Sandwiched Calibration Phantom for Photon-Counting CT Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing calibration phantoms for photon-counting CT detectors face issues with deformation of thin base substances, leading to reduced accuracy in discriminating substances due to changes in transmitted X-ray photon counts.
Innovation Solution
A calibration phantom design featuring first and second base substances, where the second base substance with a higher atomic number is sandwiched between first base substances, constraining the second base substance to prevent deformation and maintain accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the thickness of a base substance with large atomic number is made extremely thin (about 0.1 mm) to achieve accurate substance discrimination, then the calibration accuracy is improved, but the phantom becomes easily deformed and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the thin base substance (about 0.1 mm) with large atomic number between two other base substances, creating a nested structure. This nesting approach allows the thin substance to be supported and constrained by the surrounding materials, preventing deformation while maintaining its thinness for accurate calibration measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining multiple base substances with different properties. The thin base substance with large atomic number is combined with other base substances to form a composite phantom where the surrounding materials provide mechanical support and stability, preventing deformation of the thin critical component.
2Measurement precision
If the thickness of a base substance with large atomic number is made extremely thin (about 0.1 mm) to achieve accurate substance discrimination, then the calibration accuracy is improved, but the phantom becomes difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the thin base substance between two other base substances, the patent creates a stable composite structure that maintains its shape and is easy to handle. The surrounding base substances provide mechanical support that prevents the thin substance from deforming during handling, while still allowing accurate X-ray transmission for calibration.
3Manufacturing precision
If the thickness of a base substance with large atomic number is made extremely thin (about 0.1 mm), then the calibration data accuracy is improved, but the base substance becomes easily deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the thin base substance (about 0.1 mm) between two other base substances, creating a nested structure where the surrounding materials provide mechanical support. This support prevents the thin substance from deforming under its own weight or during handling, while maintaining its thinness for accurate calibration data acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure where the thin base substance with large atomic number is combined with other base substances. The composite structure provides overall rigidity and strength, preventing deformation of the thin critical component while maintaining the necessary properties for accurate calibration measurements.
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
The design reduces errors in calibration data by minimizing deformation of the second base substance, enhancing the accuracy of substance discrimination in generated medical images.
Implementation Method 1
a photon-counting type detector that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to photon energy of an incident X-ray
Implementation Method 2
a phantom composed of a combination of a plurality of base substances, which are substances of which a composition and a thickness are known, is measured with the photon-counting type detector
Data Source
AI summary
A calibration phantom is configured to be difficult to deform and easy to handle. The calibration phantom can be used in a case of acquiring calibration data of a photon-counting type detector that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to photon energy of an incident X-ray. The calibration phantom includes first base substances and a second base substance which are known substances, the second base substance having an atomic number larger than an atomic number of the first base substances and being sandwiched between the first base substances.