KR102504800B1 - Object Align Apparatus and X-ray Imaging System Comprising The Same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus for arranging an object under examination that is installed in an X-ray imaging system including a generator and a detector that face each other with an imaging area interposed therebetween to align an object under examination within the imaging area, and is detachably mounted to the X-ray imaging system. a base portion to be; and a guide part located on the base part and providing a first alignment guide and a second alignment guide, wherein when the subject is aligned based on the first alignment guide, the first region of interest of the subject is captured. A second region of interest of the object is aligned within the imaging region when the object is aligned with the second alignment guide.

Description

Object Align Apparatus and X-ray Imaging System Comprising The Same}

The present invention relates to X-ray imaging, and more particularly, an apparatus for aligning a subject mounted on an X-ray imaging system and arranging a plurality of regions of interest existing at different locations of an object within an imaging area of the X-ray imaging system. And it relates to an X-ray imaging system including the same.

An X-ray imaging system includes a generator that radiates X-rays toward a subject and a detector that receives X-rays transmitted through the subject and converts them into X-ray projection data.

A typical dental or medical X-ray imaging system acquires multiple frames of X-ray projection data by radiating and detecting X-rays in various directions of an object while rotating a generator and a detector oppositely with an object and a rotation axis interposed therebetween. In addition, X-ray projection data of multiple frames are reconstructed through an arithmetic device such as a computer to realize an X-ray image of the subject.

In this case, a certain area between the generator and the detector where X-rays in various directions intersect becomes a field of view (FOV) in which an effective X-ray image can be obtained. For example, since a dental X-ray image targets the dental arch and its surroundings as a photographing target, X-rays are taken by arranging the dental arch among the head, which is a subject, within the imaging area.

However, among the arches, regions located at the left and right ends of the arch, such as the left and right wisdom teeth or the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), may deviate from the imaging area. In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to perform X-ray imaging on a large imaging area, or move a generator and a detector to place the corresponding area within the imaging area, and then perform X-ray imaging.

However, when the imaging area is expanded, the area of the detector must be increased, the patient's X-ray exposure increases, and a separate mechanical movement structure is required to move the generator and the detector, which reduces the manufacturing cost of the X-ray imaging system. cause As another method, a method of moving the subject and arranging the corresponding area within the imaging area of the X-ray imaging system may be considered. Uneasy.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2020-0100296 (2020.08.26)

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-described problems, and an apparatus for arranging a subject according to the present invention and an X-ray imaging system including the same do not require an increase in the area of a detector or an amount of X-ray exposure, or a mechanical configuration for moving a generator and a detector. An object of the present invention is to enable effective X-ray imaging by arranging a plurality of regions of interest existing at different locations of the subject within the imaging area of the X-ray imaging system.

In order to solve the above problems, an apparatus for arranging a subject according to the present invention is installed in an X-ray imaging system including a generator and a detector that face each other with an imaging area interposed therebetween, and a device for arranging an object under examination within the imaging area. A specimen alignment device, comprising: a base portion detachably mounted to the X-ray imaging system; and a guide part located on the base part and providing a first alignment guide and a second alignment guide, wherein when the subject is aligned based on the first alignment guide, the first region of interest of the subject is captured. The second region of interest of the object is aligned within the imaging region when the object is aligned within the second alignment guide.

The first and second alignment guides may include a first outer alignment guide and a second outer alignment guide that are visible to a photographer along with the subject.

At this time, the first and second alignment guides are positioned on each extension of the first and second outer alignment guides, and the first inner alignment guide and the second inner alignment guide are positioned on the base toward the object under test. can include

In addition, the guide unit may include a first guide unit positioned on the base and providing the first outer alignment guide; and a second guide part positioned on the base at a distance from the second guide part and providing the second outer alignment guide.

In this case, an open portion showing an alignment state of the subject may be further included between the first guide portion and the second guide portion.

Meanwhile, the subject may be a head including a dental arch, and the first and second regions of interest may include left and right wisdom teeth or left and right temporomandibular joints, respectively, located at left and right ends of the dental arch.

An X-ray imaging system according to the present invention is an X-ray imaging system including the subject aligning device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a rotation axis between the generator and the detector is centered. a photographing unit configured to rotate the generator and the detector in opposite directions; and a subject arranging unit having one end connected to the X-ray imaging system and having the base detachably attached to the other end.

According to the present invention, X-ray imaging can be performed by arranging a plurality of regions of interest existing at different locations of an object in the imaging region of an X-ray imaging system without increasing the area of the detector or the amount of X-ray exposure and without a mechanical configuration for moving the generator and the detector. An apparatus for aligning an object under examination and an X-ray imaging system including the same are provided.

According to the present invention, for example, in the case of a dental X-ray imaging system, X-ray images of first and second regions of interest spaced apart from each other at the left and right ends of the dental arch, such as a wisdom tooth or a temporomandibular joint, by using one subject alignment device. It can be aligned within the imaging area of the imaging system, which is very efficient.

1 is a perspective view of an X-ray imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a front and rear perspective view of an apparatus for aligning a subject according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the apparatus for arranging a subject according to the embodiment of FIG. 2 .
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the apparatus for arranging a subject according to the embodiment of FIG. 3 .
5 shows images of (a) left and (b) right wisdom teeth using the subject alignment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The technical spirit of the present invention will be more clearly understood through examples. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described below and may be modified in various forms within the scope of the technical idea.

1 is a perspective view of an X-ray imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Below, for convenience, a dental X-ray imaging system will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The X-ray imaging system according to the present embodiment includes a photographing unit 40 that acquires X-ray projection data in various directions for a photographing area having a predetermined height and width by taking an X-ray image of a subject, and an X-ray image of the photographing unit 40. It includes a subject arranging unit 20 for placing the subject between the generator unit 41 and the detector unit 42 for photographing, and the subject arranging unit 20 includes the blood sample according to one embodiment of the present invention. The specimen arranging device 200 is installed to align a plurality of regions of interest existing at different positions of the subject in the imaging region R1 of the imaging unit 40 .

The photographing unit 40 includes a rotary arm 43 , a generator unit 41 and a detector unit 42 disposed at both ends of the rotary arm 43 .

A generator is provided in the generator unit 41, a detector is provided in the detector unit 42, and the rotary arm 43 rotates around a rotational axis 43X between the generator unit 41 and the detector unit 42. The generator and detector can be rotated oppositely.

The test object arranging unit 20 arranges the test object between the generator unit 41 and the detector unit 42 . For example, the object arranging unit 20 may be an arm having one end fixed to an X-ray imaging system and the other end extending therefrom disposed at the lower end between the generator unit 41 and the detector unit 42 or the like. can represent

In addition, the apparatus 200 for arranging a subject according to the present embodiment is an X-ray imaging system, in particular, a plurality of regions of interest existing at different locations of the subject to be detachable from the other end of the subject arranging unit 20, for example, a first The first and second regions of interest are aligned with the imaging region R1, respectively. To this end, the subject aligning device 200 according to the present embodiment is detachably mounted in the X-ray imaging system, and has first and second regions of interest for aligning the first and second regions of interest of the subject in the photographing region R1, respectively. A second alignment guide is provided.

Therefore, when the subject is aligned based on the first alignment guide of the subject alignment device 200, the first region of interest of the subject is aligned within the imaging area R1, and the rotary arm 43 is aligned with the generator unit 41. It rotates around the rotation axis 43X between the detector units 42, and while the rotation arm 43 rotates, the generator and the detector radiate and detect X-rays to the imaging area R1 including the first region of interest of the subject. Thus, multiple frames of X-ray projection data are obtained. In addition, the obtained multiple frames of X-ray projection data are reconstructed by a predetermined algorithm in a separate computing device, such as a computer, and provided as an X-ray image of at least a part of the subject including the first region of interest.

In addition, when the subject is aligned based on the second alignment guide of the subject aligning device 200, the second region of interest of the subject is aligned within the imaging area R1, and the imaging unit 40 determines the second region of interest of the subject. Multiple frames of X-ray projection data are obtained by radiating and detecting X-rays in various directions to the imaging region R1 including the region, and reconstructing the X-ray projection data in a separate arithmetic device to at least a part of the subject including the second region of interest. Provides X-ray images for

2 is a front and rear perspective view of the apparatus 200 for arranging a subject according to an embodiment of the present invention. For reference, (a) is a front perspective view assuming that the subject alignment device 200 according to the present embodiment is mounted on an X-ray imaging system, and (b) is a front perspective view viewed from the examinee's side, which is the examinee's side. This is a rear perspective view from 3 is a front view of the apparatus 200 for aligning a subject, and FIG. 4 is a rear view of the apparatus 400 for aligning a subject. For reference, the front side refers to a side that is visible when the examinee looks at the object aligning device 200 from the examinee's side when taking an X-ray image, and the rear side refers to the back side of the front side.

The apparatus 200 for arranging a subject according to the present embodiment includes an X-ray imaging system, in particular, a base part 210 detachably mounted to the other end of the subject placement part, located on the base part, and first and second interests of the subject. It includes a guide unit 230 providing first and second alignment guides for aligning the areas to the imaging area R1, respectively. The first and second alignment guides may be modified in any number of shapes as long as the first and second regions of interest of the subject can be aligned with the imaging region R1, respectively. However, for example, the guide unit 230 a first guide unit 232 for aligning a first region of interest located on the right side of the object in the imaging area by guiding the second part of the object to a first alignment position on the left side with respect to the reference direction of the object; It may include a second guide unit 234 for aligning the second region of interest located on the left side of the subject in the imaging area by guiding the second part of the object to a second alignment position on the right side with respect to the reference direction.

Hereinafter, for convenience, the subject is the head including the arch, the first and second regions of interest are the left and right wisdom teeth or the left and right temporomandibular joints located at the left and right ends of the arch, respectively, and the first part of the subject is the lower jaw, the lower part of the subject The second area is described as the front of the lower jaw.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the base unit 210 may be detachably mounted on the object arranging unit 20 of the X-ray imaging system. In a typical dental X-ray imaging system, a chinrest, which is a predetermined mechanism for supporting the examinee's chin, is mounted on the subject arranging unit 20 . The object aligning device 200 according to the present embodiment can replace the existing chin rest, and the base part 210 can be detachably mounted on the object arranging unit 20 instead of the chin rest. To this end, the base portion 210 may have a shape similar to that of a lower structure of a general chinrest, and may have, for example, a rectangular or tubular shape similar thereto.

The base part 210 may include an aligning part 220 providing a reference height at which the first part of the subject is aligned. The alignment unit 220 forms the upper surface of the base unit 210 and provides a reference height at which the first part of the subject, that is, the lower end of the lower jaw is aligned. To this end, the aligning unit 220 provides a support surface that is a predetermined plane on which the lower end of the lower jaw, which is the first part of the subject, is seated, and the support surface corresponds to the first part of the subject facing the reference direction, that is, the lower end of the arm jaw. form can be shown. Therefore, the examinee can align the first part along the reference height by placing the first part on the support surface in a corresponding shape, and arrange the first and second regions of interest within the height range of the imaging area. As will be described later, since the first part of the subject is rotated and moved to the left and right to a certain extent while being supported by the aligning part 220, the aligning part 220 may have a planar shape with a predetermined area larger than the first part of the subject. .

The first and second guide parts 232 and 234, which are an embodiment of the first and second alignment guides, arrange the second part of the subject, that is, the front surface of the lower jaw, in first and second alignment positions on the left and right with respect to the reference direction, respectively. By guiding, the first and second regions of interest are aligned within the imaging region. For this, the first and second alignment positions represent an angle of about 30 to 50 degrees, preferably 45 degrees, to the left and right with respect to the reference direction along an arc or a similar curve centered on a point inside the subject, for example, . can

In addition, the first and second guide parts 232 and 234 may each have a side wall extending upward to a predetermined height from the left and right edges of the front end of the alignment part 220 or a shape similar thereto, and correspond to the jaw contour of the front of the lower jaw at each position. A predetermined curved surface may be provided.

Therefore, the examinee supports the lower jaw on the aligning unit 220, then rotates and moves the lower jaw along the support surface to the left in the reference direction so that the front surface of the lower jaw is brought into contact with the first guide unit 232 to obtain the first region of interest on the right side. The right wisdom tooth or the right temporomandibular joint may be placed in the imaging area. Thereafter, the examinee rotates and moves the lower end of the lower jaw to the right, which is the reference direction, along the support surface in a state in which the lower jaw is supported by the aligning unit 220 so that the front surface of the lower jaw is in contact with the second guide unit 234 to obtain a second interest on the left side. The region, the left wisdom tooth or the right temporomandibular joint, may be placed in the imaging region.

Preferably, the aligning unit 220 and the first and second guide units 232 and 234 are connected in a smooth curved surface along the lower jaw and the front contour, thereby minimizing the examinee's discomfort during movement.

In addition, between the first and second guide parts 232 and 234, an opening 236 formed at a height lower than that of the first and second guide parts 232 and 234 to expose a part of the lower jaw may be formed. . The opening 236 guides the examinee to the reference direction more clearly, while the photographer can more easily check whether the subject is aligned through the opening 236 .

In addition, first and second inner alignment guides 222 and 224 indicating first and second alignment positions may be provided on the support surface of the alignment unit 220 to which the first part of the object under examination is in close contact. That is, from the examinee's point of view, a first inner alignment guide 222 indicating a first alignment position for X-ray imaging of the right wisdom tooth or the right temporomandibular joint, which is a first region of interest, is provided on the left side of the support surface of the alignment unit 220, A second inner alignment guide 224 indicating a second alignment position for X-ray imaging of the left wisdom tooth or the left temporomandibular joint, which is a second region of interest, may be provided on the right side of the support surface of the alignment unit 220 .

The first and second inner alignment guides 222 and 224 may be printed on the support surface of the alignment unit 220 by laser marking or the like. Marks such as 'right', 'R', and 'Right' may be included, and marks such as 'left', 'L', and 'Left' indicating the second region of interest may be included in the second inner alignment guide 224 .

In addition, first and second outer alignment guides 233 and 235 indicating first and second alignment positions to a photographer may be provided on the first and second guide units 232 and 234, respectively. For example, the first and second outer alignment guides 233 and 235 are formed in the form of vertical embossed lines on the rear surface of the first and second guide parts 232 and 234, that is, on the surface viewed by a photographer.

Therefore, when taking an X-ray image of the right wisdom tooth or the right temporomandibular joint, which is the first area of interest of the examinee, the photographer arranges the facial center line (C) of the head to form a straight line with the first outer alignment guide 233 of the first guide part 232. The first region of interest may be disposed in the photographing region. Conversely, when taking an X-ray image of the left wisdom tooth or the left temporomandibular joint, which is the second area of interest of the examinee, the photographer arranges the facial center line (C) of the head to form a straight line with the second outer alignment guide 235 of the second guide part 234. Thus, the second region of interest can be arranged in the photographing region.

Meanwhile, it is also possible that upper ends of the first and second outer alignment guides protrude from the upper ends of the first and second guide parts 232 and 234 so as to be visible from the side of the examinee.

5 shows X-ray imaging of first and second regions of interest using the apparatus for arranging a subject according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In (a) of this drawing, in order to take an X-ray image of the first region of interest, for example, the right wisdom tooth (SR), the examinee rotates and moves the head to the first alignment position on the left at a certain angle from the front, which is the reference direction, to the facial center line ( C) shows a state in which the first guide part 232 is aligned on the extension line of the first outer alignment guide 233 . In addition, in (b) of this figure, for X-ray imaging of the second region of interest, for example, the left wisdom tooth (SR), the examinee rotates and moves the head to the second alignment position on the right side at a certain angle from the front, which is the reference direction, to the center line of the face. (C) shows a state in which the second guide part 234 is aligned on the extension line of the second outer alignment guide 235 .

In the above, an example of an apparatus for aligning a subject for X-ray imaging according to the present invention and an X-ray imaging system including the same has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the subject may be an arm, a leg, or the whole body, and accordingly, the first and second parts of the subject may also be variously changed. In addition, the specific shape of the device for arranging the object under test may be modified as much as possible, and the X-ray imaging system may also have various shapes according to purposes such as dental and medical use. As such, the technical idea of the present invention can be extended to various embodiments.

200: subject alignment device
210: base part
220: alignment unit 230: guide unit
232, 234: first and second guide units

Claims (7)

An object aligning device installed in an X-ray imaging system including a generator and a detector facing each other with an imaging area interposed therebetween to align an object under examination within the imaging area, comprising:
a base unit detachably mounted to the X-ray imaging system; and
A guide portion located on the base portion and providing first and second alignment guides;
When the subject is aligned based on the first alignment guide, the first region of interest of the subject is aligned within the imaging area, and when the subject is aligned based on the second alignment guide, the second region of interest of the subject is aligned. A region of interest is aligned within the imaging region,
The first and second alignment guides,
An apparatus for aligning a subject including at least one of first and second outer alignment guides visible to a photographer and first and second inner alignment guides visible to the subject.
delete According to claim 1,
The first and second inner alignment guides,
An object aligning device positioned on each extension line of the first and second outer alignment guides.
delete According to claim 1,
The apparatus for aligning a subject further comprises an opening showing an alignment state of the subject between the first and second alignment guides.
According to claim 1,
The subject alignment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a head including a dental arch, and the first and second regions of interest include left and right wisdom teeth or left and right temporomandibular joints located at left and right ends of the dental arch, respectively.
An X-ray imaging system including the subject alignment device according to any one of claims 1, 3, and 5 to 6,
a photographing unit which rotates the generator and the detector in opposite directions around a rotation axis between the generator and the detector; and
An X-ray imaging system including a subject placement unit having one end connected to the X-ray imaging system and the other end to which the base is detachably mounted.

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