Micromirror Scanning for Imaging Plate Readout Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scanners for reading imaging plates, particularly in dental X-ray technology, are inefficient due to the read-out beam circulating in regions without the imaging plate for a large proportion of the time, resulting in unnecessarily long read-out times.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a micromirror that oscillates about two axes to guide the read-out light efficiently over the imaging plate, allowing for continuous scanning without relative motion, using MEMS technology to achieve high deflection speeds and reduce read-out time, and incorporating a control unit to generate patterns like Lissajous figures for complete scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional drum scanner is used with a rotary mirror to generate a circumferential read-out beam, then the read-out beam can scan the imaging plate, but the read-out time becomes unnecessarily long because the beam circulates in regions without the imaging plate for most of the time
Solution Approach 1:
The micromirror is implemented as a MEMS device that can dynamically change its deflection angles and oscillation frequencies about two orthogonal axes, allowing the read-out beam to be precisely directed only at the imaging plate region, eliminating wasted circulation time and enabling adaptive scanning patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the oscillation frequencies and amplitudes of the micromirror about its two swivel axes to optimize the scanning pattern, ensuring the read-out beam impinges on the imaging plate for most of the time while maintaining complete coverage
2Measurement precision
If the read-out beam is concentrated on a small region of the cylinder periphery to match small-format imaging plates, then the imaging plate can be fully scanned, but the read-out beam circulates in empty regions for a large proportion of time
Solution Approach 1:
The micromirror dynamically adjusts its deflection to match the exact dimensions and position of the imaging plate, concentrating the read-out beam precisely on the plate area while eliminating circulation in empty regions, thereby maintaining accurate scan coverage while improving efficiency
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
The solution significantly reduces the time needed to read an imaging plate by ensuring the read-out light impinges on the plate for most of the time, maintaining a constant signal-to-noise ratio and resolution across the entire plate.
Implementation Method 1
A deflection unit directs the read-out light in a scanning movement over the imaging plate. The deflection unit comprises a micromirror that deflects impinging read-out light towards the imaging plate.
Implementation Method 2
the metastable states of the excited storage centres are brought into a state that relaxes rapidly, emitting fluorescent light. This fluorescent light can be registered with the aid of a detector unit
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for reading an exposed imaging plate generate read-out light and utilize a deflection unit to direct the read-out light in a scanning movement over the imaging plate. The deflection unit has a micromirror to deflect impinging read-out light towards the imaging plate. The micromirror can swivel about a first swivel axis and about a second swivel axis distinct from the first. A detector unit detects fluorescent light emitted from the imaging plate at locations where the read-out light impinges. An evaluating unit evaluates signals received from the detector unit and builds up an image that is stored in the imaging plate. The evaluating unit takes into account, when evaluating the signals received from the detector unit, that points on the imaging plate are subjected to the read-out light variably often and/or for variable time lengths while the micromirror oscillates about the first and the second swivel axis.