ROI Imaging with Cold Cathode Source Arrays for Faster Scans
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional medical imaging techniques face challenges such as long scanning times, motion artifacts due to voluntary or involuntary object movement, and reduced image resolution and accuracy, especially when imaging objects with complex structures or regions of interest obscured by other tissues.
Innovation Solution
The use of an array radiation source with cold cathode point radiation sources that emit radiation beams using a field electron emission mechanism, allowing for flexible and efficient scanning by determining scanning parameters based on the region of interest, reducing motion artifacts, and improving image resolution and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional medical imaging techniques use a radiation source with a hot cathode, then the system can generate radiation beams for imaging, but the scanning time becomes relatively long
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation source is segmented into an array of multiple independent point radiation sources arranged in a matrix configuration. This segmentation allows multiple sources to emit radiation beams simultaneously at different angles, enabling parallel imaging acquisition and significantly reducing scanning time compared to traditional single-source systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional hot cathode radiation source with cold cathode point radiation sources that use field electron emission mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical rotation of the radiation source, allowing all point sources to emit radiation simultaneously in fixed directions, thereby reducing scanning time and eliminating motion artifacts associated with mechanical movement.
2Measurement precision
If traditional medical imaging techniques scan an object, then imaging data can be obtained, but motion artifacts are generated due to voluntary or involuntary object movement, affecting resolution and accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanically rotating radiation source with a stationary array of cold cathode point sources. This eliminates mechanical movement during scanning, preventing motion artifacts caused by source movement and reducing artifacts from patient movement, thereby improving image resolution and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The point radiation sources are pre-positioned in an array configuration with specific geometric arrangements before scanning begins. This preliminary positioning allows for optimized beam paths and angles to be established in advance, enabling faster data acquisition and reducing the time window during which motion artifacts can occur.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional imaging techniques are used to image objects with complicated structures, then imaging is performed, but the process is inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation source is divided into multiple independently controllable point sources arranged in an array. This segmentation allows selective activation of specific point sources based on the imaging requirements and object geometry, providing flexibility for imaging complicated structures while reducing the number of beams needed and shortening scanning time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamically controllable point radiation sources that can be selectively activated or deactivated based on real-time imaging needs. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt to different object shapes and sizes, optimizing the imaging process for complicated structures and reducing unnecessary scanning time.
4Measurement precision
If a single radiation source is used for imaging, then the system is simple, but image resolution and accuracy are reduced when imaging objects with compact structures and large density
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation source is segmented into multiple point sources arranged in an array configuration. This segmentation provides multiple viewing angles and beam paths through dense, compact structures, improving image resolution and accuracy by capturing attenuation data from multiple perspectives, while the modular array design maintains relative system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point radiation source to a two-dimensional array of point sources. This dimensional expansion creates multiple beam paths and viewing angles simultaneously, enabling better penetration and visualization of dense, compact structures by capturing data from multiple spatial dimensions, thereby improving resolution without excessive complexity.
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 significantly reduces scanning time, minimizes motion artifacts, and enhances imaging accuracy by using cold cathode point radiation sources that adapt to the object's shape and size, resulting in high-resolution images with reduced radiation dose.
Implementation Method 1
an array radiation source with cold cathode point radiation sources that emit radiation beams using a field electron emission mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for generating an image is provided. The method may include obtaining a preliminary image of an object (510), determining a plurality of point radiation sources of at least one array radiation source at least partially based on an ROI of the object (520), determining at least one scanning parameter associated with the plurality of point radiation sources based on the preliminary image (530), causing the plurality of point radiation sources to emit radiation beams to the ROI to generate scan data relating to the ROI based on the at least one scanning parameter (540), obtaining scan data relating to the ROI (550) and generating a target image of the ROI based on the scan data relating to the ROI (560).