Monochromatic X-ray Component Fluorescent Target Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional x-ray systems for medical imaging produce broadband radiation, which is not suitable for clinical use due to high costs and large size, and fail to provide monochromatic x-rays necessary for optimal diagnostic images while minimizing radiation dose.
Innovation Solution
A monochromatic x-ray source is developed using an electron source, a primary target to produce broadband radiation, and a secondary target capable of generating monochromatic radiation through fluorescence, with a housing design that allows broadband radiation to be transmitted to the secondary target while blocking excess radiation, achieving high monochromaticity and intensity over a large field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional broadband x-ray generators are used, then x-ray imaging can be performed, but the radiation dose to patient is unnecessarily high due to low energy x-rays that cannot reach the detector
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the energy parameter of x-rays from broadband to monochromatic by using a fluorescent target that emits x-rays at a specific energy level. This eliminates low energy x-rays that contribute to patient dose but cannot reach the detector, while maintaining optimal diagnostic image quality through carefully selected monochromatic energy levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful low energy component from the x-ray spectrum by using a fluorescent target that naturally emits only at specific energy levels. The broadband spectrum is replaced with a narrow energy band, effectively taking out the harmful portion while retaining the useful diagnostic range.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If monochromatic x-ray sources are used, then optimal diagnostic images with minimized radiation dose can be achieved, but the system size and complexity become prohibitive for clinical use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simple fluorescent target that can be easily replaced or changed to achieve different monochromatic energy levels. This approach avoids complex and expensive synchrotron sources while providing the benefits of monochromatic x-rays through a straightforward, clinically viable design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fluorescent target as an intermediary between the electron beam and the detector. This mediator converts broadband x-rays from a simple electron target into monochromatic x-rays, achieving the desired spectral properties without requiring complex source infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If broadband x-ray radiation is used, then sufficient intensity can be achieved, but the monochromaticity is poor resulting in suboptimal diagnostic images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the energy spectrum parameter from broadband to monochromatic by selecting a fluorescent target with appropriate atomic number and excitation energy. This produces x-rays with a narrow energy distribution centered at the K-alpha emission line, providing both high intensity and excellent monochromaticity for optimal diagnostic imaging.
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 enables low-dose, high-intensity monochromatic x-ray imaging with improved spatial resolution and reduced radiation exposure, suitable for clinical applications such as mammography, particularly benefiting dense breast tissue imaging by reducing patient dose and enhancing diagnostic accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
In this deflection process, it decelerates toward the nucleus. As it slows to an energy E2, it emits an X-ray photon with energy E2−E1. This radiation is called Bremsstrahlung radiation (braking radiation)
Implementation Method 2
some will collide with electrons that are bound by an energy, BE, in their respective orbitals or shells that surround the nucleus in the target atom. As shown in FIG. 4, these shells are denoted by K, L, M, N, etc.
Implementation Method 3
a secondary target that produces monochromatic x-ray radiation in response to absorbing incident broadband x-ray radiation
Data Source
AI summary
In some aspects, a monochromatic x-ray component for producing monochromatic x-ray radiation from broadband x-ray radiation is provided. The monochromatic x-ray component comprises a housing configured to be positioned proximate a broadband x-ray source, at least one first target arranged to receive broadband x-ray radiation emitted from the broadband x-ray source when the housing is positioned proximate the broadband x-ray source, the at least one first target configured to produce first monochromatic x-ray radiation in response to the received broadband x-ray radiation, and at least one second target to receive at least some of the first monochromatic x-ray radiation produced by the at least one first target when the at least one second target is positioned within the monochromatic x-ray component, the at least one second target configured to produce second monochromatic x-ray radiation in response to the received first monochromatic x-ray radiation.