Predictive X-ray Dose Control for Radiological Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiological apparatuses face challenges in accurately controlling X-ray exposure, leading to undesired events such as excessive radiation and incomplete images due to premature termination of exposure.
Innovation Solution
A predictive method for controlling radiological apparatuses that uses predicted total dose values to determine when to deactivate X-ray emission, accounting for both short-term and long-term behavior of the apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If periodic verification of measured dose values is used to control exposure termination, then the control system is simple to implement, but the body receives excessive radiation dose and exposure time is longer than necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary estimation of the total radiation dose that will be received by the body before the exposure actually completes. By predicting the final dose value based on current measurement trends and apparatus characteristics, the system can determine in advance whether the desired dose will be achieved, allowing early termination of exposure if the prediction indicates excessive dosing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the measured dose values during exposure and compares them against predicted values. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust the exposure termination decision based on the difference between actual and predicted dose accumulation, preventing both excessive dosing and premature termination.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If exposure is terminated when measured dose exceeds desired dose, then radiation safety is improved, but exposure may be interrupted too early resulting in incomplete images
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary estimation of the total radiation dose that will be received by the body before the exposure actually completes. By predicting the final dose value based on current measurement trends and apparatus characteristics, the system can determine in advance whether the desired dose will be achieved, allowing early termination of exposure if the prediction indicates excessive dosing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the measured dose values during exposure and compares them against predicted values. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust the exposure termination decision based on the difference between actual and predicted dose accumulation, preventing both excessive dosing and premature termination.
3Device complexity
If predetermined models are used for dose estimation, then the control method is simple, but the model cannot accurately reflect apparatus behavior variations over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the estimation model parameters based on actual measurements taken during exposure. Instead of relying solely on fixed predetermined models, the system updates its predictions in real-time by comparing measured dose values with predicted values, allowing it to compensate for apparatus behavior variations, aging effects, and unanticipated events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the estimation model based on actual operating conditions and measurements. By adjusting model parameters dynamically during exposure rather than using fixed predetermined values, the system maintains accurate dose predictions despite variations in apparatus performance over time.
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 effectively prevents excessive radiation by ensuring the desired dose is not exceeded and improves image quality by optimizing exposure time, thus addressing the limitations of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
an X-ray transducer; the X-ray transducer is used to measure, in a small area, the total dose of X-rays that has crossed the body to be viewed and that has reached the optical detector
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The method is used to control a radiological apparatus (100) through a) a control unit (130) adapted to activate the emission of X-rays by an X-ray emitter (110) of the radiological apparatus at the beginning of an exposure and to deactivate the emission of X-rays by said X-ray emitter (110) subsequently, and b) an X-ray transducer (140) associated with an image detector (120) of the radiological apparatus; the control unit (130) repeatedly determines, preferably with a predetermined period "dt", a predicted value of total X-ray dose based on a signal received from said X-ray transducer (140), and deactivates the emission of X-rays based at least on said predicted value; in order to determine the predicted value, the control unit (130) repeatedly performs estimates of the total X-ray dose according to a model; one or more parameters of the model are determined and modified during the operation of the radiological apparatus (100).