Flexible Image Sensor Array Grid for Tomography Readout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital imaging systems face limitations in precision due to mechanical movement errors, vibrations, and radiation exposure, which affect the resolution and radiation dose required for imaging, particularly in applications like tomography where high resolution, fast readout, low thermal noise, and low radiation dose are desired.
Innovation Solution
A large area digital imaging system comprising multiple flexible image sensor sheets arranged in an array grid with a constant pixel pitch, allowing for flexible and scalable imaging without mechanical repositioning, minimizing thermal noise, and reducing radiation exposure by maintaining readout speed and resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional digital x-ray detectors are rapidly and mechanically repositioned to capture multiple images, then imaging readout speed is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to alignment errors and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is divided into multiple independent image sensor sheets arranged in an array grid, where each sheet captures a portion of the image simultaneously. This eliminates the need for mechanical repositioning while maintaining high imaging speed, as all segments capture data at once rather than sequentially through movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single movable detector to a two-dimensional array of fixed detectors. By adding the spatial dimension of multiple sheets arranged in a grid, the system captures multiple fields of view simultaneously, achieving high readout speed without mechanical repositioning and thereby maintaining alignment precision.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If radiation dose is reduced to minimize harm to the object, then object safety is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to increased electronic noise
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple image sensor sheets are combined into a single array grid system that captures the complete image simultaneously. By merging the detection capability of multiple sheets, the system achieves high signal-to-noise ratio even at low radiation doses, as the combined signal from all sheets overcomes the electronic noise that would plague a single sensor at low exposure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical repositioning is used to capture multiple images, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical repositioning system with a static array of image sensor sheets. Instead of moving a single detector through space, the system uses multiple fixed detectors arranged in a grid, eliminating mechanical components while maintaining the ability to capture comprehensive imaging data through the spatial distribution of sensors.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments include an imaging system. The image sensor array includes multiple image sensor sheets configured in an array grid. Each image sensor sheet of the multiple image sensor sheets can include a flexible substrate layer, and the flexible substrate layer can include a first flexible substrate side and a second flexible substrate side opposite the first flexible substrate side. Meanwhile, each image sensor sheet of the multiple sensor sheets can include multiple image sensors over the first flexible substrate side, the multiple image sensors can include multiple flat panel image detectors configured in a sheet grid, and the image sensor array can include an approximately constant pixel pitch. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.