Photon-Counting Radiography Circuit Thermal Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing photon counting computed tomography (PCCT) apparatuses face issues with temperature differences between circuit elements due to varying counting rates during imaging, leading to dark current noise and unevenness in tomographic images, which are not adequately addressed by existing heat generation amount compensation circuits.
Innovation Solution
A radiography apparatus equipped with temperature measurement devices and processors that adjust the temperature of circuit elements during standby periods by drive control, using temperature sensors and cooling fans to maintain uniformity across multiple photon counting circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat generation amount compensation is performed according to counting rate during imaging, then heat generation is controlled, but temperature difference between circuit elements cannot be suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs temperature equalization action during the standby period before imaging begins. The processor controls the photon counting circuits to operate at a predetermined counting rate during standby, which generates heat to equalize temperatures across circuit elements before actual imaging starts. This preliminary action ensures temperature uniformity is established in advance, preventing temperature differences from affecting image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the standby period itself as the opportunity to perform temperature equalization. Rather than treating standby as idle time, the invention makes the circuit elements self-regulate their temperatures by operating during standby, generating their own heat to reach thermal equilibrium with neighboring elements, thus eliminating the need for external heating mechanisms.
2Productivity
If photon counting is performed with high counting rate, then more photons are detected, but temperature difference between circuit elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention dynamically changes the operating parameters of photon counting circuits during standby periods. Specifically, it adjusts the counting rate to a predetermined value during standby to generate appropriate heat, and then adjusts to normal operating rates during imaging. This parameter adjustment ensures that temperature differences are minimized before high-rate counting begins, allowing high productivity during imaging without suffering from temperature-induced image degradation.
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 effectively suppresses temperature differences between circuit elements, reducing dark current noise and improving the quality of tomographic images by ensuring consistent temperature conditions before imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature measurement device that measures a temperature of a region where the plurality of circuit elements are arranged
Implementation Method 2
a processor that adjusts the temperature of the plurality of circuit elements by performing drive control of the plurality of circuit elements on the basis of a measured value of the temperature measured by the temperature measurement device
Implementation Method 3
using temperature sensors and cooling fans to maintain uniformity across multiple photon counting circuits
Data Source
AI summary
A radiography apparatus detects radiation emitted from a radiation source and generates a radiation image on the basis of an electric signal corresponding to the number of photons of the radiation, and the radiography apparatus includes a plurality of circuit elements having a photon counting circuit that counts the photons; a temperature measurement device that measures a temperature of a region where the plurality of circuit elements are arranged; and a processor that adjusts the temperature of the plurality of circuit elements by performing drive control of the plurality of circuit elements on the basis of a measured value of the temperature measured by the temperature measurement device, in a standby period that is a period in which the photon counting circuit does not count the photons.