X-ray Prefilter for Multi-Maximum Spectrum Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multiple layer imaging systems in x-ray technology face challenges in achieving adequate energy discrimination, as the average energies of x-rays absorbed in each layer may not be far apart, leading to suboptimal detected quantum efficiency (DQE) and increased required doses.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an x-ray prefilter that adjusts the x-ray beam spectrum to have multiple local maximums, allowing for improved energy discrimination by creating a local minimum between the peaks, thereby optimizing the absorption in multiple imaging layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple imaging layers are used to increase absorption and detected quantum efficiency, then the detected quantum efficiency improves, but the average energies of x-rays absorbed in each layer are not far apart leading to inadequate energy discrimination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the x-ray beam energy spectrum through prefiltration. A prefilter material is inserted into the x-ray beam path to create a multi-maximum energy spectrum with distinct peaks separated by valleys. This changes the energy distribution parameters of the incident x-rays, ensuring that different imaging layers absorb x-rays at well-separated energy ranges, thereby achieving both high detected quantum efficiency and adequate energy discrimination.
2Measurement precision
If x-ray filters are placed between imaging layers to improve energy discrimination, then energy discrimination improves, but x-ray loss increases reducing detected quantum efficiency and increasing required dose
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing energy discrimination preparation before the x-ray beam reaches the imaging layers. Instead of filtering between layers, a prefilter is placed in the incident beam path to pre-shape the energy spectrum. This preliminary spectral shaping creates a multi-maximum distribution that naturally directs different energy ranges to different layers, eliminating the need for inter-layer filters and avoiding associated x-ray losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The prefilter acts as an intermediary between the x-ray source and the imaging layers. This intermediary component modifies the incident beam's energy spectrum by absorbing certain energy ranges and transmitting others, creating a multi-maximum spectrum. The prefilter mediates the energy distribution before it reaches the imaging system, enabling effective energy discrimination without requiring additional filters between layers that would cause x-ray loss.
3Reliability
If the x-ray beam spectrum is adjusted to have multiple local maximums using a prefilter, then energy discrimination improves and detected quantum efficiency increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the x-ray energy spectrum into multiple distinct segments or peaks. The prefilter material is selected and configured to create a multi-maximum spectrum where different energy ranges (segments) are emphasized at different peaks. This spectral segmentation allows different imaging layers to operate on different energy segments, improving both detected quantum efficiency and energy discrimination while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure.
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 enhances energy discrimination, reduces x-ray absorption in non-informative energy ranges, and improves the detected quantum efficiency (DQE) while minimizing the required dose.
Implementation Method 1
Different materials have different x-ray absorption of x-rays. The x-ray prefilter is configured to adjust an energy spectrum of the x-ray beam to create or decrease a level of x-ray fluence of a local minimum between two of a plurality of local maximums.
Implementation Method 2
The first imaging layer includes a first scintillator and a first sensor array. The second imaging layer includes a second scintillator and a second sensor array.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments include an x-ray system, comprising: a housing; a plurality of overlapping imaging layers disposed in the housing, each imaging layer configured to generate an image in response to a corresponding incident x-ray beam; and a plurality of x-ray markers attached to the housing and disposed to affect the incident x-ray beam for each of the imaging layers.