Mobile Radiography Grid Alignment for X-Ray Focal Spot Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile radiography, anti-scatter grids are often misaligned, leading to degraded image quality due to increased scatter, especially with high ratio grids, which require precise alignment that is difficult to achieve visually.
Innovation Solution
An automated system aligns the x-ray tube focal spot with the focal axis of a high ratio anti-scatter grid and digital x-ray detector using a radiography computing device that tracks the x-ray tube focal spot and adjusts the articulated arm to ensure precise alignment, enhancing scatter control and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a high ratio anti-scatter grid is used to improve scatter control, then image contrast resolution is improved, but alignment precision requirements increase making visual alignment insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual alignment mechanism with an automated optical tracking system. The system uses a camera to capture images of alignment markers on the grid and x-ray tube, then uses image processing algorithms to calculate and display alignment status, eliminating the need for operator visual estimation and achieving precise alignment automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces alignment markers as intermediary objects between the x-ray tube and the anti-scatter grid. These markers serve as reference points that can be visually tracked and measured, providing a tangible medium for the alignment system to work with and enabling precise measurement of relative positions.
2Ease of operation
If visual alignment method is used, then operation simplicity is maintained, but alignment accuracy deteriorates leading to grid misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the camera continuously monitors the alignment status by capturing images of the markers, the system processes these images to determine relative positions, and displays alignment guidance information to the operator. This closed-loop feedback enables the operator to make real-time adjustments until precise alignment is achieved.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color-coded visual indicators to communicate alignment status to the operator. The system displays alignment information using different colors (e.g., green for aligned, red for misaligned) making it easy for the operator to understand the current alignment state and make appropriate adjustments without complex measurements.
3Measurement precision
If automated alignment system is implemented, then alignment accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera, which is a common and versatile device, for the alignment task rather than a specialized alignment instrument. The same camera can be used for other imaging functions in the radiography system, making the alignment system integrated and eliminating the need for separate dedicated alignment equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the physical alignment scenario by capturing images of the markers with the camera and processing these images to determine relative positions. This allows the system to work with digital representations rather than direct physical measurements, simplifying the alignment calculation and control processes.
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 system achieves rapid, accurate alignment of the x-ray focal spot with the anti-scatter grid, improving image contrast and visibility of anatomical structures by minimizing scatter, particularly with high ratio grids.
Implementation Method 1
A mobile radiographic exam consists of the operator moving the unit to the patient's bedside. The operator then positions the planar digital image detector beneath the anatomy of interest
Implementation Method 2
The anti-scatter grid reduces the contribution of the secondary out-of-focus scattered X-rays and increases the image's contrast resolution
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile radiography system of the present disclosure has an x-ray source assembly that activates a digital x-ray detector through X-rays striking the digital x-ray detector and a test plate in a stream of the X-rays configured to image a test pattern onto the digital x-ray detector. Further, the mobile radiography system has a processor that receives data indicative of the test pattern and the anatomy of interest and generates a first image based upon the data indicative of the test pattern and the anatomy of interest. Further, the processor analyzes the first image and determines if a focal spot of the x-ray source assembly is aligned with a focal axis of an anti-scatter grid and the digital x-ray detector. When the focal spot of the x-ray source assembly is misaligned with the focal axis of the anti-scatter grid and center of the digital x-ray detector, the processor further aligns the focal spot of the x-ray source assembly with the focal axis of the anti-scatter grid and the center of the digital x-ray detector or the instructs an operator for manually aligning the focal spot of the x-ray source assembly with the focal axis of the anti-scatter grid and the center of the digital x-ray detector.