Radiation Detector Array Using Pattern Recognition for Dose Composition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation dosimeters struggle to accurately measure the composition of radiation fields and linear energy transfer (LET) values, leading to imprecise estimates of equivalent doses, as they cannot distinguish between different types of radiation and require complex, bulky equipment.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize pattern recognition to identify and categorize radiation quanta based on their interaction patterns in a detector array, allowing for simultaneous measurement of deposited energy and radiation type, enabling precise calculation of equivalent doses and dose rates across a wide range of radiation intensities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If spectroscopy techniques are used to distinguish radiation by type and energy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and apparatus becomes bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is divided into multiple segments or regions, each capable of detecting radiation interactions independently. This segmentation allows the system to analyze spatial patterns of energy deposition to distinguish between different radiation types (photons, electrons, protons, heavy ions) without requiring complex spectroscopy equipment. The segmented approach enables pattern recognition algorithms to identify radiation characteristics based on interaction geometry and energy distribution across segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical spectroscopy systems with an electronic detection and pattern recognition system. Instead of using mechanical filters, crystal spectrometers, or other bulky spectroscopy apparatus, the system uses electronic sensors to detect radiation interactions and processes the data through electronic pattern recognition algorithms to determine radiation type and energy, thereby substituting mechanical/optical systems with electronic ones.
2Measurement precision
If mechanical filters are used at the entrance of the measurement apparatus to determine biological damage factor, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and sensitivity loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical filters with an electronic pattern recognition system. Instead of physically filtering radiation types before detection, the system detects all radiation interactions and uses electronic algorithms to identify radiation types based on their interaction patterns in the detector. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical filters while maintaining or improving measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces pattern recognition algorithms as an intermediary between radiation detection and biological damage factor determination. Rather than using mechanical filters to pre-sort radiation, the algorithmic intermediary analyzes detector signals to identify radiation types and their energies, then calculates biological damage factors based on this analyzed data, providing a more flexible and accurate mediation process.
3Ease of manufacture
If passive detectors are used for radiation measurement, then ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement time and background accumulation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detector system incorporates self-service capabilities through active electronics integrated within the detector structure. The detector actively processes incoming radiation signals in real-time, performing self-diagnosis and self-measurement without requiring external processing equipment or lengthy analysis procedures. This active self-service approach enables rapid measurement while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces passive mechanical detection systems with active electronic detection and processing systems. Instead of using passive detectors that require external analysis equipment and lengthy processing times, the system integrates active electronics that immediately process and analyze radiation signals, substituting mechanical/passive systems with electronic/active ones to reduce measurement time.
4Speed
If active detectors are used for time resolved measurement, then measurement speed is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the detection and processing functions into a single integrated system. Rather than using separate active detectors combined with complex external processing equipment, the system combines radiation detection, signal processing, pattern recognition, and radiation type identification into one unified apparatus, reducing overall complexity while maintaining time-resolved measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector system is designed with multi-functionality, capable of detecting various radiation types (photons, electrons, protons, heavy ions), performing energy measurement, time-resolved detection, and pattern recognition all within a single device. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized detectors and processing systems, reducing complexity while maintaining high-speed measurement capabilities.
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 accurate measurement of radiation fields with high precision and economic efficiency, allowing for real-time data acquisition and dynamic range of radiation intensities, from very low to very high doses, by distinguishing different types of radiation and calculating their contributions to the total dose and dose rate.
Implementation Method 1
different types of radiation will lead to different interaction patterns when encountering the detector means
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for measuring the dose, the dose rate and/or the composition of radiation is disclosed. In the method, a detector means (10) is exposed to a radiation environment, the detector means (10) comprising an array of radiation sensing detector elements. The detector means (10) is switched in a sensitive state for the duration of a sensitive time period, and during said sensitive time period, an interaction pattern generated by individual radiation quanta interacting with one or more of the detector elements is recorded. The duration of the sensitive time period can be precisely adapted to the intensity of the radiation that has to be recorded. The interaction pattern is analyzed to distinguish individual radiation quanta received during the sensitive time period, and a radiation category is assigned to each of the distinguished radiation quanta based on its corresponding interaction pattern. A dose, a dose rate and/or a composition of radiation is then computed from the detected and categorized radiation quanta. Weight factors are attributed to each radiation category to take into account the individual degree of damage which the corresponding category can inflict in the irradiated materials.