Mobile Radiographic Imaging Apparatus Dose Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dynamic imaging in radiographic systems, especially in mobile medical vehicles, faces challenges with higher exposure doses due to shorter source-to-detector distances and limited heat unit values of radiation sources, often exceeding Diagnostic Reference Levels and leading to premature heat unit value limits.
Innovation Solution
A mobile radiographic imaging apparatus and method that control the exposure dose by setting the mAs per frame to less than 0.1 mAs for dynamic imaging and ensuring it remains above this threshold for still imaging, using a hardware processor and control apparatus to manage imaging conditions and prevent exposure doses from exceeding safety guidelines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the SID is increased to reduce exposure dose, then the exposure dose decreases and conforms to DRLs, but the device complexity increases and mobility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the mAs value based on the SID distance. When SID is short (mobile imaging conditions), the system automatically reduces mAs to maintain exposure dose within DRLs. This resolves the contradiction by adapting the imaging parameter to the physical constraint rather than changing the physical structure.
2Measurement precision
If the radiation source emits radiation at high intensity to improve imaging quality, then the imaging quality improves, but the heat unit value reaches upper limit earlier and continuous imaging is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the mAs parameter based on real-time heat unit value monitoring. When the heat unit value approaches the upper limit, the system reduces mAs to prevent overheating, thereby maintaining continuous imaging capability while preserving imaging quality through optimized parameter adjustment rather than fixed high-intensity emission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring the heat unit value and adjusting the mAs accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the radiation source operates within thermal limits while maintaining adequate imaging quality, resolving the contradiction between high-intensity emission and continuous operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the mAs is reduced below 0.1 mAs for dynamic imaging to conform to DRLs, then the exposure dose decreases to acceptable levels, but the still imaging capability with low mAs is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the mAs setting adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically selects appropriate mAs values based on the imaging mode (still or dynamic) and SID distance. This allows the system to use lower mAs for dynamic imaging when needed while maintaining the capability to use higher mAs for still imaging, thereby preserving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the mAs parameter dynamically based on imaging mode and physical conditions. For dynamic imaging with short SID, mAs is reduced below 0.1 mAs to conform to DRLs. For still imaging, the system can use higher mAs values. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing different operational ranges for different imaging modes.
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
Enables appropriate dynamic imaging with reduced exposure doses conforming to Diagnostic Reference Levels, even with limited source-to-detector distances and heat unit values, preventing overheating and ensuring continuous imaging operations.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation source (tube) for emitting radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile radiographic imaging apparatus performs dynamic imaging by using radiation to obtain a dynamic image constituted of multiple frames and performs still imaging by using radiation to obtain a still image constituted of a single frame. The apparatus includes a first hardware processor that allows the apparatus to perform the dynamic imaging in which a mAs per frame is less than 0.1 mAs and that does not allow the apparatus to perform the still imaging in which a mAs per frame is less than 0.1 mAs.