X-ray Detector with Adjustable Amplification Gain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiographic imaging faces challenges in maintaining image contrast and quality due to the wide dynamic range of X-ray absorption in patients with varying body corpulence, leading to reduced signal-to-noise ratio and increased patient dose.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray detecting apparatus with adjustable internal amplification gain, utilizing a gaseous avalanche chamber with electrode arrangements to vary the electric field and amplify low-intensity signals from high attenuation areas more than high-intensity signals from low attenuation areas, optimizing contrast and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the storage capacitor is dimensioned to store the most intense charge signals from direct X-ray beam, then the dynamic range is extended to accommodate high flux areas, but the signal-to-noise ratio is reduced for low flux areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the amplification gain adjustable rather than fixed. The readout electronics can dynamically change the amplification factor based on the expected X-ray flux intensity, allowing optimal signal-to-noise ratio for both high and low flux areas without requiring multiple detectors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameter of amplification gain to resolve the contradiction. By varying the amplification gain parameter, the system can optimize the output signal for different input flux levels, effectively extending the usable dynamic range while maintaining high signal-to-noise ratio in all conditions
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the X-ray emission parameters are reduced for patients with low body corpulence, then the patient dose is minimised, but the signal-to-noise ratio is reduced leading to reduced image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback by measuring the actual X-ray flux received and adjusting the amplification gain accordingly. This allows the system to maintain optimal image quality even when the input signal is weak, as the amplification is automatically increased to compensate for the lower dose
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the amplification gain parameter in response to varying input signal levels, the system maintains consistent output signal quality across different patient corpulence levels, allowing dose reduction for thin patients without sacrificing image quality
3Measurement precision
If the amplification gain is increased to improve low intensity signals, then the contrast in high attenuation areas is optimised, but the high intensity signals become saturated
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the amplification gain based on the detected signal intensity. For low intensity signals from high attenuation areas, the gain is increased to optimize contrast, while for high intensity signals, the gain is reduced to prevent saturation, thus resolving the contradiction through adaptive control
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
The solution enhances image contrast and quality by optimizing amplification gain based on the patient's corpulence, allowing for improved representation of anatomical details across a wide range of X-ray absorption, reducing the patient dose, and extending the dynamic range of the detector.
Implementation Method 1
a gaseous avalanche chamber with electrode arrangements to vary the electric field and amplify low-intensity signals
Implementation Method 2
gaseous avalanche chamber with electrode arrangements to vary the electric field
Data Source
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AI summary
An X-ray detecting apparatus for the detection and localization of ionizing X-ray or gamma radiation in radiography, the apparatus comprising: an X-ray detector including: conversion means for converting incident x-ray photons of an incident x-ray photon beam into detectable electrical charges; and amplification means for amplifying the electrical charges in the detector by an non-linear amplification gain factor the non-linear amplification gain being characterized by a decrease in amplification gain at high fluxes of incident x-ray photons; and amplification gain adjustment means configured to vary the amplification gain of the amplification means according to the emission parameters of an x-ray source providing the incident x-ray photon beam for the radio-graphic examination to be performed and/or the transmitted beam received by the detector from the x-ray source via the subject being imaged. A radiographic imaging device and a method of operating the radiographic imaging device are also presented.