X-ray System Spectral Filtering for Contrast Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current X-ray imaging technologies face challenges in achieving high contrast between soft tissue and contrast media, leading to increased radiation doses and undesirable side effects from contrast media, particularly at higher tube voltages.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray system with additional filters, such as those made of iridium, platinum, gold, mercury, lead, or bismuth, is used to modify the energy spectrum of X-ray radiation, optimizing the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) by adjusting the energy spectrum and contrast medium composition to reduce radiation and contrast medium doses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If higher tube voltages (>80 kV) are used for X-ray imaging, then penetration power and imaging depth are improved, but contrast between soft tissue and contrast media deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing additional filters made of materials with specific atomic numbers (higher than the contrast medium element) to modify the energy spectrum of X-ray radiation. This spectral modification creates a new energy distribution that enhances contrast at higher tube voltages, resolving the contradiction between penetration power and image contrast.
Solution Approach 2:
The additional filters serve as intermediary elements between the X-ray source and the patient. These filters selectively absorb certain energy components and transmit others, acting as a mediator that shapes the radiation spectrum to optimize both penetration and contrast simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If iodine-containing contrast media are used for enhancing image contrast, then visibility of body fluids and organs is improved, but side effects and safety risks worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the energy parameters of X-ray radiation by introducing additional filters that create a spectral distribution optimized for alternative contrast media elements. This allows using contrast media with different atomic numbers that may have improved safety profiles while maintaining or enhancing image contrast through spectral matching.
3Measurement precision
If contrast media with higher atomic numbers are used to increase X-ray absorption, then image contrast is improved, but radiation dose and safety risks worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the energy spectrum parameter of X-ray radiation using additional filters. This spectral optimization allows achieving high image contrast with reduced radiation dose by creating a more efficient energy distribution that maximizes contrast while minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure.
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 enhances image quality while reducing the radiation dose and contrast medium dose, improving diagnostic validity and safety by selectively amplifying effective photon energies and reducing low-energy photon proportions.
Implementation Method 1
the energy spectrum used is modified by at least one first filter arranged in the beam path in front of the patient
Implementation Method 2
the contrast medium contains an element which strongly absorbs X-ray radiation, in order to achieve an enhanced image contrast
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed for generating at least one x-ray image of a patient having incorporated contrast medium, using x-rays having an energy spectrum and an x-ray detector. The energy spectrum is modified by at least one first filter arranged in the beam path in front of the patient, the patient absorbing a dose in order to generate detector data for the x-ray image and the x-ray image having a CNR value which represents the ratio of the maximum contrast in the image to the noise. The energy spectrum and contrast medium are matched to each other, taking into account the thickness of the patient to be x-rayed, in such a way that an optimization criterion which is taken from an x-ray image that is generated or simulated by way of trials is maximized. Furthermore, an x-ray system is also disclosed.