CN209932793U

CN209932793U - Oral CT

Info

Publication number: CN209932793U
Application number: CN201920071668.3U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王飞; 郭晓军; 徐燃
Original assignee: You Fang (hefei) Medical Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: You Fang (hefei) Medical Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-01-16
Filing date: 2019-01-16
Publication date: 2020-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 2029-01-16

Abstract

The application discloses oral cavity CT includes: an X-ray source configured to emit X-rays to irradiate a projection body; a detector configured to detect X-rays passing through the object to generate data of the X-rays; and a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the X-ray source and the detector about an axis of rotation about the projection, wherein the X-ray source includes a plurality of X-ray sources, and the plurality of X-ray sources are rotatable about an axis of rotation perpendicular to a surface of the detector. Through the oral cavity CT of the application, multi-mode integration can be realized, and the service performance of the oral cavity CT is expanded.

Description

Oral CT

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of oral CT.

Background

Imaging techniques, including for example X-ray imaging, CT (Computed Tomography), etc., have since been widely used in many fields, especially in the field of medical examinations. The oral cavity CT can reflect the tissue condition from a three-dimensional angle, and can find lesions which cannot be found from the projection angle of the oral cavity X-ray film or are finer. Generally, oral CT is provided with an X-ray source and a detector that can emit a cone beam, and because the detector size is limited (larger size detectors are very expensive), the reach of the light that can be received by the detector is limited. Thus, when the projection volume is large, the light receivable by the detector does not completely cover the portion of the projection volume that is to be scanned (hereinafter referred to as the region of interest), and thus a full scan image of the region of interest is not obtained.

It is well known that larger sized detectors are more expensive and there is a need in the art to obtain larger projection images using smaller detectors.

Furthermore, the oral CT machines currently on the market have their radiation sources essentially fixed, so that the function of the machine is limited by the fixed radiation sources. Such CT machines can only be used in a single imaging mode, and cannot realize a multi-functional complex imaging mode.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of at least one of the above technical problems, in a first aspect, the present application provides an oral CT comprising:

an X-ray source configured to emit X-rays to irradiate a projection body;

a detector configured to detect X-rays passing through the object to generate data of the X-rays; and

a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the X-ray source and the detector about a rotation axis about a projection volume,

wherein the X-ray source comprises a plurality of X-ray sources and the plurality of X-ray sources are rotatable about an axis of rotation perpendicular to a surface of the detector.

In some embodiments, the X-ray source comprises a first X-ray source and a second X-ray source, and the first X-ray source and the second X-ray source are disposed spaced apart from each other in a direction of a rotational axis of the rotational mechanism or in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis and parallel to a surface of the detector.

In some embodiments, the X-ray source comprises a first X-ray source, a second X-ray source, and a third X-ray source, and the first X-ray source, the second X-ray source, and the third X-ray source are disposed spaced apart from each other in a direction of a rotational axis of the rotational mechanism, or in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis and parallel to a surface of the detector.

In some embodiments, the rotation mechanism is a down-hung rotation mechanism and includes a first lower cantilever connected to the X-ray source and a second lower cantilever connected to the detector.

In some embodiments, the rotation mechanism is a floor-standing rotation mechanism and includes:

a landing base;

the radiation source upright post is arranged on the floor base and can rotate on the floor base, and the radiation source upright post is used for installing the X-ray source; and

the detector stand column is installed on the floor base and can rotate on the floor base, and the detector stand column is used for installing the detector.

In some embodiments, the oral CT further comprises a source rotation mechanism comprising:

a source mount configured to mount the plurality of X-ray sources; and

a rotating shaft fixedly connected with the radioactive source mounting seat for rotating the radioactive source mounting seat around the rotating shaft,

wherein the rotating shaft is mounted on the first lower cantilever or the source upright through a bracket, and the rotation of the source mount drives the plurality of X-ray sources to rotate together.

In some embodiments, the rotating shaft is mounted to the bracket by a bearing.

In some embodiments, the source rotation mechanism further comprises a motor that drives the source mount to rotate about an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the surface of the detector.

In some embodiments, the source rotation mechanism further comprises:

a motor synchronous pulley connected with the motor so as to be driven by the motor to rotate;

a synchronous belt;

a radioactive source mounting seat synchronous belt wheel which is connected with the motor synchronous belt wheel through a synchronous belt and is driven by the motor synchronous belt wheel to rotate,

wherein the radiation source mounting seat is fixedly connected to the radiation source mounting seat synchronous pulley through one end of the rotating shaft, so that the radiation source mounting seat is driven by the motor to rotate around a rotating shaft vertical to the surface of the detector.

In some embodiments, the motor is mounted on the bracket; the motor synchronous belt wheel is arranged on an output shaft of the motor.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a method of imaging by oral CT according to the first aspect, comprising:

rotating the source mount to a vertical or horizontal orientation about an axis of rotation perpendicular to a surface of the detector;

alternately irradiating X-rays emitted by the plurality of X-ray sources, respectively, to a projection subject;

detecting, by the detector, the X-rays respectively emitted by the plurality of X-ray sources that pass through the projection volume;

rotating the source mount 90 degrees about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the surface of the detector;

alternately irradiating X-rays emitted by the plurality of X-ray sources, respectively, to a projection subject; and

detecting, by the detector, the X-rays respectively emitted by the plurality of X-ray sources passing through the projection body.

According to the oral cavity CT as described above, the rotation of the radiation source can not only enlarge the imaging range of the oral cavity CT in each direction, but also realize the X-ray energy spectrum imaging, and therefore, the oral cavity CT of the present application can realize a multifunctional complex imaging mode, and the usability can be expanded.

Drawings

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present application will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

fig. 1A shows a schematic perspective view of an X-ray source and detector arrangement and optical paths between the X-ray source and detector in an oral CT of an exemplary embodiment of the present application. Fig. 1B is a schematic plan view of the optical path shown in fig. 1A.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the arrangement of the source and detector and the optical path between the source and detector in the horizontal orientation after rotation of the two X-ray sources of the oral CT of fig. 1A by 90 degrees.

Fig. 3A shows a schematic perspective view of an X-ray source and detector arrangement and optical paths between the X-ray source and detector in an oral CT of an exemplary embodiment of the present application. Fig. 3B is a schematic plan view of the optical path shown in fig. 3A.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the arrangement of the source and detector and the optical paths between the source and detector in the horizontal orientation after the three X-ray sources of the oral CT of fig. 3A have been rotated 90 degrees.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of an oral cavity CT including an underslung swivel mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of an oral cavity CT comprising a floor standing swivel mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

Figure 7 shows a schematic front view of an exemplary source rotation mechanism according to the present application.

Figure 8 shows a schematic left side view of an exemplary source rotation mechanism according to the present application.

Figure 9 shows a schematic left perspective view of an exemplary source rotation mechanism according to the present application.

Figure 10 shows a schematic right perspective view of an exemplary source rotation mechanism according to the present application.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic elevation view of the locking assembly with the plurality of X-ray sources in an upright position.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic front view of the locking assembly with the plurality of X-ray sources in a horizontal position.

Fig. 13 shows a schematic flow diagram of an imaging method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The present application will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments are shown. This application may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the application to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification and throughout the drawings.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly on another element, there are no intervening elements present.

It will be understood that, although the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, including "at least one", unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Further, spatially relative terms such as "below … …" or "above … …" and "above … …" may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" other elements would then be oriented "above" the other elements. The exemplary terms "below" or "beneath" can therefore encompass both an orientation of above and below.

As used herein, "about" or "approximately" includes the stated value as well as the average value over an acceptable range of deviation for the specified value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art taking into account the ongoing measurement and the error associated with the measurement of the specified quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system).

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In a first aspect, the present application provides an oral CT comprising an X-ray source configured to emit X-rays for irradiation to a projection volume; a detector configured to detect X-rays passing through the object to generate data of the X-rays; and a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the X-ray source and the detector about an axis of rotation about the projection, wherein the X-ray source includes a plurality of X-ray sources, and the plurality of X-ray sources are rotatable about an axis of rotation perpendicular to a surface of the detector.

Fig. 1A is a schematic perspective view of an X-ray source and detector arrangement and optical paths between the X-ray source and detector in an oral CT according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. Fig. 1B is a schematic plan view of the optical path shown in fig. 1A. In fig. 1A and 1B, an oral CT including two X-ray sources is schematically shown, with the two X-ray sources in a vertical orientation.

Referring to fig. 1A and 1B, an X-ray source 100 may include a first X-ray source 110 and a second X-ray source 120. It should be noted that, as mentioned above, although fig. 1A shows that the X-ray source 100 includes two X-ray sources, the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and in some embodiments, the X-ray source 100 may include more X-ray sources, and the following description is made only by taking two X-ray sources as an example, and those skilled in the art can understand that the illustrated concept can be generalized to more X-ray sources. The first and

second X-ray sources

110 and 120 respectively emit first and second X-rays S1 and S2, the first and second X-rays S1 and S2 are alternately irradiated to the object a, and the detector 200 may be configured to be capable of receiving the first and second X-rays S1 and S2 passing through the object a. In an embodiment of the present application, the first X-ray source 110 and the second X-ray source 120 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a direction of a rotational axis of the rotational mechanism 300 or in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis and parallel to a surface of the detector 200. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the rotational axis of the rotational mechanism 300 is in a vertical direction (i.e., Z-axis direction, perpendicular to the plane B defined by the X-axis and the Y-axis), while the first X-ray source 110 and the second X-ray source 120 are disposed in a vertical direction and spaced apart from each other. It should be noted that, although fig. 1A shows the first X-ray source 110 and the second X-ray source 120 disposed in the vertical direction, this is for illustrative purposes only, and the scope of the present application is not limited thereto. For example, the first X-ray source 110 and the second X-ray source 120 may not be disposed in a vertical direction (e.g., different coordinates of the X-axis and the Y-axis), or for example, the first X-ray source 110 and the second X-ray source 120 may be disposed in different vertical planes, as long as the first X-ray source 110 and the second X-ray source 120 are vertically spaced apart (different coordinates of the Z-axis).

The first X-ray source 110 and the second X-ray source 120 may be X-ray generators. In some embodiments, the first and second X-rays S1 and S2 may be cone beam X-rays, fan beam X-rays, or the like, but the present application is not limited thereto.

By providing two X-ray sources (i.e., the first X-ray source 110 and the second X-ray source 120) in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotational mechanism 300, the scanning range of the oral CT can be expanded in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotational mechanism 300. As shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the rotation axis of the rotation mechanism 300 is located in the vertical direction, and when the first X-ray source 110 and the second X-ray source 120 are disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, the scanning range of the first X-ray S1 and the second X-ray S2 on the projection subject a can be expanded in the vertical direction.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 1A and 1B, when the first X-ray source 110 and the second X-ray source 120 are disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the rotational axis C (i.e., a vertical direction), the first X-ray S1 may be irradiated substantially to an upper portion of the projection a, and the second X-ray S2 may be irradiated substantially to a lower portion of the projection a. Thus, the first X-ray S1 and the second X-ray S2 can scan the entire subject in one scan, so that the oral CT can expand the scanning range in the direction of the rotational axis C (i.e., the vertical direction). One scan may refer to the act of oral CT according to the present application completing the scan of the area to be imaged on the object a. The action may be set as needed, for example, the scanning time and the number of times of scanning of the first X-ray S1 and the second X-ray S2, the time interval of scanning using the first X-ray S1 and the second X-ray S2, and the scanning direction and the scanning speed (for example, set by setting the rotation direction and the rotation speed of the rotation mechanism 300) when scanning is performed by the first X-ray S1 and the second X-ray S2 may be set as needed. The action may be, for example, to scan the region to be imaged for a certain time, such as 45 seconds, using the first and second X-rays S1 and S2, respectively, and the first and second X-rays S1 and S2 may be scanned at an interval of a certain time, such as 5 seconds, but this is merely an example, and the present application is not limited thereto.

It should be noted that the arrangement of the X-ray source 100 shown in fig. 1A and 1B is merely exemplary, and the present application is not limited thereto. By different arrangements of the first X-ray source 110 and the second X-ray source 120 in the X-ray source 100 (i.e. by different positional relationships of the first X-ray source 110 and the second X-ray source 120 with respect to the object a), an extension of the scanning range in different directions can be achieved, i.e. the extension of the scanning range is not limited to an extension in a vertical direction.

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the arrangement of the source and detector in the horizontal orientation after the two X-ray sources of the oral CT of figure 1A have been rotated 90 degrees.

The two X-ray sources of the oral CT shown in fig. 1A are in a vertical orientation and when the two X-ray sources of the oral CT shown in fig. 1A are rotated 90 degrees, the two X-ray sources are in a horizontal orientation as shown in fig. 2. In fig. 2, the rotational axis of the rotational mechanism 300 is also in the vertical direction, but the first X-ray source 110 and the second X-ray source 120 are rotated to the horizontal direction and in the direction parallel to the surface of the detector 200 (i.e., the X-axis).

Similar to the oral CT of fig. 1A and 1B with the scanning range expanded in the vertical direction, the first X-ray source 110 and the second X-ray source 120 can increase the scanning range in the horizontal direction, such as the X-axis direction, by rotating the two X-ray sources of the oral CT of fig. 1A by 90 degrees, i.e., the positions shown in fig. 2.

In addition, upon rotating the two X-ray sources of the oral CT in fig. 1A to the horizontal position shown in fig. 2, the first X-ray source 110 and the second X-ray source 120 may be arranged such that the first X-ray S1 and the second X-ray S2 scan the same portion on the object a in one scan, wherein one scan may refer to an action of completing scanning of the region to be imaged on the object a according to the oral CT of the present application, as described above. The same portion may be an image acquisition region of the oral CT for the projection a. In the horizontal position shown in fig. 2, the first X-ray source 110 and the second X-ray source 120 are spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the plane B. In this case, the first X-ray S1 and the second X-ray S2 may be irradiated on the same height of the object a with respect to the plane B. Thus, in one scan in which the first and

second X-ray sources

110 and 120 rotate together with the rotating mechanism 300, the first and second X-rays S1 and S2 may scan the same portion on the object a. The same portion of the first and second X-rays S1 and S2 scanned onto the projection a may indicate that the first and second X-rays S1 and S2 completely coincide or partially coincide with respect to the portion of the projection a scanned in one scan (i.e., the portion where the volume scan is implemented).

Also, first X-ray source 110 and second X-ray source 120 may be loaded with different tube voltages. For example, first X-ray source 110 may be loaded with a higher tube voltage and second X-ray source 120 may be loaded with a lower tube voltage. Then the data detected by the detector 200 corresponding to the first X-ray source 110 may be a high-energy signal, the data detected by the detector 200 corresponding to the second X-ray source 120 may be a low-energy signal, and an energy spectrum CT image of the irradiated portion of the projection a may be obtained through an image reconstruction algorithm based on the obtained high-energy signal and low-energy signal. Thus, spectral X-ray imaging may be achieved by oral CT according to exemplary embodiments of the present application. It is described herein that spectral X-ray imaging is only possible with the X-ray source in a horizontal position, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that the oral CT of the present application can achieve spectral X-ray imaging in different directions (e.g., vertical positions as shown in fig. 1A and 1B) by rotation of the X-ray source.

Since, in the spectral CT having a single X-ray source, the single X-ray source applied with different tube voltages needs to scan the image acquisition regions respectively, the temporal resolution of such spectral CT is low, so that the use of the spectral CT is limited. The oral CT according to the present application uses at least two X-ray sources, so that scanning of the same portion (image acquisition area) of the object a can be achieved by a single scan, thereby achieving image acquisition in a shorter time.

Referring to fig. 1A, 1B and 2, it can be seen that by the rotation of the X-ray source in the oral CT, not only the scanning range in different directions can be increased, but also the energy spectrum X-ray imaging can be realized.

Fig. 3A is a schematic perspective view of an X-ray source and detector arrangement and optical paths between the X-ray source and detector in an oral CT according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. Fig. 3B is a schematic plan view of the optical path shown in fig. 3A. In fig. 3A and 3B, an oral CT including three X-ray sources is schematically shown, with the three X-ray sources in a vertical orientation.

Referring to fig. 3A and 3B, the X-ray source 100 may include a first X-ray source 110, a second X-ray source 120, and a third X-ray source 130. It should be noted that, as mentioned above, although fig. 3A shows that the X-ray source 100 includes three X-ray sources, the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and in some embodiments, the X-ray source 100 may include more X-ray sources, and the following description is made only by taking three X-ray sources as an example, and those skilled in the art can understand that the illustrated concept can be generalized to more X-ray sources. The first X-ray source 110, the second X-ray source 120, and the third X-ray source 130 respectively emit first X-rays S1, second X-rays S2, and third X-rays S3, the first X-rays S1, the second X-rays S2, and the third X-rays S3 are alternately irradiated to the projection a, and the detector 200 may be configured to be capable of receiving the first X-rays S1, the second X-rays S2, and the third X-rays S3 passing through the projection a. In an embodiment of the present application, the first X-ray source 110, the second X-ray source 120, and the third X-ray source 130 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a direction of a rotational axis of the rotational mechanism 300 or in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis and parallel to a surface of the detector 200. In the embodiment shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the rotational axis of the rotational mechanism 300 is in a vertical direction (i.e., the Z-axis direction, perpendicular to the plane B defined by the X-axis and the Y-axis), while the first X-ray source 110, the second X-ray source 120, and the third X-ray source 130 are linearly disposed in the vertical direction and spaced apart from each other. It should be noted that, although fig. 3A illustrates the first X-ray source 110, the second X-ray source 120, and the third X-ray source 130 being linearly arranged in a vertical direction, this is for illustrative purposes only, and the scope of the present application is not limited thereto. For example, the first X-ray source 110, the second X-ray source 120, and the third X-ray source 130 may not all be disposed on a straight line in a vertical direction (e.g., the coordinates of the X-axis and the Y-axis are all different), or for example, the first X-ray source 110, the second X-ray source 120, and the third X-ray source 130 may also be disposed in different vertical planes, as long as the first X-ray source 110, the second X-ray source 120, and the third X-ray source 130 are spaced apart in the vertical direction (the coordinates of the Z-axis are different).

The first X-ray source 110, the second X-ray source 120, and the third X-ray source 130 can be X-ray generators. In some embodiments, the first X-ray S1, the second X-ray S2, and the third X-ray S3 may be cone beam X-rays, fan beam X-rays, or the like, but the present application is not limited thereto.

By providing three X-ray sources (i.e., the first X-ray source 110, the second X-ray source 120, and the third X-ray source 130) in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotational mechanism 300, the scanning range of the oral CT can be expanded in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotational mechanism 300. As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the rotation axis of the rotation mechanism 300 is located in the vertical direction, and when the first X-ray source 110, the second X-ray source 120, and the third X-ray source 130 are disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, the scanning range of the first X-ray S1, the second X-ray S2, and the third X-ray S3 on the projection subject a may be expanded in the vertical direction.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 3A and 3B, when the first X-ray source 110, the second X-ray source 120, and the third X-ray source 130 are disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a direction (i.e., a vertical direction) parallel to the rotational axis C, the first X-ray S1 may be irradiated substantially to an upper middle portion of the projection a, the second X-ray S2 may be irradiated substantially to a middle portion of the projection a, and the third X-ray S3 may be irradiated substantially to a lower middle portion of the projection a. Thus, the first X-ray S1, the second X-ray S2, and the third X-ray S3 can scan the entire subject in one scan, so that the oral CT can expand the scanning range in the direction of the rotational axis C (i.e., the vertical direction). One scan may refer to the act of oral CT according to the present application completing the scan of the area to be imaged on the object a. The action may be set as needed, for example, the scanning time and the number of times of scanning by the first X-ray S1, the second X-ray S2, and the third X-ray S3, the time interval of scanning by the first X-ray S1, the second X-ray S2, and the third X-ray S3, the scanning direction and the scanning speed when scanning by the first X-ray S1, the second X-ray S2, and the third X-ray S3 (for example, set by setting the rotational direction and the rotational speed of the rotating mechanism 300), and the like may be set as needed. The action may be, for example, to scan the region to be imaged for a certain time, such as 45 seconds, using the first, second, and third X-rays S1, S2, and S3, respectively, and the first, second, and third X-rays S1, S2, and S3 may be scanned at intervals of a certain time, such as 5 seconds, but this is merely an example, and the present application is not limited thereto.

It should be noted that the arrangement of the X-ray source 100 shown in fig. 3A and 3B is merely exemplary, and the present application is not limited thereto. By different arrangements of the first, second and

third X-ray sources

110, 120, 130 in the X-ray source 100 (i.e. by different positional relationships of the first, second and

third X-ray sources

110, 120, 130 with respect to the object a), an extension of the scanning range in different directions can be achieved, i.e. the extension of the scanning range is not limited to an extension in the vertical direction.

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the arrangement of the sources and detectors in the horizontal position after the three X-ray sources of the oral CT of figure 3A have been rotated 90 degrees.

The three X-ray sources of the oral CT shown in fig. 3A are in a vertical orientation and when the three X-ray sources of the oral CT shown in fig. 3A are rotated 90 degrees, the three X-ray sources are in a horizontal orientation as shown in fig. 4. In fig. 4, the rotational axis of the rotational mechanism 300 is also in the vertical direction, but the first X-ray source 110, the second X-ray source 120, and the third X-ray source 130 are rotated to the horizontal direction and in the direction parallel to the surface of the detector 200 (i.e., the X-axis).

Similar to the oral CT in fig. 3A and 3B with the scanning range expanded in the vertical direction, the first X-ray source 110, the second X-ray source 120, and the third X-ray source 130 can increase the scanning range in the horizontal direction, such as the X-axis direction, by rotating the three X-ray sources of the oral CT in fig. 3A by 90 degrees, i.e., the positions shown in fig. 4.

In addition, upon rotating the three X-ray sources of the oral CT in fig. 3A to the horizontal position shown in fig. 4, the first X-ray source 110, the second X-ray source 120, and the third X-ray source 130 may be disposed such that the first X-ray S1, the second X-ray S2, and the third X-ray S3 scan the same portion on the irradiation body a in one scan, wherein one scan may refer to an action of the oral CT according to the present application completing scanning of a region to be imaged on the irradiation body a, as described above. The same portion may be an image acquisition region of the oral CT for the projection a. In the horizontal position shown in FIG. 4, the first X-ray source 110, the second X-ray source 120, and the third X-ray source 130 are spaced apart from one another in a direction parallel to the plane B. In this case, the first X-ray S1, the second X-ray S2, and the third X-ray S3 may be irradiated on the same height of the irradiation object a with respect to the plane B. In this way, in one scan in which the first X-ray source 110, the second X-ray source 120, and the third X-ray source 130 rotate together with the rotating mechanism 300, the first X-ray S1, the second X-ray S2, and the third X-ray S3 may scan the same portion on the object a. The same portion of the first X-ray S1, the second X-ray S2, and the third X-ray S3 scanned onto the projection a may mean that the first X-ray S1, the second X-ray S2, and the third X-ray S3 are completely or partially coincident in one scan with respect to the portion of the projection a scanned (i.e., the portion implementing the volume scan).

Also, first X-ray source 110, second X-ray source 120, and third X-ray source 130 may be loaded with different tube voltages. For example, the first X-ray source 110 may be loaded with a higher tube voltage, the second X-ray source 120 may be loaded with an intermediate tube voltage, and the third X-ray source 130 may be loaded with a lower tube voltage. Then the data detected by the detector 200 corresponding to the first X-ray source 110 may be a higher energy signal, the data detected by the detector 200 corresponding to the second X-ray source 120 may be an intermediate energy signal, and the data detected by the detector 200 corresponding to the third X-ray source 130 may be a lower energy signal, and a spectral CT image of the irradiated portion of the object a may be derived by an image reconstruction algorithm based on the obtained high energy signal, intermediate energy signal and low energy signal. Thus, spectral X-ray imaging may be achieved by oral CT according to exemplary embodiments of the present application. It is described herein that spectral X-ray imaging is possible with the X-ray source in a horizontal position, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that the oral CT of the present application can achieve spectral X-ray imaging in different directions (e.g., vertical positions as shown in fig. 3A and 3B) by rotation of the X-ray source.

Referring to fig. 3A, 3B and 4, it can be seen that by the rotation of the X-ray source in the oral CT, not only the scanning range in different directions can be increased, but also the energy spectrum X-ray imaging can be realized.

In the related drawings of the present application, the first X-ray S1, the second X-ray S2, and the third X-ray S3 are schematically illustrated with two lines, respectively, for convenience of description, but the first X-ray S1, the second X-ray S2, and the third X-ray S3 are not limited to the forms illustrated in the drawings.

Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of an oral CT according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the X-ray source 100 and the detector 200 may be disposed together on two lower cantilevers of the lower suspension rotating mechanism 300, and the detector 200 and the X-ray source 100 are disposed on both sides of the object a, respectively. The rotation mechanism 300 may rotate the X-ray source 100 and the detector 200 around the projection a about a rotation axis, i.e., the detector 200 may rotate with the X-ray source 100 around the projection a with the rotation mechanism 300. In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the rotation mechanism 300 may be connected to a frame 400, for example, and the frame 400 may be fixedly mounted to or placed on the ground.

The rotation mechanism 300 shown in fig. 5 is merely exemplary and the present application is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the rotation mechanism 300 may also take any other suitable form, for example, a floor-type rotation mechanism. Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of an oral cavity CT comprising a floor standing swivel mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 6, floor standing swivel mechanism 300 includes floor standing base 330, source column 310, and detector column 320. The source column 310 and the detector column 320 are mounted on a floor base 330 and can rotate on the floor base 330. Source column 310 and detector column 320 may be used to mount an X-ray source and detector, respectively.

The oral CT of the present application also includes a source rotation mechanism for effecting rotation of the plurality of X-ray sources of the oral CT of the present application. The source rotating mechanism comprises a source mounting seat for mounting a plurality of X-ray sources and a rotating shaft fixedly connected with the source mounting seat and used for enabling the source mounting seat to rotate around the rotating shaft, wherein the rotating shaft is mounted on one lower cantilever (shown in figure 5) of the underslung rotating mechanism or a source upright (shown in figure 6) of the floor type rotating mechanism through a bracket.

Fig. 7 and 8 show schematic front and left side views, respectively, of an exemplary source rotation mechanism according to the present application. Fig. 9 and 10 show schematic left and right perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary source rotation mechanism according to the present application. As shown in the figure, the source rotating mechanism includes a source mounting base 1 for mounting a plurality of X-ray sources 11, a rotating shaft 13 fixedly connected to the source mounting base 1, and a first bearing 9a and a second bearing 9b connected to both ends of the rotating shaft 13. In this exemplary embodiment, the first bearing 9a and the second bearing 9b may be a seated bearing. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the bearings may be of any suitable form. The two bearings 9a and 9b may be fixed to the respective bearing support 7, for example by bolts to the bearing support 7. Here, the bearing support 7 is not essential, that is to say it may also be absent. The two bearing brackets 7 can be connected with the top surfaces of the radiation source bracket 10 and the radiation source motor bracket 6 respectively, for example, through bolts. As shown in the figure, the radiation source bracket 10 is on the same horizontal plane with the bottom mounting surface of the radiation source motor bracket 6, and the radiation source bracket 10 is also on the same horizontal plane with the top surface of the radiation source motor bracket 6. The radiation source bracket 10 and the bottom of the radiation source motor bracket 6 can be used to be mounted on a lower cantilever of the underslung rotating mechanism (as shown in figure 5) or a radiation source upright post of the floor-type rotating mechanism (as shown in figure 6). The top surfaces of the radiation source bracket 10 and the radiation source motor bracket 6 can be used for mounting two bearing brackets 7. Alternatively, the top surfaces of the radiation source holder 10 and the radiation source motor holder 6 can be used for mounting the first bearing 9a and the second bearing 9b in case the bearing holder is not present. Although in this exemplary embodiment the radiation source holder 10 and the radiation source motor holder 6 are of a split structure, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that any type of holder that can function as a support bearing holder is within the scope of the present application, for example, the radiation source holder 10 and the radiation source motor holder 6 may be of an integral holder structure.

In the embodiments shown in fig. 7-10, the source mount 1 is a box structure, and two sides of the box are provided with placing openings for installing the source 11. The side plate of the box body is provided with a light source beam outlet, such as a square light source beam outlet, and rectangular holes for conveniently dismounting mounting bolts of the radiation source are arranged on two sides of the square light source beam outlet. The center of the side plates at two sides of the box body is provided with a rotating shaft 13. One end of the rotating shaft 13 is used for mounting the radiation source mounting seat synchronous pulley 2, and the other end of the rotating shaft 13 is fixed by a gasket 8 after being connected with a bearing. The radiation source mounting base 1 can be formed by welding steel plates or integrally casting a die. It should be noted that although two X-ray sources and two light source outlets are illustrated here, those skilled in the art will understand that if one X-ray source is provided and two light source outlets are provided at the same time, such an arrangement is equivalent to the case where two X-ray sources are covered. Furthermore, if one X-ray source is provided and three light source beam outlets are provided at the same time, such an arrangement is equivalent to the case of covering three X-ray sources, and so on.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 7-10, the bearing bracket 7 is shaped like an L when viewed from the side, and rounded corners are provided at the top corners of the long side and the short side of the L when viewed from the front. The L-shaped long side surface is provided with a large round hole and two threaded holes, the center heights of the three holes are the same, the two threaded holes are symmetrical relative to the center of the large round hole, and the large round hole is arranged on the central line of the L-shaped long side. Two round holes are arranged on the surface of the L-shaped short side and are symmetrical relative to the center of the large round hole on the L-shaped long side. One end of one bearing bracket 7 is fixedly connected with a bearing 9 arranged on the radioactive source mounting seat 1, and the other end is fixedly connected with the radioactive source motor bracket 6. One end of the other bearing bracket 7 is fixedly connected with the other bearing 9 arranged on the radioactive source mounting seat 1, and the other end is fixedly connected with the radioactive source bracket 10. The bearing support can be formed by welding and processing steel plates, and can also be formed by integrally bending the steel plates. In the exemplary embodiment two bearing supports 7 are shown, but as the source support 10 is the same as the source motor support 6, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these two bearing supports may also be of one-piece construction.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 7-10, the radiation source holder 10 is in an L-shaped structure when viewed from the side, the front surface of the long side of the L-shape is provided with a circular light source beam outlet, a transverse reinforcing rib is arranged below the beam outlet, and the top plane is provided with two circular holes with central symmetry. Four centrosymmetric mounting holes are arranged on the L-shaped short side surface, and the left side and the right side are respectively two. The top of the radiation source bracket 10 is connected with the bearing bracket 7, and the bottom plate is connected with the radiation source upright post. The radiation source bracket 10 is a thin plate structure, and a circular hole is arranged on the radiation source bracket 10, wherein a transverse reinforcing rib is arranged below the circular hole. The radiation source bracket can be formed by welding and processing a steel plate, and can also be formed by integrally bending the steel plate.

In some embodiments, the plurality of X-ray sources can be rotated manually, such as by rotating a source mount of a source rotation mechanism. In some embodiments, the plurality of X-ray sources can also be rotated by mechanical means (e.g., motors), such as rotating a source mount of a source rotation mechanism.

For example, the source rotation mechanism may further comprise a motor 12, the motor 12 being capable of driving the source mount to rotate. In certain exemplary embodiments, the motor 12 may be mounted on the source motor support 6. As shown in the figure, the radioactive source motor bracket 6 is of a box type structure, the interior of the bracket can accommodate a motor, and the opening surface of the bracket is provided with a motor fixing and mounting hole. The bracket of the radiation source motor can be formed by welding and processing steel plates and can also be formed by integrally bending the steel plates. The radiation source motor 12 can be arranged in the radiation source motor bracket 6 through the radiation source motor mounting plate 4. The radiation source motor mounting plate 4 can be a thin plate structure and is provided with a motor mounting hole. The radiation source motor mounting plate 4 can be integrally formed by a steel plate. As shown in the figure, the radioactive source motor mounting plate 4 is a rectangular plate-shaped structure, the four top corners of the radioactive source motor mounting plate 4 are provided with round corners, and the area of the included angle of each two sides is provided with a waist-shaped hole for adjusting the distance. The center of the radiation source motor mounting plate 4 is provided with a motor limiting hole, four threaded holes capable of being used for mounting a motor are arranged around the hole, and the four threaded holes are centrosymmetric relative to the motor limiting hole.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 7, 8 and 9, the radiation source rotating mechanism can further comprise a radiation source motor synchronous pulley 5, a radiation source mounting seat synchronous pulley 2 and a radiation source synchronous belt 3. The radiation source mounting synchronous pulley 2 is fixedly connected, for example by a key, to one end of the rotary shaft 13 of the radiation source mounting 1. The radioactive source motor 12 is connected with the synchronous pulley 5 of the radioactive source motor through an output shaft, and the synchronous pulley 5 of the radioactive source motor is connected with the synchronous pulley 2 of the radioactive source mounting seat through the synchronous pulley 3 of the radioactive source. The rotation of the radioactive source motor 12 drives the synchronous pulley 5 of the radioactive source motor to rotate, the rotation of the synchronous pulley 5 of the radioactive source motor drives the synchronous pulley 2 of the radioactive source mounting seat mounted on the radioactive source mounting seat 1 to rotate through the transmission of the radioactive source synchronous belt 3, and the synchronous pulley 2 of the radioactive source mounting seat drives the radioactive source mounting seat 1 to rotate through the transmission of the key.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the source rotation mechanism further comprises a locking assembly capable of maintaining the plurality of X-ray sources in a desired position to complete one scan of the oral CT. In the exemplary embodiment of the present application, the plurality of X-ray sources are driven to rotate by a motor, so that the plurality of X-ray sources can be accurately rotated to a required angle, and when the required angle is reached, the motor stops moving, but power is still required to be supplied to a holding torque to overcome the inertia of the rotating X-ray sources, so that the rotating X-ray sources are kept in a balanced state. However, the motor may have a reduced life span for maintaining the torque energized for a long time. With the configuration of the exemplary locking assembly of the present application, the motor can ensure that the plurality of X-ray sources remain in the desired position without energizing a holding torque, thereby increasing the life of the motor.

An exemplary latch assembly of the present application includes two magnets and two stoppers that can be attracted by the magnets, the magnets and stoppers being positioned such that when the plurality of X-ray sources are in a horizontal position, one of the stoppers is attracted to one of the magnets, and when the plurality of X-ray sources are rotated to a vertical position, the other stopper is attracted to the other magnet, thereby enabling the motor to maintain the plurality of X-ray sources in the horizontal position or the vertical position without energizing a holding torque.

Fig. 11 and 12 show schematic front views of a plurality of X-ray sources in a vertical position and a horizontal position, respectively. Although the source rotation mechanism shown in fig. 11 and 12 includes two X-ray sources, this is merely exemplary. As noted above, the scope of the present application is not so limited, and in certain embodiments, the X-ray sources may include more X-ray sources, such as three X-ray sources. Only two X-ray sources are exemplified herein.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 11 and 12, the latch assembly comprises a first magnet 14a and a second magnet 14b, a source horizontal stop 15 and a source vertical stop 16, both stops being made of a material that can be attracted by the magnets, such as iron or steel. Both stoppers may be plate-shaped. The magnet may be an electromagnet. The first magnet 14a and the second magnet 14b may be fixed to both ends of the radiation source motor support 6, respectively, for example, by bolts. The two sides of the source motor holder 6 mentioned here are opposite sides with respect to the bottom mounting surface of the source motor holder 6. The first magnet 14a and the second magnet 14b are vertically installed on both sides of the source motor bracket 6 and are perpendicular to the outer surface. In one embodiment, the first magnet 14a and the second magnet 14b are mounted at the same height on the source motor support 6. The radiation source rotating horizontal blocking piece 15 and the radiation source rotating vertical blocking piece 16 are arranged on the same side panel of the radiation source mounting seat 1, and the rotation of the radiation source mounting seat 1 drives the radiation source rotating horizontal blocking piece 15 and the radiation source rotating vertical blocking piece 16 to rotate together. The source rotation horizontal stop 15 is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the source mounting base, while the source rotation vertical stop 16 is parallel to the bottom surface of the source mounting base. The bottom surface of the radiation source mounting seat is the lowest plane when the radiation source mounting seat on the oral cavity CT is in a horizontal position. The source rotating horizontal stop 15 and the source rotating vertical stop 16 are positioned such that the second magnet 14b engages the source rotating vertical stop 16 when the X-ray source is in the vertical position (as shown in fig. 11) and the first magnet 14a engages the source rotating horizontal stop 15 when the X-ray source is in the horizontal position (as shown in fig. 12).

Fig. 13 is a schematic flow chart of an imaging method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

As shown in fig. 13, an imaging method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application may include the steps of:

In general, the principles and specific operation of the imaging method according to the exemplary embodiment of the present application generally correspond to the oral cavity CT according to the exemplary embodiment of the present application described above, and therefore, for brevity, no further description thereof is provided herein, and reference may be made to the description of the oral cavity CT according to the exemplary embodiment of the present application described above.

While certain exemplary embodiments and examples have been described herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from the above description. Various changes and modifications to the embodiments of the present application may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the teachings of the present application. The inventive concept is therefore not limited to the embodiments but is to be defined by the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

Claims

1. An oral CT, comprising:

an X-ray source configured to emit X-rays to irradiate a projection body;

2. The oral CT of claim 1,

the X-ray source includes a first X-ray source and a second X-ray source, and the first X-ray source and the second X-ray source are disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a direction of a rotational axis of the rotational mechanism or in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis and parallel to a surface of the detector; or

The X-ray sources include a first X-ray source, a second X-ray source, and a third X-ray source, and the first X-ray source, the second X-ray source, and the third X-ray source are disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a direction of a rotational axis of the rotational mechanism or in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis and parallel to a surface of the detector.

3. The oral CT of claim 1, wherein the rotation mechanism is a down-hung rotation mechanism and comprises a first lower cantilever connected to the X-ray source and a second lower cantilever connected to the detector.

4. The oral CT of claim 1, wherein said rotation mechanism is a floor-standing rotation mechanism and comprises:

a landing base;

5. The oral CT of claim 3, further comprising a source rotation mechanism, the source rotation mechanism comprising:

a source mount configured to mount the plurality of X-ray sources; and

wherein the rotating shaft is mounted on the first lower cantilever through a bracket, and rotation of the source mount rotates the plurality of X-ray sources together.

6. The oral CT of claim 4, further comprising a source rotation mechanism, the source rotation mechanism comprising:

a source mount configured to mount the plurality of X-ray sources; and

wherein the rotating shaft is mounted on the source upright through a bracket, and the rotation of the source mounting base drives the plurality of X-ray sources to rotate together.

7. The oral CT of claim 5 or 6, wherein the rotating shaft is mounted to the support by a bearing.

8. The oral CT of claim 5 or 6, wherein the source rotation mechanism further comprises a motor that drives the source mount to rotate about a rotation axis perpendicular to the surface of the detector.

9. The oral CT of claim 8, wherein said source rotation mechanism further comprises:

a synchronous belt;

10. The oral CT of claim 9,

the motor is arranged on the bracket;

the motor synchronous belt wheel is arranged on an output shaft of the motor.

11. The oral CT of claim 9 or 10, wherein the source rotation mechanism further comprises a latch assembly, the latch assembly comprising two magnets and two stops,

the two magnets are respectively fixed on two sides of the bracket, the two blocking pieces are arranged on the same surface of the radiation source mounting seat, one blocking piece is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the radiation source mounting seat, and the other blocking piece is parallel to the bottom surface of the radiation source mounting seat, so that one magnet attracts one blocking piece when the X-ray sources are in a horizontal position, and the other magnet attracts the other blocking piece when the X-ray sources are in a vertical position.