Rotating Solid-State X-Ray Detector for Dual Imaging Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental X-ray imaging systems face challenges in accommodating multiple imaging modes such as CT and panoramic radiography with a single solid-state image pick-up device, as existing devices require a wide photodetecting surface that exceeds the size limitations of semiconductor wafers, leading to increased area requirements and operational complexities.
Innovation Solution
A medical X-ray imaging system with a solid-state image pick-up device that includes a photodetecting section with a rectangular surface, supported rotatably to adjust its orientation for different imaging modes, allowing the row or column direction to align with the movement direction in one mode and tilting both directions in another mode to optimize the imaging region without increasing the photodetecting surface area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a wide photodetecting surface is used to accommodate multiple imaging modes (CT and panoramic radiography), then the imaging region requirements are satisfied, but the device size increases and exceeds semiconductor wafer size limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The solid-state image pick-up device is configured to rotate around an axis line perpendicular to the photodetecting surface, enabling dynamic reorientation of the photodetecting section between different imaging modes (CT and panoramic radiography). This rotational capability allows a single device with limited photodetecting surface area to satisfy the imaging region requirements of multiple modes by changing its orientation rather than requiring multiple fixed devices with larger total area.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple X-ray image pick-up devices are prepared to satisfy different imaging mode requirements, then the imaging region requirements are met, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single solid-state image pick-up device is designed to perform multiple imaging functions (CT and panoramic radiography) by rotating the photodetecting section to different orientations. The device universally handles both imaging modes that previously required separate specialized devices, thereby reducing the total number of devices from multiple to one while maintaining adaptability to different imaging requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the photodetecting surface is rotated to different orientations, then the imaging region requirements for different modes are satisfied, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the orientation parameter of the photodetecting section by rotating it around an axis perpendicular to the photodetecting surface. This parameter change (rotation angle) allows the same physical device to satisfy different imaging region requirements for CT and panoramic radiography modes without requiring complex mechanical reconfiguration or multiple devices.
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 realization of multiple imaging modes with a single device, reducing the required area for the photodetecting surface and improving operational efficiency by controlling the rotation angle and signal reading operations to match the imaging region requirements for CT and panoramic radiography.
Implementation Method 1
a scintillator which generates scintillation light in response to an incident X-ray and converts the X-ray image into an optical image
Implementation Method 2
photodiodes for generating charges corresponding to incident light intensities
Data Source
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AI summary
The solid-state image pick-up device (1) includes a photodetecting section (10) which is formed by two-dimensionally aligning M×N (M and N are integers not less than 2) pixels in M rows and N columns and has a rectangular photodetecting surface. This solid-state image pick-up device (1) is supported rotatably by a rotation controlling section, and the rotation controlling section controls the rotation angle of the solid-state image pick-up device (1) so that the row direction or column direction of the photodetecting section (10) becomes parallel to the movement direction (B) of the solid-state image pick-up device (1) in one of the two imaging modes, and both of the row direction and the column direction of the photodetecting section (10) tilt with respect to the movement direction (B) of the solid-state image pick-up device (1) in the other imaging mode of the two imaging modes.