X-ray Imaging Apparatus with Dynamic Tube Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray imaging technologies face challenges in accurately setting imaging conditions for long-length imaging, particularly when the body thickness of subjects varies, leading to inconsistent X-ray doses and image quality.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray imaging apparatus equipped with automatic brightness control (IBC) and data acquisition means to adjust tube voltage based on fluoroscopic results, ensuring uniform X-ray doses across different body thicknesses, and incorporating data conversion and imaging condition setting to optimize X-ray imaging conditions for long-length imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If fixed X-ray imaging condition is used for long-length imaging of large range, then imaging can be performed across entire spine or lower leg, but image quality becomes inappropriate at different locations due to varying body thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the X-ray imaging conditions adjustable and adaptable rather than fixed. The system dynamically changes tube voltage, tube current, and irradiation time based on the specific imaging location and detected body thickness, allowing the imaging parameters to evolve throughout the long-length imaging process to maintain consistent image quality across varying anatomical regions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying key imaging parameters (tube voltage, tube current, irradiation time) according to the imaging location and subject characteristics. The system detects body thickness at different locations and adjusts these parameters accordingly, transforming the imaging process from using fixed parameters to using location-specific optimized parameters, thereby resolving the contradiction between large imaging range and consistent image quality
2Productivity
If predetermined imaging condition setting is used for long-length imaging, then imaging can be performed efficiently, but cannot accommodate individual body variations and provides unsatisfactory results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a preliminary detection of body thickness at each imaging location before conducting the actual long-length imaging. This preliminary measurement allows the system to pre-calculate and set appropriate imaging conditions for each location, ensuring that when the main imaging occurs, the parameters are already optimized for that specific anatomical region, thus maintaining both efficiency and accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes imaging parameters based on detected body thickness variations. By adjusting tube voltage, tube current, and irradiation time according to individual body characteristics at each location, the system transitions from using predetermined fixed parameters to using customized parameters that account for individual variations, thereby improving imaging accuracy without significantly compromising efficiency
3Loss of time
If X-ray imaging is performed without subject data in advance, then imaging can be performed quickly, but predicted pixel values are inaccurate and imaging conditions cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by acquiring essential subject data (body thickness) through a quick detection process before the main imaging. This preliminary detection using light or other non-invasive methods provides sufficient information to calculate predicted pixel values and set appropriate imaging conditions, minimizing the time loss while ensuring accurate measurements for optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary detection method (such as light detection or fluoroscopy) to obtain body thickness information before the actual X-ray imaging. This intermediary step provides the necessary measurement data without requiring a full diagnostic X-ray scan, thus reducing time loss while maintaining measurement precision for subsequent imaging condition optimization
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
The apparatus ensures appropriate X-ray imaging conditions are set for varying body thicknesses, resulting in improved image quality and uniform brightness across the long-length imaging range.
Implementation Method 1
an X-ray tube (X-ray radiation means) and a X-ray detector (X-ray detection means) moving along the direction of body axis of the subject are synchronously-operated so as to acquire X-ray images
Implementation Method 2
the method for implementing long-length imaging to generate a long-length image by connecting X-ray images, which are acquired by squeezing the radiated visual field as like as a slit while adjusting the open-degree of the X-ray by a collimator
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray imaging apparatus implements a fluoroscopy that irradiates a weaker dose of X-rays than a dose on the long-length imaging toward a subject M at each location in the long-length imaging range, while moving an X-ray tube in a body axis direction relative to the subject M prior to the long-length imaging, when the long-length imaging is implemented by moving the X-ray tube 2 in the body axis direction relative to the subject M. The dose D1 at the location having the thick body thickness is less, so that the tube voltage is set up to be high as the tube voltage V1 and vice versa, the dose D2 at the location having the thin body thickness is high, so that the tube voltage is set up to be low as the tube voltage V2.