X-ray Anode Segmentation for Phase Contrast Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing focus detector arrangements for phase contrast imaging in x-ray apparatuses result in high background noise and unnecessary radiation exposure due to high dose proportion, which is not suitable for medical applications.
Innovation Solution
A focus detector arrangement that generates a beam of quasi-coherent x-rays with a grid-like origin using an anode with regions of different radiation emission, allowing for improved dose utilization by simulating the movement of a source grid, thereby reducing background noise and radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a source grid is used to generate quasi-coherent x-rays for phase contrast imaging, then phase contrast measurement capability is improved, but background noise and radiation exposure increase due to high dose proportion
Solution Approach 1:
The anode surface is segmented into multiple independent focal spots arranged in a grid pattern, where each focal spot generates coherent x-rays in specific directions. This segmentation allows the system to achieve phase contrast imaging without requiring a physical source grid, thereby reducing background noise and unnecessary radiation exposure while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the physical source grid component from the traditional phase contrast imaging system. By generating quasi-coherent x-rays directly through the anode's multi-focal spot configuration, the system removes the source grid that was previously causing high background noise and excessive radiation dose, while preserving the essential phase contrast measurement capability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If an extremely small focus is used to achieve sufficient spatial coherence, then coherent x-ray beam quality is improved, but exposure time increases and dose rating becomes insufficient for medical applications
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a dynamic approach by using multiple focal spots that can be selectively activated or scanned across the anode surface. This dynamic configuration allows the system to maintain spatial coherence for phase contrast imaging while distributing the radiation dose across multiple spots, thereby reducing exposure time and increasing dose rating suitability for medical applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic scanning or sequential activation of multiple focal spots on the anode. This periodic action allows each focal spot to deliver a controlled, lower dose while collectively achieving the required total dose and spatial coherence, thus reducing individual exposure time and improving overall productivity for medical imaging.
3Productivity
If a conventional large focal spot is used with a source grid, then dose rating sufficient for medical applications is achieved, but background noise increases due to quasi-coherent radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The anode is designed with locally differentiated properties through its multi-focal spot configuration, where each focal spot has specific emission characteristics. This local quality variation allows the system to generate quasi-coherent x-rays in specific directions from each spot, achieving sufficient dose rating for medical applications while minimizing background noise through precise directional control of radiation.
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 solution enhances dose utilization for phase contrast imaging, reducing background noise and radiation exposure, making it suitable for medical applications by generating coherent x-rays with a grid-like origin using an anode with band-like regions of different radiation emission, which effectively determines local phase shifts for high-detail and high-contrast imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation source arranged on a first side of the examination subject, that generates a beam of coherent rays with grid-like origin
Implementation Method 2
a phase grid arranged in the beam path on the opposite second side of the examination subject that generates an interference pattern of the x-ray radiation in a predetermined energy range of the x-ray radiation
Implementation Method 3
generates an interference pattern of the x-ray radiation
Implementation Method 4
an analysis detector system that locally detects at least one interference pattern generated by the phase grid relative to its phase shift
Data Source
AI summary
In a focus detector arrangement and method for an x-ray apparatus for generating projection or tomographic phase-contrast images of an examination subject, a beam of coherent x-rays is generated by an anode that has areas of different radiation emission characteristics arranged in bands thereon, that proceed parallel to grid lines of a phase grid that is used to generate the phase-contrast images.