X-ray Detector Block Tiling with Gap Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in manufacturing X-ray detectors for multi-slice X-ray CT apparatuses lies in achieving equal intervals between X-ray detection elements without gaps, which is technically difficult due to irregularities and high manufacturing costs, leading to reduced image quality and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves estimating output values at reference positions with gaps between detector modules, generating projection data, and correcting slice positions to improve tiling workability and image quality, allowing for precise reconstruction images without requiring exact alignment of detector blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If detector blocks are tiled without gaps to achieve equal intervals between X-ray detection elements, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The X-ray detector is divided into multiple detector blocks that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. Each detector block contains multiple detection elements, and the segmentation allows for simplified individual manufacturing while achieving the overall detector function through assembly of multiple blocks with acceptable gaps between them.
2Manufacturing precision
If detector blocks are tiled without gaps to achieve equal intervals, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to high technology requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring perfect gapless tiling of detector blocks, the invention accepts the presence of gaps and uses partial action by making the photoelectric conversion elements at the ends of detector blocks extend into the gap regions. This allows approximate tiling with gaps while still achieving adequate detection coverage through the extended element arrangement.
3Ease of manufacture
If photoelectric conversion elements are made smaller at detector block ends to accommodate gaps, then tiling workability is improved, but light receiving efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The photoelectric conversion elements at the ends of detector blocks are made to extend into the gap regions between adjacent blocks, performing an excessive action by covering areas that would normally be gaps. This compensates for the gaps and maintains adequate light receiving efficiency while still allowing for practical tiling workability.
4Ease of manufacture
If gaps are introduced between detector modules to simplify manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but image quality is reduced due to interval irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The photoelectric conversion elements at the detector block ends are designed to extend into the gap regions, performing an excessive action that compensates for the gaps. This allows gaps to be introduced for manufacturing simplicity while the extended elements maintain adequate detection coverage and reduce the impact on 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 enhances the precision of reconstruction images and simplifies the manufacturing process, reducing costs and improving the stability and efficiency of X-ray detector assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a scintillator substrate which converts an X-ray into light
Implementation Method 2
a semiconductor substrate formed with photoelectric conversion elements is mounted on a scintillator substrate
Data Source
AI summary
In order to improve the tiling workability in manufacturing an X-ray detector and provide a technology for acquiring high-quality reconstruction images, when aligning a plurality of detector blocks (or detector modules) in a slice direction, a distance between adjacent X-ray detection elements between detector blocks (inter-block distance) is not matched with a distance between adjacent detector elements within a detector block (intra-block distance). Instead, between reference positions when manufacturing each detector block, output values at the positions, the number of which is the same as the number of X-ray detection elements between the reference positions and which are spaced at equal intervals, are estimated from the acquired raw data. Projection data is generated from the position and the raw data.