Photon Counting Radiation Detector for High-Resolution CT Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation detectors struggle to quickly and accurately detect sufficient radiation photons for high-resolution image reconstruction in medical imaging systems, such as CT and X-ray apparatuses, as they often require a large number of photons to be counted within a short time frame.
Innovation Solution
A radiation detector with a plurality of image pixels, each including multiple counting pixels that convert incident photons into electrical signals and count them using a photon processor, allowing for efficient photon counting and storage, even when fewer photons are incident on each pixel, thereby enabling faster and more accurate detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a radiation detector uses a large number of photons for image reconstruction, then image resolution is improved, but detection time and photon counting accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The detector divides the detection area into multiple pixels, with each pixel independently counting photons. This segmentation allows parallel processing of photon counts across multiple pixels, significantly reducing the total detection time while maintaining the ability to reconstruct high-resolution images from the collected photon data
2Productivity
If a radiation detector counts a large number of photons quickly, then detection speed is improved, but counting accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Each pixel is equipped with its own photon counting circuit that independently counts photons incident on that pixel. This per-pixel counting approach allows simultaneous accurate counting across multiple pixels, achieving both high detection speed and high counting accuracy through parallel operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or sequential photon counting methods with electronic photon counting circuits integrated at each pixel. This electronic substitution enables simultaneous photon counting across all pixels, dramatically increasing detection speed while maintaining accuracy through electronic signal processing
3Measurement precision
If a radiation detector processes sufficient radiation photons for high-resolution imaging, then image quality is improved, but detector complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the radiation absorption function and photon counting function into a single integrated pixel structure. Each pixel simultaneously performs both functions, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall detector complexity while maintaining the capability to process sufficient photons for high-resolution imaging
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 solution enables the detection of a large number of photons per second, improving the speed and accuracy of radiation detection, which is crucial for generating high-resolution images in medical imaging applications, addressing the limitations of existing detectors in handling high photon fluxes.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation absorption layer that converts incident photons into an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
The radiation detector includes a plurality of image pixels each including a plurality of counting pixels. Each of the plurality of counting pixels includes a radiation absorption layer that converts incident photons, which are incident on a corresponding counting pixel of the plurality of counting pixels, into an electrical signal, and a photon processor configured to compare the electrical signal with a reference value, output an output signal according to a result of the comparison, count a number of photons which are incident on the corresponding counting pixel based on the output signal, and store the counted number of photons.