Radiation Imaging Bright Burn Detection via Dark Image Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation imaging systems face inefficiencies in detecting and correcting for bright burn in scintillators, particularly in thick subjects like pipes, leading to image lag and decreased throughput due to time-consuming gain calibration methods.
Innovation Solution
A radiation imaging apparatus that includes a detection unit with a scintillator and photoelectric conversion element, an acquisition unit for capturing images in both irradiated and non-irradiated states, and an estimation unit to assess bright burn based on the second image, allowing for reduced gain calibration operations and improved image processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gain calibration is performed frequently to correct bright burn, then image quality is improved, but throughput decreases due to time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary gain calibration only when bright burn is detected through monitoring the non-irradiated image, rather than performing it frequently or continuously. This preliminary action approach allows the system to maintain image quality when needed while avoiding unnecessary calibration operations that would reduce throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the non-irradiated image (dark image) to self-diagnose whether bright burn has occurred in the scintillator. By monitoring pixel value differences in the dark image, the system can automatically determine when gain calibration is needed, eliminating the need for external monitoring or frequent manual calibration.
2Measurement precision
If gain calibration is performed to correct FPN image lag, then image quality is improved, but operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of FPN image lag by analyzing the non-irradiated image before deciding whether to perform gain calibration. This allows the system to prepare correction data only when necessary, reducing unnecessary operation time while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the non-irradiated image to detect changes indicating FPN image lag or bright burn. This feedback mechanism allows the system to perform gain calibration only when actual degradation is detected, rather than on a fixed schedule, thus reducing overall operation time while maintaining image quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If X-ray radiation is increased to image thick subjects, then imaging capability is improved, but bright burn occurs in the scintillator
Solution Approach 1:
The scintillator's bright burn condition is self-diagnosed by monitoring the non-irradiated image pixel values. When bright burn occurs due to high X-ray radiation for thick subjects, the system detects it through the increased pixel value differences in the dark image and automatically performs gain calibration to correct the sensitivity changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces physical inspection or manual testing for bright burn with an automated electronic detection method using the non-irradiated image. The estimation unit calculates pixel value differences to electronically detect bright burn conditions, allowing for immediate correction without interrupting the imaging workflow for thick subjects.
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 efficient estimation and correction for bright burn, reducing image lag and increasing throughput by minimizing unnecessary gain calibration procedures while maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a scintillator for converting radiation into light
Implementation Method 2
a photoelectric conversion element for converting light into electric charge
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation imaging apparatus includes a radiation detection unit including a scintillator for converting radiation into light and a photoelectric conversion element for converting light into electric charge and configured to generate an image, an acquisition unit configured to acquire a first image generated by the radiation detection unit in a radiation irradiated state and, after that, acquire a second image generated by the radiation detection unit in a radiation non-irradiated state, and an estimation unit configured to estimate presence or absence of bright burn in the scintillator based on the second image.