Segmented Photon Counting Detector Calibration Phantom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional photon counting detector calibration phantoms become unmanageable and require excessive time when extended to cover large radiation fields, due to their weight and size, hindering efficient data acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A phantom with a first basis material having a smaller attenuation coefficient than a second basis material, varying in thickness in a stepwise fashion perpendicular to the radiation field, with each step decreasing in thickness from the center, allowing for a more compact and lightweight design that fits within the radiation field, such as a coupled elliptic or component phantom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the stepped phantom is extended to cover a large radiation field on the order of 50 cm, then the radiation field coverage is improved, but the phantom weight becomes unmanageable and calibration data acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The phantom is divided into multiple independent plates (first basis material plates and second basis material plates) with different thicknesses. Each plate can be independently positioned and measured, allowing the calibration process to be completed by measuring individual components rather than handling a single large, heavy stepped phantom structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a traditional stepped phantom design to a multi-plate configuration where calibration data is acquired by varying the combination and arrangement of separate plates. This dimensional reorganization allows coverage of large radiation fields without requiring a single monolithic structure, thereby reducing weight and measurement time.
2Area of stationary object
If the stepped phantom is extended to cover a large radiation field on the order of 50 cm, then the radiation field coverage is improved, but the phantom weight becomes unmanageable
Solution Approach 1:
The phantom is divided into multiple independent plates (first basis material plates and second basis material plates) with different thicknesses. Each plate can be independently positioned and measured, allowing the calibration process to be completed by measuring individual components rather than handling a single large, heavy stepped phantom structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the phantom by using multiple thin plates instead of a single thick stepped structure. This parameter change maintains the necessary attenuation coefficient variations for calibration while dramatically reducing the overall weight and improving handling ease.
3Measurement precision
If conventional stepped phantom design is used, then calibration data can be acquired, but the phantom becomes unmanageable and requires excessive time for large radiation fields
Solution Approach 1:
The phantom is divided into multiple independent plates (first basis material plates and second basis material plates) with different thicknesses. Each plate can be independently positioned and measured, allowing the calibration process to be completed by measuring individual components rather than handling a single large, heavy stepped phantom structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic flexibility to the calibration process by allowing different combinations of plates to be arranged and repositioned as needed. This dynamic approach enables efficient acquisition of calibration data for various radiation field sizes without being constrained by a fixed, cumbersome stepped phantom structure.
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 design reduces the time required to acquire calibration data for photon counting detectors, even in large radiation fields, by minimizing weight and size while maintaining effective calibration data handling and accounting for scattered radiation influences.
Implementation Method 1
The first basis material has a smaller attenuation coefficient for the radiation than that of the second basis material. The first basis material varies in thickness in a stepwise fashion in a direction perpendicular to a radiation field of the radiation
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided a phantom capable of reducing the time required to acquire calibration data even if a radiation field is large, a radiographic imaging device, and a method for calibrating a photon counting detector. A phantom, which is used in acquisition of calibration data for a photon counting detector that outputs an electric signal based on photon energy of incident radiation, includes a first basis material and a second basis material that are known materials. The first basis material has a smaller attenuation coefficient for the radiation than that of the second basis material. The first basis material varies in thickness in a stepwise fashion in a direction perpendicular to a radiation field of the radiation and, in each step, the step decreases in thickness with distance from a center of the radiation field in a direction of arrangement of detection elements of the photon counting detector.