Radiation Detector Signal Polarity Inversion for Data Acquisition Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional radiation diagnosis apparatuses require a large number of data acquisition units due to each radiation detector needing a separate unit, resulting in a bulky, heavy, and expensive system.

Innovation Solution

A radiation diagnosis apparatus that employs a reduced number of data acquisition units by using a first and second radiation detector with the same polarity output signals, an inverter to invert the polarity of the first detector's signal, a discriminator to generate control signals based on polarity differences, and a data acquisition unit to convert and identify the signals, allowing multiple detectors to share a single data acquisition unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If one data acquisition unit is assigned to each radiation detector, then signal detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal detection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple radiation detectors are merged to share a single data acquisition unit. The patent connects multiple detectors (first radiation detector and second radiation detector) to one data acquisition unit through signal routing, where the first detector's signal is inverted and both are processed by the same unit, reducing the total number of data acquisition units needed while maintaining detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

An inverter is introduced as an intermediary component to modify the signal polarity of the first radiation detector. This intermediary element enables the data acquisition unit to distinguish between signals from different detectors by polarity, allowing reliable signal identification while sharing the data acquisition resource

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If one data acquisition unit is assigned to each radiation detector, then signal processing accuracy is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing accuracyVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple radiation detectors are merged to share a single data acquisition unit. The patent connects multiple detectors (first radiation detector and second radiation detector) to one data acquisition unit through signal routing, where the first detector's signal is inverted and both are processed by the same unit, reducing the total number of data acquisition units needed while maintaining detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

An inverter is introduced as an intermediary component to modify the signal polarity of the first radiation detector. This intermediary element enables the data acquisition unit to distinguish between signals from different detectors by polarity, allowing reliable signal identification while sharing the data acquisition resource

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If one data acquisition unit is assigned to each radiation detector, then signal processing capability is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing capabilityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple radiation detectors are merged to share a single data acquisition unit. The patent connects multiple detectors (first radiation detector and second radiation detector) to one data acquisition unit through signal routing, where the first detector's signal is inverted and both are processed by the same unit, reducing the total number of data acquisition units needed while maintaining detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

An inverter is introduced as an intermediary component to modify the signal polarity of the first radiation detector. This intermediary element enables the data acquisition unit to distinguish between signals from different detectors by polarity, allowing reliable signal identification while sharing the data acquisition resource

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration results in a lighter, less expensive radiation diagnosis apparatus that maintains the same effectiveness as traditional systems while reducing the number of data acquisition units.

Implementation Method 1

an inverter formed at an output terminal of the first radiation detector to invert the polarity of the input output signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarity inversion:

Implementation Method 2

a discriminator for receiving a common signal from the first and second radiation detector and outputting a control signal corresponding to the input common signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarity detection:

Implementation Method 3

a data acquisition unit for converting an input signal to a digital signal according to the control signal while taking output signals of the plurality of inverters and the second radiation detector as inputs, and identifying an output signal of which detector of the first and second detectors the input signal is according to a polarity difference of the input signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal conversion and polarity-based identification:

Data Source

PatentUS8729481B2Radiation diagnosis apparatus

Publication Date: 2014.05.20 BRIGHTONIX IMAGING INC

AI summary

A radiation diagnosis apparatus, which employs a reduced number of data acquisition units while showing the same effect as that of the related art (PET, SPECT or x-ray CT) includes: a first radiation detector; a second radiation detector an inverter formed at an output terminal of the first radiation detector; a discriminator for receiving a common signal from the first and second radiation detector and outputting a control signal corresponding to the input common signal; and a data acquisition unit and indentifying an output signal of which detector of the first and second detectors the input signal is according to a polarity difference of the input signal, to provide a radiation diagnosis apparatus which employs a reduced number of data acquisition units while showing the same effect as that of the related art.