KR102329304B1 - X-ray imaging device and its operation method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging apparatus and an operating method thereof. An X-ray imaging apparatus of the present invention includes: an X-ray generator for irradiating X-rays to an object; an X-ray detector that detects the X-rays passing through the object and generates an electrical signal; a gantry arranged to face the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector to rotate about a rotation axis; a driving unit for changing positions or postures of the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector; and a controller configured to capture the object by controlling at least one of the X-ray generator, the X-ray detector, and the gantry, wherein the controller controls the driver to photograph the first area of the object The X-ray generator and the X-ray detector may be rotated relative to the gantry, and the second area of the object may be photographed.

Description

X-ray imaging device and its operation method {X-ray imaging device and its operation method}

The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging apparatus and an operating method thereof.

An X-ray imaging apparatus widely used in the medical technology field irradiates X-rays to the 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 X-ray imaging devices, the panoramic imaging device mainly used in dentistry can generate images of teeth and alveolar bone, which are the object of image generation, in one two-dimensional plane, so that the prognosis of orthodontic treatment and the eruption state of teeth can be generated. It is usefully used for various diagnostic purposes, such as checking and checking the height of the alveolar bone.

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

As such, an X-ray imaging apparatus used for diagnostic purposes in dentistry generally irradiates X-rays from a generator included in the X-ray generator, and transmits X-rays that partially penetrate or do not penetrate the examinee's body to the generator. light is received through a sensor facing the Then, the received X-rays are converted into electrical signals to obtain projection data. In particular, the 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 projection data acquisition method can examine all the states of all teeth and anatomical structures with one shot, 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 stitching or reconstruction process. This panoramic image contains all images of anatomical structures including the patient's dentition on a flat surface, which is useful for dental diagnosis.

On the other hand, in dentistry, images of the jaw joint and the like are sometimes required in addition to the teeth. That is, if the shape of the teeth and jaw joint can be confirmed in one image, this can be of great help in making a comprehensive judgment in dental diagnosis. For this, it is necessary to enlarge the area of the image.

However, the sensor has a limit in increasing the area in terms of technology or price. Accordingly, there is a need to propose a configuration of an X-ray image generating apparatus and method capable of obtaining an image of a large area even when the area of the sensor is small.

Accordingly, after an object (eg, the examinee's head) is photographed once, the position of the object is changed and photographed again to obtain two image data, and after reconstructing the data into a 3D CT image A method of generating a final X-ray image by combining (stitching) them may be considered.

In the case of imaging a plurality of different regions of the object as described above, it is necessary to relatively move the imaging unit of the X-ray imaging apparatus with respect to the object. To this end, the X-ray imaging apparatus may include a driving unit for moving the imaging unit. In this case, when the aligning unit that mounts and aligns the object in the photographing unit is formed to move in conjunction with the photographing unit, the absolute position of the object (eg, a position based on the floor on which the X-ray imaging apparatus is installed) is set to one position. A separate device capable of operating the aligner to be fixed may be required. In addition, when an abnormality occurs in the separate device, there is a risk of injury when the subject is a medical examiner.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to photograph various clinical areas through X-ray imaging using a small-area sensor and X-ray imaging that can confirm a large-volume clinical area in one image To provide a device and a method for operating the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dental head alignment device capable of stably fixing the position of the examinee's head to one position even when the position of the X-ray imaging unit is changed.

An X-ray imaging apparatus of the present invention for solving the above technical problem includes: an X-ray generator for irradiating X-rays to an object; an X-ray detector that detects the X-rays passing through the object and generates an electrical signal; a gantry arranged to face the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector to rotate about a rotation axis; a driving unit for changing positions or postures of the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector; and a controller configured to capture the object by controlling at least one of the X-ray generator, the X-ray detector, and the gantry, wherein the controller controls the driver to photograph the first area of the object The X-ray generator and the X-ray detector may be rotated relative to the gantry, and the second area of the object may be photographed.

In addition, the controller may photograph the object a plurality of times while rotating the gantry when capturing each of the first area and the second area.

The method may further include an image generator configured to generate one image by performing a stitching operation based on an electrical signal obtained through photographing of each of the first region and the second region.

Also, the image generator may generate one 3D CT image by performing a stitching operation and a reconstruction operation based on the obtained electrical signal.

In addition, the control unit may maintain the opposite surfaces of the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector to be the same when photographing each of the first area and the second area.

In addition, the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector may have the same or parallel rotation axes.

In addition, a rotation axis of the gantry may be perpendicular to a floor surface on which the X-ray imaging apparatus is installed, and a height of the gantry from the floor surface may be maintained to be the same during imaging of the first area and the second area.

Also, the controller may photograph the first area, then rotate the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector by the same angle about the same rotation axis, and photograph the second area.

In addition, the irradiation point to which the X-ray is irradiated of the X-ray generator may be spaced apart from the rotation axis of the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector by a predetermined distance.

The apparatus may further include an alignment unit supporting the object, wherein the object is the head of a dental examinee, and the alignment unit may not be driven while the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector rotate relative to the gantry.

The first region and the second region may be adjacent to or partially overlapped with each other.

In an operating method of an X-ray imaging apparatus of the present invention for solving the above technical problem, an X-ray generating unit and an X-ray detecting unit are disposed to face each other and include a gantry rotating about a rotation axis, a driving unit, and a control unit to photograph an X-ray object A method of operating a photographing apparatus, the method comprising: capturing, by the controller, at least one of the X-ray generator, the X-ray detector, and the gantry to photograph a first area of the object; rotating the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector relative to the gantry by controlling the driving unit by the controller; and controlling, by the controller, at least one of the X-ray generator, the X-ray detector, and the gantry to photograph the second area of the object.

In addition, in the photographing of the first area and the photographing of the second area, the controller may photograph the object a plurality of times while rotating the gantry.

In addition, the X-ray imaging apparatus further includes an image generator, and the image generator performs a stitching operation based on the electrical signals obtained in the step of photographing the first area and the step of photographing the second area, respectively. It may further include; generating one image.

In addition, the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector have the same or parallel rotation axes, and the surfaces of the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector face each other in the photographing of the first area and the photographing of the second area can remain the same.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, various clinical areas can be photographed through X-ray imaging using a small-area sensor, and the shape of a large volume required for diagnosis of dentistry, etc., can be confirmed in one image, so that when diagnosing dentistry, etc. It can help you make a comprehensive decision.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, even when the position of the X-ray imaging unit of the X-ray imaging apparatus is changed during X-ray imaging by the X-ray imaging apparatus, a configuration for accurately fixing the position of the examinee's head to one position is unnecessary or minimized, resulting in an accident caused by a malfunction can be prevented and production costs can be reduced.

1 is an external view of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view for explaining an area photographed by the X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram for explaining an operation of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a diagram for explaining a method for generating an X-ray image according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a view for explaining a method of operating an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The following is merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art will be able to devise various devices which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present invention and are included within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, it should be understood that all conditional terms and examples listed herein are, in principle, expressly intended only for the purpose of understanding the inventive concept and are not limited to the specifically enumerated embodiments and states as such. do.

Moreover, it is to be understood that all detailed description reciting the principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present invention, as well as specific embodiments, are intended to cover structural and functional equivalents of such matters. It is also to be understood that such equivalents include not only currently known equivalents, but also equivalents developed in the future, i.e., all devices invented to perform the same function, regardless of structure.

Thus, for example, the flowcharts herein are to be understood as representing conceptual views of illustrative circuitry embodying the principles of the present invention. Similarly, all flowcharts, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, etc. may be tangibly embodied on computer-readable media and be understood to represent various processes performed by a computer or processor, whether or not a computer or processor is explicitly shown. should be

The functions of the various elements shown in the figures including a processor or functional blocks represented by similar concepts 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 functionality may be provided by a single dedicated processor, a single shared processor, or a plurality of separate processors, some of which may be shared.

In addition, clear use of terms presented as processor, control, or similar concepts should not be construed as exclusively referring to hardware having the ability to execute software, and without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, ROM for storing software. It should be understood to implicitly include (ROM), RAM (RAM) and non-volatile memory. Other common hardware may also be included.

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

The above-described objects, features and advantages will become more apparent through the following detailed description in relation to the accompanying drawings, and accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. There will be. In addition, in the description of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the 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 external view of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The X-ray imaging apparatus 100 is an apparatus for photographing an X-ray image including the shape of an anatomical structure of the examinee's body.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the X-ray imaging apparatus 100 includes a pedestal 190 , a support column 185 , a monitor 175 , a gantry 113 , a handle 195 , and a head unit 180 . may include.

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 column 185 stands vertically from the pedestal 190, According to an example, the height may be adjusted in a sliding manner.

The monitor 175 is a configuration in which the user can check the use of the device 10 (eg, rotation of the gantry 113, start and end of CT scan, etc.). The gantry 113 may be located under the head unit 180 of the upper portion of the device 100 .

The monitor 175 may be used as a user interface. That is, the user may input a command for the operation of the device 100 through the monitor 175 , and may receive information about the current operation of the device 100 or progress information of a data processing task. To this end, the monitor 175 may include a touch panel. Also, the user interface may be implemented through a GUI.

Also, the alignment unit 160 may further include at least one of a chin-nest 161 and a bite block 163 . As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the bib 161 is a part on which the head of the examinee rests on the jaw. Also, the bite block 163 is a part that the examinee's head can bite with teeth. The main use of the bite block 163 is also to align the posture of the examinee's head.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the X-ray imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an X-ray generator 111 , an X-ray detector 112 , a gantry 113 , a driver 155 , and a controller 140 . ) may be included.

The driving unit 155 may be referred to as a second driving unit 155 in the present specification to distinguish it from a first driving unit (not shown) to be described later. make it mean

As described above, the X-ray imaging unit 110 may include the X-ray generating unit 111 , the X-ray detecting unit 112 , the gantry 113 , and the driving unit 155 , which are components for X-ray imaging.

The X-ray generator 111 may radiate X-rays to the object 400 . The X-ray generator 111 may include an X-ray tube for generating X-rays. In addition, it may further include a collimator (not shown) capable of adjusting the irradiation range (irradiation field) of the X-rays to be irradiated. The collimator (not shown) may include one or more X-ray shielding members and a driving mechanism for driving the shielding members.

Due to the structure including the X-ray tube and the driving mechanism of the collimator (not shown), the X-ray generator 111 has a focal point 111-1 that is a point at which the X-rays are emitted within the structure. This may be biased towards one side. Due to this one-sided shape characteristic, when the X-ray generator 111 is disposed on the gantry 113, the arrangement structure may be limited.

The X-ray detector 112 may detect the X-ray that has passed through the object 400 to generate an electrical signal.

An active area for receiving the irradiated X-rays is formed on one surface of the X-ray detector 112 opposite to the X-ray generator 111 . The light receiving surface may include a sensor including pixels that generate a plurality of electrical signals using energy such as X-rays, such as a charge coupled device image sensor.

When the object 400 is the examinee's head, the main part to be treated during dental diagnosis includes the teeth and jaw joint. Therefore, it is preferable that the shape of the teeth and the jaw joint are included in one final X-ray image.

However, when the sensor provided in the X-ray detector 112 is a small-area sensor, it may be difficult to photograph both the teeth and the jaw joint according to one rotation of the gantry 113 .

The gantry 113 may be disposed such that the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 face each other to rotate about a rotation axis (a first rotation axis 114 ).

More specifically, the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 may be attached to both ends of a rotating means called the gantry 113 .

The rotation shaft 114 may be a straight line penetrating the object 400 when photographing.

Alternatively, when the object is the examinee's head, the rotation shaft 114 may be a straight line in the vertical direction of the head.

In the case of X-ray imaging at the dentist, the subject is the examinee's head, and the photographing is often performed in a sitting position. Accordingly, the rotation shaft 114 is substantially on the floor of the treatment space where the apparatus 100 is installed. can be formed vertically.

In this embodiment, the gantry 113 may be rotated substantially horizontally on the floor surface, and according to the rotation of the gantry 113 , the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 operate the receiver You can shoot while rotating around the head of

The gantry 113 may include a first driving unit (not shown) responsible for driving the gantry 113 for rotation.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first driving unit (not shown) may include a rotary motor, a screw, and a linear guide, or may be implemented in a manner including a linear motor.

More specifically, a rotational driving motor (not shown), a screw (not shown) rotating by receiving the rotational force of the driving motor, the shaft is inserted into the screw and the longitudinal direction of the screw by rotation of the screw It can be used as a configuration of an embodiment to include a block (not shown) that slides along the block (not shown), and to attach a separate part that can apply an external force to the examinee's head to the block.

Preferably, the block is configured to perform a linear motion without separation according to a separately provided linear guide (not shown). In addition, it is preferable that stoppers (not shown) are provided at both ends of the linear guide or the screw to act as a limit point of the translational motion.

The gantry 113 , the X-ray generator 111 , and the X-ray detector 112 may be configured in a 'C' shape, and the object 400 is positioned and aligned therebetween. The combination of the gantry 113 , the generator 111 , and the sensor 112 is also referred to as a C-arm.

The driving unit 155 or the second driving unit 155 may be configured to change positions or postures of the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 . The second driving unit 155 may include a rotation motor (not shown) and rotation shafts 116 and 117 to generate and transmit a driving force required to change the postures of the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 . .

The controller 140 may control at least one of the X-ray generator 111 , the X-ray detector 112 , and the gantry 113 , thereby performing X-ray imaging of the object 400 . .

The X-ray imaging is a process in which the X-ray detector 112 receives the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray generator 111 and passes through the FOV including the volume occupied by the object 400 into an electrical signal corresponding thereto. can be

Also, after the electrical signal is converted into projection image data, it may be further included in the apparatus 100 or stored in an external image data storage unit (not shown).

3 is a view for explaining an area photographed by the X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3A , the area of the object 400 may be divided into a first area 410 and a second area 420 . The first area 410 and the second area 420 may have an overlapping area 430 partially overlapping each other.

3 (b) shows a field of view (FOV) to be photographed. As shown in FIG. 3B , the FOV is a first FOV 415 that is a photographing area when the first area 410 is photographed and a second FOV 425 that is an area in which the second area 420 is photographed. ) can be distinguished.

Field of View (FOV) refers to an area photographed during X-ray imaging. Alternatively, it may be an area that is a collection target of projection data.

The first FOV 415 and the second FOV 425 of the present invention may partially overlap in the horizontal direction. The overlapping area may be an area corresponding to 30% to 50% of each of the first FOV 415 and the second FOV 425 . More preferably, it may be 40%.

The X-ray image 300 may be a 3D CT image 300 of all or a part of the object 400 . More specifically, the CT imaging method for acquiring the CT image 300 may be a cone-beam CT imaging method.

4 is a diagram for explaining an operation of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4A , the controller 140 may photograph the first area 410 of the object 400 . 4A shows a first FOV 415 including the first region 410 .

As described above, the position of the irradiation point 111-1 from which the X-rays are emitted from the X-ray generator 111 is biased toward one side (lower side of FIG. 4A ).

After the first area 410 is photographed, the controller 140 controls the second driving unit 155 so that the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 are connected to the gantry 113 . can be rotated relative to

In an embodiment of the present invention, the state after being rotated as described above may be the state shown in FIG. 4 ( b ).

That is, the X-ray generator 111 rotates about the second rotation axis 116 , and the X-ray generator 112 rotates about the third rotation axis 117 .

In addition, the control unit 140 controls the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 in a state in which the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 are rotated relative to the gantry 113 as shown in FIG. The second area 420 may be photographed.

In particular, in FIG. 4B , the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 rotate in the posture of the first region 410 to take an upside down posture. Preferably, it may be substantially rotated by 180 degrees. Accordingly, the height of the second area 420 to be photographed is higher than that of the first area 410 from the bottom surface.

When the object 300 to be photographed is the examinee's head, the first area 410 may be an area including the examinee's teeth. Also, the second region 420 may be a region including the examinee's temporomandibular joint.

By stitching data of an image obtained by photographing as described above, an image in which the region encompassing the first region 410 and the second region 420 is captured with a small-area image sensor may be acquired.

However, the present invention does not include only the case in which the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 rotate enough to be vertically inverted as described above, and the X-ray generator 111 is used to photograph various areas requiring imaging. and the X-ray detector 112 may rotate at various angles. Also, according to an embodiment, the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 may rotate in the same direction and at the same angle to photograph the next area. In other embodiments, it is possible to individually rotate in different directions or at different angles. In another embodiment, only one of the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 may be rotated and photographed.

The control unit 140 may photograph the object 400 a plurality of times while rotating the gantry 113 when capturing each of the first area 410 and the second area 420 .

As described above, by photographing the first area 410 and photographing the second area 420 a plurality of times, it is possible to obtain panoramic image data or 3D CT image data. Also, it is possible to acquire X-ray images (panoramic images or 3D CT images) for a wide clinical area up and down through a data conversion operation including stitching on the obtained image.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the device 100 performs a stitching operation based on electrical signals obtained through photographing of each of the first region 410 and the second region 420 to create one It may further include an image generating unit 170 that generates an image of.

When the performed X-ray imaging operation is a 3D CT image, a reconstruction operation may be further required in addition to the stitching operation in order to generate one 3D CT image 300 as described above.

5 is a diagram for explaining an operation of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5 , the image generator 170 may generate one 3D CT image 300 by performing a stitching operation and a reconstruction operation based on the obtained electrical signal.

That is, by stitching the first partial X-ray image of FIG. 5 (a) and the second partial X-ray image of FIG. 5 (b), the final X-ray image including the 3D CT image 300 is obtained as shown in FIG. can create

The control unit 140 maintains the opposite surfaces of the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 to be the same when photographing the first area 410 and the second area 420 , respectively. can do it

That is, even when the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 are rotated to capture a new area, the surfaces facing each other are maintained. Accordingly, for example, a separate irradiation point is formed on the rear surface of the X-ray generator 111 or a separate light receiving surface is not provided on the rear surface of the X-ray detector 112 , and one irradiation point 111-1 and light receiving surface are not provided. By changing only the posture of the face, it becomes possible to shoot in various areas.

Each of the rotation axes 116 and 117 of the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 may be the same or parallel to each other.

The X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 may have substantially the same rotation shafts 116 and 117 . Accordingly, even after rotation, the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 may acquire relatively identical positions and postures to each other. This is advantageous in managing so that the first FOV 415 and the second FOV 425 overlap in a continuous shape, and waste of a photographed area after the stitching is performed can be eliminated.

The rotation axis 114 of the gantry 113 is perpendicular to the floor surface on which the X-ray imaging apparatus is installed, and the height of the gantry 113 from the floor surface is the first area 410 and the second area 420 . ) can be kept the same for each shooting.

That is, a separate driving for adjusting the height of the gantry 113 may not be required to adjust the height of the imaging area. This makes it unnecessary to design a separate power generation and transmission device for the movement of the heavy gantry 113, thereby reducing costs and may help improve durability and reduce failure rates.

After photographing the first region 410 , the controller 140 rotates the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 about the same rotation axis 116 and 117) by the same angle. , the second area 420 may be photographed. The "same" may not mean a perfect geometrical agreement, but may mean a practical agreement that can be used in the relevant technical field.

The irradiation point 111-1 to which the X-rays of the X-ray generator 111 are irradiated may be spaced apart from the rotation axes of the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 by a predetermined distance.

As described above, the irradiation point 111-1 may be designed to be biased toward one side due to the mechanical structure of the X-ray imaging unit 111 . In some cases, these structural features can be a constraint in the overall radix design. The present invention may enable the position change of the irradiation point 111-1 through rotation through a configuration in which the rotation shaft 116 or 117 is spaced apart from the irradiation point 111-1 by a predetermined distance, FIG. Referring to (a) and (b) of 4 , the overall position of the X-ray imaging unit 111 is not significantly changed even after the position of the irradiation point 111-1 is changed. This is also a structure that can be obtained more easily because the irradiation point 111-1 is biased to one side due to the mechanical structure of the X-ray imaging unit 111 as described above.

If you try to change the imaging area by sliding the gantry 113 upward, the height of the entire gantry 113 must be increased as much as the irradiation point 111-1 rises. have.

That is, the present invention can sublimate the structural limitations as described above to advantages through rotational action.

It further includes an alignment unit 160 supporting the object 400, wherein the object 400 is the head of a dental examinee, and the alignment unit 160 includes the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector ( 112 may not be driven while relatively rotating with respect to the gantry 113 .

As shown in FIG. 4 , the alignment unit 160 may be designed to be added to the head unit 180 supporting the gantry 140 . When the height of the gantry 113 is raised to change the photographing area like the conventional photographing apparatus, the height of the alignment unit 160 must be relatively lowered by that much to fix the examinee's head, which is the object 300, in one position. can Accordingly, a separate power generating and transmitting device for the operation of the alignment unit 160 may be required. Also, if these devices fail, there is also a risk of injury to the examinee.

However, in the apparatus 100 of the present invention, the alignment unit 160 is driven while the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 rotate relative to the gantry 113 to change the imaging area. By not doing so, the risk of the examinee can be eliminated. In addition, through a design that does not have or minimizes the power generation and transmission device as described above, the effect of reducing the cost and the failure rate can also be expected.

The first region 410 and the second region 420 may be adjacent to each other or may partially overlap. That is, the first area 410 and the second area 420 may not be exactly the same area. However, it is possible to obtain a composite image through stitching by concatenating or partially overlapping.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, in the X-ray imaging apparatus 100 of the present invention, the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 are disposed to face each other and rotate about the rotation shaft 114 . 155 ) and the controller 140 , and may be a device for photographing the object 400 .

As shown in FIG. 6 , in the method of operating the X-ray imaging apparatus 100 of the present invention, first, the controller 140 controls at least one of the X-ray generator 111 , the X-ray detector 112 , and the gantry 113 . It may include controlling one to photograph the first region 410 of the object 400 ( S100 ).

In addition, the control unit 140 controls the second driver 155 to relatively rotate the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 with respect to the gantry 113 ( S200 ). can

In addition, the control unit 140 controls at least one of the X-ray generator 111, the X-ray detector 112, and the gantry 113 to photograph the second region 420 of the object 400 (S300). ) may be included.

In each of the step of photographing the first area 410 ( S100 ) and the step of photographing the second area 420 ( S300 ), the control unit 140 rotates the gantry 113 while rotating the object 400 . ) can be taken multiple times.

The X-ray imaging apparatus 100 may further include an image generating unit 170 , and the operating method may include capturing, by the image generating unit 170 , the first region 410 and the second The method may further include a step (S400) of generating one image by performing a stitching operation based on the electrical signals respectively obtained in the step of photographing the region 420 (S400).

The rotation shafts 116 and 117 of the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 may be the same or parallel to each other. In addition, in the step ( S100 ) of imaging the first area 410 and the step ( S300 ) of imaging the second area 420 , the X-ray generator 111 and the X-ray detector 112 face each other The sides may remain the same.

7 is a view for explaining a method of operating an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when imaging and generating an X-ray image for acquiring the 3D CT image 300 are performed, a reconstruction operation may be required along with the stitching operation of the image. As shown in FIG. 7 , the reconstruction operation may be driven by a graphics processing unit (GPU) of a computer. The control unit 140 for controlling the configuration and each operating system for X-ray imaging and image generation of the present invention may be implemented through a CPU of a computer.

Meanwhile, a computer program for performing the method of operating the X-ray imaging apparatus described above may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium.

That is, the method of operating the X-ray imaging apparatus according to various embodiments of the present invention described above may be implemented as a computer program and provided to a server or devices in a state 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 a register, cache, memory, etc., but semi-permanently stores data, , 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, ROM, and the like.

In addition, although 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 as 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 perspective of the present invention.

100: X-ray imaging device 110: X-ray imaging unit
111: X-ray generator 111-1: irradiation point
112: X-ray detector 113: gantry
114: first axis of rotation 116: second axis of rotation
117: third rotation shaft 140: control unit
155: second driving unit 160: alignment unit
161: bib 163: bite block
170: image generator 175: monitor
180: head 185: support pillar
190: pedestal 195: handle
300: 3D CT image
400: object 410: first area
415: first FOV 420: second area
425: second FOV 430: overlapping area

Claims (15)

an X-ray generator irradiating X-rays to an object;
an X-ray detector that detects the X-rays passing through the object and generates an electrical signal;
a gantry arranged to face the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector to rotate about a rotation axis;
a driving unit for changing positions or postures of the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector; and
a controller configured to control at least one of the X-ray generator, the X-ray detector, and the gantry to photograph the object;
The control unit is
After photographing the first area of the object, controlling the driving unit to relatively rotate at least one of the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector by a predetermined angle with respect to the gantry, photographing the second area of the object, ,
An irradiation point to which the X-ray generator is irradiated is spaced apart by a predetermined distance from at least one of a rotation axis of the X-ray generator and a rotation axis of the X-ray detector. The method of claim 1,
The control unit is
The X-ray imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the object is photographed a plurality of times while the gantry is rotated when each of the first area and the second area is photographed. 3. The method of claim 2,
and an image generator configured to generate one image by performing a stitching operation based on electrical signals obtained through photographing of each of the first region and the second region. ◈Claim 4 was abandoned when paying the registration fee.◈ 4. The method of claim 3,
The image generating unit,
X-ray imaging apparatus, characterized in that by performing a stitching operation and a reconstruction operation based on the obtained electrical signal to generate one 3D CT image. The method of claim 1,
The control unit is
The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when photographing each of the first area and the second area, surfaces of the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector that face each other are kept the same. ◈Claim 6 was abandoned when paying the registration fee.◈ 6. The method of claim 5,
The X-ray generator and the X-ray detector, characterized in that the rotation axis is the same or parallel to the X-ray imaging apparatus. ◈Claim 7 was abandoned when paying the registration fee.◈ 7. The method of claim 6,
The rotation axis of the gantry is perpendicular to the floor surface on which the X-ray imaging device is installed,
The height of the gantry from the bottom surface is maintained the same when the first area and the second area are photographed, respectively. ◈Claim 8 was abandoned when paying the registration fee.◈ 7. The method of claim 6,
The control unit is
After photographing the first area, the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector are rotated by the same angle about the same rotation axis, and the second area is photographed. ◈Claim 9 was abandoned at the time of payment of the registration fee.◈ According to claim 1, wherein the control unit,
After the first area of the object is photographed, the driving unit is controlled to rotate the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector by 180 degrees with respect to the gantry, and the second area of the object is photographed. . ◈Claim 10 was abandoned when paying the registration fee.◈ 8. The method of claim 7,
Further comprising an alignment unit for supporting the object,
The subject is the head of a dental examinee,
The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the alignment unit is not driven while the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector are relatively rotated with respect to the gantry. The method of claim 1,
The first area and the second area are X-ray imaging apparatus, characterized in that adjacent or partially overlapped. A method of operating an X-ray imaging apparatus for imaging an object, the method comprising: a gantry disposed to face each other and an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector rotated about a rotation axis, a driving unit, and a control unit, the X-ray imaging apparatus comprising:
capturing, by the controller, at least one of the X-ray generator, the X-ray detector, and the gantry to photograph the first area of the object;
rotating, by the controller, the driving unit to relatively rotate at least one of the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector by a predetermined angle with respect to the gantry; and
and controlling, by the controller, at least one of the X-ray generator, the X-ray detector, and the gantry to photograph the second area of the object;
The method of operating an X-ray imaging apparatus, characterized in that the irradiation point to which the X-rays are irradiated by the X-ray generator is spaced apart from at least one of a rotation axis of the X-ray generator and a rotation axis of the X-ray detector by a predetermined distance. 13. The method of claim 12,
In the photographing of the first area and the photographing of the second area, the control unit photographs the object a plurality of times while rotating the gantry. 14. The method of claim 13,
The X-ray imaging apparatus further includes an image generator,
X-ray imaging further comprising the step of generating, by the image generating unit, a stitching operation based on the electrical signals obtained in the step of photographing the first area and the step of photographing the second area, respectively; How the device works. 13. The method of claim 12,
The X-ray generator and the X-ray detector have the same or parallel rotation axes,
The operating method of the X-ray imaging apparatus, characterized in that in the imaging of the first region and the imaging of the second region, the surfaces of the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector that face each other are kept the same.

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