KR102258319B1 - X-ray Imaging Apparatus and Imaging Method Thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the present invention, a configuration of an X-ray imaging apparatus and method for effectively capturing a CT image of a jaw joint of a patient without an increase in the area of the X-ray detector or the amount of X-ray exposure is provided. An X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an X-ray generator that irradiates X-rays with a rotational center axis therebetween and an X-ray detector that receives the X-rays; Supports the patient's head located between the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector during a photographing sequence accompanied by rotation of the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector, and the longitudinal axis of the patient's head is parallel to the rotational center axis of the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector. A patient support part for supporting inclined toward the front of the patient's face at a predetermined inclination with respect to one vertical axis; Consists of including.

Description

X-ray imaging apparatus and X-ray imaging method {X-ray Imaging Apparatus and Imaging Method Thereof}

The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging apparatus and an X-ray imaging method, and more particularly, to a dental X-ray imaging apparatus and a method for imaging a patient's oral cavity, jaw joint, and the like.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a joint that connects the two bones by being located between the lower jaw (mandible) and the lateral skull (temporal bone), and is located under both cheekbones and just in front of the ear. The jaw joint acts as the central axis of all jaw movements and is supported by the jaw muscles and ligaments. The joint disc (disc) between the jaw joints serves to buffer friction and stimulation that occur between the bone and the bone. These muscles and ligaments, joint discs, and jaw bones are responsible for various movements such as opening the mouth (opening), chewing (chewing), speaking, swallowing, etc.If there is an abnormality in the function of the jaw joint due to various factors, jaw joint disorder , Temporomandibular joint disorder, or jaw discosis.

Temporomandibular joint disease is generally diagnosed and treated at a dentist, but X-ray images are very useful for accurate diagnosis. This is because it is possible to visualize a state in which bones and bones overlap each other through X-ray images, and a disc, which is a cartilage tissue, is intervened between them.

FIG. 1A is a view illustrating an X-ray image of a jaw joint region using a conventional dental X-ray imaging device, in particular, a CT (Computed Tomography) imaging device. 1B shows an example of a CT image of a jaw joint taken by such a conventional dental X-ray imaging apparatus.

As shown, a conventional dental X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray generator (G) that irradiates an X-ray beam and an X-ray beam that is irradiated from the X-ray generator (G) and transmitted through an object to be photographed and converted into an electrical signal. It includes a gantry 40 having a detector S and configured to rotate opposite to each other about a common axis of rotation. More specifically, the gantry 40 includes a rotating arm 43 rotatably installed around a rotating shaft 43x, and a generator part 41 and a detector part 42 disposed at both ends of the rotating arm 43, respectively. ).

The X-ray beam B emitted from the X-ray generator G having an X-ray emission focal point F in the generator part 41 passes through the patient's head H located on an extension line of the rotation shaft 43x to the detector part. It is configured to reach the X-ray detector S disposed at 42. When taking a CT image, while the rotating arm 43 is rotating, an X-ray beam B is irradiated to the patient's head H at various angles to obtain projection data of multiple frames, and reconstructing it to obtain a CT image. . In this case, a cylindrical area in which the trajectories of the X-ray beams B irradiated from various angles overlap each other becomes a field of view (FOV), that is, an imaging area of the CT image.

When taking a CT image of the jaw joint (TMJ) using a dental X-ray imaging device having this configuration, as shown, a patient who supports it so that the patient's head H does not move while the imaging sequence is in progress. The support 20 is utilized. The patient support part 20 supports the lower part of the patient's chin using the chin rest unit 23 mounted on the support frame 21, so that the longitudinal axis L of the patient's head H is the aforementioned rotary arm 43 It is arranged in the direction of the vertical axis (V) parallel to the rotation axis (43x) of. In this way, when the patient's head (H) is vertically aligned, obtaining a CT image of a cylindrical FOV (R1) of a certain size, for example, diameter: 80mm and height: 90mm, is performed on the patient's temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area. This is the conventional method of taking CT images of Korea.

However, the problem is that, depending on the patient's head, mainly when the patient's head is large, the position of the jaw joint (TMJ) is excessively skewed upwards of the FOV (R1), or in severe cases, the position of the jaw joint (TMJ) may deviate from the FOV (R1). In this figure, the patient's head (H) represents the average head of an adult patient. Here, if the distribution range (T) of the jaw joint (TMJ) position of various patients is indicated by hatching, the center of the hatched area, which can be seen as the average position of the jaw joint, is a certain position from the top of the FOV (R1) as shown. , For example, it is located below 16.8mm. This indicates that, when considering that the height of the FOV (R1) is 90 mm, it is skewed much upwards than the center, and the position of the jaw joint of the patient deviates from the above-described FOV (R1) at a not small frequency.

As a solution to this problem, the easiest way to consider extending the FOV of the X-ray imaging device in the vertical direction can be considered. However, in that case, it is necessary to apply an X-ray detector with a larger area than the existing one, which incurs an economic burden. In addition, a problem arises that the amount of X-ray exposure of the patient is increased.

The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the above-described problem, and the X-ray imaging apparatus and the imaging method according to the present invention enable effective imaging of a patient's jaw joint CT image without an increase in the area of the X-ray detector or the amount of X-ray exposure. Its purpose is to present the composition.

In addition, an X-ray imaging apparatus and a method for photographing the same according to the present invention are a standard of an X-ray imaging apparatus commonly used for dentistry, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sinus CT image required for otolaryngology diagnosis.

In order to solve the above problems, an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes: an X-ray generator for irradiating X-rays with a rotation center axis therebetween and an X-ray detector for receiving the X-rays; Supports the patient's head located between the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector during a photographing sequence accompanied by rotation of the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector, and the longitudinal axis of the patient's head is parallel to the rotational center axis of the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector. A patient support part for supporting inclined toward the front of the patient's face at a predetermined inclination with respect to one vertical axis; Includes.

The patient support unit may include a support frame having a fixed position while X-ray imaging is in progress; And a face support unit that is replaceably mounted on the support frame and contacts the patient's face to support the patient's head to maintain the predetermined inclination. It may include.

The predetermined inclination may be 20 degrees to 30 degrees.

On the other hand, the facial support unit may include a pad portion for supporting the inclined patient's head by contacting the gravitational portion between the nose and the mouth of the patient.

In this case, a slope formed by a center line connecting the central portion of the pad portion up and down with respect to the vertical axis may be smaller than a slope formed by the longitudinal axis of the patient's head with respect to the vertical axis.

In an X-ray imaging method according to an aspect of the present invention, when taking an X-ray image of a patient's jaw joint, the longitudinal axis of the patient's head is tilted toward the front of the patient's face with respect to the central axis of rotation of the patient. The head is supported and the gantry is rotated while the predetermined inclination is maintained to perform a photographing sequence of acquiring X-ray projection data.

According to the above-described configuration, the X-ray imaging apparatus and the imaging method according to the present invention have an effect of effectively capturing a CT image of the jaw joint of a patient without an increase in the area of the X-ray detector or the amount of X-ray exposure.

In addition, according to the present invention, a CT image of an imaging area (FOV) including the sinuses required for otolaryngology diagnosis, such as the Frontal Sinus and the Maxillary Sinus, as a standard of an X-ray imaging device commonly used for dentistry. It has the effect of being able to provide.

1A is a view illustrating a CT image of a jaw joint region using a conventional dental X-ray imaging apparatus.
1B shows an example of a CT image of a jaw joint taken by the dental X-ray imaging apparatus of FIG. 1A.
2A is a view illustrating a CT image of a jaw joint region using an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2B shows an example of a CT image of a jaw joint taken by the X-ray imaging apparatus of FIG. 2A.
3 shows a facial support unit for jaw joint photographing applied to the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 4A is a view illustrating a CT image of a sinus region using an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4B shows an example of a sinus CT image taken by the X-ray imaging apparatus of FIG. 4A.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The technical idea of the present invention may be more clearly understood through examples. The present invention is not limited to the examples described below.

2A is a view illustrating a CT image of a jaw joint region using an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2B shows an example of a CT image of a jaw joint taken by the X-ray imaging apparatus of FIG. 2A. Hereinafter, for convenience, the present invention will be described with CT scanning, but the present invention is not limited to CT scanning and can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art through the following description.

The X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a gantry 40 including an X-ray generator G and an X-ray detector S configured to rotate while facing each other with respect to a common rotational central axis. The gantry 40 is, for example, a rotating arm 43 that is rotatably installed with respect to a rotating shaft 43x, a generator part 41 disposed at both ends of the rotating arm 43, and It may be configured to have a detector unit 42.

The X-ray beam B emitted from the X-ray generator G having an X-ray emission focal point F from the generator part 41 passes through the patient's head H located on an extension line of the rotation shaft 43x to the detector part. It reaches the X-ray detector (S) disposed at (42). When taking a CT image, while the rotating arm 43 is rotating, an X-ray beam B is irradiated to the patient's head H at various angles to obtain projection data of multiple frames, and reconstructing it to obtain a CT image. . In this case, a cylindrical area in which the trajectories of the X-ray beams B irradiated from various angles overlap each other becomes a field of view (FOV), that is, an imaging area of the CT image.

When taking a CT image of the jaw joint (TMJ) using a dental X-ray imaging device having this configuration, as shown, a patient who supports it so that the patient's head H does not move while the imaging sequence is in progress. The support part 200 is utilized. The patient support part 200 includes a face support unit 230 that is interchangeably mounted on the support frame 21, and the face support unit 230 may be configured to support the patient's throat at an angle.

The support frame 21 is provided to support the patient's body during X-ray imaging to suppress shaking, and is fixed with respect to the space where the X-ray imaging apparatus is installed at least while the imaging is in progress. The patient's head H is a vertical axis in which the longitudinal axis L of the head H is parallel to the rotation axis 43x of the rotating arm 43 by the support frame 21 and the facial support unit 230 ( It is supported with an inclination of about 25 degrees with respect to V). In this way, with the patient's head (H) supported inclined toward the front of the patient's face, CT images of a cylindrical FOV (R1) of a certain size, for example, diameter: 80mm, height: 90mm, are performed to the patient's jaw joint. CT images of the (TMJ) site can be obtained.

In this case, as shown, all of the jaw joint position distribution ranges (T) according to the head images of various patients fall within the FOV (R1). The center of the temporomandibular joint position distribution range (T) representing the patient's average temporomandibular joint (TMJ) position is located at a certain position from the upper end of the FOV (R1), for example, at a distance of 44.2 mm, as shown in FIG. 2B. As can be seen, the position of the patient's jaw joint is generally close to the center of the FOV (R1). This is very effective in obtaining a CT image of the intended jaw joint and its periphery during imaging.

The facial support unit 230 is in contact with a part of the patient's face to support the patient's head (H), and the longitudinal axis (L) of the patient's head (H) is in front of the vertical axis (V) by about 20 to 30 degrees. Induce it to tilt. According to the present embodiment, the face support unit 230 is configured such that the pad portion supporting the patient is in contact with the patient's gravitational portion, that is, the portion between the nose and the upper lip, and the conventional chinrest unit 23 (see FIG. 1A) The patient's temporomandibular joint (TMJ) position is moved compared to when using.

Meanwhile, in an X-ray imaging method for CT imaging of the jaw joint according to an aspect of the present invention, the head of the patient is inclined toward the front of the face from the vertical axis V before acquiring the X-ray projection data. It is configured to perform a photographing sequence for acquiring X-ray projection data of various angles while supporting and maintaining the inclination. It is preferable that the inclination, that is, the angle formed by the longitudinal axis L of the patient's head H with respect to the vertical axis V, is between 20 degrees and 30 degrees.

3 shows a facial support unit for capturing a jaw joint applied to the embodiment of FIG. 2A.

The facial support unit 230 according to the present embodiment includes a body portion 233 that is interchangeably mounted on the support frame 21 (see FIG. 2A), and a connection portion extending from the body portion 233 toward the patient's face. 232, and a pad portion 231 formed at the end of the support 232 to directly contact the patient's throat. The pad part 231 may be formed in a curved shape to fit a corresponding facial contour. An angle A formed by a center line connecting the center of the pad part 231 up and down with respect to a horizontal plane is formed to be smaller than a right angle. Here, the horizontal plane refers to a plane parallel to the floor on which the patient is located. In this embodiment, the angle A is about 75 degrees, and it is preferable to have a value of 70 to 80 degrees, assuming that the pad part 231 faces and supports the patient's gravitational portion. The installation angle of the pad part 231 induces the patient's head to be inclined forward with an appropriate inclination.

The relationship between the installation angle A of the pad part 231 and the inclination of the patient's head H described above is that the difference between the angle A with respect to the vertical axis (V, see Fig. 2A) perpendicular to the horizontal plane is the patient's head (H). It is preferable that the vertical axis of is about 10 degrees smaller than the angle made with respect to the vertical axis. In other words, the slope formed by the center line of the pad part 231 with respect to the vertical axis is smaller than the slope formed by the longitudinal axis L of the patient's head (H) with respect to the vertical axis, more specifically, about 10 degrees smaller. It is desirable. This is because the pad portion 231 supports the gravitational portion, and as a result, an appropriate inclination of the head H can be obtained in consideration of the angle of the skeleton and teeth therein.

On the other hand, unlike the present embodiment, the facial support unit may be configured to support other parts of the patient's face. Even in this case, the facial support unit is configured to induce the longitudinal axis of the patient's head to incline forward with an appropriate inclination in the range of 20 degrees to 30 degrees with respect to the vertical axis. However, it is preferable that the facial support unit is provided so as not to invade the trajectory of the X-ray beam B passing through the FOV R1 when photographing the jaw joint.

The X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention has the same imaging unit standard as a conventional dental X-ray imaging apparatus that uses the patient's oral cavity as the main imaging area by the above configuration, while still capturing CT images of the patient's jaw joint. You can shoot more effectively. In other words, even if there is a deviation in the head for each patient, CT images of the jaw joint can be taken so that the patient's jaw joint is located closer to the center of the FOV so that the patient's jaw joint is more reliably included in the aforementioned FOV (R1) for jaw joint imaging. have. Here, the photographing unit refers to an X-ray generator, an X-ray detector, and a driving system that rotates them to face each other.

4A is a view illustrating a CT image of a sinus region using an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4B shows an example of a sinus CT image taken by the X-ray imaging apparatus of FIG. 4A.

The X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention, as described above, has the same imaging unit standard as a conventional dental X-ray imaging apparatus, but is frequently used in otolaryngology treatment, and more specifically, the frontal sinus ( A CT image of the FOV (R2) including the frontal sinus (FS) and the maxillary sinus (MS) may be provided.

In this embodiment, the configuration of the facial support unit 230 and the inclination of the patient's head H using the same are the same as those of the above-described embodiments of FIGS. 2A to 3. The difference is that the diameter of the cylindrical FOV R2 is larger than that of the above-described embodiment, for example, 160 mm, which is twice that of the above-described embodiment. The diameter of the cylindrical FOV may be expanded by moving the X-ray detector S in the tangential direction of the rotational trajectory during the photographing sequence without applying the X-ray detector S having a larger area unlike its height.

According to the present embodiment, as shown, the cylindrical FOV R2 includes a sinus part such as the frontal sinus FS and the maxillary sinus MS. This is to obtain a very useful sinus CT image for otolaryngology treatment by simply replacing the jawrest or bite support structure with the face support unit 230 in the conventional dental X-ray imaging apparatus, and thus the utilization of the X-ray imaging apparatus and In terms of efficiency, the meaning is great. In particular, the maxillary sinus MS is an example of a conventional FOV as a configuration and photographing method of a dental X-ray imaging apparatus as in the related art, and is a part that is difficult to be included in the FOV R2 having a diameter of 160 mm and a height of 90 mm.

As described above, according to the configuration of the present invention, the remarkable effect of effectively capturing a CT image of a patient's jaw joint with the same imaging unit as a conventional dental X-ray imaging device without an increase in the area of the X-ray detector or the amount of X-ray exposure. Can be obtained.

In addition, according to the present invention, according to the standard of the imaging unit of an X-ray imaging apparatus commonly used for dentistry, the imaging area (FOV) including the sinuses required for otolaryngology diagnosis, for example, the frontal sinus and the maxillary sinus. CT images can be obtained.

23: chin rest unit
41: generator unit 42: detector unit
43: rotary arm 43x: rotary shaft
230: face support unit 231: pad portion
232: connection part 233: body part

Claims (6)

As a facial support unit of an X-ray imaging apparatus that is mounted on a support frame between an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector that rotates oppositely with a rotation center axis therebetween to support the head of a patient,
A body portion detachably mounted on the support frame;
A connection part extending from the body part; And
It is formed at the end of the connecting portion and includes a pad portion for supporting the gravitation between the nose and the mouth of the patient,
The pad portion is inclined at a first angle from the rotational center axis so that the head of the patient is inclined to the front and is in close contact with the gravidarum. delete The method of claim 1,
The first angle is 10 to 20 degrees of the facial support unit. An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising the face support unit according to claim 1 or 3.

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