KR102203530B1 - Method and Apparatus for generating x-ray image, computer-readable recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an X-ray image generating method, an X-ray image generating apparatus, and a computer-readable recording medium. In the method of generating an X-ray image in an X-ray image generating apparatus including an X-ray photographing unit and a control unit of the present invention, the control unit changes a position of the X-ray photographing unit and photographs a examinee through the X-ray photographing unit to obtain a plurality of first images. Controlling to obtain a data frame; Determining at least one data loss frame in which all or part of data is missing from among the plurality of acquired first image data frames; Controlling to obtain at least one second image data frame by moving the X-ray imaging unit to a position corresponding to the determined at least one data loss frame and re-photographing the examinee; And controlling to generate a first X-ray image by performing at least one of stitching and reconstruction on the plurality of first image data frames and the at least one second image data frame, wherein the at least one second image data frame In the controlling to obtain an image data frame, a location corresponding to the at least one data loss frame is of the at least one data loss frame among the at least one data loss frame and the plurality of first image data frames. At least one of the front and rear frames may include a location of the X-ray imaging unit at a time point at which each frame is captured.

Description

X-ray image generating method, X-ray image generating apparatus, and computer-readable recording medium {Method and Apparatus for generating x-ray image, computer-readable recording medium}

The present invention relates to an X-ray image generating method, an X-ray image generating apparatus, and a computer-readable recording medium.

An X-ray imaging apparatus that is widely used in the medical technology field irradiates an X-ray onto a human body and acquires an image of the inside of the human body. Through this, abnormalities inside the human body are detected.

In particular, among the X-ray imaging devices, the panoramic imaging device mainly used in dentistry can generate images of teeth and alveolar bones, which are the object of image generation, on a single two-dimensional plane, so that the prognosis of orthodontic treatment is determined and the state of eruption of teeth. It is usefully used for various diagnostic purposes such as confirmation and alveolar bone height.

In addition, among the X-ray imaging devices, the dental CT imaging device is of great help in grasping the state of anatomical structures such as the thickness of the alveolar bone and the location of major nerves for implant procedures.

In this way, an X-ray imaging device used for diagnostic purposes in dentistry is a sensor that generally irradiates an X-ray generated from a generator, and passes an X-ray that partially or does not pass through the body of the examinee and faces the generator. It receives light through. Thereafter, the received X-rays are converted into electrical signals to obtain X-ray image data in units of frames. In particular, such an X-ray imaging apparatus may generate an electrical signal necessary for generating X-ray image data by continuously irradiating and receiving X-rays while rotating the generator and the sensor around a rotation axis.

This method of obtaining X-ray image data can inspect all the states of all teeth and anatomical structures with a single image, and has advantages such as low radiation dose and fast imaging time. The projection data is converted into an X-ray image such as a panoramic image or a CT image through a process of stitching or reconstruction. This panoramic image is useful for dental diagnosis as it contains all the images of the anatomy including the patient's dentition on a plane.

Among the acquired X-ray image data, data may sometimes be lost. Such data loss may cause image quality to deteriorate and to deteriorate reliability of treatment. In this case, it may be necessary to re-photograph by aligning the examinee to the photographing device again. However, in this case, the patient's exposure to X-rays unnecessarily increases, and the amount of computation for generating an image increases, and there is a fear that resources for data computation may be wasted.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is a method for generating an X-ray image capable of performing re-image by minimizing the amount of X-ray exposure of a patient when a defect occurs in the X-ray image data, and an X-ray image generating apparatus And a computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program is recorded.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a correction means capable of efficiently generating a high-quality X-ray image even if the posture of a examinee is partially changed during photographing.

Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a means for reducing the time and resources used for stitching or reconstruction for generating an X-ray image.

A method of generating an X-ray image in an X-ray image generating apparatus including an X-ray photographing unit and a control unit of the present invention for achieving the above object is, wherein the control unit changes the position of the X-ray photographing unit and receives the examinee through the X-ray photographing unit. Controlling to acquire a plurality of first image data frames by photographing; Determining at least one data loss frame in which all or part of data is missing from among the plurality of acquired first image data frames; Controlling to obtain at least one second image data frame by moving the X-ray imaging unit to a position corresponding to the determined at least one data loss frame and re-photographing the examinee; And controlling to generate a first X-ray image by performing at least one of stitching and reconstruction on the plurality of first image data frames and the at least one second image data frame, wherein the at least one second image data frame In the controlling to obtain an image data frame, a location corresponding to the at least one data loss frame is of the at least one data loss frame among the at least one data loss frame and the plurality of first image data frames. At least one of the front and rear frames may include a location of the X-ray imaging unit at a time point at which each frame is captured.

The determining of the at least one data loss frame may include: generating a second X-ray image by performing at least one of stitching and reconstruction on the plurality of first image data frames; Analyzing the second X-ray image to determine whether there is a region in which all or part of the data is missing; And when it is determined that the missing area exists, determining the at least one data missing frame as a frame corresponding to the missing area among the plurality of first image data frames.

A method of generating an X-ray image in an X-ray image generating apparatus including an X-ray photographing unit and a control unit of the present invention for achieving the above object is, wherein the control unit changes the position of the X-ray photographing unit and receives the examinee through the X-ray photographing unit. Controlling to acquire a plurality of first image data frames by photographing; Determining at least one data loss frame in which all or part of data is missing from among the plurality of acquired first image data frames; Controlling to obtain at least one second image data frame by moving the X-ray imaging unit to a position corresponding to the determined at least one data loss frame and re-photographing the examinee; And controlling to generate a first X-ray image by performing at least one of stitching and reconstruction on the plurality of first image data frames and the at least one second image data frame, wherein the at least one data is missing. The determining of a frame may include determining whether all or part of raw data of the plurality of first image data frames is missing; And when it is determined that all or part of the raw data is missing, determining a frame corresponding to all or part of the missing among the plurality of first image data frames as the at least one data missing frame. It may include.

delete

Meanwhile, the at least one second image data frame is plural, and the generating of the first X-ray image comprises alternately using some frames of the plurality of second image data frames to generate the at least one data loss frame. Generating a plurality of candidate X-ray images while replacing data; And evaluating image quality for each of the plurality of candidate X-ray images. And selecting, as the first X-ray image, one of the plurality of candidate X-ray images evaluated as having the highest image quality.

Further, in the evaluating the image quality, the image quality may be evaluated for each of the plurality of candidate X-ray images based on a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and a modulation transfer function (MTF).

And, in the acquiring of the at least one second image data frame, a location corresponding to the at least one data loss frame is the at least one of the at least one data loss frame and the plurality of first image data frames Each of n consecutive frames before and after (where n is a natural number of 1 or more) of the data-defective frame includes the location of the X-ray imaging unit at the time point at which each is captured, and the step of evaluating the image quality includes the plurality of candidates In each of the X-ray images, image quality may be evaluated for a region corresponding to a combination of the at least one data loss frame and the n consecutive frames sequentially arranged.

In addition, the first X-ray image is preferably a dental CT image or a dental panoramic X-ray image.

Meanwhile, in the step of acquiring the plurality of first image data frames, the teeth of the examinee are photographed, and in the step of acquiring the at least one second image data frame, a position corresponding to the at least one data loss frame May include a location of the X-ray imaging unit at a time point at which all frames corresponding to all or part of a tooth corresponding to the at least one data missing frame among the teeth are respectively photographed.

An X-ray image generating apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object includes an X-ray photographing unit, an X-ray image generating unit, and a control unit for controlling the X-ray photographing unit and the X-ray image generating unit, wherein the control unit comprises: While rotating about a rotational center axis, the examinee is photographed to generate a first X-ray image signal, and the X-ray image generator converts the first X-ray image signal to generate a plurality of first image data frames, and the plurality of Among the first image data frames, at least one data loss frame in which all or part of data is missing is determined, and the X-ray imaging unit moves to a position corresponding to the determined at least one data loss frame to re-image the examinee. A second X-ray image signal is generated, the X-ray image generator converts the second X-ray image signal to generate a plurality of second image data frames, and the X-ray image generator generates the plurality of first image data frames and The at least one second image data frame is controlled to generate a first X-ray image by performing at least one of stitching and reconstruction, and a location corresponding to the determined at least one data loss frame is the at least one data loss It is preferable to include a position of the X-ray imaging unit at a time point at which at least one frame before and after the at least one data loss frame among the frames and the plurality of first image data frames is respectively photographed.

An X-ray image generating apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object includes an X-ray photographing unit, an X-ray image generating unit, and a control unit for controlling the X-ray photographing unit and the X-ray image generating unit, wherein the control unit comprises: While rotating about a rotational center axis, the examinee is photographed to generate a first X-ray image signal, and the X-ray image generator converts the first X-ray image signal to generate a plurality of first image data frames, and the plurality of Among the first image data frames, at least one data loss frame in which all or part of data is missing is determined, and the X-ray imaging unit moves to a position corresponding to the determined at least one data loss frame to re-image the examinee. A second X-ray image signal is generated, the X-ray image generator converts the second X-ray image signal to generate a plurality of second image data frames, and the X-ray image generator generates the plurality of first image data frames and In the process of generating a first X-ray image by performing at least one of stitching and reconstruction on the at least one second image data frame, and determining the at least one data loss frame, the plurality of first image data When it is determined whether all or part of the raw data of the frame is missing, and when it is determined that all or part of the raw data is missing, all of the plurality of first image data frames Alternatively, a frame corresponding to a portion may be determined as the at least one data loss frame.

In addition, when the at least one second image data frame is plural, and the controller controls the X-ray image generator to generate the first X-ray image, some frames of the plurality of second image data frames are alternately To generate a plurality of candidate X-ray images while replacing the data of the at least one data-defective frame by using, and evaluate the image quality of each of the plurality of candidate X-ray images, and determine that the image quality is the highest among the plurality of candidate X-ray images. It is preferable to select the evaluated one as the first X-ray image.

In addition, the controller may evaluate image quality for each of the plurality of candidate X-ray images based on a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and a modulation transfer function (MTF).

In addition, the first X-ray image may be a dental CT image or a dental panoramic X-ray image.

In addition, the control unit controls the X-ray photographing unit to take a picture including the teeth of the examinee when photographing the examinee while rotating to generate the first X-ray image signal, and a location corresponding to the at least one data loss frame It is preferable to include the location of the X-ray imaging unit at the time when all frames corresponding to all or part of the teeth corresponding to the at least one data loss frame among the teeth are respectively photographed.

The method of generating an X-ray image may be performed by a computer program, and the computer program may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, when a defect occurs in X-ray image data, re-photographing may be performed by minimizing an X-ray exposure amount of a patient.

In addition, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, even if the posture of the examinee is partially changed during photographing, an X-ray image having high quality may be efficiently generated.

Furthermore, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, time and resources used for stitching and reconstruction for generating an X-ray image may be reduced.

1 is an exemplary view showing a conventional X-ray imaging apparatus.
2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an X-ray image generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is an exemplary view showing an alignment state of a examinee for X-ray imaging in an X-ray image generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of generating an X-ray image according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of generating an X-ray image according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is an exemplary view of a panoramic image for explaining a method of generating an X-ray image according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is an exemplary view of a CT image for explaining a method of generating an X-ray image according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of generating an X-ray image according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of generating an X-ray image according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of generating an X-ray image according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of generating an X-ray image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The following content merely illustrates the principles of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art can implement the principles of the present invention and invent various devices included in the concept and scope of the present invention, although not clearly described or illustrated herein. In addition, all conditional terms and examples listed in this specification are, in principle, intended to be clearly intended only for the purpose of making the concept of the present invention understood, and should be understood as not limiting to the embodiments and states specifically listed as described above. do.

In addition, it is to be understood that all detailed descriptions listing specific embodiments as well as principles, aspects and embodiments of the present invention are intended to include structural and functional equivalents of these matters. It should also be understood that these equivalents include not only currently known equivalents, but also equivalents to be developed in the future, that is, all devices invented to perform the same function regardless of structure.

Thus, for example, the flowcharts herein are to be understood as representing a conceptual perspective of exemplary circuits embodying the principles of the invention. Similarly, all flowcharts, state transition diagrams, pseudocodes, etc. are understood to represent various processes performed by a computer or processor, whether or not the computer or processor is clearly depicted and that can be represented substantially in a computer-readable medium. Should be.

The functions of the various elements shown in the figures, including a processor or functional block represented by a similar concept, may be provided by the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware having the ability to execute software in association with appropriate software. When provided by a processor, the function may be provided by a single dedicated processor, a single shared processor, or a plurality of individual processors, some of which may be shared.

In addition, the explicit use of terms presented as processor, control, or similar concepts should not be interpreted exclusively by referring to hardware capable of executing software, and without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, ROM for storing software. It should be understood to implicitly include (ROM), RAM, and non-volatile memory. Other commonly used hardware may also be included.

In the claims of this specification, components expressed as means for performing the functions described in the detailed description include all types of software including, for example, a combination of circuit elements or firmware/microcode that perform the above functions. It is intended to include all methods of performing a function to perform, and is combined with appropriate circuitry for executing the software to perform the function. Since the invention defined by these claims is combined with the functions provided by the various enumerated means and combined with the manner required by the claims, any means capable of providing the above functions are equivalent to those conceived from this specification. It should be understood as.

The above-described objects, features, and advantages will become more apparent through the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings, whereby those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. There will be. In addition, in describing the present invention, when it is determined that a detailed description of a known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an exemplary view showing a conventional X-ray imaging apparatus. The X-ray imaging apparatus 10 is a device that photographs an X-ray image including a shape of an anatomical structure of the examinee's body.

The X-ray imaging apparatus 10 includes a pedestal 190, a support column 185, a monitor 175, a generator unit 111, a sensor unit 112, a gantry unit 113, an alignment unit 160, and It may include a head unit 180.

The pedestal 190 is configured to face the floor surface on which the apparatus 10 is installed to support the standing of the X-ray imaging apparatus 10, and the support pillar 185 stands vertically from the pedestal 190 and slides The height can also be adjusted in a way.

The monitor 175 is a component that allows a user to check the use of the device 10 (eg, rotation of the gantry 113, start and end of X-ray photography, etc.). The gantry unit 113 may be located under the head unit 180 at the top of the device 10.

In addition, the alignment unit 160 may further include at least one of a chin-nest and a bite block as a configuration for aligning the examinee 400 with the X-ray imaging apparatus 10.

The X-ray image generating apparatus 100 of the present invention is an apparatus for generating an X-ray image including an anatomical structure of the examinee 400, and may include the configuration of the dental X-ray imaging apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1. I can.

2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an X-ray image generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the X-ray image generating apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the X-ray image generating apparatus 100 of the present invention for achieving the above-described object, the X-ray photographing unit 110, An X-ray image generating unit 170 and a controller 140 controlling the X-ray imaging unit 110 and the X-ray image generating unit 170 may be included.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the X-ray photographing unit 110 may include a generator unit 111, a sensor unit 112, a gantry unit 113, and a driving unit 114.

The generator unit 111 and the sensor unit 112 may be attached to both ends of a rotating means called the gantry unit 113. The gantry unit 113 may rotate around a rotation center axis 115 that is a straight line in the vertical direction of the head 400 of the examinee.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the generator unit 111 may include an X-ray generator (not shown) that irradiates X-rays. Furthermore, a collimator (not shown) may be further provided to irradiate collimated X-rays with a predetermined width.

The sensor unit 112 may generate an electrical signal by receiving the irradiated X-rays. Furthermore, the sensor unit 112 may include a panel including an array of pixels that convert the X-rays into electrical signals.

The driving unit 114 is a component for changing the relative positions of the head 400 and the X-ray imaging unit 110, and may be implemented in a manner including an actuator such as a rotary motor. Furthermore, an actuator for translational motion of the X-ray imaging unit 110 may be further included.

3 is an exemplary view showing an alignment state of a examinee 400 for X-ray imaging in the X-ray image generating apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 3, the gantry unit 113, the generator unit 111, and the sensor unit 112 may be configured in a'C' shape, and the head 400 of the examinee is positioned between and aligned. do.

Among the imaging areas of the examinee 400 that are the subject of X-ray imaging by the X-ray image generating apparatus 100, a region that is mainly handled during dental diagnosis includes a dentition (齒列).

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of generating an X-ray image according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, a method of generating an X-ray image in an X-ray image generating apparatus 100 including an X-ray photographing unit 110 of the present invention for achieving the above-described object includes the X-ray photographing unit 110 And obtaining a plurality of first image data frames 200 by changing the position of and photographing the examinee 400 through the X-ray imaging unit 110 (S100).

As an example, changing the position of the photographing unit 110 may include rotating the gantry unit 113 on the photographing unit 110 about the rotational center axis 115. As described above, while rotating the gantry unit 113, a plurality of frames may be photographed to obtain a plurality of first image data frames 200.

The plurality of first image data frames 200 as described above are image data in units of a plurality of frames that are stitched into one panoramic X-ray image when the X-ray image generating apparatus 100 photographs to generate a panoramic X-ray image. Can be

On the other hand, the plurality of first image data frames 200 are reconstructed as one CT image when the present X-ray image generating apparatus 100 photographs to generate a CT (Computed Tomography, computed tomography) X-ray image. It may be projection data in units of a plurality of frames that can be (reconstruction).

Changing the position of the photographing unit 110 during X-ray photographing as described above may include moving the gantry unit 113 in a direction horizontal to the floor surface on which the device 10 is installed and a direction perpendicular to the floor surface. It may include moving in the above direction.

In the case of panoramic X-ray photographing, the movement in the horizontal direction includes translation of the gantry unit 113 in the front and rear direction of the examinee when the examinee 400 is aligned with the image generating device 100. I can.

The translational movement as described above may be for maintaining a constant distance between the generator unit 111 and the arch trajectory, which is a reference line for photographing the dentition.

The movement in the vertical direction may be a movement to enlarge an area or volume of a FOV (area photographed during X-ray photographing) in a vertical direction during panorama or CT photographing.

The control unit 140 may control the driving unit 114 to perform a rotational motion or a translational motion in a vertical or vertical direction while the gantry 113 is photographed.

In addition, the method for generating an X-ray image of the present invention includes determining (S200) at least one data loss frame 210 in which all or part of data is missing, among the plurality of acquired first image data frames 200. Can include.

5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of generating an X-ray image according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the data loss frame 210 may be a k-th frame from among a series of first image data frames 200 from first to m-th.

6 is an exemplary view of a panoramic image for explaining a method of generating an X-ray image according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the data loss frame 210 occurs as described above, as shown in FIG. 6A, a part of the panorama image may be stitched in an empty state.

7 is an exemplary view of a CT image for explaining a method of generating an X-ray image according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the data loss frame 210 occurs as described above, a part of the CT image may be reconstructed in an empty state, as shown in FIG. 6A.

In addition, in the method of generating an X-ray image of the present invention, the X-ray photographing unit 110 is moved to a position corresponding to the determined at least one data loss frame 210, and the examinee 400 is rephotographed, and at least one second A step (S300) of obtaining the image data frame 300 may be included.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a location corresponding to the determined at least one data loss frame 210 is the X-ray photographing unit at the time the data loss frame 210 is photographed by the X-ray photographing unit 110 It may be the position of (110).

When the X-ray imaging unit 110 includes the gantry unit 113, the gantry is moved to a position corresponding to the at least one data loss frame 210 by rotating or translating the gantry unit 113. The unit 113 can be moved.

In addition, the second image data frame 300 may be obtained by re-photographing the examinee 400 at a corresponding location after the X-ray imaging unit 110 is moved as described above. Referring to FIG. 5, the second image data frame 300 may be an image data frame obtained by X-ray imaging of the examinee at a kth frame position.

In addition, the method of generating an X-ray image according to the present invention may perform at least one of stitching and reconstruction on the plurality of first image data frames 200 and the at least one second image data frame 300 to perform a first X-ray image. It may include the step of generating (S400).

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the X-ray image to be generated is a panoramic image, stitching is performed on the plurality of first image data frames 200 and the at least one second image data frame 300 A first X-ray image, which is an image, may be obtained.

In addition, when the panoramic image is generated by extracting 2D data from image data obtained by a 3D CT imaging method, the plurality of first image data frames 200 and the at least one second image data frame 300 A first X-ray image, which is a panoramic image without data loss, may be generated by reconfiguring each of the images along a focal plane and then stitching them.

In another embodiment, the plurality of first image data frames 200 and the at least one second image data frame 300 are first stitched and then reconstructed to obtain a first X-ray image, which is a panoramic image without data loss. Can be generated.

The first X-ray image, which is a CT image without data loss as described above, may be a panoramic image as illustrated in FIG. 6B.

In addition, when the first X-ray image to be generated is a CT image, data loss is caused by reconfiguring each of the plurality of first image data frames 200 and the at least one second image data frame 300 and then stitching. A first X-ray image, which is an absent CT image, may be generated.

In another embodiment, the plurality of first image data frames 200 and the at least one second image data frame 300 are first stitched and then reconstructed to obtain a first X-ray image, which is a CT image without data loss. You can also create it.

The first X-ray image, which is a CT image without data loss as described above, may be a CT image as illustrated in FIG. 7B.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of generating an X-ray image according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the step of determining the at least one data loss frame 210 (S200) is performed by performing at least one of stitching and reconstruction on the plurality of first image data frames 200 2 generating an X-ray image (S210); Analyzing the second X-ray image to determine whether there is a region in which all or part of the data is missing (S220); And when it is determined that the missing region exists, determining a frame corresponding to the missing region among the plurality of first image data frames 200 as the at least one data loss frame 210 (S230). It may include.

The second X-ray image refers to an X-ray image in which a part of the image does not appear due to data loss, and the panoramic image shown in FIG. 6A or a CT image as shown in FIG. 7A Can be

The controller 140 may determine whether there is an area in which all or part of the data is missing by analyzing the second X-ray image as described above, through an image recognition algorithm.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the image recognition algorithm may determine the data loss region based on a gray level of each pixel of the second X-ray image. Furthermore, a means such as gray level reversal or a high-frequency pass image filter may be further used to accurately determine the data loss region.

The gray level may range from 0 to 65535.

Alternatively, as another embodiment, it may be configured to determine the existence of a missing area based on a user input through a user interface. In this case, the user may input by touching a problem area corresponding to a data loss of an image of the second X-ray image displayed on the screen of the monitor 175. In order for the user to accurately input the second X-ray image, a gray level inversion or a high-frequency pass image filter may be further used to allow the user to more reliably recognize the problem area.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of generating an X-ray image according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the determining of the at least one data loss frame 210 may determine whether all or part of the raw data of the plurality of first image data frames 200 is missing. Determining (S240); And when it is determined that all or part of the raw data is missing, a frame corresponding to all or part of the missing of the plurality of first image data frames 200 is assigned to the at least one data loss frame ( It is preferable to include a step (S250) of determining to 210).

In the above embodiment, data loss is determined from digital data values of original data without generating an X-ray image from the plurality of first image data frames 200.

And, in the step of acquiring the at least one second image data frame 300 (S300), a location corresponding to the at least one data loss frame 210 is the at least one data loss frame 210 and Among the plurality of first image data frames 200, a location of the X-ray photographing unit 110 at a time point at which at least one frame before and after the at least one data loss frame 210 is respectively photographed may be included. .

As an example, the at least one frame may be an arbitrary frame.

In this way, the location corresponding to the at least one data loss frame 210 is the location of the X-ray imaging unit 110 in which the data loss frame 210 is photographed (for example, the k-th frame in FIG. Position), as well as a position at which the image data frames before and after the image data frames were photographed, the position or posture before or during the recapture for the examinee 400 to acquire the second image data frame 300 Even when the is changed, the image data frames before and after are re-photographed together, so that image data capable of replacing the at least one data missing frame 210 may be obtained.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of generating an X-ray image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the at least one second image data frame 300 may be plural. As shown in FIG. 10, in the step of generating the first X-ray image (S400), the at least one data loss frame 210 is alternately used by using some frames of the plurality of second image data frames 300. A step (S410) of generating a plurality of candidate X-ray images while replacing the data of) may be included.

11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of generating an X-ray image according to an embodiment of the present invention. 11A to 11B, the plurality of second image data frames 300 alternate from the (kn)th frame to the (k+n)th frame, which is a partial frame of the plurality of second image data frames 300 As the data of the at least one data loss frame 210 is replaced, the plurality of candidate X-ray images may be generated.

In addition, when there are a plurality of the at least one data loss frame 210, the plurality of second image data frames 300 are replaced by alternating some frames as many as the number of the at least one data loss frame 210 The plurality of candidate X-ray images may be generated while replacing data of at least one data loss frame 210.

In addition, the generating the first X-ray image (S400) may include evaluating the image quality of each of the plurality of candidate X-ray images (S420); And selecting the first X-ray image evaluated as having the highest image quality among the plurality of candidate X-ray images (S430).

The meaning of "alternately" may mean "sequentially changing".

However, it is also possible to replace the data of the at least one data loss frame 210 by changing some frames of the plurality of second image data frames 300 in different ways without sequentially changing them.

In an embodiment, a predetermined number of partial frames are selected from among the plurality of second image data frames 300 and each alternately replaces data of the at least one data loss frame 210, Candidate X-ray images may be generated, and image quality of each of the first candidate X-ray images may be evaluated to select some frames in the case of the highest image quality.

The predetermined number of some frames may be randomly selected from among the plurality of second image data frames 300.

Alternatively, the predetermined number of some frames may be selected from among the plurality of second image data frames 300 at equal intervals.

In addition, by selecting another predetermined number of partial frames before and after the selected frame with the highest image quality, and generating second candidate X-ray images corresponding to the number of the partial frames, each image quality is evaluated, and the image quality is the highest. Some frames in the case can be selected again.

As described above, it is possible to reduce the number of operations for generating the first X-ray image and the amount of data required for the operation, and to shorten the operation time by using an alternate method of two or more steps.

In addition, in the step of evaluating the image quality (S420), the image quality for each of the plurality of candidate X-ray images is determined based on a signal to noise ratio (SNR) and a modulation transfer function (MTF). Can be evaluated.

The modulation transfer function is a contrast function representing characteristics of optical resolution and may be used as a measure for quantifying the sharpness of an image. The signal-to-noise ratio indicates the strength of a signal to noise, and means a relative strength of an image signal. It is possible to determine the image quality of each of the plurality of candidate X-ray images by using the modulation transfer function and the signal-to-noise ratio, and select the highest image quality as the first X-ray image.

And, in the step of acquiring the at least one second image data frame 300 (S300), a location corresponding to the at least one data loss frame 210 is the at least one data loss frame 210 and Each of n consecutive frames before and after the at least one data loss frame 210 among the plurality of first image data frames 200 are respectively photographed, including a location of the X-ray photographing unit 110, In the step of evaluating the image quality (S420), in each of the plurality of candidate X-ray images, the at least one data loss frame 210 and the n consecutive frames are sequentially arranged in a region corresponding to a combination. The image quality can be evaluated.

In an embodiment of the present invention, n is a natural number of 1 or more. More preferably, n may be selected as any one of a number from 1 to a natural number closest to 4/10 of the natural number m shown in FIG. 5.

In the case of panoramic photography, n may be selected within the range of 1 to 5, and preferably n may be 2.

It is preferable that the first X-ray image is a dental CT image or a dental panoramic X-ray image.

On the other hand, in the step of acquiring the plurality of first image data frames 200, the teeth 410 of the examinee 400 are photographed, and in the step of acquiring the at least one second image data frame 300 In the position corresponding to the at least one data loss frame 210, all frames corresponding to all or part of the teeth corresponding to the at least one data loss frame 210 of the teeth 410 are respectively photographed. The location of the X-ray imaging unit 110 at the viewpoint may be included.

For example, when the part where the image is not formed is the right molar of the examinee 400, the X-ray imaging unit 110 may be moved to the photographing position of the right molar and re-photographed only in the molar section.

In this embodiment, re-photographing can be performed in units of each tooth constituting the tooth row 410, so that an image of a tooth in which data defects have occurred can be clearly acquired without distortion of the image.

Particularly, when the first X-ray image 200 is a panoramic image having a smaller number of frames than a CT image, an effect of clearly displaying the images of each tooth may be exhibited.

An X-ray image generating apparatus 100 of the present invention for achieving the above object includes an X-ray photographing unit 110, an X-ray image generating unit 170, the X-ray photographing unit 110 and the X-ray image generating unit 170 It may include a control unit 140 for controlling.

The controller 140 may control the X-ray photographing unit 110 to generate a first X-ray image signal by photographing the examinee 400 while rotating about the rotation center axis 115. In addition, the X-ray image generator 170 may be controlled to generate a plurality of first image data frames 200 by converting the first X-ray image signal.

In addition, the control unit 140 determines at least one data loss frame 210 in which all or part of data is missing from among the plurality of first image data frames 200, and the X-ray imaging unit 110 A second X-ray image signal may be generated by moving to a position corresponding to the determined at least one data loss frame 210 and re-photographing the examinee 400.

In addition, the controller 140 may control the X-ray image generator 170 to generate a plurality of second image data frames 300 by converting the second X-ray image signal.

In addition, the control unit 140 may perform at least one of stitching and reconfiguration of the plurality of first image data frames 200 and the at least one second image data frame 300 by the X-ray image generating unit 170. To generate a first X-ray image.

Meanwhile, a location corresponding to the determined at least one data loss frame 210 is, among the at least one data loss frame 210 and the plurality of first image data frames 200, the at least one data loss frame. A position of the X-ray imaging unit 110 at a time point at which at least one frame before and after 210 is respectively photographed may be included.

In addition, when the at least one second image data frame 300 is plural, and the controller 140 controls the X-ray image generating unit 170 to generate the first X-ray image, the plurality of second image data frames 300 2 A plurality of candidate X-ray images are generated while alternately using some frames of the image data frame 300 to replace data of the at least one data-deficient frame 210, and image quality for each of the plurality of candidate X-ray images Is evaluated, and the one evaluated as having the highest image quality among the plurality of candidate X-ray images may be selected as the first X-ray image.

In addition, the controller 140 may evaluate image quality for each of the plurality of candidate X-ray images based on a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and a modulation transfer function (MTF).

In addition, the first X-ray image may be a dental CT image or a dental panoramic X-ray image.

In addition, when the X-ray imaging unit 110 rotates to generate the first X-ray image signal and photographs the examinee 400, the control unit 140 includes the teeth 410 of the examinee 400 All frames corresponding to all or part of the teeth corresponding to the at least one data missing frame 210 of the tooth row 410 are controlled to be photographed, and a position corresponding to the at least one data missing frame 210 It is preferable to include the location of the X-ray imaging unit 110 at each of the photographed time points.

The method of generating an X-ray image may be performed by a computer program, and the computer program may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium.

That is, the method for generating an X-ray image according to various embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be implemented as a computer program and provided to a server or devices while stored in various computer-readable recording media.

The recording medium may be a non-transitory computer readable medium, and the non-transitory readable medium is not a medium that stores data for a short moment, such as registers, caches, and memory, but stores data semi-permanently. , Means a medium that can be read by a device. Specifically, the above-described various applications or programs may be provided by being stored in a non-transitory readable medium such as a CD, DVD, hard disk, Blu-ray disk, USB, memory card, and ROM.

In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and the technical field to which the present invention belongs without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims. In addition, various modifications are possible by those of ordinary skill in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or prospect of the present invention.

10: X-ray imaging device 100: X-ray image generating device
110: X-ray imaging unit 111: generator unit
112: sensor unit 113: gantry unit
114: drive unit 115: rotation center shaft
140: control unit 160: alignment unit
170: X-ray image generator 175: monitor
180: head part 185: support column
190: pedestal 200: first image data frame
210: data missing frame 300: second video data frame
400: examinee 410: dentition

Claims (16)

In a method of generating an X-ray image in an X-ray image generating apparatus including an X-ray imaging unit and a control unit,
The control unit,
Changing a position of the X-ray imaging unit and controlling the patient to acquire a plurality of first image data frames by photographing the examinee through the X-ray imaging unit;
Determining at least one data loss frame in which all or part of data is missing from among the plurality of acquired first image data frames;
Controlling to obtain at least one second image data frame by moving the X-ray imaging unit to a position corresponding to the determined at least one data loss frame and re-photographing the examinee; And
Controlling to generate a first X-ray image by performing at least one of stitching and reconstruction on the plurality of first image data frames and the at least one second image data frame,
In the step of controlling to obtain the at least one second image data frame,
A location corresponding to the at least one data loss frame is a time point at which at least one frame before and after the at least one data loss frame is captured, among the at least one data loss frame and the plurality of first image data frames. X-ray image generating method comprising the location of the X-ray imaging unit. The method of claim 1,
The step of determining the at least one data loss frame,
Generating a second X-ray image by performing at least one of stitching and reconstruction on the plurality of first image data frames;
Analyzing the second X-ray image to determine whether there is a region in which all or part of the data is missing; And
Generating an X-ray image comprising the step of determining a frame corresponding to the missing area among the plurality of first image data frames as the at least one data missing frame when it is determined that the missing area exists. Way. In a method of generating an X-ray image in an X-ray image generating apparatus including an X-ray imaging unit and a control unit,
The control unit,
Changing a position of the X-ray imaging unit and controlling the patient to acquire a plurality of first image data frames by photographing the examinee through the X-ray imaging unit;
Determining at least one data loss frame in which all or part of data is missing from among the plurality of acquired first image data frames;
Controlling to obtain at least one second image data frame by moving the X-ray imaging unit to a position corresponding to the determined at least one data loss frame and re-photographing the examinee; And
Controlling to generate a first X-ray image by performing at least one of stitching and reconstruction on the plurality of first image data frames and the at least one second image data frame,
The step of determining the at least one data loss frame,
Determining whether all or part of raw data of the plurality of first image data frames is missing; And
When it is determined that all or part of the raw data is missing, determining a frame corresponding to all or part of the missing among the plurality of first image data frames as the at least one data missing frame X-ray image generation method comprising a. delete The method of claim 1,
A plurality of the at least one second image data frame,
Generating the first X-ray image,
Generating a plurality of candidate X-ray images while replacing data of the at least one data loss frame by alternately using some frames of the plurality of second image data frames; And
Evaluating image quality for each of the plurality of candidate X-ray images; And
And selecting, as the first X-ray image, one of the plurality of candidate X-ray images evaluated as having the highest image quality. The method of claim 5,
The step of evaluating the image quality,
An X-ray image generating method, characterized in that the image quality of each of the plurality of candidate X-ray images is evaluated based on a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and a modulation transfer function (MTF). The method of claim 6,
In the step of obtaining the at least one second image data frame,
Positions corresponding to the at least one data loss frame are n before and after the at least one data loss frame among the at least one data loss frame and the plurality of first image data frames (where n is a natural number of 1 or more) Each successive frame includes the location of the X-ray imaging unit at the time point at which each is captured,
The step of evaluating the image quality,
And evaluating the image quality of a region corresponding to a combination of the at least one data loss frame and the n consecutive frames in each of the plurality of candidate X-ray images. The method of claim 5,
The first X-ray image is a dental CT image or a dental panoramic X-ray image. The method of claim 8,
In the step of obtaining the plurality of first image data frames,
The patient's dentition is photographed,
In the step of obtaining the at least one second image data frame,
The location corresponding to the at least one data loss frame includes a location of the X-ray imaging unit at a time when all frames corresponding to all or part of a tooth corresponding to the at least one data loss frame among the dentition are respectively photographed. X-ray image generation method, characterized in that. An X-ray photographing unit, an X-ray image generating unit, and a control unit for controlling the X-ray photographing unit and the X-ray image generating unit,
The control unit,
The X-ray imaging unit rotates about a rotational center axis and photographs the examinee to generate a first X-ray image signal, and the X-ray image generator converts the first X-ray image signal to generate a plurality of first image data frames. ,
Determine at least one data loss frame in which all or part of data is missing from among the plurality of first image data frames,
The X-ray imaging unit moves to a position corresponding to the determined at least one data loss frame, re-images the examinee to generate a second X-ray image signal, and the X-ray image generator converts the second X-ray image signal to a plurality of Control to generate a second image data frame,
Controlling the X-ray image generator to generate a first X-ray image by performing at least one of stitching and reconstruction on the plurality of first image data frames and the at least one second image data frame,
The position corresponding to the determined at least one data loss frame is, among the at least one data loss frame and the plurality of first image data frames, at least one frame before and after the at least one data loss frame is respectively photographed. An X-ray image generating apparatus comprising a position of the X-ray imaging unit at a viewpoint. An X-ray photographing unit, an X-ray image generating unit, and a controller for controlling the X-ray photographing unit and the X-ray image generating unit,
The control unit,
The X-ray imaging unit rotates about a rotational center axis and photographs the examinee to generate a first X-ray image signal, and the X-ray image generator converts the first X-ray image signal to generate a plurality of first image data frames. ,
Determine at least one data loss frame in which all or part of data is missing from among the plurality of first image data frames,
The X-ray imaging unit moves to a position corresponding to the determined at least one data loss frame, re-images the examinee to generate a second X-ray image signal, and the X-ray image generator converts the second X-ray image signal to a plurality of Control to generate a second image data frame,
Controlling the X-ray image generator to generate a first X-ray image by performing at least one of stitching and reconstruction on the plurality of first image data frames and the at least one second image data frame,
In the process of determining the at least one data loss frame,
When it is determined whether all or part of the raw data of the plurality of first image data frames is missing, and when it is determined that all or part of the raw data is missing, the plurality of first images An apparatus for generating an X-ray image, comprising determining a frame corresponding to all or part of the missing data frames as the at least one data missing frame. The method of claim 10,
A plurality of the at least one second image data frame,
When the control unit controls the X-ray image generator to generate the first X-ray image,
Generating a plurality of candidate X-ray images while replacing data of the at least one data loss frame by alternately using some frames of the plurality of second image data frames,
An X-ray image generating apparatus, comprising: evaluating image quality for each of the plurality of candidate X-ray images, and selecting one of the plurality of candidate X-ray images as having the highest image quality as the first X-ray image. The method of claim 12,
The control unit evaluates image quality of each of the plurality of candidate X-ray images based on a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and a modulation transfer function (MTF). The method of claim 12,
The first X-ray image is a dental CT image or a dental panoramic X-ray image. The method of claim 14,
The control unit,
When the X-ray photographing unit rotates to generate the first X-ray image signal, when photographing the examinee, the patient's teeth are controlled to be photographed,
The location corresponding to the at least one data loss frame includes a location of the X-ray imaging unit at a time when all frames corresponding to all or part of a tooth corresponding to the at least one data loss frame among the dentition are respectively photographed. X-ray image generating apparatus, characterized in that. A computer-readable recording medium in which a computer program for performing the method for generating an X-ray image according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 9 is recorded.

Images