Elastomeric Backscatter Shield for Portable X-ray Detectors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable digital X-ray detectors face challenges in thermal management, shock absorption, and backscattered X-ray absorption due to their heavy and thick construction, which hinders their ability to be economically desirable, geometrically thin, and of low mass while maintaining imaging capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an elastomeric assembly between the imager and electronic circuitry, comprising metals with X-ray blocking properties and polymers with elastic properties, to absorb backscattered X-rays and absorb shock, thereby reducing the detector's mass and size while providing thermal isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional construction methods are used with rigid enclosures and thick protective layers, then shock absorption and component protection are improved, but detector mass and thickness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining a rigid enclosure with an elastomeric material layer. The rigid enclosure provides structural support and primary shock protection, while the elastomeric layer adds shock absorption and backscatter shielding capabilities. This composite approach achieves enhanced protection without proportionally increasing mass, as the elastomeric material provides multiple functions (shock absorption, backscatter shielding, thermal isolation) in a single lightweight layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric material is applied selectively between the imager and outer enclosure, providing localized protection where backscatter and shock impacts are most severe. This targeted approach concentrates protective functionality in the region needing it most, avoiding the need to thicken the entire detector assembly uniformly, thus controlling overall mass while maintaining reliability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If lead-based backscatter shielding is used, then backscatter absorption is improved, but detector mass and toxicity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, heavy, and toxic lead-based shielding with a lighter, non-toxic elastomeric material that provides equivalent or sufficient backscatter protection. While the elastomeric material may have different durability characteristics, it eliminates the need for heavy metal components, significantly reducing detector mass and improving safety for portable applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric material serves as a non-lead composite alternative to traditional lead-based shielding. By formulating the elastomeric compound with appropriate density and atomic composition, the patent achieves backscatter absorption functionality without using lead, thereby reducing mass and eliminating toxicity concerns associated with lead-based shields.
3Ease of operation
If the detector is made geometrically thin and lightweight for portability, then ease of use is improved, but thermal management and shock absorption capabilities worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric material layer acts as an intermediary between the imager and the outer enclosure. It provides thermal isolation that protects the imager from heat generated by electronic components and the environment, while its elastic properties provide shock absorption. This intermediary layer enables thin, lightweight construction to maintain thermal management capabilities without requiring thick protective housings.
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 elastomeric assembly enables the portable X-ray detector to be geometrically thin and of low mass, while offering shock isolation and backscatter absorption, reducing the likelihood of electronic imaging and improving thermal management without using lead.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric assembly is disposed between the imager and the electronic circuitry, and the elastomeric assembly is configured to absorb backscattered X-rays
Implementation Method 2
an imager having a scintillator that converts radiographic energy to light
Implementation Method 3
comprising metals with X-ray blocking properties and polymers with elastic properties, to absorb backscattered X-rays and absorb shock
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Portable digital X-ray detectors are provided. One X-ray detector includes an outer assembly and a detector assembly disposed within the outer assembly. The detector assembly includes an imager having a scintillator that converts radiographic energy to light and a detector array having one or more detector elements that detect the light from the scintillator. The detector assembly also includes electronic circuitry mounted on at least one printed circuit board and adapted to control operation of the imager during data acquisition and readout. Further, an elastomeric assembly is disposed between the imager and the electronic circuitry, and the elastomeric assembly is configured to absorb backscattered X-rays that pass through the imager or deflect off of a portion of the outer assembly during an X-ray exposure.