Adaptive X-ray Filtration for CT Dynamic Range Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray filtration systems in computed tomography (CT) imaging struggle with dynamic range control, leading to suboptimal image quality and increased patient dose due to the lack of adaptability to varying patient sizes and projection angles, as traditional bowtie filters are not ideal for all patient profiles and orientations.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive X-ray filtration system comprising a rotatable volume of X-ray attenuating material with a central less attenuating region, which can be positioned near the X-ray source and rotated to adjust attenuation based on the angular orientation, allowing for customizable attenuation patterns tailored to specific imaging subjects during CT scans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a traditional bowtie filter is used, then dynamic range control is improved, but adaptability to different patient sizes and projection angles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the filter adaptive and adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts filter parameters based on patient size and projection angle, transforming a static bowtie filter into a dynamic system that can optimize performance for each imaging scenario. This resolves the contradiction by enabling both stable dynamic range control and adaptability to varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying filter characteristics (such as attenuation coefficients, thickness profiles) based on detected patient parameters and projection angles. The system changes filter parameters adaptively to match different imaging conditions, thereby maintaining optimal dynamic range control across diverse patient sizes and orientations without requiring multiple physical filters.
2Measurement precision
If X-ray exposure is increased to penetrate thick patient regions, then image quality in thick regions is improved, but patient dose in thin regions increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing spatially varying attenuation profiles in the filter that are tailored to different regions of the patient. The filter provides different attenuation levels for different projection angles and detector regions, allowing optimized exposure for thick regions while reducing dose to thin regions. This regional customization resolves the contradiction between achieving adequate penetration in thick areas and minimizing unnecessary exposure in thin areas.
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 system enhances image quality by optimizing X-ray exposure across the detector, reducing patient dose, and improving adaptability to different patient sizes and orientations, thereby providing more precise and efficient X-ray filtration compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The volume of X-ray attenuating material can be a rotatable element such that attenuation of an X-ray beam through the filter is a function of the angular orientation of the rotatable element around the internal axis
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention pertains to a system and method for adaptive X-ray filtration comprising a volume of X-ray attenuating material with a central less attenuating three-dimensional region. The volume of X-ray attenuating material can be positioned within 10 cm from an X-ray source and rotated around an internal axis of rotation. The volume of X-ray attenuating material can be symmetric around the internal axis while the central less attenuating region can be asymmetric around the internal axis. Rotating the volume by a predetermined angle around the internal axis can change the amount of attenuation of an X-ray beam through the filter. The volume can be rotated by the same predetermined angle as an imaging subject or X-ray source and detector are rotated during X-ray image acquisition.