X-ray Detector Measurement Circuit Data Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

The limited temporal sampling rate in x-ray detector measurement circuits restricts accurate image reconstruction in CT systems, leading to artifacts and poor resolution due to insufficient angular sampling.

Innovation Solution

A measurement circuit that processes data points by combining multiple samples acquired at different times, reducing the number of data points for read-out while using digital decimation and low-pass filtering to mitigate aliasing and match the output rate, thereby enabling accurate image reconstruction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the temporal sampling rate is increased to improve angular sampling for accurate image reconstruction, then image quality improves, but the data read-out burden and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage reconstruction accuracyVSAvoiddata read-out system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement circuit performs preliminary processing of measurement data before read-out, including combining multiple data points acquired at different times and applying digital decimation. This preliminary action reduces the data burden on the read-out system while maintaining sufficient angular sampling for accurate image reconstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and processes only the essential information from the high-rate measurement data within the measurement circuit, separating the critical angular sampling information from the redundant temporal samples. This extraction approach maintains image reconstruction accuracy while reducing overall data volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If multiple data points are combined to reduce read-out data volume, then data transmission efficiency improves, but risk of information loss and aliasing artifacts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoiddata integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement circuit changes the temporal sampling parameter by combining multiple high-rate samples into fewer processed data points using digital decimation. This parameter transformation maintains the essential angular sampling information while reducing temporal redundancy, thereby improving transmission efficiency without compromising data integrity for image reconstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/read-out bottleneck with digital signal processing within the measurement circuit. Instead of physically transmitting all raw measurement points, the system uses digital decimation and filtering to process data electronically, maintaining information integrity while reducing transmission burden.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If the sampling rate is reduced to match output rate, then data processing load decreases, but aliasing artifacts and measurement precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing loadVSAvoidangular sampling precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement circuit performs preliminary digital filtering and decimation on the high-rate measurement data before reducing the sampling rate to match the output rate. This preliminary action preserves the essential angular sampling information and prevents aliasing artifacts, allowing the system to operate at lower data rates without sacrificing measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 reduces the amount of produced data while maintaining accurate image reconstruction and preventing aliasing artifacts, even with limited temporal sampling rates.

Implementation Method 1

A measurement circuit that processes data points by combining multiple samples acquired at different times, reducing the number of data points for read-out while using digital decimation and low-pass filtering to mitigate aliasing and match the output rate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDigital decimation:

Implementation Method 2

A measurement circuit that processes data points by combining multiple samples acquired at different times, reducing the number of data points for read-out while using digital decimation and low-pass filtering to mitigate aliasing and match the output rate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLow-pass filtering: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentEP3403239B1A measurement circuit for an x-ray detector, and a corresponding method and x-ray imaging system

Publication Date: 2023.07.12 PRISMATIC SENSORS

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AI summary

There is provided a measurement circuit (30) for an x-ray detector (5). The measurement circuit (30) is configured to sample measurement data to generate data points and process the data points before read-out to produce new data points by combining two or more data points which have been acquired at different times such that the number of data points for read-out are less than the number of original data points.