Radiation Imaging Synchronization via Preliminary Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing radiation imaging systems face challenges in accurately synchronizing radiation irradiation with the operation of radiation imaging apparatuses due to message loss or delay over network lines, leading to reduced synchronization accuracy and potential unnecessary exposure.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a communication network with wired and wireless communication units to synchronize the radiation imaging apparatus and irradiation control apparatus, using timekeeping control units to manage radiation detection and irradiation timing, ensuring that radiation imaging occurs only when synchronization is confirmed, and stopping irradiation if synchronization is not achieved to prevent unnecessary exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If messages are transmitted and received over a network line for synchronization, then the radiation imaging apparatus can be synchronized with the radiation generating apparatus, but message loss or delay occurs leading to reduced synchronization accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization reliabilityVSAvoidsynchronization accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary synchronization checks before radiation irradiation by verifying that the image receiver is in the accumulation state and ready to receive radiation. The control apparatus confirms synchronization status in advance and only permits irradiation when synchronization is verified, preventing message loss or delay from affecting the actual irradiation timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the radiation imaging apparatus continuously reports its operational state (accumulation state, reading state, resetting) to the irradiation control apparatus. The control apparatus uses this feedback to determine whether synchronization is achieved and whether radiation irradiation should proceed, ensuring reliable synchronization despite network message issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the image receiver continuously accumulates electric charges, then radiation detection is ready, but unnecessary radiation exposure occurs when synchronization is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation detection readinessVSAvoidunnecessary radiation exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system takes preliminary anti-action by preventing radiation irradiation when synchronization is not achieved. The control apparatus monitors the image receiver state and only permits irradiation when the receiver is confirmed to be in the accumulation state, thereby avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure while maintaining detection readiness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The image receiver provides continuous feedback about its operational state to the control apparatus. This feedback mechanism allows the system to determine when the receiver is ready for radiation detection and when irradiation should be permitted, preventing unnecessary exposure while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If the image receiver operates without an electronic shutter, then the structure is simpler, but light entering during reading or resetting ruins the image

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage receiver structureVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by controlling the timing of radiation irradiation to coincide with the image receiver's accumulation state. The control apparatus ensures that radiation is only irradiated when the receiver is ready and will not be affected by stray light, maintaining image quality without requiring an electronic shutter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control apparatus acts as an intermediary between the image receiver and the radiation generating apparatus. It coordinates their operations to ensure that radiation irradiation occurs only when the image receiver is in the appropriate state, preventing light contamination while maintaining simple receiver structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enhances synchronization accuracy, prevents unnecessary radiation exposure, and maintains operational efficiency by ensuring that radiation imaging is only performed when proper synchronization is established, thus improving the reliability of radiographic image capture.

Implementation Method 1

an image receiver 107 configured to generate radiographic image data based on received radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4137056B1Radiation imaging apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 CANON KK
  • EP4137056B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4137056B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4137056B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A radiation imaging apparatus comprising a detection unit arranged to detect radiation from an irradiation unit arranged to irradiate with the radiation; a reception unit configured to receive, from an external apparatus, irradiation information about an irradiation time at which irradiation of the radiation is to be started; a control unit configured to control the detection unit so that the detection unit is ready to detect the radiation at the irradiation time, based on the irradiation information; and a transmission unit configured to transmit photographing permission information, which indicates that the detection unit is ready to detect the radiation at the irradiation time, to the external apparatus if the detection unit is expected to be ready to detect the radiation at the irradiation time.