KR20150046428A - X-ray imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

One aspect of the disclosed invention relates to an X-ray imaging apparatus which makes an inner image of an object by emitting an X-ray to the object and, more particularly, to an X-ray imaging apparatus capable of reducing an amount of X-rays emitted to the object and implementing various interest regions. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to one aspect of the disclosed invention includes: an X-ray source which emits the X-ray to the object, a filtering unit which is located on the front side of the X-ray source and forms the interest region through which the X-ray passes, and an X-ray detector which obtains a plurality of X-ray images by detecting the X-ray emitted to the object. The filtering unit includes a base plate which forms the emission region by passing the emitted X-ray, and at least one moving plate which forms the interest region by closing at least part of an emission region and moves with regard to the interest region to symmetrically or asymmetrically form the interest region.

Description

[0001] X-RAY IMAGING APPARATUS [0002]

The disclosed invention relates to an x-ray imaging apparatus that irradiates an object with an x-ray to image the inside of the object.

An X-ray imaging apparatus is an apparatus that can acquire an internal image of an object by irradiating the object with the X-rays and using the X-rays transmitted through the object. Since the transmittance of the X-rays differs depending on the characteristics of the material constituting the object, the intensity or intensity of the X-rays transmitted through the object can be detected to image the internal structure of the object.

In recent years, X-ray video technology has been developed to observe intra-object movement and is being applied to X-ray imaging fields such as intervention procedures such as angiography and fluoroscopy.

On the other hand, in order to secure the stability of the X-ray imaging apparatus, it is recognized that it is important to reduce the X-ray dose irradiated to the object, and various researches and developments are being carried out to reduce the X-ray dose.

However, when the method of reducing X-ray dose interferes with the workflow of the practitioner or becomes complicated to the practitioner, the practitioner often selects a procedure that is easier than the reduction of the X-ray dose.

Therefore, it is required to develop a technique for reducing the dose of X-rays irradiated to the target object without interfering with the operation of the practitioner.

One aspect of the disclosed invention provides an X-ray imaging apparatus capable of varying the position, shape, and size of a region of interest by movement of a filtering unit, thereby reducing an amount of X-rays irradiated to a target object.

An X-ray imaging apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an X-ray source for irradiating an X-ray to a target object, a filtering unit positioned in front of the X-ray source and forming a region of interest through which the X- Ray detector for acquiring a plurality of x-ray images, wherein the filtering unit forms a region of interest by closing at least a portion of the base plate and the irradiation region through which the irradiated x-rays pass to form an irradiation region, And at least one moving plate movable relative to the irradiation region such that the region is formed symmetrically or asymmetrically.

Each of the moving plates may include a plurality of driving coupling parts coupled to separate driving parts so as to form the region of interest asymmetrically.

Each of the moving plates includes a first driving coupling portion and a second driving coupling portion. The first driving coupling portion may be connected to the first driving portion, and the second driving coupling portion may be connected to the second driving portion.

And a link positioned between the driving unit and the driving unit to move the moving plate.

The filtering unit may include a plurality of layers including at least one moving plate.

The layer may include a first layer and a second layer, and the first layer may be located above the second layer.

The second layer may be positioned to be perpendicular to the first layer.

The first layer may include a first moving plate and a second moving plate, and the second layer may include a third moving plate and a fourth moving plate.

The first moving plate and the second moving plate are opposed to each other, and the third moving plate and the fourth moving plate may be positioned to face each other.

And a collimator for adjusting an irradiation area of an X-ray irradiated from the X-ray source.

An X-ray imaging apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes an X-ray source for irradiating an X-ray to a target object, an X-ray detector for detecting X-rays irradiated to the object to acquire a plurality of X-ray images, A first layer moving to close at least a portion of the irradiated region and a second layer located at a lower portion of the first layer and at least partially overlapping the first layer, And a filtering unit including a second layer which is provided so as to correspond to the X-ray image.

The first layer may include a first moving plate and a second moving plate, and the second layer may include a third moving plate and a fourth moving plate.

The filtering unit may include a base plate on which an irradiation area through which the X-ray can pass is formed. The second layer is located on the top of the base plate. The first layer may be located on the top of the second layer. have.

Wherein each of the plurality of moving plates includes a plurality of driving and engaging parts coupled to respective separate driving parts and at least one or more links are disposed between the respective driving and engaging parts to control the movement of the moving plate. have.

The third moving plate may be positioned between the first moving plate and the second moving plate, and the fourth moving plate may be positioned to face the third moving plate.

And a collimator for adjusting an irradiation area of an X-ray irradiated from the X-ray source.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an X-ray imaging apparatus including an X-ray source for irradiating X-rays to a target object, an X-ray detector for detecting X-rays irradiated to the object to acquire a plurality of X-ray images, And a filtering unit positioned in front of the x-ray source, wherein the filtering unit includes a plurality of moving plates movable to close at least a portion of the irradiation area and movable to different points to form a radial area of interest Ray imaging device.

The filtering unit includes a plurality of layers including a plurality of moving plates, and the layer includes a first layer and a second layer, and the first layer may be located above the second layer.

Wherein the first layer comprises a first moving plate and a second moving plate, the second layer comprises a third moving plate and a fourth moving plate, the first moving plate and the second moving plate comprise a first And the third moving plate and the fourth moving plate form a second area, and the intersecting area of the first area and the second area may be the area of interest.

According to an aspect of the disclosed invention, it is possible to reduce the dose of X-rays to a target object.

In addition, the practitioner can concentrate on the procedure without having to take any additional steps to reduce the X-ray dose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view showing an appearance of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a view showing an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention from another angle.
3 is a diagram illustrating a portion of a filtering unit included in an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4A to 4D are diagrams illustrating movement of a moving plate of a filtering unit of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 5A through 5E are diagrams illustrating an example of a change in a region of interest according to the operation of the filtering unit of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view showing an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from another angle.

1 and 2, the x-ray imaging apparatus 100 for angiography may have a C-arm structure. The X-ray generating assembly and the X-ray detecting unit 120 may be mounted on both ends of the C-arm 101, respectively. The C-arm 101 is connected to the main body 103 through the connection shaft 105 and can rotate in the orbital direction. In addition, the C-arn 101 can be moved up and down and left and right about the connection axis 105.

An X-ray source 110, a collimator 111, and a filtering unit 150 may be provided inside the X-ray generating assembly. When the patient table 107 is positioned between the X-ray generating assembly and the X-ray detecting unit 120 and the object 30 is positioned on the patient table 107, the X- 120 detect the irradiated x-ray and acquire an x-ray image of the object 30.

The X-ray imaging apparatus 100 for angiography can perform X-ray imaging according to various imaging modes, and it is possible to obtain a real-time moving image of the object 30. The user can perform a procedure or diagnosis while viewing the display 170 having a plurality of screens and capable of displaying various images required for a procedure or diagnosis. Although FIG. 1 illustrates a case including the first display 171 and the second display 172, the present invention is not limited thereto and may include at least one or more displays.

The user can input necessary information through the input unit 130 provided in the X-ray imaging apparatus 100. For example, the X-ray source 110 may input a cycle through the input unit 130 to repeatedly examine the X-ray. The input period is transmitted to a control unit (not shown), and the X-ray source 110 can be controlled according to a period in which a control unit (not shown) is input.

As shown in FIG. 2, the X-ray imaging apparatus 100 may further include a filtering unit 150. The filtering unit 150 may be disposed in front of the x-ray source 110. That is, the filtering unit 150 may be disposed in a direction in which the X-rays are irradiated. The filtering unit 150 may block a part of the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray source 110. According to one embodiment of the disclosed invention, the filtering unit 150 may include a driving unit (see FIG. 4) 156 for driving a moving plate (see FIG. 3, 151, 152) to form a region of interest.

The filtering unit 150 blocks at least a part of the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray source 110. An X-ray irradiated from the X-ray source 110 forms an irradiation region, and a part of the X-rays are blocked by the filtering unit 150 to form a region of interest. The filtering unit 150 will be described later.

3 is a diagram illustrating a portion of a filtering unit included in an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The filtering unit 150 includes a base plate 153 for forming an irradiation area through which the X-ray can pass, a moving plate 151 for closing at least a part of the irradiation area passing through the base plate 153, 152).

The plates 151, 152, and 153 serve to block the X-rays generated from the X-ray source 110. The plates 151, 152, 153 may be capable of translational and / or rotational movement. As the plates 151, 152, 153 translate and / or rotate, different regions of interest i can be formed. Some of the x-rays irradiated from the x-ray source 110 pass through the region of interest i and are irradiated onto the object 30, the rest being blocked by the plates 151, 152 and 153.

The driving unit 156 can translate and / or rotate the plates 151, 152, and 153. The shape and size of the region of interest i vary as the plates 151, 152, 153 are translated and / or rotated by the driving unit 156. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the base plate 153 is rotated, and the moving plates 151 and 152 can translationally move.

According to one embodiment of the disclosed invention, the moving plates 151 and 152 may be positioned on top of the base plate 153. The moving plates 151 and 152 may include a first layer 151 and a second layer 152. A moving plate positioned on the upper side of the base plate 153 is defined as a second layer 152 and a moving plate positioned on the upper side of the second layer 152 is defined as a first layer 151. [ The second layer 152 may be positioned perpendicular to the first layer 151. That is, when the first layer 151 is located in the horizontal direction, the second layer 152 may be positioned in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the first layer 151 and the second layer 152 may be positioned such that a portion thereof is not overlapped.

According to one embodiment of the disclosed invention, the first layer 151 and the second layer 152 each include two moving plates. The moving plate of the first layer 151 is defined as a first moving plate 151a and the second moving plate 151b and the moving plate of the second layer 152 is defined as a third moving plate 152a and a fourth moving Plate 152b. The first moving plate 151a and the second moving plate 151b are positioned to face each other and the third moving plate 152a and the fourth moving plate 152b may be positioned to face each other. That is, the third moving plate 152a and the fourth moving plate 152b may be positioned between the first moving plate 151a and the second moving plate 151b. By moving the moving plates 151a, 151b, 152a, and 152b located on the respective layers 151 and 152, a part of the X-rays of the irradiation region formed through the base plate 153 is blocked, have.

A region opened by the first moving plate 151a and the second moving plate 151b is defined as a first region and a region opened by the third moving plate 152a and the fourth moving plate 152b is defined as a first region, 2 region. The region of interest may be formed in a region where the first region and the second region intersect.

The base plate 153 is provided in a ring shape so that the X-ray irradiated from the X-ray source 110 alone, which is positioned at the center of the base plate 153, passes through. Therefore, the irradiation area of the X-ray from the X-ray source 110 to the base plate 153 is maintained. Then, the moving plates 151a, 151b, 152a, and 152b located on the front surface of the base plate 153 block some of the X-rays in the irradiation area to form a region of interest. Thus, the amount of X-rays irradiated to the object 30 can be reduced. The movement of each of the plates 151, 152 and 153 will be described later.

4A to 4D are diagrams illustrating movement of a moving plate of a filtering unit of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 4A to 4D, only the first layer is shown for the sake of convenience, but the second layer is movable in the same manner as the first layer.

4A to 4D, each of the moving plates 151a and 151b includes a plurality of driving coupling portions 154a, 154b, 154c, and 154d coupled with separate driving portions 156a, 156b, 156c, and 156d, . ≪ / RTI > According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the moving plates 151a and 151b may include first and second driving coupling portions 154a and 154c and a second driving coupling portion 154b and 154d. The first driving coupling portions 154a and 154c are connected to the first driving portions 156a and 156c and the second driving coupling portions 154b and 154d are connected to the second driving portions 156b and 156d. The driving portions 156a, 156b, 156c, and 156d are separately controlled by connecting the driving coupling portions 154a, 154b, 154c, and 154d to the other driving portions 156a, 156b, 156c, 151a, 151b can be moved.

Links 155a, 155b, 155c and 155d are provided between the respective driving coupling portions 154a, 154b, 154c and 154d and the respective driving portions 156a, 156b, 156c and 156d for moving the moving plates 151a and 151b. ) Can be located. Due to the movement of the links 155a, 155b, 155c and 155d, the moving plates 151a and 151b can move and adjust the region of interest. Although the moving plates 151a and 151b are moved according to the links 155a, 155b, 155c, and 155d, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a slot (not shown) may be formed in the base plate 153 So that the moving plates 151a and 151b can be moved.

Fig. 4A is a view showing a state in which the moving plates 151a and 151b are opened, so that the region of interest i can be formed almost equal to the irradiation region.

4B is a view showing a state in which the moving plates 151a and 151b move to the center of the base plate 153 to close a part of the irradiation area. The link 155 moves to the center of the base plate 153 and the moving plates 151a and 151b can move to the center of the base plate 153. [ In the case of Fig. 4B, the movement of the moving plates 151a and 151b causes a part of the irradiation region to be closed to form the region of interest i.

4C is a view showing a state in which the first moving plate 151a and the second moving plate 151b move in an asymmetrical manner to close a part of the irradiation area. Since the plurality of driving coupling portions 154a, 154b, 154c and 154d are located on the moving plates 151a and 151b, the upper portions of the moving plates 151a and 151b face the center of the base plate 153, It is possible to move the moving plates 151a and 151b so as to be directed to the outside of the moving plates 151 and 153. That is, it is possible to move the moving plates 151a and 151b so as to have a specific inclination, and to form a trapezoidal region of interest. Therefore, it is possible to photograph the blood vessels that radiate in the form of radiations when inserting the contrast agent for the angiogram, with a small amount of X-rays.

FIG. 4D is a view showing a case where the base plate 153 is rotated in the state of FIG. 4C. Rotation of the base plate 153 also causes the moving plates 151a and 151b to rotate together, thereby forming a new area of interest i. In addition, since the moving plates 151a and 151b can be moved in this state, various regions of interest i can be formed according to the needs in the angiography.

FIGS. 5A through 5E are diagrams illustrating an example of a change in a region of interest according to the operation of the filtering unit of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosed invention.

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the movement of the centers of the first and second regions of interest i1 and i2. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first region of interest i1 is a region in which the second moving plate 151b of the first layer 151 moves to the center of the base plate 153 and a part of the irradiated region is closed And the third moving plate 152a of the second layer 152 moves to the center of the base plate 153, and a part of the irradiated area is closed. The second region of interest i2 is formed such that the second moving plate 151b of the first layer 151 moves to the outside of the base plate 153 and the first moving plate 151a moves to the center of the base plate 153 The third moving plate 152a of the second layer 152 moves to the outside of the base plate 153 and the fourth moving plate 152b moves to the center of the base plate 153. [ Accordingly, the first region of interest i1 and the second region of interest i2 may have different centers.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a process of moving from a first area of interest i1 having a large area to a second area of interest i2 having a small area. Each of the moving plates 151a, 151b, 152a and 152b is located outside the base plate 153 in the first region of interest i1 and the moving plates 151a, 151b, 152a, 152b move to the center of the base plate 153. [

5C, when the area of interest is changed in the horizontal direction, such as the movement of the first area of interest i1, the first moving plate 151a and the second moving plate 151b of the first layer 151 ). The third moving plate 152a and the fourth moving plate 152b of the second layer 152 may move when the region of interest is changed in the longitudinal direction such as the movement of the second region of interest i2.

As shown in Fig. 5D, it is possible to rotate the first region of interest i1 to change to the second region of interest i2. This is because when the base plate 153 is rotated in a state where the first region of interest i1 is formed, the moving plates 151a, 151b, 152a and 152b rotate together to form the second region of interest i2.

As shown in Fig. 5E, a trapezoidal region of interest (i) can be formed. When the first moving plate 151a and the second moving plate 151b of the first layer 151 are positioned asymmetrically, a trapezoidal region of interest i can be formed. In this state, when the first moving plate 151a and the second moving plate 151b are opened, the region of interest i is widened. When the first moving plate 151a and the second moving plate 151b are closed, (i) can be narrowly adjusted. In addition, the area of the region of interest i can be adjusted according to the user's needs in accordance with opening or closing of the third moving plate 152a and the fourth moving plate 152b. Since each of the moving plates 151a, 151b, 152a, and 152b is movable toward different points, it is possible to form various shapes of the region of interest (i), thereby forming a radial region of interest have.

The foregoing has shown and described specific embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

100: X-ray imaging device
110: X-ray source
120: X-ray detector
130:
150: filtering unit 151: first layer
151a: first moving plate
151b: second moving plate
152: Second layer
152a: third moving plate
152b: fourth moving plate
153: base plate
154:
155: Link
156:
170: Display

Claims (19)

An x-ray source for irradiating the object with x-rays;
A filtering unit positioned in front of the x-ray source and forming a region of interest through which the x-ray passes; And
And an X-ray detector for detecting X-rays irradiated to the object and obtaining a plurality of X-ray images,
Wherein the filtering unit comprises:
A base plate through which the irradiated X-rays pass to form an irradiation area; And
At least one moving plate movable with respect to the irradiation region such that the region of interest is formed symmetrically or asymmetrically;
Ray imaging apparatus. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein each of the plurality of moving plates includes a plurality of driving coupling parts coupled to respective driving parts so as to form the region of interest asymmetrically. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein each of the moving plates includes a first driving coupling portion and a second driving coupling portion, the first driving coupling portion is connected to the first driving portion, and the second driving coupling portion is connected to the second driving portion. 3. The method of claim 2,
Further comprising a link positioned between the driving coupling portion and the driving portion for movement of the moving plate. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the filtering unit includes a plurality of layers including at least one moving plate. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the layer comprises a first layer and a second layer, the first layer being located above the second layer. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the second layer is positioned to be perpendicular to the first layer. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the first layer comprises a first moving plate and a second moving plate, and the second layer comprises a third moving plate and a fourth moving plate. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the first moving plate and the second moving plate are opposed to each other, and the third moving plate and the fourth moving plate are positioned to face each other. The method according to claim 1,
And a collimator for adjusting an irradiation area of an X-ray irradiated from the X-ray source. An x-ray source for irradiating the object with x-rays;
An x-ray detector for detecting a plurality of x-ray images irradiated to the object and obtaining a plurality of x-ray images;
A filtering section positioned in front of the x-ray source to form an area of interest from an irradiated area irradiated with the x-ray, the filtering section positioned at a lower portion of the first layer and a first layer moving to close at least a portion of the irradiated area A filtering unit including a second layer, at least a portion of which is not overlapped with the first layer;
Ray imaging apparatus. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the first layer comprises a first moving plate and a second moving plate, and the second layer comprises a third moving plate and a fourth moving plate. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the filtering unit includes a base plate on which an irradiation area through which the X-ray passes is formed,
Wherein the second layer is positioned on top of the base plate and the first layer is positioned on top of the second layer. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein each of the moving plates includes a plurality of driving coupling portions coupled with respective separate driving portions,
And at least one link is disposed between each of the driving coupling parts and the driving part to control movement of the moving plate. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the third moving plate is positioned between the first moving plate and the second moving plate and the fourth moving plate is positioned to face the third moving plate. 12. The method of claim 11,
And a collimator for adjusting an irradiation area of an X-ray irradiated from the X-ray source. An x-ray source for irradiating the object with x-rays;
An x-ray detector for detecting a plurality of x-ray images irradiated to the object and obtaining a plurality of x-ray images;
And a filtering unit positioned in front of the x-ray source to form a region of interest from an irradiated area to which the x-ray is irradiated,
Wherein the filtering unit comprises:
A plurality of moving plates movable to close at least a portion of the irradiation area and movable to different points to form a radial area of interest;
Ray imaging apparatus. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the filtering unit includes a plurality of layers including a plurality of moving plates,
Wherein the layer comprises a first layer and a second layer, the first layer being located above the second layer. 19. The method of claim 18,
Wherein the first layer comprises a first moving plate and a second moving plate and the second layer comprises a third moving plate and a fourth moving plate,
Wherein the first moving plate and the second moving plate form a first area and the third moving plate and the fourth moving plate form a second area so that the intersecting area of the first area and the second area X-ray imaging device, the area of interest.

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