X-ray Imaging Apparatus Using Small Sensor and Dynamic Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray imaging apparatuses require large sensors for panoramic imaging, leading to increased manufacturing costs and space occupancy, while struggling to provide high-accuracy CT images with a small width sensor and wide field of view without distortion.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray imaging apparatus with a small width sensor that uses a rotation supporter and controller to adjust rotation speed and frame rate, compensating for magnification ratio changes and applying different image correction ratios along an arch trajectory to achieve a wide field of view and accurate panoramic imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large-size sensor is used for panoramic imaging, then the field of view and imaging accuracy are improved, but the manufacturing cost and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The panoramic imaging process is segmented into multiple CT scans taken at different rotation angles (e.g., -30°, 0°, +30°). Each CT scan covers a portion of the panoramic field of view using a small sensor. The segmented images are then reconstructed and combined to form a complete panoramic image, eliminating the need for a single large sensor while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a two-dimensional panoramic sensor plane to a three-dimensional volumetric CT approach. By acquiring CT data at multiple angles and reconstructing panoramic images from these 3D datasets, the system achieves panoramic coverage equivalent to a large sensor using only a small sensor, effectively adding the dimension of rotation angle to the imaging process.
2Ease of manufacture
If a small width sensor is used to reduce cost and space, then manufacturing cost and device size are reduced, but the field of view and imaging coverage are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces dynamic rotation of the X-ray source and sensor assembly around the patient's head. By rotating the imaging system to multiple predetermined angles and acquiring CT scans at each position, the small sensor dynamically covers different portions of the panoramic field of view. The controller coordinates the rotation movements with image acquisition to ensure complete coverage is achieved through the sequence of angular positions.
3Productivity
If the rotation speed is increased to reduce imaging time, then productivity is improved, but image quality and accuracy may deteriorate due to motion blur
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging process uses periodic rotation at predetermined angular positions (e.g., -30°, 0°, +30°) with brief pauses or controlled deceleration at each position to acquire CT scans. This periodic stopping and starting allows sufficient exposure time at each angular position to capture high-quality images without motion blur, while the overall process remains efficient due to the limited number of discrete angular positions required for panoramic reconstruction.
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 effectively provides high-accuracy X-ray CT and panoramic images with a small width sensor, reducing space and manufacturing costs, while maintaining image quality and correcting distortion.
Implementation Method 1
The X-rays having passed through the body part are attenuated a rate varying according to substances in their travelling path and are transformed to electrical signals by the X-ray sensor by photoelectric.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an X-ray image capture apparatus that can economically provide not only an X-ray CT image but also an undistorted accurate X-ray panoramic image using a small width sensor. An X-ray image capture apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention comprises: a rotary support rotating about a rotary shaft; a generator unit disposed on one side of the rotary support and including an X-ray generator irradiating an X-ray beam; a sensor unit disposed on an opposite side of the rotary support to face the generator unit with an object-to-be-examined therebetween and including a small width sensor moving in the width direction perpendicular to the rotary shaft while the rotary support is rotating; and a control unit varying the rotational speed of the rotary support or the frame rate of the sensor unit in order to compensate for a magnification change depending on a change in the distance between a portion of interest of the object-to-be-examined and the small width sensor during an X-ray image capture sequence for acquiring a plurality of transmission images with the rotation of the rotary support.