Planar X-Ray Source Array for Low-Blur Breast Tomosynthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical imaging systems, particularly digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) systems, face challenges in achieving high-quality image acquisition due to limitations in radiation source design and control, leading to suboptimal image quality and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an imaging system with a planar array radiation source comprising multiple point radiation sources, adjustable angle between panels, and a control device for precise adjustment of radiation parameters, including position, orientation, and energy range, along with a detector to capture and process X-ray photons, enhances image quality and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional single-point radiation source is used, then the device structure is simple, but the image quality is insufficient due to large effective focal spot size and motion blur
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation source is segmented into multiple point radiation sources arranged in an array configuration. Each point source acts as an independent emission unit, collectively forming a planar radiation source that reduces the effective focal spot size and minimizes motion blur, thereby improving image quality while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation source transitions from a single-point (0D) or linear (1D) configuration to a planar array (2D) configuration. This dimensional expansion allows multiple point sources to be distributed across a plane, creating a synthesized radiation pattern that improves image quality by reducing effective focal spot size while the planar geometry maintains structural simplicity
2Productivity
If the radiation source and detector are fixed at a certain distance, then the device structure is stable, but the scanning efficiency is low due to inability to adjust distance dynamically
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation source and detector are equipped with drive mechanisms that enable dynamic adjustment of their positions along the guide rail. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to optimize the source-to-detector distance for different scanning scenarios, improving scanning efficiency by enabling faster coverage and flexible positioning while the guided linear motion maintains structural stability
Solution Approach 2:
The drive mechanism serves multiple functions: it enables distance adjustment for optimizing image quality, facilitates rapid repositioning for efficient scanning coverage, and allows flexible configuration for different examination protocols. This multi-functionality improves scanning efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If a broad energy range radiation beam is used, then the radiation dosage is high ensuring sufficient penetration, but the image quality is reduced due to overlapping energy ranges and inability to distinguish different tissue densities
Solution Approach 1:
Different point radiation sources in the array are configured to emit radiation beams with different energy ranges tailored to specific imaging needs. This local differentiation of energy characteristics allows optimized penetration for different tissue depths and densities while maintaining overall image quality, as each source contributes photons suited to its specific imaging task rather than using a uniform broad spectrum
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the energy parameter of radiation beams by configuring different point sources to operate at different energy levels. This parameter differentiation enables the detector to distinguish between radiation from different energy ranges, improving image quality through energy-resolved detection while managing radiation dosage by selecting appropriate energy levels for each imaging requirement
4Productivity
If multiple radiation beams with different energy ranges are emitted simultaneously, then the scanning efficiency is improved, but the detector complexity increases to resolve and count photons of different energies
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is segmented into multiple detection regions or channels, each optimized to detect and count photons within specific energy ranges. This segmentation allows simultaneous processing of multiple energy bands, improving scanning efficiency by enabling parallel detection while the modular structure keeps detector complexity manageable through functional separation
Solution Approach 2:
The detector utilizes energy-resolved detection capability to distinguish and count photons based on their energy parameters. By measuring the energy of individual photons and sorting them into different energy ranges, the system achieves multi-energy beam detection without requiring physically separate detection systems for each energy band, thus improving scanning efficiency while controlling detector complexity through electronic energy discrimination
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 system improves image quality and scanning efficiency by reducing effective focal spot size, minimizing motion blur, and optimizing radiation dosage, thereby enhancing diagnostic accuracy and reducing scanning time.
Implementation Method 1
The tube may be configured to generate the radiation beam based on the high-voltage
Implementation Method 2
The filtering device may be configured to absorb a radiation beam lower than a preset energy range
Implementation Method 3
The detector may be configured to detect an energy of each of at least a portion of detected X-ray photons, and count the detected X-ray photons of different energy ranges
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is related to an imaging system. The imaging system may include at least one array radiation source and a detector. Each of the at least one array radiation source may include a plurality of point radiation sources. The at least one array radiation source may be configured to emit at least one radiation beam. The detector may be configured to detect at least part of the at least one radiation beam.