Imaging Control Apparatus for Accurate Area Dose Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiation imaging systems that do not mount area dosimeters face challenges in obtaining accurate area doses due to the lack of real-time collimator information, which is necessary for calculating radiation doses effectively.
Innovation Solution
An imaging control apparatus that obtains irradiation field information using various methods, such as image processing or preset collimator information, to calculate area doses based on radiation imaging data, ensuring accurate area dose calculation even without direct collimator information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simplified dose conversion method (NDD method) is used to calculate area doses without mounting an area dosimeter, then cost is reduced and device complexity is decreased, but measurement precision of area dose deteriorates due to inability to obtain real-time collimator information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (collimator information acquisition unit) that obtains collimator information from the radiation generating apparatus. This intermediary component bridges the gap between the simplified NDD method and accurate area dose calculation, allowing the system to maintain low complexity while improving measurement precision by acquiring necessary collimator data without requiring a full area dosimeter
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the radiation generating apparatus multi-functional by enabling it to provide both radiation imaging functionality and collimator information output. This allows the collimator information to be reused for both imaging control and area dose calculation purposes, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components and maintaining system simplicity while improving measurement accuracy
2Device complexity
If collimator information is not obtained from the radiation generating apparatus, then device complexity is reduced, but area dose calculation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation generating apparatus serves itself by providing collimator information to the imaging control apparatus. The collimator information acquisition unit leverages existing apparatus capabilities to generate and output collimator data, which is then used for area dose calculation. This self-service approach improves measurement precision without requiring external specialized equipment, maintaining low device complexity
3Measurement precision
If real-time collimator information is required for accurate area dose calculation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for additional sensors or detectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (collimator information acquisition unit) that obtains collimator information from the radiation generating apparatus. This intermediary bridges the gap between available apparatus data and the requirements for accurate area dose calculation, enabling precision improvement without direct mounting of complex area dosimeter hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter acquisition approach by obtaining collimator information (positional and dimensional parameters) from the radiation generating apparatus rather than using physical area dosimeter sensors. This parameter-based approach achieves accurate area dose calculation through data processing rather than physical measurement, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging control apparatus comprising: an irradiation field obtaining unit configured to obtain irradiation field information in radiation imaging by an irradiation field obtaining method based on any one of a radiation image obtained by the radiation imaging, imaging information concerning the radiation imaging, and preset irradiation field information in the radiation imaging; and an area dose obtaining unit configured to obtain an area dose in the radiation imaging based on the irradiation field information. In a case the irradiation field information is not obtained, the irradiation field obtaining unit obtains the irradiation field information based on an irradiation field obtaining method different from the irradiation field obtaining method.