Tomography Detector Yaw Angle for Large Volume Scans
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current C-arm tomography systems have limitations in performing large volume 3D scans, as they often fail to cover the entire region of interest, especially for larger patients, due to restricted diameters of the evaluable volume in the direction of rotation.
Innovation Solution
A tomography system with a beam source guided along a circular or helical trajectory and a detector with a rectangular sensor surface guided along a concentric trajectory, where the yaw angle between the sensor surface and the plane of rotation is set between 0° and 90°, allowing the diagonal of the sensor surface to lie in the plane of rotation, thereby maximizing the effective length of the sensor surface during rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the sensor surface is aligned perpendicular to the plane of rotation (yaw angle = 90°), then the effective length in the direction of rotation is maximized, but the coverage of larger volumes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by setting the yaw angle to a specific asymmetric value (e.g., 45°) rather than the conventional symmetric alignment (0° or 90°). This asymmetric orientation allows the sensor surface to simultaneously capture projections at multiple angles, effectively doubling the coverage volume without requiring physical repositioning of the sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of operation by utilizing the yaw angle as an additional degree of freedom. Instead of only rotating the sensor in the horizontal plane, the sensor is tilted at a fixed yaw angle, creating a conical scanning pattern that expands the evaluable volume in three-dimensional space.
2Volume of moving object
If the diameter of the evaluable volume is increased to cover larger patients, then the system dimensions must be increased, but this increases device complexity and size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the existing system by introducing a fixed yaw angle offset. This parameter change allows the same physical sensor to effectively scan a larger volume by altering the angular coverage pattern, without requiring any physical expansion of the C-arm or sensor dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the sensor surface multi-functional by enabling it to simultaneously perform measurements at multiple orientations through the fixed yaw angle. A single sensor configuration can now cover both standard and expanded volume scans, eliminating the need for multiple specialized sensor arrangements.
3Area of stationary object
If the sensor surface is rotated to maximize effective length, then the coverage area increases, but the manufacturing and alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-setting the yaw angle to the optimal value before the scanning process begins. This fixed angular offset is configured in advance and remains constant throughout the scan, eliminating the need for real-time adjustment or complex dynamic alignment during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves self-alignment through the fixed yaw angle configuration. The sensor surface automatically maintains the correct orientation relative to the rotation plane throughout the scanning motion, as the geometric relationship is inherently built into the system configuration rather than requiring active control or adjustment.
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 configuration enables a significant enlargement of the evaluable volume in the direction of rotation, increasing the diameter of the evaluable volume by up to 26.5% without altering the system's dimensions, while allowing for higher resolving power and flexibility in covering larger volumes.
Implementation Method 1
The tomography system can, for example, be an X-ray tomography system or a fluorescence tomography system
Implementation Method 2
The tomography system can, for example, be an X-ray tomography system or a fluorescence tomography system
Data Source
AI summary
A tomography system with a beam source and a detector that is adapted to carry out a scan. While the beam source is guided along a circular or helical first trajectory about an orbital axis, a rectangular sensor surface of the detector is guided at a distance from the beam source along a circular or helical second trajectory about the orbital axis. During the scan, a yaw angle between a perpendicular bisector of the sensor surface and the plane of rotation in which the beam source is currently located has a value of greater than 0.degree. and simultaneously smaller than 90.degree..