Synthetic Triggering for Radiation Imaging Integration Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional radiation imaging systems rely on physical markers for triggering integrations, which are costly, prone to mechanical alignment issues, susceptible to dust and vibration errors, and inflexible in adjusting integration periods based on changing rotational speeds.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a combination of physical and synthetic triggers to dynamically adjust integration periods during a gantry revolution, allowing for variable sector lengths and integration times based on rotational speed and collective integration time, reducing the need for physical markers and enhancing accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If physical markers are used for triggering integrations, then integration timing can be defined, but manufacturing cost increases and alignment precision deteriorates due to mechanical alignment issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration timing precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical markers with synthetic triggers that are generated through software algorithms. These synthetic triggers replicate the timing function of physical markers without requiring actual physical components, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining integration timing precision through computational accuracy rather than mechanical precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical marker system with an electronic/software-based trigger system. Instead of using physical markers that require mechanical alignment and installation, the system uses programmable triggers that can be precisely controlled through software, eliminating mechanical alignment issues and reducing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If physical markers are used for triggering integrations, then integration timing can be defined, but reliability deteriorates due to dust and vibration errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration timing precisionVSAvoidmarker stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of the marker function through synthetic triggers generated by software algorithms. These digital triggers are immune to physical environmental factors such as dust and vibration that would affect physical markers, thereby improving reliability while maintaining precise integration timing through computational consistency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical marker system with an electronic/software-based trigger system that operates independently of physical environmental conditions. The synthetic triggers are generated through computational algorithms that are not affected by dust, vibration, or other physical interferers, thereby significantly improving system reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If physical markers are used for triggering integrations, then integration timing can be defined, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to adjust integration periods based on changing rotational speeds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration timing precisionVSAvoidintegration period adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of integration periods through software-controlled synthetic triggers. The system can adaptively modify integration timing based on real-time rotational speed variations, changing from a fixed timing mechanism to a dynamic, flexible system that maintains precision while providing versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables variable integration periods by changing the temporal parameters of synthetic triggers through software control. The system can adjust integration timing parameters dynamically based on operational conditions such as rotational speed, providing adaptability while maintaining measurement precision through controlled parameter modification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If variable integration periods are implemented, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases due to dynamic adjustment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration period adjustabilityVSAvoidtrigger system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with software-based control for variable integration periods. The dynamic adjustment is achieved through programmable triggers that can modify timing parameters via software, thereby improving adaptability while reducing physical complexity by eliminating mechanical adjustment components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9869646B2View triggering for radiation imaging system

Publication Date: 2018.01.16 ANALOGIC CORP

AI summary

Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are described for triggering a radiation imaging system to perform data acquisition. A radiation imaging system may comprise a rotating gantry configured to rotate a radiation source and a detector array about an object to generate an image(s) of the object. A data acquisition system is configure to integrate charge that has accumulated during a period of time. A temporal length between integrations (e.g., an integration period) is adjusted based upon a desired number of total integrations to be performed during the revolution, changes in the rotational speed of the rotating gantry during the revolution, and/or a collective integration time for integrations already performed during the revolution.