X-ray detector with non-uniform module thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing x-ray detectors face challenges in achieving maximum dose efficiency while minimizing production costs, as increasing detector thickness to enhance absorption leads to higher manufacturing costs, and existing designs do not optimize for cost and dose efficiency simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The x-ray detector is configured with adjacent modules arranged in a central and peripheral configuration, where the central parts have higher dose efficiency and the peripheral parts have lower dose efficiency, achieved through varying detector material thickness or using different materials, with thicker or more efficient materials in the center and thinner or less efficient materials in the periphery, and potentially smaller pixels in the central parts for improved spatial resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the detector thickness is increased to enhance x-ray absorption, then the dose efficiency increases, but the manufacturing cost increases due to more expensive materials required
Solution Approach 1:
The detector implements non-uniform thickness distribution where the central part has greater thickness than the peripheral parts. This local differentiation optimizes dose efficiency in the central region where x-ray flux is highest, while reducing material consumption and cost in peripheral regions where flux is lower. The thickness variation directly addresses the contradiction by matching material distribution to actual operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector is divided into distinct regions (central and peripheral parts) with different thickness characteristics. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each region's material properties to match the local x-ray flux distribution, resolving the overall contradiction between total material cost and overall dose efficiency by optimizing local contributions.
2Reliability
If the detector thickness is increased to improve dose efficiency, then more x-rays are absorbed, but the amount of expensive materials required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector implements non-uniform thickness distribution where the central part has greater thickness than the peripheral parts. This local differentiation optimizes dose efficiency in the central region where x-ray flux is highest, while reducing material consumption and cost in peripheral regions where flux is lower. The thickness variation directly addresses the contradiction by matching material distribution to actual operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector varies the thickness parameter across different spatial locations rather than maintaining a uniform thickness. This parameter change allows optimization of material quantity by concentrating thicker sections where they provide maximum benefit (central high-flux regions) and using thinner sections where less material is needed (peripheral low-flux regions), thereby reducing total material quantity while maintaining overall dose efficiency.
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 results in a cost-efficient x-ray detector with optimized dose efficiency, reducing the amount of expensive materials needed while maintaining image quality, as the central parts with higher efficiency have the most impact on image formation, and the peripheral parts contribute less to the overall image, allowing for significant cost savings without compromising image quality.
Implementation Method 1
If the Silicon is made deeper the absorption of x-rays will increase and thus the dose efficiency increase
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided an x-ray detector comprising a number of adjacent detector modules arranged in a configuration having central parts and peripheral parts. The x-ray detector is configured to have higher dose efficiency in the central parts and lower dose efficiency in the peripheral parts.