Spread-Field Imaging Collimators With Non-Uniform Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation-based imaging systems face a tradeoff between imaging resolution and signal sensitivity due to conventional collimator and detector designs, where longer apertures improve resolution but deteriorate sensitivity, and vice versa.
Innovation Solution
A collimator with non-uniformly distributed apertures is deployed at a distance from the detector, allowing photons to illuminate multiple detector areas, and incorporates repetitive patterns like URA, MURA, or PBA, enhancing imaging resolution without sacrificing sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional collimators with uniform aperture distribution are used, then manufacturing is simple, but imaging resolution and signal sensitivity cannot be optimized simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transitioning from uniform to non-uniform aperture distribution across the collimator surface. Different regions of the collimator have differently sized and positioned apertures, allowing optimization of imaging resolution in certain areas while maintaining adequate signal sensitivity in others. This localized variation in aperture characteristics enables simultaneous improvement of both imaging resolution and signal sensitivity without requiring complete system redesign.
2Reliability
If collimator is placed close to detector, then signal sensitivity is high, but cross-talk between adjacent apertures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by varying aperture sizes, shapes, and spacing across the collimator surface rather than using uniform parameters. By adjusting these geometric parameters locally, the system achieves optimal balance between signal sensitivity (requiring closer collimator-detector spacing) and cross-talk reduction (requiring sufficient aperture separation). The non-uniform parameter distribution allows simultaneous optimization of both competing requirements.
3Reliability
If aperture size is increased to improve signal sensitivity, then more photons are detected, but imaging resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by creating regions with different aperture sizes optimized for different functions. Some areas feature larger apertures that maximize signal sensitivity by allowing more photons through, while other regions contain smaller apertures that provide superior imaging resolution. This spatial variation in aperture quality allows the system to achieve both high signal sensitivity and good imaging resolution simultaneously across different fields of view.
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 solution provides improved imaging resolution and reduced cross-talk, enabling efficient image reconstruction with increased sensitivity and a simplified algorithm.
Implementation Method 1
A collimator is a device that guides photon path (i.e., guides photon to take certain path). In radiation-based imaging, photons may originate from unknown locations inside a subject... Without collimators, photons from all directions may be recorded by a photon detector
Implementation Method 2
a photon detector... Based on information from the received photons, the photon detector may then determine the distribution of the radiopharmaceuticals inside the patient
Data Source
AI summary
A method of misalignment correction in an imaging system is disclosed. The method includes providing a collimator and a detector having a digitized pixel grid, illuminating the collimator with a flood light source, and recording signal intensities in each pixel of the digitized pixel grid. The signal intensities are caused by the illuminating of the collimator. The method further includes deriving a descriptor from the recorded signal intensities, generating a series of offsets to be introduced to the digitized pixel grid, finding a selected offset from the series of offsets that optimizes the descriptor, and regenerating the digitized pixel grid based on an actual offset derived from the selected offset.