Portable Radiation Imaging Apparatus Synchronization Timing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radiation imaging systems face image quality deterioration due to synchronization deviations between radiation emission and electric charge accumulation periods, particularly in portable apparatuses used in environments with temperature fluctuations, leading to misalignment of radiation emission and charge reading periods.

Innovation Solution

A portable radiation imaging apparatus with a control section that adjusts synchronization timing using the waveform of radiation emitted by the source, obtained by reading electric charges from radiation detection elements, to ensure accurate alignment of radiation emission and charge accumulation periods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless communication is used between radiation control apparatus and radiation imaging apparatus, then ease of operation is improved, but synchronization between radiation emission period and electric charge accumulation period deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidsynchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control apparatus transmits a synchronization signal to the radiation imaging apparatus based on the radiation emission timing, and the radiation imaging apparatus adjusts its electric charge accumulation period based on this feedback signal, ensuring synchronized operation despite wireless communication delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A synchronization signal acts as an intermediary between the control apparatus and radiation imaging apparatus, coordinating their operations without requiring direct real-time communication for each emission event

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If portable radiation imaging apparatus is used in environments with temperature fluctuations, then adaptability is improved, but synchronization between radiation emission period and electric charge accumulation period deteriorates due to oscillator frequency changes

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidsynchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a synchronization signal as feedback to continuously adjust the timing of electric charge accumulation based on actual radiation emission timing, compensating for temperature-induced oscillator frequency variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system adjusts the timing parameters of the electric charge accumulation period dynamically based on the synchronization signal, adapting to temperature changes that affect oscillator frequency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If dynamic imaging is performed with pulsed radiation emission, then productivity is improved, but synchronization between radiation emission period and electric charge accumulation period deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidsynchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic pulsed radiation emission with synchronized periodic electric charge accumulation, coordinated by regularly transmitted synchronization signals to maintain timing alignment during dynamic imaging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Each synchronization signal provides feedback for adjusting the timing of subsequent electric charge accumulation periods, ensuring continuous synchronization during high-speed dynamic imaging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 effectively suppresses image quality deterioration by dynamically adjusting synchronization to maintain alignment between radiation emission and charge accumulation periods, even in environments with temperature changes, thereby improving image fidelity.

Implementation Method 1

a detection section which includes a plurality of radiation detection elements for accumulating electric charges corresponding to a radiation amount

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10993683B2Radiation imaging apparatus and radiation imaging system

Publication Date: 2021.05.04 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

A portable radiation imaging apparatus including: a detection section which includes a plurality of radiation detection elements for accumulating electric charges corresponding to a radiation amount, the radiation detection elements being two-dimensionally arranged; and a control section which controls accumulation of the electric charges in the radiation detection elements and reading of the accumulated electric charges from the radiation detection elements and generates a plurality of frame images of a subject, the electric charges to be accumulated corresponding to the radiation amount of radiation emitted in a pulsed manner by a radiation source and transmitted through the subject, wherein the control section adjusts a synchronization timing between the radiation source and the detection section by using a waveform of radiation emitted by the radiation source, the waveform being obtained by reading electric charges from at least a part of the plurality of radiation detection elements.