CT Scan Protocol Optimization With Adaptive X-Ray Tube Delays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CT scanner protocols that incorporate fixed or variable time delays between scans to manage thermal stress result in excessively long scan sequences, reducing the efficiency and throughput of CT imaging systems.
Innovation Solution
A software tool that uses a thermal physics model to calculate adaptive delays between CT scans, optimizing the scan sequence to maintain component temperatures within thermal limits while minimizing total scan time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed or variable time delays are inserted between successive CT scans to protect components from thermal stress, then component reliability is improved, but scan sequence duration increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed or variable time delays to adaptive time delays that are dynamically calculated based on real-time thermal stress conditions. The system continuously monitors thermal stress accumulated in the X-ray tube and other components, then adjusts the delay duration between scans accordingly. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to use shorter delays when thermal stress is low and longer delays when thermal stress is high, thereby reducing overall scan sequence duration while still protecting components from thermal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the delay parameter between scans based on thermal stress conditions. Instead of using a constant or pre-set variable delay, the system calculates the optimal delay duration by considering multiple parameters including thermal stress level, component temperature, and scan sequence context. This parameter optimization enables the system to minimize delay time while ensuring component protection, directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and time efficiency.
2Productivity
If multiple CT scans are performed in sequence during calibration, then imaging system functionality is improved, but thermal stress accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a closed-loop thermal management system that continuously monitors thermal stress in the X-ray tube and other components during sequential scans. The system uses this thermal feedback information to adjust operational parameters, including inserting adaptive delays between scans when thermal stress approaches critical levels. This feedback mechanism enables the system to perform multiple sequential scans for calibration purposes while actively managing and preventing excessive thermal stress accumulation, thus maintaining both productivity and component safety.
3Productivity
If adaptive delays are calculated based on thermal physics models, then scan sequence efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing complex mechanical thermal management systems with a software-based thermal physics model. Instead of using hardware mechanisms to control and monitor thermal stress, the system employs computational models that simulate thermal behavior and calculate optimal delay durations. This substitution reduces physical system complexity while maintaining or improving scan sequence efficiency, as the software-based approach can process thermal data and adjust delays more flexibly and quickly than mechanical systems.
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
The adaptive delay approach reduces the duration of CT scan sequences, increases system throughput, and minimizes downtime by intelligently managing thermal stress in CT scanner components.
Implementation Method 1
modifying the scan sequence protocol to include a delay between each scan and a subsequent scan of the scan sequence to reduce a temperature of one or more components of an X-ray tube
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for adaptively configuring time delays between scans of a scan sequence performed using an imaging system, to maintain a temperature of components of an X-ray tube of the imaging system within a threshold temperature. A software tool is provided that allows a user to import, modify, and/or create scan sequence protocols (e.g., such as image quality (IQ) protocols) using a dedicated graphical user interface (GUI). The software tool parses the scan sequence protocols, using a thermal physics model of the X-ray tube to calculate a plurality of adaptive delays to be inserted between each scan of the scan sequence, such that all the components of the tube stay within predefined thermal limits for robust IQ or within a thermal range typical of a clinical site's thermal operating range. Each adaptive delay may be of a different length of time.