Radiographic Imaging Apparatus Moire Fringe Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiographic imaging systems face challenges in accurately aligning positions of large or flat subjects that exceed the imaging range of a single exposure, particularly when the subject lacks significant characteristics, leading to potential image displacement and defects from using markers.
Innovation Solution
A radiographic imaging apparatus with a radiation source, multiple gratings, and a radiation detector aligned in the radiation irradiation axis direction, which generates reconstructed images from Moire fringe images and acquires relative position information to align images accurately across multiple dimensions, eliminating the need for markers and ensuring high precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a marker is used to align positions, then position alignment is possible, but the marker appears on the captured image causing defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the grating structure as an intermediary reference object instead of a marker. The grating provides stable geometric features for position alignment through Moire fringe analysis, while not appearing as a harmful artifact on the final image since it is part of the imaging system infrastructure rather than a temporary reference object
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual reference system by capturing the grating pattern and using it to generate position alignment information. Instead of physically placing a marker on the subject, the system copies the grating's geometric information into the imaging process and uses it for alignment calculations without the marker appearing on the subject image
2Area of stationary object
If image processing is used to align positions of multiple images, then large subjects can be imaged, but alignment accuracy deteriorates when subjects lack significant characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The grating serves as an intermediary reference that provides stable geometric features for alignment. By analyzing Moire fringes formed between the grating and the imaging system, the patent achieves high-precision position alignment that does not depend on the subject's characteristics, thus solving the problem of aligning large subjects without significant features
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the reference parameter from subject-based features (which may be absent or insignificant) to grating-based geometric features (which are always present and precisely manufactured). This parameter change enables consistent high-accuracy alignment regardless of subject characteristics
3Area of stationary object
If a grating size is increased to expand imaging range, then larger subjects can be imaged, but manufacturing difficulty increases extremely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into multiple components: radiation source, multiple gratings (G0, G1, G2), and radiation detector. By segmenting the system, the imaging range can be effectively expanded through the coordinated arrangement of these components rather than requiring a single large grating, thus avoiding the manufacturing difficulties of large-grating construction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the Talbot-Lau interferometer dimension, utilizing the interference pattern formation in the radiation path. This adds a new dimensional approach to expanding imaging range - not by making gratings larger, but by using the wave nature of radiation and interferometric principles to achieve extended effective imaging capability
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
Enables high-accuracy alignment of images from multiple exposures without displacement, even for subjects exceeding the standard imaging range, by generating reconstructed images and associating them with relative position information, thereby improving image quality and reducing defects.
Implementation Method 1
a generator that generates a reconstructed image on the basis of a Moire fringe image obtained by performing imaging by irradiating a subject disposed at a position overlapping the radiation irradiation axis direction with radiation by the radiation source
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A radiographic imaging apparatus (100) in which a radiation source (11), a plurality of gratings (14, 15) and a radiation detector (16) are provided side by side in a radiation irradiation axis direction, the radiographic imaging apparatus (100) including: a generator (51) that generates a reconstructed image on the basis of a Moire fringe image obtained by performing imaging by irradiating a subject disposed at a position overlapping the radiation irradiation axis direction with radiation by the radiation source (11), an acquirer (51) that acquires relative position information that is relative positions in two or more dimensions of the subject with respect to the gratings (14, 15), and a controller (51) that associates the reconstructed image with the relative position information.