EP0883976A1 - Dispositif de production d'image radiologique - Google Patents

Dispositif de production d'image radiologique

Info

Publication number
EP0883976A1
EP0883976A1 EP97902756A EP97902756A EP0883976A1 EP 0883976 A1 EP0883976 A1 EP 0883976A1 EP 97902756 A EP97902756 A EP 97902756A EP 97902756 A EP97902756 A EP 97902756A EP 0883976 A1 EP0883976 A1 EP 0883976A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ray
ray detector
image device
ray image
elongated
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP97902756A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0883976B1 (fr
Inventor
Ronald Jan Geluk
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.)
Nucletron Holdings BV
Original Assignee
Nucletron Holdings BV
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 Nucletron Holdings BV filed Critical Nucletron Holdings BV
Publication of EP0883976A1 publication Critical patent/EP0883976A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0883976B1 publication Critical patent/EP0883976B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J31/00—Cathode ray tubes; Electron beam tubes
    • H01J31/08—Cathode ray tubes; Electron beam tubes having a screen on or from which an image or pattern is formed, picked up, converted, or stored
    • H01J31/50—Image-conversion or image-amplification tubes, i.e. having optical, X-ray, or analogous input, and optical output
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05G—X-RAY TECHNIQUE
    • H05G1/00—X-ray apparatus involving X-ray tubes; Circuits therefor
    • H05G1/08—Electrical details
    • H05G1/64—Circuit arrangements for X-ray apparatus incorporating image intensifiers

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an X-ray image device of the type in which the X-ray image to be formed is built up with the aid of an elongated X-ray detector which is capable of converting incident X-ray radiation into a light image and which performs during operation a scanning movement in a housing of the device in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the elongated X-ray detector.
  • Such an X-ray image device may, for example, be a device for slit radiography, such as is described, for example, in the Dutch Patent Application 8303156.
  • a device for slit radiography an object or a patient is scanned with the aid of a flat, fan-shaped X-ray beam which is moved during at least one scanning stroke transversely to the surface of the fan-shaped beam.
  • an elongated X-ray detector moves synchronously with the X-ray beam in such a way that the radiation transmitted through the patient or the object always falls essentially on the X-ray detector.
  • the X-ray detector converts the X-ray radiation received into a light image which can be used to expose a photographic film and/or to generate electrical signals representing the X-ray image.
  • the flat, fan-shaped beam can be obtained, for example, with the aid of an X-ray source which interacts with a slit diaphragm.
  • the X-ray source and the slit diaphragm can be moved jointly or with respect to one another in such a way that the beam leaving the slit diaphragm performs the desired scanning movement.
  • the diaphragm may, if desired, be provided with slit control means such as those described in the Dutch Patent Application 8400845.
  • the invention is, however, also applicable to other types of devices which comprise an elongated X-ray detector which performs a scanning movement in order to scan a predetermined area. An example is described in Dutch Patent Application 9102063.
  • An elongated X-ray detector suitable for use in an X-ray image device of the type described above is, for example, an X-ray image intensifier tube as described in Dutch Patent 183914.
  • the X-ray image intensifier tube For use in an X-ray image device suitable for thorax examination, the X-ray image intensifier tube must have an image surface of approximately 400 to 500 mm. This dimension corresponds to the width of the thorax in most people and of the fan- shaped beam. In the scanning direction, the image surface can be, for example, approximately 25 mm high.
  • the X-ray image intensifier tube In order to be able to form a complete thorax image, the X-ray image intensifier tube must traverse an area of approximately 400 x 400 mm 2 , which is achieved by allowing the X-ray image intensifier tube to perform a scanning movement in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the X-ray image intensifier tube. During the scanning movement, the X-ray image intensifier tube produces a varying output image which can be used to expose a photographic film, but which is preferably projected onto a photosensitive electronic device which converts the incident light into corresponding electrical signals. The electrical signals can then be stored or used to form a video image or the like, optionally after further processing.
  • an elongated CCD device charge-coupled device
  • CCD charge-coupled device
  • Such CCD devices are obtainable commercially, but have much smaller dimensions than the output window of the elongated X-ray image intensifier tube.
  • a suitable CCD device is, for example, the Dalsa I-FI-2048 which has 2048 x 96 image elements and a sensitive area of 28.7 x 1.34 mm.
  • the output image of the elongated image intensifier tube can be imaged for this purpose in reduced size on the CCD device.
  • a camera which comprises a lens system which reduces the size of the output image of the X-ray image intensifier tube to dimensions suitable for the CCD device and images the output image of the X-ray image intensifier tube on the CCD device.
  • the necessary reduction factor ⁇ is, in the given example, approximately 16, which results in a fairly large spacing d ( Figure 1) between the X-ray image amplifier tube and the camera and consequently in a relatively large depth of the housing of the X-ray image device.
  • d Figure 1
  • a drawback of a large depth of the housing of the X-ray image device is the large installation space which such an X-ray device takes up and also the effort involved in installing and/or moving such a bulky X-ray device.
  • Another aspect is that the housing of the X-ray image device has to be lightproof. The bigger the housing is, the greater is the chance generally of a locally incomplete sealing.
  • an X-ray image device of the type described above is one wherein at least one mirror is mounted in the housing of the device and at least partially receives the light image formed by the X-ray detector during operation in every position of the X-ray detector during the scanning movement and reflects it to at least one camera which moves synchronously together with the X-ray detector and which is mounted near one of the ends of the elongated X-ray detector.
  • Figure 1 shows diagrammatically in side view/cross section an example of an X-ray image device according to the prior art
  • Figure 2 shows diagrammatically the device of Figure 1 in plan view
  • Figure 3 shows diagrammatically in plan view a first exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention
  • Figure 4 shows diagrammatically in plan view a second exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention
  • Figure 5 shows diagrammatically in plan view a third exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention.
  • Figure 6 shows diagrammatically in plan view a fourth exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention.
  • Figures 1 and 2 show diagrammatically in side view and plan view an example of a known X-ray image device 1.
  • the device shown comprises an X-ray source 2 provided with a slit diaphragm 3 via which a flat, fan- shaped X-ray beam 4 is directed onto a patient 6 to be investigated or onto an object to be investigated placed in front of a housing or cabinet 5.
  • the X-ray source 2 can swivel together with the slit diaphragm 3 round an axis 6, as shown by an arrow 7.
  • the fan-shaped X-ray beam 4 swivels during this process in a direction transverse to the surface of the fan- shaped X-ray beam, as indicated in Figure 1 by an arrow 8, in order to scan the patient or the object, or at least a relevant part thereof, with the X-ray beam during one or more working strokes.
  • the cabinet 5 has a front wall 9 which is transparent to X-ray radiation and behind which there is an elongated X-ray detector 10.
  • the X-ray detector is coupled to the X-ray source 2, which swivels during operation, in such a way, not shown in greater detail, that the X-ray radiation transmitted by the patient or the object 6 always falls on the entry window of the X-ray detector 10.
  • the X-ray detector 10 therefore moves synchronously with the flat, fan-shaped beam 4, as indicated by arrows 11.
  • the X-ray detector 10 is designed to convert the X-ray radiation incident at the input side into a light image which is produced at the output side.
  • a tubular X-ray detector is used having an elongated cathode 12 which is sensitive to X-ray radiation and which emits electrons under the influence of incident X-ray radiation.
  • an elongated anode 13 Situated opposite the cathode 12 is an elongated anode 13.
  • the emitted electrons move under the influence of a high voltage, prevailing in operation between the cathode and the anode, from the cathode to the anode.
  • the anode converts the incident electrons into light quanta.
  • the light image thus formed at the anode side is projected via a lens or a lens system 14 onto a photographic film or, as shown, onto a photosensitive semiconductor device, such as a CCD 15, which converts the light image into corresponding electrical signals which can be processed and/or stored in a device not shown.
  • a lens or a lens system 14 onto a photographic film or, as shown, onto a photosensitive semiconductor device, such as a CCD 15, which converts the light image into corresponding electrical signals which can be processed and/or stored in a device not shown.
  • the lens system 14 and the film or semiconductor device form part of a stationary camera which is placed at a distance from the X-ray detector 10 so that the camera can receive the output image of the X-ray detector 10 in every position of the X-ray detector 10 and can project it onto the semiconductor device or film.
  • the associated distance d between the X-ray detector and the camera is relatively large so that a fairly deep housing 5 is necessary and must be completely lightproof.
  • FIG 3 shows diagrammatically in plan view a first example of a device according to the invention.
  • the parts of the X-ray device which are not essential for a good understanding of the invention are not shown.
  • the image surface at the anode or the output window of the X-ray detector 10 is indicated by 20.
  • a camera 21 Arranged near one of the ends of the elongated strip-shaped image area 20 is a camera 21 having a lens or lens system 22 and, in this example, a photosensitive semiconductor device 23, referred to below as a CCD.
  • the camera 21 can be moved together with the X-ray detector 10 when the X-ray detector 10 traverses a scanning path.
  • the X-ray detector 10 and the camera 21 may be mounted, for example, on a common support.
  • a support is indicated diagrammatically at 24.
  • the support 24 can also form a carriage or be mounted on a carriage which is driven during operation by means of a suitable drive means in order to traverse the scanning path.
  • a mirror 25 Arranged opposite the X-ray detector 10 and the camera 21 is a mirror 25 which reflects the image surface
  • the mirror 20 of the X-ray detector in the direction of the lens system 22 of the camera 21.
  • the mirror 20 of the X-ray detector in the direction of the lens system 22 of the camera 21.
  • the mirror 20 of the X-ray detector in the direction of the lens system 22 of the camera 21.
  • the mirror 25 is a single, fixed flat mirror, but this is not strictly necessary.
  • the mirror 25 has a length corresponding to the scanning path perpendicular to the surface of the drawing.
  • X-ray device is approximately halved, which provides an appreciable space saving and reduces the probability of light leakages.
  • Figures 4 and 5 show two other exemplary embodiments, in each of which two mirrors 30, 31 or 40, 41, respectively, placed at an angle to one another are used with associated cameras 32, 33 or 42, 43, respectively.
  • the cameras are now mounted in each case at both ends of the elongated X-ray detector 10 and are preferably again mounted together with the X-ray detector 10 on a diagrammatically indicated common support 34 or 44, respectively.
  • the mirrors 30, 31 or 40, 41, respectively, are stationary in this example and are placed in a V shape, the V shape being placed with the apex turned toward the image surface 20 in Figure 4, while the apex of the V shape is turned away from the image surface in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 5.
  • each of the mirrors images half, and preferably somewhat more, of the image surface on the lens system of one of the cameras, as a result of which the installation depth required is reduced further.
  • a smaller reduction of the output image of the X-ray detector 10 is necessary and a larger CCD surface can be used. This results in a better signal/noise ratio, a better modulation transfer function (MTF) and a greater dynamic range in the electrical signals formed by the CCD.
  • each mirror interacts with the camera which is furthest from the mirror.
  • the mirror 40 is situated, for example, opposite the image surface half 20a, but interacts with the camera 43 which is situated near the end of the other image surface half 20b.
  • the mirror 41 situated opposite the image surface half 20b interacts with the camera 42 situated near the end of the image surface half 2 0 a.
  • the two mirrors are adjacent to one another. It is also possible, however, to place the mirrors at some distance from one another. In principle, it is also possible to use curved mirrors instead of flat mirrors.
  • stationary mirrors are used in the examples shown and these have a relatively large length corresponding to the length of the scanning path perpendicular to the surface of the drawing.
  • Figure 6 again shows an image surface 20 which represents the output image of the elongated X-ray detector 10.
  • a camera 50 or 51 Placed at both ends of the image surface is a camera 50 or 51, respectively.
  • a relatively small mirror 52 or 53 mounted near each camera. Both the mirrors and the cameras move during operation together with the X-ray detector 10 along the scanning path.
  • the mirrors 52, 53 and the cameras 50, 51 are preferably mounted together with the X-ray detector on a common support.
  • the common support is formed by the housing of the X-ray detector.
  • Such a support is indicated diagrammatically by broken lines at 54.
  • the mirrors 52, 53 may have a small height in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the drawing because the image to be projected onto the camera placed opposite each mirror also has only a small height.
  • the mirrors can therefore be of strip-shaped construction and be placed at an angle with respect to the image surface 20 which is such that the half of the image surface situated near a mirror can be reflected by the mirror to the camera situated opposite.
  • the camera 50 interacts with the mirror 53, while the camera 51 interacts with the mirror 52.
  • the support 54 may form part of a carriage or be mounted on a carriage which is coupled in a known manner to drive means and guide members so that the carriage can traverse the desired scanning path during operation.
  • the common carrier can advantageously be constructed as a flat, lightproof cabinet in which the X- ray detector, the cameras and the mirrors are mounted.
  • the housing 5 of the X-ray image device no longer has to be lightproof in that case.
  • the lightproof cabinet containing X-ray detector, cameras and mirrors can advantageously be constructed as a preassembled unit which can be mounted or removed or replaced as a single entity.
  • the lightproof cabinet must, of course, be provided, at the position of the cathode of the X-ray detector, with a window which is essentially transparent to X-ray radiation and which may be composed, for example, of plastic or a thin metal plate.
  • the mirrors 52, 53 may in principle be of longer construction and even adjoin one another at the height of the central plane perpendicular of the image surface.
  • the X-ray device may be provided with slit control means or image equalization means known per se.

Landscapes

  • Apparatus For Radiation Diagnosis (AREA)

Abstract

Un dispositif de production d'image radiologique du type dans lequel l'image radiologique à former est construite à l'aide d'un détecteur de rayons X oblong capable de convertir le rayonnement de rayons X incidents en une image lumineuse et décrivant, lors de son fonctionnement, un mouvement de balayage dans le logement du dispositif, dans un sens transversal au sens longitudinal du détecteur de rayons X oblong, comprend au moins un miroir monté dans le logement du dispositif, lequel reçoit au moins partiellement l'image lumineuse formée par le détecteur de rayons X pendant le fonctionnement, dans chaque position du détecteur de rayons X au cours du mouvement de balayage, et la réfléchit vers au moins un appareil photographique se déplaçant de manière synchrone avec le détecteur de rayons X, et lequel est monté près d'une des extrémités du détecteur de rayons X oblong.
EP97902756A 1996-02-27 1997-02-18 Dispositif de production d'image radiologique Expired - Lifetime EP0883976B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL1002466 1996-02-27
NL1002466A NL1002466C2 (nl) 1996-02-27 1996-02-27 Röntgenbeeldinrichting.
PCT/NL1997/000069 WO1997032454A1 (fr) 1996-02-27 1997-02-18 Dispositif de production d'image radiologique

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0883976A1 true EP0883976A1 (fr) 1998-12-16
EP0883976B1 EP0883976B1 (fr) 2000-03-29

Family

ID=19762396

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97902756A Expired - Lifetime EP0883976B1 (fr) 1996-02-27 1997-02-18 Dispositif de production d'image radiologique

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0883976B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN1214848A (fr)
DE (1) DE69701565T2 (fr)
NL (1) NL1002466C2 (fr)
WO (1) WO1997032454A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013121418A1 (fr) * 2012-02-13 2013-08-22 Convergent R.N.R Ltd Administration de rayons x guidée par imagerie

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL8303156A (nl) * 1983-09-13 1985-04-01 Optische Ind De Oude Delft Nv Roentgenopnameinrichting met spleetaftasting.
EP0374298A1 (fr) * 1988-12-23 1990-06-27 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Distributeur de lumière pour un appareil de radiodiagnostic
NL9102063A (nl) * 1991-12-10 1993-07-01 Optische Ind De Oude Delft Nv Roentgeninrichting voor simulatie en planning van radiotherapie.
EP0547679B1 (fr) * 1991-12-19 1996-09-04 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Système radiographique à commande de la brillance
US5235191A (en) * 1992-03-06 1993-08-10 Miller Robert N Real-time x-ray device
EP0579325B1 (fr) * 1992-07-17 1998-05-20 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Appareil d'examen à rayons X
FI941589A (fi) * 1994-04-07 1996-01-12 Stig Svensson Laite röntgenkuvien ottamiseksi

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9732454A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69701565D1 (de) 2000-05-04
CN1214848A (zh) 1999-04-21
EP0883976B1 (fr) 2000-03-29
NL1002466C2 (nl) 1997-08-28
DE69701565T2 (de) 2000-11-02
WO1997032454A1 (fr) 1997-09-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4816923A (en) Two dimensional light beam scanner used in radiation image information readout
US20030091243A1 (en) Periodical pattern suppression processing method and apparatus
FR2538240A1 (fr) Installation a rayons x pour l'examen radiologique d'un sujet et procede pour exposer un sujet a des rayons x pendant un ou plusieurs balayages
US7211785B1 (en) Scanning apparatus
EP0275116B1 (fr) Appareil de reproduction pour une image de radiation
US4943871A (en) Image read-out and reproducing apparatus
EP0777148A1 (fr) Appareil de lecture d'images de radiation
EP0883976B1 (fr) Dispositif de production d'image radiologique
US4649559A (en) Digital radiography device
US5017782A (en) X-ray detector for radiographic imaging
JP2631737B2 (ja) 被写体像内画像点決定方法
US6703637B2 (en) Radiation image read-out method and apparatus
US3887816A (en) Optical system for x-ray scanning equipment
WO1998003010A3 (fr) Systeme rapide d'imagerie a haute resolution
JPH06160997A (ja) 放射線画像情報記録読取方法および装置
JP2631742B2 (ja) 被写体像内画像点決定方法
US3281603A (en) High resolution image analyzer with image dissector tube
JP2551449B2 (ja) 放射線画像情報読取装置
US7071483B2 (en) Method and system for a multi-axis scanning module
JPH0821073B2 (ja) 照射野絞り有無判定方法
US5332909A (en) Radiation image converting apparatus
US7477434B2 (en) Process and apparatus for retrieving information projected image-wise on a photo-stimulable phosphor imaging substrate utilizing a non-orthogonal pentaprism
EP0524494A2 (fr) Collecteur de lumière diffusée minimisant les distorsions de bandes
JPS60259053A (ja) 放射線画像情報読取装置
JPH05211592A (ja) 拡散光コレクタ

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19980928

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT NL

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19981209

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT NL

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69701565

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20000504

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: JACOBACCI & PERANI S.P.A.

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20010218

26N No opposition filed
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20010901

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20010218

NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee

Effective date: 20010901

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20011201

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020430

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20050218

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20010228