X-ray Phase Contrast Image Material Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In projective X-ray imaging, structures like bones, blood vessels, and organs often overlap, making it difficult to differentiate them, and tomographic methods, which can reduce overlap, are resource-intensive and increase radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a weighted linear combination of phase and absorption images, obtained from a single X-ray spectrum, to separate information content and generate a result image with minimal overlap, by adapting the representation format of one image to match the other, either through differentiation or integration, allowing for the separation of materials like bones and soft tissues without requiring different energy spectra.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tomographic methods are used to reduce structural superimposition, then structural differentiation is improved, but resource consumption and radiation exposure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into two complementary components: absorption imaging (providing density information) and phase contrast imaging (providing refractive index information). By processing these segmented images separately and then combining them, the method achieves structural differentiation without requiring resource-intensive tomographic reconstruction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite imaging approach by combining absorption and phase contrast images into a single result image. This composite method leverages the complementary information from both imaging modalities to achieve enhanced structural differentiation while maintaining the efficiency of projective imaging
2Measurement precision
If dual-energy imaging is used to separate materials, then material separation is improved, but measurement complexity and radiation exposure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single X-ray spectrum serve multiple functions by simultaneously extracting both absorption and phase contrast information from it. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dual-energy measurements while achieving material separation through the complementary nature of absorption and phase data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by obtaining both absorption and phase contrast images from a single uninterrupted X-ray measurement. This continuous process avoids the need for separate measurements at different energy levels, reducing both time and radiation exposure while achieving material separation
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
Enables the generation of a result image that separates different materials effectively, using a single X-ray spectrum, reducing the need for additional measurements and minimizing radiation exposure, while preventing artifacts through proper image adaptation.
Implementation Method 1
Interferometric X-ray imaging (IR) is a variant of phase contrast imaging and is based on the inclusion of at least one phase grating (G1) in an X-ray imaging system
Implementation Method 2
primarily photoelectric effect and Compton effect contribute to the generation of the image signal in this case
Implementation Method 3
primarily photoelectric effect and Compton effect contribute to the generation of the image signal in this case
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an X-ray apparatus generate a projective X-ray representation of an examination object. Two projective images obtained from a phase contrast measurement are adapted to each other in respect of their representation format and a result image is generated by combining the adapted images. The result image allows extensive separation of different structures in the examination object that is used.