Staggered X-ray Converting Gratings for Phase Contrast Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phase contrast imaging and dark-field imaging techniques face challenges with low X-ray dose efficiency due to the requirement for multiple exposures and significant photon discard, leading to longer acquisition times and reduced image quality.
Innovation Solution
An analyzing grid comprising stacked X-ray converting gratings with staggered configurations, allowing for simultaneous phase stepping samples and increased photon transmission, which enhances X-ray dose efficiency by ensuring almost every photon is accounted for, potentially eliminating the need for mechanical or electronic phase stepping with a single exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If phase stepping method is used to acquire phase information, then phase contrast imaging quality is improved, but acquisition time is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The analyzing grid is segmented into multiple independent X-ray converting gratings (first grating, second grating, etc.), each capable of converting X-rays to light or charge independently. This segmentation allows simultaneous acquisition of multiple phase stepping samples in a single exposure, eliminating the need for sequential mechanical scanning and reducing acquisition time while maintaining phase contrast imaging quality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from temporal phase stepping (sequential scanning in time) to spatial phase stepping (parallel sampling across multiple gratings in space). By stacking multiple X-ray converting gratings along the X-ray propagation direction, the system captures multiple phase information samples simultaneously in a single exposure, converting a time-consuming sequential process into a space-parallel process
2Measurement precision
If absorption grid or structured scintillator is used for phase contrast imaging, then phase information is acquired, but X-ray dose efficiency deteriorates due to photon discard
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the grating bars from X-ray absorbing materials to X-ray converting materials that emit light or charge. This parameter change allows the gratings to convert X-ray energy into detectable signals without absorbing and discarding the photons, thereby improving X-ray dose efficiency while maintaining the ability to acquire phase information
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allowing X-ray photons to be absorbed and discarded by traditional absorption grids, the invention converts the X-ray photons into useful light or charge signals through X-ray converting gratings. This transforms the previously harmful photon loss into a beneficial signal generation process, improving both X-ray dose efficiency and phase information acquisition
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 staggered configuration of X-ray converting gratings significantly increases X-ray dose efficiency, allowing over 98% of photons to be transmitted, thereby improving image acquisition speed and quality while reducing the need for multiple exposures.
Implementation Method 1
The X-ray converting gratings are configured to convert incident X-ray radiation into light or charge
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an analyzing grid for phase contrast imaging and/or dark-field imaging, a detector arrangement for phase contrast imaging and/or dark-field imaging comprising such analyzing grid, an X-ray imaging system comprising such detector arrangement, a method for manufacturing such analyzing grid, a computer program element for controlling such analyzing grid or detector arrangement for performing such method and a computer readable medium having stored such computer program element. The analyzing grid comprises a number of X-ray converting gratings. The X-ray converting gratings are configured to convert incident X-ray radiation into light or charge. The number of X-ray converting gratings comprises at least a first X-ray converting grating and a second X-ray converting grating. Further, the X-ray converting gratings each comprise an array of grating bars, wherein the grating bars within each X-ray converting grating are arranged mutually displaced from each other in a direction perpendicular to the incident X-ray radiation by a specific displacement pitch. Further, the grating bars of the first X-ray converting grating are arranged mutually displaced from the grating bars of the second X-ray converting grating in the direction perpendicular to the incident X-ray radiation by the displacement pitch divided by the number of X-ray converting gratings.