Circular Electron Gun Array CT Scanner for Ultra-Fast Temporal Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CT devices face limitations in scanning speed due to mechanical constraints, resulting in low temporal resolution, which hinders ultra-fast scanning of objects moving at high speeds.
Innovation Solution
A CT device utilizing a circular electron gun array with a coaxial resonance acceleration cavity and a control system to generate and control electron beams for radial X-ray production, allowing for adjustable scanning speed and energy, enabling high temporal resolution imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If mechanical scanning mode is used with movable X-ray tube and detector, then spatial resolution is improved, but scanning speed deteriorates resulting in low temporal resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical scanning system (movable X-ray tube and detector) with an electron beam scanning system. The electron gun array emits electron beams that are magnetically deflected to scan the target, eliminating mechanical moving parts. This substitution enables ultra-fast scanning speeds (temporal resolution up to 1ms) while maintaining spatial resolution through precise electronic control of beam position and timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic electron beam scanning where the electron gun array and magnetic deflection system can rapidly adjust beam position and timing. The system uses pulsed electron beams with variable timing and magnetic field strength to dynamically control the scanning process, achieving both high spatial and temporal resolution without mechanical constraints.
2Speed
If rotation speed of CT is increased to improve scanning speed, then temporal resolution is improved, but structural stability deteriorates due to mechanical strength limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the rotating mechanical structure by using a stationary electron gun array with magnetic deflection. The scanning is achieved through electronic control of electron beam direction rather than physical rotation, removing the mechanical strength constraints that limited rotation speed to 0.33s/round. This enables scanning speeds up to 1ms/round without compromising structural stability.
3Speed
If electron beam scanning mode is used to improve scanning speed, then temporal resolution is improved, but device complexity increases due to electron gun array and magnetic deflection system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an array of multiple electron guns instead of a single electron source. Each electron gun can be independently controlled to emit beams at specific times and positions. This segmentation allows parallel scanning operations and simplifies the magnetic deflection requirements, as each gun covers a specific angular sector, reducing the overall system complexity despite the increased number of components.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple rows of detectors are increased to improve spatial resolution, then manufacturing precision is improved, but scanning speed deteriorates due to increased rotation mass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation of multiple detector rows with a stationary electron gun array that scans sequentially. The electron beam timing and magnetic deflection control which row is activated at each moment, enabling multi-row detection capability without the mechanical rotation mass penalty. This achieves both high spatial resolution and fast scanning speeds.
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
The solution achieves scanning speeds up to 1ms/round, significantly improving temporal resolution and enabling fast imaging of moving objects while maintaining spatial resolution.
Implementation Method 1
an acceleration cavity disposed inside of a circle on which the circular elector gun is positioned, including a plurality of nested concentric coaxial cavities that operate in p mode for accelerating electron beams emitted from the electron gun
Implementation Method 2
a circular transmission target transposed inside of a circle on which the acceleration cavity is positioned and being bombarded by the accelerated electron beams to generate X-rays
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
CT devices and methods thereof are disclosed. The CT device comprises a circular electron gun array including a plurality of electron guns, each of the electron guns is configured to emit electron beams along the radial direction of the circular electron gun array in sequence according to a predetermine pulse sequence; an acceleration cavity disposed inside of a circle on which the circular electron gun array is positioned, including a plurality of nested concentric coaxial cavities that operate in π mode for accelerating electron beams emitted from the respective electron guns of the circular electron gun array; a circular transmission target disposed inside of a circle on which the acceleration cavity is positioned and being bombarded by the accelerated electron beams to generate X-rays; and a circular detector configured to receive the X-rays after they have passed through an object to be detected.