Rotating Gantry X-ray Imaging with Collimator Aperture Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing radiographic imaging apparatus for particle beam therapy systems has a complex structure due to the need to move flat-panel detectors (FPDs) between small and large field-of-view (FOV) settings, requiring additional devices for FPD transport, control, and monitoring, which complicates the system.
Innovation Solution
A radiographic imaging apparatus with a rotating body mounting X-ray sources and FPDs, using collimators and an image reconstruction device to generate three-dimensional tomographic images without moving the FPDs, simplifying the system by eliminating the need for FPD transport devices and associated controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flat-panel detectors (FPDs) are moved between small and large field-of-view settings, then imaging flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional transport devices and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is designed with movable diaphragm members that can dynamically adjust the aperture size between small and large field-of-view settings. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the system to change imaging geometry without physically moving the FPD, thereby maintaining imaging flexibility while avoiding the complexity of FPD transport devices
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the field-of-view parameter by adjusting the collimator aperture rather than changing the detector position. By modifying the geometric parameters of the imaging system (collimator opening size) instead of physical parameters (detector location), the system achieves multiple imaging modes without requiring complex transport mechanisms
2Adaptability or versatility
If FPDs are moved between different field-of-view settings, then imaging adaptability is improved, but imaging time increases due to movement and positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator diaphragm members can be rapidly adjusted between different aperture positions during the imaging process, allowing quick switching between small and large FOV modes without the time-consuming mechanical transport and positioning of FPDs. This dynamic adjustment significantly reduces the time penalty associated with changing imaging fields
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator is pre-configured with multiple aperture positions that can be quickly selected, eliminating the need for real-time FPD movement and positioning calculations. The system prepares multiple field-of-view configurations in advance through the collimator design, allowing instant switching without time loss
3Adaptability or versatility
If FPD transport devices and control systems are added, then field-of-view switching capability is improved, but the overall system structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the detector to change field-of-view, the invention inverts the approach by moving the collimator aperture. This inversion simplifies the system because adjusting a collimator is mechanically simpler and requires less complex control systems compared to transporting and precisely positioning heavy FPD arrays
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the field-of-view switching function from the FPD transport mechanism and relocates it to the collimator adjustment mechanism. By separating this function from the detector system, the FPD and its support structure can remain simple and stationary, while the collimator handles the complexity of field switching
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 solution simplifies the structure of both the radiographic imaging apparatus and the particle beam therapy system, reduces imaging time, and improves treatment throughput by allowing for accurate patient positioning and confirmation during ion beam irradiation without the need for FPD movement.
Implementation Method 1
an X-ray generation device (80A, 80B) mounted on the rotating body
Implementation Method 2
a radiation detection device (82A, 82B) mounted on the rotating body so as to face the X-ray generation device and equipped with multiple radiation detection elements for detecting X-rays
Data Source
AI summary
The radiographic imaging apparatus is configured so that an irradiation device is mounted on a rotary drum of a rotary gantry. A pair of X-ray sources is disposed outside the rotary drum and attached to the outer surface of the rotary drum. A pair of FPDs facing the respective X-ray sources is mounted in the irradiation device. When X-rays are irradiated, X-ray intensity information is calculated by a signal processing device based an output signal from each radiation detection element of each FPD, and stored in a memory. Based on FOV information set by an input device, an X-ray intensity acquisition device acquires multiple pieces of X-ray intensity information that are calculated based on the output signals from the radiation detection elements in small FOV areas (or large FOV areas) of the FPDs, which are included in the X-ray intensity information stored in the memory.