X-Ray Detector with Wider Collimator Opening for Angular Shifts

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Solution Overview

Problem

X-ray detectors using X-ray line sensors face issues with angular shifts causing shadows on transmission images due to collimator blocking, leading to degraded measurement signals and difficulty in controlling the detector's angle without variation.

Innovation Solution

The X-ray detector system includes an X-ray line sensor with a collimator that allows for movement and rotation to match the X-ray emission direction, features a wider collimator width to accommodate angular shifts, and incorporates temperature and non-emission signal correction for improved image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the collimator width is set comparable to the line sensor element width to achieve high resolution, then the measurement precision is improved, but the detector becomes highly sensitive to angular shifts causing shadow artifacts and signal degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage resolutionVSAvoidangular shift tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameter of the collimator by setting its width to be larger than the line sensor element width. This parameter modification allows the system to tolerate angular shifts while maintaining adequate resolution, resolving the contradiction between high resolution and angular shift tolerance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the collimator width is increased to accommodate angular shifts, then the angular shift tolerance is improved, but the measurement precision and image resolution are degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular shift toleranceVSAvoidimage resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the collimator width parameter to be larger than the line sensor element width, creating a geometric configuration that tolerates angular shifts. This parameter change accepts some resolution trade-off to achieve reliable operation under angular misalignment conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the X-ray detector is controlled to face the center of the X-ray source to optimize imaging, then the measurement precision is improved, but any angular deviation causes shadow artifacts on the transmission image

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidshadow artifacts
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the collimator width parameter to exceed the line sensor element width, creating a geometric margin that prevents shadow artifacts even when angular deviations occur during scanning, thus eliminating the harmful shadow effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Measurement precision

If the collimator width is set narrow to match the line sensor element width to reduce scattered radiation, then the measurement precision is improved, but the system becomes highly sensitive to angular misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidangular alignment flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the collimator width parameter to be larger than the line sensor element width, providing angular alignment flexibility during scanning operations while maintaining adequate signal quality by balancing the width relationship.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design enables the acquisition of normal X-ray transmission images even with minute angular shifts, ensuring accurate detection and high resolution despite angular misalignments.

Implementation Method 1

an X-ray(s) is/are blocked by a collimator due to an angular shift of such an X-ray detector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

The X-ray line sensor has a scintillator and a light detector that detects scintillation light that is emitted by the scintillator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScintillation: Scintillation

Data Source

PatentEP4610639A1X-ray detector of x-ray imaging system
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 NIHON KESSHO KOGAKU
  • EP4610639A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4610639A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4610639A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

It is an object to provide an X-ray detector of an X-ray image capture system that is allowed to accept a minute angular shift of the X-ray detector that uses an X-ray line sensor to be scanned. Hence, the X-ray detector has an X-ray line sensor 3 with X-ray detection elements that are arranged in a one-dimensional manner with respect to a horizontal direction and a collimator 2 that is provided on an end part of the X-ray line sensor 3 that faces an X-ray source, and it includes a driving control mechanism that moves the X-ray detector in upward and downward directions and rotates an X-ray detector 1 around an axis in a pixel pitch direction of the X-ray line sensor 3 in association with the movement to tilt it with respect to a horizontal plane and thereby match an emission direction of an emitted X-ray and an X-ray introduction direction of the collimator 2 where an X-ray introduction width d2 of the collimator 2 is greater than widths d1 of X-ray detection elements.