CT Collimator Segmented Apertures for Focal Spot Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current CT system collimators face issues with mutual interference between aperture edges, limited tracking range, poor tracking sensitivity, and susceptibility to noise due to fixed aperture widths, which hinder effective focal spot tracking and radiation dose reduction.
Innovation Solution
A collimator with separate imaging and tracking apertures of varying widths, aligned in the longitudinal direction, where the tracking aperture is wider than the imaging aperture to reduce interference and increase tracking range, and can be designed with one or multiple apertures, allowing for independent movement to adapt to focal spot motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a narrow aperture is used for optimal dose reduction, then radiation dose is reduced, but the tracking range is limited and mutual interference between aperture edges increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is divided into two independent aperture systems: an imaging aperture for X-ray imaging and a tracking aperture for focal spot tracking. The tracking aperture can be independently adjusted in width and position, allowing it to be widened to reduce mutual interference and increase tracking range, while the imaging aperture maintains its narrow width for optimal dose reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The focal spot tracking function is extracted from the imaging aperture system and implemented through a separate tracking aperture. This allows the tracking aperture to have different width characteristics optimized specifically for tracking, independent of the imaging aperture's narrow width requirements for dose reduction.
2Ease of manufacture
If a fixed width aperture is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but mutual interference between aperture edges increases and tracking sensitivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking aperture is designed with movable edges that can be dynamically adjusted in position and width. This dynamic capability allows the aperture to adapt to different tracking conditions, improving tracking sensitivity and reducing mutual interference between edges, while the imaging aperture remains fixed for manufacturing simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a wide aperture is used to accommodate focal spot movement, then tracking range is increased, but radiation dose increases due to reduced beam collimation
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is divided into two independent aperture systems: an imaging aperture for X-ray imaging and a tracking aperture for focal spot tracking. The tracking aperture can be independently adjusted in width and position, allowing it to be widened to reduce mutual interference and increase tracking range, while the imaging aperture maintains its narrow width for optimal dose reduction.
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 beam interference, enhances tracking sensitivity, and improves noise resistance by allowing for a larger tracking operation range while maintaining the required beam width for imaging, thereby optimizing radiation dose management in CT systems.
Implementation Method 1
The collimator is made of an X-ray absorbing material and comprises: an imaging aperture having a first width for passage of a first X-ray beam
Data Source
AI summary
A collimator for use in a CT system made of an X-ray absorbing material, the collimator comprises an imaging aperture having a first width for passage of a first X-ray beam, the first X-ray beam being used for X-ray imaging, and a tracking aperture having a second width for passage of a second X-ray beam, the second X-ray beam being used for X-ray beam tracking.