Rotating Collimator Blades for Diagonal Vessel Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray diagnosis apparatuses face challenges in minimizing exposure dose when imaging blood vessels that extend diagonally, as the existing X-ray beam limiting devices can only move horizontally and vertically, leading to unnecessary radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a rotating X-ray beam limiting device with collimator blades that can be controlled to align parallel to the longitudinal direction of the target, reducing the irradiation field and minimizing exposure by adjusting the position and angle of the collimator blades based on the orientation of the blood vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If collimator blades are moved only in horizontal and vertical directions, then the device structure is simple, but the irradiation field becomes larger when imaging diagonally oriented blood vessels, causing unnecessary exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator blades are made rotatable about the X-ray source, transforming them from static horizontal/vertical only movement to dynamic adjustable orientation. This allows the collimator to adapt its angle to match the diagonal orientation of blood vessels, thereby reducing the irradiation field size and minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator blade orientation angle is changed as a controllable parameter. By adjusting the rotation angle of the collimator blades to match the specific orientation of the blood vessel being imaged, the system optimizes the irradiation field to cover only the necessary area, reducing radiation exposure without increasing device complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If collimator blades are made rotatable to match diagonal blood vessel orientations, then radiation exposure is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator blades are made rotatable about the X-ray source, transforming them from static horizontal/vertical only movement to dynamic adjustable orientation. This allows the collimator to adapt its angle to match the diagonal orientation of blood vessels, thereby reducing the irradiation field size and minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable collimator mechanism serves multiple functions: it can accommodate blood vessels at various orientations (horizontal, vertical, and diagonal), provides precise control over the irradiation field, and maintains compatibility with existing X-ray system architecture. This multi-functionality justifies the added device complexity by solving a broader range of imaging problems.
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 solution effectively reduces radiation exposure to the subject while maintaining clear imaging of diagonally oriented blood vessels, enhancing the precision and safety of endovascular treatments and angiographic examinations.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging unit including an X-ray tube that emits an X-ray to a subject, and an X-ray detector that detects the X-ray that has passed through the subject
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray diagnosis apparatus of an embodiment includes: an imaging unit that includes an X-ray tube which emits an X-ray to a subject, and an X-ray detector which detects an X-ray passing through the subject; an X-ray beam limiting unit that is disposed between the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector, has a plurality of collimator blades, and can be rotated; an image processing unit that generates a fluoroscopic image of a region of interest set by the X-ray beam limiting unit; and a control unit that individually controls the plurality of collimator blades in such a way that a long side of an opening formed by the plurality of collimator blades goes in a longitudinal direction of a target within the fluoroscopic image.