Multi-Energy X-Ray Pulse Synchronization for Motion Artifact Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current x-ray imaging systems face challenges in achieving real-time multi-energy imaging due to limitations in fast switching between different energy levels, which can result in artifacts from patient or object motion and inadequate tissue/material separation in images.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a generator interface box (GIB) to control and synchronize x-ray sources and imagers, enabling rapid generation and detection of x-ray pulses at different energy levels, allowing for real-time dual-energy imaging by combining images from high and low energy x-ray pulses to enhance tissue/material separation and reduce motion artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If x-ray imaging systems use single energy level imaging, then the system complexity is low, but tissue/material separation capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic switching between different x-ray energy levels (e.g., low energy and high energy pulses) to acquire multiple energy images. This periodic action enables tissue/material separation by capturing attenuation differences at various energies, while the rapid switching maintains temporal synchronization to minimize motion artifacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the energy parameter of x-ray pulses by switching between different kVp settings (e.g., 80 kVp and 140 kVp). This parameter change allows the same imaging system to acquire images at multiple energy levels, improving tissue/material separation without requiring physically separate imaging systems for each energy level.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system switches between different energy levels rapidly, then multi-energy imaging capability is improved, but motion artifacts increase due to patient or object motion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary synchronization by precisely coordinating the timing of x-ray pulse generation with detector readout for each energy level. This preliminary timing arrangement ensures that low energy and high energy images are acquired within the same temporal window, preventing misregistration artifacts from patient motion during the switching process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous imaging action by rapidly alternating between low energy and high energy pulses within a single breath-hold or cardiac cycle. This continuous acquisition ensures that both energy levels capture the same anatomical state, eliminating motion-induced misalignment while maintaining multi-energy capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system acquires images at multiple energy levels sequentially, then tissue/material separation is enhanced, but imaging time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses rapid periodic switching between low energy and high energy x-ray pulses, acquiring both energy levels within a single breath-hold or cardiac cycle. This periodic acquisition reduces total imaging time compared to separate acquisitions, while still enabling tissue/material separation through the combined multi-energy data set.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the acquisition of low energy and high energy images into a single synchronized imaging sequence. By combining both energy level acquisitions within one temporal window and processing them together, the system achieves tissue/material separation without requiring two separate imaging procedures, thereby reducing total imaging 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
This approach enables real-time multi-energy imaging, improving tissue/material separation and reducing artifacts from motion, thereby enhancing image quality by allowing visualization of specific features that would be obscured by overlaying anatomy or structure.
Implementation Method 1
The x-ray source is constructed to generate a series of individual x-ray pulses... The series can include at least a first x-ray pulse having a first energy level and a second x-ray pulse having a second energy level different from the first energy level
Implementation Method 2
The x-ray imager is disposed so as to receive x-rays from the x-ray tube and to detect the received x-rays for image generation
Data Source
AI summary
A system can have an x-ray source that generates a series of individual x-ray pulses for multi-energy imaging. A first x-ray pulse can have a first energy level and a subsequent second x-ray pulse in the series can have a second energy level different from the first energy level. An x-ray imager can receive the x-rays from the x-ray source and can detect the received x-rays for image generation. A generator interface box (GIB) controls the x-ray source to provide the series of individual x-ray pulses and synchronizes detection by the x-ray imager with generation of the individual x-ray pulses. The GIB can control x-ray pulse generation and synchronization to optimize image generation while minimizing unnecessary x-ray irradiation.