X-ray CT Control Device Switching Data Bundling Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Photon counting X-ray CT detectors face challenges in real-time data transmission due to the large amounts of data processed, which limits the utilization of energy-specific photon counting and integration methods, making it difficult to balance real-time performance and data accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The X-ray CT apparatus incorporates a control device with processing circuitry that switches between pre-DAS and post-DAS bundling modes, adjusting the number of energy bins and data aggregation to reduce data transmission while maintaining real-time performance and allowing for subsequent detailed analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If photon counting is performed for each energy, then measurement precision is improved, but the amount of data increases making real-time transmission difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy-specific photon counting accuracyVSAvoiddata amount

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the energy spectrum into multiple bins and applies different processing strategies to different bins. High-energy bins are processed with finer granularity while low-energy bins are aggregated more coarsely, allowing detailed analysis where needed while reducing overall data volume for real-time transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the number of energy bins and bundling strategies based on real-time transmission requirements. The control device can switch between different aggregation levels and adjust bin configurations to balance measurement precision with transmission speed according to operational needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If all X-ray photons are bundled into one, then data transmission is simplified, but the advantage of energy-specific counting is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing complexityVSAvoidenergy discrimination capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the energy spectrum into multiple bins and applies different processing strategies to different bins. High-energy bins are processed with finer granularity while low-energy bins are aggregated more coarsely, allowing detailed analysis where needed while reducing overall data volume for real-time transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different energy bins are treated with different levels of detail based on their characteristics. The system applies local quality processing where high-energy regions maintain fine granularity for material differentiation while lower-energy regions use coarser aggregation, optimizing both precision and transmission efficiency in localized energy ranges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If detailed energy-specific analysis is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but real-time transmission performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy-specific analysis accuracyVSAvoiddata transmission speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary bundling and aggregation of energy bins before data transmission. By pre-processing and consolidating data in the detector system, the amount of data requiring transmission is reduced, allowing detailed analysis to be performed later without compromising real-time transmission performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 approach enables efficient real-time data transmission during high-demand scenarios while allowing for detailed energy-specific analysis post-processing, optimizing both real-time performance and data utilization.

Implementation Method 1

detectors that count the number of X-ray photons for each of energies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhoton counting: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

bundle the data distinguished in some of a plurality of energy bins, aggregate the collected data and the bundled data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectData aggregation:

Data Source

PatentUS20240188912A1X-ray CT apparatus, data processing method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2024.06.13 CANON KK

AI summary

An X-ray CT apparatus of an embodiment includes a gantry and a control device held by the gantry. The control device includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to collect data corresponding to energy of a material, adjust conditions for the data at the time of collecting the data, bundle the data distinguished in some of a plurality of energy bins, aggregate the collected data and the bundled data, and switch between the aggregation of the collected data and the aggregation of the bundled data.