Virtual Scan Procedure Generation for X-Ray Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray scanner positioning systems require significant trial-and-error, leading to increased costs and reduced throughput due to the need for manual determination of optimal component positioning for effective scanning procedures.
Innovation Solution
A virtual environment-based scan procedure generation system that allows users to design and optimize scanning procedures interactively, simulating component arrangements and radiation parameters to generate automated scanning protocols, which can be executed by physical scanners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual trial-and-error is used to determine optimal component positioning, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but time consumption and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary simulation and optimization of component positioning in a virtual environment before actual physical scanning. The virtual scanner replicates the physical scanner's geometry and allows pre-determination of optimal source-to-detector distances, rotation angles, and component arrangements, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual trial-and-error in the physical system.
Solution Approach 2:
A virtual copy of the physical scanner is created with identical geometric parameters and component arrangements. This virtual replica allows for iterative testing and optimization of scanning procedures without affecting the physical system, enabling accurate positioning determination through simulation rather than physical trial-and-error.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual determination of scanning procedures is used, then flexibility in design is maintained, but productivity and throughput are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated generation of optimized scanning procedures through virtual simulation. The virtual scanner automatically determines optimal component positioning, rotation paths, and imaging parameters based on the scanned object's geometry, eliminating the need for manual procedure development while maintaining design flexibility through programmable parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic adjustment and optimization of scanning parameters such as source-to-detector distance, rotation speed, angular increments, and exposure settings through virtual simulation. These parameters can be modified and re-optimized quickly without physical reconfiguration, maintaining flexibility while accelerating procedure development.
3Measurement precision
If physical trial-and-error is used for scanner setup, then accurate positioning can be achieved, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A virtual scanner software environment serves as an intermediary between the physical scanner and the user. This intermediate layer handles the complexity of positioning optimization through automated simulation and calculation, allowing users to achieve accurate positioning without directly managing the complex physical adjustments and measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
An example scan procedure generation system includes: a display; a processor; and a computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to: output, via the display, a first visual representation of an arrangement of a radiation source, a radiation detector, a workpiece positioner, and a workpiece; and based on positions and orientations of the radiation source, the radiation detector, the workpiece positioner, and the workpiece, generate a scanning procedure for execution by a physical scanner having a physical radiation source, a physical radiation detector, and a physical workpiece positioner, wherein the generated scanning procedure comprises a plurality of movements of one or more of the physical radiation source, the physical radiation detector, and the physical workpiece positioner and a plurality of image captures to capture a plurality of scan images of a physical workpiece corresponding to the workpiece in the first virtual representation.