Switching Circuitry for X-ray Detector Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
X-ray computed tomography apparatuses face issues with image artifacts due to variations in performance among detector elements and data acquisition system elements, particularly at low X-ray dosages, leading to increased failure rates and noise, which are exacerbated by the increasing number of elements.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a switching circuitry that connects detector elements to multiple data acquisition system elements on a multiple-to-multiple basis, allowing the switching control circuitry to alternate connections between these elements at each rotation angle, thereby dispersing the load and reducing variations in performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of detector elements and DAS elements is increased to improve imaging coverage and performance, then the imaging capability is enhanced, but the failure rate and image artifacts increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple DAS elements are combined to process signals from a single detector element through signal addition. This merging approach allows the system to handle increased imaging coverage while mitigating the impact of individual element failures, as the failure of one DAS element can be compensated by other elements in the group.
Solution Approach 2:
DAS elements are designed to serve multiple functions by being shared among multiple detector elements. Each DAS element can process signals from different detector elements at different time points, creating a universal processing resource that improves system reliability and reduces the impact of failures.
2Device complexity
If detector elements are connected one-to-one with DAS elements to simplify the connection structure, then the system complexity is reduced, but performance variations and image artifacts increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple DAS elements are merged to process signals from a single detector element, creating a many-to-few connection structure. This approach maintains relatively simple connection hardware while reducing the impact of performance variations through signal averaging and redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching circuitry acts as an intermediary that dynamically connects detector elements to groups of DAS elements. This mediator component enables flexible signal routing that balances system complexity with performance uniformity, allowing the system to compensate for individual element variations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If X-ray dosage is reduced to improve patient safety, then radiation exposure is decreased, but image quality deteriorates due to noise and artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
Signals from multiple DAS elements are merged through addition to improve the signal-to-noise ratio at low X-ray dosages. This combining approach allows the system to maintain image quality even when individual detector signals are weak due to reduced radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching circuitry periodically connects different DAS elements to the same detector element across multiple rotation angles. This periodic sampling and combining of signals over time enables the system to accumulate sufficient signal strength for quality imaging at low dosages.
4Manufacturing precision
If detector elements are connected to multiple DAS elements to reduce performance variations, then image artifacts are reduced, but the connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Switching circuitry serves as an intermediary component that manages the many-to-few connections between detector elements and DAS elements. This mediator hardware provides the necessary connection flexibility while maintaining a relatively compact and manageable system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic switching of connections at different rotation angles to distribute the complexity over time. At any given moment, the connection structure remains relatively simple, while the temporal sequence of connections achieves the desired performance uniformity.
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 configuration reduces image artifacts by distributing the workload across multiple data acquisition system elements, minimizing the impact of element failures and improving the reliability of the X-ray detector, thus enhancing image quality and reducing the need for frequent replacements and calibrations.
Implementation Method 1
switching circuitry provided between the plurality of detector elements and the plurality of data acquisition system elements, and switching control circuitry that controls the switching circuitry to switch connections between the plurality of detector elements and the plurality of data acquisition system elements for every rotation of the rotating frame at a predetermined angle
Implementation Method 2
An X-ray computed tomography apparatus has an X-ray detector which detects X-rays and outputs digital data (raw data) in accordance with an intensity of the detected X-rays
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, the X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes an X-ray tube, a rotating frame, a plurality of detector elements, a plurality of DAS elements, switching circuitry, and switching control circuitry. The X-ray tube generates X-rays. The X-ray tube is attached to the rotating frame. The plurality of detector elements detect X-rays. The plurality of DAS elements perform signal processing on output signals from the plurality of detector elements. The switching circuitry is provided between the plurality of detector elements and the plurality of DAS elements. The switching control circuitry controls the switching circuitry to switch the connections between the plurality of detector elements and the plurality of DAS elements for every rotation of the rotating frame at a predetermined angle.