X-ray Line Detector Two-Row Alternating Scintillator Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In X-ray line detectors used for CT methods, the modules with photodiodes cannot be aligned flush due to edge areas without active pixel formation, leading to distortion and artifacts in the X-ray image, making image analysis difficult.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves arranging scintillator elements with an opaque layer between them, ensuring the pixels are equidistant by having the scintillator elements cover the active area of the photodiodes plus the gap between adjacent pixels, and using carrier modules in two rows with alternating arrangement to maintain consistent distances, along with a housing design that allows precise mechanical alignment and fixation of the modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If carrier modules with photodiodes are aligned flush with one another, then the assembly is simple, but the pixels are not equidistant causing distortion and artifacts in the X-ray image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-row arrangement to a two-row alternating arrangement of carrier modules. By arranging modules in two rows and alternating their positions, the invention achieves equidistant pixel spacing without requiring complex fine adjustments within a single row, thus resolving the contradiction between alignment simplicity and pixel equidistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces asymmetric positioning of carrier modules by alternating their arrangement in two rows. This asymmetric configuration allows the active areas of photodiodes from adjacent modules to be equidistantly spaced, eliminating the distortion and artifacts that would result from symmetric flush alignment.
2Manufacturing precision
If carrier modules are arranged to achieve equidistant pixel spacing, then image quality improves, but complex fine adjustment is necessary
Solution Approach 1:
By moving from a one-dimensional single-row arrangement to a two-dimensional two-row alternating arrangement, the invention achieves equidistant pixel spacing through the structural configuration itself rather than through complex fine adjustments, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The equidistant spacing is built into the preliminary design and arrangement of the two-row alternating structure. This preliminary configuration ensures that when carrier modules are assembled, the pixels are automatically equidistant without requiring subsequent complex fine adjustments, thus reducing device complexity.
3Volume of moving object
If scintillator elements cover only the active area of photodiodes, then the structure is compact, but adjacent photodiodes cause image distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The two-row alternating arrangement allows scintillator elements to cover the active areas of photodiodes plus the gaps between adjacent pixels without increasing overall detector volume. This configuration maintains compactness while ensuring that scintillator blocks from opposite modules fill the gaps, preventing image distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the coverage function by having scintillator elements extend beyond individual photodiode active areas to cover the gaps between adjacent pixels. This merging of coverage areas ensures continuous detection without distortion while maintaining a compact overall structure through the alternating two-row arrangement.
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 arrangement ensures precise and equidistant pixel alignment without complex adjustments, reducing image distortion and artifacts, and allows for simple and accurate mechanical alignment of the carrier modules, thereby improving image quality.
Implementation Method 1
A scintillator element is applied to each photodiode
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an x-ray line detector having a predefined number of carrier modules (1) which, apart from a production tolerance, have the same width a and are arranged in a housing (8), wherein a one-piece printed circuit board (2), on which a photodiode (3) is arranged, is attached to each carrier module (1), wherein this printed circuit board (2) is wider than the pixel forming the active surface of the photodiode (3), wherein in each case a scintillator element (4) is attached to each photodiode (3) the length b of said scintillator element precisely covering the active area in the width thereof plus an interspace between two adjacent pixels of a photodiode (3), wherein the width a of each carrier module (1) is at most twice as large as the length b of a scintillator element (4), wherein the carrier modules (1) are arranged in two rows (9, 10) in the housing (8) such that the photodiodes (3) of each row (9, 10) lie opposite each other, wherein the scintillator elements (4) abut one another upon impact, wherein scintillator elements (49) abutting one another are arranged in respectively opposite rows (9, 10). In addition, the invention relates to a method for producing an x-ray line detector having the features of one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: inserting a first spacer (21) on the first end plate (16) and subsequently inserting a first carrier module (1') on the first carrier element (11) until the scintillating element (4) thereof butts up against the first spacer (21) and inserting a first buffer piece (23) on the second carrier element (12) until it butts up against the first end plate (16), wherein the insertion of the first carrier module (1') and of the first buffer piece (23) can also be carried out in the reverse order. As an alternative to the preceding step, the first buffer piece (23) on the second carrier element (12) can also first be attached to the first end plate (16) upon impact, and thereafter the first spacer (21) can be attached to the first end plate (16) upon impact, and subsequently the first carrier module (1') with the scintillating element (4) thereof is attached to the first spacer (21) upon impact. After one of the two previously mentioned alternative steps, a second carrier module (1'') is inserted in such a way that the scintillator element (4) thereof butts against the scintillator element (4) of the first carrier module (1') and said second carrier module itself butts against the first buffer piece (23); then, alternatingly, a carrier module (1) is always inserted on the first and on the second carrier element (11, 12), wherein the respective scintillating element (4) thereof butts against the scintillator element (4) of the directly previously inserted carrier module (1). In any desired order, a second spacer (22), which is half as wide as a scintillating element (4), is placed on the scintillator element (4) of the last carrier module (1''') upon impact and a second buffer piece (24), which is half as wide as a carrier module (1), is placed on the carrier module (1) upon impact, which carrier module is inserted as the next to last; clamping means in the second end plate (17), in particular the third clamping screw (20), are actuated in such a way that all the scintillator elements (4) are pressed with the respectively opposite end faces (28) thereof against each other; fixing the two rows (9, 10) of carrier modules (1) with clamping means in the second end plate (17), in particular by means of the first and second clamping screws (18, 19).