X-ray Irradiation Control via Pre-shot Reference Pixel Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital X-ray image systems, particularly those using CCD or flat panel detectors, struggle to accurately determine optimal radiography conditions for minimizing exposure dose while maintaining appropriate luminance, relying on operator experience and lookup tables rather than precise physical characteristics of the object.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray irradiation controlling device and method that includes a pre-shot radiography condition determiner, reference pixel value acquirer, interrelation acquirer, and main-shot radiography condition determiner to adjust tube voltage and radiation dose based on specific characteristics between radiograph signals and conditions, ensuring accurate and efficient radiography.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If tube voltage (kVp) and radiation dose (mAs) are increased to improve radiograph luminance, then the luminance of radiograph is improved, but the exposure dose to the object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a pre-shot radiography before the actual radiography to obtain reference pixel values. Based on these reference values, it calculates the appropriate tube voltage and radiation dose for the main shot, thereby preliminarily determining optimal conditions that balance luminance and exposure dose without relying on operator experience or fixed lookup tables.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the reference pixel values obtained from the pre-shot radiograph as feedback to automatically calculate and adjust the tube voltage and radiation dose for the main radiography. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the exposure conditions are optimized based on actual detector response, achieving appropriate luminance while minimizing exposure dose.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If tube voltage (kVp) or radiation dose (mAs) is reduced to minimize exposure dose, then the exposure dose to the object is reduced, but the luminance of radiograph is reduced making it difficult to interpret
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the tube voltage and radiation dose parameters based on the reference pixel values from the pre-shot radiograph. By calculating the optimal parameters using the relationship between pixel values and exposure conditions, the system adjusts these parameters to achieve the minimum necessary exposure dose while maintaining appropriate luminance for interpretation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-shot radiography serves as a preliminary measurement to characterize the object's attenuation properties. This preliminary action enables the system to predict the optimal main-shot conditions, ensuring that the actual radiography uses the minimum necessary dose while guaranteeing sufficient luminance.
3Ease of operation
If operator experience and lookup tables are used to determine radiography conditions, then the system is simple to operate, but the accuracy of determining optimal conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically determining optimal radiography conditions through the pre-shot radiograph and subsequent calculations. The controller automatically calculates the tube voltage and radiation dose based on reference pixel values, eliminating the need for operator intervention or lookup tables while maintaining high accuracy in condition determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical/manual method of using lookup tables and operator experience with an automated computational method. The controller uses algorithms to calculate optimal radiography conditions based on actual pixel value measurements, substituting human judgment and fixed tables with precise computational determination.
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
Enables quick acquisition of appropriate radiographs by determining main-shot conditions using reference pixel values, resulting in consistent luminance differences within critical values at highest-density areas, improving the quality and efficiency of radiographic imaging.
Implementation Method 1
an X-ray tube that radiates X-ray to an object
Implementation Method 2
a digital X-ray detector that detects radiation reaching the sensing membrane, converts the detected radiation into charge
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a digital X-ray image system, an X-ray irradiation controlling device, and a method therefor in order to find out a main-shot condition for obtaining a main-shot radiograph signal on the basis of a radiograph signal (for example, a reference pixel value) outputted in response to a pre-shot condition using specific characteristics between a radiograph signal (pixel value) and a radiograph condition. The X-ray irradiation controlling device includes: a pre-shot radiography condition determiner determining a radiography condition; a reference pixel value acquirer acquiring a reference pixel value from a pre-shot radiograph obtained under the pre-shot radiography condition; an interrelation acquirer acquiring interrelation between a radiography condition and a radiograph signal on the basis of the reference pixel value; and a main-shot radiography condition determiner determining a main-shot radiography condition using the interrelation.