X-ray Tube Alignment via Optical LED Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray medical detecting devices face challenges in achieving precise alignment between the X-ray tube and detector, leading to suboptimal imaging quality, and the use of position encoders increases costs and mechanical failures.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray equipment system comprising a tube, detector, LED array, camera, and display, where the LED array is fixed relative to the detector's center and the camera is fixed relative to the tube's center, allowing for precise alignment by locating the LED array's geometric center on a specific pixel unit on the display, facilitating intuitive and high-precision alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If position encoders are integrated to precisely control the position of the tube and detector, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring a great number of position encoders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an optical copying approach where a laser projects a reference pattern onto the detector, and a camera captures the distorted pattern to create a digital model of the geometric relationship. This optical copy replaces the need for multiple physical position encoders, achieving precise alignment measurement through light field mapping rather than mechanical sensing at each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical position encoder system with an optical measurement system. Instead of using mechanical encoders on the tube and detector assemblies, the system uses laser projection and camera capture to optically determine the geometric relationship, substituting mechanical measurement with optical field measurement.
2Measurement precision
If position encoders are integrated with gears and toothed belts for mounting, then alignment precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to mechanical transmission failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical transmission components (gears, toothed belts, position encoders) by using an optical measurement system. The laser-camera setup directly measures the geometric relationship without mechanical intermediaries, removing the failure points associated with mechanical transmission while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium to transfer measurement information. Instead of mechanical contact and transmission, the laser beam serves as the intermediary that carries geometric information from the tube position to the detector, where the camera captures it, eliminating the need for mechanical transmission components.
3Device complexity
If manual adjustment is used to align the center of the tube with the center of the detector, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment precision deteriorates affecting imaging quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the camera captures the laser pattern distortion, the processor analyzes the geometric relationship, and the information is displayed to guide adjustment. This closed-loop feedback system enables precise alignment measurement and guidance without requiring complex automated positioning mechanisms, bridging the gap between simple manual adjustment and complex automated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces visual feedback as an intermediary between the operator and the alignment task. The displayed image of the laser pattern provides real-time visual information about the geometric relationship, enabling the operator to make precise adjustments without direct physical contact or complex mechanical aids.
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 method enables precise and cost-effective alignment of the X-ray tube and detector, improving imaging quality by allowing radiographers to manually or automatically adjust for optimal alignment, reducing the need for multiple position encoders and minimizing mechanical failures.
Implementation Method 1
An LED array 12, a camera 14 and a display 16... The LED array 12 is fixed relative to the detection center 181 of the detector 18
Implementation Method 2
The camera 14 is fixed relative to the center 101 of the tube, for photographing the LED array 12
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an X-ray equipment and an alignment method thereof. The X-ray equipment comprises a tube, a detector, an LED array, a camera and a display. The LED array is fixed relative to a detection center of the detector, and has a predefined geometric center; the camera is fixed relative to a center of the tube, for photographing the LED array; the display is connected to the camera, for displaying images photographed by the camera, wherein when the center of the tube is aligned with the detection center of the detector, the geometric center of the LED array is located on a specific pixel unit on the display.