KR20230125591A - X-ray radiography apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging apparatus and method for acquiring multiple X-ray images of different angles of a subject in one scan using multiple X-ray sources and a single detector. Specifically, two or more X-ray sources disposed at different angles to the subject of the present invention to irradiate X-rays, respectively; a detector generating frame data with X-rays transmitted through the subject; and a reconstruction unit for reconstructing an X-ray image with the frame data, wherein the X-ray source is driven in time division within a unit period, the detector generates a plurality of frame data during the unit period, and the reconstruction unit generates the plurality of frame data during the unit period. An X-ray imaging system that groups frame data for each X-ray source and reconstructs an X-ray image for each X-ray source with the grouped frame data and an X-ray imaging method using the same are provided.

Description

X-ray imaging apparatus and method {X-ray radiography apparatus and method}

The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging device and method, and more specifically, to an X-ray imaging device and method for obtaining multiple X-ray images of different angles of an object in one scan using multiple X-ray sources and a single detector. It is about.

X-rays are electromagnetic waves with a short wavelength corresponding to a wavelength range of 10~0.01nm and a frequency range of 30×1015~30×1018Hz. Indicates a damping property that is constantly attenuated. X-ray imaging is a radiography method using the linearity, penetrability, and attenuation of X-rays. A gray level X-ray image is displayed.

The X-ray imaging device includes an X-ray source that irradiates X-rays into the imaging area, an X-ray sensor that detects the X-rays that have passed through the imaging area, and X-ray projection data, which is the result of the X-ray sensor's detection, of the imaging area. It includes an image processing device that reconstructs X-ray images of internal structures.

Recently, X-ray imaging has been rapidly replaced by DR (Digital Radiography) using a digital sensor thanks to the development of semiconductor and information processing technology, and X-ray imaging technology is also being developed and utilized in various ways according to purposes.

Korean Patent Registration No. 181789 is an X-ray imaging device having multiple sources, including a main body, a plurality of X-ray irradiation units installed in an arc on one side of the main body and irradiating X-rays in the direction of an object to be inspected, and A sensor unit installed at a position opposite to the plurality of X-ray irradiation units on one side and detecting X-rays transmitted through the inspection object, wherein the X-ray irradiation unit has an X-ray irradiation unit having a preset focal size in the direction of the inspection object. A plurality of first sources radiating X-rays, a plurality of second sources radiating X-rays having a focal size smaller than that of the first sources in the direction of the object to be inspected and installed alternately with the plurality of first sources; A control unit selectively controlling the operation of a source and the second source, wherein the first source emits large-focused X-rays having a wider irradiation area than the second source to obtain a large-area image; It is characterized in that the second source acquires a local image having a higher resolution than the first source by radiating small-focus X-rays having a smaller irradiation area than the first source to a preset area among the inspection objects.

This Korean Patent Registration No. 181789 includes a plurality of X-ray irradiation units and one sensor unit as a multi-source, but each X-ray irradiation unit and sensor unit individually perform X-ray imaging with a time difference, and the sensor unit first A first X-ray image is provided as a result of X-ray irradiation of a source, and a second X-ray image is provided as a result of X-ray irradiation of a second source.

Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 1997-140701 is a dental panoramic X-ray imaging device, which includes an X-ray source for irradiating X-rays toward a subject, an X-ray image detecting means for detecting an X-ray image passing through the subject, and an X-ray image around the subject. Swing means for integrally turning the X-ray source and X-ray image detecting means, storage means for storing image information output from the X-ray image detecting means during operation of the turning means, and storage in the memory means. An image processing means for forming a tomographic image according to a desired tomographic plane based on the obtained image information and performing arithmetic processing on the tomographic image; By calculating a tomographic image of and performing convolution processing or frequency processing using one or more image information of each tomographic image with respect to the specific tomographic image, blur of the specific tomographic image is removed. do.

Although Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1997-140701 obtains a plurality of tomographic images with a single detecting means, a single X-ray source and a single X-ray image detecting means are rotated by a separate turning means, resulting in X-ray imaging of a part of the subject. A plurality of image information is obtained, respectively, and a plurality of image information is appropriately combined in a separate image processing process to implement a tomographic image with respect to the X-ray irradiation direction. There is a difference with

An object of the present invention is to acquire multi-X-ray images of different angles of a subject in one shot using a multi-X-ray source and a single detector.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes two or more X-ray sources disposed at different angles to the subject to respectively irradiate X-rays; a detector generating frame data with X-rays transmitted through the subject; and a reconstruction unit for reconstructing an X-ray image with the frame data, wherein the X-ray source is driven in time division within a unit period, the detector generates a plurality of frame data during the unit period, and the reconstruction unit generates the plurality of frame data during the unit period. Provided is an X-ray imaging system that groups frame data for each X-ray source and reconstructs an X-ray image for each X-ray source with the grouped frame data.

In addition, in the present invention, two or more X-ray sources disposed at different angles with respect to the subject irradiate X-rays toward the subject in time division within a unit period, and a detector respectively irradiates the subject during the unit period. generating a plurality of frame data by detecting transmitted X-rays; The reconstruction unit groups the plurality of frame data for each X-ray source and reconstructs an X-ray image for each X-ray source with the grouped frame data.

The present invention has the advantage of being able to obtain multiple X-ray images of different angles of an object under examination even with a single imaging using multiple X-ray sources and a single detector. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time required for overlapping imaging and the amount of exposure, as well as to simultaneously acquire multiple X-ray images of different angles of the same subject at the same time, resulting in changes in imaging conditions such as motion artifacts of the subject. It has the advantage of minimizing the error rate according to .

1 is a schematic view of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention;
2 is a timing diagram of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 is a diagram showing an outline of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention, wherein a plurality of X-ray sources are disposed at different angles to a subject and radiate X-rays toward the subject, with the subject interposed therebetween. and an X-ray detector that faces the plurality of X-ray sources and detects X-rays transmitted through the subject.

The plurality of X-ray sources may each include an X-ray source that generates X-rays and a collimator that controls a FOV of the X-rays generated by the X-ray source. Each X-ray source generates X-rays in time division at least once within a unit period. Each X-ray source may be a field emission type X-ray device capable of controlling on/off pulses, for example, a so-called CNT ray source using carbon nanotubes as an emitter. Each on/off pulse of the X-ray source may be 5 to 50 per second. Two X-ray sources are shown in the drawing for convenience. Optionally, one of the two X-ray sources, the first X-ray source, radiates X-rays at an angle a to the detector, and the second X-ray source, which is the other one, radiates X-rays at an angle b to the detector.

The X-ray detector detects X-rays and generates frame data. The X-ray detector may be a glow-by-glow shutter method. The frame rate of the X-ray detector may vary depending on the number of X-ray sources and on/off pulses per second, but it is appropriate that high-speed driving of at least 10 fps is possible.

2 is a timing diagram of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention, showing on/off timings of first and second X-ray sources and readout timings of detectors.

The detector may read out at a constant frame rate within a unit period, and the first and second X-ray sources may irradiate X-rays with on/off pulses at least once within a unit period. In the drawing, for reference, it is shown that the first and second ray sources irradiate X-rays with on-off pulses alternately in conjunction with the frame rate of the detector, and the odd-numbered frame data of the detector corresponds to the photographing result of the first X-ray source And, the even-numbered frame data corresponds to the photographing result of the second X-ray source.

The reconstruction unit groups a plurality of frame data generated by the detector during a unit period for each X-ray source, and reconstructs an X-ray image for each X-ray source with the grouped frame data. Taking the case of FIG. 2 as an example, the reconstruction unit reconstructs an X-ray image of angle a irradiated from the first X-ray source with odd-numbered frame data of the detector, and irradiated from the second X-ray source with even-numbered frame data of the detector. Provides an X-ray image of the b angle.

Although the X-ray imaging device according to the present invention can be applied to various fields, for example, it can be applied to C-arm, which is a real-time radiographic imaging device, and in this case, it is possible to obtain X-ray images of two or more different angles in real time, It is also possible to obtain a tomo image by a plurality of different X-ray images.

G1, G2: first and second X-ray sources
D: detector
O: subject

Claims (2)

two or more X-ray sources disposed at different angles with respect to the subject to respectively irradiate X-rays;
an X-ray detector that generates frame data using X-rays that have passed through the subject;
A reconstruction unit for reconstructing an X-ray image with the frame data;
The two or more X-ray sources are driven on/off at least once at different time points within a unit period, the detector generates a plurality of frame data within the unit period, and the reconstruction unit converts the plurality of frame data into the unit period. An X-ray imaging apparatus that groups each X-ray source and reconstructs an X-ray image for each X-ray source with the grouped frame data.
Two or more X-ray sources disposed at different angles with respect to the subject irradiate X-rays toward the subject at least once at different time points within a unit period, and a detector respectively irradiates the subject within the unit period. generating a plurality of frame data by detecting transmitted X-rays;
The X-ray imaging method of claim 1 , wherein a reconstruction unit groups the plurality of frame data for each X-ray source, and reconstructs an X-ray image for each X-ray source with the grouped frame data.