Multi-Energy X-Ray Image Contrast Enhancement via Material Decomposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiation imaging apparatuses face challenges in obtaining X-ray images with optimal tube voltage, leading to insufficient contrast for material decomposition, especially in constrained imaging environments, which affects the enhancement of contrast agents or medical devices in medical imaging.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that generates and combines images from different radiation energies to enhance specific materials, allowing for the extraction of images representing the thickness of various materials and obtaining an enhanced image with improved contrast by subtracting or adding image information from these processed images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If X-ray images are obtained using optimum tube voltage to enhance contrast, then the contrast of contrast agents or medical devices is improved, but the imaging environment constraints prevent obtaining sufficient contrast
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the energy parameters of X-ray images by obtaining images at multiple different tube voltages (e.g., 80 kVp and 100 kVp) and uses these varying energy parameters to enhance contrast agents or medical devices through material decomposition, overcoming the limitation of single-energy imaging in constrained environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the X-ray imaging process into multiple acquisitions at different tube voltages, then processes these segmented images separately through material decomposition to extract specific material information, enabling contrast enhancement without requiring a single optimal tube voltage setting
2Device complexity
If material decomposition is performed using single-energy X-ray images, then the processing is simple, but the contrast of contrast agents or medical devices cannot be sufficiently enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into multiple single-energy acquisitions at different tube voltages, then applies material decomposition algorithms to each energy level separately, combining the results to achieve enhanced contrast while maintaining processing feasibility through systematic segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds an energy dimension to the imaging process by acquiring images at multiple tube voltages, transforming the problem from two-dimensional (single-energy image processing) to three-dimensional (multi-energy image processing), enabling material-specific contrast enhancement through the additional energy dimension
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 enables the enhancement of contrast agents or medical devices in material decomposition images, improving visibility and quality by optimizing the combination of X-ray energies and image processing techniques.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation imaging apparatus using a flat panel detector made of a semiconductor material is currently widespread as an imaging apparatus used for medical image diagnosis or non-destructive inspection by X-rays
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes: a generation unit configured to generate a first image representing a thickness of a first material and a second image representing a thickness of a second material different from the first material using a plurality of images obtained based on a first combination of different radiation energies, and to generate a third image representing the thickness of the first material and a fourth image representing the thickness of the second material using a plurality of images obtained based on a second combination of different radiation energies; and an obtaining unit configured to obtain, using one of the first image and the second image and one of the third image and the fourth image, an enhanced image in which a third material different from the first material and the second material is enhanced.