KR20080083448A - Collimator using laser pointer - Google Patents

Abstract

A collimator using a laser pointer is provided to reduce heat generation and power consumption by using a laser beam instead of light emitted from a lamp. A collimator using a laser pointer includes shutters(37), a pointer generating unit, and a reflector(33). The shutters are symmetrically arranged with respect to an X-ray irradiation axis(35) to limit an X-ray irradiation region. The pointer generating unit generates the laser pointer to indicate the limited X-ray irradiation region. The reflector is obliquely arranged with respect to the X-ray irradiation axis to reflect the laser pointer to the limited X-ray irradiation region. The pointer generating unit has a laser beam generating unit(31) to generate a laser beam and a converting unit(32) to convert the laser beam into the laser point with a predetermined pattern.

Description

Collimator using laser pointer

1 is a view for explaining a conventional mobile X-ray imaging apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an X-ray imaging apparatus for confirming an X-ray irradiation region using a conventional lamp.

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

4 is a functional block diagram of a mobile X-ray imaging apparatus having a collimator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a diagram illustrating in more detail the collimator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 shows several examples of deformations according to the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a laser pointer irradiated to the image acquisition unit according to various examples of the deformation unit illustrated in FIG. 6.

Description of the main parts of the drawing

1, 20: X-ray imaging apparatus 3: image acquisition unit

4: Subject 21: User Interface

23: control unit 25: battery

27: X-ray generator 29: collimator

31: laser light generating unit 32: deformation unit

33: reflector 35: X-ray irradiation axis

37: shutter

The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging apparatus, and more particularly, to an X-ray imaging apparatus having a collimator capable of identifying an X-ray irradiation region using a laser pointer.

An X-ray imaging apparatus is a device for diagnosing a health condition of a patient or an animal by passing X-rays through a subject such as a patient or an animal, and obtaining an X-ray image of the patient or an animal from an X-ray that has passed through the patient or the animal body. .

1 is a view for explaining a conventional mobile X-ray imaging apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 1, the X-ray imaging apparatus 1 generates X-rays and irradiates the generated X-rays to the image acquisition unit 3. The X-ray imaging apparatus 1 is connected to an AC commercial power supply via a power cable 2, generates X-rays using the AC commercial power supply, and controls the operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus 1. On the other hand, the image acquisition unit 3 is a digital image panel is used to obtain an X-ray image using an X-ray film or a plurality of photosensitive sensors.

Between the X-ray imaging apparatus 1 and the image acquisition unit 3, a subject 4 to capture an X-ray image is located. The X-rays radiated by the X-ray imaging apparatus 1 pass through the subject 4, and the image acquirer 3 acquires an X-ray image of the subject 4 from the X-rays that pass through the subject 4.

Before the X-ray image of the subject 4 is photographed, an area in which the X-ray is irradiated to the subject 4 should be checked in advance to obtain an accurate X-ray image of the portion to be photographed in the subject 4. Since X-rays cannot be identified visually, a separate apparatus capable of confirming the irradiation area of X-rays visually is required, and such apparatuses are commonly referred to as collimators. Light generated from the lamp of the collimator illuminates the same area as the X-ray irradiation area, and the photographer can check the area where the X-ray is irradiated through the area of the lamp light.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an X-ray imaging apparatus 1 that checks an X-ray irradiation area using a conventional lamp.

Referring to FIG. 2, a collimator for checking an X-ray irradiation area using a lamp is provided inside the X-ray imaging apparatus 1. Before the X-ray image of the subject is taken, the collimator lamp is heated to generate light, and the generated light is irradiated in the same direction as the X-ray irradiation axis. Through the irradiated light, the image acquiring unit 3 may distinguish the area where the light shines from the area where the light does not shine.

The region 5 where light shines is the same as the region where X-rays are irradiated in the X-ray imaging apparatus 1. Before taking the X-ray image of the subject, the photographer can check the area where the X-rays are irradiated through the area where light shines (5), and place the portion of the subject to be photographed in the area where the light is shining (5). Accurate X-ray images of the area can be taken.

When checking the irradiation area of X-rays using a conventional lamp, a lot of power is required to heat the lamp and a lot of heat is generated in the lamp.

In addition, the mobile X-ray imaging apparatus is often used in bright outdoors, it is difficult to clearly distinguish the light of the lamp irradiated to the image acquisition unit 4 in a bright outdoor lighting environment. Higher illuminance lamps are used to clearly distinguish the light from the lamps, which causes more heat inside the collimator and consumes more power due to the use of high intensity lamps.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a collimator that can identify the X-ray irradiation area using a laser pointer instead of a lamp.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a collimator capable of reducing heat and reducing power consumption.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile X-ray imaging apparatus that can identify the X-ray irradiation area using a laser pointer instead of a lamp.

The X-ray collimator for achieving the object of the present invention is arranged symmetrically about the irradiation axis of the X-ray, a pointer for limiting the irradiation area of the X-ray, a pointer generation unit for generating a laser pointer for displaying the irradiation area of the limited X-ray And a reflector disposed obliquely to the irradiation axis of the X-ray so as to reflect the generated laser pointer into the limited X-ray irradiation area.

A mobile X-ray imaging apparatus for achieving another object of the present invention is an X-ray generating unit for generating X-rays, a collimator for limiting the irradiation area of the generated X-rays and displaying a limited X-ray irradiation area using a laser pointer and X-rays It includes a battery for supplying the power required for the generator and the collimator.

Hereinafter, an X-ray collimator and a mobile X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

Referring to FIG. 3, inside the X-ray imaging apparatus 20, a collimator for checking an X-ray irradiation area using a laser pointer is provided. The collimator generates a laser beam and passes the generated laser beam through a deformed portion through which a predetermined pattern penetrates to generate a laser pointer. The generated laser pointer is irradiated in the same direction as the irradiation axis of X-rays. The photographer may distinguish the inner region 15 and the outer region 17 of the laser pointer 13 through the laser pointer 13 irradiated to the image acquisition unit 3.

The inner region 15 of the laser pointer is the same as the region to which X-rays are irradiated by the X-ray imaging apparatus 20. Before taking the X-ray image of the subject, the photographer can check the area where the X-ray is irradiated through the inner area 15 of the laser pointer, and place the part of the subject to be photographed in the inner area 15 of the laser pointer. Accurately capture X-ray images of desired areas.

4 shows a functional block diagram of a mobile X-ray imaging apparatus equipped with a collimator according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, a photographer inputs a user command for confirming an irradiation area of X-rays in advance through the user interface 21 before capturing an X-ray image of a subject. According to the input user command, the controller 23 supplies the battery 25 power to the collimator 29. The collimator 29 generates a laser pointer having a predetermined pattern by using the supplied battery 25 power and irradiates the generated laser pointer to the image acquisition unit 3. The photographer can confirm the X-ray irradiation area in advance of the X-ray image through the laser pointer irradiated to the image acquisition unit 3.

The part of the subject to be photographed is positioned on the X-ray irradiation area identified by the laser pointer. The photographer inputs a user command for capturing an X-ray image of the subject through the user interface 21, and the controller 23 transfers the power of the battery 25 to the X-ray generator 27 according to the input user command. Supply. The X-ray generator 27 generates X-rays using the supplied battery 25 power and radiates the generated X-rays to the image acquisition unit 3 to take an X-ray image of the subject.

5 is a diagram illustrating in more detail the collimator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the laser light generating unit 31 receives power to generate laser light. The laser light generator 31

-Solid laser using artificial ruby, glass and YAG (yttrium, aluminum, garnet) crystals containing chromium ions as laser generating materials,

-Gas lasers using a mixture of helium and neon, argon, krypton, carbon dioxide, and a mixture of helium and nitrogen as laser generating materials,

A semiconductor laser can be used that generates a laser by passing a current through a semiconductor p-n junction diode in which a p-type semiconductor of gallium and arsenic and an n-type semiconductor are bonded. Preferably, the laser light generator 31 receives power from the battery 25.

The deformable part 32 has a predetermined pattern penetrated to generate a laser pointer, and only the laser light corresponding to the penetrated pattern passes the laser light generated by the laser generator 31 through the penetrated pattern. To be investigated. The reflector 33 is inclined on the X-ray irradiation axis 35 and reflects the laser light irradiated through the deformable portion 32 in the same direction as the X-ray irradiation axis 35.

Shutters 37 for restricting the X-ray irradiation area are arranged symmetrically about the X-ray irradiation axis 35. Typically, shutters limiting the length of the area irradiated with X-rays and shutters limiting the width of the area irradiated with X-rays are disposed symmetrically on the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the X-ray irradiation axis 35, respectively. It is. However, for convenience of description, FIG. 5 shows only the shutters 37 arranged above and below the irradiation axis 35. The area to which X-rays are irradiated is increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing the symmetry interval d of the shutter 37. The laser beam reflected through the reflector 33 is limited to the irradiation area by the shutter 37, and the irradiation area of the laser beam is the same as that of the actual X-ray.

6 illustrates various examples of the deformable part according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 illustrates a laser pointer irradiated to the image acquisition part according to various examples of the deformable part.

6A illustrates a laser pointer that passes through the deformed part of FIG. 6A and is irradiated to the image acquisition part through a plurality of rectangular square patterns. 6B illustrates a plurality of rectangular patterns made of dots passing through the deformation part illustrated in FIG. 6B, and FIG. 7B illustrates a laser pointer that is irradiated to the image acquisition part through the deformation part of FIG. 6B. . The deformed portion shown in FIG. 6 (c) penetrates a radial pattern of dots, and FIG. 7 (c) shows a laser pointer that is irradiated to the image acquisition portion through the deformed portion of FIG. 6 (c).

Preferably, the deformable portion shown in Figs. 6 (a), 6 (b) and 6 (c) is penetrated by a pattern having a positive shape for displaying the center of the irradiation area or the size of the X-ray irradiation area from the center. It is.

The photographer adjusts the shutter 35 to set the X-ray irradiation area or the X-ray irradiation area by using a plurality of rectangular pattern laser pointers or dots that are irradiated to the image acquisition unit 3. An irradiation area of X-rays can be set using a laser pointer.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

A collimator using a conventional lamp has a problem in that power is consumed by using light generated by heating of a lamp and a lot of heat is generated internally. However, the collimator according to the present invention uses a laser light instead of a lamp. Power consumption can be reduced. In particular, the battery-powered mobile X-ray imaging apparatus has a lot of inconveniences due to the limitation of the battery capacity, and when the collimator according to the present invention is used in the mobile X-ray imaging apparatus, power consumption can be reduced. It can be used more conveniently for a long time.

In addition, while the collimator using the conventional lamp has the inconvenience of replacing the lamp at regular intervals due to the life of the lamp, the collimator according to the present invention can be used semi-permanently by using a laser.

Claims (5)

A shutter symmetrically disposed about an X-ray irradiation axis and limiting an X-ray irradiation area; A pointer generator for generating a laser pointer for displaying the limited X-ray irradiation area; And And a reflector disposed obliquely to the irradiation axis of the X-ray to reflect the generated laser pointer to the limited X-ray irradiation area. The method of claim 1, wherein the pointer generation unit A laser light generator for generating laser light; And An X-ray collimator comprising a deformation portion for passing the generated laser light to deform into a laser pointer having a predetermined pattern. The method of claim 2, wherein the deformable portion An X-ray collimator penetrated in a pattern corresponding to the laser pointer to produce a laser pointer having a predetermined pattern. An X-ray generator for generating X-rays; A collimator which limits the irradiation area of the generated X-rays and displays the restricted X-rays irradiation area by using a laser pointer; And And a battery for supplying power for the X-ray generator and the collimator. The method of claim 4, wherein the collimator is A shutter symmetrically disposed about an X-ray irradiation axis and limiting an X-ray irradiation area; A pointer generator for generating a laser pointer for displaying the limited X-ray irradiation area; And And a reflector disposed obliquely to the irradiation axis of the X-ray to reflect the generated laser pointer to the restricted X-ray irradiation area.

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