JPH0819534A - X-ray photographing device serving also for panorama cephalo photographing and cephalo x-ray photographing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an X-ray photographing device to serve also for panorama cephalo photographing and also a cephalo X-ray photographing device, with which it is possible to produce a high quality cephalo X-ray image without use of any X-ray film. CONSTITUTION:An X-ray photographing element moving mechanism 42 is installed at the tip of a rod 13 fixed to a support 12. The moving mechanism 42 moves straight an X-ray photographing element 43 having a straight sensing surface in the horizontal direction while supporting it vertically. At the time of cephalo photographing. the head of the subject is fixed by a head fixing device 40 so that it faces a certain direction, and the element 43 is put in the initial setting at one end of the scanning scope wherein an X-ray head 30 should directly face the element 43. Then the X-ray head 30 produces a slit-form X-ray beam XB, and the scans of the X-ray head 30 and X-ray photographing element 43 are started. The X-ray image of the part of subject to be photographed can be sensed by linear scan of the element 43 interlocking with the rotational scan of the X-ray head 30.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a panorama / cephalographic X-ray photographing apparatus and a cephalometric X-ray photographing capable of performing cephalographic photographing (standard head photographing) in which the magnification of X-ray images is standardized. Regarding the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 11 (a) is an overall front view showing an example of a conventional panoramic / cephalometric X-ray imaging apparatus, and FIG. 11 (b) is a plan view thereof. This X-ray imaging apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-51513,
It is possible to selectively perform panoramic photography and cephalometric photography using X-ray film.

First, the panoramic photographing mechanism will be described. A support body 2 is provided so as to be vertically positionable along a column 1 standing on a base. The support 2 rotatably supports the arm 3 via a linear movement mechanism 9 such as an XY table and a rotation mechanism 3a, and the arm 3 is rotated by a command from a control circuit such as a CPU (central processing unit). The angle and the rotation center position can be controlled arbitrarily. Arm 3
An X-ray generation unit 4 is attached to one end of the arm 3 via a rotation mechanism 7, and an X-ray film cassette 5 is attached to the other end of the arm 3 via a linear movement mechanism 5a. The rotation mechanism 7 is controlled by the control circuit, and the rotation angle of the X-ray generation unit 4 can be set. Further, the linear position of the X-ray film cassette 5 can be arbitrarily set by being controlled by the control circuit of the linear movement mechanism 5a. On the front surface of the X-ray generator 4, an X-ray diaphragm device 8 having a diaphragm 8a for limiting an X-ray irradiation field is arranged.

When performing panoramic photography, the head fixing device 2
After a is fixed so as to sandwich the patient's head, the X-ray generation unit 4 generates an X-ray beam in the form of a vertically elongated slit in accordance with a command from the control circuit, and the X-ray film cassette 5 is rotated while the arm 3 is rotated. Moves in a straight line. The rotation speed and rotation center of the arm 3 and the speed of the X-ray film cassette 5 are
It is set to image a curved tomogram along the patient's dental arch. After the image capturing, the X-ray film is developed to obtain a panoramic image of the upper and lower jaw dentitions.

Next, the cephalo photographing mechanism will be described. A support rod 6a extending horizontally is fixed to the back surface of the support body 2, and an X-ray film cassette 6 accommodating an X-ray film, such as four-section or six-section, is attached to the tip thereof. Immediately in front of the X-ray film cassette 6, a head fixing device 6b for fixing the patient's head is provided. On the other hand, the X-ray generator 4
Are oriented so as to be coaxial with the center X2 of the X-ray irradiation field passing vertically through the center of the X-ray film cassette 6. Further, the arm 3 is retracted to a predetermined rotation position so that the X-ray film cassette 5 for panoramic photography does not interfere with the X-ray irradiation field for cephalometric photography.

In the case of performing the cephalometric photography, the head fixing device 6
After the patient's head is fixed in a predetermined direction such as front, side, or obliquely 45 degrees using b, the X-ray generation unit 4 generates X-rays serving as a rectangular irradiation field for a predetermined time according to a command from the control circuit. . After the photographing, the X-ray film is developed to obtain a cephalographic image of the head photographed from a predetermined direction. At this time, the distance L from the X-ray generation unit 4 to the patient's head
The ratio of 1 to the distance L2 from the X-ray generation unit 4 to the X-ray film is set to be 1: 1.1, and the magnifying power of the Cephalo image is always 1.1. In this way, by placing importance on the reproducibility of image dimensions, it becomes possible to accurately diagnose the passage of time such as orthodontics.

[0007]

In recent years, instead of an X-ray film, an image pickup device such as a CCD (charge coupled device) is used to convert the X-ray intensity into an electric signal, and an X-ray is emitted to a CRT (cathode ray tube) or the like. Technology for displaying images is being developed. This technique enables 1) observation without taking time from the time of X-ray photography. 2) No X-ray film developing device or processing liquid is required. 3) Since the X-ray sensitivity characteristic of the image sensor is linear, the X-ray irradiation amount can be reduced. 4) Detected X
The line image has various features such as various kinds of image processing and easy image copying and storage.

However, an X-ray radiographing apparatus using such an image pickup device has not been developed yet for the cephalometric radiographing of the head of a patient.

An object of the present invention is to provide a panoramic / cephalographic X-ray photographing apparatus and a Cephalo X-ray photographing apparatus which can obtain a high-quality Cephalo X-ray image without using an X-ray film.

[0010]

According to the present invention, an X-ray generator for generating a slit-shaped X-ray beam, and an X-ray detector for detecting an X-ray beam that has passed through a first object, A swivel arm that supports the X-ray generation unit and the X-ray detection unit, an arm swivel unit that swivels the swivel arm around a predetermined axis, and an arm displacement unit that displaces the swivel arm in a plane perpendicular to the predetermined axis. And for the swivel arm, X
X-ray generator rotating means for rotating the ray generator about an axis parallel to the predetermined axis, and X-ray detecting means for moving the X-ray detector relative to the swivel arm in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined axis. The moving means and the X-ray generation unit irradiate an X-ray beam toward a second subject placed at a position different from the first subject,
An X-ray imaging element for detecting an X-ray beam that has passed through the subject and converting it into an electric signal, and an X-ray generation unit rotating means rotates the X-ray generation unit to scan the X-ray beam, and the X-ray beam is scanned. X-ray detector moving means for moving the X-ray image pickup device in conjunction with beam scanning, and an electric signal from the X-ray image pickup device are processed to display an X-ray image of the second object. A panorama characterized by comprising signal processing means
It is an X-ray imaging device that also serves as a cephalo.

Further, according to the present invention, an X-ray generation unit for generating a slit-shaped X-ray beam and an X-ray passing through the first object are provided.
X-ray detection means for detecting a beam of rays, a swivel arm supporting the X-ray generation part and the X-ray detection means, arm swivel means for swiveling the swivel arm around a predetermined axis, and swivel arm for the predetermined axis An arm displacing means for displacing the X-ray generating section in a plane perpendicular to the plane, an X-ray generating section rotating means for rotating the X-ray generating section around an axis parallel to a predetermined axis with respect to the turning arm, and a turning arm. X-ray detecting means moving means for moving the X-ray detecting means in the direction orthogonal to the predetermined axis, and
An X-ray for irradiating the X-ray beam toward the second subject placed in a position different from that of the first subject by the line generation unit, detecting the X-ray beam passing through the second subject, and converting the X-ray beam into an electric signal.
X-ray detector moving means for moving the X-ray imaging element and the X-ray beam scanning section by linearly moving the X-ray generation section by the arm displacement means and moving the X-ray imaging element in conjunction with the scanning of the X-ray beam. And a signal processing means for processing an electric signal from the X-ray image pickup device to display an X-ray image of a second object, which is a panorama / cephalo dual-use X-ray imaging apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, an X-ray generation unit for generating a slit-shaped X-ray beam and an X-ray passing through the first object are provided.
X-ray detection means for detecting a beam of rays, a swivel arm supporting the X-ray generation part and the X-ray detection means, arm swivel means for swiveling the swivel arm around a predetermined axis, and swivel arm for the predetermined axis An arm displacing means for displacing the X-ray generating section in a plane perpendicular to the plane, an X-ray generating section rotating means for rotating the X-ray generating section around an axis parallel to a predetermined axis with respect to the turning arm, and a turning arm. X-ray detecting means moving means for moving the X-ray detecting means in the direction orthogonal to the predetermined axis, and
An X-ray for irradiating the X-ray beam toward the second subject placed in a position different from that of the first subject by the line generation unit, detecting the X-ray beam passing through the second subject, and converting the X-ray beam into an electric signal.
An X-ray imaging device, and an X-ray detector moving unit for rotating the X-ray generation unit by the arm rotating unit to scan the X-ray beam and moving the X-ray imaging device in conjunction with the scanning of the X-ray beam. And a signal processing unit for processing an electric signal from the X-ray imaging device to display an X-ray image of a second subject.

Further, according to the present invention, an X-ray generating unit for generating a slit-shaped X-ray beam toward an object and a position or direction of the X-ray generating unit are controlled to scan the X-ray beam. X-ray beam scanning means, an X-ray image sensor for detecting the X-ray beam that has passed through the subject and converting it into an electric signal, and for moving the X-ray image sensor in conjunction with the scanning of the X-ray beam. X-ray imaging device moving means and signal processing means for processing an electric signal from the X-ray imaging device to display an X-ray image of a subject. .

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the X-ray beam scanning means is an X-ray generation section displacement means for linearly displacing the X-ray generation section.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the X-ray beam scanning means is an X-ray generating section rotating means for rotating the X-ray generating section.

[0016]

According to the present invention, while rotating the swivel arm supporting the X-ray generator and the X-ray detection means such as the X-ray film and the CCD sensor around the first object, the rotational speed and the center of rotation of the swivel arm. By appropriately interlocking the speeds of the X-ray detection means, it is possible to obtain a panoramic image of a desired curved tomogram taken along the dental arch, for example.
Further, the X-ray generation unit rotating means rotates the X-ray generation unit to scan the X-ray beam, and the X-ray imaging device is moved in conjunction with the scanning of the X-ray beam to thereby move the X-ray of the second subject. Images can be detected. An X-ray image can be displayed on a display or the like by processing an electric signal from the X-ray image sensor. In this way, it becomes possible to observe a Cephalo image without using an X-ray film.

According to the present invention, similarly to the above, by rotating the turning arm around the first object, the rotation speed and rotation center of the turning arm and the speed of the X-ray detecting means are appropriately interlocked. It is possible to obtain a panoramic image of a desired curved tomographic image. Further, the X-ray generation unit is linearly moved by the arm displacement means to scan the X-ray beam, and the X-ray image pickup device is moved in conjunction with the scanning of the X-ray beam, whereby the X-ray image of the second object is obtained. Can be detected. An X-ray image can be displayed on a display or the like by processing an electric signal from the X-ray image sensor. In this way, it becomes possible to observe a Cephalo image without using an X-ray film.

Further, according to the present invention, similarly to the above, by rotating the turning arm around the first object, the rotation speed and the rotation center of the turning arm and the speed of the X-ray detecting means are appropriately interlocked. It is possible to obtain a panoramic image of a desired curved tomographic image. Further, the X-ray generation unit is rotated by the arm rotating means to scan the X-ray beam, and the X-ray imaging device is moved in conjunction with the scanning of the X-ray beam to detect the X-ray image of the second subject. it can. An X-ray image can be displayed on a display or the like by processing an electric signal from the X-ray image sensor. In this way, it becomes possible to observe a Cephalo image without using an X-ray film.

By controlling the position or orientation of the X-ray generator by using the driving mechanism for panoramic photography, the X-ray beam can be easily and accurately scanned without adding a special mechanism. can do.

Further, according to the present invention, the entire subject is scanned with the X-ray beam by controlling the position or orientation of the X-ray generator that generates the slit-shaped X-ray beam. At this time, it is preferable that the longitudinal direction of the X-ray beam and the scanning direction are orthogonal to each other. For example, if the longitudinal direction of the X-ray beam is vertical, the scanning direction is horizontal, and if the longitudinal direction of the X-ray beam is horizontal, the scanning direction is horizontal. Is vertical. In conjunction with the scanning of this X-ray beam, X
An X-ray image of the subject can be detected by moving the line imaging element. Further, an X-ray image can be displayed on a display or the like by processing an electric signal from the X-ray image sensor. In this way, it becomes possible to observe a Cephalo image without using an X-ray film.

Further, the X-ray beam displacing means for linearly displacing the X-ray generator can linearly scan the X-ray beam with high accuracy.

Further, the X-ray beam can be rotated and scanned with high precision by the X-ray generator rotating means for rotating the X-ray generator.

[0023]

1 (a) is an overall front view showing a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 (b) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 1 (c) is a block diagram of a drive mechanism control circuit. . This apparatus is a panoramic / cephalometric X-ray imaging apparatus capable of both panoramic and cephalometric imaging.

First, the panoramic photographing mechanism will be described. A support body 12 is provided on a support 11 standing on the base so as to be vertically movable. The support 12 rotatably supports the arm 20 via an arm displacement mechanism 21 such as an XY table and an arm rotation mechanism 22, and a rotation angle of the arm 20 and a rotation angle of the arm 20 are controlled by a command from a CPU (central processing unit) 51. The center of rotation position can be controlled arbitrarily. An X-ray head rotating mechanism 31 is used to attach X to one end of the arm 20.
An X-ray film 30 or a CC is attached to the other end of the arm 20 via an X-ray detector moving mechanism 24.
An X-ray detector 25 including a D sensor and the like is installed.
The X-ray head rotation mechanism 31 is controlled by the CPU 51, and the rotation angle of the X-ray head 30 can be set arbitrarily.
The X-ray detector moving mechanism 24 is also controlled by the CPU 51, and the linear position of the X-ray detector 25 can be arbitrarily set. An X-ray diaphragm device 32 having a slit adjusting mechanism 32a for limiting an X-ray irradiation field is arranged on the front surface of the X-ray head 30, and an opening shape of the slit adjusting mechanism 32a is a CPU.
It is arbitrarily adjusted by 51.

In FIG. 1C, a CPU 51, a ROM (read only memory) for storing programs and data
52, a RAM (random access memory) 53 for storing data is connected to the bus 54, and further, the arm rotating mechanism 22, the arm displacing mechanism 21, the X-ray detector moving mechanism 24, the X-ray head rotating mechanism 31, as described above, The slit adjusting mechanism 32a and the X-ray image sensor moving mechanism 42 described later are connected to the bus 54. Each mechanism is provided with a rotation transmission mechanism such as a reduction gear and a screw shaft, a pulse motor for driving a linear movement mechanism, and the like, and realizes a rotational displacement or a linear displacement by an amount of change corresponding to command data from the CPU 51. .

Next, the operation of panoramic photography will be described. When the patient's head is fixed near the center of the arm 20 and then the X-ray head 30 generates an X-ray beam in the form of a vertically elongated slit, the arm 20 is rotated, and the X-ray detector 25 is an X-ray film. , The arm moves linearly in the direction opposite to the turning direction. Rotation speed and rotation center of the arm 20, X
The speed of the line detector 25 is set to image a curved tomography along the patient's dental arch. In the case of a CCD sensor, the sensor itself does not move with respect to the arm but electrically moves the image. In this way, after the photographing is completed, a panoramic image obtained by photographing the dentitions of the upper jaw and the lower jaw is obtained by developing the X-ray film and processing the signals of the CCD sensor.

Next, the cephalo photographing mechanism will be described. A support rod 13 that extends horizontally from the back surface of the support 12 is fixed, and an X-ray image sensor moving mechanism 42 is installed at the tip thereof by a mounting member 41. X-ray imaging device moving mechanism 4
Reference numeral 2 indicates a horizontal direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1A, FIG. 1A) while supporting an X-ray image pickup element 43 having a linear detection surface such as a CCD sensor or a photodiode array in a vertical direction.
It has a function of linearly moving in the vertical direction (b).

FIG. 2A shows an X-ray image pickup device moving mechanism 42.
It is a block diagram which shows an example. The X-ray imaging element 43 is linearly guided by the linear slide mechanism 42a, a screw shaft 42b is installed in parallel with the linear slide mechanism 42a, and the nut 42c screwed with the screw shaft 42b and the X-ray imaging element 43 are connected. are doing. The screw shaft 42b is rotationally driven by a pulse motor (not shown), and when the screw shaft 42b rotates by a predetermined amount based on command data from the CPU 51, the X-ray imaging device 4
3 is linearly displaced by a predetermined amount.

A head fixing device 40 for fixing the head of the patient is provided on the X-ray incident side of the X-ray imaging device 43. On the other hand, the X-ray head 30 includes an X-ray head rotation mechanism 31.
Is positioned so that it can be laterally displaced about the scanning center X3. Further, the arm 20 is retracted to a predetermined rotation position so that the X-ray detector 25 for panoramic imaging does not interfere with the X-ray irradiation field for cephalometric imaging.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing an example of the X-ray head rotation mechanism 31. Rotating shaft 31 of X-ray head 30
When the worm wheel 31b is fixed to a, the worm 31c is rotationally driven by the pulse motor 31d so as to be screwed with the worm wheel 31b, and the X-ray head 30 is rotated by a predetermined amount based on the command data from the CPU 51. It is rotationally displaced.

Next, the operation of the cephalo photography will be described. After the head of the patient is fixed in a predetermined direction such as the front, the side, or an angle of 45 degrees using the head fixing device 40, the X-ray imaging device 43
At one end of the scanning range, for example the left end facing the patient (see FIG.
Initialization is performed on the front side of the sheet of FIG. 1A and the lower end portion of FIG. 1B, and the orientation of the X-ray head 30 is initially set so as to directly irradiate the X-ray imaging element 43.

Next, the X-ray head 30 generates a slit-shaped X-ray beam XB extending in the vertical direction, and the X-ray head 30 and the X-ray imaging device 43 start scanning.
At this time, the slit adjusting mechanism 32a is adjusted so that the irradiation field of the X-ray beam XB becomes approximately the same as the detection surface of the X-ray imaging element 43.
The opening shape of is set. An X-ray image of the entire subject can be detected by linearly scanning the X-ray imaging element 43 in conjunction with the rotational scanning of the X-ray head 30. At this time, the ratio of the distance L1 from the X-ray head 30 to the patient's head and the distance L2 from the X-ray head 30 to the X-ray imaging element 43 is determined to be 1: 1.1, and the magnification of the image is increased. Is always kept at 1.1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the X-ray image pickup device 43. The X-ray imaging device 43 includes a scintillator 47 made of, for example, a rare earth element compound for converting X-ray photons into visible light, and a light guide 46 such as an optical fiber plate that directly transmits visible light emitted from the scintillator 47. Then, the visible light distribution transmitted by the light guide 46 is received by the light receiving unit 45 in which a plurality of light receiving pixels are arranged one-dimensionally,
It is composed of a CCD sensor 44 or the like that accumulates the generated charges for a predetermined period of time, then sequentially reads them out and converts them into an electric signal. On the back surface of the CCD sensor 44, a lead shielding plate 48 for preventing the incidence of scattered X-rays. Are provided and these are hermetically housed in a housing made of synthetic resin or the like. The CCD sensor 44 may have a light receiving section 45 in which a plurality of light receiving pixels are two-dimensionally arranged.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the signal processing circuit according to the present invention. The X-ray image pickup device 43 performs a read operation based on the clock signal from the drive circuit 55, and outputs the image pickup signal in time series when the charges in each light receiving unit are sequentially read. The image pickup signal is the next AD conversion circuit 56.
The analog signal is converted into an 8-bit digital signal, for example, and stored in the image memory 57. When the scanning of the X-ray beam XB is completed in this way, the X-ray image of the subject is stored in the image memory 57 as digital data.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of image scanning. In FIG. 5A, when the X-ray image sensor 43 is installed vertically and the rear surface of the subject B is moved rightward so as to detect the X-ray beam XB being scanned, as shown in FIG. The digital data of the X-ray image of the subject B is stored in the image memory 57 from left to right along the vertical scanning line.

The processing circuit 58 shown in FIG.
The image data stored in 7 is subjected to image processing such as gradation processing and frequency processing, and stored in the image memory 57 again. In this way, the image data before and after the processing is output to the monitor device 59 such as a CRT, and the digital X-ray image of the subject is displayed on the screen through digital-analog conversion and coloring processing. In addition, such image data is recorded by the video printer 60.
Is also output, and the X-ray image of the subject is recorded and displayed on the recording paper.

By controlling the orientation of the X-ray head 30 in this manner, the entire subject is scanned with the slit-shaped X-ray beam XB, and the X-ray beam XB is interlocked with the X-ray beam XB.
By linearly moving the line image pickup element 43, a Cephalo image of the subject can be two-dimensionally detected. Further, by processing the image pickup signal from the X-ray image pickup device 43, a Cephalo image can be displayed on a screen or recording paper.

FIG. 6 (a) is an overall front view showing a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 (b) is its plan view, and FIG. 6 (c).
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a drive mechanism control circuit. This device
A panorama that can be used for both panoramic shooting and cephalometric shooting.
It is an X-ray imaging device that also serves as a cephalo. This panoramic photographing mechanism and operation are the same as those in FIG. 1, except that the stroke of the arm displacement mechanism 21 is set to be long. Further, in FIG. 6C, an X-ray detector retracting mechanism 26 is newly added. This has the function of revolving the X-ray detector 25 for panoramic radiography greatly and retracting it from the X-ray irradiation field, as shown in FIG. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG. 1, and thus redundant description will be omitted.

Next, the cephalo photographing mechanism will be described. A support rod 13 that extends horizontally from the back surface of the support 12 is fixed, and an X-ray image sensor moving mechanism 42 is installed at the tip thereof by a mounting member 41. X-ray imaging device moving mechanism 4
2 supports the X-ray imaging element 43 having the linear detection surface shown in FIG. 2 in the vertical direction, while the horizontal direction (the vertical direction on the paper surface of FIG. 6A, based on the command data from the CPU 51). 6 (b) in the vertical direction).

On the X-ray incident side of the X-ray image pickup device 43, a head fixing device 40 for fixing the patient's head so as to be sandwiched by three rods is provided. On the other hand, the arm 20 and the X-ray head 30 are positioned so that their directions are parallel to the scanning center X3. Further, the X-ray film X-ray detector 25 for panoramic radiography is rotated and retracted to a predetermined position so as not to interfere with the X-ray irradiation field for cephalometric radiography.

Next, the operation of the cephalo photography will be described. After the head of the patient is fixed in a predetermined direction such as the front, the side, or an angle of 45 degrees using the head fixing device 40, the X-ray imaging device 43
At one end of the scanning range, for example, the left end facing the patient (see FIG.
Initialization is performed on the front side of the sheet of FIG. 5A and the lower end portion of FIG. Further, the initial position is set so that the X-ray head 30 directly irradiates the X-ray image sensor 43.

Next, the X-ray head 30 generates a slit-shaped X-ray beam XB extending in the vertical direction, and scanning of the X-ray head 30 and the X-ray image pickup element 43 is started.
At this time, the slit adjusting mechanism 32a is adjusted so that the irradiation field of the X-ray beam XB becomes approximately the same as the detection surface of the X-ray imaging element 43.
The opening shape of is set. When the X-ray head 30 is linearly moved by operating the arm displacement mechanism 21, the X-ray beam X
B moves in parallel and scans the subject, and the X-ray imaging element 43 linearly scans in conjunction with this movement. In this way, the Cephalo image of the subject can be detected. At this time, the distance L1 from the X-ray head 30 to the patient's head and the X-ray head 30
To the X-ray image sensor 43 to the distance L2 is 1: 1.
It is set to be 1. When the image pickup signal from the X-ray image pickup device 43 is processed by the signal processing circuit of FIG. 3, a Cephalo image of the subject is displayed by the monitor device 59 and the video printer 60.

FIG. 7 (a) is an overall front view showing a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 (b) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 7 (c).
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a drive mechanism control circuit. This device
A panorama that can be used for both panoramic shooting and cephalometric shooting.
It is an X-ray imaging device that also serves as a cephalo. Since this panoramic photographing mechanism and operation are the same as those in FIG. 1, duplicate description will be omitted.

Next, the cephalo photographing mechanism will be described. A support rod 13 that extends horizontally from the back surface of the support 12 is fixed, and an X-ray image sensor moving mechanism 42 is installed at the tip thereof by a mounting member 41. X-ray imaging device moving mechanism 4
2 supports the X-ray imaging device 43 having the linear detection surface shown in FIG. 2 in the vertical direction, while the horizontal direction (the vertical direction on the paper surface of FIG. 7A, based on the command data from the CPU 51). 7 (b) in the vertical direction).

A head fixing device 40 for fixing the patient's head is provided on the X-ray incident side of the X-ray image pickup device 43.
On the other hand, the arm 20 and the X-ray head 30 are positioned so that their directions are parallel to the scanning center X3. After that, X
The line head 30 is fixed to the arm 20. Further, the X-ray detector moving mechanism 24 is operated to move upward so that the panoramic X-ray detector 25 does not interfere with the cephalographic X-ray irradiation field, and is retracted.

Next, the operation of cephalo photography will be described. After the head of the patient is fixed in a predetermined direction such as the front, the side, or an angle of 45 degrees using the head fixing device 40, the X-ray imaging device 43
At one end of the scanning range, for example, the left end facing the patient (see FIG.
Initialization is performed on the front side of the sheet of FIG. 7A and the lower end portion of FIG. 7B. Further, the arm rotating mechanism 22 is operated to rotate the arm 20, and the X-ray head 30 is initially set so that the X-ray imaging device 43 is directly irradiated.

Next, the X-ray head 30 generates a slit-shaped X-ray beam XB extending in the vertical direction, and scanning of the X-ray head 30 and the X-ray image pickup device 43 is started.
At this time, the slit adjusting mechanism 32a is adjusted so that the irradiation field of the X-ray beam XB becomes approximately the same as the detection surface of the X-ray imaging element 43.
The opening width of is set. When the arm rotating mechanism 22 is operated to rotate the arm 20, the X-ray head 30 rotates around the turning center of the arm 20, and the X-ray beam XB angularly displaces to scan the subject and interlock with this movement. Then, the X-ray image sensor 43 scans linearly. In this way, the Cephalo image of the entire subject can be detected. At this time, the ratio of the distance L1 from the X-ray head 30 to the patient's head and the distance L2 from the X-ray head 30 to the X-ray imaging element 43 is set to be 1: 1.1. When the image pickup signal from the X-ray image pickup device 43 is processed by the signal processing circuit of FIG. 3, a Cephalo image of the subject is displayed on the monitor device 59 or the video printer 60.
Displayed by.

FIG. 8 (a) is an overall front view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 (b) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 8 (c).
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a drive mechanism control circuit. This device
A cephalometric X-ray apparatus, which is a pillar 11 that stands on the base.
The support body 12 is provided at the upper and lower positions of the support body. A support rod 13 extending horizontally is fixed to the support body 12.
An attachment member 14 accommodating the X-ray head moving mechanism 33 is fixed to the right end of the.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the X-ray head moving mechanism 33. The X-ray head 30 is linearly guided by the linear slide mechanism 33a, a screw shaft 33b is installed parallel to the linear slide mechanism 33a, and a nut 33c screwed to the screw shaft 33b and the X-ray head 30 are connected. There is. The screw shaft 33b is rotationally driven by a pulse motor (not shown). When the screw shaft 33b is rotated by a predetermined amount based on command data from the CPU 51, the X-ray head 30 is linearly displaced by a predetermined amount. An X-ray diaphragm device 32 having a slit adjusting mechanism 32a for limiting an X-ray irradiation field is arranged on the front surface of the X-ray head 30, and the opening shape of the slit adjusting mechanism 32a is adjusted by the CPU 51.

In FIG. 8C, a CPU 51, a ROM 52 for storing programs and data, and a RAM 53 for storing data are connected to a bus 54, and the X-ray head moving mechanism 33, slit adjusting mechanism 32a and X as described above are further connected. The line image pickup device moving mechanism 42 is connected to the bus 54. Each mechanism is provided with a pulse motor or the like for driving a linear movement mechanism such as a screw shaft, and realizes linear displacement by an amount of change corresponding to command data from the CPU 51.
Although the screw shaft is shown as the linear movement mechanism, a known mechanism such as belt driving can be adopted.

An X-ray image pickup device moving mechanism 42 is installed at the left end of the supporting rod 13 by a mounting member 41. The X-ray image pickup device moving mechanism 42 vertically supports the X-ray image pickup device 43 having the linear detection surface shown in FIG.
It has a function of linearly moving in the horizontal direction (the vertical direction of the paper surface of FIG. 8A, the vertical direction of FIG. 8B) based on the command data from 1. On the X-ray incident side of the X-ray image sensor 43,
A head fixing device 40 for fixing the patient's head is provided.

Next, the operation of the cephalo photography will be described. After the head of the patient is fixed in a predetermined direction such as the front, the side, or an angle of 45 degrees using the head fixing device 40, the X-ray imaging device 43
At one end of the scanning range, for example, the left end facing the patient (see FIG. 8).
Initialization is performed on the front side of the sheet of FIG. 8A and the lower end portion of FIG. 8B. Further, by operating the X-ray head moving mechanism 33,
The initial position is set so that the X-ray head 30 directly irradiates the X-ray image sensor 43.

Next, the X-ray head 30 generates a slit-shaped X-ray beam XB extending in the vertical direction, and scanning of the X-ray head 30 and the X-ray image pickup device 43 is started.
At this time, the slit adjusting mechanism 32a is adjusted so that the irradiation field of the X-ray beam XB becomes approximately the same as the detection surface of the X-ray imaging element 43.
The opening width of is set. When the X-ray head moving mechanism 33 is operated, the X-ray head 30 linearly moves to move the X-ray beam X.
B moves in parallel and scans the subject, and the X-ray imaging element 43 linearly scans in conjunction with this movement. In this way, the Cephalo image of the subject can be detected. At this time, the distance L1 from the X-ray head 30 to the patient's head and the X-ray head 30
To the X-ray image sensor 43 to the distance L2 is 1: 1.
It is set to be 1. When the image pickup signal from the X-ray image pickup device 43 is processed by the signal processing circuit of FIG. 3, a Cephalo image of the subject is displayed by the monitor device 59 and the video printer 60.

FIG. 10 (a) is an overall front view showing the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 (b) is a plan view thereof.
(C) is a block diagram of a drive mechanism control circuit. This apparatus is a cephalometric X-ray imaging apparatus, and a support 12 is provided on a support 11 standing on a base so as to be vertically movable.
A support rod 13 extending horizontally is fixed to the support body 12, and a mounting member 15 accommodating an X-ray head rotation mechanism 34 for controlling a rotation angle around a horizontal axis is fixed to a right end of the support rod 13. As the X-ray head rotation mechanism 34, for example, a worm gear mechanism as shown in FIG. 2B is adopted, the X-ray head 30 is attached to the rotationally movable portion, and the horizontal axis of the X-ray head 30 is commanded by the CPU 51. The rotational position around it can be controlled arbitrarily. On the front surface of the X-ray head 30, an X-ray diaphragm device 32 having a slit adjusting mechanism 32a for limiting an X-ray irradiation field is arranged.
The opening shape of 2a is adjusted by the CPU 51.

In FIG. 10 (c), a CPU 51, a ROM 52 for storing programs and data, and a RAM 53 for storing data are connected to a bus 54, and further, the X-ray head rotating mechanism 34, slit adjusting mechanism 32a and X described above are connected.
The line image pickup device moving mechanism 42 is connected to the bus 54.
Each mechanism is provided with a rotation transmission mechanism such as a reduction gear and a screw shaft, a pulse motor for driving a linear movement mechanism, and the like, and realizes a rotational displacement or a linear displacement by an amount of change corresponding to command data from the CPU 51. .

An X-ray image pickup device moving mechanism 42 is installed at the left end of the supporting rod 13 by a mounting member 41. The X-ray image pickup device moving mechanism 42 horizontally supports the X-ray image pickup device 43 having the linear detection surface shown in FIG.
Vertical direction based on the command data from 1 (Fig. 10 (a)
10 has a function of linearly moving in the vertical direction of FIG. A head fixing device 40 for fixing the patient's head is provided on the X-ray incident side of the X-ray imaging element 43.

Next, the operation of the cephalo photography will be described. After the head of the patient is fixed in a predetermined direction such as the front, the side, or an angle of 45 degrees using the head fixing device 40, the X-ray imaging device 43
At one end of the scanning range, for example the upper end of the patient (Fig. 10 (a)
The upper side of FIG. 10B is the initial setting. Further, the X-ray head rotation mechanism 34 is operated to initialize the orientation of the X-ray head 30 so that the X-ray image sensor 43 is directly irradiated.

Next, the X-ray head 30 generates a slit-shaped X-ray beam XB extending in the horizontal direction, and scanning of the X-ray head 30 and the X-ray image pickup device 43 is started.
At this time, the slit adjusting mechanism 32a is adjusted so that the irradiation field of the X-ray beam XB becomes approximately the same as the detection surface of the X-ray imaging element 43.
The opening shape of is set. When the X-ray head rotating mechanism 34 is operated, the X-ray head 30 rotates to rotate the X-ray beam XB.
Scans the subject with angular displacement in the vertical direction, and the X-ray image sensor 43 linearly scans in the vertical direction in conjunction with this movement. In this way, the Cephalo image of the entire subject can be detected. At this time, the ratio of the distance L1 from the X-ray head 30 to the patient's head and the distance L2 from the X-ray head 30 to the X-ray imaging element 43 is set to be 1: 1.1. When the image pickup signal from the X-ray image pickup device 43 is processed by the signal processing circuit of FIG. 3, a Cephalo image of the subject is displayed by the monitor device 59 and the video printer 60.

[0059]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the X-ray beam is scanned using the X-ray generator rotating means, the arm displacing means, or the arm rotating means for panoramic radiography, and the X-ray beam is scanned.
The X-ray image of the second subject can be detected by moving the X-ray image sensor in conjunction with the scanning of the line beam. By processing the electrical signal from this X-ray image sensor,
The X-ray image can be displayed on a display or the like. Thus, high quality cephalographic images can be obtained without the use of X-ray film.

Further, by controlling the position or direction of the X-ray generator for generating the slit-shaped X-ray beam,
An X-ray image of the subject can be detected by scanning the entire subject with the X-ray beam and moving the X-ray imaging device so that the X-ray beam is incident in conjunction with the scanning of the X-ray beam. An X-ray image can be displayed on a display or the like by processing the electric signal from the X-ray image sensor. Thus, high quality cephalographic images can be obtained without the use of X-ray film.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 (a) is an overall front view showing a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 (b) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 1 (c) is a block diagram of a drive mechanism control circuit. .

2A is a configuration diagram showing an example of an X-ray imaging element moving mechanism 42, and FIG. 2B is a configuration diagram showing an example of an X-ray head rotating mechanism 31. FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of an X-ray imaging device 43.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a signal processing circuit according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of image scanning.

FIG. 6 (a) is an overall front view showing a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 (b) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 6 (c) is a block diagram of a drive mechanism control circuit. .

7 (a) is an overall front view showing a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 (b) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 7 (c) is a block diagram of a drive mechanism control circuit. .

8A is an overall front view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8B is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 8C is a block diagram of a drive mechanism control circuit. .

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an X-ray head moving mechanism 33.

10 (a) is an overall front view showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 (b) is a plan view thereof.
(C) is a block diagram of a drive mechanism control circuit.

FIG. 11 (a) is an overall front view showing an example of a conventional panorama / cephalo dual-use X-ray imaging apparatus,
FIG. 11B is a plan view thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Support 12 Support 13 Support 20 Arm 21 Arm Displacement Mechanism 22 Arm Rotating Mechanism 24 X-ray Detector Moving Mechanism 25 X-ray Detector 26 X-ray Detector Retracting Mechanism 30 X-ray Head 31 X-ray Head Rotating Mechanism 32 X-ray Diaphragm device 32a Slit adjusting mechanism 33 X-ray head moving mechanism 34 X-ray head rotating mechanism 40 Head fixing device 41 Mounting member 42 X-ray image sensor moving mechanism 43 X-ray image sensor XB X-ray beam

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An X-ray generation unit for generating a slit-shaped X-ray beam, an X-ray detection unit for detecting an X-ray beam that has passed through a first object, an X-ray generation unit and an X-ray detection unit. A swivel arm for supporting the means, an arm swivel means for swiveling the swivel arm around a predetermined axis, an arm displacement means for displacing the swivel arm in a plane perpendicular to the predetermined axis, and a swivel arm, X-ray generator rotation means for rotating the X-ray generator about an axis parallel to a predetermined axis, and X-ray detection for moving the X-ray detector with respect to the swivel arm in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined axis. Second moving means and X-ray generating section placed at a position different from the first subject;
An X-ray image sensor for irradiating an X-ray beam toward a subject, detecting the X-ray beam that has passed through the second subject, and converting the X-ray beam into an electric signal, and an X-ray generation unit by an X-ray generation unit rotation unit. X-ray detector moving means for rotating and scanning the X-ray beam and moving the X-ray image sensor in conjunction with the scanning of the X-ray beam; and processing an electric signal from the X-ray image sensor. And a signal processing means for displaying an X-ray image of the second object, a combined panoramic and cephalometric X-ray imaging apparatus. 2. An X-ray generation unit for generating a slit-shaped X-ray beam, X-ray detection means for detecting the X-ray beam that has passed through the first object, X-ray generation unit and X-ray detection. A swivel arm for supporting the means, an arm swivel means for swiveling the swivel arm around a predetermined axis, an arm displacement means for displacing the swivel arm in a plane perpendicular to the predetermined axis, and a swivel arm, X-ray generator rotation means for rotating the X-ray generator about an axis parallel to a predetermined axis, and X-ray detection for moving the X-ray detector with respect to the swivel arm in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined axis. Second moving means and X-ray generating section placed at a position different from the first subject;
The X-ray beam is emitted toward the subject, the X-ray beam that has passed through the second subject is detected, and the X-ray imaging unit for converting the X-ray beam into an electric signal and the arm displacement means linearly move the X-ray generation unit. X-ray beam is scanned with the X-ray beam, and X-ray detector moving means for moving the X-ray image sensor in conjunction with the scanning of the X-ray beam; and an electric signal from the X-ray image sensor are processed, A panorama / cephalo dual-use X-ray imaging apparatus comprising: a signal processing unit for displaying X-ray images of two subjects. 3. An X-ray generation unit for generating a slit-shaped X-ray beam, X-ray detection means for detecting the X-ray beam that has passed through the first object, X-ray generation unit and X-ray detection. A swivel arm for supporting the means, an arm swivel means for swiveling the swivel arm around a predetermined axis, an arm displacement means for displacing the swivel arm in a plane perpendicular to the predetermined axis, and a swivel arm, X-ray generator rotation means for rotating the X-ray generator about an axis parallel to a predetermined axis, and X-ray detection for moving the X-ray detector with respect to the swivel arm in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined axis. Second moving means and X-ray generating section placed at a position different from the first subject;
An X-ray image sensor for irradiating an X-ray beam toward a subject, detecting the X-ray beam that has passed through the second subject, and converting the X-ray beam into an electric signal, and rotating the X-ray generation unit by the arm rotation means. X-ray detector moving means for scanning the X-ray beam and moving the X-ray image pickup device in conjunction with the scanning of the X-ray beam; and processing an electric signal from the X-ray image pickup device, A panorama / cephalo dual-use X-ray imaging apparatus comprising a signal processing unit for displaying an X-ray image of a subject. 4. An X-ray generation unit for generating a slit-shaped X-ray beam toward a subject, and an X-ray beam for scanning the X-ray beam by controlling the position or orientation of the X-ray generation unit. Scanning means, an X-ray imaging element for detecting an X-ray beam that has passed through the subject and converting it into an electrical signal, and an X-ray for moving the X-ray imaging element in conjunction with the scanning of the X-ray beam. A cephalographic X-ray imaging apparatus comprising: an image pickup device moving unit; and a signal processing unit for processing an electric signal from the X-ray image pickup device and displaying an X-ray image of a subject. 5. The Cephalo X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the X-ray beam scanning unit is an X-ray generation unit displacement unit for linearly displacing the X-ray generation unit. 6. The cephalometric X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the X-ray beam scanning unit is an X-ray generation unit rotation unit for rotating the X-ray generation unit.