X-ray Backscatter Calibrator Using Visible Light Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
X-ray backscattering imaging systems face challenges in aligning collimators to produce uniform and consistent x-ray beams, leading to vertical streaking in images, which is time-consuming to correct using manual trial and error or partially addressed by automated averaging.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a light emitting element to generate visible light that is filtered and aligned with x-ray beams, allowing for the creation of a light spot that represents the x-ray beam alignment, enabling adjustment of the collimator aperture size, shape, and location for improved beam alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual trial and error process is used to align apertures, then alignment accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces visible light as an intermediary substance to represent and align x-ray beams. The light emitting element generates visible light that passes through the collimator aperture along the same path as x-rays, allowing operators to visually observe and adjust beam alignment without time-consuming trial and error with actual x-rays. This mediator enables precise alignment to be achieved quickly and efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical trial-and-error alignment process with an optical visualization system. Instead of mechanically adjusting collimators based on test exposures and visual inspection of results, the system uses light emitting elements to create visible light paths that directly show the beam trajectory, substituting mechanical adjustment iterations with optical guidance for immediate feedback.
2Reliability
If automated averaging is used to compensate intensity variations, then image quality is partially improved, but vertical streaking is not substantially eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary alignment action using visible light before actual x-ray imaging occurs. By adjusting collimator apertures based on visible light paths in advance, the system ensures that x-ray beams are properly aligned and flux is uniform before imaging begins. This preliminary optimization using light as a proxy prevents the need for post-processing automated averaging and eliminates vertical streaking at the source.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple collimators are used to create uniform beam, then beam uniformity is improved, but alignment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visible light as a mediator to simplify the alignment of multiple collimators. Each collimator is equipped with a light emitting element that generates visible light passing through its aperture along the same path as x-rays. This allows operators to visually observe and simultaneously align multiple collimators, reducing the complexity of coordinating multiple components compared to traditional mechanical alignment methods.
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 method allows for precise calibration of x-ray beams without exposure to radiation, reducing vertical streaking and enhancing image quality by ensuring consistent and uniform flux output across multiple collimators.
Implementation Method 1
The light emitting element generates visible light and is positioned to direct the visible light into the collimator
Implementation Method 2
The collimator filters a stream of visible light generated by the light emitting element such that the visible light traveling substantially parallel with respect to the length of the collimator passes through the aperture
Implementation Method 3
The radioactive source is connected to the drum and generates x-ray beams
Implementation Method 4
The radioactive source generates x-ray beams that are filtered by the collimator
Implementation Method 5
The backscatter detectors are for detecting backscattering radiation created as the x-rays generated by the radioactive source scatter back from the structure
Data Source
AI summary
An x-ray backscattering imaging system creating a backscatter image representing a structure is disclosed. The system includes a drum rotatable about an axis of rotation at a rotational speed, a radioactive source, a container, at least one collimator, at least one light emitting element, and a plurality of backscatter detectors. The radioactive source is connected to the drum and generates x-ray beams. The container houses the radioactive source and is constructed of a material that substantially blocks the x-ray beams generated by the radioactive source. The collimator is defined by the container and has a length and an aperture, where the collimator filters a stream of x-rays generated by the radioactive source such that the x-ray beams traveling substantially parallel with respect to the length of the collimator pass through the aperture. The light emitting element generates visible light and is positioned to direct the visible light into the collimator.