U.S. patent application number 16/221606 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-18 for system and method for statistical iterative reconstruction and material decomposition.
The applicant listed for this patent is General Electric Company. Invention is credited to Peter Michael Edic, Geng Fu, Lin Fu, Fredrik Gronberg, Yannan Jin, Xue Rui, Mingye Wu, Brian David Yanoff.
Application Number | 20200193654 16/221606 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 68917483 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200193654 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yanoff; Brian David ; et
al. |
June 18, 2020 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STATISTICAL ITERATIVE RECONSTRUCTION AND
MATERIAL DECOMPOSITION
Abstract
A method for imaging an object to be reconstructed includes
acquiring projection data corresponding to the object. Furthermore,
the method includes generating a measured sinogram based on the
acquired projection data and formulating a forward model, where the
forward model is representative of a characteristic of the imaging
system. In addition, the method includes generating an estimated
sinogram based on an estimated image of the object and the forward
model and formulating a statistical model based on at least one of
pile-up characteristics and dead time characteristics of a detector
of the imaging system. Moreover, the method includes determining an
update corresponding to the estimated image based on the
statistical model, the measured sinogram, and the estimated
sinogram and updating the estimated image based on the determined
update to generate an updated image of the object. Additionally,
the method includes outputting a final image of the object.
Inventors: |
Yanoff; Brian David;
(Niskayuna, NY) ; Wu; Mingye; (Glenville, NY)
; Fu; Lin; (Niskayuna, NY) ; Edic; Peter
Michael; (Albany, NY) ; Rui; Xue; (Jersey
City, NJ) ; Fu; Geng; (Rexford, NY) ; Jin;
Yannan; (Niskayuna, NY) ; Gronberg; Fredrik;
(Stockholm, SE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
General Electric Company |
Schenectady |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
68917483 |
Appl. No.: |
16/221606 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01T 1/171 20130101;
A61B 6/4241 20130101; G01T 1/366 20130101; A61B 6/4233 20130101;
A61B 6/5258 20130101; G01T 1/249 20130101; G01N 23/046 20130101;
G01T 1/1663 20130101; G06T 2211/424 20130101; G01N 2223/419
20130101; A61B 6/4266 20130101; G06T 11/005 20130101; G01N 2223/401
20130101; A61B 6/032 20130101; G06T 11/006 20130101; G06T 11/003
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06T 11/00 20060101
G06T011/00; G01T 1/166 20060101 G01T001/166; G01T 1/36 20060101
G01T001/36; G01T 1/17 20060101 G01T001/17; G01T 1/24 20060101
G01T001/24; A61B 6/03 20060101 A61B006/03; A61B 6/00 20060101
A61B006/00 |
Claims
1. A method for imaging an object to be reconstructed, the method
comprising: acquiring, via an imaging system, projection data
corresponding to the object to be reconstructed; generating a
measured sinogram based on the acquired projection data;
formulating a forward model, wherein the forward model is
representative of a characteristic of the imaging system;
generating an estimated sinogram based on an estimated image of the
object and the forward model; formulating a statistical model based
on at least one of pile-up characteristics and dead time
characteristics of a detector of the imaging system; determining an
update corresponding to the estimated image based on the
statistical model, the measured sinogram, and the estimated
sinogram; updating the estimated image based on the determined
update to generate an updated image of the object; and outputting a
final image of the object.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising acquiring at least one
of the pile-up characteristics and dead time characteristics of the
detector of the imaging system and system characteristics of the
imaging system.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein formulating the forward model
comprises modeling a behavior of the imaging system based on the
system characteristics to generate the forward model.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein formulating the forward model
comprises modeling a behavior of the imaging system based on the
pile-up characteristics, the dead time characteristics, or a
combination thereof.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the statistical model is based on
pulse responses of the detector, and wherein the statistical model
comprises correction for pile-up in the mean and variance of
measured counts of the detector.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising estimating at least
one parameter of the statistical model based on one or more of
detector measurements corresponding to two or more neighboring
detector channels and detector measurements corresponding to two or
more energy bins.
7. The method of claim 5, further comprising iteratively estimating
at least one parameter of the statistical model.
8. The method of claim 5, further comprising estimating at least
one parameter of the statistical model based on at least one of a
denoising technique, a variance reduction technique, a deep neural
network, or combinations thereof.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein formulating the statistical model
comprises: modeling a behavior of the detector of the imaging
system based on at least one of the pile-up characteristics, the
dead time characteristics, a measured detector behavior, or
combinations thereof, to generate a detector behavior model;
determining one or more noise correction factors based on the
detector behavior model; and determining one or more statistical
weighting factors based at least on the one or more noise
correction factors.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more noise correction
factors have a value of unity for the lowest count rate, and
wherein the one or more noise correction factors asymptotically
approach a zero value for high count rates.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein formulating the statistical
model comprises: determining a simulated noise model based on at
least one of the pile-up characteristics and the dead time
characteristics; simulating noise corresponding to one or more
configurations of the imaging system using the simulated noise
model; measuring noise corresponding to the one or more
configurations of the imaging system using a conventional noise
model; comparing the simulated noise with the measured noise to
determine one or more noise correction factors; and determining one
or more statistical weighting factors based at least on the one or
more noise correction factors.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising adaptively adjusting
the one or more statistical weighting factors to compensate for
pile-up of a measurement signal.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein adaptively adjusting the one or
more statistical weighting factors comprises determining a scaling
function based on a detected signal level of the measurement
signal, and wherein the scaling function is configured to
selectively modify the one or more statistical weighting factors
based on the measurement signal.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein formulating the statistical
model comprises deriving a parametric statistical model based on
the physics of pile-up of a measurement signal.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein formulating the statistical
model comprises: simulating or measuring a pile-up process of the
detector based on at least one of the pile-up characteristics and
the dead time characteristics; determining one or more pile-up
correction metrics based on a detector signal, wherein the one or
more pile-up correction metrics comprise one or more of a pile-up
ratio, a signal corrected for the pile-up, a deficiency signal
corresponding to the pile-up; and determining one or more
statistical weighting factors based at least on the one or more
pile-up correction metrics.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the update to the
estimated image comprises: determining a statistically weighted
difference between the measured sinogram and the estimated sinogram
based on the one or more statistical weighting factors; and
computing the update to the estimated image based on the
statistically-weighted difference between the measured sinogram and
the estimated sinogram.
17. The method of claim 1, further comprising: correcting the
measured sinogram based on a pile-up model to generate a
pile-up-corrected sinogram; determining the update to the estimated
image based on the statistical model and the pile-up-corrected
sinogram; and updating the estimated image based on the determined
update to generate an updated image.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein the measured sinogram is a basis
material sinogram, an energy bin sinogram, or both.
19. A system, comprising: a noise correction platform configured
to: generate a measured sinogram based on projection data
corresponding to an object to be reconstructed; formulate a forward
model, wherein the forward model is representative of one or more
characteristics of an imaging system; generate an estimated
sinogram based on an estimated image, the forward model, or both
the estimated image and the forward model; formulate a statistical
model based on at least one of the pile-up characteristics and dead
time characteristics of a detector of the imaging system; determine
an update corresponding to the estimated image based on the
statistical model and the estimated sinogram; update the estimated
image based on the determined update to generate an updated image
of the object; and output a final image of the object.
20. An imaging system for imaging an object to be reconstructed,
the system comprising: an acquisition subsystem configured to
acquire projection data corresponding to the object; a processing
subsystem in operative association with the acquisition subsystem
and comprising a noise correction platform, wherein the noise
correction platform is configured to: generate a measured sinogram
based on the projection data corresponding to the object; formulate
a forward model, wherein the forward model is representative of a
characteristic of the imaging system; generate an estimated
sinogram based on an estimated image, the forward model, or both
the estimated image and the forward model; formulate a statistical
model based on at least one of pile-up characteristics and dead
time characteristics of a detector of the imaging system; determine
an update corresponding to the estimated image based on the
statistical model and the estimated sinogram; update the estimated
image based on the determined update to generate an updated image
of the object; output a final image of the object; and a display
configured to visualize at least one of the final image, the
updated image, the measured sinogram, the estimated sinogram.
21. The imaging system of claim 20, wherein the imaging system is a
photon counting computed tomography imaging system.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Embodiments of the present specification generally relate to
photon-counting computed tomography imaging systems, and more
specifically to a system and method for enhancing image quality in
photon-counting computed tomography systems via use of a model that
incorporates unique statistical properties of X-ray pile-up.
[0002] Radiographic imaging systems, such as X-ray and computed
tomography (CT) systems have been employed for observing interior
aspects of objects. Typically, the imaging systems include an X-ray
source that is configured to emit X-rays toward an object of
interest, such as a patient, a work piece, a parcel, a piece of
luggage, and so forth. A detecting device, such as an array of
radiation detectors, is positioned on the opposite side of the
object and is configured to detect the X-rays transmitted through
the object.
[0003] As will be appreciated, a CT scan is conducted by measuring
a series of projection measurements from many different angles
around a patient or object. These measurements are combined into a
sinogram, which collects the projection data from multiple views
into a single data set. A reconstruction algorithm is used to
process the sinogram to produce an image representing the patient
or object. Currently, there exist multiple methods for image
reconstruction. In recent years, statistical iterative
reconstruction (SIR) methods have been used to produce images of
very high quality, while reducing the required radiation dose.
[0004] Error! Reference source not found. Using the SIR method, the
objective is to produce reconstructed images that would result in
estimated sinograms that best match a set of measured sinograms
collected from a CT scan. On each iteration of the SIR method, the
reconstructed image and the known geometry and other
characteristics of the CT system are used by a forward model to
compute the estimated sinogram that would be produced by the
reconstructed image. The forward model essentially simulates the
attenuation of X-rays as they pass from the X-ray source, through
the patient, as represented by the reconstructed images, and into
the detector of the CT system.
[0005] Subsequently, the estimated sinogram is compared with the
measured sinogram from the CT scan. Based on this comparison, an
updated reconstructed image is computed that is configured to make
the sinogram estimated by the forward model more similar to the
measured sinogram in the subsequent iteration. Typically, the
update step is performed as an optimization of an objective
function.
[0006] Conventional CT and other radiographic imaging systems
utilize detectors that convert radiographic energy integrated over
a time period into electrical current signals, which are ultimately
digitized. A drawback of such detectors however is their inability
to provide data or feedback regarding the number and/or energy of
detected photons. Energy-discriminating, direct-conversion
detectors that are capable of counting X-rays detected during a
period of time and providing a measurement of the energy level of
each X-ray detected have been employed in prototype CT systems.
However, a drawback of these direct-conversion semiconductor
detectors is their inability to count at the X-ray photon flux
rates typically encountered with conventional CT systems.
[0007] Photon-counting CT systems record individual X-ray photons
as the photons reach the detector. Disadvantageously, the
photon-counting CT systems are unable to efficiently count X-rays
that arrive too close together in time. This is typically a problem
for measurements at high X-ray flux, and/or in regions of a
sinogram including little attenuation through the patient and/or
the X-ray source pre-patient filter (bowtie). Certain techniques
for a photon-counting CT system to account for pile-up entail
correcting the measured sinograms before comparing the estimated
sinogram with the measured sinogram.
[0008] However, in addition to impacting the number of counts
recorded, pile-up also impacts the noise in CT projection data.
Noise in projection measurements typically increase with the X-ray
flux, following approximately a Poisson distribution.
Disadvantageously, when pile-up occurs, both the number of counts
and the variation in counts are reduced.
[0009] Further, the very high X-ray photon flux rate has been known
to cause pile-up and polarization in certain direct-conversion
devices that ultimately leads to detector saturation. "Pile-up" is
a phenomenon that occurs when X-ray flux incident at the detector
is so high that there is a non-negligible possibility that two or
more X-ray photons interact with the direct-conversion sensor and
deposit charge packets in a single pixel ("photon pile-up"), or in
neighboring pixels ("pattern pile-up"), during one
charge-integration cycle. In such cases, these events are
recognized as one single event having the sum of the individual
photon energies. If this happens sufficiently often, a significant
distortion of the detected spectrum may result as piled-up events
are shifted in the spectrum to higher energies. In addition,
pile-up leads to a more or less pronounced depression of efficiency
in a projection area including lower attenuation, resulting in flux
detection loss. In particular, these detectors typically saturate
at relatively low X-ray flux levels. Above these levels, the
detector response is less predictable and has degraded dose
utilization. That is, once a pixel is saturated (corresponding to
higher values in the measured photon counts), additional radiation
will not produce useful information in the measurements.
[0010] As known in the art, energy-discriminating photon detection
systems place X-rays into one or more energy bins. One type of
processing of energy bin values called Optimal Energy Weighting
(OEW) may enhance the contrast-to-noise ratio relative to a
conventional CT system which employs an energy-integration process
(the total energy deposited during an acquisition interval is
summed). Another type of processing of multiple energy-bin data is
called Material Decomposition and is configured to extract
quantitative tissue compositional information, if sufficient photon
statistics exist, by processing data from multiple energy bins. In
particular, photon-counting detectors make it possible to improve
image quality and may offer new kinds of tissue compositional
information than conventional energy-integrating systems.
[0011] Further, as will be appreciated, detector saturation leads
to corruption of imaging information and consequently results in
noise and artifacts in X-ray projection data and reconstructed CT
images. Photon-counting direct-conversion detectors are known to
suffer from decreased detector quantum efficiency (DQE) at high
count rates mainly due to detector pile-up. In particular,
photon-counting direct-conversion detectors incur pile-up due to
the intrinsic charge collection time (i.e., dead time) associated
with each X-ray photon event. As indicated above, saturation
ultimately is often due to pulse pile-up, particularly when the
X-ray photon absorption rate for each pixel is on the order of the
inverse of this charge collection time. The reciprocal of the
charge collection time is called the maximum periodic rate (MPR).
When the true mean X-ray count rate incident on the detector is
equal to the maximum periodic rate, the recorded counts are one
half the input detected counts and the output count rate is only
one half the MPR. Reduced DQE results in reduced image quality,
i.e., a noisier image. In addition, hysteresis and other non-linear
effects occur at flux levels near and above detector saturation and
lead to additional image artifacts.
[0012] In addition, the relationship between the true signal and
the measured signal becomes non-linear, showing a reduction as the
count rate is increased. This pile-up effect, if stable, may be
calibrated and corrected, thereby increasing the effective count
rate capability of the detector, albeit with a penalty of higher
noise. However, if the count rate is increased to a point where the
relationship between the true signal and the measured signal
becomes non-monotonic, which is a characteristic of paralyzable
electronics, correction of this non-monotonic relationship may no
longer be practical. In particular, when the detector is
over-ranged, the recorded count rate may be non-monotonic for
increasing flux rate for paralyzable electronics or becomes the
maximum achievable count rate for non-paralyzable electronics.
[0013] Previously conceived solutions to enable photon counting at
high X-ray flux rates include using bowtie shaped filters to
pre-condition the flux rate at the detector, compensating for the
patient shape. Also, it has been proposed to subdivide the pixel
into multiple sub-pixels, each sub-pixel connected to its own
preamplifier and associated electronics. By reducing the area of
the direct conversion sub-pixel, the flux rate capability may be
increased as fewer photons are collected in the smaller area during
an acquisition interval. However, the signal-to-noise ratio of the
resulting signal may be reduced, and the level of crosstalk, both
in terms of photons and deposited charge between neighboring
detector pixels may be disadvantageously significant due to the
increased perimeter between sub-pixels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0014] In accordance with aspects of the present specification, a
method for imaging an object to be reconstructed is presented. The
method includes acquiring, via an imaging system, projection data
corresponding to the object to be reconstructed. Furthermore, the
method includes generating a measured sinogram based on the
acquired projection data. Also, the method includes formulating a
forward model, where the forward model is representative of a
characteristic of the imaging system. In addition, the method
includes generating an estimated sinogram based on an estimated
image of the object and the forward model. The method also includes
formulating a statistical model based on at least one of pile-up
characteristics and dead time characteristics of a detector of the
imaging system. Moreover, the method includes determining an update
corresponding to the estimated image based on the statistical
model, the measured sinogram, and the estimated sinogram. Further,
the method includes updating the estimated image based on the
determined update to generate an updated image of the object.
Additionally, the method includes outputting a final image of the
object.
[0015] In accordance with another aspect of the present
specification, a system is presented. The system includes a noise
correction platform configured to generate a measured sinogram
based on projection data corresponding to an object to be
reconstructed, formulate a forward model, where the forward model
is representative of one or more characteristics of an imaging
system, generate an estimated sinogram based on an estimated image,
the forward model, or both the estimated image and the forward
model, formulate a statistical model based on at least one of the
pile-up characteristics and dead time characteristics of a detector
of the imaging system, determine an update corresponding to the
estimated image based on the statistical model and the estimated
sinogram, update the estimated image based on the determined update
to generate an updated image of the object, and output a final
image of the object.
[0016] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
specification, an imaging system for imaging an object is
presented. The system includes an acquisition subsystem configured
to acquire projection data corresponding to the object. Moreover,
the system includes a processing subsystem in operative association
with the acquisition subsystem and including a noise correction
platform, where the noise correction platform is configured to
generate a measured sinogram based on the projection data
corresponding to the object, formulate a forward model, where the
forward model is representative of a characteristic of the imaging
system, generate an estimated sinogram based on an estimated image,
the forward model, or both the estimated image and the forward
model, formulate a statistical model based on at least one of
pile-up characteristics and dead time characteristics of a detector
of the imaging system, determine an update corresponding to the
estimated image based on the statistical model and the estimated
sinogram, update the estimated image based on the determined update
to generate an updated image of the object, and output a final
image of the object. Additionally, the system includes a display
configured to visualize at least one of the final image, the
updated image, the measured sinogram, the estimated sinogram, or
combinations thereof.
DRAWINGS
[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present disclosure will become better understood when the following
detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout
the drawings, wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical illustration of a system for
imaging, in accordance with aspects of the present
specification;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary imaging system in
the form of a CT imaging system for use in the exemplary system of
FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a physical implementation of
the CT system of FIG. 2;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method of imaging, in accordance
with aspects of the present specification;
[0022] FIG. 5 depicts a flow chart illustrating another exemplary
method for imaging, in accordance with aspects of the present
specification;
[0023] FIG. 6 depicts a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method
for formulating a forward model for use in the method of FIG. 4, in
accordance with aspects of the present specification;
[0024] FIG. 7 depicts a flow chart illustrating another exemplary
method for formulating a forward model for use in the method of
FIG. 5, in accordance with aspects of the present
specification;
[0025] FIG. 8 depicts a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method
for formulating a statistical model for use in the methods of FIGS.
4-5, in accordance with aspects of the present specification;
[0026] FIG. 9 depicts a flow chart illustrating another exemplary
method for formulating a statistical model for use in the methods
of FIG. 4-5, in accordance with aspects of the present
specification;
[0027] FIG. 10 depicts a flow chart illustrating yet another
exemplary method for formulating a statistical model for use in the
methods of FIGS. 4-5, in accordance with aspects of the present
specification;
[0028] FIG. 11 depicts a flow chart illustrating an exemplary
method for determining updates to an estimated image for use in the
methods of FIGS. 4-5, in accordance with aspects of the present
specification;
[0029] FIG. 12 depicts a graphical representation of a pile-up
ratio, in accordance with aspects of the present specification;
and
[0030] FIG. 13 depicts a graphical representation of one embodiment
of a noise pile-up correction factor, in accordance with aspects of
the present specification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] As will be appreciated, during imaging an object of interest
using photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT), individual X-ray
photons are detected and recorded as they interact with the
detector. However, the PCCT systems may suffer from imperfect
counting of X-rays that arrive too close together in time. This is
typically a problem for measurements at high X-ray flux, and/or
regions of a sinogram with little attenuation through the patient
and/or the X-ray source pre-patient filter (bowtie). There is
therefore a need for a design that advantageously combines
information from a photon-counting detector in an optimal way,
taking into account associated noise in order to extend the flux
rate capability and allow efficient photon counting in medical and
industrial applications that are heretofore unmanageable because
either the incident flux rate or the dynamic range requirements are
too high. Additionally, there is a particular need for correction
algorithms for known deleterious effects, such as pile-up and pixel
over-range. There is also a need for a CT system that enhances
image quality and provides sufficient photon-count statistics in
one or more energy bins to ensure statistically-significant tissue
compositional information.
[0032] As will be described in detail hereinafter, various
embodiments of systems and methods for statistical iterative
reconstruction and/or material decomposition are presented. The
systems and methods presented herein entail use of a noise model,
where unique statistical properties of X-ray pile-up are
incorporated into the noise model of an iterative algorithm for
statistical image reconstruction or material decomposition for PCCT
imaging. In particular, the exemplary noise model of statistical
behavior of a detector with pile-up is incorporated into an
objective function in an optimization step of the iterative
algorithm, thereby performing at least of one of optimizing the
noise and reducing artifacts in a reconstructed image by accounting
for statistical uncertainty in respective measurements. It may be
noted that the terms "noise model," "statistical model," and
"statistical noise model" may be used interchangeably.
[0033] Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one
of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The
terms "first", "second", and the like, as used herein do not denote
any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to
distinguish one element from another. Also, the terms "a" and "an"
do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the
presence of at least one of the referenced items. The term "or" is
meant to be inclusive and mean one, some, or all of the listed
items. The use of "including," "comprising" or "having" and
variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed
thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The
terms "connected" and "coupled" are not restricted to physical or
mechanical connections or couplings, and can include electrical
connections or couplings, whether direct or indirect. Furthermore,
the terms "circuit" and "circuitry" and "controller" may include
either a single component or a plurality of components, which are
either active and/or passive and are connected or otherwise coupled
together to provide the described function.
[0034] For clarity, exemplary embodiments of the present systems
and methods are described in the context of a computed tomography
(CT) imaging system. However, it will be appreciated that use of
the present systems and methods in various other imaging
applications and systems is also contemplated. Some of these
systems, for example, may include a single photon emission computed
tomography (SPECT) system, a positron emission tomography (PET)
system, an X-ray imaging system, and/or an optical imaging system.
An exemplary environment that is suitable for practicing various
implementations of the present system and methods is discussed in
the following sections with reference to FIGS. 1-3.
[0035] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an
exemplary system 100 for use in diagnostic imaging, in accordance
with aspects of the present specification. In particular, the
system 100 is configured to generate one or more images
corresponding to an object to be reconstructed. By way of example,
the system 100 may be configured to generate images corresponding
to a target volume and/or internal structures of an object 102 such
as a patient/subject or a non-biological object. More specifically,
the system 100 is configured to enhance the quality of imaging via
use of a noise model with an iterative algorithm for statistical
image reconstruction or material decomposition.
[0036] The system 100 is configured to acquire image data
corresponding to an object to be reconstructed such as a patient
102. In one example, the system 100 includes a medical imaging
system 108 configured to acquire projection data for use in
generating desired images of the patient 102. It should be noted
that although the exemplary embodiments illustrated hereinafter are
described in the context of a medical imaging system, other imaging
systems and applications such as industrial imaging systems and
non-destructive evaluation and inspection systems; such as pipeline
inspection systems, explosives detection system, and liquid reactor
inspection systems; are also contemplated. Additionally, the
exemplary embodiments illustrated and described hereinafter may
find application in multi-modality imaging systems that employ CT
imaging in conjunction with other imaging modalities, for example,
SPECT, PET, X-ray, optical imaging systems, position-tracking
systems, or other sensor systems.
[0037] In a presently contemplated configuration, the medical
imaging system 108 includes an acquisition subsystem 110 and a
processing subsystem 112. The acquisition subsystem 110 of the
medical imaging system 108 is configured to acquire projection data
representative of one or more anatomical regions of interest in the
patient 102. It may be noted that the data acquisition subsystem
110 measures photon counts detected in one or more energy bins
during one or more acquisition intervals. This data may be
transferred directly to processing subsystem 112 or processed
further before being transferred to processing subsystem 112. For
example, the detected photon counts may be processed to generate
projection data corresponding to line integrals of the linear
attenuation coefficients of materials positioned between the X-ray
source and detector element. It may be noted that the data
including both detected counts and/or processed detected counts is
collectively referred to as projection data. Further, the
projection data acquired from the patient 102 is processed by the
processing subsystem 112 to generate images corresponding to the
anatomical regions of interest in the patient 102.
[0038] The processing subsystem 112, for example, may include one
or more application-specific processors, graphical processing
units, digital signal processors, microcomputers, microcontrollers,
Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field
Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Programmable Logic Arrays (PLAs),
and/or other suitable processing devices. Additionally or
alternatively, the processing subsystem 112 may be configured to
store the acquired projection data and/or the user input in a data
repository 116 for later use. In one embodiment, the data
repository 116, for example, may include a hard disk drive, a
floppy disk drive, a compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W) drive, a
Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) drive, a flash drive, and/or a
solid-state storage device.
[0039] In certain embodiments, the processing subsystem 112 may be
configured to retrieve the projection data and/or any user input
from the data repository 116 for reconstructing images of a target
volume corresponding to the patient 102. Additionally or
optionally, in one embodiment, the processing subsystem 112 may be
configured to pre-process the acquired projection data for
reconstruction and/or motion-correction based on specific physical
principles employed by the system 100 for imaging the target
volume. For example, if the system medical imaging system 108
corresponds to a CT imaging system, the processing subsystem 116
may be configured to perform dynamic range normalization to produce
Hounsfield Units in reconstructing desired images of the target
volume.
[0040] As will be appreciated, a drawback of detectors that are
used in conventional photon-counting imaging systems is their
inability to count at the X-ray photon flux rates typically
encountered with CT systems. In particular, pile-up and
polarization caused by very high X-ray photon flux rate lead to
detector saturation, flux loss, and unpredictable behavior of the
detectors. Moreover, detector saturation leads to loss of imaging
information and consequently results in noise and artifacts in
X-ray projection and CT images. Photon-counting direct-conversion
detectors may to suffer from decreased detector quantum efficiency
(DQE) at high count rates mainly due to detector pile-up, thereby
resulting in reduced image quality, i.e., a noisier image. In
addition, hysteresis and other non-linear effects occur at flux
levels near detector saturation as well as flux levels over
detector saturation, leading to image artifacts.
[0041] In accordance with exemplary aspects of the present
specification, the processing subsystem 112 may include a noise
correction platform 114 that is configured to aid in the correction
of known deleterious effects, such as pile-up and pixel over-range.
More particularly, the noise correction platform 114 is configured
to facilitate reduction of noise in reconstructed images.
Specifically, the noise correction platform 114 is configured to
process the acquired projection data via a noise model that
incorporates the statistical properties of noise, thereby
facilitating reduction in noise in the reconstructed images. The
exemplary noise correction platform 114 is configured to generate a
measured sinogram based on projection data corresponding to an
object, formulate a forward model, where the forward model is
representative of a behavior/one or more characteristics of an
imaging system, generate an estimated sinogram based on an
estimated image, the forward model, or both the estimated image and
the forward model, formulate a statistical model based on pile-up
characteristics and dead time characteristics of a detector of the
imaging system, determine an image update corresponding to the
estimated image based on the statistical model and the estimated
sinogram, update the estimated image based on the determined update
to generate an updated image having reduced noise, and output at
least a final image of the object/patient 102. The final image of
the object may include a final reconstructed image of the patient
102. Also, in one example, the final reconstructed image may be
output in the form of a visualization on a display such as a
display 118. In certain embodiments, the final reconstructed image
may include monochromatic energy images or basis material images.
The noise correction platform 114 will be described in greater
detail with reference to FIGS. 4-13.
[0042] Also, in the presently contemplated configuration
illustrated in FIG. 1, the processing subsystem 112 is shown as
including the noise correction platform 114, However, in certain
embodiments, the noise correction platform 114 may also be used as
a standalone unit that is physically separate from the processing
subsystem 112 and the medical imaging system 108. By way of
example, the noise correction platform 114 may be external to and
operatively coupled to the medical imaging system 108.
[0043] In certain embodiments, the processing subsystem 112 may be
further coupled to a storage system, such as the data repository
116. The data repository 116 is configured to receive and/or store
image data.
[0044] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the medical imaging
system 108 may include the display 118 and a user interface 120.
However, in certain embodiments, such as in a touch screen, the
display 118 and the user interface 120 may overlap. Also, in some
embodiments, the display 118 and the user interface 120 may include
a common area. In accordance with aspects of the present
specification, the display 118 of the medical imaging system 108
may be configured to display an image generated by the medical
imaging system 108 based on the projection data that has been
acquired and processed by the noise correction platform 114.
Additionally, the reconstructed images generated by the medical
imaging system 108 may be employed to aid a clinician in
identifying disease states, assessing need for treatment,
determining suitable treatment options, and/or monitoring the
effect of treatment on the disease states. It may be noted that the
terms treatment and therapy may be used interchangeably.
[0045] In addition, the user interface 120 of the medical imaging
system 108 may include a human interface device (not shown)
configured to facilitate the clinician in manipulating image data
displayed on the display 118. The human interface device may
include a mouse-type device, a trackball, a joystick, a stylus, or
a touch screen configured to facilitate the clinician to identify
one or more regions of interest requiring therapy. However, as will
be appreciated, other human interface devices, such as, but not
limited to, a touch screen, may also be employed. Furthermore, in
accordance with aspects of the present specification, the user
interface 120 may be configured to aid the clinician in navigating
through the images generated by the medical imaging system 108.
[0046] As previously noted with reference to FIG. 1, the medical
imaging system 108 may include a CT imaging system. FIG. 2 is a
block diagram showing an imaging system 200 for acquiring and
processing image data, in accordance with the present
specification. In the illustrated embodiment, the system 200 is a
CT imaging system designed to acquire X-ray projection data, to
reconstruct the projection data into an image, and to process the
image data for display and analysis in accordance with the present
specification. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the imaging
system 200 includes a source of X-ray radiation 202. In one
embodiment, the source of X-ray radiation 200 may include an X-ray
tube. The source of X-ray radiation 202 may include thermionic or
solid-state electron emitters directed at an anode to generate
X-rays or, indeed, any other emitter capable of generating X-rays
having a spectrum and energy useful for imaging a desired object.
Examples of suitable electron emitters include tungsten filament,
tungsten plate, field emitter, thermal field emitter, dispenser
cathode, thermionic cathode, photo-emitter, and ferroelectric
cathode.
[0047] The source of radiation 202 may be positioned near a
collimator 204, which may be configured to shape a stream of
radiation 206 that is emitted by the source of radiation 202. The
stream of radiation 206 passes into the imaging volume containing a
subject 208 to be imaged, such as the patient 102 (see FIG. 1). The
stream of radiation 206 may be generally fan-shaped or cone-shaped,
depending on the configuration of the detector array as well as the
desired method of data acquisition. A portion 210 of radiation
passes through or around the subject 208 and impacts a detector
array, represented generally by reference numeral 212. Detector
elements of the detector or detector array 212 produce electrical
signals that represent the intensity of the incident X-ray beam or
the counts of photons detected during an acquisition interval in
one or more energy bins. These signals are acquired and processed
to reconstruct an image of the features within the subject 208.
[0048] The radiation source 202 is controlled by a system
controller 214, which furnishes both power and control signals for
CT examination sequences. Moreover, the detector 212 is coupled to
the system controller 214, which commands acquisition of the
signals generated in the detector 212. The system controller 214
may also execute various signal processing and filtration
functions, such as for initial adjustment of dynamic ranges,
interleaving of digital image data, and so forth. In general, the
system controller 214 commands operation of the imaging system 200
to execute examination protocols and to process acquired data. In
the present context, the system controller 214 also includes signal
processing circuitry, typically based upon a general purpose or
application-specific digital computer, associated memory circuitry
for storing programs and routines executed by the computer, as well
as configuration parameters and image data, interface circuits, and
so forth.
[0049] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the system
controller 214 is coupled via a motor controller 222 to a
rotational subsystem 216 and a linear positioning subsystem 218. In
one embodiment, the rotational subsystem 216 enables the X-ray
source 202, the collimator 204, and the detector 212 to be rotated
one or multiple turns around the patient 208. In other embodiments,
the rotational subsystem 216 may rotate only one of the source 202
or the detector 212 or may differentially activate various
stationary electron emitters to generate X-ray radiation and/or
detector elements arranged in a ring about the imaging volume. In
embodiments in which the source 202 and/or detector 212 are
rotated, the rotational subsystem 216 may include a gantry (not
shown in FIG. 2). Thus, the system controller 214 may be utilized
to operate the gantry. The linear positioning subsystem 218 enables
the patient 208, or more specifically a patient table (not shown in
FIG. 2), to be displaced linearly. Thus, the patient table may be
linearly moved within the gantry to generate images of particular
areas of the patient 208.
[0050] Additionally, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the
art, the source of radiation 202 may be controlled by an X-ray
controller 220 disposed within the system controller 214.
Particularly, the X-ray controller 220 is configured to provide
power and timing signals to the X-ray source 202.
[0051] Further, the system controller 214 is also illustrated as
including a data acquisition system 224. In this embodiment, the
detector 212 is coupled to the system controller 214, and more
particularly to the data acquisition system 224. The data
acquisition system 224 receives data collected by readout
electronics of the detector 212. The data acquisition system 224
typically receives sampled analog signals from the detector 212 and
converts the data to digital signals for subsequent processing by a
computer 226.
[0052] The computer 226 typically is coupled to or incorporates the
system controller 214. The data collected by the data acquisition
system 224 may be transmitted to the computer 226 for subsequent
processing and reconstruction. The computer 226 may include or
communicate with a memory 228 that may store data processed by the
computer 226 or data to be processed by the computer 226. It may be
noted that any type of memory configured to store a large amount of
data might be utilized by the system 200. Moreover, the memory 228
may be located at the acquisition system or may include remote
components, such as network accessible memory media, for storing
data, processing parameters, and/or routines for implementing the
techniques described hereinafter.
[0053] The computer 226 may also be adapted to control features
such as scanning operations and data acquisition that may be
enabled by the system controller 214. Furthermore, the computer 226
may be configured to receive commands and scanning parameters from
an operator via an operator workstation 230, which is typically
equipped with a keyboard and other input devices (not shown). It
may be noted that the operator workstation 230 may include the user
interface 120 (see FIG. 1), in certain embodiments. An operator,
such as a clinician or technician, may thereby control the system
200 via the input devices. Thus, the clinician or technician may
observe the reconstructed image and other data relevant to the
system 200 from the computer 226, initiate imaging, and so
forth.
[0054] A display 232 coupled to the operator workstation 230 may be
utilized to observe the reconstructed images. It may be noted that
the display 232 may be the display 118 (see FIG. 1), in certain
embodiments. Additionally, the scanned image may also be printed by
a printer 234, which may be coupled to the operator workstation
230. The display 232 and the printer 234 may also be connected to
the computer 226, either directly or via the operator workstation
230. The operator workstation 230 may also be coupled to a picture
archiving and communications system (PACS) 236. It should be noted
that PACS 236 might be coupled to a remote system 238, such as
radiology department information system (RIS), hospital information
system (HIS), or to an internal or external network, so that other
clinicians at different locations may gain access to the image
data.
[0055] It should be further noted that the computer 226 and the
operator workstation 230 may be coupled to other output devices,
which may include standard or special purpose computer monitors and
associated processing circuitry. One or more operator workstations
230 may be further linked in the system for outputting system
parameters, requesting examinations, viewing images, and so forth.
In general, displays, printers, workstations, and similar devices
supplied within the system 200 may be local to the data acquisition
components, or may be remote from these components, such as
elsewhere within an institution or hospital, or in an entirely
different location, linked to the image acquisition system via one
or more configurable networks, such as the Internet, a virtual
private network, or the like.
[0056] As noted hereinabove, an exemplary imaging system utilized
in a present embodiment may be a CT scanning system 300, as
depicted in greater detail in FIG. 3. The CT scanning system 300
may be a multi-slice CT (MSCT) system that offers a wide array of
axial coverage, high rotational speed of the gantry, and high
spatial resolution. Alternatively, the CT scanning system 300 may
be a volumetric CT (VCT) system utilizing a cone-beam geometry and
an area detector to allow the imaging of a volume, such as an
entire internal organ of a subject, at high or low gantry
rotational speeds. The CT scanning system 300 is illustrated with a
frame 302 and a gantry 304 that has an aperture 306 through which a
patient such as the patient 102 (see FIG. 1) may be moved. A
patient table 308 may be positioned in the aperture 306 of the
frame 302 and the gantry 304 to facilitate movement of the patient
102, typically via linear displacement of the table 308 by the
linear positioning subsystem 218 (see FIG. 2). The gantry 304 is
illustrated with the source of radiation 310, such as an X-ray tube
that emits X-ray radiation from one or more focal points 312. In
the example of cardiac imaging, the stream of radiation is directed
towards a cross section of the patient 102 including the heart.
[0057] In typical operation, the X-ray source 310 projects an X-ray
beam from the focal point 312 and toward a detector array 314. The
collimator 204 (see FIG. 2), such as lead or tungsten shutters,
typically defines the size and shape of the X-ray beam that emerges
from the X-ray source 310. The detector 314 is generally formed by
a plurality of detector elements, which detect the X-rays that pass
through and around a region of interest in the patient 102, such as
the heart or chest. Each detector element produces an electrical
signal that represents the intensity of the X-ray beam at the
position of the element during the time the beam strikes the
detector. Alternatively, in an energy-discriminating,
photon-counting CT system, each detector element produces a count
of detected photons during an acquisition interval in one or more
energy bins. The gantry 304 is rotated around the patient 102 of
interest so that a plurality of radiographic views may be collected
by the computer 226 (see FIG. 2).
[0058] Thus, as the X-ray source 310 and the detector 314 rotate,
the detector 314 collects data related to the attenuated X-ray
beams. Data collected from the detector 314 then undergoes
pre-processing and calibration to condition the data to represent
the line integrals of the attenuation coefficients of the scanned
objects. The processed data, commonly called projections or
projection data, may then be filtered and backprojected to
formulate an image of the scanned area. A formulated image may
incorporate, in certain modes, projection data for less or more
than 360 degrees of rotation of the gantry 304.
[0059] Once reconstructed, the image produced by the systems of
FIGS. 2-3 reveals internal features 316 of the patient 102. In
traditional approaches for the diagnosis of disease states, and
more generally of medical conditions or events, a radiologist or
physician typically consider a reconstructed image 318 to discern
characteristic features of interest. In cardiac imaging, such
features 316 include coronary arteries or stenotic lesions of
interest, and other features, which would be discernable in the
image, based upon the skill and knowledge of the individual
practitioner. Other analyses may be based upon capabilities of
various algorithms, including algorithms generally referred to as
computer-aided detection or computer-aided diagnosis (CAD)
algorithms.
[0060] The working of the system 100 (see FIG. 1) and the noise
correction platform 114 (see FIG. 1) in particular may be better
understood with reference to the exemplary logic depicted in FIGS.
4-11.
[0061] In the present specification, embodiments of exemplary
methods of FIGS. 4-11 may be described in a general context of
computer executable instructions on a computing system or a
processor. Generally, computer executable instructions may include
routines, programs, objects, components, data structures,
procedures, modules, functions, and the like that perform
particular functions or implement particular abstract data
types.
[0062] Additionally, embodiments of the exemplary methods of FIGS.
4-11 may also be practiced in a distributed computing environment
where optimization functions are performed by remote processing
devices that are linked through a wired and/or wireless
communication network. In the distributed computing environment,
the computer executable instructions may be located in both local
and remote computer storage media, including memory storage
devices.
[0063] Further, in FIGS. 4-11, the exemplary methods are
illustrated as a collection of blocks in a logical flow chart,
which represents operations that may be implemented in hardware,
software, or combinations thereof. The various operations are
depicted in the blocks to illustrate the functions that are
performed. In the context of software, the blocks represent
computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processing
subsystems, perform the recited operations.
[0064] The order in which the exemplary methods of FIGS. 4-11 are
described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any
number of the described blocks may be combined in any order to
implement the exemplary methods disclosed herein, or equivalent
alternative methods. Additionally, certain blocks may be deleted
from the exemplary methods or augmented by additional blocks with
added functionality without departing from the spirit and scope of
the subject matter described herein. Although, the exemplary
embodiments illustrated hereinafter are described in the context of
a medical imaging system, it will be appreciated that use of the
systems and methods in industrial applications is also contemplated
in conjunction with the present specification.
[0065] Referring now to FIG. 4, a flow chart of exemplary logic 400
for a method of imaging is illustrated. In accordance with
exemplary aspects of the present specification, a method for
enhancing image quality in PCCT systems via use of a model that
incorporates unique statistical properties of X-ray pile-up is
presented. The method 400 is described with reference to the
components of FIGS. 1-3. Also, in certain embodiments, the noise
correction platform 114 may be employed to perform the steps of the
method 400.
[0066] The method starts at step 402, where a CT scan of a patient
such as the patient 102, 208 is performed where CT projection data
corresponding to one or more anatomical regions of interest in the
patient 208 is acquired. By way of example, the medical imaging
system 200 is configured to acquire X-ray attenuation data, where
the X-ray attenuation data is used for processing and/or
reconstruction. The acquired projection data is representative of
data corresponding to a target region in a subject such as the
patient 208. It may be noted that the X-ray source 202, 310 may be
an X-ray tube, a distributed X-ray source (such as a solid-state or
thermionic X-ray source) or any other source of X-ray radiation
suitable for the acquisition of medical or other images. The X-rays
206 generated by the source 202 traverse a region in which the
patient 208 is positioned during an imaging or diagnostic
procedure. In one example, the X-rays 206 may be collimated via
that collimator 204 to form the beam 206. This beam 206 may pass
through the imaged volume. The portion 210 of the X-ray radiation
206 passes through or around the patient 208 (or another subject of
interest) and impacts the detector array, represented generally as
the detector 212. Detector elements of the detector 212 produce
electrical signals that represent the intensity of the portion of
the incident X-rays 210. These signals are acquired and processed
to represent images of the features within the patient 208. Also,
these images are generally referred to as "projection images" or
"projection views," and correspond to projection data acquired at
many different rotational angles of the X-ray source 202 and
detector 212 relative to the patient 208. Conversely, in an
industrial CT system, the X-ray source 202 and detector 212 are
held fixed, and the object is rotated to generate the projection
views. Moreover, these projection images are combined into a
sinogram, where the sinogram collects the multiple views into a
single data set. Reference numeral 404 generally represents
measured sinogram data acquired at step 402.
[0067] Furthermore, at step 406, a forward model 408 is formulated
or generated. In particular, the forward model 408 is
representative of a behavior or one or more characteristics of the
imaging system 100, 200. Specifically, during each iteration of a
statistical iterative reconstruction (SIR) algorithm, the forward
model 408 is employed to process the reconstructed image to
generate an estimated sinogram.
[0068] Accordingly, the imaging system 100, 200, and more
particularly, the noise correction platform 114 is configured to
acquire pile-up characteristics and dead time characteristics of
the detector 212 of the imaging system 200. Additionally, the noise
correction platform 114 is also configured to acquire system
characteristics of the imaging system 200. In one embodiment, the
forward model 408 is generated by modeling a behavior of the
imaging system 100, 200 based on the system characteristics. The
formulation of this embodiment of the forward model 408 will be
described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 6. In certain
other embodiments, the forward model 408 is generated by modeling,
for example, a behavior of the imaging system 100, 200 based on
pile-up characteristics, dead time characteristics, system
characteristics, measured system behavior, or combinations thereof.
The formulation of this embodiment of the forward model 408 will be
described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 7.
[0069] Moreover, an estimated image may be initialized, as
indicated by step 410. In one embodiment, the estimated image may
be initialized by setting all pixels to "1." In other embodiments,
a filtered back projection image may be used to initialize the
estimated image. Reference numeral 412 may be generally
representative of the estimated image. Subsequently, at step 414,
an estimated sinogram 416 is generated based on the estimated image
412 and the forward model 408.
[0070] As will be appreciated, the estimated sinogram 416 is
employed to generate a reconstructed image. In a SIR process, it is
desirable that the resulting reconstructed image when the
reconstruction is complete is a high-quality image. Accordingly, it
is desirable that the estimated sinogram 416 be directly comparable
to the measured sinogram 404 to facilitate the generation of a
high-quality reconstructed image. Hence, the estimated sinogram 416
is compared with the measured sinogram 404. Based on this
comparison, it may be desirable to compute an updated
estimated/reconstructed image that will aid in making the estimated
sinogram 416 more similar to the measured sinogram 404 in a
subsequent iteration.
[0071] Accordingly, as indicated by step 418, one or more image
updates 424 to the estimated image 412 are calculated. To that end,
the estimated sinogram 416 is compared to the measured sinogram
404. In particular, a statistically-weighted difference between the
estimated sinogram 416 and the measured sinogram 404 is determined.
In one embodiment, a statistical model is employed to determine the
statistically-weighted difference between the estimated sinogram
416 and the measured sinogram 404. Subsequently, an update to the
estimated image 412 is computed based on the statistically-weighted
difference between the estimated sinogram 416 and the measured
sinogram 404.
[0072] As noted hereinabove, a statistical model is employed to
determine the statistically-weighted difference between the
estimated sinogram 416 and the measured sinogram 404. Accordingly,
a statistical noise model is generated, as indicated by step 420.
In one embodiment, the statistical noise model is generated based
on applied X-ray intensity 206 and the statistical behavior of the
detector 212 of the imaging system 200. In certain examples, the
statistical model is generated based on the pile-up characteristics
and the dead time characteristics of the detector with pile-up.
Furthermore, the statistical model may be based on the pulse
response(s) of the detector 212.
[0073] Moreover, in certain embodiments, at least one parameter of
the statistical model is estimated based on detector measurements
corresponding to two or more neighboring detector channels,
detector measurements corresponding to two or more energy bins, or
a combination thereof. In certain other embodiments, at least one
parameter of the statistical model maybe iteratively estimated.
Also, in yet another embodiment, at least one parameter of the
statistical model may be estimated based on a denoising technique,
a variance reduction technique, a deep neural network, or
combinations thereof.
[0074] As will be appreciated, in an iterative process, a sinogram
is estimated and compared to a measured sinogram. Additionally,
weights are used to decide how to update the images based on
differences between the estimated sinogram and the measured
sinogram. In particular, the differences between the estimated and
measured sinograms are not all equally important. A pixel with high
counts has a higher signal-to-noise ratio than a pixel with low
counts. Accordingly, the high count pixel is more important to the
image. Hence, the high count pixel is accorded a higher weight in
the comparison. Specifically, the statistical model is employed to
determine how much weight each pixel needs to be accorded.
Moreover, in the presence of pile-up, the noise model ceases to be
a Poisson distribution. It is therefore desirable to calculate the
correct noise for a given number of counts measured based on the
pile-up behavior of a particular detector.
[0075] In accordance with aspects of the present specification, the
statistical model is configured to provide correction in the mean
and variance of measured counts of the detector 212. It may also be
noted that the noise is modeled as a correction to the conventional
Binomial noise, Poisson noise, or Gaussian noise.
[0076] Also, the statistical noise model includes one or more
statistical weighting factors 422. These statistical weighting
factors 422 are employed to determine the statistically-weighted
difference between the estimated sinogram 416 and the measured
sinogram 404. The generation of the statistical model of step 420
will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS.
8-10.
[0077] Furthermore, in accordance with aspects of the present
specification, the unique statistical properties of X-ray pile-up
are incorporated into the statistical noise model of an iterative
algorithm for statistical image reconstruction or material
decomposition for PCCT imaging. In particular, the exemplary noise
model of statistical behavior of a detector with pile-up is
incorporated into an objective function in an optimization step of
the SIR algorithm, thereby performing at least one of optimizing
the noise and reducing artifacts in the reconstructed image. The
step of determining the update(s) is typically performed as an
optimization of an objective function for example, a weighted least
squares cost function or a log-likelihood function. It may be noted
that more closely the estimated sinogram 416 matches the measured
sinogram 404, the objective function is approaching its
optimum.
[0078] In certain embodiments, the statistical weighting factors
422 may be included with a set of weighting factors that is used in
calculating the objective function. These weights represent
different features by which the model and measurements may be
compared with each other. By incorporating different factors into
the cost function and optimizing the weight factors, the resulting
image may be optimized to produce the desired image quality.
Incorporating the statistical noise model into the objective
function during the optimization step emulates the effect of at
least one of optimizing noise and reducing artifacts in the
reconstructed image by accounting for the statistical uncertainty
in respective measurements. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the
pile-up correction may be applied to the measured sinogram 404. In
other embodiments, the pile-up correction may be incorporated
directly into the forward model 408. In an alternative embodiment,
the statistical weighting factors 422 may be replaced by weights
that relate to the fidelity of the data. For example, the weights
may be indicative of the amount of pile-up in the
measurements--lower weights for higher amounts of pile-up and
higher weights for lower amounts of pile-up.
[0079] Prior to the processing of step 418 via the statistical
noise model or statistical weighting factors 422, one or more image
updates 424 are generated. As noted hereinabove, the image
update(s) 424 are determined based on the statistically-weighted
difference between the estimated sinogram 416 and the measured
sinogram 404. Determining the image updates 424 will be described
in greater detail with reference to FIG. 11.
[0080] Once the image updates 424 are determined, the estimated
image 412 is updated based on the determined update(s) 424 to
generate an updated estimated image. Prior to updating the
estimated image, a check is carried out to verify if the determined
image update 424 has converged, as indicated by step 426. In one
example, convergence of the image update 424 may be verified by
comparing the determined image update 424 or functionals thereof
with a determined threshold.
[0081] At step 426, if it is determined that the image update 424
has not converged, then the estimated image 412 is updated via use
of the determined image update 424 to generate an updated estimated
image, as indicated by step 428. Control is then passed to step
414.
[0082] Steps 414-428 may be iteratively repeated until the
determined image update 424 has converged. It may be noted that in
a first iteration, the estimated image 412 serves as an input to
the iterative process of steps 414-428, and the updated estimated
image is generated as an output to the iterative process of steps
414-428. Accordingly, for a subsequent iteration, the updated
estimated image serves as an input to the iterative process of
steps 414-428.
[0083] However, at step 426, if it is determined that the image
update 424 has converged, the estimated image 412 is not updated.
Also, at step 430, the estimated image 412 may be output as a final
reconstructed image. In one example, the final reconstructed image
may be visualized on a display such as the display 118 of FIG. 1.
The estimated image so generated is representative of a final
reconstructed image that presents the best match of the estimated
sinogram 416 with the measured sinogram 404. In addition, this
reconstructed image represents an image of enhanced quality where
the effects of noise and/or image artifacts have been
optimized/reduced via use of the exemplary statistical noise model.
A clinician may use this reconstructed image to provide a diagnosis
to the patient 208, suggest a treatment plan to the patient 208,
and/or study the efficacy of an ongoing treatment plan.
[0084] FIG. 5 represents a flowchart 500 of exemplary logic for
another method of imaging. In accordance with exemplary aspects of
the present specification, another method for enhancing image
quality in PCCT systems via use of a model that incorporates unique
statistical properties of X-ray pile-up is presented. The method
500 of FIG. 5 is substantially similar to the method 400 depicted
in FIG. 4. However, in the method 500, a measured sinogram is
corrected for pile-up based on a pile-up model and a pile-up
corrected measured sinogram is used to calculate updates to an
estimated image. The method 500 is described with reference to the
components of FIGS. 1-3. Further, in certain embodiments, the noise
correction platform 114 may be employed to perform the steps of the
method 500.
[0085] The method 500 starts at step 502 where a CT scan of the
patient 208 is performed to acquire CT projection data
corresponding to one or more anatomical regions of interest in a
patient such as the patient 102, 208. The acquired projection
images are combined to form a measured sinogram 504.
[0086] Additionally, in the method 500 of FIG. 5, at step 506, the
measured sinogram 504 is corrected for pile-up. In one embodiment,
a pile-up model 508 is used to correct any pile-up effects in the
measured sinogram 504 to generate a pile-up-corrected sinogram
510.
[0087] Furthermore, at step 512, a forward model 514 is formulated
or prepared. As previously noted, the noise correction platform 114
is configured to acquire pile-up characteristics and dead time
characteristics of the detector 212 of the imaging system 200 and
system characteristics of the imaging system 200. Also, in one
embodiment, the forward model 514 is generated by modeling a
behavior of the imaging system 200 based on the system
characteristics, while in other embodiments, the forward model 514
is generated by modeling a behavior of the imaging system 200 based
on system considerations, such as, but not limited to, pile-up
characteristics, dead time characteristics, system characteristics,
measured system behavior, or combinations thereof.
[0088] Moreover, an estimated image 518 may be initialized, as
indicated by step 516. In one embodiment, the estimated image 518
may be initialized by setting all pixels to "1." In other
embodiments, a filtered back projection image may be used to
initialize the estimated image 518. Also, at step 520, an estimated
sinogram 522 is generated based on the estimated image 518 and the
forward model 514.
[0089] As previously noted with reference to FIG. 4, the estimated
sinogram 522 is employed to generate a reconstructed image.
Accordingly, it is desirable that the estimated sinogram 522 be
directly comparable to the pile-up-corrected sinogram 510 to
facilitate the generation of a high-quality reconstructed image.
Therefore, in certain situations, it may be desirable to determine
one or more updates to the estimate image 518.
[0090] Accordingly, as indicated by step 524, one or more updates
to the estimated image 518 are calculated based a statistical model
and the measured pile-up corrected sinogram 510. To that end, in
the example of the method 500, the estimated sinogram 522 is
compared to the measured pile-up corrected sinogram 510. In
particular, a statistically-weighted difference between the
estimated sinogram 522 and the measured pile-up corrected sinogram
510 is determined.
[0091] Accordingly, at step 526, a statistical model is generated
and used to determine the statistically-weighted difference between
the estimated sinogram 522 and the measured pile-up corrected
sinogram 510. The statistical model includes one or more
statistical weighting factors 528, where the statistical weighting
factors 528 are employed to determine the statistically-weighted
difference between the estimated sinogram 522 and the measured
pile-up corrected sinogram 510. As previously noted with reference
to FIG. 4, the statistical model is generated based on the
statistical behavior of the detector 212 of the imaging system 200.
In certain examples, the statistical model is generated based on
the pile-up characteristics and the dead time characteristics of
the detector with pile-up.
[0092] As previously noted with reference to FIG. 4, the unique
statistical properties of X-ray pile-up are incorporated into the
statistical noise model of an iterative algorithm for statistical
image reconstruction or material decomposition for PCCT imaging. In
particular, the exemplary statistical noise model of statistical
behavior of a detector with pile-up is incorporated into an
objective function in an optimization step of the SIR algorithm,
thereby performing at least one of optimizing the noise and
reducing artifacts in the reconstructed image. The step of
determining the update(s) is typically performed as an optimization
of an objective function, for example, a weighted least squares
cost function or a log-likelihood function. It may be noted that
the more closely the estimated sinogram 522 matches the pile-up
corrected sinogram 510, the objective function is closer to its
optimum.
[0093] In certain embodiments, the statistical weighting factors
528 may be included with a set of weighting factors that is used in
calculating the objective function. These weights represent
different features by which the model and measurements can be
compared to each other. By incorporating different factors into the
cost function and optimizing the weight factors, the resulting
image may be optimized to produce the desired image quality.
Incorporating the statistical noise model into the objective
function during the optimization step emulates the effect of
optimizing noise in the reconstructed image by accounting for the
statistical uncertainty in respective measurements.
[0094] Additionally, an update to the estimated image 518 is
computed based on the statistically-weighted difference between the
estimated sinogram 522 and the pile-up-corrected sinogram 510.
Subsequent to the processing of step 524 via the statistical model
or statistical weighting factors 528, one or more image updates 530
are generated.
[0095] Once the image updates 530 are determined, the current
estimated image 518 is updated based on the determined update(s)
530 to generate an updated estimated image 518. Prior to updating
the estimated image, at step 532, a check is carried out to verify
if the determined image update 530 has converged. In one example,
convergence of the image update 530 may be determined by comparing
the determined image update 530 or functionals thereof with a
determined threshold.
[0096] At step 532, if it is determined that the image update 530
has not converged, then the estimated image 518 is updated via use
of the determined image update 530 to generate an updated estimated
image, as indicated by step 534. Also, control is passed to step
520.
[0097] Steps 518-534 may be iteratively repeated until the
determined image update 530 converges. As previously noted, in a
first iteration, the estimated image 518 serves as an input to the
iterative process of steps 518-534, and the updated estimated image
is generated as an output to the iterative process of steps
518-534. Accordingly, for a subsequent iteration, the updated
estimated image serves as an input to the iterative process of
steps 518-534.
[0098] However, at step 532, if it is determined that the image
update 530 has converged, the estimated image may be output as a
final reconstructed image, as indicated by step 536. In one
example, the final reconstructed image may be visualized on a
display such as the display 118 of FIG. 1. The estimated image so
generated is representative of a reconstructed image that presents
the best match with the pile-up-corrected sinogram 510. This
reconstructed image represents an image of enhanced quality where
the effects of at least one of noise and image artifacts have been
optimized/reduced via use of the statistical noise model. A
clinician may use this reconstructed image to provide a diagnosis
to the patient 208, suggest a treatment plan to the patient 208,
and/or study the efficacy of an ongoing treatment plan.
[0099] As noted hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 4-5, a forward
model such as the forward models 408, 514 are generated at steps
406 and 512, respectively. FIGS. 6-7 depict two methods of
generating a forward model for use in the methods of FIGS. 4-5.
[0100] As will be appreciated, processing the acquired image data
via an SIR algorithm entails generating reconstructed images such
that these reconstructed images result in estimated sinograms that
best match a set of measured sinograms corresponding to a CT scan.
In one example, it is desirable to generate reconstructed images
such that these reconstructed images result in estimated sinograms
that are statistically the best match to a set of measured
sinograms corresponding to a CT scan based on a statistical model
used during the SIR. In particular, during each iteration of the
SIR algorithm, the reconstructed image is processed via a forward
model to generate an estimated sinogram. The forward model includes
known geometry and other characteristics of the imaging system 100.
More particularly, the forward model simulates attenuation of
X-rays as they pass from an X-ray source, through a patient and
impinge upon the detector of the CT imaging system.
[0101] FIGS. 6-7 presents methods of generating a forward model for
use in the methods of imaging 400, 500 of FIGS. 4-5. In one
embodiment, a pile-up correction may be applied to a measured
sinogram via use of a pile-up model. In this example, the method of
generating the forward model does not include a pile-up model. In
certain other embodiments, the pile-up model may be incorporated
into the forward model.
[0102] Turning now to FIG. 6, a flowchart 600 depicting a method of
generating a forward model of step 406 of FIG. 4 is presented. The
method 600 is described with reference to the components of FIGS.
1-5. Further, in certain embodiments, the noise correction platform
114 may be employed to perform the steps of the method 600.
[0103] The method 600 starts at step 602 where system
characteristics 604 corresponding to the imaging system 100 are
collected. Some non-limiting examples of the system characteristics
604 include source-to-detector distance, pre-patient filtration,
X-ray source tube current and voltage, geometric efficiency,
detector materials and dimensions, detector electronics
characteristics, X-ray transmission through objects of varying
materials and dimensions, and the like.
[0104] Further, at step 606, a behavior of the imaging system 100
is modeled based on the system characteristics 604. Reference
numeral 608 is generally representative of the modeled system
behavior of the imaging system 100. Furthermore, the behavior of
the imaging system 100 may be measured, as depicted by step 610, to
generate measured system behavior 612. In one example, the behavior
of the imaging system 100, such as the X-ray count rate as a
function of the system characteristics 604 may be measured by
adjusting the system control settings (e.g., tube current and
voltage) to representative values, running the imaging system 100
to collect projection data from the imaging system 100, and
quantifying the relationships between the system control settings
and the projection data. Various objects may be used in the imaging
system 100 to play the role of the patient 102, so called imaging
phantoms. These imaging phantoms may be specially designed to
facilitate characterizing the system behavior. Similarly, the
behavior of the imaging system 100 may also be modeled using a
variety of analytical and numerical methods to predict the response
of the imaging system 100 with different settings and object
characteristics. For example, the X-ray transmission through a
patient 102 of a given thickness and material composition may be
modeled using the X-ray energy spectrum and well-known values of
X-ray attenuation coefficients for the materials. It may also be
noted that the X-ray spectrum itself may be a result of a model or
may be measured using suitable instruments from an output of a real
X-ray source such as the X-ray source 202. Similar methods may be
used to model the absorption of X-rays in the detector 212, the
generation of signals from the deposited energy, the conversion of
those signals into digital data, and subsequent processing of the
digital data.
[0105] Subsequently, at step 614, a forward model 616 may be
generated based on at least one of the modeled system behavior 608
and the measured system behavior 612. In some embodiments, the
forward model 616 includes a set of computer instructions for
calculating a predicted output of the imaging system 100 based on
an input set of system characteristics and object properties. More
specifically, in one embodiment, the output is the predicted number
of X-rays detected in each pixel of the detector 212, and falling
into ranges of energy or pulse height defined by the energy bins of
the detector electronics, in response to inputs of particular X-ray
source settings, system geometry, as well as patient materials and
dimensions. The modeled system behavior 608 and the measured system
behavior 612 may be combined to predict the outputs based on the
inputs. The forward model 616 so generated may be employed in
situations where pile-up is not used as an input to the forward
model. For example, the forward model 616 may be used as the
forward model 408 in the method 400 of FIG. 4.
[0106] FIG. 7 is a flowchart 700 depicting a method of generating a
forward model such as the forward model 514 of step 512 of FIG. 5.
Also, the method 700 is described with reference to the components
of FIGS. 1-6. Moreover, in one embodiment, the noise correction
platform 114 may be employed to perform the steps of the method
700.
[0107] The method 700 starts at step 702 where system
characteristics 704 corresponding to the imaging system 100 are
collected. In one example, the system characteristics 704 include
source-to-detector distance, pre-patient filtration, X-ray source
tube current and voltage, geometric efficiency, detector materials
and dimensions, detector electronics characteristics, X-ray
transmission through objects of varying materials and dimensions,
and the like.
[0108] Moreover, at step 706, detector characteristics 708 are
collected. It may be noted that in certain embodiments, the
detector characteristics 708 may be collected as a part of the
system characteristics 704. The detector characteristics 708 may
include characteristics that influence the pile-up behavior of the
detector 212, such as geometric efficiency, pixel size, material
composition and corresponding energy absorption, charge generation
and transport, charge pulse shape, electronics bandwidth,
electronics triggering, dead time characteristics, and the
like.
[0109] Further, at step 710, a behavior of the imaging system 100
is modeled based on the system characteristics 704 and the detector
characteristics 708. Reference numeral 712 is generally
representative of the modeled system behavior of the imaging system
100. Additionally, the behavior of the imaging system 100 may be
measured, as depicted by step 714 to generate measured system
behavior 716. In one example, the behavior of the imaging system
100, such as the X-ray count rate as a function of the system
characteristics 704 may be measured by adjusting the system control
settings (e.g., tube current and voltage) to representative values,
running the imaging system 100 to collect projection data from the
imaging system 100, and quantifying the relationships between the
system control settings and the projection data. Various objects
may be used in the imaging system 100 to play the role of the
patient 102, so called imaging phantoms. These imaging phantoms may
be specially designed to facilitate characterizing the system
behavior. Similarly, the behavior of the imaging system 100 may
also be modeled using a variety of analytical and numerical methods
to predict the response of the imaging system 100 with different
settings and object characteristics. For example, the X-ray
transmission through a patient 102 of a given thickness and
material composition may be modeled using an X-ray energy spectrum
and well-known values of X-ray attenuation coefficients for the
materials. It may also be noted that the X-ray spectrum itself may
be a result of a model or may be measured using suitable
instruments from an output of a real X-ray source such as the X-ray
source 202. Similar methods may be used to model the absorption of
X-rays in the detector 212, the generation of signals from the
deposited energy, the conversion of those signals into digital
data, and subsequent processing of the digital data.
[0110] Subsequently, at step 718, a forward model 720 is generated
based on at least one of the modeled system behavior 712 and the
measured system behavior 716. In some embodiments, the forward
model 720 includes a set of computer instructions for calculating a
predicted output of the imaging system 100 based on an input set of
system characteristics and object properties. More specifically, in
one embodiment, the output is the predicted number of X-rays
detected in each pixel of the detector 212, and falling into ranges
of energy or pulse height defined by the energy bins of the
detector electronics, in response to inputs of particular X-ray
source settings, system geometry, as well as patient materials and
dimensions. The modeled system behavior 712 and the measured system
behavior 716 may be combined to predict the outputs based on the
inputs. The forward model 720 so generated may be employed in
situations where pile-up is used as an input to the forward model.
For example, the forward model 720 may be used as the forward model
514 in the method 500 of FIG. 5.
[0111] As previously described with reference to FIGS. 4-5, a
statistical model is employed to determine a statistically-weighted
difference between an estimated sinogram and a measured sinogram,
or a pile-up-corrected sinogram, where the statistically-weighted
difference so determined is employed to determine an update to an
estimated image. Also, the statistical model includes one or more
statistical weighting factors. In certain examples, the statistical
model is generated based on the pile-up characteristics and the
dead time characteristics of the detector with pile-up. In an
alternative embodiment, the statistical weighting factors may be
replaced by weights that relate to the fidelity of the data. For
example, the weights may be indicative of the amount of pile-up in
the measurements--lower weights for higher amounts of pile-up and
higher weights for lower amounts of pile-up. FIGS. 8-10 present
various methods of generating the statistical model. In particular,
the formulation of the statistical model of steps 420 (see FIG. 4)
and 526 (see FIG. 5) are described with reference to FIGS.
8-10.
[0112] Turning now to FIG. 8, a flowchart 800 of one method of
formulating a statistical model is presented. The method 800 is
described with reference to the components of FIGS. 1-7. Moreover,
in one embodiment, the noise correction platform 114 may be
employed to perform the steps of the method 800.
[0113] The method starts at step 802 where pile-up characteristics
and dead time characteristics of the detector 212 of the imaging
system 200 are collected. Reference numeral 804 is generally
representative of the pile-up characteristics and dead time
characteristics of the detector 212. As previously noted, the
pile-up characteristics and dead time characteristics 804 of the
detector 212 may include a sensor output pulse shape, electronics
pulse response characteristics, electronics triggering logic and
timing, electronics trigger arming (dead time) logic and timing,
and the like.
[0114] Further, a response behavior of the detector 212 is modeled,
as depicted by step 806. Also, at step 808, a response behavior of
the detector 212 is measured. In one example, the behavior of the
imaging system 100, such as the X-ray count rate as a function of
the system characteristics may be measured by adjusting the system
control settings (e.g., tube current and voltage) to representative
values, running the imaging system 100 to collect projection data
from the imaging system 100, and quantifying the relationships
between the system control settings and the projection data.
Various objects may be used in the imaging system 100 to play the
role of the patient 102, so called imaging phantoms. These imaging
phantoms may be specially designed to facilitate characterizing the
system behavior. Similarly, the behavior of the imaging system 100
may also be modeled using a variety of analytical and numerical
methods to predict the response of the imaging system 100 with
different settings and object characteristics. For example, the
X-ray transmission through a patient 102 of a given thickness and
material composition may be modeled using the X-ray energy spectrum
and well-known values of X-ray attenuation coefficients for the
materials. It may also be noted that the X-ray spectrum itself may
be a result of a model or may be measured using suitable
instruments from an output of a real X-ray source such as the X-ray
source 202. Similar methods may be used to model the absorption of
X-rays in the detector 212, the generation of signals from the
deposited energy, the conversion of those signals into digital
data, and subsequent processing of the digital data.
[0115] Currently, noise models for use in iterative processes for
noise as a function of measured counts are available. In one
example of a currently available noise model, the pile-up behavior
of the detector may be characterized through a calibration
procedure, where the detector is exposed to representative flux
conditions covering the entire operating range, for various
combinations of material compositions within the X-ray beam.
[0116] Further, at each condition, the mean and variance in counts
may be tabulated and represented in a functional form as:
m(n;p) (1)
where m is the measured number of counts and n is the true incident
number of counts for a particular condition specified by parameters
p such as view time, X-ray source kVp and mA, collimation, and the
like.
[0117] Moreover, to determine the true count value and expected
noise for a pixel with m measured counts, a reverse lookup table
may be generated by inverting the function of equation (1) to
obtain:
{circumflex over (n)}(m;p) (2)
where {circumflex over (n)} is the estimate of the true count
value.
[0118] This reverse lookup table may be implemented by
parameterizing the data with curve fitting, by linear or non-linear
interpolation, or other methods.
[0119] In another example, a calibration experiment may be
performed to obtain a set of calibration data consisting of a
nominal count n_k, a measured count m_k, and a variance v_k for
each energy bin k and for each detector channel c. Further, this
calibration data for a given detector channel may be used to
convert an actual set of energy bin measurements {m_k} into a set
of corrected measurements {c_k} and a set of variances {v_k}, via
use of a lookup table, an analytic expression such as a polynomial,
or a neural network.
[0120] It may be noted that although the true count value n and its
variance .sigma..sup.2 may be estimated from the measured count
value m based on the conversion methods noted hereinabove, such
estimations in practical applications can only be made from a
single noisy measurement. Consequently, the estimated count value n
and the estimated variance {circumflex over (.sigma.)}.sup.2 are
also subject to statistical noise. The noise in the estimated
variance {circumflex over (.sigma.)}.sup.2, which is usually highly
correlated with the statistical noise in the estimated count value
{circumflex over (n)}, may lead to a systematical bias in
iteratively reconstructed images. This issue exists for all CT
systems and may become more noticeable for PCCT systems because the
number of X-ray photons detected in each individual energy bin will
be lower than that in a conventional energy-integrating system
operating at a similar flux level.
[0121] In accordance with aspects of the present specification, a
detector behavior model 812 is generated at step 810, where the
detector behavior model 812 is configured to circumvent the
shortcomings of the presently available techniques. The detector
behavior model 812 is generated based on at least one of the
modeled detector response behavior, the measured detector response
behavior, the pile-up characteristics of the detector, the dead
time characteristics of the detector, or combinations thereof. It
may be noted that the detector behavior model 812 aids in improving
the precision of the estimated variance {circumflex over
(.sigma.)}.sup.2.
[0122] Moreover, in accordance with further aspects of the present
specification, a model of the statistical behavior of a detector
with pile-up (the detector behavior model 812) may be generated and
incorporated into an objective function in an optimization step of
an iterative algorithm such as the SIR process. Incorporating the
detector behavior model of the detector with pile-up into the
objective function in the optimization step aids in at least one of
optimizing noise and reducing artifacts in a reconstructed image by
accounting for statistical uncertainty in the respective
measurements.
[0123] As will be appreciated, traditionally, the variance
.sigma..sup.2 is estimated from a single measurement m. In
accordance with aspects of the present specification, in one
embodiment, the variance .sigma..sup.2 is estimated from multiple
neighboring detector channels as follows:
.sigma..sub.i.sup.2=f( . . . ,m.sub.i-1,m.sub.i,m.sub.i+1. . . ;p)
(3)
where i denotes a detector cell index and f( ) is an estimator, and
parameters p are similar to those listed in equation (1).
[0124] Further, the estimator f( ) may apply denoising filters
(such as a box car filter, a Gaussian filter, or other more
advanced filters) or a neural network to the measured data
m.sub.i's before estimating the variance {circumflex over
(.sigma.)}.sup.2. Consequently, the noise in estimated variance
{circumflex over (.sigma.)}.sup.2 may be reduced and the
correlation with the noise in the estimated count value {circumflex
over (n)} may also be reduced. The estimator f( ) may be spatially
adaptive and configured to apply stronger denoising strength in
relatively uniform sinogram regions.
[0125] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
specification, instead of estimating the variance .sigma..sup.2
from a single measurement m, the variance .sigma..sup.2 may be
estimated from multiple energy bins for a given pixel as
follows:
{circumflex over (.sigma.)}.sub.k.sup.2=g(m.sub.1, . . . ,m.sub.k,
. . . ,m.sub.K;p) (4)
where k denotes an energy bin index and g( ) is an estimator, and
parameters p are similar to those listed in equation (1).
[0126] Moreover, the estimator g( ) may reduce the noise in the
measurements m.sub.k by fitting a multi-energy vector to
lower-dimensional principal components that incorporate prior
knowledge about materials present within the CT system and
associated basis material physics. The energy spectral domain
method may also be combined with the spatial domain method.
[0127] Conventionally, the variance .sigma..sup.2 is estimated from
the measured sinogram. In accordance with yet another embodiment of
the present specification, the variance .sigma..sup.2 may be
estimated from the estimated sinogram that is generated by an
iterative reconstruction process as follows:
.sigma..sup.2=h({circumflex over (m)}.sup.(n)) (5)
where {circumflex over (m)}.sup.(n) denotes the estimated sinogram
generated by the iterative reconstruction process at the n.sup.th
iteration.
[0128] Accordingly, the detector behavior model 812 facilitates
estimation of the estimated variance with greater precision. Such
an estimation may be repeated iteratively, along with the
estimation of the reconstructed image. Similarly, the statistical
weighting factors may also be updated based on the newly estimated
variance {circumflex over (.sigma.)}.sup.2 to improve the precision
of the statistical weighting factors and to reduce bias in the
final reconstructed image.
[0129] It may be noted that a set of weighting factors may be used
in defining the objective function of the SIR algorithm. These
weights or weighting factors represent the metric by which a model
and measurements may be compared to each other. By incorporating
the weighting factors into the cost function and optimizing the
cost function, the resulting reconstructed image may provide more
desirable image quality in terms of reduction of noise and/or image
artifacts.
[0130] One example of a factor incorporated into the cost function
is a weighting term based on the noise variance of the
measurements. This factor aids in reducing the noise or
noise-induced artifacts in the reconstructed images by taking into
account the level of uncertainty in the respective measurements.
Moreover, use of the detector behavior model 812 aids in further
reducing the noise in the reconstructed images.
[0131] As will be appreciated, in PCCT imaging systems, individual
X-ray photons are recorded when the photons interact with the
detector. Disadvantageously, PCCT imaging systems suffer from
imperfect counting of X-rays that arrive too close together in
time, especially for measurements at high X-ray flux, and/or
regions of a sinogram with little attenuation through the patient
and the X-ray source pre-patient filter (bowtie).
[0132] In addition to its impact on the number of counts recorded,
pile-up also impacts the noise in a CT projection. Noise in a CT
projection data typically increases with the X-ray flux, following
approximately a Poisson distribution, meaning that the variance in
the number of X-rays (.sigma..sup.2) is equal to the expected
number of X-rays, or more generally, the variance on the
measurements is proportional to the expected value of the
respective measurements. When pile-up occurs, both the number of
counts and the variation in counts are reduced. Additionally, when
pile-up occurs, the noise no longer follows a Poisson
distribution.
[0133] In one example representative of extreme pile-up, for a
non-paralyzable detector all the pixels tend to become saturated
and produce an identical number of counts. In this case the noise
variance will be exactly zero. Also, in this example, the detector
signal fails to carry any meaningful intensity information either.
More generally, as the X-ray flux increases in a non-paralyzable
detector with pile-up, the noise at first increases, reaches a
maximum and then decreases gradually to zero.
[0134] Accordingly, at step 814, one or more noise correction
factors 816 are determined based on the detector behavior model
812. The noise correction factors 816 are representative of a
factor that is incorporated into the cost function as a weighting
term based on the noise variance of the measurements. In
particular, the noise correction factors 816 are configured to aid
in reducing the noise in the reconstructed images by taking into
account the level of uncertainty in the respective measurements.
Specifically, the noise is multiplied by a noise correction factor
816 to provide a corrected estimate of the noise. It may be noted
that the noise correction factors 816 may have a different value
for different inputs, different pixels, different energies, and
different count rates. In one embodiment, the noise correction
factor 816 is a function of inputs such as a count rate and has
multiple parameters such as characteristics of the imaging system
100 like the electronics dead time, which determine the amount of
pile-up that occurs at a given count rate.
[0135] A graphical representation of the general behavior of the
noise correction factor 816 as a function of pile-up ratio is
depicted in FIG. 13. In certain embodiments, the noise correction
factor 816 has a value of unity for the lowest count rate. Further,
the noise correction factor 816 approaches a zero value in an
approximately asymptotical fashion at high count rates.
[0136] Also, one or more statistical weighting factors 822 are
determined, as indicated by step 820. In particular, the
statistical weighting factors 822 are determined based on the noise
correction factors 816 and a photon statistics model 818.
Typically, the photon arrival statistics are modeled as a Binomial,
Poisson, or Gaussian random process. These statistical weighting
factors 822 are used to compute an update to the estimated image,
thereby accounting for the statistical variability of the
measurements. One example of determining the statistical weighting
factors will be described in greater detail with reference to step
914 of FIG. 9.
[0137] FIG. 9 presents a flowchart 900 depicting another method for
formulating a statistical model. The method 900 is described with
reference to the components of FIGS. 1-8. Also, in certain
embodiments, the noise correction platform 114 may be employed to
perform the method 900.
[0138] The method 900 starts at step 902 where pile-up
characteristics and dead time characteristics of the detector 212
of the imaging system 200 are collected. Reference numeral 904 is
generally representative of the pile-up characteristics and dead
time characteristics of the detector 212. As previously noted, the
pile-up characteristics and dead time characteristics 904 of the
detector 212 may include a sensor output pulse shape, electronics
pulse response characteristics, electronics triggering logic and
timing, electronics trigger arming (dead time) logic and timing,
and the like.
[0139] Further, at step 906, the pile-up characteristics and the
dead time characteristics 904 of the detector 212 are employed to
determine simulated noise in the measured counts in the pixels of
the detector. The simulated noise serves as a ground truth of the
noise. In particular, a simulated noise model may be determined
based on the pile-up characteristics and dead time characteristics
904. Moreover, noise corresponding to one or more configurations of
the imaging system 100 may be simulated based on the simulated
noise model. By way of a non-limiting example, the noise behavior
of the imaging system 100 may be simulated for different parameters
such as tube current, kVp, patient size, and the like that are
encountered in a clinical environment.
[0140] Moreover, as indicated by step 908, noise in the measured
counts may be measured via use of a conventional noise model. Some
examples of the conventional noise model include a Poisson model or
a Gaussian model. It may be noted that the conventional noise model
does not include pile-up characteristics and/or dead time
characteristics.
[0141] Subsequently, at step 910, the simulated noise is compared
with the measured noise to determine one or more noise correction
factors 912. In one example, a lookup table may be used to
determine the noise correction factors 912. Also, at step 914, one
or more statistical weighting factors 918 are determined based on
the noise correction factors 912 and a conventional noise model
916.
[0142] In accordance with aspects of the present specification, the
noise correction factor 912 is used to generate a "corrected" value
of the noise. Accordingly, the noise correction factor 912 may be
used to correct the measured noise to determine a corrected value
of the noise. By way of example,
Correct noise=(conventional model of the noise)*(noise correction
factor) (6)
[0143] As previously noted, the noise correction factor 912 is a
different number for different inputs, different pixels, different
energies, and different count rates. More particularly, the noise
correction factor 912 is a function of the inputs such as a count
rate and has multiple parameters such as characteristics of the
imaging system 100 such as the electronics dead time, which aid in
determining how much pile-up happens at a given count rate.
[0144] Advantageously, the noise correction factors 912 are a more
compact representation of the accurate noise model. Moreover, since
the currently available iterative reconstruction methods already
use a conventional noise model, corrections to the conventional
noise model may be added with very minimal changes to produce a
more accurate result.
[0145] For photon counting CT detectors, when the X-ray photon flux
arriving at the detector is high, the signal from the detector may
be distorted due to the pile-up of the detector signal.
Conventionally, physical model based correction algorithms have
been applied to correct the distorted signals. However, the
physical model typically has many assumptions and may result in
residual artifacts, especially when applied to a complicated
system. Model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) techniques have
also been employed to generate reconstructed images.
[0146] In one example, the statistical weighting factors 918 are
used in a MBIR algorithm to down-weight projection rays that suffer
from the pile-up effect. Typically, in MBIR, statistical weighting
factors that may be interpreted as the fidelity of the signal are
applied for each projection ray. In accordance with aspects of the
present specification, pixels that contain a strong pile-up signal
are intentionally down-weighted in order to reduce the
corresponding impact on the final reconstructed images.
[0147] The absorbed X-ray intensity follows a Poisson distribution
as indicated by equation (7):
.lamda..sub.i.about.Poisson(I.sub.ie.sup.-y.sup.i) (7)
where .lamda..sub.i is the number of absorbed X-rays in a
projection ray (or pixel) i, I.sub.i is the intensity of incident
X-rays, and y.sub.i is the X-ray projection value (integral of the
attenuation coefficient-length product) in projection ray (or
pixel) i.
[0148] Further, the reconstruction problem may be represented as
maximizing the penalized log likelihood function:
x = arg min x { - 1 2 ( y - Ax ) T W ( y - Ax ) + U ( x ) } ( 8 )
##EQU00001##
where W represents the statistical weighting factors, which are
proportional to the detector counts if Poisson noise is assumed, y
is the projection data, A is the system matrix, x is estimated
image data, and U is an image regularization function.
[0149] When the signal is corrupted by pile-up, a physical model
based pile-up correction may be used to first correct the pile-up
signal. Some examples of the physical model based pile-up
correction are presented in equations (9) and (10).
y .fwdarw. pile - up correction y corr ( 9 ) W .fwdarw. pile - up
correction W corr ( 10 ) ##EQU00002##
[0150] Subsequently, the problem may be formulated as:
x=argmin{-1/2(y.sub.corr-Ax).sup.TW(y.sub.corr-Ax)+U(x)} (11)
[0151] Additionally, a modulation function may be applied on the
weights to further reduce the contribution from the corrupted
projection rays. Accordingly, the pile-up residuals may be reduced.
Some examples of the modulation function are presented in equations
(12) and (13).
y.sub.rescale=f(y.sub.corr) (12)
W.sub.rescale=f(W.sub.corr) (13)
[0152] Moreover, in accordance with further aspects of the present
specification, the statistical weighting factors may be adaptively
adjusted to suit any measurement. As will be appreciated, an
increase in the photon counts results in an increase in the
severity of the effect of pile-up. In accordance with aspects of
the present specification, the statistical weighting factors for
these projection rays may be reduced to decrease the weighting for
these rays. In particular, a scaling function may be determined
based on the detected signal level. Further, this scaling function
may be used to adaptively adjust the statistical weighting factors
based on the measurement to suppress the pile-up artifacts in the
reconstructed images.
[0153] In one non-limiting example, the scaling functions of
equations (14) and (15) may be used. Although equations (14) and
(15) present the threshold as a constant value, it may be noted
that the threshold may be determined based on the dead time and may
be optimized accordingly.
For a threshold .ltoreq. 5000 ; weights = weights .times. e 1
weights thresh ( 14 ) For a threshold > 5000 ; weights = weights
3 ( 15 ) ##EQU00003##
[0154] However, other scaling functions may also be used. Moreover,
in extreme cases, the weights of the pile-up corrupted projections
rays may be totally abandoned. Also, the statistical weighting
factors for the projection rays that are not contaminated by
pile-up may be intentionally boosted to further suppress the
artifacts. Furthermore, it may be noted that the pile-up behavior
for different detector architectures may be different. Accordingly,
the threshold may be adjusted for different imaging systems.
[0155] In addition, in certain embodiments, a transition point may
be determined to facilitate further adjustment of the statistical
weighting factors for the projection rays. Further, the scaling
functions may be differently designed above and below the
determined transition point. In certain embodiments, the
statistical weighting factors could be replaced by weights that
relate to the fidelity of the data. For example, the weights may be
indicative of the amount of pile-up in the measurements--lower
weights for higher amounts of pile-up and higher weights for lower
amounts of pile-up.
[0156] Referring now to FIG. 10, a flowchart 1000 depicting yet
another method for formulating a statistical model is presented.
The method 1000 is described with reference to the components of
FIGS. 1-9. Also, in certain embodiments, the noise correction
platform 114 may be employed to perform the method 1000.
[0157] The method starts at step 1002 where pile-up characteristics
and dead time characteristics of the detector 212 of the imaging
system 200 are collected. Reference numeral 1004 is generally
representative of the pile-up characteristics and dead time
characteristics of the detector 212. As previously noted, the
pile-up characteristics and dead time characteristics of the
detector 212 may include a sensor output pulse shape, electronics
pulse response characteristics, electronics triggering logic and
timing, electronics trigger arming (dead time) logic and timing,
and the like.
[0158] Moreover, at step 1006, the pile-up characteristics and the
dead time characteristics of the detector 212 are employed to
simulate or measure a pile-up process of the detector 212. In one
example, pile-up may be simulated by simulating the generation of
charge by an X-ray absorption event and transport of generated
charge to the collection electrodes. Further, the response of
readout electronics may be used to determine how the imaging system
100 will record the response when multiple X-rays arrive close
together in time. This process may be carried out for different
assumed count rates. The pile-up process of an actual system may be
measured by operating the system at increasing levels of X-ray flux
and recording or characterizing the output.
[0159] Furthermore, one or more pile-up correction metrics 1012 are
determined at step 1008. In particular, the pile-up correction
metrics 1012 are determined based on a detector signal 1010. Some
non-limiting examples of the one or more pile-up correction metrics
1012 include a pile-up ratio, a signal corrected for the pile-up, a
deficiency signal corresponding to the pile-up, or combinations
thereof. Also, in one example, a lookup table may be used to
determine the pile-up correction metrics 1012 based on the detector
signal 1010. Subsequently, at step 1014, one or more statistical
weighting factors 1016 are determined based at least on the one or
more pile-up correction metrics 1014.
[0160] In accordance with aspects of the present specification, in
addition to the other methods of determining a statistical noise
model described with reference to FIGS. 8-10, a statistical noise
model may also be determined as a function of measured counts. In
particular, the statistical noise model may be determined by
deriving a parametric statistical model based on the physics of
pile-up. In the case of non-paralyzable detectors, there exists a
unique mapping that relates the mean number of counts to the noise
level. This mapping may be implemented as a lookup table that
provides a relationship between the measured counts and
corresponding noise levels. Model parameters for a pixel may then
be determined by performing a parametric fit of data from a
calibration measurement to the pile-up model.
[0161] Moreover, it is desirable that this parametric model
accurately describes the actual behavior of the detector of the
PCCT imaging system. A simple model of pile-up, the commonly used
ideal non-paralyzable detector model, is based on the assumption
that photon interactions are converted to pulses in the detector
electronics that have zero extent in time. However, this approach
is too simplistic to accurately predict the behavior of real photon
counting detectors for both low and high count rates.
[0162] In accordance with aspects of the present specification, a
more accurate model may be derived by assuming that pulses have a
finite duration. In this example, the mean and the variance
{circumflex over (.sigma.)}.sup.2 of measured counts are given
by:
.mu. = .lamda. t e - .lamda..tau. s + .lamda. .tau. ( 16 ) .sigma.
2 = .lamda. te - .lamda..tau. s ( 2 - e - .lamda..tau. s ) ( e -
.lamda..tau. s + .lamda..tau. ) 3 ( 17 ) ##EQU00004##
where .lamda. denotes the true count rate, t denotes the
measurement time, .tau. denotes the dead time of the counter, and
.tau..sub.s denotes a fraction of the dead time .tau. during which
a new event may cause a consecutive dead time to be triggered.
[0163] As previously described with reference to FIGS. 4-5, an
update to the estimated image is calculated/determined based on a
statistical model and an estimated sinogram. FIG. 11 presents a
method of determining/calculating an update to the estimated image
based on the statistical model and the estimated sinogram. In
particular, determining the update to the estimated image based on
the statistical model of steps 418 (see FIG. 4) and 524 (see FIG.
5) are described with reference to FIG. 11.
[0164] FIG. 11 is a flowchart 1100 depicting a method for
calculating one or more updates to an estimated image. The method
1100 is described with reference to the components of FIGS. 1-10.
Also, in certain embodiments, the noise correction platform 114 may
be employed to perform the method 1100.
[0165] As will be appreciated, during the SIR process, an estimated
sinogram is compared to a measured sinogram. Further, based on this
comparison, it may be desirable to calculate an update to the
estimated image. The calculated update is then used to generate an
updated reconstructed image. This updated reconstructed image is in
turn used to generate an updated estimated sinogram that is a
better match to the measured sinogram during subsequent iterations
of the iterative process.
[0166] Accordingly, the method 1100 starts at step 1106 where an
estimated sinogram 1102 is compared with a measured sinogram 1104.
Statistically-weighted differences 1112 between the estimated
sinogram 1102 and the measured sinogram 1104 are calculated, as
indicated by step 1108. More particularly, the statistically
weighted differences 1112 are determined based on statistical
weighting factors 1110. As previously noted, a statistical model
having the one or more statistical weighting factors 1110 is used
to calculate the statistically-weighted differences 1112.
[0167] Subsequently, at least one image update 1116 to the
estimated image is calculated based on the statistically-weighted
differences 1112, as indicted by step 1114. This update step is
typically performed as an optimization of an objective function.
For example, the objective function may include a weighted least
squares cost function or a log-likelihood function. It may be noted
that during the iterative SIR process, the more closely the
estimated sinogram matches the measured sinogram, the objective
function is closer to its optimum.
[0168] Turning now to FIG. 12, a graphical representation 1200 of a
pile-up ratio is depicted. Reference numeral 1202 represents the
X-axis, while the Y-axis is represented by reference numeral 1204.
Further, reference numeral 1206 generally graphically represents
the dependence of the pile-up ratio on an input count rate. The
pile-up ratio is a ratio of output counts or count rate divided by
input counts or count rate. Also, the pile-up ratio is a useful
value by which to compactly parameterize a pile-up noise
correction.
[0169] In one embodiment, the pile-up ratio is calculated or
measured as the number of output counts divided by the number of
input counts. At low flux, the output counts are equal to the input
counts, and hence the pile-up ratio equals one. As the count rate
increases and pile-up occurs, some counts are lost and the pile-up
ratio falls. At extremely high count rates, the output saturates or
falls to zero, hence the pile-up ratio goes to zero. It may be
noted that the pile-up ratio may be used to generate weights, which
in turn may be used to generate updates to the estimated image in
the processes characterized in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.
[0170] FIG. 13 is a graphical representation 1300 of a noise
pile-up correction factor as a function of a pile-up ratio. The
X-axis is represented by reference numeral 1302 and indicates the
pile-up ratio, while the Y-axis is represented by reference numeral
1304 and indicates the amplitude of a correction factor such as a
noise correction factor. Further, reference numeral 1306 generally
represents a pile-up correction factor. Also, reference numeral
1308 represents a linear extrapolation of the pile-up correction
factor, to illustrate the linear behavior of the correction factor
as the pile-up ratio approaches zero. In a certain embodiment, the
projection data from each pixel is multiplied by a pile-up
correction factor whose value is exemplified in the graphical
representation 1300, based on the pile-up ratio in that pixel.
[0171] As illustrated in FIG. 13, the pile-up correction factor is
equal to one for a zero pile-up ratio. Multiplying the measured
counts or noise by 1 gives the original value. Hence, the
correction for a low pile-up ratio leaves the counts or noise
unchanged. The correction then falls with an approximately linear
behavior. At a very high pile-up ratio, the correction factor
approaches zero, thereby indicating that the corrected value
approaches zero. Between these extremes, the correction factor
varies smoothly with a more or less polynomial-like behavior.
[0172] In accordance with further aspects of the present
specification, the methods of FIGS. 4-11 that are described in the
context of iterative image reconstruction may also be applied to
the context of basis material decomposition. In the example of
basis material decomposition, it is desirable to estimate a number
of basis material sinograms (or alternatively monochromatic
sinograms) from a number of energy bin measurements or sinograms.
The energy bin measurements may either be pre-corrected for pile-up
or pile-up may be incorporated in the material decomposition (MD)
models. Using an estimated set of basis material sinograms, a
forward MD model is configured to compute an estimated set of
energy bin sinograms. These estimated energy bin sinograms are
compared to the measured energy bin sinograms. An objective
function such as a weighted least squares cost function is used to
define an iterative update step.
[0173] Embodiments of the present specification, thus, provide
systems and methods for imaging that enhance the image quality of
iterative reconstruction and/or material decomposition for PCCT
imaging systems by applying the correct statistical models in
forward projection and/or statistical weighting. In particular, in
the systems and methods for imaging described hereinabove, the
unique statistical properties of X-ray pile-up are incorporated
into the noise model of an iterative algorithm for statistical
image reconstruction or material decomposition for PCCT imaging
systems.
[0174] Moreover, the systems and methods are configured to
selectively down-weight the projection rays that suffer from the
pile-up effect to reduce image artifacts in the final reconstructed
images generated by the PCCT imaging systems, while the projection
rays that are free of pile-up are comparatively boosted.
Furthermore, the statistical weighting factors may be adaptively
adjusted for pile-up correction, thereby furthering the reduction
of the image artifacts in images generated by the PCCT imaging
systems. The systems and methods are configured to effectively
correct the pile-up corrupted signals in PCCT imaging systems. The
methods disclosed may be applied to PCCT systems that provide
projection data corresponding to one or more of total detected
counts, counts in one or more energy bins, weighted sums of
detected counts in one or more energy bins, and processed counts
such as those that occur when material decomposition methods and/or
mono-energetic processing methods are applied. Improved image
quality provided by the present systems and methods will enable
increased use of PCCT imaging systems.
[0175] It may be noted that the foregoing examples, demonstrations,
and process steps that may be performed by certain components of
the present systems, for example by the processing subsystem 112
and the noise correction platform 114 in particular, may be
implemented by suitable code on a processor-based system. The
processor-based system, for example, may include a general-purpose
or a special-purpose computer. It may also be noted that different
implementations of the present specification may perform some or
all of the steps described herein in different orders or
substantially concurrently.
[0176] Additionally, the functions may be implemented in a variety
of programming languages, including but not limited to Ruby,
Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP), Perl, Delphi, Python, C, C++, or
Java. Such code may be stored or adapted for storage on one or more
tangible, machine-readable media, such as on data repository chips,
local or remote hard disks, optical disks (that is, CDs or DVDs),
solid-state drives, or other media, which may be accessed by the
processor-based system to execute the stored code.
[0177] Although specific features of embodiments of the present
specification may be shown in and/or described with respect to some
drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. It is to
be understood that the described features, structures, and/or
characteristics, illustrated in the figures and described herein,
may be combined and/or used interchangeably in any suitable manner
in the various embodiments, for example, to construct additional
assemblies and methods for use in diagnostic imaging.
[0178] While only certain features of the present specification
have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and
changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore,
to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all
such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of
the invention.
* * * * *