Radiographic Image Capturing System Synchronization via Beacon Signal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiographic image capturing systems face challenges in reliably capturing fluoroscopic images due to communication delays and unsynchronized irradiation and image capture timings, especially when using radio communication, which can lead to inconsistent exposure and image quality.
Innovation Solution
A radiographic image capturing system that includes both wired and wireless communication capabilities, with a control device that prohibits pulse irradiation during radio communication to ensure synchronized image capture, and features a controller that warns or stops irradiation if unsuitable conditions or shaking is detected, allowing for continuous irradiation with reduced exposure and improved image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used between control device and radiation irradiation device, then ease of operation is improved, but synchronization reliability deteriorates due to communication delays
Solution Approach 1:
A beacon signal is introduced as an intermediary time reference that both the control device and radiation irradiation device can independently synchronize to. This mediator eliminates direct communication delays between the devices while maintaining synchronization through a common reference frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The beacon signal is generated in advance at a predetermined period corresponding to the frame rate before actual image capture begins. This preliminary establishment of time reference ensures that synchronization is already in place before radiation irradiation starts, preventing delays during critical operations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pulse irradiation is used with wireless communication, then radiation exposure is reduced, but image capture synchronization deteriorates due to communication delays
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon signal serves as a shared time reference that allows the radiation irradiation device to synchronize pulse irradiation timing with the image capture device without requiring real-time wireless communication during irradiation, thus maintaining synchronization reliability while reducing radiation exposure through pulsed delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the periodic beacon signal as a feedback mechanism where both devices independently adjust their timing based on the beacon's periodic transmission, ensuring that pulse irradiation timing remains synchronized with image capture timing even during wireless operation.
3Reliability
If continuous irradiation is used, then image capture reliability is improved, but radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic pulse irradiation synchronized to the beacon signal period, which corresponds to the frame rate of image capture. This periodic action delivers radiation only when needed for image capture, maintaining image reliability while minimizing overall radiation exposure compared to continuous irradiation.
Data Source
AI summary
A radiographic image capturing system includes a radiographic image capture device, a radiation irradiation device, and a control device. The radiographic image capture device is capable of wired and wireless communications, and is capable of fluoroscopic imaging in which radiographic images are successively captured at notified synchronization timings or at a predetermined frame rate. The radiation irradiation device irradiates radiation toward the radiographic image capture device during fluoroscopic imaging, with continuous irradiation or pulse irradiation. The control device includes a wireless communication unit, a wired communication unit, and a controller that, if communication with the radiographic image capture device is performed by the wireless communication unit, prohibits fluoroscopic imaging with pulse irradiation in which the synchronization timings are notified to the radiographic image capture device and radiation is irradiated from the radiation irradiation device in pulses matching the notified synchronization timings.