Radiation Imaging Pixel Signal Accumulation Without Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation imaging techniques face challenges in capturing high-quality images of moving objects, such as the heart, due to artifacts caused by object movement during the time interval required for capturing multiple radiation images for energy subtraction methods, leading to inefficient radiation usage and prolonged imaging times.
Innovation Solution
A radiation imaging apparatus with a pixel array and signal processing unit that allows for continuous signal accumulation without resetting the conversion element during the initial radiation period, enabling the capture of radiation images at two different energies within a shorter time frame while minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a reset operation is performed after integration and transfer of the first signal in dual energy imaging, then the imaging system can prepare for the second signal integration, but radiation is wasted during the reset period which does not contribute to imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the reset operation between first and second signal integrations, allowing the imaging system to continuously accumulate radiation signals without interruption. The conversion element maintains its integrated signal state from the first energy measurement and continues integrating the second energy signal, ensuring that every moment of radiation exposure contributes usefully to image formation rather than being wasted during reset periods.
2Measurement precision
If the radiation irradiation time is shortened to suppress object movement influence, then moving objects can be imaged more accurately, but the reset operation still consumes a significant portion of the already reduced time
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the reset operation, the patent maximizes the proportion of imaging time that is productively used for signal accumulation. This is particularly beneficial for imaging moving objects where the total irradiation time must be minimized to freeze motion, yet every millisecond must be used efficiently for actual image data collection rather than system reset operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If dual energy imaging is performed with separate integration periods for first and second signals, then energy subtraction images can be obtained, but the time interval for capturing two images is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the integration periods for first and second signals by eliminating the reset operation between them. The conversion element continuously integrates both energy signals in sequence without interruption, effectively combining what were previously separate integration operations into a single continuous process. This reduces the total time interval for dual energy imaging while maintaining the ability to perform energy subtraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous integration process ensures that the transition from first signal to second signal measurement is seamless, with no idle reset time breaking the measurement continuity. This approach maintains the quality of energy subtraction imaging by ensuring both signals are acquired under consistent conditions while minimizing the total acquisition time.
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 reduces unnecessary radiation exposure and allows for the acquisition of high-quality radiation images with reduced variations between frames, improving the efficiency and accuracy of energy subtraction imaging, especially for moving subjects.
Implementation Method 1
each of the plurality of pixels includes a conversion element configured to convert radiation into an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit having a pixel array of pixels, and a signal processing unit for processing a signal from the imaging unit. Each pixel includes a conversion element for converting radiation into electrical signal and a reset unit for resetting the conversion element, the signal processing unit generates radiation image based on first image corresponding to electrical signal converted by the conversion unit of each pixel in a first period, and second image corresponding to electrical signal converted by the conversion element of each pixel in a second period which starts after start of the first period and ends before end of the first period, and in each pixel, the conversion element is not reset by the reset unit in the first period.