X-ray Detector Diagonal Rotation for Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
X-ray imaging systems face limitations due to the small size and positioning of detectors, leading to incomplete field of view and resulting artifacts in images, particularly near the edges, as the detector may not span the patient's dimensions fully, causing ambiguities and distortions in image reconstruction.
Innovation Solution
The X-ray detector is rotated and oriented during imaging to align its longest dimension with the patient's dimensions of interest, optimizing the field of view and enhancing the completeness of projection data, which reduces artifacts and improves image accuracy by ensuring a more comprehensive data set for image reconstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a smaller detector is used to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the field of view becomes incomplete leading to image artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by rotating the detector about its diagonal axis to reorient its active area relative to the patient. This allows the same detector to capture projection data from different angular perspectives, effectively expanding the covered field of view without increasing detector size or cost. The rotation enables the detector to span different patient dimensions dynamically, ensuring complete projection data acquisition.
2Ease of operation
If the detector is placed at a distance from the patient to allow source and detector movement, then space for movement is provided, but the field of view coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the detector rotatable about its diagonal axis during the imaging process. This dynamic reorientation allows the detector to adjust its active area orientation to match the patient's anatomy at different gantry rotation angles, maximizing field of view coverage despite the fixed distance from the patient. The rotational degree of freedom enables adaptive optimization of the field of view throughout the imaging sequence.
3Area of stationary object
If the detector size is increased to cover the entire patient, then field of view completeness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing detector area in two dimensions, the patent adds a rotational dimension to the detector's degrees of freedom. By rotating the existing detector about its diagonal, the system achieves equivalent coverage of a larger area without manufacturing a larger detector. This approach maintains cost-effectiveness while achieving complete patient coverage through temporal and angular diversity in data acquisition.
4Device complexity
If the detector is fixed in orientation, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to artifacts from incomplete projection data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controlled dynamic element by enabling detector rotation about its diagonal axis. This single rotational degree of freedom is sufficient to achieve complete projection data acquisition for patients of various sizes and orientations, significantly improving image quality and reducing artifacts. The added complexity is minimal compared to the substantial improvement in diagnostic reliability.
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 results in fewer radiation exposures, reduced need for repeated exams, and improved image quality with fewer artifacts, allowing for effective imaging of patients of varying sizes without specialized detectors, and can be applied to existing systems in a cost-effective manner.
Implementation Method 1
an X-ray source configured to emit X-rays
Implementation Method 2
an X-ray detector configured to detect the emitted X-rays and produce a corresponding electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to X-ray imaging systems, and more specifically to digital X-ray imaging systems. In one embodiment, an imaging system includes an X-ray source configured to emit X-rays. The imaging system also includes an X-ray detector configured to detect the emitted X-rays and produce a corresponding electrical signal. The imaging system also includes a gantry configured to at least partially revolve the X-ray source and the X-ray detector about a primary rotational axis. The X-ray detector is coupled to the gantry so that a diagonal of the X-ray detector is oriented substantially perpendicular to the primary rotational axis.