Scattered Radiation Model for X-ray Image Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray imaging methods suffer from reduced image quality due to scattered radiation, with current solutions like collimators or air gaps either occupying space or being impractical to implement effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method using a mathematical scattered radiation model with an X-ray mask to differentiate between direct and scattered X-rays, allowing for calibration and correction of image data to reduce unwanted scattered radiation influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If collimators or scattered radiation grids are used to filter scattered radiation, then scattered radiation is reduced, but space is occupied and non-scattered X-rays are also absorbed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the scattered radiation component from the total X-ray signal by using a mathematical model that separates scattered and non-scattered photons. Instead of physically removing scattered radiation with collimators, the system digitally extracts and removes the scattered component through model-based correction, eliminating the need for space-consuming physical filters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical collimator system with a computational approach. Instead of using physical collimators or grids to block scattered radiation, the system uses mathematical models and data processing to identify and correct scattered radiation effects, substituting mechanical filtration with digital correction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If collimators or scattered radiation grids are used to filter scattered radiation, then scattered radiation is reduced, but non-scattered X-rays are absorbed reducing measurement availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the scattered radiation component from the total signal using mathematical modeling, while preserving all non-scattered X-ray photons. The model-based correction allows selective removal of scattered photons without affecting the useful signal, eliminating the energy loss problem of physical collimators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical filtration system that indiscriminately blocks both scattered and non-scattered radiation with a computational system that selectively removes only scattered radiation through mathematical correction, preserving all useful X-ray signal energy.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If air gap technique is used to reduce scattered radiation, then scattered X-rays are filtered out, but the detector must be positioned far from the examination object
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical air gap technique with a computational correction method. Instead of increasing the detector-to-object distance to let scattered radiation diverge away from the detector, the system uses mathematical models to correct scattered radiation effects at the data processing stage, eliminating the need for large air gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mathematical scattered radiation model as an intermediary between the X-ray detection and the final image formation. This computational intermediary corrects scattered radiation effects without requiring physical separation, allowing the detector to remain close to the examination object while still achieving scattered radiation reduction.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If mathematical scattered radiation model with X-ray mask is used, then scattered radiation is reduced through calibration, but additional measurement steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calibration using a test object with known properties to determine the scattered radiation model parameters before actual examination. This preliminary action allows the system to be calibrated once or rarely, and then the calibrated model can be used for multiple examinations, reducing the time impact of calibration on routine measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a test object with known scattering characteristics as a copy or surrogate to calibrate the scattered radiation model. By measuring the test object with known properties, the system can determine correction parameters that apply to actual examination objects, avoiding the need to measure every actual object during calibration.
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 generates high-quality X-ray image data by effectively reducing the impact of scattered radiation, enabling efficient imaging of similar objects with improved image quality and reduced resource usage.
Implementation Method 1
inserting an X-ray mask with at least one region that is transparent to X-rays and with at least one region that is non-transparent to X-rays between the X-ray source and the test object
Implementation Method 2
the intensity of X-rays is, on the one hand, attenuated by absorption in dependence on the material structure of the examination object
Implementation Method 3
the additional scatter of X-rays that also occurs on interaction with materials typically also results in a significant reduction in the quality of the images
Data Source
AI summary
A mathematical scattered radiation model with a number of parameters is specified. A test object is scanned with an X-ray system to generate a first raw dataset. The test object is scanned again to generate a second raw dataset, this time with an intermediary X-ray mask having at least one X-ray transparent region and at least one X-ray non-transparent region between the X-ray source and the test object. Parameter values are determined based on the first raw dataset and on the second raw dataset, and the scattered radiation model is calibrated with the parameter values. An examination object is scanned with the X-ray system to generate a third raw dataset and the third raw dataset is processed with the calibrated scattered radiation model to generate a corrected third raw dataset. A set of X-ray image data is generated from the examination object based on the corrected third raw dataset.