X-ray Exposure Control via Dynamic Pixel Region Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray imaging systems face challenges in properly controlling exposure when the lighting field deviates from the subject's position, leading to inconsistent X-ray image density, especially when radiographing different sites.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray exposure control device that analyzes dose information from multiple pixels to dynamically set the use pixel region for dose detection, allowing for adaptive exposure control based on the radiography target and characteristics, and generates stop signals when the accumulated dose reaches a preset threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed lighting field with predetermined X-ray sensor positions is used, then the device structure is simple and cost-effective, but the exposure control becomes inaccurate when the subject positioning deviates from the preset positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the dosimeter function with the X-ray image detection device by integrating multiple X-ray sensors into the detection device. This eliminates the need for a separate dosimeter structure, reducing device complexity while enabling dynamic exposure control through the use of multiple sensors that can detect radiation at different positions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic exposure control by allowing the lighting field to be changeable rather than fixed. The system can dynamically select and adjust which X-ray sensors are active based on the actual subject positioning, thereby maintaining exposure control accuracy even when the subject position deviates from preset positions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple X-ray sensors are integrated into the X-ray image detection device, then the exposure control adaptability improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated X-ray sensors serve multiple functions: they detect radiation for exposure control purposes and simultaneously contribute to image formation. This multi-functionality increases adaptability for different exposure scenarios while minimizing the increase in device complexity, as the same hardware components perform dual roles.
3Manufacturing precision
If the lighting field is fixed at predetermined positions, then the device operation is simple, but the X-ray image density becomes inconsistent when radiographing different sites
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the lighting field configuration based on the radiographic site being imaged. By selecting appropriate X-ray sensors from the multiple available sensors and adjusting their activation status, the system maintains consistent image density across different anatomical sites without requiring complex manual repositioning or recalibration procedures.
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
Enables consistent X-ray exposure control regardless of the subject's positioning, ensuring proper radiation dose and image density across various radiographic sites, thereby improving the reliability of X-ray imaging.
Implementation Method 1
each pixel includes a photodiode that generates charge in accordance with incident visible light
Implementation Method 2
an X-ray scintillator that converts incident X-rays into visible light
Data Source
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AI summary
This X-ray exposure control device includes: an X-ray detection element (18) provided with a plurality of dose-detecting pixels (76) for detecting the dose in X-ray irradiation; a region-setting unit (86) for setting a usage pixel region comprising dose-detecting pixels (76) to be used, from among the plurality of dose-detecting pixels (76), in X-ray irradiation; a signal generation unit (90) for generating an X-ray irradiation stop signal in accordance with the detected dose of the dose-detecting pixels (76) in the set usage pixel region; and a transmission unit (94) for transmitting the X-ray irradiation stop signal to the X-ray source. The X-ray exposure control device makes it possible to acquire an appropriately dense X-ray image at all times in the same image-capturing environment even when capturing images of a variety of different sites. Provided are an X-ray image detection apparatus including the X-ray exposure control device, and an X-ray image capturing system including the X-ray image detection apparatus.