X-Ray Tube Conditioning via Closed-Loop Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current x-ray tube conditioning methods are inefficient and time-consuming, often requiring manual intervention and separate warm-up sequences that can interrupt the scanning workflow and result in inconsistent target temperatures, leading to suboptimal image quality and reduced tube reliability.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop control system is used to adjust the x-ray tube temperature by generating x-rays during the conditioning process, with a blocking plate blocking the beam from reaching the subject, allowing for rapid and consistent warm-up to the desired temperature range, enabling seamless integration with patient preparation and reducing the need for manual warm-up procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a pre-defined sequence of low-power, long exposures is used to warm up the x-ray tube, then the target temperature is gradually increased to the desired operating range, but the process is time-consuming and interrupts the scanning workflow
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary temperature assessment of the x-ray tube target before a diagnostic scan is requested. Based on this preliminary information, the system proactively initiates a tailored warm-up sequence in advance, so that the target reaches optimal temperature by the time the scan is needed, eliminating workflow interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The warm-up sequence is made dynamic and adaptive rather than static and fixed. The system continuously monitors the actual target temperature and adjusts the warm-up power and duration in real-time based on the assessed initial temperature and desired target temperature, optimizing the warm-up process for each specific situation.
2Temperature
If manual warm-up procedures are used, then the operator can control the warm-up process, but the process requires manual intervention and results in inconsistent target temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a closed-loop feedback control mechanism where the actual target temperature is continuously monitored during the warm-up process. This temperature feedback is used to automatically adjust the warm-up power and duration, ensuring the target reaches and maintains the desired temperature range consistently without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-assessment of the target temperature and self-adjustment of the warm-up sequence. The controller automatically determines when warm-up is complete and when the target is ready for scanning, eliminating the need for manual operator judgment and intervention.
3Power
If higher power is used for the x-ray tube, then improved image quality is achieved, but the target material may degrade or melt if the temperature is not in the desired range
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment and preparation by determining the initial target temperature and initiating the appropriate warm-up sequence before high-power diagnostic scanning. This ensures the target material is in the optimal temperature range and ductile state before high-power exposure, preventing degradation while enabling improved image quality.
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 ensures the x-ray tube is consistently maintained at the optimal temperature for diagnostic scans, improving image quality, reducing tube stress, and increasing the efficiency of the scanning process while minimizing radiation exposure and tube degradation.
Implementation Method 1
The X-Ray tubes that power CT systems generate x-rays by accelerating and focusing a high-energy beam of electrons onto a rotating target. As individual electrons strike the target, the energy released by interacting with the atoms of the target produces x-ray photons
Implementation Method 2
the energy released by interacting with the atoms of the target produces x-ray photons isotropically under a polychromatic spectrum
Implementation Method 3
A blocking plate may be positioned in front of an exit (pre-patient) collimator aperture to completely block the primary x-ray beam path before the subject
Data Source
AI summary
Various methods and systems are provided for x-ray tube conditioning for a computed tomography imaging method. In one embodiment, x-ray may be generated in an x-ray tube of a radiation source prior to a diagnostic scan to warmup the x-ray tube to a desired temperature for the diagnostic scan. The power delivered to the x-ray tube during warmup may be adjusted in a closed loop system based on an initial temperature of the x-ray tube and the desired temperature for the diagnostic scan. During tube warmup, by placing a blocking plate coupled to a collimator blade in a path of the x-ray beam, the x-ray beam may be blocked from exiting a collimator.