Portable Radiation Imaging System with Universal Power Box
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable digital radiography systems are bulky and limited in deployment outside institutional settings, requiring an operator to be present during imaging, which is undesirable in situations involving hazardous materials or covert operations, and lacks the flexibility for remote operation.
Innovation Solution
A portable radiation imaging system comprising a radiation source, detector, universal power box, transmitter, receiver, and computing device, allowing the operator to be remotely located from the imaging area through secure and reliable wireless communication, enabling remote initiation of imaging and data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the operator is required to be present within the immediate premises where imaging is performed, then the system can be operated and controlled in real-time, but the operator is exposed to potential harm from hazardous materials or cannot maintain covert operations
Solution Approach 1:
A wireless communication system serves as an intermediary between the operator and the imaging system components. The operator controls the radiation source and detector remotely through wireless signals, eliminating the need for physical presence in the imaging area while maintaining full operational control. This resolves the contradiction by mediating the interaction between operator and hazardous environment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication components are added to enable remote operation, then operator safety and flexibility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal power box serves multiple functions: it powers the detector, receives wireless control signals, processes imaging parameters, and coordinates the radiation source and detector operations. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional device, the system achieves remote operation capability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the imaging system components are distributed across multiple locations, then flexibility and remote operation are enabled, but signal transmission reliability and synchronization may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the universal power box continuously monitors detector status, imaging parameters, and wireless signal quality. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts transmission power, synchronizes timing between distributed components, and maintains signal integrity, thereby ensuring reliable operation despite spatial separation of components.
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
Enables safe, reliable, and flexible imaging operations in various environments, including hazardous situations and covert operations, by allowing the operator to move freely while initiating and controlling the imaging process from a distance, ensuring timely and secure data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation source (11), a radiation detector (7)
Implementation Method 2
the radiation detector (7) acquires the resultant image
Data Source
AI summary
A portable radiation imaging system (10) includes a radiation source (11), a radiation detector (7), a remote trigger unit (17) that activates the radiation source (11) and the radiation detector (7) to initiate an imaging operation, a computing device (13) that receives and processes image data generated by the radiation detector (7), and a universal power box (UPB) (1) operatively connected to the radiation source, the radiation detector, the trigger unit and the computing device. A first wireless link (50) is established between the UPB (1) and the computing device (13), and a second wireless link (60) is established between the trigger unit (17) and the UPB (1). Under the control of the UPB (1), the trigger unit uses the second wireless link (50) to send a control signal to the radiation source (11) to initiate the radiation operation, and the computing device (13) uses the first wireless link (50) to receive image data from the radiation detector (7). The trigger unit (17) can remotely initiate the radiation operation.