Completion of truncated attenuation maps using maximum likelihood estimation of attenuation and activity (MLAA)
US8620053B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 4, 2010 |
| Grant date | Dec 31, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 26, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2211/432
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is a method of generating a best estimate of an image attenuation map derived from a truncated image attenuation map and PET emissions data for the object being imaged by a morphological imaging modality. The method involves a plurality of steps beginning with the recordation and processing of PET emissions data. Next, the morphological imaging modality records image data which is processed to determine an attenuation map. The attenuation map, for image modalities such as CT and MR scanning systems integrated with PET, is truncated, resulting in a truncated attenuation map image. Pixels for which attenuation data needs to be determined are identified and attenuation coefficients for these pixels are estimated and combined with the truncated attenuation map to generate a full initial attenuation map for the image, which is iteratively processed together with the PET emission data until the improvement change in the emission image reaches a defined threshold improvement level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.