Tunnel CT Scanner Video Camera Scintillator Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial tunnel computerized tomographic scanners face challenges in achieving a large acquisition surface with high acquisition frequency while maintaining a lower cost compared to multi-line systems, primarily due to the high expense of data collection systems from numerous photodiodes in prior art detectors.
Innovation Solution
The use of a tunnel computerized tomographic scanner with a scintillator and video cameras, where the scintillator's emission face is positioned to maximize light interception and intensity, and multiple video cameras frame and combine images from the scintillator's emission face to achieve high acquisition frequency and large acquisition surface, reducing costs by minimizing the need for a large number of photodiodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a panel of photodiodes is used to detect light from the scintillator, then the acquisition frequency can be increased, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses video cameras to capture images of the scintillator's emission face, creating optical copies of the X-ray detection information. This replaces the need for a large array of photodiodes, as the video cameras can capture the entire scintillator face or large portions of it with a single sensor, thereby reducing the number of detection elements while maintaining high acquisition frequency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the electronic detection system (photodiodes) with an optical detection system (video cameras). Instead of using numerous photodiodes to directly convert light to electrical signals, the system uses video cameras to capture optical images, which are then processed to extract the detection data, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining productivity
2Area of stationary object
If a large acquisition surface is used to cover the entire scintillator, then the field of vision is improved, but the cost and complexity of the data collection system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs video cameras to create optical copies of the scintillator's emission face, allowing the entire acquisition surface to be captured by a single camera or a small array of cameras. This replaces the need for a large array of photodiodes that would be required to directly detect the entire scintillator surface, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining a large acquisition surface
Solution Approach 2:
The video cameras serve multiple functions: they capture the entire scintillator face, provide high acquisition frequency data, and enable cost-effective operation. A single video camera can acquire images from the entire emission face, making the system more versatile and less complex compared to traditional photodiode arrays that would require many individual sensors
3Measurement precision
If multiple video cameras are used to frame and combine images, then the acquisition frequency and resolution are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scintillator's emission face into multiple zones that can be framed by different video cameras. Each camera captures a specific portion of the scintillator, and the images are then combined to create a complete view. This segmentation allows high-resolution imaging by capturing detailed information from multiple zones while using simpler, more manageable camera components rather than a single complex sensor array
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 allows for high-resolution imaging with a lower cost structure, achieving acquisition frequencies comparable to multi-line systems while maintaining a large acquisition surface, and improving signal-to-noise ratio through efficient light collection and processing.
Implementation Method 1
A panel consisting of multiple cells made of scintillator material is positioned in such a way as to intercept the X-rays which have passed through the detecting zone. That panel has an emission face from which the visible light photons are emitted
Implementation Method 2
multiple video cameras frame and combine images from the scintillator's emission face to achieve high acquisition frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A tunnel computerised tomographic scanner comprising a rotor (3), an X-ray emitter (7) mounted on the rotor (3), an X-ray detector (8) mounted on the rotor (3), on the opposite side of a detecting zone (4), the X-ray detector (8) comprising a scintillator (9) which has at least one emission face (10) from which the scintillator (9) emits light in the visible spectrum when it is struck by X-rays, and a plurality of video cameras (12) which are positioned in such a way that each of them frames at least one portion of the scintillator (9), for acquiring one after another second images, in the visible spectrum, of the respective portion of the scintillator (9), wherein, according to the method, at least two separate video cameras (12) substantially frame each zone of the emission face (10), and an electronic processing unit is programmed to combine all of the second images obtained by the video cameras (12) and to obtain a first image of the emission face (10), to be used for the tomographic reconstruction of an object (6) which is placed in the detecting zone (4).