Decentralized Voltage Conditioners for X-Ray Photon Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

X-ray detectors in computed tomography (CT) systems face challenges in achieving spatially resolved measurements with low power loss and stable voltage supply due to high energy x-ray photons, leading to high power consumption and complex voltage conditioning requirements.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a plurality of photoelectric converters, current measuring apparatuses, and voltage conditioners, where each current measuring apparatus is connected to a voltage conditioner that down-converts a supply voltage to an operating voltage, enabling efficient measurement of photocurrents with reduced power loss and stable voltage supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If a high supply voltage is used to power multiple ASICs through a central unit, then the operating voltage can be provided to all detector elements, but the power loss increases and the cable capacity requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidpower loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the centralized voltage supply system into multiple decentralized voltage conditioners, each serving a specific detector element or group. This segmentation allows each conditioner to operate at lower power levels, reducing overall power loss and eliminating the need for high-capacity cables to transport high voltages over long distances within the detector assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each voltage conditioner is placed locally at or near the detector element it serves, enabling localized voltage conversion. This local quality approach ensures that each detector element receives its required operating voltage from a nearby conditioner, minimizing power loss in transmission and reducing the current load on supply cables.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Use of energy by stationary object

If direct voltage converters with filters are used to condition supply voltages, then the desired operating voltage can be achieved, but the device complexity and filtering requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage conditioningVSAvoidvoltage conditioning complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the voltage conversion function from a centralized conditioning unit and implements it in multiple simple, decentralized voltage conditioners. Each conditioner performs basic voltage conversion without requiring complex filtering infrastructure, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective voltage conditioning for each detector element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Loss of energy

If multiple voltage conditioners are used to reduce power loss, then the power consumption decreases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower lossVSAvoidnumber of voltage conditioners

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each voltage conditioner is designed as a self-contained unit that independently converts the supply voltage to the required operating voltage for its associated detector element. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system architecture by eliminating the need for complex inter-conditioner coordination and centralized control, making the addition of multiple conditioners straightforward rather than complicating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution allows for a compact design with low power loss and stable voltage supply, effectively achieving spatially resolved measurement of x-ray photons while minimizing space requirements and operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

each photoelectric converter is configured to generate a photocurrent from an incident photon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

the voltage conditioner is configured to down-convert the supply voltage to an operating voltage of a current measuring apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage down-conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS10444380B2Device for the spatially resolved measurement of photons

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

A device is for the spatially resolved measurement of photons, in particular x-ray photons. In an embodiment, the device includes a first plurality of photoelectric converters, a second plurality of current measuring apparatuses and a third plurality of voltage conditioners. Each current measuring apparatus is electrically connected to at least one photoelectric converter; each voltage conditioner is electrically connected to at least one current measuring apparatus; and each photoelectric converter is configured to generate a photocurrent from an incident photon. Each voltage conditioner is connectable to a supply bar, configured to provide a supply voltage. The voltage conditioner is configured to down-convert the supply voltage to an operating voltage of a current measuring apparatus. Each current measuring apparatus is configured to measure a photocurrent under operating voltage when this is generated in a photoelectric converter, electrically connected to the respective current measuring apparatus.