CT Scanner Beam Width Control During Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CT scanners inefficiencies include unnecessary radiation exposure during acceleration and deceleration phases of helical scans, and the need for additional over-scan regions to ensure complete imaging, which increases radiation dosage.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for operating a CT scanner that controls the beam width of radiation output by the scanner in response to the speed of the subject support, allowing imaging during acceleration and deceleration phases without increasing radiation dosage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the subject support accelerates or decelerates during helical scanning, then the scanning efficiency is improved, but the radiation dosage becomes non-uniform across different regions of the subject
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the beam width adjustable and variable during the scanning process. The beam width is dynamically modified based on the instantaneous speed of the subject support, allowing the system to adapt to acceleration and deceleration phases while maintaining uniform radiation dosage distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of beam width in response to speed variations. By modifying the beam width parameter dynamically during scanning, the system compensates for speed changes to ensure that the radiation dosage remains substantially uniform across all scanned regions, including those acquired during acceleration and deceleration phases.
2Reliability
If over-scan regions are added before and after the prescribed scan region, then complete imaging is ensured, but the radiation exposure of the subject increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by acquiring imaging data only during the constant speed phase of scanning, rather than during the entire scanning process including acceleration and deceleration. This selective approach ensures complete imaging of the prescribed region without the need for additional over-scan regions, thereby reducing unnecessary radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and utilizes only the constant speed phase data for image reconstruction, separating it from the acceleration and deceleration phases. By taking out and using only the necessary data portion, the system achieves complete imaging while eliminating redundant radiation exposure during non-constant speed phases.
3Measurement precision
If the x-ray tube is turned on before raw data acquisition to ensure tube stabilization, then imaging quality is improved, but extra radiation is introduced to the subject
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by stabilizing the x-ray tube before the constant speed phase begins and turning off the tube after this phase ends. This ensures that radiation is only emitted when stable imaging data can be acquired, eliminating unnecessary pre-heating radiation and post-scanning radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent skips the acceleration and deceleration phases for data acquisition purposes, rushing through these phases without emitting radiation. By skipping these non-constant speed phases, the system avoids introducing extra radiation while maintaining imaging quality through focused acquisition during the stable constant speed phase.
Data Source
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AI summary
:A mechanism for controlling the operation of a CT scanner during a scanning procedure. A radiation outputting system is configured to output radiation during an imaging phase of the scanning procedure. The subject support (patient table) of the CT scanner is controlled to move linearly, e.g. according to some predetermined linear pattern, during this imaging phase. The linear movement of the subject support includes at least one acceleration and/or deceleration phase. At least a beam width of radiation output by the CT scanner is controlled throughout the imaging phase responsive to the speed of the subject support.