Radiation Detector Pulse Timing Control for Fluoroscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation imaging systems face challenges in performing fluoroscopy with pulse irradiation when the X-ray generating apparatus lacks communication functionality, as synchronous control is hindered by the overlap of X-ray pulses, leading to difficulties in detecting the rise and fall of pulses, especially with conventional X-ray tubes having slow response speeds, and requires expensive fast-response X-ray tubes or complex operator calculations.
Innovation Solution
A radiation imaging apparatus comprising an image detector, radiation detector, controller, determination section, and mode setting section that automatically determines the operation mode based on external information such as the type of X-ray tube, tube current, and frame rate, allowing the system to operate in either pulse or successive irradiation modes without the need for communication with the X-ray generating apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional X-ray tubes with slow response speeds are used for pulse irradiation, then cost is reduced, but synchronous control becomes difficult due to overlap of X-ray pulses making rise and fall detection impossible
Solution Approach 1:
A radiation detector is introduced as an intermediary component between the X-ray tube and the image detector. The radiation detector monitors the actual X-ray irradiation profile and provides feedback signals to the controller, enabling accurate detection of pulse rise and fall timing even when using conventional X-ray tubes with slow response speeds that cause pulse overlap.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the radiation detector continuously monitors the X-ray irradiation status and feeds this information back to the controller. This feedback loop allows the controller to accurately determine the timing of X-ray pulse initiation and termination, enabling reliable synchronous control despite the slow response of conventional X-ray tubes.
2Reliability
If fast-response X-ray tubes are used to enable pulse irradiation with synchronous control, then synchronous control capability is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using expensive fast-response X-ray tubes, the system employs a relatively inexpensive radiation detector combined with a controller that can accurately measure the actual irradiation profile. This approach uses affordable components to achieve the same synchronous control capability that would otherwise require costly specialized X-ray tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for mechanically/fast-response-based solutions (fast-response X-ray tubes) with an electronic measurement and control system. The radiation detector and controller work together to electronically determine pulse timing, substituting the need for inherently fast mechanical response of the X-ray tube itself.
3Adaptability or versatility
If operator calculation methods are used to determine pulse timing, then communication functionality is not required, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically measuring the X-ray irradiation profile using the radiation detector and autonomously determining the pulse timing. This eliminates the need for operator calculations or manual intervention, allowing the system to work with non-communicating X-ray generating apparatus while maintaining simple operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation detector serves as an intermediary that automatically captures and processes irradiation information, replacing the need for operator-based calculation methods. This intermediary component handles the complex measurement and timing determination tasks automatically, maintaining compatibility with non-communicating apparatus without increasing operational complexity.
4Use of energy by moving object
If pulse irradiation is used for fluoroscopy, then radiation dose is reduced, but accurate detection of pulse timing becomes difficult due to overlap of successive pulses
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation detector provides continuous feedback on the actual X-ray irradiation status, allowing the controller to accurately determine pulse timing even when successive pulses overlap. This feedback mechanism enables precise timing detection despite the reduced time separation between pulses that results from dose-reducing pulse irradiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces reliance on mechanical/fast physical response characteristics with electronic measurement capabilities. The radiation detector and controller use electronic signal processing to accurately determine pulse timing information even when pulses overlap in time, enabling precise measurement that would be impossible with purely mechanical or timing-based approaches.
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 appropriate operation control during fluoroscopy without increasing costs or complexity, even with X-ray generating apparatuses incapable of communication, by automatically determining the operation mode based on the irradiation profile, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
A scintillator (phosphor) is provided over the image capture field. The scintillator converts the X-rays into visible light.
Implementation Method 2
each pixel in the image capture field is composed of a photodiode, being a photoelectric conversion element
Data Source
AI summary
A determination section of an FPD checks external information against a determination table and determines whether detection of a rise of X-ray pulses is allowed based on an output voltage from a short-circuited pixel. The FPD detects X-ray images. The external information is transmitted from an imaging control device. The X-ray pulses are sequentially generated by an X-ray generating apparatus. A controller selects a pulse irradiation mode in a case where the detection of the rise of the X-ray pulse is allowed. If not, a successive irradiation mode is selected. In the pulse irradiation mode, the rise and the fall of the X-ray pulse are detected and timing of storage operation is synchronized with the detected timing of the rise. In the successive irradiation mode, the storage operation is performed at predetermined time intervals without the detection of the rise and the fall of the X-ray pulse.