Dynamic X-ray Intensity Control for Cargo Inspection Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

In x-ray-based imaging, there is a challenge in balancing image quality and radiation safety, particularly in applications like cargo inspection where contents are unknown or varying, leading to safety concerns due to the need for high radiation doses to ensure adequate imaging.

Innovation Solution

An x-ray-based radiation imaging apparatus with a radiation intensity controller that dynamically adjusts x-ray beam intensity based on object information, using a source with an output radiation intensity control input, allowing for temporal shifting or modification of particle pulses and the use of a selectively variable beam attenuator to optimize radiation dosage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If higher radiation doses are used to improve image quality and detail resolution, then image quality is improved, but radiation safety concerns increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidradiation safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic radiation intensity adjustment by modifying particle pulse parameters (temporal shifting, duration modification) based on real-time object information from preliminary scans. The system transitions from static maximum intensity to dynamic adaptive intensity, resolving the contradiction by applying just enough radiation for each specific imaging scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes physical parameters of the particle beam (intensity, pulse duration, temporal positioning) based on object characteristics. By adjusting these parameters dynamically according to object attenuation properties, the system achieves optimal image quality while minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If maximum level of radiation is used to account for unknown contents, then imaging capability is ensured, but radiation safety concerns increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging capabilityVSAvoidradiation safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary scanning or object characterization before the main imaging process. This preliminary information is used to pre-adjust radiation intensity settings, ensuring adequate imaging capability for the specific object while avoiding excessive radiation from the outset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from object information (material composition, geometry, attenuation properties) to continuously adjust radiation intensity during imaging. This closed-loop control ensures adaptability to unknown contents while maintaining radiation safety through intelligent regulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If lower radiation doses are used for less attenuating portions, then radiation safety is improved, but image quality may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation safetyVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different radiation intensities to different portions of the object based on their specific attenuation properties. Less attenuating portions receive lower doses while highly attenuating portions receive higher doses, optimizing both safety and image quality locally across the entire imaging field.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 approach enables a dynamic compromise between image quality and radiation safety by increasing intensity for high attenuation materials and decreasing it for low attenuation materials, reducing safety concerns while maintaining stable radio frequency and particle source outputs, and is scalable for various imaging settings.

Implementation Method 1

an object exposed to a beam of photons from an x-ray source will block (or not) some portion of those photons as a function of its electron-density and its thickness. A detector array then detects where the photons have been attenuated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray emission and attenuation: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

a beam attenuator to thereby selectively attenuate portions of the beam of x-ray photons

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation attenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS7991117B2Apparatus and method to facilitate dynamically adjusting radiation intensity for imaging purposes

Publication Date: 2011.08.02 VAREX IMAGING CORP

AI summary

An x-ray-based radiation imaging apparatus (200) for use in imaging an object (201) can comprise a source of x-rays (202) having an output radiation intensity control input and a radiation intensity controller (207) operably coupled thereto. This radiation intensity controller can have a control output (209, 210) that is operably coupled to the output radiation intensity control input and an object information input (209). So configured, the radiation intensity controller can dynamically adjust radiation intensity as output by the source of x-rays as a function of information regarding the object itself.