Rotatable Collimator CT System for Faster 3D Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CT systems require significant time to acquire 3D images and expose patients to high amounts of X-rays, limiting their efficiency and safety.
Innovation Solution
A CT system with a rotatable collimator is designed, where only the collimator rotates, allowing for faster image acquisition and reduced X-ray exposure, while the X-ray source and detector remain fixed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the entire gantry rotates in conventional CT systems, then complete 360-degree X-ray coverage is achieved, but the acquisition time increases and patient exposure to X-rays increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the gantry into functionally independent segments: the X-ray source and detector remain stationary while only the collimator rotates. This segmentation allows the collimator to perform rapid angular scanning without moving the heavy source-detector assembly, thereby reducing acquisition time while maintaining complete angular coverage for 3D image reconstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator is designed with dynamic rotational capability at high speeds (periodicity ≤ 0.1 seconds per revolution). This dynamic element enables rapid modulation of the X-ray beam angle without requiring the entire gantry to rotate, significantly improving image acquisition speed while minimizing patient exposure time.
2Measurement precision
If the entire gantry rotates in conventional CT systems, then complete 360-degree X-ray coverage is achieved, but the patient exposure to X-rays increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the gantry so that only the collimator rotates rather than the entire source-detector assembly, the system achieves complete angular coverage for accurate 3D reconstruction while minimizing the duration of X-ray exposure. The stationary source-detector configuration combined with rapid collimator scanning reduces total exposure time while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator performs rapid periodic rotation with a period of 0.1 seconds or less, enabling complete angular sampling for accurate image reconstruction. This high-frequency periodic action achieves the necessary measurement precision while minimizing the cumulative X-ray exposure duration to the patient.
3Productivity
If only the collimator rotates while the X-ray source and detector remain fixed, then acquisition time is reduced and X-ray exposure is minimized, but the mechanical complexity of the collimator rotation mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotational function from the heavy gantry structure and assigns it specifically to the lighter collimator component. This extraction allows the rotation mechanism to be simplified and localized to only the collimator, reducing overall system complexity while achieving high-speed scanning necessary for improved productivity.
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 configuration reduces the time needed for 3D image acquisition and minimizes X-ray exposure to patients, enhancing the system's efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an X-ray source configured to generate X-rays; and an X-ray detector that is provided at a side portion of the X-ray source
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a computed tomography (CT) system which includes a rotatable collimator. The CT system includes a gantry. The gantry includes an X-ray source that generates X-rays, a collimator that is provided inside the X-ray source to be rotatable and that limits an irradiation area of the X-rays generated by the X-ray source, and an X-ray detector that is provided at a side portion of the X-ray source.