gratings simultaneously, the system eliminates the need to remove the subject for correction imaging, thereby reducing the time interval and maintaining thermal stability of the gratings.
4Measurement precision
If the fringe scanning method is used for imaging biological soft tissues and polymer materials with low X-ray absorption, then phase-contrast imaging is achieved, but thermal variations occur in the grating due to heat from the X-ray source
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures correction images using multiple gratings with different transmission rates while the subject remains in position. This preliminary acquisition of correction data from multiple gratings simultaneously reduces the time interval between corrections, thereby minimizing thermal variations in the gratings caused by prolonged X-ray exposure and maintaining imaging consistency.
5Area of stationary object
If image capturing is performed while moving a subject by the conventional fringe scanning method, then the visual field can be expanded, but the time to move the subject becomes wasteful time, increasing the imaging time and exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple gratings with different transmission rates to capture images of different regions of the subject simultaneously or in rapid succession while the subject moves through the imaging zone. This continuous imaging approach using multiple gratings eliminates idle movement time and maintains productive imaging action throughout the subject's passage, thereby reducing total imaging time and exposure.
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
This approach enhances image quality by aligning pixel values with phase information, reducing errors and artifacts, and allows for efficient imaging of larger subjects without grating enlargement, thereby improving the contrast and reducing the overall imaging time.
Implementation Method 1
a phase-contrast image by aligning a pixel on which the subject appears on the corresponding position in the plurality of images based on position information of the pixel on which the subject appears on the corresponding position in the plurality of images and a pixel value of each pixel associated with the phase value of the Moire fringe generated in the plurality of images
Data Source
AI summary
The X-ray imaging device (100) is provided with an X-ray source (1), a plurality of gratings, a moving mechanism (8), and an image processing unit (6). The image processing unit (6) is configured to generate a phase-contrast image (16) by associating a pixel value in each pixel of a subject (T) in a plurality of subject images (10) with phase values of a Moire fringe (30) at each pixel and aligning the pixel of the subject of the same position in the plurality of subject images.