Dual Imaging Array and Strip for X-Ray Frame Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
X-ray imaging systems face limitations in frame rate due to the time required to scrub unused pixels and are dose-rate limited, leading to increased background electronic noise affecting image quality, particularly in medical imaging applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual imaging system comprising a separate imaging array and imaging strip within the same housing, where the imaging strip has shorter data lines and optimized readout circuits to reduce noise and increase frame rate, allowing for panoramic imaging with improved signal-to-noise ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the imaging system uses a conventional imaging array to capture 2D images, then the system can generate standard two-dimensional images, but the frame rate is limited due to the time required to scrub unused pixels
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is divided into two distinct segments: a full imaging array for 2D imaging and a separate imaging strip for panoramic imaging. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the imaging strip requiring no scrubbing operations since it only contains actively used pixels, thereby eliminating the time loss associated with scrubbing unused pixels and improving frame rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging strip is extracted as a separate functional component from the conventional imaging array. By taking out the actively used portion (imaging strip) and separating it from the unused portion, the system eliminates the need to scrub unused pixels during panoramic imaging, thus improving frame rate and reducing time loss.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the imaging system operates at low dose rates to reduce patient exposure, then the radiation dose is reduced, but background electronic noise increases affecting image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging strip is extracted as a separate component with dedicated readout circuits and shorter data lines. This extraction allows the imaging strip to be optimized for low-dose applications by minimizing electronic noise through shorter signal paths and dedicated electronics, thereby maintaining image quality even when operating at lower dose rates.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the imaging system have different quality characteristics optimized for their specific functions. The imaging strip has shorter data lines and optimized readout circuits specifically tailored for low-dose panoramic imaging, while the full imaging array maintains its capabilities for standard 2D imaging. This local optimization allows the system to maintain image quality at low doses in the imaging strip region.
3Area of stationary object
If the imaging system uses long data lines to connect pixels to readout circuits, then the system can accommodate a large imaging array, but noise accumulates due to the length of data lines
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a full imaging array with long data lines for large-area coverage and a separate imaging strip with short data lines for high signal-to-noise ratio performance. This segmentation allows the imaging strip to be used in applications where low noise is critical, while the full array provides large-area imaging capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging strip has locally optimized short data lines and dedicated readout circuits positioned close to the pixels, creating a region of low electronic noise. This local quality optimization allows the system to achieve high signal-to-noise ratios in the imaging strip region without compromising the overall system's ability to accommodate large imaging areas through the full array.
4Device complexity
If the system uses a single imaging array for both 2D and panoramic imaging, then the system structure is simplified, but the frame rate for panoramic imaging is limited by the need to scrub unused pixels
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is segmented into two functional components: a full imaging array for 2D imaging and a separate imaging strip for panoramic imaging. Although this increases device complexity compared to a single array, it dramatically improves panoramic imaging frame rate by eliminating the need to scrub unused pixels, as the imaging strip contains only the actively used pixels for panoramic views.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between using the full imaging array for 2D imaging and the imaging strip for panoramic imaging. This dynamic operation allows the system to optimize performance for each imaging mode, achieving high frame rates for panoramic imaging when the strip is used, while maintaining the capability for standard 2D imaging when the full array is used.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments include a system, comprising: a housing; an imaging array disposed within the housing; an imaging strip disposed within the housing; a first readout circuit coupled to the imaging array; a second readout circuit coupled to the imaging strip; and common electronics coupled to the first readout circuit and the second readout circuit and configured to generate image data in response to at least one of the first readout circuit and the second readout circuit.