Adaptable Patient Support for X-ray Sensitivity and Field of View Trade-off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard radiography systems for grating-based Dark-Field and phase-contrast X-ray imaging face a trade-off between sensitivity and field of view, affecting image quality.
Innovation Solution
A radiography system with an adaptable patient support unit positioned between the source and detection units along an optical axis, allowing for patient-specific adjustment of the distance to optimize sensitivity and field of view, utilizing three gratings and a position detection device to determine the appropriate abutting distance for enhanced image generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the patient is positioned closer to the source unit to increase sensitivity, then the sensitivity to small-angle scattering is improved, but the field of view decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support unit is made movable along the optical axis, allowing dynamic adjustment of the patient's position between the source unit and detection unit. This enables the system to adapt the abutting distance to optimize the trade-off between sensitivity and field of view for different imaging requirements and patient sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of object distance (abutting distance) to control the sensitivity-field of view trade-off. By adjusting this parameter, the system can achieve optimal imaging conditions for different clinical scenarios without requiring multiple fixed-position systems.
2Measurement precision
If the patient is positioned closer to the source unit, then the magnification increases and sensitivity improves, but the image quality may deteriorate due to excessive magnification
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the actual abutting distance is measured and used to adjust imaging parameters. The image generation unit receives information about the patient's actual position and compensates for magnification effects, ensuring consistent image quality regardless of the abutting distance selected for sensitivity optimization.
3Device complexity
If a fixed patient support position is used, then the system structure is simplified, but the ability to optimize imaging for different patients is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support unit transitions from a fixed to a movable design, enabling it to adapt to different patient sizes and imaging requirements. This dynamic capability provides patient-specific optimization without requiring multiple specialized systems, achieving versatility with moderate additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable patient support unit serves multiple functions: it enables sensitivity optimization, accommodates different patient sizes, and works with the feedback system to maintain image quality. This single adaptable component replaces what would otherwise require multiple fixed-position systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach improves image quality by achieving a better contrast-to-noise ratio and facilitating diagnosis by optimizing sensitivity and field of view, allowing for high sensitivity in small-angle scattering while maintaining effective imaging of the entire object.
Implementation Method 1
Dark-Field contrast X-ray imaging uses information concerning small-angle scattering
Implementation Method 2
Phase-contrast X-ray imaging uses information concerning changes in the phase by refraction of an X-ray beam that passes through an object
Implementation Method 3
By using interferometric methods, for instance by using a Talbot-Lau type interferometer with three gratings in the beam
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to grating based Dark-Field and/or phase-contrast X-ray imaging. In order to improve the quality of an image, a radiography system (10) for grating based Dark-Field and/or phase-contrast X-ray imaging for imaging a patient by irradiating the patient is provided. The system comprises a source unit (12), a detection unit (14) and a patient support unit (16) with a patient abutting surface (18). The source unit (12) and the detection unit (14) are arranged along an optical axis (13) and the patient support unit (16) is arranged in between. Further, an abutting distance (dA) between the source unit (12) and the patient abutting surface (18) along the optical axis (13) is adaptable. The abutting distance (dA) and an actual sensitivity, based on the abutting distance (dA), are taken into account for imaging, such that a trade-off between sensitivity and field of view in a patient specific manner is achievable, e.g. the best trade-off.