Dual-Energy X-Ray Detection Timing Control for Foreign Substance Clarity

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Solution Overview

Problem

The detection accuracy of foreign substances in subjects using dual line sensors is compromised by unclear edges in subtraction images, particularly in specific regions, due to the absence of precise energy discrimination and timing control in existing radiation detection systems.

Innovation Solution

A radiation detection system with two line sensors, where the detection timing is adjusted to ensure that a predetermined inspecting region within the subject is included in both the transmission regions of the sensors, improving the clarity of the subtraction image and enhancing detection accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If two line sensors are arranged in parallel to detect X-rays of different energy ranges, then detection accuracy improves, but image edges become unclear in subtraction images

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidimage clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the detection timing adjustable rather than fixed. The detection timing is dynamically controlled based on the thickness of the subject, allowing the system to adapt to different inspection scenarios. This resolves the contradiction by enabling clear edge detection in subtraction images while maintaining high detection accuracy through timing optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of detection timing to optimize both detection accuracy and image clarity. By adjusting the detection timing parameter according to subject thickness, the system achieves clear edges in subtraction images while maintaining the benefits of dual-energy detection. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between improved detection accuracy and degraded image clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If detection timing is not controlled, then system complexity is reduced, but detection accuracy in specific regions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-setting optimal detection timing values for different subject thicknesses. The timing control unit uses these predetermined values to automatically adjust detection timing without requiring complex real-time calculations. This approach maintains detection accuracy in specific regions while avoiding excessive system complexity through pre-computed timing parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the detection timing parameter to achieve high detection accuracy without introducing excessive system complexity. By focusing on optimizing a single key parameter (detection timing) rather than redesigning the entire system architecture, the patent improves measurement precision while keeping device complexity manageable.

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 approach improves the detection accuracy of foreign substances by ensuring that the inspecting region is reliably detected by both sensors, reducing unclear edges in the subtraction image and enhancing the overall detection precision.

Implementation Method 1

X-rays to transmit through a subject being a specimen such as food or drugs and make an inspection based on a transmission X-ray image

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray transmission: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

detecting radiation transmitted through the subject in a plurality of energy ranges

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy discrimination:

Data Source

PatentEP2352015B1Radiation image acquiring system, and radiation detecting method
Publication Date: 2016.11.09 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK
  • EP2352015B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2352015B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2352015B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An X-ray image acquiring system capable of improving the detection accuracy of a foreign substance contained in a subject is provided. An X-ray image acquiring system 1 irradiates X-rays to a subject S having a predetermined thickness W from an X-ray source, and detects X-rays transmitted through the subject S in a plurality of energy ranges. The X-ray image acquiring system 1 includes a low-energy detector 32 for detecting, in a low-energy range, X-rays having been transmitted through a region R1 extending in a thickness direction within the subject S, a high-energy detector 42 for detecting, in a high-energy range, X-rays having been transmitted through a region R2 extending in a thickness direction within the subject S, and a timing control section 50 for controlling detection timing of X-rays in the low-energy detector 32 and the high-energy detector 42 so that an inspecting region E located at a predetermined site within the subject S is included in the region R1 and the region R2.