Radiographic Collimator with Unequal Interval Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high manufacturing cost and weight of collimators in radiographic diagnosis apparatuses, particularly X-ray CT systems, due to the use of heavy metals like molybdenum and tungsten for absorbing scattered X-rays, necessitate a more efficient and cost-effective solution.
Innovation Solution
A collimator design with absorption walls arranged at unequal intervals along the X-ray incident direction, using reduced amounts of heavy metals, and potentially alternating materials or varying thicknesses to enhance absorption rates, while maintaining effective scattered X-ray removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heavy metals such as Mo and W are used in large quantities as the material of the absorption walls constituting the collimator, then the scattered X-ray absorption capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and weight of the collimator are greatly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The absorption wall is divided into multiple absorption portions arranged at unequal intervals along the X-ray incident direction. This segmentation allows the collimator to maintain scattered X-ray absorption capability while using less heavy metal material, thereby reducing weight and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the absorption wall have different absorption portion arrangements. The absorption portions are arranged at unequal intervals, with denser arrangements in regions requiring higher absorption and sparser arrangements in regions where less absorption is needed. This local optimization reduces overall material usage while maintaining necessary absorption performance.
2Reliability
If heavy metals such as Mo and W are used in large quantities as the material of the absorption walls constituting the collimator, then the scattered X-ray absorption capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost is greatly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The absorption wall is segmented into multiple absorption portions with gaps between them. This reduces the total volume of expensive heavy metal materials (Mo and W) required, directly lowering manufacturing cost while maintaining sufficient scattered X-ray absorption through strategic positioning of the absorption portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorption portions are arranged at unequal intervals to optimize material distribution. Regions with higher scattered X-ray flux receive denser absorption portions, while other regions use sparser arrangements, minimizing overall heavy metal usage and associated costs while preserving absorption effectiveness.
3Quantity of substance
If absorption portions are arranged at unequal intervals along the incident direction, then the material usage is reduced, but the design complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The absorption portions are arranged at unequal intervals with specific patterns that optimize material reduction. While the intervals vary, the arrangement follows systematic design rules that balance complexity reduction with material efficiency, placing absorption portions where they provide maximum scattering radiation attenuation per unit material.
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 design reduces the manufacturing cost and weight of the collimator while maintaining its ability to remove scattered X-rays, improving the overall efficiency and reducing material usage by about 10% compared to conventional collimators.
Implementation Method 1
The collimator removes scattered X-rays that are made incident on the X-ray detector, by absorbing scattered ray components contained in the incident X-ray to the X-ray detector, i.e., by absorbing scattered X-rays
Data Source
AI summary
A radiographic diagnosis apparatus according to a present embodiment includes: an X-ray source configured to generate an X-ray; an X-ray detector configured to detect the X-ray and to generate an electric signal according to the X-ray; and a collimator provided on an X-ray incident side of the X-ray detector and the collimator including an absorption wall configured to absorb a scattered X-ray. The absorption wall includes absorption portions arranged along an incident direction of the X-ray. The absorption portions are arranged at unequal intervals along the incident direction.