Radiation Control Apparatus Clock Synchronization for Dose Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The time required for the radiation control apparatus to acquire arrival dose information from the radiation imaging apparatus can fluctuate due to communication delays caused by external noise or other factors, affecting the control of radiation irradiation.
Innovation Solution
The radiation control apparatus sets a threshold dose based on differences in time between when dose information is acquired and when it is output, and controls radiation irradiation by transmitting a signal to stop irradiation when the arrival dose reaches the threshold dose or a predetermined threshold time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the radiation control apparatus acquires arrival dose information from the radiation imaging apparatus, then the control of radiation irradiation can be implemented, but the acquisition time fluctuates due to communication delays caused by external noise
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary synchronization of clocks between the radiation control apparatus and radiation imaging apparatus before radiation irradiation begins. This preliminary action establishes a reference time relationship that enables accurate time-stamping of dose information even when communication delays occur during actual operation, thus resolving the time fluctuation problem while maintaining control reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation imaging apparatus continuously monitors radiation dose and feeds back this information with precise time-stamps to the radiation control apparatus. The control apparatus uses this feedback to dynamically adjust control parameters based on actual dose accumulation, ensuring reliable control despite communication timing variations
2Measurement precision
If the radiation control apparatus waits for arrival dose information to control radiation irradiation, then accurate dose control can be achieved, but communication delays cause control timing inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
Clock synchronization is performed in advance before radiation irradiation starts, establishing a known time reference relationship between devices. This preliminary action allows the system to compensate for communication delays by calculating actual transmission times based on pre-synchronized clocks, thereby maintaining both dose measurement precision and control timing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a time-stamp mechanism as an intermediary that records the exact time when dose information is generated at the imaging apparatus and when it is received at the control apparatus. This intermediary time-information allows the system to separate measurement precision from communication timing, enabling accurate dose control independent of communication delays
Data Source
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AI summary
A radiation imaging system (1000) comprising a radiation imaging apparatus (1001) configured to detect radiation emitted from a radiation source (1003), and a radiation control apparatus (1006) configured to control the radiation source (1003) is provided. The radiation imaging apparatus (1001) outputs dose information, which includes a dose of radiation entering the radiation imaging apparatus (1001) and a time at which the dose was detected, to the radiation control apparatus (1006) a plurality of times. The radiation control apparatus (1006) sets the threshold dose based on a difference between a time included in the dose information from the radiation imaging apparatus (1001) and a time at which the radiation control apparatus (1006) received the dose information, and control the radiation source (1003) to stop radiation irradiation based on the threshold dose.