X-ray Detector Synchronization for Dynamic Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
In bedside dynamic imaging applications like fluoroscopy and tomosynthesis, traditional wireless synchronization between digital radiographic detectors and x-ray generators introduces timing uncertainty due to uncontrollable delays, leading to larger integration windows and reduced frame rates.
Innovation Solution
Synchronizing the x-ray generator's pulse with the detector's integration periods by communicating the frame rate and using internal clock timing to ensure the generator fires only during the integration window, allowing for precise alignment of x-ray pulses with detector readouts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless triggering is used to start detector integration, then the hardware tether is removed enabling bedside applications, but timing uncertainty increases due to uncontrollable delays
Solution Approach 1:
The detector begins integrating signals before the actual x-ray pulse arrives, based on a triggered time indicator. This preliminary integration ensures that even with wireless transmission delays, the detector is already ready to capture the x-ray signal when it arrives, eliminating timing uncertainty without requiring a hardware tether.
Solution Approach 2:
A time indicator signal acts as an intermediary between the trigger source and the detector integration start. This intermediary carries timing information that allows the detector to synchronize its integration window with the expected x-ray pulse arrival, resolving the timing precision issue while maintaining wireless operation.
2Reliability
If the integration window is set longer to compensate for timing uncertainty, then the generator can fire during the integration period, but the maximum frame rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration window timing is made dynamic by using the triggered time indicator to determine when to start integration, rather than using a fixed predetermined window. This allows the integration window to be precisely positioned and sized based on actual timing information, ensuring reliable x-ray capture while maintaining high frame rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The integration window parameters (start time and duration) are changed from fixed predetermined values to dynamically adjusted values based on the triggered time indicator. This parameter adjustment ensures the integration window precisely covers the expected x-ray pulse duration, maximizing frame rate while maintaining reliability.
3Device complexity
If predetermined integration windows are used, then the system operation is simplified, but the frame rate is limited and functionality is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The detector performs preliminary integration based on the triggered time indicator before the x-ray pulse arrives. This approach simplifies the control logic compared to complex predetermined window management while enabling high frame rates, as the integration start is automatically determined by the time indicator rather than complex scheduling.
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 minimizes latency and maintains high frame rates by ensuring the generator's x-ray pulse always falls within the detector's integration window, enhancing the functionality of fluoroscopy and tomosynthesis applications.
Implementation Method 1
The detector monitors one or more pixels to detect an x-ray pulse
Data Source
AI summary
Synchronizing operation between a digital radiographic detector's integration periods and an x-ray generator's x-ray pulse rate by transmitting a frame rate to the detector and the generator. In a first mode, the detector monitors one or more pixels to detect an x-ray pulse. The firing time of the detected x-ray pulse relative to an internal clock of the detector is used to synchronize the detector's integration periods with the pulse rate of the x-ray generator based on the transmitted frame rate and the detected firing time of the x-ray pulses. Successive pulses may also be used to determine a frame rate without prior transmission thereof.