X-ray ring artifact correction using pre-recorded mask images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional x-ray systems produce ring artifacts that reduce image quality, and existing ring correction methods introduce vascular edge artifacts, especially in images with contrast agents, complicating medical diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
A method that records a first x-ray image without a contrast agent as a 'mask' and a second x-ray image with the contrast agent as a 'fill' image, using the ring correction from the mask image to eliminate ring artifacts from the fill image, thereby improving image quality without introducing additional artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If ring correction methods are applied to x-ray images with contrast agents, then ring artifacts are reduced, but vascular edge artifacts are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by recording a first x-ray image without contrast agent before the contrast agent is introduced, and using this initial image to generate a ring correction profile. This preliminary measurement allows the system to understand the inherent ring artifacts from the detector and anti-scatter grid before the contrast agent is administered, enabling accurate ring correction in subsequent images without introducing vascular edge artifacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by creating a separate ring correction profile from the first x-ray image (without contrast agent). This intermediary profile serves as a reference that mediates between the raw x-ray data and the final corrected image, allowing ring artifacts to be removed while preserving vascular structures visible in the second image (with contrast agent).
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional ring correction methods are used, then ring artifacts are removed, but image processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the complex ring correction calculation in advance using the first x-ray image recorded before contrast agent administration. By pre-computing the ring correction profile, the actual correction process during the second image acquisition (with contrast agent) is significantly accelerated, as the system only needs to apply the pre-derived correction parameters rather than performing complex calculations in real-time.
3Loss of information
If x-ray images are recorded with contrast agents, then diagnostic information is improved, but ring artifacts and vascular edge artifacts reduce image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the x-ray imaging process into two distinct phases: a first recording without contrast agent to capture ring artifact characteristics, and a second recording with contrast agent to capture diagnostic information. By separating these functions, the system can optimize each phase for its specific purpose and combine the results to achieve both accurate ring correction and preserved diagnostic quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The first x-ray image without contrast agent serves as an intermediary reference that enables accurate ring correction in the second image with contrast agent. This intermediary allows the system to maintain the diagnostic benefits of contrast enhancement while removing ring artifacts through the pre-derived correction profile.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing corrected x-ray images of a recording object and a correspondingly configured x-ray system are provided. In the method, a first x-ray image recorded prior to introducing a contrast agent and a second x-ray image of the recording object recorded after introducing the contrast agent are provided. A ring correction for eliminating ring artifacts is applied to the first x-ray image and the second x-ray image in each case. In order to provide corrected x-ray images with an improved image quality, provision is made with the ring correction of the first x-ray image for a ring image, which contains artifact data extracted from the first x-ray image, to be obtained and stored and for the ring correction of the second x-ray image for the ring image obtained with the ring correction of the first x-ray image to be used.