Talbot-Lau X-ray Interferometer Slit Rotation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In X-ray image capturing systems using Talbot-Lau interferometers, the fixed slit directions of gratings and multi-slit cause manufacturing variations and patient discomfort, leading to image nonuniformity and difficulty in adjusting interference fringe sharpness and number, which complicates the adjustment mechanism and prolongs patient restraint time.
Innovation Solution
A system with a multi-slit and gratings aligned orthogonally to the X-ray emission axis, a diagnosis image forming unit for correcting signal value differences, and a control unit to adjust the relative positional relation of gratings and rotate them around the emission axis, allowing for improved image capturing without patient stress and simplifying the adjustment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the slit directions of gratings and multi-slit are fixed to achieve optimal imaging, then manufacturing variations cause image nonuniformity, but changing the slit directions to accommodate manufacturing variations complicates the adjustment mechanism and prolongs patient restraint time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the slit directions of the gratings and multi-slit adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit can rotate the gratings around the emission axis to change their slit directions, allowing dynamic adaptation to manufacturing variations while maintaining image uniformity without complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the gratings and multi-slit by rotating them around the emission axis. This parameter change allows the system to compensate for manufacturing variations in slit directions while maintaining optimal imaging conditions, resolving the contradiction between fixed precision and adjustable complexity
2Loss of time
If the slit directions are fixed to simplify the adjustment mechanism, then patient restraint time is reduced, but manufacturing variations cause image nonuniformity and poor image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically adjusts the slit directions of the gratings and multi-slit before image capturing begins. This preliminary adjustment compensates for manufacturing variations without requiring prolonged patient restraint during the adjustment process itself, thereby reducing overall patient restraint time while maintaining image uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the control unit to monitor and adjust the relative positional relations and slit directions based on detected image quality parameters. This feedback mechanism ensures optimal image uniformity is achieved quickly, minimizing the time patients need to remain restrained while maintaining high manufacturing precision
3Measurement precision
If the relative positional relation of gratings is adjusted to improve interference fringe sharpness, then image quality improves, but the adjustment process prolongs patient restraint time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a control unit that can rapidly and precisely adjust the relative positional relations of the gratings. This substitution allows for quick optimization of interference fringe sharpness without requiring prolonged manual adjustment during patient restraint
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs preliminary adjustment of the relative positional relations to optimize interference fringe sharpness before image capturing begins. This ensures high measurement precision is achieved without extending the actual patient restraint time during the imaging process
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 enhances image quality by reducing the influence of manufacturing variations and patient discomfort, enabling the generation of high-definition reconstruction images efficiently and effectively.
Implementation Method 1
Talbot effect is a phenomenon in which when coherent light passes through the first grating having slits in constant cycles, grating images are repeated at constant intervals in the traveling direction of the light
Implementation Method 2
measures the interference fringes (moire) that occur due to slightly displacing the second grating
Implementation Method 3
phase contrast imaging by which highly visible X-ray image can be obtained by emphasizing edges using X-ray refractions at the time of magnification image capturing
Implementation Method 4
a X-ray detector in which conversion elements which generate electric signals according to the emitted X-rays are two dimensionally arranged
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed in an x-ray imaging device, which uses a Talbot-Lau interferometer, eliminates the effects on image quality of a reconstructed image that arises in such cases as when the direction of a multi-slit or each lattice slit is altered and imaging is performed, and provides reconstructed images favorable for diagnosis. When a plurality of moire images imaged with an imaging subject loaded onto a imaging subject stand (13) and a plurality of moire images imaged without the imaging subject are input, a control unit (51) of a controller (5) corrects signal value differences arising from variations in x-ray strength during imaging respectively between the plurality of moire images with the imaging subject and between the plurality of moire images without the imaging subject, and respectively creates a reconstructed image with the imaging subject and a reconstructed image without the imaging subject. Then, the control unit (51) creates a reconstructed image of the imaging subject for diagnosis by correcting, on the basis of the reconstructed image without the imaging subject, image unevenness in the reconstructed image with the imaging subject caused by heterogeneity in light distribution caused by the angle of rotation of the multi-slit.