Collimator Module Groove Support for X-ray CT Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collimator modules for X-ray CT devices are prone to bending during high-speed rotation due to their design, which compromises the accuracy and quality of X-ray detection.
Innovation Solution
The collimator module design includes a supporting member with grooves for both short and long sides of the collimator single plates, ensuring secure fixation and stability by covering the long sides from both incident and emission sides of X-rays, thereby preventing bending during high-speed rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the collimator module uses a supporting member that only holds the long sides of the collimator single plate, then the structure is simple, but the collimator module becomes easily bent during high-speed rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is divided into multiple functional components: a base member with first grooves for the short sides, and fixing sheets with second grooves for the long sides. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while collectively providing comprehensive support to prevent bending during high-speed rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator single plates are nested within the supporting member structure, with the short sides inserted into grooves of the base member and long sides inserted into grooves of the fixing sheets. This nested arrangement ensures the collimator single plates are securely constrained in multiple directions, preventing bending while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Length of moving object
If the collimator module length in slice direction becomes longer for multi-detector CT, then the detector coverage is improved, but the collimator single plates become easily bent during high-speed rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member provides support in multiple dimensions: the base member supports the short sides (one dimension), while the fixing sheets support the long sides (another dimension). This multi-dimensional support system effectively prevents bending of the elongated collimator single plates during high-speed rotation, enabling longer module lengths for improved detector coverage.
3Measurement precision
If the holding positions of the collimator single plate are made accurate, then the X-ray detection quality is improved, but the supporting member structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member provides localized support at critical positions: the base member with first grooves positions the short sides, and the fixing sheets with second grooves position the long sides. This local quality approach ensures accurate holding positions for optimal X-ray detection while keeping the overall structure simple and easy to manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
A collimator module (10A) comprises a plurality of collimator single plates (11) having a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides and a pair of blocks (12) including a plurality of first grooves (125) extending along an irradiation direction of the X-rays. The short sides are inserted into the first grooves to support the collimator single plates. A supporting member is configured to cover the long sides from an incident side and an emission side of the X-rays. The supporting member includes an incident side fixing sheet (13) and an emission side fixing sheet (15) each having a plurality of second grooves into which the long sides are inserted to support the plurality of collimator single plates. The fixing sheets cover the first grooves and at least a portion of each of the long sides.