Effective atomic number image determination with an energy-resolving photon-counting detector using polychromatic X-ray attenuation by correcting for the beam hardening effect and detector response

Kimoto, Natsumi; Hayashi, Hiroaki; Asakawa, Tsuyoshi; Lee, Cheonghae; Asahara, Takashi; Maeda, Tatsuya; Goto, Sota; Kanazawa, Yuki; Katsumata, Akitoshi; Yamamoto, S.; Okada, Masahiro

doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2021.109617

Cited by 17 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…ERPCD can measure x-ray intensities related to predetermined multiple energy bins. In this study, the following three energy bins (windows) were used: low energy bin 20-32 keV, middle energy bin 32-40 keV, and high energy bin 40-56 keV (Kimoto et al 2021a(Kimoto et al , 2021b. Here, we defined the x-ray spectrum measured with the imaging detector as f E ;…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Bone mineral density (BMD), which is one of the quantitative information, can be usually measured in the current clinical diagnosis by using dualenergy technique and/or ERPCDs. In the future it is expected that advanced x-ray quantitative diagnoses will be established by using ERPCDs (Hayashi et al 2021, 2021a, 2021b.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the present study, we evaluated image blurring using an effective atomic number (Z eff ) image as an example. This is because the algorithm to derive several quantitative images that we have proposed calculates an Z eff image as a beginning (Hayashi et al 2021, 2021a, 2021b, so improving the accuracy of the atomic number image will lead to improving the quality of other images. Furthermore, it is expected that the quantitative diagnostic by using Z eff themselves will become widespread in clinical examinations (Al-Buriahi and Tonguc 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A blurring correction method suitable to analyze quantitative x-ray images derived from energy-resolving photon counting detector

Kobayashi,

Hayashi,

Nishigami

et al. 2024

Phys. Med. Biol.

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Objective. The purpose of this study is to propose a novel blurring correction method that enables accurate quantitative analysis of the object edge when using energy-resolving photon counting detectors (ERPCDs). Although the ERPCDs have the ability to generate various quantitative analysis techniques, such as the derivations of effective atomic number (Zeff) and bone mineral density (BMD) values, at the object edge in these quantitative images, accurate quantitative information cannot be obtained. This is because image blurring prevents the gathering of accurate primary X-ray attenuation information. Approach. We developed the following procedure for blurring correction. A 5 × 5 pixels masking region was set as the processing area, and the pixels affected by blurring were extracted from the analysis of pixel value distribution. The blurred pixel values were then corrected to the proper values estimated by analyzing minimum and/or maximum values in the set mask area. The suitability of our correction method was verified by a simulation study and an experiment using a prototype ERPCD. Main results. When Zeff image of aluminum objects (Zeff = 13) were analyzed without applying our correction method, regardless of raw data or correction data applying a conventional edge enhancement method, the proper Zeff values could not be derived for the object edge. In contrast, when applying our correction method, 82% of pixels affected by blurring were corrected and the proper Zeff values were calculated for those pixels. As a result of investigating the applicability limits of our method through simulation, it was proven that it works effectively for objects with 4 × 4 pixels or more. Significance. Our method is effective in correcting image blurring when the quantitative image is calculated based on multiple images. It will become an in-demand technology for putting a quantitative diagnosis into actual medical examinations.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A blurring correction method suitable to analyze quantitative x-ray images derived from energy-resolving photon counting detector

Kobayashi,

Hayashi,

Nishigami

et al. 2024

Phys. Med. Biol.

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“…Spectral x-ray detectors capable of measuring the energy spectrum of the x-ray beam can provide valuable information for beam hardening correction. Dual-energy or multi-energy CT systems utilise such detectors to acquire data at multiple energy levels, enabling more accurate material decomposition and attenuation coefficient estimation [10][11][12].…”

Section: Beam Hardeningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beam hardening correction based on image noise statistics

Burkhard,

Küng

2024

Meas. Sci. Technol.

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Beam hardening artefacts in X-ray computed tomography (CT) result from energy-dependent attenuation of X-rays in matter and cause inaccuracies in reconstructed 3D volume data. Effects due to beam hardening can easily be corrected if the detected spectrum of X-rays is known after having passed through an object. Conventional scintillator X-ray detectors, however, are incapable of measuring spectral information directly. The innovative idea of this paper is to extract information about the detected spectrum from image noise statistics and to estimate the spectrum using a new semi-empirical model function for a partially absorbed X-ray spectrum depending on a single unknown variable. The beam hardening correction factor is thus determined for each image pixel prior to the 3D reconstruction, does not require knowledge of the material of the CT-scanned object and is determined by modelling physical effects directly, without relying on an iterative approach or elaborate image processing.

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“…Once the spectral images are acquired, different techniques and algorithms can be easily applied to combine and weight the energy-binned images. While the advantages of the energy-resolved approach have been well demonstrated in several studies [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ], the development of ERPC systems with high spatial and energy resolution is still currently under research and development. ERPC prototypes based on room temperature compound semiconductor detectors have given the best results, ensuring direct photon counting detection and good room temperature energy/spatial resolution [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Window-Based Energy Selecting X-ray Imaging and Charge Sharing in Cadmium Zinc Telluride Linear Array Detectors for Contaminant Detection

Buttacavoli

Principato

Gerardi

et al. 2023

Sensors

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The spectroscopic and imaging performance of energy-resolved photon counting detectors, based on new sub-millimetre boron oxide encapsulated vertical Bridgman cadmium zinc telluride linear arrays, are presented in this work. The activities are in the framework of the AVATAR X project, planning the development of X-ray scanners for contaminant detection in food industry. The detectors, characterized by high spatial (250 µm) and energy (<3 keV) resolution, allow spectral X-ray imaging with interesting image quality improvements. The effects of charge sharing and energy-resolved techniques on contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) enhancements are investigated. The benefits of a new energy-resolved X-ray imaging approach, termed window-based energy selecting, in the detection of low- and high-density contaminants are also shown.

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Effective atomic number image determination with an energy-resolving photon-counting detector using polychromatic X-ray attenuation by correcting for the beam hardening effect and detector response

Cited by 17 publications

References 29 publications

A blurring correction method suitable to analyze quantitative x-ray images derived from energy-resolving photon counting detector

A blurring correction method suitable to analyze quantitative x-ray images derived from energy-resolving photon counting detector

Beam hardening correction based on image noise statistics

Window-Based Energy Selecting X-ray Imaging and Charge Sharing in Cadmium Zinc Telluride Linear Array Detectors for Contaminant Detection

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