CT Scanning at Discrete Height Positions for Stable Upright Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computed tomography (CT) apparatuses face challenges in obtaining high-quality tomographic images of subjects in standing or sitting postures due to instability and complex operation controls, particularly during helical scanning, which can lead to body movement and image deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A CT apparatus with a radiation source emitting a quadrangular pyramid-shaped beam, a radiation detector with a two-dimensional pixel array, and a processor that controls the rotation and elevation mechanisms to generate tomographic images at multiple height positions, ensuring overlapping imaging ranges and simple operation control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If helical scanning is performed to obtain tomographic images of wider range, then the imaging range in body axis direction is improved, but the operation control becomes complicated and body movement occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging process into multiple discrete height positions along the body axis direction. Instead of continuous helical scanning, the system performs conventional scanning at separate, predetermined height levels. This segmentation simplifies the operation control by breaking down the complex helical motion into simpler vertical positioning steps while still achieving wide-range imaging through multiple segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from helical scanning (which combines rotation and continuous vertical movement) to conventional scanning with discrete height positioning. By changing the dimensional approach from continuous three-dimensional helical motion to discrete height-level conventional scans, the system achieves the same imaging range while simplifying control operations.
2Volume of moving object
If helical scanning is performed to obtain tomographic images of wider range, then the imaging range in body axis direction is improved, but body movement and image quality deterioration occur
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the imaging process into discrete height positions, the system eliminates continuous vertical movement during scanning. This prevents body movement artifacts that occur during helical scanning, thereby maintaining image quality while achieving wide-range imaging through the combination of multiple segmented scans at different heights.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic conventional scanning at discrete height positions rather than continuous helical scanning. This periodic approach at predetermined intervals allows the subject to remain stationary between scans, preventing body movement and ensuring consistent image quality across the entire imaging range.
3Volume of moving object
If the radiation source and detector are moved in body axis direction during helical scanning, then the imaging range is improved, but the subject becomes unstable and staggering occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into discrete height positions, moving the radiation source and detector vertically between scans rather than continuously during scanning. This segmented approach allows the subject to remain stable and stationary during each conventional scan, eliminating the instability and staggering that occur during continuous helical scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary vertical positioning of the radiation source and detector to predetermined height positions before each conventional scan. This preliminary action ensures that the imaging apparatus is correctly positioned at each height level, allowing the subject to remain stable and stationary during the actual scanning process.
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
Enables the acquisition of wide-range tomographic images with reduced body movement concerns and simplified operation, maintaining image quality for subjects in standing or sitting positions.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation source that emits radiation having a quadrangular pyramid shape to a subject positioned in either a standing posture or a sitting posture
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging control unit performs conventional scanning, which directs a rotation mechanism to rotate a radiation source and a radiation detector without changing a positional relationship between a subject, and the radiation source and the radiation detector in a rotation axis direction, directs the radiation source to emit radiation whenever the radiation source and the radiation detector are rotated by a preset angle, and directs the radiation detector to output a projection image, at a plurality of height positions along the rotation axis direction. The image processing unit generates a tomographic image on the basis of the projection images obtained at the plurality of height positions.