Movable X-Ray Detector Cabinet for Overlapping Image Stitching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current x-ray imaging systems face challenges in minimizing radiation exposure and patient hold time, particularly when capturing large areas, as they require multiple exposures and adjustments, leading to misalignment and increased radiation dosage.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an exposure shield and a movable detector within a cabinet, allowing for multiple x-ray images to be captured without repositioning the emitter or collimator, while minimizing radiation exposure by blocking and unblocking x-rays, and ensuring image overlap for seamless stitching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the projection field of radiation is maximized to capture a larger area, then the imaging coverage is improved, but the radiation exposure to the patient increases and lead shielding is required which complicates the process
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging process is segmented into multiple sequential exposures, each capturing a specific region of interest. The collimator is adjusted between exposures to limit radiation to only the necessary area, avoiding the need for maximum projection field and reducing overall radiation exposure while still achieving comprehensive coverage through image stitching.
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator is adjusted to provide localized radiation exposure tailored to each specific region being imaged. Rather than maximizing the projection field, the system delivers radiation precisely where needed for each exposure, reducing unnecessary radiation exposure to surrounding areas while maintaining adequate imaging coverage through multiple targeted exposures.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the collimator and emitter are repositioned for each exposure to minimize radiation exposure, then the radiation dosage is reduced, but the patient hold time increases and misalignment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning and setup to establish an optimal imaging geometry that allows multiple exposures to be captured with minimal repositioning. The collimator and emitter are positioned once to achieve a configuration that can capture multiple regions of interest with small adjustments, reducing the time required for repositioning between exposures while still limiting radiation exposure.
3Area of stationary object
If the patient hold time is extended to allow for multiple adjustments, then adequate imaging can be achieved, but patient movement increases and image alignment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The total imaging area is divided into multiple smaller regions that can be captured in rapid succession with minimal patient movement. Each exposure is carefully planned to capture a specific region, and the segmented approach allows for faster acquisition times compared to attempting to capture the entire area in fewer, longer exposures, thereby reducing patient movement and improving alignment precision.
4Loss of time
If a large-format detector is used to capture the entire image at once, then the imaging process is simplified and time is reduced, but the cost and size of the equipment become prohibitively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
A small-format detector is made to perform multiple functions by capturing multiple different regions of interest through a series of exposures with varying collimator settings. Rather than requiring a single large detector to capture everything at once, the small detector is used repeatedly to image different areas, achieving comprehensive coverage while avoiding the high cost and large size of a single large-format detector.
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
This approach reduces patient hold times significantly, minimizes radiation exposure, and ensures accurate alignment and stitching of images, improving the efficiency and quality of x-ray imaging.
Implementation Method 1
x-ray imaging systems are often used as a means of imaging subcutaneous structures
Implementation Method 2
Another part of the system blocks a portion of the x-rays at the emitter when a first image is taken
Data Source
AI summary
The present apparatus, system, and method relate to reliably capturing multiple x-ray images for later combination. A radiation detection cabinet is positioned proximally to a radiation emitter. The cabinet includes a detector that is movable and may be locked into a plurality of positions. Indicia on the face of the cabinet provide an indication of radiation detection zones. The zones overlap such that images captured by the detector also overlap.