Radiation Imaging Control Unit for Stable AEC Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiation imaging apparatuses face challenges in accurately determining the irradiation end timing due to unstable radiation intensity caused by noise in the radiation source or detection systems, making it difficult to confirm the elapsed time for automatic exposure control (AEC).
Innovation Solution
A radiation imaging apparatus equipped with a sensor to detect radiation and a control unit that generates an evaluation value for the stability of radiation irradiation intensity based on sensor signals, outputting a signal indicating stabilized intensity to determine the irradiation end timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radiation irradiation time is extended to improve determination accuracy of irradiation end timing, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary evaluation of radiation irradiation intensity stability during the irradiation process by generating evaluation values from sensor signals. This preliminary assessment allows the system to determine in advance whether the irradiation end timing can be accurately determined, avoiding unnecessary extension of irradiation time and enabling efficient decision-making for terminating the irradiation process.
2Productivity
If radiation irradiation is terminated early to improve productivity, then loss of time is reduced and productivity increases, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors radiation irradiation intensity during the process by generating evaluation values from sensor signals and comparing them against reference values. This feedback mechanism enables real-time assessment of whether sufficient data has been collected to accurately determine the irradiation end timing, allowing the system to terminate irradiation at the optimal moment without compromising measurement precision or extending irradiation time unnecessarily.
3Measurement precision
If evaluation of irradiation intensity stability is performed continuously to improve determination accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs evaluation of radiation irradiation intensity stability at selective intervals during the irradiation process rather than continuously. By generating evaluation values from sensor signals at predetermined timing and comparing them against reference values, the system achieves sufficient determination accuracy while reducing computational load and control system complexity, avoiding the need for continuous monitoring.
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 approach allows for suitable determination of the irradiation end timing, ensuring accurate and stable radiation exposure by evaluating the irradiation intensity stability, thereby improving the precision of AEC in radiation imaging systems.
Implementation Method 1
A radiation imaging apparatus performs imaging of internal tissues of a subject by detecting radiation emitted from a radiation source and passed through the subject
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a technique advantageous in suitably determining the irradiation end timing in a radiation imaging apparatus that can perform AEC.The radiation imaging apparatus comprises a sensor configured to detect radiation and a control unit, wherein the control unit generates, after the start of radiation irradiation, an evaluation value indicating the stability of a radiation irradiation intensity based on a sensor signal from the sensor, and the control unit outputs, in response to the evaluation value satisfying a predetermined condition, a signal indicating that the radiation irradiation intensity has stabilized.