Collimator Plate Inclination for X-ray Focal Point Correction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Variations in the position of the radiation focal point in X-ray CT apparatuses lead to noise and degradation in reconstructed images due to inaccuracies in collimator plate installation and X-ray source positioning, which existing technologies struggle to correct effectively.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a radiation imaging apparatus with collimator plates equipped with radiation absorption members that provide equivalent radiation shielding effects from different focal points, allowing for the separation of radiation detecting elements and correction of focal point variations through data acquisition and processing units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If collimator plates are installed with high precision to ensure accurate segment separation, then reconstructed image quality is improved, but manufacturing and installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollimator plate installation accuracyVSAvoidcollimator assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the collimator plates by introducing an inclination angle relative to the radial direction from the X-ray source. Instead of requiring perfectly perpendicular installation, the plates are designed with a specific angle that compensates for focal point variations, thereby reducing the required installation precision while maintaining image quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent预先 introduces inclination angles and overlapping structures in the collimator plate design to cushion against the harmful effects of focal point movements. These pre-designed geometric features compensate for potential positioning errors, allowing for less stringent installation requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Measurement precision

If the number of collimator plates is increased to improve segment separation accuracy, then image reconstruction quality is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesegment separation accuracyVSAvoidcollimator plate quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of existing collimator plates (inclination angles, overlapping dimensions) to improve their effectiveness. This approach achieves better segment separation accuracy by optimizing the parameters of fewer plates rather than simply increasing the number of plates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If collimator plates are made with stricter tolerance to reduce variations, then reconstructed image quality is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollimator plate consistencyVSAvoidcollimator plate fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces inclination angles and overlapping structures that provide a geometric buffer against variations in plate dimensions. This design approach reduces the impact of manufacturing tolerances, allowing for more relaxed fabrication requirements while maintaining consistent performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The overlapping structures and inclination angles are designed in advance to cushion against the effects of manufacturing variations. This pre-compensation mechanism reduces the need for extremely tight tolerances during fabrication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 solution enables high-resolution determination of the radiation focal point position and correction of image degradation, enhancing image quality and reducing the required accuracy for collimator plate installation, thus improving the overall performance of X-ray CT imaging.

Implementation Method 1

collimator plates being provided with radiation absorption members at surfaces of at least one first collimator plate located on one end side, of the collimator plates and at least one second collimator plate located on the other end side, of the collimator plates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS8891727B2Radiation imaging apparatus, radiation detecting apparatus and radiation focal-point movement detecting method

Publication Date: 2014.11.18 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A radiation imaging apparatus is provided. The radiation imaging apparatus includes a radiation source configured to emit radiation from a first focal point, a plurality of radiation detecting elements disposed opposite to the radiation source and arranged in a channel direction, a plurality of collimator plates provided along the channel direction so as to separate the radiation detecting elements, the collimator plates including radiation absorption members at surfaces of at least one first collimator plate located on a first end side and at least one second collimator plate located on a second end side such that radiation shielding effects of the first and second collimator plates become substantially equivalent when the surfaces of the first and second collimator plates are located along a radial direction from a second focal point, and a data acquisition unit configured to acquire radiation projection data from the radiation detecting elements.