Radiographic Collimator Control for Selected-Area Dose Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiographic devices face issues with unnecessary radiation exposure and increased dose due to improper positioning of the collimator, especially in C-arm type devices, leading to repeated adjustments and additional radiation for image brightness, which is inefficient and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A radiographic device with a collimator system that allows asymmetric and non-interlocking movement of multiple collimators to block radiation flux selectively, enabling user-defined selection areas through touch gestures, and a determination controller to control radiation range based on user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the radiation irradiator continuously provides radiographic images for diagnosis and treatment, then the real-time imaging capability is improved, but the radiation dose to the subject increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is divided into multiple independently controllable segments or regions that can be selectively activated. Only the collimator segments corresponding to the area of interest are opened to allow radiation passage, while other segments remain closed. This segmentation enables real-time imaging of specific regions without exposing the entire subject to radiation continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator implements local quality control by allowing radiation to pass through only specific localized regions corresponding to the area of interest. The collimator structure provides different transmission properties in different spatial locations, with open regions for the area of interest and closed regions elsewhere, thereby reducing overall radiation exposure while maintaining real-time imaging capability for the specific region being monitored.
2Manufacturing precision
If the collimator position is adjusted to center the area of interest, then the image quality is improved, but the surgery time increases due to repositioning operations
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is designed with dynamic, independent control of multiple segments or regions rather than requiring整体 repositioning. When the area of interest shifts position, only the specific collimator segments corresponding to the new location are adjusted or activated, while other segments remain in their original positions. This dynamic local adjustment maintains image quality without requiring time-consuming repositioning of the entire collimator structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If the radiation flux is increased to improve image brightness and quality, then the image resolution is improved, but the radiation exposure to unnecessary areas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator segments are selectively opened only in regions corresponding to the area of interest, allowing high radiation flux to be concentrated on the specific region requiring high-resolution imaging. Other regions remain blocked by closed collimator segments, preventing radiation exposure to unnecessary areas while maintaining adequate image brightness and resolution for the region of interest.
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
Reduces radiation exposure by focusing on selected areas, minimizing unnecessary exposure and reducing the need for collimator repositioning, thus shortening surgery time and enhancing user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a collimator configured to selectively block a flux of the radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A radiographic device includes an radiation irradiator which can irradiate a subject with radiation, and which includes a collimator capable of selectively blocking radiation flux; an image acquisition unit for acquiring an image signal by receiving the radiation that has passed through the subject; a display unit for displaying a radiation image on the basis of the image signal; and a determination controller which can control the irradiation unit so that the irradiation range of the radiation corresponding to a selection area selected from the radiation image is implemented.