Multi-Source X-Ray Pulse Imaging for High Temporal Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray imaging systems using stationary anodes are limited by thermal load-bearing capacity, restricting temporal resolution and application areas, particularly in medical imaging requiring high temporal resolution.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray imaging device with multiple stationary X-ray sources and a control device that alternately actuates these sources in a predefined pattern, emitting short X-ray pulses, synchronized with a buffer memory and data acquisition system to distribute the X-ray dose over time, allowing high power usage and rapid data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If stationary anodes are used to reduce system complexity and cost, then device complexity is reduced, but temporal resolution deteriorates due to thermal load limits requiring longer exposure times
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the X-ray source function into multiple stationary anodes (first X-ray source, second X-ray source, etc.), each capable of operating at high power for short durations. By segmenting the source into multiple units that can be alternately activated, the system achieves high temporal resolution without requiring a single rotating anode, thus maintaining simplicity while improving speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device alternately actuates different X-ray sources in a predefined pattern, with each source emitting multiple short X-ray pulses. This periodic activation allows each stationary anode to operate within its thermal load limits while the system as a whole achieves high temporal resolution through the alternating sequence of multiple sources.
2Temperature
If stationary anodes with limited power output are used, then thermal load management is simplified, but exposure time increases, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the total X-ray acquisition task across multiple stationary anodes that operate alternately, each anode can maintain simple thermal management while the system achieves high productivity. Each anode emits multiple short pulses within its thermal limits, and the combination of pulses from all anodes provides sufficient X-ray quanta for high-quality imaging in reduced total time.
Solution Approach 2:
While one X-ray source is emitting pulses, the control device prepares and activates the next source in the sequence. This continuous alternation ensures that the useful action of X-ray emission continues without interruption, maintaining high productivity despite the thermal constraints of individual stationary anodes.
3Speed
If multiple short X-ray pulses are emitted alternately from different sources, then temporal resolution is improved, but data acquisition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each detector element is equipped with its own buffer memory and data acquisition device, enabling autonomous operation. The data acquisition device automatically writes measurement data to the buffer memory in synchronization with the actuation pattern, and the system self-manages the correlation of data from multiple pulses without requiring complex external coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical synchronization mechanisms with electronic synchronization. The control device coordinates the actuation of X-ray sources and the operation of data acquisition devices through electronic signals, eliminating the need for complex mechanical timing mechanisms while achieving precise synchronization of multiple data streams.
4Productivity
If high power output is used to reduce exposure time, then productivity increases, but thermal load on stationary anodes increases beyond acceptable limits
Solution Approach 1:
The total high power requirement is segmented across multiple stationary anodes, each operating at high power for short pulses within their individual thermal limits. The first X-ray source, second X-ray source, and additional sources each contribute high-power pulses in an alternating sequence, achieving system-level high power output without any single anode exceeding its thermal capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each X-ray source emits multiple short X-ray pulses in a periodic pattern, with the control device alternating between different sources. This periodic high-power emission allows each anode to dissipate heat between pulses while maintaining high average power output at the system level, thus reducing total exposure time without violating thermal constraints of individual stationary anodes.
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 significantly reduces exposure time, enhances temporal resolution, and expands application areas by enabling high-energy imaging with minimal technical overhead and cost, reducing artifacts from patient movement.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of X-ray sources (2-8), in particular stationary anodes, and an X-ray detector (9)
Data Source
AI summary
A device comprises a plurality of X-ray sources, an X-ray detector having at least one detector element, and a control device. The control device is configured to actuate the X-ray sources alternately, one after another, according to an actuation pattern to emit a respective X-ray pulse such that a respective X-ray source emits a X-ray pulses within the scope of the actuation pattern. The respective detector element is assigned a respective buffer memory and a respective data acquisition device. The data acquisition device is configured to write respective measurement data of the associated detector element or processing data determined from the respective measurement data repeatedly, synchronously with the actuation pattern, into the buffer memory such that the respective measurement data relates to X-ray radiation that is incident on the respective detector element due to a respective pulse of the X-ray pulses that is associated with the measurement data.