Smart Radiation Detector Module With On-Board Memory Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As CT scanners become increasingly complex and expensive, variations in detector performance across pixels and modules lead to manufacturing inefficiencies, increased costs, and complexity in reconstruction processes, necessitating a method to identify and correct performance variations to improve yield and reduce calibration needs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating memory within detector modules to store performance characteristics and using signal correction circuitry, such as digital circuitry with a computer processor, to generate corrected electrical signals, allowing for real-time corrections and improved detector performance by accounting for variations in detector pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of detector pixels is increased to improve scan capability and resolution, then imaging performance is improved, but variations in detector performance become more significant and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring and storing performance characteristics of each detector pixel during manufacturing, before the detector module is installed in the CT scanner. Correction factors are pre-calculated and stored in memory associated with each pixel, enabling real-time correction of performance variations without requiring post-installation calibration or affecting manufacturing yield.
2Measurement precision
If detector performance variations are corrected during image reconstruction, then imaging accuracy is improved, but system complexity and reconstruction time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the correction function from the image reconstruction process and implements it separately in the detector module itself. Correction factors are stored in local memory and applied by correction circuitry within the detector module, separating the correction function from the reconstruction computer and simplifying the reconstruction process while maintaining imaging accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary correction factor that mediates between the raw detector signal and the final reconstructed image. These correction factors, stored in memory associated with each detector pixel, serve as intermediaries that compensate for performance variations without requiring complex modifications to the reconstruction algorithm or hardware.
3Reliability
If detector modules are replaced to maintain performance standards, then imaging reliability is maintained, but cost and calibration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by measuring and storing individual performance characteristics of each detector pixel during manufacturing. Instead of replacing detector modules that fall outside narrow performance specifications, the system captures performance parameters and uses them to generate correction factors, allowing wider manufacturing tolerances while maintaining imaging reliability.
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 approach reduces the impact of performance variations, enhances manufacturing yields, simplifies servicing, and decreases the need for additional calibrations, thereby improving detector performance and reducing overall system complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an x-radiation sensitive detector array which generates electrical signals in response to x-radiation detected thereby
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An ionizing radiation detector module (22) includes a detector array (200), a memory (202), signal processing electronics (208), a communications interface (210), and a connector (212). The memory contains detector performance parameters (204) and detector correction algorithms (206). The signal processing electronics (208) uses the detector performance parameters (204) to correct signals from the detector array (200) in accordance with the detector correction algorithms (206).