Scattered X-ray Visualization via Nitrogen Scintillation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In medical X-ray-based imaging, scattered radiation poses a risk to medical staff, as it is difficult to accurately determine its location and intensity in the room, leading to potential exposure.
Innovation Solution
A method that visualizes scattered X-rays by utilizing the scintillation effect of nitrogen in ambient air, converting scattered X-rays into an initial radiation spectrum mainly comprising ultraviolet radiation, which is then filtered, converted to visible light, and amplified for clear visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If scattered radiation is shielded to protect medical staff, then radiation exposure is reduced, but the ability to locate and monitor radiation sources is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces UV-sensitive film or phosphor material as an intermediary medium that converts invisible scattered X-rays into visible UV light or visible light patterns. This mediator allows medical staff to see radiation distribution without direct exposure, resolving the contradiction between protection and monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the scintillation effect where nitrogen in air converts scattered X-rays into UV radiation, and further converts it to visible light through phosphor materials. This color transformation makes the invisible radiation visible, enabling location identification while maintaining protection through controlled exposure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If scattered radiation is visualized to identify high exposure areas, then safety is improved, but ambient light interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the UV component from the scattered radiation spectrum using UV-sensitive film or phosphor materials that are specifically sensitive to UV but not visible light. This extraction allows selective detection of radiation patterns while rejecting ambient visible light interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional optical detection with UV-sensitive detection mechanisms. By using UV-sensitive film or phosphor materials that convert UV to visible light, the system substitutes standard visible light detection with a specialized UV detection pathway that is immune to ambient light interference.
3Loss of information
If nitrogen scintillation is used to convert scattered X-rays, then radiation visualization is enabled, but signal strength becomes very weak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using UV-sensitive film or phosphor materials that are pre-positioned in the radiation path. These materials continuously convert UV radiation to visible light before detection, amplifying the signal in advance and making it detectable above background noise levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the radiation parameter from UV wavelength to visible light wavelength through phosphor conversion. This parameter transformation increases the signal strength by converting weak UV scintillation into stronger visible light that can be easily detected by standard optical sensors.
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 method allows medical staff to intuitively identify and avoid areas with high radiation exposure, reducing hazards and enabling effective shielding and training measures.
Implementation Method 1
ascertaining signals representing radiation from an initial radiation spectrum, wherein the radiation from an initial radiation spectrum has been produced by scintillation of the scattered X-rays in a gaseous scintillator in the form of nitrogen present in the ambient air
Implementation Method 2
the radiation component formed by UV radiation is converted by at least one conversion element into visible light
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for visualizing scattered X-rays is provided for protecting medical staff during an examination with X-rays when an examination object is irradiated with X-rays emitted by an X-ray tube of an X-ray device. The method includes irradiating the examination object with the X-rays emitted by the X-ray tube, thereby producing scattered X-rays, ascertaining signals representing radiation from an initial radiation spectrum, wherein the radiation from an initial radiation spectrum has been produced by scintillation of the scattered X-rays in a gaseous scintillator in the form of nitrogen present in the ambient air, and outputting at least one image ascertained from the signals.