Radiography System Interlock and Assist Control for Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In radiography systems, especially during fluoroscopy, misregistration between the radiation source and the detection device leads to unnecessary radiation exposure and inefficient alignment processes, as existing technologies do not provide real-time feedback for correcting misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A radiography system equipped with a moving device that includes detection sensors to monitor the position of the radiation source in multiple directions, and a processor that executes an interlock control to prevent radiation emission if misalignment is detected, along with an assist control that provides notifications or mechanical assistance for correcting the alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If interlock control is applied to prohibit radiation irradiation when misalignment is detected, then radiation safety is improved, but imaging productivity deteriorates due to repeated alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the position of the radiation source using detection sensors and provides real-time feedback to the operator through display devices. This feedback mechanism allows the operator to understand the current alignment status and make precise adjustments, ensuring accurate positioning while minimizing the need for repeated alignment attempts and reducing overall radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment methods with an automated control system that uses detection sensors to monitor position and a processor to calculate alignment status. This substitution of mechanical adjustment with electronic sensing and computational control improves both safety and efficiency by providing precise, real-time alignment information without requiring repeated manual interventions.
2Device complexity
If manual alignment adjustment is performed without real-time feedback, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment precision deteriorates leading to misregistration
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates detection sensors that continuously monitor the radiation source position and provide real-time feedback to the operator through display devices. This feedback loop enables the operator to make precise adjustments based on actual position data, significantly improving alignment accuracy while maintaining a relatively simple control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces detection sensors as an intermediary between the radiation source and the operator. These sensors act as mediators that objectively measure the position and provide accurate information to the control system, eliminating the need for complex automated alignment mechanisms while ensuring high alignment precision through reliable position detection.
3Ease of operation
If color or voice indication is used to show proximity to target position, then ease of operation is improved, but alignment reliability deteriorates because misregistration cannot be instantly ascertained after positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous feedback during the alignment process through display devices that show the current position relative to the target. After positioning is completed, the system continues to monitor and can instantly detect and indicate misregistration, allowing the operator to verify alignment accuracy immediately and take corrective action if needed, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and high reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A radiography system includes a radiation detection device, a radiation source, a moving device capable of changing, in a plurality of directions, at least any of a translational position or a rotational position of the radiation source, the moving device including a plurality of detection sensors that detect positions of the radiation source in the plurality of directions, and a processor that controls the radiation source, in which the processor executes an interlock control for applying an interlock to prohibit the irradiation with the radiation by the radiation source in a case in which at least one of the positions in the plurality of directions is not included in an allowable range for a target position, and an assist control for giving a notification of or mechanically assisting in a direction in which the radiation source is to be moved in a case in which the interlock is applied.