Radiation Imaging System Using Segmented Detector Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation imaging systems for radiological environments face challenges in sensitivity and spatial resolution due to the need to image wide areas from long distances, resulting in inferior performance compared to nuclear medicine imaging systems.
Innovation Solution
A radiation imaging method and system that uses a simplified detector configuration with a flat field collimator and thicker scintillator, allowing for 2D and 3D gamma ray emission image reconstruction with significant sensitivity gains and improved spatial resolution by collecting and processing radiation emission data from multiple projections, and separating data into independent radiation distributions using Gaussian mixture models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a detector is placed at a long distance to image a wide area, then the imaging coverage is improved, but the sensitivity decreases due to the inverse square law
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system divides the wide area into multiple smaller fields of view by using an array of detector modules. Each module captures a portion of the total area, and the images are reconstructed by combining data from all modules. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high sensitivity in each individual detector while achieving wide overall coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-point detector to a two-dimensional array of detector modules, adding spatial dimensionality to the detection system. This dimensional expansion enables simultaneous coverage of a wide area while maintaining close proximity between each detector element and its corresponding target region, thereby preserving sensitivity.
2Area of stationary object
If a pinhole or coded aperture collimator is used to image a wide area from a long distance, then the field of view is improved, but the sensitivity decreases due to the small opening size
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single pinhole or coded aperture, the system employs multiple detector modules arranged in an array, where each module has its own collimator. This segmentation allows each individual collimator to be optimized for its specific field of view while the collective array achieves wide overall coverage with high sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator design is made universal by applying the same collimator structure to each detector module in the array. This standardized multi-functional approach allows each module to perform the same detection function independently, and the combination of all modules achieves both wide field of view and high sensitivity.
3Reliability
If a thicker scintillator is used to detect higher energy gamma rays, then the detection efficiency is improved, but the spatial resolution deteriorates due to increased light spread
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the detection function across multiple thinner scintillators arranged in an array rather than using a single thick scintillator. Each thin scintillator maintains good spatial resolution, and the array configuration provides sufficient overall detection efficiency through the combined response of multiple elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The scintillator thickness is optimized locally for each detector module based on the specific energy range and detection requirements of that region. This localized optimization allows each scintillator to achieve the minimum necessary thickness for adequate detection efficiency while maintaining thin enough dimensions to preserve spatial resolution.
4Device complexity
If a simplified detector configuration is used to reduce system complexity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the image quality and sensitivity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The detector system is segmented into multiple identical, simple detector modules arranged in an array. Each individual module has a simple configuration, but the collective array achieves high image quality and sensitivity through the combined data from all modules. This segmentation allows complexity to be distributed rather than concentrated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple copies of a basic detector module design rather than a single complex detector. Each module is a simplified copy of the basic design, and the array of copies collectively provides the performance of a more complex single detector while maintaining the simplicity of individual modules.
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
The method achieves a sensitivity gain of four orders of magnitude and improved spatial resolution, enabling effective imaging of 'hot spot' distributions and providing quantitative activity concentration and spectroscopic information, while simplifying detector design and reducing sampling requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a scintillator, which converts gamma ray into visible photons
Implementation Method 2
a collimator. It classifies directions of incoming gamma rays
Implementation Method 3
photo-sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system for preparing a radiation image of a target are provided. The radiation imaging method includes the steps of collecting radiation emission data from a target, classifying the data into at least one energy range, separating the data in each energy range into N independent radiation distributions, processing the data in each of the N independent radiation distributions to estimate its true distribution; and reconstructing a radiation distribution image of the target using the processed data. The system includes at least one radiation detector module and at least one computerized component configured to perform the steps of the method.