PET Apparatus Detection Time Revision Using Reference Signal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional PET apparatuses face challenges in accurately measuring the radioactivity level of radiopharmaceuticals due to clock inaccuracies between the radioactivity measuring apparatus and the PET apparatus, leading to inaccurate detection times and subsequent radioactivity level estimation.
Innovation Solution
The PET apparatus incorporates a time measuring unit, a reference time receiving unit, and a detection time revising unit to correct and accurately record detection times using a standard time signal, ensuring precise measurement and correction of detection times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional PET apparatuses use separate clocks for measuring test time and detection time, then the system operation is simple, but the measurement precision of detection time deteriorates due to clock inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the time measurement functions of the radioactivity measuring apparatus and the PET apparatus by introducing a reference time signal that both systems use. The time measuring unit in the PET apparatus measures detection time based on this common reference, eliminating clock synchronization issues between separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference time signal acts as an intermediary between the radioactivity measuring apparatus and the PET apparatus. Instead of directly comparing times from two independent clocks, the system uses the reference time signal as a mediator to establish accurate time correspondence between measurement and detection events.
2Reliability
If the PET apparatus uses its own independent clock to measure detection time, then the device operation is independent and simple, but the reliability of radioactivity level understanding deteriorates due to clock inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the reference time signal and using it to correct or adjust detection time measurements. The time measuring unit constantly references the external time standard, providing feedback mechanisms that ensure accurate time correlation between radioactivity measurement and gamma ray detection.
3Measurement precision
If conventional systems calculate time difference between test time and detection time using separate clocks, then the process is straightforward, but the measurement precision of radioactivity level deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by establishing a common reference time basis before conducting the actual measurement and detection processes. Both the radioactivity measuring apparatus and the PET apparatus are synchronized to the same reference time signal in advance, ensuring that subsequent time difference calculations are accurate without requiring complex post-processing synchronization.
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 configuration allows for accurate understanding of the radioactivity level of the radiopharmaceutical, even with short half-lives, by revising detection times using standard time references, thereby enhancing the reliability of PET imaging processes.
Implementation Method 1
a time measuring unit configured to measure a time
Implementation Method 2
a revising unit configured to revise the detection times recorded by the detection time recording unit by using the reference time received by the reference time receiving unit
Data Source
AI summary
A PET apparatus includes a clock unit. The clock unit includes: a time measuring unit that measures a time; and a reference time receiving unit that receives a reference time. The PET apparatus also includes a detection time revising unit. By using the reference time received by the reference time receiving unit, the detection time revising unit revises detection times recorded by using the time measured by the time measuring unit. For example, the detection time revising unit revises the detection times by calculating a time error that occurred during an image taking period of a predetermined image taking process by using the time measured by the time measuring unit and the reference time received by the reference time receiving unit and further distributing the calculated time error to each of the detection times recorded during the image taking period.