Fixed Gantry CT with Sequential X-ray Emitters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer tomographs with rotating gantries are complex, expensive, energy-intensive, and have large space requirements, making them unsuitable for mobile use in ambulances or field hospitals due to mechanical limitations and high maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A computer tomograph design with a non-rotatable gantry featuring fixedly arranged X-ray emitters and detectors, where multiple emitters interact with a common extraction grid, allowing for sequential electrical activation to replace mechanical rotation, enabling efficient X-ray imaging without the need for rotating components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rotating gantry with X-ray tubes and detectors is used, then X-ray imaging can be performed, but the device becomes complex, expensive, energy-intensive, and requires large space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation system with an electrical control system. Multiple fixed X-ray emitters are sequentially activated through electrical switching, eliminating the need for mechanical gantry rotation. This substitution of mechanical movement with electrical control resolves the contradiction by maintaining imaging capability while dramatically reducing mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the single rotating X-ray tube into multiple fixed X-ray emitters arranged around the examination area. Each emitter is independently controllable, allowing sequential activation to achieve the same imaging effect as rotation. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing the imaging function across multiple stationary components rather than one rotating component
2Measurement precision
If a rotating gantry is used, then X-ray imaging can be performed, but energy consumption and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic sequential activation of multiple fixed X-ray emitters instead of continuous mechanical rotation. Each emitter is activated in turn for brief periods, achieving the necessary angular coverage through time-multiplexed emission rather than continuous mechanical movement. This reduces energy consumption by eliminating the energy required for sustained mechanical rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the energy-intensive mechanical rotation system with an electrical switching system that activates emitters sequentially. The electrical energy required for sequential activation is significantly less than the mechanical energy required for continuous gantry rotation, resolving the energy consumption contradiction
3Measurement precision
If mechanical rotation is used, then X-ray images can be captured from multiple angles, but recording time increases due to slow rotation speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs rapid periodic switching between multiple fixed X-ray emitters, activating each in quick succession. This time-multiplexed approach captures images from multiple angles much faster than mechanical rotation can physically move the tube through the same angular range, resolving the speed contradiction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-positions multiple X-ray emitters at different angular locations around the examination area before imaging begins. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for time-consuming mechanical movement during imaging, as all necessary angular positions are already occupied by stationary emitters ready for rapid sequential activation
4Area of stationary object
If a rotating gantry with multiple X-ray sources is used, then large-area coverage is achieved, but the mechanism becomes susceptible to failure and expensive to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rotating gantry mechanism with multiple fixed emitters controlled by an electrical switching system. This eliminates mechanical moving parts that are susceptible to wear, misalignment, and failure, while maintaining the ability to cover large areas through sequential activation of emitters positioned around the examination space, thus resolving the reliability contradiction
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 design reduces complexity and energy consumption, allows for high-resolution X-ray imaging in a compact and mobile format, capable of producing images faster than traditional systems with lower computing power and improved resolution, while minimizing artifacts and recording time.
Implementation Method 1
The imaging X-rays are generated in the X-ray tube by means of high voltage
Implementation Method 2
several electron emitters, ie cathodes, which are provided for the emission of electrons and thus ultimately for the generation of X-ray radiation when the electrons strike an anode, interact with a common extraction grid
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a computer tomograph (1) for X-ray imaging, comprising a rotationally fixed gantry (2) which is displaceable at most in the axial direction (z). A plurality of X-ray emitters (3) and X-ray detectors (4) is arranged in the gantry (2) in a fixed manner about a geometrical center axis (z), in each case opposite to one another and offset with respect to each other in the direction of the center axis (z). The X-ray emitters (3) have cathodes (5) as electron emitters, which are separately connected to emitter controls (25) and cooperate with a common extraction grid (26) which is connected upstream of at least one focusing electrode (27). In comparison to conventional computer tomographs having rotating or rigidly arranged technical X-ray components, the computer tomograph (1) has a particularly light and compact design.