Reconfigurable liquid attenuated collimator

A reconfigurable radiographic aperture mask collimator apparatus includes a body portion configured to receive an attenuating liquid having a first attenuation value per unit volume. The apparatus further includes a grid portion mated to a face of the body portion and a plurality of passageways each having a cross sectional area and a length. The plurality of passageways is disposed within the grid portion. A plurality of plugs is slidably disposed within the plurality of passageways, and each of the plurality of plugs has a second attenuation value per unit volume less than the first attenuation value. One of the plurality of passageways is filled with a column of attenuating liquid that is coincident with an end of the one of a plurality of plugs contained therein, and wherein the column substantially conforms to the cross sectional area.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally radiographic imaging hardware and methods, and more specifically, to a collimator and mask apparatus and related methods for enhancing captured image quality.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of x-ray and gamma-ray detection and imaging, it is known that lens structures are ineffective for focusing highly energetic photons. As a result, when detection or imaging of an X-ray or gamma-ray source is desired, other techniques must be used to scale the target emissions to an appropriate detector. For example, a pinhole collimator may be used to constrain energetic photons of the target to an image detector. In such configurations, a small hole is drilled through a high-Z material. The pinhole collimator is disposed between the target and the detector at a suitable distance from the detector. Emissions from the target pass through the penetration in the pinhole collimator, and an inverted image of the target is exposed upon detector. It is noted that decreasing the pinhole diameter yields increased spatial resolution. However, since fewer photons reach the detector in a given time, as the pinhole aperture becomes smaller additional exposure time is required to obtain an acceptable image from a given intensity target.

To overcome this limitation, it is possible to use a plurality of pinholes disposed in a high-Z material as noted above. This may be referred to as a coded aperture mask. This increase in pinhole aperture area yields a proportional increase in the number of photons received by the detector in a given period of time. Therefore the exposure duration may be reduced for a given target in this configuration. However, the coded aperture necessarily projects a plurality of overlapping images onto the detector. Computer executed algorithms may be performed to unify the plurality of projected images captured by the detector. Unfortunately, inherent noise associated with the plurality of pinholes' placement, and transient signals from the detector, tend to produce unacceptable amounts of distortion and blur.

It has been observed that imaging the same target with a variety of physically different masks, or apparently different (presented to the target and detector in a different orientation) masks, allows effective noise reducing techniques to be employed. When a given target is imaged with a plurality of different coded apertures, the data corresponding to the target will be readily identifiable, while the data corresponding to inherent noise will change from mask configuration exposure to a different mask configuration exposure. Such noise may then be effectively identified and excluded.

Some systems use a plurality of tungsten or lead plates that are selectively interchanged for each imaged exposure. Other systems translate or rotate the mask with respect to the image and detector. However, each of those techniques yields a relatively small number of distinct patterns. Moreover, the pre-established patterns may not be readily reconfigured to assist in the imaging under particular environmental and target orientation conditions.

Despite the current advances in X-ray and gamma-ray imaging systems and techniques, there remains a need for apparatus and methods of improved imaging of a radioactive target with a fully reconfigurable coded aperture mask, buy use of a reconfigurable liquid attenuated collimator apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the foregoing problems and other shortcomings, drawbacks, and challenges of imaging radioactive objects, targets, and sources. While the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. To the contrary, this invention includes all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the disclosed invention, a reconfigurable radiographic aperture mask apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a body portion configured to receive an attenuating liquid having a first attenuation value per unit volume. The apparatus further includes a grid portion mated to a face of the body portion and a plurality of passageways each having a cross sectional area and a length. The plurality of passageways is disposed within the grid portion. A plurality of plugs is slidably disposed within the plurality of passageways, and each of the plurality of plugs has a second attenuation value per unit volume less than the first attenuation value. One of the plurality of passageways is filled with a column of attenuating liquid that is coincident with an end of the one of a plurality of plugs contained therein, and wherein the column substantially conforms to the cross sectional area.

A variably reconfigurable radiographic aperture mask apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a grid manifold having an end cap and a plurality of passageways. Each passageway has a cross sectional area and a length. The plurality of passageways is disposed within the grid manifold, and the end cap is fabricated from a material having a first attenuation value per unit volume. A plurality of conduits is fluidically coupled to the plurality of passageways. A pumping system includes a pump and a control logic. The pumping system is fluidicically coupled to the plurality of conduits and configured to pump an attenuating liquid having a second attenuation value per unit volume into the plurality of conduits and the plurality of passageways. The first attenuation value is less than the second attenuation value. The attenuating liquid forms a column that substantially conforms to the cross sectional area of one of the plurality of passageways or a cooperating one of a plurality of conduits, and terminates at a position along the length of the one of the plurality of passageways or the cooperating one of a plurality of conduits.

In another embodiment of the disclosed invention a method of variably configuring a radiographic aperture mask is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of passageways each having a cross sectional area and a length. The method also includes determining a desired attenuation to be assigned to one of the plurality of passageways, and introducing or evacuating a column of an attenuating liquid that substantially conforms to the cross sectional area into the one of the plurality of passageways. The method further includes terminating the column of the attenuating liquid at a position along the length of the one of a plurality of passageways. The composition of the attenuating liquid, the length of the column of attenuating liquid, and the terminating position produce the desired attenuation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1, is a perspective view of the fully reconfigurable liquid attenuated collimator10is shown. The collimator10includes a grid portion12and a body portion14. The body portion14is a three dimensional container having a liquid tight internal volume configured for receiving an attenuating liquid. The body14includes a front plate16, a back plate18, and a plurality of side plates20. In the illustrated embodiment, the body portion14is approximately a rectangular prism, but other configurations may produce acceptable results. In some embodiments of the disclosed invention, a port22is provided to facilitate introduction of the attenuating liquid into the internal volume of the body portion14. A drain (not shown), may also be included to assist in evacuating attenuating liquid from the body portion14. In the alternative, a vacuum driven or siphon apparatus may be used to withdraw attenuating liquid from internal volume using the port22.

The grid portion12includes a plurality of dividing walls30. The dividing walls30in the depicted embodiment ofFIG. 1form a plurality of square prismatic passageways32, but other cross-sectional geometries, to include circle, hexagon, rhombus, and others may be used. The grid structure12may be disposed within the volume of the body portion14such that the grid portion12is coincident with, and orthogonal to, the inside face34of the front plate16. The perimeter wall36of the grid portion12is bonded to form a liquid-tight interface between the grid portion12and the inside face34of the front plate16.

In the depicted embodiment as shown inFIG. 1, attenuating liquid added via the port22would begin to fill the internal volume of the body portion14. The liquid level would rise until reaching the bottom of the perimeter wall36of the grid portion12. If additional liquid is added, it would begin to spill out of the passageways32at the bottom of the grid portion12. Therefore, to complete the liquid-tight integrity of the collimator10, and to establish a means for full reconfiguration of the grid portion12, liquid tight plugs38are inserted in each of the passageways32. The plugs38are configured to establish an interference fit within the passageways32while allowing the plugs38to be selectively pushed or pulled along the length of the passageway32. The degree of interference fit between the plugs38and passageways32will vary with the viscosity of the attenuating liquid. As the liquid's viscosity increases, the interfaces between the plugs38and dividing walls30are less likely to permit liquid leakage In another embodiment of the disclosed invention, the plug38itself may alternatively be a clearance fit with respect to the passageway32. O-rings, flanges, or other sealing features may be employed to establish a liquid tight seal between the plug38and the passageway32.

The plugs38may be fabricated from a material that possesses low emission attenuation properties and is sufficiently thermally stable so as to maintain liquid tight integrity (as well as selectable freedom of motion within the passageway32) throughout the range of operating temperatures. If thermal expansion characteristics between the material of the dividing walls30and the plugs38are too dissimilar, leaking or binding may occur at operating temperatures. One suitable material for fabrication of the plugs38is Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK).

Operation of the collimator10depends upon sufficient dissimilarity between the degree of attenuation provided by the attenuating liquid and the degree of attenuation provided by the structures used to constrain the attenuating liquid in the region to be radiographically imaged. In an ideal system, the plugs38would provide no attenuation. In such an ideal system, attenuation would be only established by the quantity of attenuating liquid present. In a typical system, attenuation in a given region is equal to the sum of a fixed value (representative of the plug38or other supporting structure), plus the attenuation of the attenuating liquid in that region.

For example, a low-Z or low attenuation material may be defined as one with a Z value of 6 or less. Also, for the purposes of using the collimator10for radiographic imaging, a material having a Z value of about 10 or less may be deemed to be substantially transparent to radiographic emissions. In general, acceptable results may be obtained from attenuating liquids having a Z value greater than about 25, where the Z of iron is 26. The most beneficial known Z value is 80 (or more), where 80 is the Z value of mercury. It should be noted that that the term “first attenuation value” and “second attenuation value” may be used herein to compare the relative attentions of liquids and structures. Furthermore, the material density affects the attenuation values. For example, the Z value of air and plastic is roughly equivalent, but the photons will penetrate through the air much more effectively. In general, for a photon of some energy, the mean free path in the attenuator liquid must be no more than half that of the remainder of the imaging portion of the device. Ideally, the mean free path in the attenuator liquid would be no more than one tenth of that of the remainder of the imaging portion of the device.

A tool40is configured to interface with a cooperating feature of the plugs38. As shown inFIG. 1a T-slot42on the plug38cooperates with a T-projection44on the tool40to temporarily join the tool40and the plug38. Once joined, the tool40may be pushed or pulled along the axis of the passageway32to relocate the plug38within the passageway32. As will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, the gender of the cooperating features may be reversed. Additionally, other cooperating geometries, also referred to as adjusting features, may be employed, to include threaded bores and shafts, rare earth magnetics, electromagnetics, barbs, cams, and the like. As will be explained in greater detail below, relocating the plug38along the passageway32will determine the amount of attenuating liquid that occupies the passageway32. Such manipulation of the plugs38will produce maximum attenuation when the plug38is disposed nearest the front plate16, a minimum attenuation value when the plug38is disposed nearest the black plate18, and an intermediate value when the plug38is disposed there between.

Several attenuating liquids may produce acceptable results. It has been observed that mercury is very desirable from a functional standpoint because t is liquid at room temperature and has relatively high density and attenuation capabilities. However, due to its relatively high toxicity, substantial precautions must be taken to isolate the mercury from users and from introduction into the environment. Several alloys are available, but they generally require the use of a heating source to remain in the liquid state. One acceptable eutectic alloy includes 50% bismuth, 26.7% lead, 13.3% tin, and 10% cadmium, by weight, with a melting point of approximately 70 degrees Celsius. It may be obtained from AIM Specialty Materials under the trade name of AIM-70. Additionally, another alloy, denoted by the trade name AIM-47 from the same supplier, includes 47.7% bismuth, 22.6% lead, 8.3% tin, 5.3% cadmium, and 19.1% indium by weight, with a melting point of approximately 47 degrees Celsius. AIM-47 also has good attenuating qualities, but exhibits less than half of the expansion upon solidification as experienced with AIM-70. AIM 47 expands 0.0002 inches per inch over the first 6 minutes, followed by shrinkage to −0.0002 inches per inch thereafter. This reduced expansion is desirable to minimize potentially damaging stresses on the dividing walls30if the attenuating liquid is permitted to solidify within the collimator10.

Turning now toFIG. 2, a rear view of the front plate16is shown. This view exposes the inner face34that is oriented toward the interior volume of the body portion14when assembled. It should be noted that while there is a liquid tight interface between the perimeter wall36and the inner face34of the front plate16, clearance exists between the distal end50of the grid portion12with respect to the back plate18. When the collimator10is assembled with plugs38disposed at the distal end50of the passageways32, attenuating liquid introduced into the body portion14fills the volume (including the space between the distal end50of the grid portion12and the back plate18), but the attenuating liquid does not enter the passageways32. The back plate may include a region of low attenuation material such as a window (not shown), coincident with the footprint of the grid portion12. In this distally disposed configuration, the grid portion12is collectively at its lowest attenuation level, since attenuating liquid cannot enter the internal volumes of the passageways32. In this configuration, the attenuation of emissions passing through the grid region12of the collimator10is reduced only by the sum of the attenuation value of the window, plus the attenuation of the plugs38, plus the attenuation of the dividing walls30, and the attenuation resulting from the volume of attenuating liquid between the distal end50of the grid region12and the window of the back plate18. Conversely, if the plugs38are disposed coincident with the proximal end52of the grid region12, the greatest attenuation value is achieved. Since the aforementioned static component attenuation values remain unchanged, when attenuating liquid is permitted to fill the passageways32as a result of the orientation of the plugs38, total attenuation is increased.

It should be noted, as will be explained in greater detail below, that each plug38may be moved independently from each of the other plugs38. Plugs38may be manipulated serially or in parallel, but the position of one plug38is not dependent upon the position of any other plug38. Also, intermediate positions of the plugs38(at a position between the distal end50and proximal end52) may be employed. Each of these configuration options enables the collimator10to yield a high degree of attenuation variability.

Turning attention toFIG. 3, a perspective cutaway view of one row of passageways32in the grid portion12is shown. The passageway32at position60denotes a configuration wherein the plug38ais coincident with the proximal end52of the grid portion12. In this configuration, the passageway32fills with attenuating liquid66, and maximum attenuation results. The passageway32at position62denotes a condition wherein the plug38bis coincident with the distal end50of the grid portion12. In this configuration, all attenuating liquid66is driven out of the passageway32, and minimum attenuation occurs. Lastly, the passageway32at position64is in a configuration wherein approximately 75% of the attenuating liquid66is displaced from the passageway32by the plug38c, and an intermediate degree of attenuation occurs.

Various techniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be used to select from discrete or infinitely variable positions of the plugs38. For example, and not by way of limitation, the tool40ofFIG. 1. may employ a depth indicator70. The depth indicator70may be a shoulder72or other projection that contacts the proximal end52of the dividing walls30or other datum point. A plurality of separate tools40may be configured with distinct shoulders72dimensions. For example, tools40may be fashioned with shoulders72corresponding to plug38positions that result in attenuation of 25%, 50%, and 75%. In another embodiment, the depth indicator70may be configured as a dial indicator74, proximity sensor, vernier scale, or similar structure suitable for indicating the depth of a plug38(or corresponding attenuation value). Additional structures may be added to prevent complete withdrawal of the plugs38after assembly has been completed (thus preventing the loss of attenuating liquid). In one embodiment, a reconfiguration jig (not shown), consisting of a plate including a plurality of bores dimensioned smaller than the outside dimension of the plugs38, may be temporality affixed to the front plate16during adjustment of the plugs38. The tool40is passed through the penetrations of the reconfiguration jig, but the plug38is prevented from inadvertent withdrawal by the reconfiguration jig. In the alternative, if constructed of sufficiently low attenuation materials, the reconfiguration jig, or similar retraining features, may remain mated to the front plate16during normal use.

The previously described collimator10enables a user to manually configure the attenuation pattern through the manipulation of plugs38that displace attenuating liquid from the passageways32. In another embodiment, shown as the collimator10ainFIG. 3, an apparatus for automated reconfiguration of an attenuation pattern is presented.

A grid manifold80includes a plurality of conduits82fluidically coupled to a plurality of passageways32. The grid manifold80may be fabricated with dividing walls30comprised of attenuating material and end caps81fabricated from a suitably low attenuating material such as PEEK. The grid manifold80may be constructed from a plurality of laminations that are fused together or otherwise joined with gaskets, adhesives, sealants, or the like.

A pumping system84may displace attenuating liquid66by introduction and evacuation of a gas86, such as air, nitrogen, argon or the like from the conduits82and passageways32. The collimator10aemulates the same attenuation variability as previous embodiments that use plugs38, but the pumping system84allows for enhanced capabilities that are unachievable with the collimator10. For example, real time adjustment of attenuation, while being exposed to radioactive emissions, may be made with exposing a user to dangerous conditions. Additionally, the collimator10aallow for significantly greater adjustments per unit time than possible when a user manipulates the plugs38of the collimator10.

If a high degree of attenuation is desired in a particular passageway32, the pumping system may introduce attenuating liquid66via a conduit82located at the distal end50of the grid manifold80. Once the passageway32is completely filled with attenuating liquid66, maximum attenuation is achieved. Should a variable degree of attenuation be required (or a minimum amount of attenuation), only a portion of the passageway32may be filled. Since every isotope emits a unique set of gamma ray energies, by adjusting the amount of attenuation over time, it is possible to deduce the type of isotope being imaged. Furthermore, by modulating the liquid attenuator in the device, an image can be reconstructed even with only a single, non-imaging detector, as opposed to an industry standard imaging detector.

In some embodiments, a charge of gas86may be introduced adjacent the attenuating liquid66to purge the conduit82of attenuating liquid66. This prevents the pathways of the conduits82from serving as a source of significant attenuation. In other embodiments, the conduits82are dimensioned sufficiently thin, so as to provide negligible attenuation. In yet other embodiments, attenuating liquid66is maintained in the conduits82so as to provide a consistent degree of attenuation that may be compensated for via noise reduction and image reconstruction algorithms.

In order to maintain consistent and repeatable attenuation, attenuating liquid66should be introduced as a column that substantially conforms to the interior walls of the passageways32. If the passageways32are oriented horizontally, low viscosity attenuating liquids66may undesirable settle to the bottom of the passageway32, leaving a void above the attenuating liquid. This condition may be cured by introducing a sufficient pressure of gas86on both sides of the column of attenuating liquid66. The length of the column, the composition of the attenuating liquid66, and the position along the length of the passageway32at which the column terminates, will all factor into the realized attenuation level.

The pumping system84may include a plurality of pumps88, to include peristaltic, screw, lobe, gear, rotary vane, reciprocating, piston, diaphragm, or other suitable means for displacing liquid or gas86in a controlled manner. In some embodiments, each conduit82is coupled to a dedicated pump88, while other embodiments use a plurality of valves and gates to couple a plurality of conduits82to a signal pump88. Control logic90receives commands from a user, and displaces or introduces the attenuating liquid66in response thereto. Some embodiments may include sensors or feedback loops to make continued adjustments to maintain a desired degree of attenuation during use. In yet other embodiments, the control logic90and sensors cooperate to make adjustments to the attenuation of the coded aperture mask of the grid manifold80in response to signals received by an X-ray or gamma-ray detector. For example, a radiative target's emissions may be passed through a first coded aperture mask of the grid manifold80onto a detector. In response from signals received from the detector, the control log may reconfigure the grid manifold80into a second (and subsequent) coded mask to improve the quality of image reconstruction capabilities during subsequent exposures.

The length of attenuator in a given column affects the optimal image reconstruction method used, where longer columns favor iterative, forward-model-based methods and shorter columns allow for more traditional methods. In addition to the distance between the device and the detector, the ratio between the length and the width of a given column, as well as the spacing between columns, affects the degree of multiplexing utilized. Here greater multiplexing means that the images from adjacent columns overlap a greater amount. Higher multiplexing results in faster acquisition times at the expense of image quality and vice versa. These parameters may be adjusted based on the application.