Radiation Imaging Apparatus with Zone-Controlled Emission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radiation imaging apparatuses, such as CT scanners, emit radiation continuously around the object, leading to increased radiation exposure and inefficient image acquisition, as they do not effectively control radiation emission in specific directions or zones.

Innovation Solution

A radiation imaging apparatus with a radiation emitter and detector that moves around the object, controlled by an irradiation controller to emit radiation only in designated irradiation zones and block radiation in corresponding non-irradiation zones, allowing for the generation of radiological images in both emission and non-emission directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If radiation is emitted continuously around the object, then comprehensive radiological images can be acquired, but radiation exposure of the object increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive radiological image acquisitionVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the radiation emission process into distinct segments: irradiation zones where radiation is emitted and non-irradiation zones where radiation is blocked. This segmentation allows the system to acquire necessary radiological data from specific angles while avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure in other directions, thereby reducing overall radiation dose to the object.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by controlling radiation emission to be non-uniform across different spatial zones. The irradiation controller selectively emits radiation only in specific directions (irradiation zones) while blocking it in others (non-irradiation zones), creating a localized radiation pattern that optimizes image acquisition while minimizing harmful exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If radiation is emitted continuously, then complete radiological data is obtained, but image acquisition efficiency decreases due to unnecessary radiation in non-critical zones

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiological data completenessVSAvoidimage acquisition efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the unnecessary radiation emission components from the imaging process. By identifying and eliminating radiation emission in non-critical zones (non-irradiation zones), the system maintains complete radiological data acquisition from essential angles while improving efficiency by avoiding redundant radiation exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action through the irradiation controller that alternates between emitting radiation in irradiation zones and blocking radiation in non-irradiation zones as the radiation emitter moves around the object. This periodic on-off pattern optimizes the balance between data acquisition and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If radiation emitter moves around the object emitting radiation continuously, then all-directional images are captured, but radiation exposure cannot be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveall-directional image coverageVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

As the radiation emitter moves around the object, the system segments the circular path into irradiation zones and non-irradiation zones. Radiation is emitted only during specific angular positions (irradiation zones) and blocked during others (non-irradiation zones), maintaining all-directional image coverage while reducing total radiation exposure by approximately half.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The irradiation controller implements periodic action by alternating radiation emission and blocking in a rhythmic pattern as the emitter rotates around the object. This periodic control ensures that radiation is delivered only when necessary for image acquisition, reducing overall exposure while maintaining comprehensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 radiation exposure by half and enables the acquisition of comprehensive radiological images without continuous radiation emission, improving image generation efficiency and reducing exposure to the object.

Implementation Method 1

a radiation emitter to emit radiation to an object while moving around the object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation emission: Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a radiation detector to detect radiation emitted from the radiation emitter and change the detected radiation into an electric signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation detection and conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9795344B2Radiation imaging apparatus, computed tomography apparatus, and radiation imaging method

Publication Date: 2017.10.24 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An emitter is configured to move around the object and to emit radiation toward an object. A controller is configured to control the emitter to stop a radiation emission, when the emitter is located in a radiation reception zone in which the radiation emitted by the emitter is received or in which the radiation emitted by the emitter is supposed to be received.