Flat-Panel Detector Automatic Exposure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automatic exposure control systems for X-ray imaging rely heavily on external trigger signals, resulting in complex structures, high costs, and significant exposure dose errors, which negatively impact imaging quality.
Innovation Solution
An automatic X-ray exposure control method and system that uses a flat-panel detector to test exposure doses in real-time, determining when to start and end exposure based on preset thresholds, eliminating the need for external triggers and predicting exposure doses to ensure accurate control, thereby simplifying the system and reducing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional ionization chamber is used for automatic exposure control, then exposure dose measurement is achieved, but system structure becomes complex and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ionization chamber with the flat-panel detector into a single integrated unit. The ionization chamber is formed within the detector structure itself, eliminating the need for separate external ionization chambers and their associated high-voltage cables and connectors. This integration directly reduces system structural complexity while maintaining exposure dose measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flat-panel detector is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the image sensing device and the exposure dose measurement device. By integrating the ionization chamber within the detector, the same component performs both detection and measurement functions, reducing the need for separate dedicated measurement devices and simplifying the overall system structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If integrated digital automatic exposure control is used, then material cost is reduced, but dependence on external trigger signals increases and structural complexity remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the flat-panel detector's own readout signals to trigger the exposure control function. Instead of requiring external trigger signals from separate devices, the detector self-triggers the exposure control sequence using its inherent signal generation capability. This eliminates dependence on external trigger signals and reduces the need for additional triggering hardware.
3Device complexity
If integrated digital automatic exposure control is used, then system is simplified, but exposure dose errors increase impacting imaging quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the ionization chamber continuously monitors the actual exposure dose in real-time during the X-ray exposure process. The measured dose information is fed back to the control system, which adjusts the exposure parameters dynamically to maintain the desired dose level. This real-time feedback ensures accurate exposure dose control and compensates for any deviations, improving imaging quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurement of the exposure dose using the ionization chamber before the actual imaging exposure is completed. By measuring the dose in advance and using this information to predict the required exposure parameters, the system can pre-adjust settings to ensure accurate dose delivery, reducing exposure dose errors and improving image 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 reduces the complexity and cost of the system, minimizes exposure dose errors, and enables precise control, leading to improved imaging quality by eliminating the need for external triggers and predicting exposure doses accurately.
Implementation Method 1
a flat-panel detector, a high-voltage controller connected to an output terminal of the flat-panel detector, a high-voltage generator device connected to an output terminal of the high-voltage controller, and a bulb connected to an output terminal of the high-voltage generator device; wherein the flat-panel detector comprises a detecting panel, an automatic exposure testing module, and an automatic exposure control module, wherein the detecting panel tests X-rays and converts X-rays into electrical signals
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic X-ray exposure control method and system are disclosed. The method comprises: turning on a flat-panel detector, setting parameters of the flat-panel detector, and selecting one or more exposure radiation fields of the flat-panel detector; testing a corresponding exposure dose obtained by scanning the exposure radiation fields in real time, and determining that an exposure has started when the tested exposure dose is greater than a first preset threshold; configuring the flat-panel detector such that it enters an automatic exposure control mode when the exposure is started and triggers a cut-off signal; configuring the flat-panel detector such that it triggers an image acquisition when the exposure is completed. The present disclosed method and system can simplify the structure, reduce the cost, and effectively avoid exposure dose errors caused by line delays and other problems. Meanwhile, it also shortens the image acquisition cycle and reduces the complexity of operation.