X-ray Imaging Filter Modulation for Thickness-Based Exposure Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray imaging systems produce images with inconsistent exposure due to homogeneous radiation fields, leading to overexposure in thinner areas and underexposure in thicker areas, exceeding the dynamic range of detectors and resulting in suboptimal image quality.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray imaging system that includes a measurement sensor to determine varying body thickness, a controller to process this data and position a filter between the X-ray source and subject, adjusting the radiation field to match body part thickness, ensuring appropriate exposure across different body areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a homogeneous radiation field is used in conventional X-ray imaging, then the system structure is simple and operation is easy, but the image quality deteriorates due to overexposure in thinner areas and underexposure in thicker areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a modulated radiation field where different regions of the X-ray beam have different intensities matched to the local thickness of the patient's body. A filter is positioned between the X-ray source and patient to create this non-uniform radiation distribution, ensuring optimal exposure for each body region without requiring complex system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the radiation field parameter from homogeneous to non-homogeneous by introducing a filter that modulates the X-ray beam intensity. This parameter change allows the radiation field to adapt to varying body thicknesses, improving image quality across different anatomical regions while maintaining system simplicity
2Device complexity
If a homogeneous radiation field is used, then the device complexity is low, but the radiation exposure becomes harmful due to overexposure of thinner body areas
Solution Approach 1:
The filter creates a non-uniform radiation field where intensity varies locally according to body thickness. Thinner areas receive reduced radiation intensity while thicker areas receive appropriate exposure, thereby reducing harmful overexposure without requiring complex adaptive systems
Solution Approach 2:
A filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the X-ray source and the patient. This filter modulates the radiation field to match body thickness variations, reducing harmful radiation exposure to thinner areas while maintaining device simplicity
3Device complexity
If a homogeneous radiation field is used, then the system is simple, but the detector dynamic range is exceeded due to large subject contrast from body thickness variations
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation field intensity distribution is changed from uniform to non-uniform by using a filter. This parameter modification reduces the subject contrast that exceeds detector dynamic range by pre-compensating for body thickness variations in the radiation field itself
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is positioned upstream in the X-ray beam path to pre-modulate the radiation field before it interacts with the patient's body. This preliminary action reduces the dynamic range requirement of the detector by equalizing the exposure levels across different body thicknesses before detection
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 reduces radiation exposure to thinner areas, allows for better penetration through thicker parts, and improves image quality by ensuring that all body parts receive optimal radiation, enhancing diagnostic accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
positioning a filter between the X-ray source and the subject based on varying thickness of the subject... reduces radiation exposure to thinner areas, allows for better penetration through thicker parts
Data Source
AI summary
A system for imaging includes an X-ray source for transmitting X-rays through a subject and a measurement sensor to acquire measurement data related to the subject. A detector is provided in the system to receive the X-ray energy of the X-rays after having passed through the subject. The system further includes a controller that receives the measurement data from the measurement sensor and processes the measurement data using an image processing algorithm to determine varying thickness of the subject at a plurality of locations within an area of interest. The controller further positions a filter between the X-ray source and the subject based on varying thickness of the subject and generates the image of the subject based on the detected X-ray energy at the X-ray detector.