KR101832949B1 - X-ray imaging apparatus and x-ray radiation field control methdo - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a control method of an X-ray radiation range. The control method comprises the following steps of: setting an X-ray emitting range of a collimator with respect to the progressing direction of X-ray photographing; and controlling a radiation range of an X-ray irradiated onto a health examinee by controlling a location of a collimator iris based on the setting during X-ray photographing.

Description

X-RAY IMAGING APPARATUS AND X-RAY RADIATION FIELD CONTROL METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an X-ray photographing apparatus and an X-ray irradiation range control method, and more particularly to an X-ray photographing apparatus and an X-ray irradiation range controlling method using a collimator, A photographing apparatus and a method thereof.

Generally, in the dentistry, an X-ray imaging apparatus is installed to perform X-ray imaging in order to treat teeth and various periodontal diseases, or to grasp the state of the teeth and alveolar bone for the purpose of correction of the teeth.

An X-ray photographing apparatus used in a dentistry transmits a predetermined amount of X-ray to a part of a body part to be photographed, detects the intensity of the transmitted X-ray, converts it into an electric signal corresponding to the X-ray intensity At this time, the computer acquires an image by obtaining the intensity of the X-ray of each point in the body imaging region and processing the X-ray intensity.

As such an X-ray photographing apparatus, an X-ray photographing apparatus for CT (computerized tomography) capable of photographing a three-dimensional stereoscopic image and a panoramic X-ray photographing apparatus capable of photographing in a two-dimensional plane are mainly used.

An X-ray radiographing device for CT is an imaging device that displays a short-sighted surface of the body which can not be represented by general photographing. The X-ray is projected on a human body while rotating at a constant angle over 360 degrees, and the transmitted X-rays are collected through a detector such as a sensor , And reconstructs the absorption value for the cross section of the human body and displays it as an image.

The panoramic x-ray photographing apparatus is a device capable of panoramic photographing so that the whole tooth state and the jaw joint can be seen at a glance by photographing the whole in the circumferential direction around the x-ray generator.

In such a dental X-ray imaging apparatus, a collimator is installed in order to reduce the exposure of the examinee. The collimator is installed on the side where the X-rays are emitted from the X-ray imaging apparatus, and controls the radiation field of the X-rays irradiated to the subject when the specific part of the subject is photographed. Such a collimator can reduce the exposure dose of the examinee by preventing the X-rays from being irradiated to unnecessary body parts of the examinee.

However, the conventional collimator has a problem that the X-ray emission range is constant from the start time point to the end time point of the X-ray imaging, and X-rays are irradiated from the body part of the examinee to the body part where the X-

If the X-ray emission range of the collimator is reduced to reduce the exposure dose of the examinee, the exposure dose of the examinee can be reduced, but the X-ray image can not be obtained accurately. Also, in this case, since the X-ray imaging must be performed again in order to acquire the accurate x-ray image, the dose of the examinee also increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been conceived to solve the problems described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray imaging apparatus and a X- And controlling the position of the collimator diaphragm based on the setting to control the range of the x-ray irradiation to the examinee.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an X-ray irradiation range, the method comprising: setting an X-ray emission range of a collimator with respect to a traveling direction of the X-ray imaging; And controlling the X-ray irradiation range to be irradiated to the examinee.

In the setting, the X-ray emission range of the collimator may be set based on a profile defining an X-ray emission range of the collimator for each of a plurality of points located in the X-ray imaging progression direction.

The setting step may further include the steps of: receiving oral structure information of the examinee; selecting a profile suitable for X-ray photographing of the examinee among a plurality of previously stored profiles based on the oral cavity structure information of the examinee; And setting the X-ray emission range of the collimator on the basis of the X-ray emission range of the collimator.

The setting step may include displaying a first UI (User Interface) screen that allows selection among a plurality of previously stored profile lists, displaying one of a plurality of profile lists through the displayed first UI (User Interface) screen, And setting an X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the selected profile.

The setting step may include displaying a second UI screen enabling creation of a profile and setting an X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the created profile when the profile is created through the displayed second UI screen .

The second UI screen includes a first area for creating an X-ray emission range of the collimator corresponding to the X-ray imaging starting point, a third area for creating an X-ray emission range of the collimator corresponding to the X- And a second area for creating an X-ray emission range of the collimator corresponding to a time point between the end point and the end point of the collimator.

The setting may include displaying an image of a human tooth, selecting a region of interest of the user in the displayed image, and setting an X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the selected region of interest . ≪ / RTI >

The X-ray emission range of the collimator may be formed at a first level that defines an upper value of the X-ray emission range of the collimator and a second level that defines a lower value of the X-ray emission range of the collimator.

The diaphragm of the collimator moves vertically with respect to the X-ray imaging progression direction, and includes a first diaphragm formed on the upper portion and a second diaphragm formed on the lower portion, and the position of the first diaphragm And calculating the position of the second diaphragm using the second level.

And, the adjusting step may move the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm in a vertical direction based on the calculated position of the first diaphragm and the position of the second diaphragm.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an X-ray imaging apparatus including an X-ray source for generating an X-ray, a collimator for adjusting an emission range of the generated X-ray, And an X-ray emission range setting unit for setting an X-ray emission range of the collimator with respect to a traveling direction of the X-ray imaging, wherein the collimator controls the position of the diaphragm based on the setting at the time of X- The irradiation range of the X-rays irradiated to the examinee can be controlled.

The X-ray emission range setting unit may set an X-ray emission range of the collimator based on a profile defining an X-ray emission range of the collimator for each of a plurality of points located in the X-ray imaging progression direction.

The apparatus may further include a recipient information receiving unit for receiving the oral cavity structure information of the examinee and a storage unit for storing a plurality of profiles, wherein the X-ray emission range setting unit is configured to determine, based on the oral cavity structure information of the examinee, It is possible to select a profile suitable for X-ray imaging of the examinee and to set an X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the selected profile.

The display device may further include a display unit for displaying a first UI (User Interface) screen for enabling selection among a plurality of pre-stored profile lists, wherein the X-ray emission range setting unit sets a plurality The emission range of the X-ray of the collimator can be set based on the selected profile.

And a display unit for displaying a second UI screen enabling creation of a profile, wherein when the profile is created through the second UI screen displayed, the X-ray emission range setting unit sets the X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the created profile, You can set the X-ray emission range.

The second UI screen includes a first area for creating an X-ray emission range of the collimator corresponding to the X-ray imaging starting point, a third area for creating an X-ray emission range of the collimator corresponding to the X- And a second area for creating an X-ray emission range of the collimator corresponding to a time point between the end point and the end point of the collimator.

And a display unit for displaying an image of a human tooth, wherein the X-ray emission range setting unit sets the X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the selected region of interest when the user's region of interest is selected in the displayed image, Can be set.

The X-ray emission range of the collimator may be formed at a first level that defines an upper value of the X-ray emission range of the collimator and a second level that defines a lower value of the X-ray emission range of the collimator.

The diaphragm of the collimator moves vertically with respect to the x-ray imaging progression direction, and includes a first diaphragm formed on the upper portion and a second diaphragm formed on the lower portion, and the position of the first diaphragm And a diaphragm position calculation unit for calculating the position of the second diaphragm using the second level.

The collimator may move the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm in a vertical direction based on the calculated position of the first diaphragm and the position of the second diaphragm.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the X-ray emission range of the collimator is controlled so that the X-rays are irradiated only to the region of interest of the examinee during radiography, thereby minimizing the exposure of the examinee. Accurate x-ray images can be obtained for the site.

In particular, according to various embodiments of the present invention, the user can easily set the X-ray emission range of the collimator by viewing the displayed UI screen by providing the UI screen for setting the X-ray emission range of the collimator.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a conceptual diagram showing a collimator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 to 7 are views showing a screen for setting an X-ray emission range according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an X-ray irradiation range control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart specifically illustrating an X-ray irradiation range control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The matters relating to the operational effects including the technical structure of the above-mentioned object of the X-ray photographing apparatus and the X-ray irradiation range control method according to the present invention will be clearly understood by the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings, .

The advantages and features of the present invention and the techniques for achieving them will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The present embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of the present invention is not only limited thereto, but also may enable others skilled in the art to fully understand the scope of the invention. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawings illustrate the general manner of construction and the detailed description of known features and techniques may be omitted so as to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the discussion of the described embodiments of the invention. Additionally, elements of the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, to facilitate understanding of embodiments of the present invention, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements. Like reference numerals in different drawings denote like elements, and like reference numbers may indicate similar elements, although not necessarily.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1, an X-ray imaging apparatus 100 includes a base 110, a support column 120, an elevation member 130, a jaw support member 140, a rotary arm driving unit 150, a rotary arm 160, Ray source unit 170, an image sensor unit 180, a control unit 190, and a byte block 200, all or part of which are shown in FIG.

The base 110 supports the support pillars 120 on which the components are installed and the support pillars 120 are installed on one side of the base 110.

Here, the supporting column 120 is provided with the elevating member 130, and the elevating member 130 is provided with the control motor and the like, and can be displaced up and down. Therefore, the height can be appropriately adjusted in accordance with the key of the examinee 10.

The elevating member 130 is provided with an input unit 131 and the user can input commands for controlling the dental X-ray imaging apparatus 100 through the input unit 131. [ The input unit 131 may include all or some of the user input unit and the microphone unit.

The user input unit can receive user inputs such as touch, push operation, and the like. Here, the user input unit may be implemented using at least one of various types of buttons, a touch sensor for receiving a touch input, and a proximity sensor for receiving an approaching motion. The microphone unit can receive the user's voice.

The jaw support member 140 is disposed at a position where the jaw of the examinee 10 is located and the head of the examinee 10 is positioned on the X- And the image sensor unit 180.

A support member (not shown) for supporting the rotary arm 160 is connected to the upper part of the front face of the elevating member 130 in a substantially vertical direction. The rotary arm support member (not shown) The arm 160 can be supported.

Here, the rotary arm driving unit 150 may move the rotary arm 160 in the forward direction, the backward direction, the leftward direction, and the rightward direction. In addition, the rotary arm driving unit 150 may rotate the rotary arm 160 with respect to the rotary center shaft 300.

One end of the rotary arm 160 is connected to the x-ray light source unit 170, and the other end of the rotary arm 160 is connected to the image sensor unit 180. The rotary arm 160 and the rotary arm 160 may be disposed opposite to each other. Here, the X-ray source unit 170 generates an X-ray to transmit the X-ray to the examinee, and the image sensor unit 180 can convert the X-ray transmitted through the head of the examinee into an electrical signal.

The x-ray source unit 170 and the image sensor unit 180 can be rotated about the rotation center axis 300 of the rotary arm 160 according to the rotary motion of the rotary arm driving unit 150.

In order to align the position of the head of the examinee, the jaw support member 140 may be provided with a bite block 200 which is inserted into the teeth of the examinee.

The collimator 300 for adjusting the emission range of the X-rays generated from the X-ray source unit 170 may be installed on the X-ray source unit 170 side. The collimator 300 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

The opening 301 is a hole through which the X-ray generated from the X-ray source unit 170 passes. The size of the opening 301 can be adjusted according to the movement of the diaphragms 311 and 312 in the axial direction. Here, the size of the opening 301 and the X-ray emission range of the collimator may have the same meaning.

The driving units 321 and 322 include a first driving unit 321 coupled to the first diaphragm 311 to provide power for moving the first diaphragm 311, a second diaphragm 312 coupled to the second diaphragm 312, And a second drive unit 322 that provides power for movement of the second motor.

The driving units 321 and 322 control the position of at least one of the first diaphragm 311 and the second diaphragm 312 with respect to the traveling direction of the X-ray imaging to adjust the X-ray emission range of the collimator formed by the opening 301 have.

More specifically, the position of the first iris 311 and the position of the second iris 312 with respect to the advancing direction of the X-ray radiography is a profile defining the X-ray emission range of the collimator for each of a plurality of points located in the X- Can be determined on a basis. In this case, each of the first driving portion 321 and the second driving portion 322 can provide power for moving the first diaphragm 311 and the second diaphragm 312 based on the profile.

For example, if the collimator X-ray emission range is formed at a first level that defines an upper value and a second level that defines a lower value, the first driver 321 may include a first diaphragm 311 And the second driver 322 may provide power for movement of the second diaphragm 312 based on the second level. Here, the driving units 321 and 322 may be implemented by including a motor, a gear assembly, and the like.

The first diaphragm 311 and the second diaphragm 312 can move vertically with respect to the X-ray imaging progressing direction along the movement axis. Specifically, the first diaphragm 311 formed on the upper portion can be moved to the upper portion or the lower portion using the power provided from the first driving portion 321. The second diaphragm 312 formed at the lower portion may be moved to the upper portion or the lower portion using the power provided by the second driving portion 322. The first diaphragm 311 and the second diaphragm 312 may be provided with a metal plate installed to move in the axial direction and to block transmission of the X-rays.

The X-ray emission range 301 of the collimator is adjusted according to the axial movement of the first diaphragm 311 and the second diaphragm 312, and thus the X-ray irradiation range 401 irradiated to the receiver is adjusted .

For example, when the position of the first diaphragm 311 moves upward and the position of the second diaphragm 312 moves downward, the X-ray irradiation range 401 increases and the X-ray irradiation range 401 ) Can also increase.

As another example, when the position of the first diaphragm 311 moves downward and the position of the second diaphragm 312 moves upward, the X-ray irradiation range 401 decreases and the X-ray irradiation range 401 ) Can also be reduced.

Here, the X-ray emission range 301 of the collimator may vary depending on the size and position of the region of interest in which the accurate x-ray image acquisition of the body part of the examinee is required. Hereinafter, a method of setting the above-described X-ray emission range 301 of the collimator will be described in more detail.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3, the X-ray imaging apparatus 100 includes a rotary arm driving unit 150, a rotary arm 160, an X-ray light source unit 170, an image sensor unit 180, an X-ray emission range setting unit 191, A storage unit 193, a display unit 194, a diaphragm position calculation unit 195, and a collimator 300. The collimator 300 may include a light receiving unit 192, a storage unit 193, a display unit 194,

The examinee information receiving unit 192 can receive information on the oral structure of the examinee. Herein, the information on the mouth structure of the examinee includes information indicating whether the oral structure is normal or protruding, information indicating whether the cause of protrusion is protrusion of the gum or tooth protrusion, information indicating whether the protrusion is upper or lower, And the like. Information about the mouth structure of the examinee can be received from an external server or another apparatus through a communication module (not shown) of the X-ray imaging apparatus 100. Or information about the mouth structure of the examinee may be received via input 131 receiving user input.

The storage unit 193 stores various data and applications necessary for the operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus 100. Particularly, the storage unit 193 stores data necessary for the operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus 100, for example, an OS, a UI (User Interface) screen, and a plurality of points located in the X- Defined profile data and the like can be stored.

The storage unit 193 may be a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a ROM, an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electronically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a register, a hard disk, Card, a Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), or the like, as well as a removable storage device such as a USB memory or an external storage device such as a DB (Data Base).

The display unit 194 can output data that can be visually recognized by the user. In particular, the display unit 194 may display a UI screen for setting the X-ray emission range of the collimator 300. [

The display unit 194 may be formed on the front surface of the X-ray imaging apparatus 100 and exposed to the user. For example, when the input unit 131 is implemented as a touch sensor, the display unit 194 may be formed on one side of the touch sensor to display a screen upon receiving a user input.

On the other hand, the X-ray emission range setting unit 191 can set the X-ray emission range of the collimator 200 with respect to the traveling direction of the X-ray imaging.

Here, the X-ray photographing is performed by projecting the X-ray to the human body while rotating the X-ray at a constant angle over 360 degrees, collecting the transmitted X-rays through the detector such as a sensor, reconstructing the absorption value of the human body, . ≪ / RTI > Further, the X-ray photographing may include a panoramic X-ray photographing in which the entire X-ray generating device is photographed in the circumferential direction around the X-ray generating device. However, preferably, the X-ray imaging may be a panoramic X-ray imaging.

The direction of the X-ray photographing may be different depending on the apparatus type, the photographing method, and the like. 1, the x-ray source unit 170 and the image sensor unit 180 are disposed opposite to each other to rotate the rotary arm 160, The X-ray photographing operation can be performed from the left side to the right side or from the right side to the left side. More specifically, in the case of assuming that the rotation is about the rotation axis as shown in FIG. 1, for example, depending on whether the traveling direction is determined based on the X-ray source unit 170 or the traveling direction is determined based on the image sensor unit 180 The X-ray photographing direction may be left to right or right to left.

That is, the direction of the X-ray imaging according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a horizontal direction.

The X-ray emission range setting unit 191 may set an X-ray emission range of the collimator for each of a plurality of points located in the X-ray imaging progression direction.

For example, in the X-ray photographing direction, a first point, which is the position of the x-ray emitting unit 180 (or the image sensor unit 170) (170)), and a second point located between the start point and the end point of the X-ray imaging. In this way, when the X-ray imaging progress direction is divided into three points, the X-ray emission range setting unit 191 can set the X-ray emission range of the collimator 300 for each of the first point, the second point and the third point have.

The X-ray emission range of the collimator 300 can be set by various methods such as user input, selection by a predetermined algorithm, and the like.

Specifically, the X-ray emission range setting unit 191 can set the X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the profile defining the X-ray emission range of the collimator for each of a plurality of points located in the X-ray imaging progression direction.

For example, the X-ray emission range setting unit 191 may select a profile suitable for X-ray imaging of the examinee out of a plurality of profiles previously stored in the storage unit 193 based on oral cavity structure information of the examinee received at the examinee information receiving unit 192 . More specifically, the X-ray emission range setting unit 191 can select a profile optimal for the oral cavity structure of the examinee based on a plurality of experimental data (a profile optimal for the oral cavity structure of the examinee in consideration of the exposure dose and x-ray imaging accuracy) . The X-ray emission range setting unit 191 can set the X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the selected profile.

As another example, the display unit 194 may display a first UI (User Interface) screen for enabling selection among a plurality of previously stored profile lists, and when one of the plurality of profile lists is selected from the user through the displayed first UI screen , And the X-ray emission range setting unit (191) can set the X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the selected profile.

As another example, when the profile is created through the displayed second UI screen, the display unit 194 displays the second UI screen enabling the profile creation, and the X-ray emission range setting unit 191 sets the X- You can set the X-ray emission range of the collimator. Here, the second UI screen includes a first area for creating an X-ray emission range corresponding to the X-ray imaging starting point, a third area for creating an X-ray emission range corresponding to the end of the X-ray imaging, And a second area that creates a corresponding x-ray emission range.

 As another example, when the user's area of interest is selected in the displayed image, the display unit 194 displays an image of a human tooth, and the X-ray emission range setting unit 191 sets the X- The emission range can be set. In this case, the X-ray emission range setting unit 191 can select a profile corresponding to the user-selected ROI from a plurality of profiles, and set the X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the selected profile.

On the other hand, the x-ray emission range of the collimator described above may include a first level that defines an upper value of the range and a second level that defines a lower value of the range. In this case, the aperture position calculating section 195 can calculate the position of the first diaphragm 311 using the first level, and calculate the position of the second diaphragm using the second level 312. [

Each of the first driving unit 321 and the second driving unit 322 includes a first diaphragm 311 and a second diaphragm 312 based on the position of the first diaphragm 311 calculated by the diaphragm position calculating unit 195 and the position of the first diaphragm 312, The first stop 312 and the second stop 311, respectively.

Accordingly, at the time of radiography of the X-ray imaging apparatus 100, the collimator 300 controls the position of the diaphragms 311 and 312 based on the setting of the X-ray imaging progress direction to control the X-ray irradiation range irradiated to the examinee have.

4 to 7 are views showing an X-ray emission range setting screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 4 to 7, for convenience of explanation, the case where the X-ray photographing is panoramic photographing will be described as an example.

Referring to FIG. 4, the display unit 194 may display a UI screen 410 for enabling selection among a plurality of previously stored profile lists. The UI screen 410 includes an area 411 for selecting a first profile, an area 412 for selecting a second profile, an area 413 for selecting a third profile, and an area 414 for creating a user profile .

If the user selects the area 411 on the UI screen 410, the display unit 194 may display the UI screen 430 showing the first profile corresponding to the user selection. The UI screen 430 may include an area 434 indicating the panorama photographing progress direction and an area 433 indicating the setting value of the first profile. Here, an area 433 representing the setting value of the first profile is divided into an area 433-1 representing an X-ray emission range at a first point located in the panorama photographing progress direction, an area 433-1 representing an X- An area 433-3 indicating an X-ray emission range at the third point, an area 433-4 indicating an X-ray emission range at the fourth point, and an area 433-4 indicating an X- (433-5).

The areas painted in areas 433-1, 433-2, 433-3, 433-4, 433-5 may denote the X-ray emission range of the collimator. Such an x-ray emission range may be formed at a first level that defines an upper value of the range and at a second level that defines a lower value of the range.

In the area 433 representing the set value of the first profile, an upper range line 437 connecting the first level of the X-ray emission range at a plurality of points located in the panoramic imaging progressing direction and a plurality of The lower range line 438 connecting the second level of the x-ray emission range at the point of the first line can be displayed.

That is, since the adjustment of the X-ray emission range of the collimator is continuously performed based on the upper value and the lower value at each point, the upper range line 437 and the lower range line 438 can be used to control the X- The scope adjustment process can be intuitively confirmed.

On the other hand, when the user inputs 'selection 431' on the UI screen 430, the X-ray emission range setting unit 191 can set the X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the selected first profile. However, if the user inputs 'cancel 432' in the UI screen 430, the display unit 194 returns to the previous screen to display the UI screen 410.

5, if the user selects the area 414 on the UI screen 410, the display unit 194 can display the UI screen 420 allowing the user to create a profile. The UI screen 420 may include an area 424 indicating the panoramic photographing progress direction and an area 423 for creating a profile of the user.

Here, the area 423 for profile creation can be implemented so as to be able to create an X-ray emission range at a plurality of points located in the panoramic photographing progressing direction. For example, the area 423 for creating a profile includes an area 423-1 for creating an X-ray emission range of a collimator at a first point corresponding to an X-ray imaging starting point, An area 423-3 for creating an X-ray emission range of the collimator, and a second area 423-2 for creating an X-ray emission range of the collimator at a second point located between the first point and the third point can do.

If the user selects the first area 423-1, the display unit 194 can display the UI screen 440. [ In this UI screen 440, an upper value 431 and a lower value 432 of the X-ray emission range of the collimator for the first area 423-1 can be set.

Meanwhile, the user can create an X-ray emission range of the collimator at a position corresponding to the touched area by touching the area other than the first, second, and third areas for a long time.

On the other hand, when the user sets 'selection 421' on the UI screen 420 and sets the X-ray emission range in all the areas, the X-ray emission range setting unit 191 sets the X- The emission range can be set. However, if the user inputs 'cancel 422' on the UI screen 420, the display unit 194 returns to the previous screen to display the UI screen 410.

Meanwhile, the UI screen 420 allowing the user to create a profile may be implemented differently from the above-described example. This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the user selects the area 414 on the UI screen 410, the display unit 194 may display a UI screen 520 allowing the user to create a profile. The UI screen 520 may include an area 524 indicating the panoramic photographing progress direction, and an area 523 for creating a profile of the user.

Here, the area 523 for creating a profile can receive an X-ray emission range at a plurality of points located in the panoramic photographing progress direction through a drag input of the user.

For example, the user designates the upper value 523-1 of the X-ray emission range of the collimator at the start of the X-ray imaging, and the upper value 523-2 of the X-ray emission range of the collimator at the X- Can be specified. Accordingly, the upper value 525 of the X-ray emission range can be easily input from the start time point to the end time point of the X-ray imaging. The user designates the lower value 523-3 of the X-ray emission range of the collimator at the start of the X-ray imaging and inputs the lower value 523-4 of the X-ray emission range of the collimator at the end of the X- Can be specified. Accordingly, it is possible to easily input the lower value 526 of the X-ray emission range from the start time to the end time of the X-ray imaging.

According to this input method, the user can easily input the X-ray emission range of the collimator by manually drawing the mouth shape of the examinee's eye and manually drawing the X-ray emission range corresponding to the mouth shape of the examinee in the area 523 have.

On the other hand, if an X-ray emission range is set in all areas and the user inputs 'selection 521' in the UI screen 520, the X-ray emission range setting unit 191 sets the X- The range can be set. On the other hand, the UI screen allowing the user to create a profile may be implemented differently from the above-described example. This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

According to the present invention, the user can easily set the region of interest by drawing on the touch panel based on the mouth shape shown in the area 522 while observing the mouth shape of the examinee.

7 is a view showing an X-ray emission range setting screen according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, the display unit 194 may display one image 701 of a plurality of previously stored teeth sample images. The user may then select the region of interest 702 of the user in the tooth sample image.

In this case, the X-ray emission range setting unit 191 can set the X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the selected region of interest. For example, the X-ray emission range setting unit 191 may select a profile corresponding to a user-selected ROI from a plurality of profiles, and set an X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the selected profile.

On the other hand, the selection of one of the plurality of tooth sample images can be selected using the oral structure information of the recipient received through the recipient information receiving unit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an X-ray irradiation range control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, the X-ray imaging apparatus 100 can set an X-ray emission range of the collimator with respect to the direction of X-ray imaging (S101).

Here, the setting step S101 may set the X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the profile defining the X-ray emission range of the collimator for each of a plurality of points located in the X-ray imaging progression direction.

For example, the setting step S101 includes receiving the oral cavity structure information of the examinee, selecting a profile suitable for x-ray radiography of a plurality of previously stored profiles based on the oral cavity structure information of the examinee, You can set the X-ray emission range of the collimator.

As another example, the step of setting (S101) may include displaying a first UI (User Interface) screen enabling selection among a plurality of previously stored profile lists, displaying a plurality of profile lists Selecting one from the user, and setting an X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the selected profile.

As another example, the setting step S101 may include displaying a second UI screen enabling creation of a profile, and setting the X-ray emission range based on the created profile when the profile is created through the displayed second UI screen Step < / RTI > Here, the second UI screen includes a first area for creating an X-ray emission range corresponding to the X-ray imaging starting point, a third area for creating an X-ray emission range corresponding to the end of the X-ray imaging, And a second region for creating an x-ray emission range of the collimator.

As another example, setting (S101) may include displaying an image for a human tooth, selecting a region of interest of the user in the displayed image, and setting an X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the selected region of interest . ≪ / RTI >

On the other hand, after the step of setting S101, the position of the collimator diaphragm is controlled based on the setting at the time of X-ray photographing so as to control the X-ray irradiation range irradiated to the examinee (S102).

According to the present invention, the X-ray photographing apparatus 100 can control the position of the collimator diaphragm based on the setting, control the X-ray irradiation range irradiated to the examinee, and perform X-ray photographing.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart specifically illustrating an X-ray irradiation range control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9, the X-ray imaging apparatus 100 can set an X-ray emission range of the collimator with respect to the traveling direction of X-ray imaging (S201).

Then, the X-ray imaging apparatus 100 may determine a first level that defines an upper value of the X-ray emission range and a second level that specifies a lower value of the X-ray emission range (S202).

Then, the X-ray imaging apparatus 100 can calculate the position of the first stop of the collimator using the first level (S203). Then, the X-ray imaging apparatus 100 can calculate the position of the collimator second stop using the second level (S204).

Then, the X-ray imaging apparatus 100 can move the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm in the vertical direction based on the calculated positions of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm (S205). Accordingly, the X-ray imaging apparatus 100 controls the position of the collimator diaphragm, controls the X-ray irradiation range irradiated to the examinee, and can perform X-ray imaging.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, by controlling the X-ray emission range of the collimator so that the X-rays are irradiated only to the region of interest of the examinee during radiography, the exposure of the examinee is minimized, and at the same time, Ray images can be obtained.

In the description and claims, terms such as "first", "second", "third" and "fourth" are used for distinguishing between similar components, if any, It is used to describe a particular sequence or occurrence sequence. It will be understood that the terminology used is such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are compatible under suitable circumstances to, for example, operate in a sequence other than those shown or described herein. Likewise, where the method is described as including a series of steps, the order of such steps presented herein is not necessarily the order in which such steps may be performed, any of the described steps may be omitted and / Any other step not described will be additive to the method.

Also, the terms "left", "right", "front", "back", "upper", "bottom", "above", "under", etc., It is not intended to describe a constant relative position. It will be understood that the terminology used is intended to be interchangeable with the embodiments of the invention described herein, under suitable circumstances, for example, so as to be able to operate in a different direction than that shown or described herein. The term "connected" as used herein is defined as being directly or indirectly connected in an electrically or non-electrical manner. Objects described herein as "adjacent" may be in physical contact with one another, in close proximity to one another, or in the same general range or region as are appropriate for the context in which the phrase is used. The presence of the phrase "in one embodiment" herein means the same embodiment, although not necessarily.

It is also to be understood that the phrase " connected, " " connected, " " concluded, " " concluded, " " coupled, " Or indirectly through other components.

Further, the suffix "module" and "part" for components used in the present specification are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role.

It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In the present specification, the singular form includes plural forms unless otherwise specified in the specification. It is to be understood that the terms 'comprise', and / or 'comprising' as used herein may be used to refer to the presence or absence of one or more other components, steps, operations, and / Or additions.

The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that all embodiments and conditional statements disclosed herein are intended to assist the reader in understanding the principles and concepts of the present invention to those skilled in the art, It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in various other forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof.

Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the present invention.

Meanwhile, the methods according to various embodiments of the present invention described above may be implemented in the form of installed data and provided to servers or devices in a state stored in various non-transitory computer readable media. Accordingly, each device can access the server or the device in which the installation data is stored, and download the installation data.

A non-transitory readable medium is a medium that stores data for a short period of time, such as a register, cache, memory, etc., but semi-permanently stores data and is readable by the apparatus. In particular, the various applications or programs described above may be stored on non-volatile readable media such as CD, DVD, hard disk, Blu-ray disk, USB, memory card, ROM,

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

100: X-ray photographing apparatus 110: Base
120: supporting column 130: elevating member
140: jaw supporting member 150: rotary arm driving part
160: rotary arm 170: X-ray light source
180: Image sensor unit 191: X-ray emission range setting unit
192: Receiver information receiver 193:
194: Display section 195: Aperture position calculating section
300: collimator 311, 312: diaphragm
321, 322:

Claims (20)

In the control method of the X-ray irradiation range,
Setting an X-ray emission range of the collimator with respect to the traveling direction of the X-ray imaging; And
Controlling the position of the collimator diaphragm based on the setting at the time of radiographing the X-rays, and controlling the X-ray irradiation range irradiated to the examinee
Wherein the setting step comprises:
Receiving oral structure information of the examinee;
Selecting a profile for x-ray imaging of the examinee out of a plurality of previously stored profiles based on the oral cavity structure information of the examinee; And
And setting an X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the selected profile. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the setting step comprises:
Wherein the X-ray emission range of the collimator is set based on a profile defining an X-ray emission range of the collimator for each of a plurality of points located in the X-ray imaging progression direction. delete 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the setting step comprises:
Displaying a first UI (User Interface) screen for enabling selection among a plurality of previously stored profile lists;
Receiving one of a plurality of profile lists from a user through the displayed first UI (User Interface) screen; And
And setting an X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the selected profile. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the setting step comprises:
Displaying a second UI screen enabling creation of a profile; And
And setting an X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the created profile when the profile is created through the displayed second UI screen. 6. The method of claim 5,
In the second UI screen,
A first region for creating an X-ray emission range of the collimator corresponding to the start point of X-ray imaging;
A third region for creating an X-ray emission range of the collimator corresponding to the end of the X-ray imaging; And
And a second area for creating an X-ray emission range of the collimator corresponding to a time point between the start and end of the X-ray photographing. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the setting step comprises:
Displaying an image of a person ' s teeth;
Receiving a user's region of interest in the displayed image; And
And setting an X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the selected region of interest. 3. The method of claim 2,
The X-ray emission range of the collimator is,
And a second level defining a first level that defines an upper value of the x-ray emission range of the collimator and a lower value of the x-ray emission range of the collimator. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the diaphragm of the collimator moves vertically with respect to the x-ray imaging progression direction, and includes a first diaphragm formed on the upper portion and a second diaphragm formed on the lower portion,
Calculating a position of the first diaphragm using the first level, and calculating a position of the second diaphragm using the second level. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the setting step comprises:
Wherein the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are moved in the vertical direction based on the calculated position of the first diaphragm and the position of the second diaphragm. In an X-ray imaging apparatus,
An x-ray source generating an x-ray;
A collimator for adjusting the emission range of the generated X-rays;
An image sensor for converting the x-ray transmitted through the body of the examinee into an electrical signal;
A recipient information receiver for receiving oral structure information of the recipient;
A storage unit for storing a plurality of profiles; And
And an X-ray emission range setting unit for setting an X-ray emission range of the collimator with respect to a traveling direction of the X-
The collimator includes:
And controlling the position of the diaphragm based on the setting to control the irradiation range of the X-rays irradiated to the examinee,
Wherein the X-ray emission range setting unit comprises:
Selects a profile for X-ray imaging of the examinee out of a plurality of previously stored profiles based on oral cavity structure information of the examinee, and sets an X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the selected profile. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the X-ray emission range setting unit comprises:
Wherein an X-ray emission range of the collimator is set based on a profile defining an X-ray emission range of the collimator for each of a plurality of points located in the X-ray imaging progression direction. delete 12. The method of claim 11,
Further comprising: a display unit displaying a first UI (User Interface) screen for enabling selection among a plurality of previously stored profile lists,
Wherein the X-ray emission range setting unit comprises:
Wherein the emission range of the X-ray of the collimator is set based on the selected profile when one of the plurality of profile lists is selected from the user through the displayed first UI (User Interface) screen. 12. The method of claim 11,
And a display unit for displaying a second UI screen enabling creation of a profile,
Wherein the X-ray emission range setting unit comprises:
And sets an X-ray emission range of the collimator based on the created profile when the profile is created through the displayed second UI screen. 16. The method of claim 15,
In the second UI screen,
A first region for creating an X-ray emission range of the collimator corresponding to the start point of X-ray imaging;
A third region for creating an X-ray emission range of the collimator corresponding to the end of the X-ray imaging; And
And a second area for creating an X-ray emission range of the collimator corresponding to a time point between the start and end of the X-ray photographing. 12. The method of claim 11,
And a display unit for displaying an image of a human tooth,
Wherein the X-ray emission range setting unit comprises:
Wherein an emission range of the X-ray of the collimator is set based on the selected region of interest when the user's region of interest is selected in the displayed image. 13. The method of claim 12,
The X-ray emission range of the collimator is,
And a second level that defines a first level that defines an upper value of the X-ray emission range of the collimator and a lower value of the X-ray emission range of the collimator. 19. The method of claim 18,
Wherein the diaphragm of the collimator moves vertically with respect to the x-ray imaging progression direction, and includes a first diaphragm formed on the upper portion and a second diaphragm formed on the lower portion,
Further comprising a diaphragm position calculating unit for calculating a position of the first diaphragm using the first level and calculating a position of the second diaphragm using the second level. 20. The method of claim 19,
The collimator includes:
And a driving unit for moving the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm in the vertical direction based on the calculated position of the first diaphragm and the position of the second diaphragm.

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