Static CT Ring With Movable Element and Selectable Focal Spots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer tomographs with rotating emitter-detector units face challenges in handling and imaging quality, and those with stationary units often have complex structures that complicate the adjustment and positioning of focal spots for optimal X-ray imaging.
Innovation Solution
A computer tomograph with a static emitter-detector ring composed of an odd number of radiator-detector elements, where each element can be opened to form a C-shape, allowing for multiple focal spot positions along the circumference, enabling efficient positioning and adjustment of X-ray beams without mechanical rotation, using electron emitters and electrodes to generate focal spots at various positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotating emitter-detector unit is used in conventional CT scanners, then continuous X-ray imaging can be achieved, but the mechanical rotation introduces complexity and potential reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The emitter-detector ring is divided into multiple discrete emitter-detector elements arranged in a C-shape configuration. Each element contains an electron emitter and detector pair that can be independently controlled, eliminating the need for mechanical rotation while maintaining the ability to acquire projections from multiple angles around the object
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation system with an electronic control system. Multiple electron emitters at different angular positions around the object are selectively activated to generate X-rays from different angles, substituting mechanical motion with electronic switching and control
2Measurement precision
If a static emitter-detector ring with multiple focal spot positions is used, then imaging quality improves, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Each emitter-detector element is designed with multi-functionality, containing electron emitters that can generate focal spots at multiple angular positions and detectors that can detect X-rays from various directions. This universal design allows a single element to perform multiple imaging functions without requiring separate dedicated components for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control of the electron emitters through electrode arrangements that can adjust the position of focal spots in the circumferential direction. This dynamic capability allows the system to adaptively select optimal focal spot positions based on the imaging requirements, achieving high imaging quality without permanent structural complexity
3Stability of the object's composition
If an odd number of emitter-detector elements is used to form a C-shape, then uniform angular distribution is achieved, but the arrangement becomes more complex than a simple even number
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately uses an odd number of emitter-detector elements in the C-shaped arrangement, creating an asymmetric configuration that provides uniform angular distribution of X-ray sources around the object. This asymmetric odd-numbered arrangement avoids the alignment issues that would occur with even numbers, where opposite elements could create interference patterns, while still maintaining structural simplicity through the regular spacing of elements
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 allows for a mass-efficient structure with high imaging quality, enabling uniform angular jumps around the examination object, simulating the rotation of an X-ray source while maintaining a high number of focal spot positions, thus facilitating better X-ray imaging without the complexity of rotating parts.
Implementation Method 1
each source-detector element has an anode arrangement for the emission of X-rays, which extends over an angle α of at least 0.9 × 360°/n around the circumference of the source-detector ring
Implementation Method 2
directing a fan-shaped X-ray beam, emanating from a first focal spot, towards the object under investigation
Implementation Method 3
wherein each source-detector element has an anode arrangement for the emission of X-rays and a detector for the detection of X-rays
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a computer tomography machine comprising a static emitter-detector ring (10) that is made of an odd number (n) of emitter-detector elements (11, 12, 13, 14, 26), a single one (26) of which can be moved relative to the remaining emitter-detector elements (11, 12, 13, 14) that together describe a C-shape and in the process opens the emitter-detector ring (10), wherein each emitter-detector element (11, 12, 13, 14, 26) has an anode assembly (9), which is designed to emit infrared radiation and which extends over an angle α of at least 0.9 x 360°/n on the circumference of the emitter-detector ring (10), and a detector (4), which is designed to detect infrared radiation and which extends over an angle β of at least 0.95 x 360°/n within the same emitter-detector element (11, 12, 13, 14, 26). Each anode assembly (9) is part of an emitter assembly (18) which comprises multiple electron emitters (5, 25) and in which each electron emitter (5, 25) is designed to generate a focal spot (BF-, BF, BF+) on one of at least three selectable positions on the anode assembly (9) in cooperation with an electrode assembly (21).