CA1186421A - X-ray generator for performing radiographic methods consisting of a series of exposure steps - Google Patents

X-ray generator for performing radiographic methods consisting of a series of exposure steps

Info

Publication number
CA1186421A
CA1186421A CA000401973A CA401973A CA1186421A CA 1186421 A CA1186421 A CA 1186421A CA 000401973 A CA000401973 A CA 000401973A CA 401973 A CA401973 A CA 401973A CA 1186421 A CA1186421 A CA 1186421A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
memory
sections
section
exposure
sub
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA000401973A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Klaus Gutjahr
Bernd Hermeyer
Rudolf Ochmann
Peter Stege
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Koninklijke Philips NV
Original Assignee
Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken NV filed Critical Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken NV
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1186421A publication Critical patent/CA1186421A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05GX-RAY TECHNIQUE
    • H05G1/00X-ray apparatus involving X-ray tubes; Circuits therefor
    • H05G1/08Electrical details
    • H05G1/60Circuit arrangements for obtaining a series of X-ray photographs or for X-ray cinematography
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05GX-RAY TECHNIQUE
    • H05G1/00X-ray apparatus involving X-ray tubes; Circuits therefor
    • H05G1/08Electrical details
    • H05G1/26Measuring, controlling or protecting
    • H05G1/30Controlling
    • H05G1/46Combined control of different quantities, e.g. exposure time as well as voltage or current

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Radiation Diagnosis (AREA)
  • X-Ray Techniques (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT:

The invention relates to an X-ray generator, notable for angiography, which comprises a first memory which can store freely adjustable exposure data as well as the data from one of several sub-sections of a further memory in which each time a set of exposure parameters is stored. The further memory is coupled to a memory which is subdivided into several sub-sections, each of which can store several sets of exposure para-meters for each time one radiographic method.

Description

PHD 81-049 l 30-03-19~2 "X-ray generator for performing radiographic methods consisting of a series of exposure steps"

The invention relates to an X-ray generator for performing radiographic methods consist.ing of a series of up to n exposure steps with each tirre different sets of exposure parameters, comprising a first memory which is ccnstructed as a processor memory which is coupled to adjusting members for the adjustment of the exposure para-meters, a second, non-volatile memory which comprises a plurality (m) of sections, each of which is devided into n sub-sections for each time one set of exposure parameters, ~m .input device which is coupled to both memories and via which the exposure parameters can be freely adjusted and presettable sections of the second memory can be addressed, and also comprising a control device which can be influenced via the input device and which controls the transfer of data between the meTnories .
An X-ray generator of this kind is known inprinciple from 15 D~OS 23 18 367. The radiographic methods which can be performed thereby are irnportant notably for angiogra.phic examinations during which a patient on an intermi-ttently displaceable table is moved through the beam path in steps of presettable length. During each of these steps, the absorption conditions may change, so that in known apparatus of this kind the tube voltage is to be ch~lged. General.ly, however, a change of the tube voltage alone is not sufficient to obtain optimum exposure results, so that further exposure parameters must be changed, notably the mAs product.
It is an object of the presen-t invention to construct an X-ray generator of the kind set forth so that for each of the n steps of a radiographic method an arbitary set of exposure parameters which includes at least the adjustment of the tube voltage and the m~s p.roduct, can be a.djusted on the generator, that it is possible to change each set of exposure parameters individually, and that the sets of exposure parametsrs ~hich are stored in different sections of the second memory for difeerent radiographic methods can be addressed for a radiographic rethod by actuation of the input device.

PHD 81-049 2 30-03-19~2 This object is achieved in accordance with the inven-tion in that there is provided a third m~mory which is subdivided into n sub,sections each of which store a set of exposure parameters for one step and one of which can each time be addressed by actuation of the input device, the control device being constructed so -that the content of the sub-section addressed thereby, in dependence on:the step sequence, can be transferred to the first rnerrory whose content can be transferred to the addressed sub-section of the third memory when the exposure parameters arechanged, it being possible to trans-fer the content of the third memory, viathe input device, to a sectionof the second rnemory by the addressing of this section by way of a first com~land, and to overwrite the content of the third memory by the content of the section of the second rr~r.ory by way of a second command.
lS The exposure parameters can be freely adjusted and assigned to a sub-section of the third memory by corresponding actuation of the input device, that is to say separately for each sub-section of the third mernory or each of the n steps of the radiograph-c me-thod, by actuating the input device so that the relevant sub-section of the third memory is addressed. After the addressing, tnese sets of exposure parameters can be transferred to -the first memory ayain in which they determine the exposure parameters for an exposure and can be changed by the free adjustlrent of deviating exposure parameters.
The sets of exposure parameters stored inthe third memory can be transferred, ia the input device, to a section of the second merr.ory by the addressing of this section and subse~uently they can be transferred, when a radiographic method is performed, first to the third memory and there from set-wise to -the first memory.
The input device may in principle comprise a comrr,on input keyboard for all three memories in knc~n manner. The opera-tion is substantially simplified, however, when in accordance with the invention the input device consists of an input key~oard for the free input of exposure parameters, a first key arrangernent comprisin n keys, eachofwhich can address one of -the sub-sections of the third ~

merrory, and a second key arrangement which comprises a nurr~er of keys which corresponds to the number of sections (m) of the second m~nory and each of which can address one of the sections of the second merr.ory. An own input merr~er is thus associated with each PHD 81~049 3 30-03-1382 memory. Via thé input keyboard which is cons-tructed, for example, as a decimal keyboard, exposure parameters can ~e preset and trans-ferred to the first merr.ory, i.e. they are freely adjustable. Via one of the n keys of the first key arrangement, each time one of the sub-sections of the third mem.ory is addressed, whilst the addressingof one of the sections provided in the seconclmemory for each time one radiographic method is performed by means of one of the m keys of the secon~ key arrangeir.ent.
In order to ensure that in one case the content of the third memory is transferred to one of the sections of the second n~mory and that in the other casethecontent of a section OL the second memory is transferred to the third memory, two different commands are necessary in order to inform the control device in which direction the sets of exposure parameters have to be transferred.
lS To this end, the input device in a preferred en~odiment con~rises at least one further key which can be actuated in order to transfer the content of the third memory, when a key of the second key arrange-ment is actuated, to the section of the second mem.ory thus addressed.
Thus, a section which is addressed by the actuation of a key of the second key arrangement can take over the content of the third memory only when the :Eurther key is actuated, any exposure parameter sets previously stored in this section then being lost.
The invention will be described in detail hereinafter wit~ reference to the drawing. mereino Figure 1 diagrcl~matically shows an X-ray ap~aratus comprising a yenerator in accordance wi-th the i.nven-tion, Figure 2 shows a block diagram of an X-ray generator in acco.rdance with the invention, and Figure 3 shows an em~odinent of the first and the second key arrangement.
An X-ray tube 17 irradiates a patient arranged on the top 16 of a patient table 15. The table top 16 is displaceable in steps in the direction of the arrow. The displacement of the table top is determined by means of a position detector 19 in order to be 35 applied to ~le control unit 60 (Figure 2) in the generator 20 via the connection 22. The X-ray shadow image formed is recorded by a film changer 18 which releases the radiation oE the tube 17, via the connection 23, in synchronism with its fi~n standstill periods Pl~ 81-049 4 30-03-1982 in the generator 20. The generator 20 which powers the X~ray tube 17 can be operated as desired by the operator by means of the control fields 27, 28 (Figure 23 on a control desk 21.
The first coI1trol field 27 oE the control desk 21 s comprises an input member 270, for example, in the form of a decimal keyboard, indicators 271 for the relevant exposure parameters (for the sake of clarity, the drawing shows only the two indicators for kV and m~s) and (thickness) correction keys 272 for the correction of predetermined exposure parameters. This control field serves for the customary free adjustment, indication and correction of exposure parcameters, the input data be.ing transferred, via a data an~l control line (bus) 26, to a random access memory 25 which serves as a processor memo~y and which is coupled, via a further bus 26', to the section 24 of the X~ray generator which comprises the di.agrammatically lS shown contîol and adjusting mer~ers. In addition to the locations required for the storage of the ex~osure parameters, the processor memory also comprises storage locations for data required for the control and monitoring of the X-ray generator. The processor rr.emory will be referred to hereinafter as the first memory.
There is also provided a second, non-volatile memory wh.ich is subdivided into a number of sections 30, 40, 50 which corresponds to the nurrber of different radiographic metho-ls (three different radiographic methods are assu~.ed :Eor the present emkodiment).
Each of -these sections is subdivided into a numker (four in-th.e 25 present emkxx~.i.ment) of sub~sections 31, 32, 33 and 34 which corresponds to the number n of steps of a radiographic method (for the present embodiment, for the sake of clarity only two are shown, kV and m~s, but in principle further parameters,for examplel the exposure time, the focus and the magnitude of the correction for thick and thin patients may be indivi~ually stored in each sub section), each s~b, section containing a corrplete set of exposure data and possibly corrections.
Final]y there is provided a third merrory 10 which is preferably also non-volatile and which comprises a number of sub-35 sections 11, 12, 13 and14 which corresponds to the n~nber of steps (in this case four) of the radiographic method, said sub sections serving for the storage of each time one set of exposure parameters.
The transfer of data bet~een the various merr.ories 25, 30 ... 50, 10 ~ t~
P~ 81.04g 5 30-03-1982 is controlled by a control device 60. The control device is preferably formed by a microprocessor comprising a read-only merrory and input/
output ports. The data are transferred via a data bus system 68 in accordance with each time one of several programs which are stored in the read-only rr~nKry and which are acldressed by control signals applied -to theinput ports. For this purpose there is provided a first key arrangement which comprises a numker of keys 1, 2, 3t 4 which corresponds to the numker of sub-sections for steps of the radio-graphic method (in this case four), and also a second key arrangernent which comprises a numker of keys 5, 6, 7 which corresponds to the num~er of sections of the second merrory (in this case three).
Both key arrangements are accomn~odated in a second control field 28 on the control desk 21 (Figure 1).
The first key arrangement, comprising thekeys 1, 2, 3 cmd 4, is connected to the control device 60 via the connection 61 and a diagrammatically shown "switch" 70. ~len one of the keys of the first key arrangemerlt is actuated, for example, the key 1, the control device receives the information "key 1" and in a reaction thereto the control device 60 transfers the content of the sub-section 11 of the third merrory 10 to the processor rr~nory 25. A sirnilar operation takes place when the other keys 2, 3 and 4 of the first key arrangerrent are actuated, ke it that the content of the sub-sections 12, 13 adn 14, respectively, is then transEerred to the first rr~nory 25. Thus, a key 1 ... 4 is assigned to each suk-section 11 ... 14 as denoted by broken lines. Because the exposure pararr,eters for one step of a radiographic rne-thod are stored in each of -the sub-sections, the associated key is preferably provided with a symkol characterizing this step, for example, as shown in Figure 3.
The generator displays the content of its rî~n~ry 25 on the indicators 271 of the firs_ control field 27 and adjusts its control and adjusting rrer~ers 24 in accordance with the relevant data. Whenthe input rner~er 270 on the first control field 27 is actuated after actuation of one of the keys 1, " 3 or 4! a corres-ponding rncdification of the content of the mer~lory 25 is preformed via the bus syst~n 26 and, under the control of -the control device 60, a transfer takes place to the sub-section 11l 12, 13 or 14 of the third rn~nory 10 which is associat~d with the actuated key 1, 2, 3 or 4, respectively. Using the free adjustrrent facility of the generator, "

the sub-sections of the memory 10 which correspond to the discrete step positions of the apparatus can thus be freely programmed and r~dified as desired.
The keys 5, 6, 7 of the second key ~rrangemeilt in the second colntrol field 12 are coupled to the control device 60 via the connection 65. When one of the keys 5 ... 7 is actuated, the memory section 30 ... 50 associated therewith via the program of the control device 60 is addressed.
This association is again indicated by a broken line 10 between the sections 30, 40, 50 of the second me~ory and the keys 5, 6, 7 of the second key arrangement. Because the exposure parameters for the totality of steps of a given radiographic method are stored in each of these sections, the keys 5, 6, 7 are preferably n-~trked in accordance with these radiographic methods, for example, "Femoralis", "Aortography", etc. as appears from Figure 3.
When one of the keys 5, 6, 7 is actuated, the content of the associated section 30, 40 or 50 is transferred to the third memory10.wherefrom it is step-wise transferred in the described manner to the first merr.ory 25 in which i-t can be modified, if necessary.
Conversely, the content of the third memory 10 can also ~e transferred tc one of the memory sections 30 ... 50 of the second memory when the sets of exposure parameters stored therein have been found to be correct for a given examination method. In that case first the commartd key 71 which is ccupled to the control device 60 via a line 72 m~tst be actuated, and subsequently that one of the keys 5, 6, 7 of the second key arrangement which is associated with the rremory section 30, 40 or 50 whereto the content of the n~rory 10 is to be transferred.
The commEtnd key 71 is preferably covered, so tha-t erasure of the content of one of the sections 30 ... 50 of t.he second memory by the content of the third memory by accidental actuation of the ccmmand key 71 is substantially precluded.
A radiographic method is performed as follows:
After the customary preparation signal, the position detector 19 (Figure 1) supplies, via the connection 22, the signal "automatic transport" 69 which switches over the inputs of the control unit 60 from the keys 1 to 4 to the signal 61' from the position detector, sc that thereafter the control device 60 can no longer be controlled via the keys 1 ... 4. The control input of the control device 60 which P~ 81-049 7 30-03-1982 corresponds to the relevant position of the table t.op 16 or the rele-vant step is then activated, with the result that the sub-section 11 ... 14 of the memory 10 associ.ated. with this step position is addressed, so that its content is used for the adjustment and display of the associated data. _ the connection 23, the control system of the film changer 18 supplies the e~posure start signals to the generator 20 in known manner in synchronism with the film stcmdstill periods. When a step movement has been adjusted, the control signals on the connection 22 are varied during its execution and a cor~esponding transfer Qf new data takes place from one of the sub-sections of the third menory 10 to the first memory 25 and therefrom to the operating section 27 (display) and the control and adjustment section 24 (adjustment) of the generator.
Even though it is generally advantageous to use a volatile me~ory for the processor memory 25 already fr~m a cost point of view, it is in principle possible to combine all three memories and to use a larger nEmory or only a section therefrom, each of the three "memories" then being assigned a given nun~er of menlory locations.
It is again imFortant that via the input device each time the 20 memory locations (30, 40 or 50) can be addressed in which the sets of exFosure parameters for a complete radiographic method are stored, that furthermore via the input device the memory lQcations (11 ... 14) can be addressed in which each time a set of exposure parameters for one step of a radiographic method is stored, and that the content of the latter memory loca-tions can be transferred to a memory section which is coupled to the dispL~y men~ers and the adjusting I~mbers of the generator, wh:ilst on the o-ther hand se-ts of exFosure parameters obtained by free adjustment can be transferred to -this addressed memory section.

Claims (5)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PRO-PERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An X-ray generator for performing radiographic methods consisting of a series of up to n exposure steps with each time different sets of exposure parameters, com-prising a first memory which is constructed as a processor memory which is coupled to adjusting members for the adjustment of the exposure parameters, a second, non-volatile memory which comprises a plurality (m) of sections, each of which is divided into n sub-sections for each time one set of exposure parameters, an input device which is coupled to both memories and via which the exposure para-meters can be freely adjusted and presentable sections of the second memory can be addressed, and also comprising a control device which can be influenced via the input device and which controls the transfer of data between the memories, characterized in that there is provided a third memory which is subdivided into n sub-sections which store each time a set of exposure parameters for one step and one of which can each time be addressed by the actuation of the input device, the control device being constructed so that the content of the subsection addressed thereby, in dependence on the step sequence can be transferred to the first memory whose content can be transferred to the addressed sub-section of the third memory when the exposure parameters are changed, it being possible to transfer the content of the third memory, via the input device, to a section of the second memory by the addressing of this section by way of a first command, and to overwrite the content of the third memory by the content of the section of the second memory by way of a second command.
2. An X-ray generator as claimed in Claim 1, charac-terized in that the input device consists of an input keyboard for the free input of exposure parameters, a first key arrangement comprising n keys, each of which can address one of the sub-sections of the third memory, and a second key arrangement which comprises a number of keys which cor-responds to the number of sections (m) of the second memory and each of which can address one of the sections of the second memory.
3. An X-ray generator as claimed in Claim 2, charac-terized in that the input device comprises at least one further key which can be actuated in order to transfer the content of the third memory, when a key of the second key arrangement is actuated, to the section of the second memory thus addressed.
4. An X-ray generator as claimed in Claim 1, charac-terized in that the control device comprises a micro-processor which controls the transfer of data between the memories in accordance with a program stored in a read-only memory, and under the control of the input device.
5. An X-ray generator as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 which cooperates with a patient table with a table top which is displaceable in steps, characterized in that the patient table comprises a position. detector which is coupled to the control device and which ensures the trans-fer of the sets of exposure data from each time one sub-section of the third memory to the first memory.
CA000401973A 1981-04-30 1982-04-29 X-ray generator for performing radiographic methods consisting of a series of exposure steps Expired CA1186421A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DEP3117153.2 1981-04-30
DE19813117153 DE3117153A1 (en) 1981-04-30 1981-04-30 X-RAY GENERATOR FOR CARRYING OUT RECORDING METHODS CONTAINING A SEQUENCE OF RECORDING STEPS

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1186421A true CA1186421A (en) 1985-04-30

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CA000401973A Expired CA1186421A (en) 1981-04-30 1982-04-29 X-ray generator for performing radiographic methods consisting of a series of exposure steps

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0064312B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS57206000A (en)
CA (1) CA1186421A (en)
DE (2) DE3117153A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1496726A1 (en) * 2002-04-05 2005-01-12 Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. X-ray tube control apparatus and x-ray tube control method

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6076904U (en) * 1983-10-31 1985-05-29 株式会社島津製作所 Continuous lower limb blood vessel X-ray imaging device
JPS60129034A (en) * 1983-12-16 1985-07-10 横河メディカルシステム株式会社 Operation table of x-ray tomographic apparatus
NL8304397A (en) * 1983-12-22 1985-07-16 Philips Nv ROENTGEN RESEARCH DEVICE WITH IMAGE SUBSTRACTION.
JPH045143Y2 (en) * 1985-06-30 1992-02-14
JPS62112563A (en) * 1985-11-12 1987-05-23 日機装株式会社 Pump for injecting minute amount of insulin
DE10161708A1 (en) * 2001-12-15 2003-06-18 Philips Intellectual Property Medical X-ray imaging device, especially for use with anatomically programmed radiography (APR) technology, has a storage arrangement that allows automatic updating of operating parameters

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2220444B2 (en) * 1972-04-26 1976-04-15 Koch & Sterzel Kg, 4300 Essen Selection of X-ray equipment settings for specific examination - involves keyboard facility permitting ready setting of location, and data can be stored on punched card
DE2318367A1 (en) * 1973-04-12 1974-10-31 Philips Patentverwaltung ROENTGEN DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM
DE2647928A1 (en) * 1976-10-22 1978-04-27 Siemens Ag ROENTGEN DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE FOR ROENTGENOLOGICAL IMAGES
US4160906A (en) * 1977-06-23 1979-07-10 General Electric Company Anatomically coordinated user dominated programmer for diagnostic x-ray apparatus
DE2747659A1 (en) * 1977-10-24 1979-04-26 Siemens Ag ROENTGEN DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE FOR ROENTGENOLOGICAL IMAGES
DE2808288A1 (en) * 1978-02-27 1979-08-30 Siemens Ag ROENTGEN DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE FOR ROENTGENOLOGICAL IMAGES

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1496726A1 (en) * 2002-04-05 2005-01-12 Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. X-ray tube control apparatus and x-ray tube control method
EP1496726A4 (en) * 2002-04-05 2009-09-02 Hamamatsu Photonics Kk X-ray tube control apparatus and x-ray tube control method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0064312A1 (en) 1982-11-10
DE3117153A1 (en) 1982-11-18
JPH028440B2 (en) 1990-02-23
EP0064312B1 (en) 1986-09-17
DE3273285D1 (en) 1986-10-23
JPS57206000A (en) 1982-12-17

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