Structured X-ray Volumetric Molecular Imaging System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional x-ray diffraction imaging techniques for volumetric molecular imaging are inefficient, requiring high-powered x-ray sources or long exposure times due to poor utilization of incident photons, leading to excessive radiation exposure and time-consuming processes, making real-time molecular imaging challenging.
Innovation Solution
The use of structured x-ray radiation patterns that change over time, such as through object movement or source variation, enhances the scatter signal by illuminating each voxel multiple times, allowing for reduced scan times and lower photon flux, enabling faster and more efficient volumetric molecular imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional x-ray diffraction imaging techniques are used, then molecular imaging capability is achieved, but the process requires high-powered x-ray sources or long exposure times due to poor photon utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the x-ray beam into multiple pencil beams that sequentially illuminate different portions of the object. This segmentation allows for more efficient photon utilization by directing focused beams only where needed, rather than using a broad beam that wastes photons on areas outside the region of interest. The segmented approach enables better signal-to-noise ratio while reducing overall photon requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action by sequentially switching between multiple pencil beams in a time-multiplexed manner. Each pencil beam illuminates a specific region at different time intervals, and the detector integrates signals over time. This periodic illumination pattern improves photon utilization efficiency by ensuring that photons are concentrated on the target region during each illumination cycle, rather than being dispersed continuously across the entire field of view.
2Measurement precision
If conventional x-ray diffraction imaging techniques are used, then molecular composition information is obtained, but excessive radiation exposure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the x-ray beam into multiple focused pencil beams that sequentially scan through the object, the system delivers radiation only to the specific regions being imaged at each moment, rather than exposing the entire object continuously. This segmented approach reduces the total radiation dose while maintaining the ability to gather sufficient molecular composition information from each scanned region over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by continuously scanning through the object with multiple pencil beams in sequence, ensuring that radiation is always being used productively to gather information from some portion of the object. This continuous scanning approach eliminates wasted radiation exposure periods while still accumulating sufficient data for molecular imaging, thereby reducing overall radiation dose.
3Measurement precision
If pencil or fan beams are used to sequentially interrogate small sections, then molecular imaging is performed, but the process is very time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into multiple parallel pencil beam channels that can be time-multiplexed. By dividing the field of view into multiple segments and cycling through them rapidly, the system achieves comprehensive volumetric imaging without requiring sequential scanning of the entire volume at low speed. The segmentation enables efficient use of detector integration time across multiple regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic action by rapidly cycling through multiple pencil beams in a time-multiplexed sequence. Each pencil beam illuminates its designated region periodically, and the detector integrates signals from all beams over multiple cycles. This periodic scanning approach significantly reduces total imaging time compared to sequential scanning of each region individually, while still maintaining the ability to resolve molecular composition information from each voxel.
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 enables rapid, non-invasive, and cost-effective volumetric molecular imaging with improved signal-to-noise ratio and throughput, facilitating real-time imaging without excessive radiation exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a source for providing x-ray radiation
Implementation Method 2
Coherent scatter computed tomography (CSCT) is one such approach for providing molecular imaging capability. In a typical CSCT system, a poly-energetic x-ray beam, typically pencil-shaped, is directed at an object to give rise to low-angle coherent-scatter x-ray diffraction.
Implementation Method 3
a coded aperture for spatially modulating the x-ray radiation received by the object
Implementation Method 4
a detector array for detecting x-ray radiation after it has passed through the object
Implementation Method 5
a stage for moving the object through the spatially modulated radiation while the object is being imaged
Implementation Method 6
Coherent scatter computed tomography (CSCT) is one such approach for providing molecular imaging capability
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system operative for providing a volumetric molecular image of an object is disclosed. The imaging system interrogates the object with structured x-ray radiation while continuous relative motion between the object and source is induced during a measurement period. As the radiation passes through the object, the radiation scatters based on the molecular composition within the object, and the scattering changes as a function of time due to the relative motion between the source and object. Coherent scatter radiation is detected and processed to reconstruct an estimate of the three-dimensional molecular structure of the object using a reconstruction algorithm, such as maximum likelihood estimation.