WO2013036074A2

WO2013036074A2 - Apparatus for panoramic x-ray imaging and method for panoramic x-ray imaging of a dental arch using same

Info

Publication number: WO2013036074A2
Application number: PCT/KR2012/007227
Authority: WO
Inventors: 이레나
Original assignee: 이화여자대학교 산학협력단
Priority date: 2011-09-09
Filing date: 2012-09-07
Publication date: 2013-03-14
Also published as: WO2013036074A3; KR101244136B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for panoramic X-ray imaging, characterized by comprising: a support member; a rotatable member rotatably coupled to the support member; a source unit coupled to a lower portion of one side of the rotatable member and which emits X-rays; a detection unit coupled to a lower portion of the other side of the rotatable member such that the detection unit opposes the source unit and acquires images using the emitted X-rays; a distance measuring means for measuring each distance from the source unit to an imaged object unit, which is located parallel to the source unit and the detection unit, for each imaging point of the panoramic X-ray imaging; and a location moving means for moving the source unit along the lengthwise direction of the rotatable member. Thus, high-resolution X-ray images can be acquired regardless of the shape of the trace of an imaged object.

Description

X-ray panorama imaging device and X-ray palace X-ray panorama shooting method using the same

The present invention relates to an X-ray panoramic photographing apparatus and a dental arch X-ray panoramic photographing method using the same, and more particularly, X-ray panorama that can perform X-ray panorama shooting while maintaining the image focus accurately even for various types of trajectories An imaging device and a dental arch X-ray panoramic photographing method using the same.

In general, an X-ray photographing apparatus is a photographing apparatus in which a predetermined amount of X-rays are directed toward a body part to be photographed by a subject, and a sensor detects and converts X-rays transmitted through the body part of the subject to an image.

Such X-ray imaging includes panoramic photographing tomography while rotating along a trajectory of a specific body part to be photographed, and cephalometry photographing tomography from one direction in a stationary state.

In particular, the X-ray panoramic photographing apparatus performs X-ray panoramic imaging while rotating a constant trajectory while the source emitting X-rays and the detector detecting the emitted X-rays are opposed to each other.

However, the trajectories formed by most of the subjects to be X-ray panoramic photographed, such as the dental arch of the human body, do not actually form a constant trajectory. In particular, in the case of the dental arch trace, the trajectory itself is not constant and forms a significantly different trajectory for each subject.

Korean Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-2007-0017670, which is a background technology of the present invention, discloses an X-ray imaging apparatus that performs X-ray panoramic imaging while rotating in a state in which the source and the detector are fixedly opposed to each other.

However, as in the Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2007-0017670, the conventional X-ray panoramic photographing apparatus rotates while the source and the detector is fixed to perform X-ray imaging, which is a part of X-ray imaging. If the trajectory is not formed uniformly or the trajectory is formed differently for each subject, such as dental arch, there is a problem that the focus of the X-ray imaging is shifted according to the rotational trajectory, thereby degrading the resolution of the X-ray imaging image.

In order to solve the above problem, the X-ray panoramic imaging apparatus currently calculates standard arch arch coordinates based on 3D (Dimension) tooth images and uses them as standard arch arch coordinates.

However, even when using standard archery coordinates, when taking a patient having a tooth structure other than the standard arch form, the X-ray image is out of focus and its resolution is deteriorated.

In addition, there is a problem that difficulty in treating teeth due to the deterioration of the resolution of the X-ray image.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the problems according to the prior art, an X-ray panoramic photographing apparatus capable of panorama shooting while maintaining the correct image focus even for various types of trajectories and X-ray panoramic imaging of the dental arch using the same To provide a method.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray panoramic photographing apparatus capable of providing a high-resolution X-ray photographing image and a dental arch X-ray panoramic photographing method using the same in a form having a trajectory other than the standard trajectory.

The problem to be solved of the present invention is not limited to those mentioned above, other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

An X-ray panoramic photographing apparatus for achieving the above object, the X-ray panoramic photographing apparatus, comprising: a support member; A rotating member rotatably coupled to the support member; A source unit coupled to the lower side of the rotating member to emit X-rays; A detection unit coupled to the lower portion of the other side of the rotating member so as to face the source unit and obtaining an image by the emitted X-rays; Distance measuring means for measuring distance information from the source unit to the to-be-photographed unit located in parallel with the sove unit and the detector unit at each photographing position of the X-ray panoramic photographing; And position moving means capable of moving the source portion along the longitudinal direction of the rotating member. It includes.

In addition, by receiving the distance information measured by the distance measuring means for each shooting position of the X-ray panoramic imaging, it is determined whether the initial position of the source unit is located at the X-ray imaging focal length from the to-be-photographed unit, and each shooting of the X-ray panoramic imaging And a control unit for controlling the position moving means such that the position of the source unit relative to the position is located at the X-ray imaging focal length from the to-be-photographed units.

In addition, the position moving means includes a guide rail and a motor installed on one side lower portion of the rotating member, the source portion is characterized in that the position is moved along the longitudinal direction of the rotating member mechanically coupled to the guide rail and the motor.

In addition, the distance measuring means is installed on one side lower portion of the rotating member, characterized in that disposed on the same distance as the distance between the source and the detection unit.

In addition, the distance measuring means is characterized in that the distance measuring sensor using a laser.

X-ray panoramic imaging method for achieving the object as described above, the patient's teeth by driving the rotating member disposed opposite to each other the source unit for emitting X-rays and the X-rays emitted from the source unit In the X-ray panoramic method for photographing the arch of the arch, S1 step of measuring distance information between the source portion and the surface of the skin covering the photographed tooth at each photographing position of the X-ray panoramic photograph by means of distance measuring means. ; Comparing the distance information measured in step S1 with the position of the current source unit to determine the X-ray focus positions of the captured teeth of the source unit for each shooting position of the X-ray panoramic photographing; And performing X-ray panoramic photographing while rotating the rotating member, while the source section passes the X-ray focus positions of the target teeth of the source section determined in step S2, and adjusts the position of the source section 30 to perform X-ray panoramic photographing. Step S3 of controlling the position moving means to move; It includes.

In addition, the step S2 further includes a step S2-1 for calculating the distance information corrected by summing the distance corresponding to the thickness of the skin from the distance information measured in the step S1, the X-ray of the photographed teeth of the source portion The focus positions may be determined for each of the photographing positions of the X-ray panoramic photographing by comparing the corrected distance information with the position of the current source unit.

As described above, according to the X-ray panoramic photographing apparatus and the dental arch X-ray panoramic photographing method using the same according to the present invention, by using the distance measuring means and the position moving means to accurately maintain the image focus even for various types of trajectories X-rays By performing panorama photography, a high resolution X-ray photographed image can be obtained regardless of the shape of the trajectory.

In addition, by providing a high-resolution X-ray image also for patients having a tooth structure other than the standard arch arch coordinates, there is an effect that more accurate dental treatment can be performed.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

1 and 2 are schematic diagrams of an X-ray panoramic photographing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

3 is an explanatory diagram for measuring distance information between the source unit 30 and the photographed tooth by each distance measuring means 32 by the distance measuring means 32.

4 is an explanatory diagram showing that the position of the source unit is shifted for each imaging point in order to focus the image at each imaging point.

The present invention for solving the above technical problem is a support member, a rotating member rotatably coupled to the support member, a source portion coupled to the lower portion of the rotating member to emit X-rays, so as to face the source portion on the other lower portion of the rotating member A detector for acquiring an image of the combined X-rays, distance measuring means for measuring distance information from the source unit to the to-be-located unit positioned in parallel with the sove unit and the detector unit at each photographing position of the X-ray panoramic photographing; It includes a position moving means for moving the source portion in the longitudinal direction of the rotating member.

Hereinafter, an X-ray panoramic photographing apparatus and a dental arch X-ray panoramic photographing method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the X-ray panoramic photographing apparatus will be described.

X선 파노라마 촬영장치X-ray panorama shooting device

As shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray panoramic photographing apparatus according to the present invention includes a supporting member 10, a rotating member 20, a source unit 30, and a detection unit 40. In the drawings attached to the specification of the present invention, a part related to a pillar supporting the support member 10 is omitted for convenience of description.

The support member 10 may be installed on a column (not shown) or a wall of a room in which the X-ray panoramic photographing apparatus according to the present invention is installed.

Rotating member 20 is coupled to the support member 10 so as to be rotatable. At this time, the description of the mechanical coupling relationship between the support member 10 and the rotating member 20 will be omitted because it is obvious to those skilled in the art.

The source unit 30 is installed below one side of the rotating member 20.

At this time, the source unit 30 is installed to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the rotating member 20 from one side lower portion of the rotating member 20. The moving structure of the source unit 30 will be described later.

In addition, the source unit 30 is provided with an X-ray source 31 for emitting X-rays.

The detector 40 is installed below the other side of the rotating member 20.

The detector 40 detects X-rays emitted from the source unit 30.

In this case, the detection unit 40 is installed to face the source unit 30 so as to obtain X-rays emitted from the source unit 30.

Unlike the case of the source unit 20, the detection unit 40 is installed to be fixed to the lower side of the other side of the rotating member 20.

Between the source part 30 and the detection part 40, a to-be-photographed object to be X-ray photographed is disposed. In FIG. 1, only one dental arch part of a person is disposed as an example of the object to be photographed.

In this case, reference numeral 61 denotes a tooth, reference numeral 62 denotes an outer surface of the skin covering the tooth, and reference numeral 63 denotes a tooth trace with respect to the trajectory where the teeth are arranged.

As shown in FIG. 1, the source unit 30 and the detector 40 rotate in association with the rotating member 20 based on the object to be photographed to perform X-ray panoramic imaging.

At this time, the dental arch, that is, the bow-shaped jaw in which the teeth are arranged, varies in size from person to person, and thus the focus of the tooth image is not uniformly formed for each person during X-ray panorama shooting. Therefore, when X-ray panoramic photographing is performed while maintaining the source unit 30 and the detecting unit 40 at regular intervals, the X-ray photographing focus changes for each person and at each photographing point where the panoramic photographing is performed. The resolution of the captured image is inevitably deteriorated.

The X-ray panoramic photographing apparatus according to the present invention is adapted to focus the X-ray imaging irrespective of the trajectory of the dental arch, which varies from person to person and at each shooting point at which panorama shooting is performed. In the case of FIG. 1, the distance between the photographed teeth) photographed at each photographing point at which the X-ray panoramic photographing is performed may be measured in advance so that the position of the source unit 30 may be corrected at each photographing point.

To this end, the X-ray panoramic photographing autonomous according to the present invention is rotated together with the source unit 30, and the source unit 30 and the object to be photographed (or X in FIG. And distance measuring means 32 for measuring a distance between the photographed teeth) photographed at each photographing point at which the line panorama photographing is performed.

The distance measuring means 32 is installed on one side lower portion of the rotating member 20, it is preferable that the source unit 30 is installed together with the X-ray source 31. This is for the distance measuring means 32 to be installed at a position having the same distance from the detection unit 40 and the X-ray source 31.

The distance measuring means 32 stores distance information from the source unit 30 to the photographing unit located in parallel with the source unit 30 and the detecting unit 40 at each photographing position of the X-ray panoramic photographing. Perform the function of measuring.

That is, in the X-ray panoramic imaging, the source unit 30 and the detection unit 40 rotate based on the object to be photographed and perform X-ray imaging of several frames, and the distance measuring unit 32 captures each frame. For each shooting point, the distance between the source unit 30 and the target unit (that is, the specific unit of the target unit to be photographed at the time of shooting each frame) is measured.

That is, the distance measuring means 32 scans the distance of the dental arch path of the patient, which is the object to be photographed, from the source unit 30 before performing the X-ray panoramic imaging. This is a prerequisite for arranging the source portion 30 at the exact focus position of the X-ray imaging so as to photograph the layout of the accurate dental arch.

X-ray panorama imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a position moving means 50 for moving the source portion 30 along the longitudinal direction of the rotating member (20).

The position shifting means 50 moves the source portion 30 in the longitudinal direction of the rotating member 20 so that the position of the source portion 30 is moved away from or close to the object or body to be photographed. I can adjust it.

The position movement means 50 includes a guide rail 51 installed at one lower side of the rotating member 20 and a motor 53 for generating power for moving the source portion 30.

The source unit 30 may be mechanically coupled to the guide rail 51 and the motor 53, and thus may move in position along the guide rail 51.

The guide rail 51 is formed at one side lower portion of the rotating member 20 in the longitudinal direction of the rotating member 20, and the source part 30 may be moved along the guide rail 51. It is mechanically coupled to the guide rail 51.

When the distance information between the source unit 30 and the to-be-photographed unit is measured at each photographing point of X-ray panoramic photographing by the distance measuring means 32, the source at each photographing spot is used by using the distance information. By adjusting the position of the unit 30, it is possible to capture an accurate dental arch layout in which all X-ray imaging focuses on the rotational trajectories of the source unit 30.

At this time, it is preferable that the distance measuring means 32 uses a laser range finder using a laser.

That is, the position of the source unit 30 is corrected for each photographing position of the X-ray panoramic image based on the distance information between the source unit 30 and the target unit measured by the distance measuring unit 32. .

In this case, the length of the rotating member 20 is changed in the longitudinal direction in the state in which both the source portion 30 and the detection portion 40 are fixed to one side and the other lower portion of the rotating member 20 and the source portion and By adjusting the distance between the detection unit and the to-be-photographed unit, the focus for each photographing position of the X-ray panoramic image may be corrected.

The X-ray panoramic photographing apparatus according to the present invention may further include a controller (not shown).

The control unit receives the distance information measured by the distance measuring means 32 and at each photographing position of the X-ray panoramic photographing, the initial position of the source unit 30 is set to the X-ray photographing focal length from the photographed unit. Determine if it is located.

That is, the distance information between the photographing unit and the source unit 30 is measured by using the distance measuring means 31 at each shooting point of each frame when the actual X-ray panoramic photographing is performed. It is determined whether the position of the source unit 30 initially set before the photographing corresponds to the X-ray photographing focus position at the photographing point of each frame, and the determination is based on the distance information measured by the distance measuring means 32. This is performed by comparing the initial setting positions of the source unit 30.

The controller determines whether or not the position of the source unit 30 corresponds to the X-ray photographing focus position by the distance information measured by the distance measuring unit 31 for each photographing point. If not, the position shifting means is controlled to perform X-ray panoramic photographing of the source unit 30 while passing the X-ray photographing focus position by the distance information measured by the distance measuring means 31.

3 is an explanatory diagram for measuring distance information between the source unit 30 and the photographed tooth at each point where each frame is photographed by the distance measuring unit 32.

When the distance information is measured along the trajectory of the dental arch of a person as shown in FIG. 3 (see FIG. 1), the distance information actually measured is not directly captured by the imaging unit, but directly covering the imaging tooth. It becomes the skin surface.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a distance measuring means, reference numeral 35 denotes a trajectory of rotation of the source portion 30, reference numeral 61 denotes a tooth, reference numeral 62 denotes a skin surface directly covering the tooth, and reference numeral 63 The dental arch traces are shown respectively.

Therefore, in this case, the distance information corrected by further adding up the distance corresponding to the thickness of the skin from the distance information measured by the distance measuring means 32 should be used.

The distance corresponding to the thickness of the skin may be set to be automatically reflected after each measurement of the thickness of the skin covering the subject's teeth each time X-ray panoramic photographing is performed, or after setting the dimension for the general skin thickness. It may be.

Using the corrected distance information, the process of moving the position of the source unit 30 to the position of the corresponding X-ray imaging focal point for each capture point of each frame is as described above.

4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining that the position of the source unit 30 is moved at each point where each frame is photographed by the corrected distance information.

As shown in FIG. 4, the position of the source unit 30 is moved in the front-rear direction, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the rotating member 20 at each point where each frame is photographed based on the source unit rotation trajectory 35. It can be seen.

The following describes the dental arch X-ray panoramic method.

치아악궁 X선 파노라마 촬영방법Dental arch X-ray panorama

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dental arch X-ray panoramic photographing method relates to an X-ray panoramic photographing method for a dental arch, in which a detector is photographed by driving a rotating member disposed to face each other. It includes the following steps:

First, distance information of the skin surface 62 covering the source unit 30 and the photographed tooth is measured at each photographing position of the X-ray panoramic photographing by the distance measuring means 32 (step S1).

Next, by comparing the distance information measured in step S1 with the position of the current source unit, the X-ray focal positions of the captured teeth of the source unit are determined for each of the shooting positions of the X-ray panoramic image (step S2). ).

Next, X-ray panoramic photographing is performed while rotating the rotating member 20, and the source unit 30 controls the X-ray focus positions of the target teeth of the source unit 30 determined in step S2. In step S3, the position shifting means 32 is controlled to perform X-ray panorama photographing.

In this case, the step S2 may further include calculating the corrected distance information by summing the distance corresponding to the thickness of the skin directly covering the photographed tooth from the distance information measured in the step S1 (S1). -2 step).

In this case, the X-ray focal positions of the target teeth of the source unit 30 are determined for each photographing position of the X-ray panoramic image by comparing the corrected distance information with the position of the current source unit 30. do.

At this time, the distance measuring means 32 is installed on one side lower portion of the rotating member 20, and is disposed on the same distance from the detection unit 40 and the distance between the source unit 30 and the detection unit 40. In addition, the distance measuring means 32 is preferably a distance measuring sensor using a laser.

A more detailed description of the dental arch X-ray panoramic photographing method according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention will be omitted because it overlaps with the description of the X-ray panoramic photographing apparatus.

Although the present invention has been described in detail through the representative embodiments, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention. I will understand. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined by the claims below and equivalents thereof.

Claims

In the X-ray panoramic photographing apparatus,

Support member;

A rotating member rotatably coupled to the support member;

A source unit coupled to the lower side of the rotating member to emit X-rays;

A detection unit coupled to the lower side of the other side of the rotating member so as to face the source unit to obtain an image by the emitted X-rays;

Distance measuring means for measuring distance information from the source unit to the to-be-photographed unit positioned in parallel with the sove unit and the detector unit at each photographing position of the X-ray panoramic photographing; And

Position moving means for moving said source portion along a longitudinal direction of said rotating member; X-ray panorama photographing apparatus comprising a.
The method of claim 1,

Receiving the distance information measured by the distance measuring means for each shooting position of the X-ray panoramic imaging, it is determined whether the initial position of the source portion is located at the X-ray imaging focal length from the to-be-photographed portions,

And a control unit for controlling the position shifting means such that the position of the source unit with respect to each photographing position of the X-ray panoramic photographing is located at an X-ray photographing focal length from the photographed units. .
The method of claim 1,

The position shifting means includes a guide rail and a motor installed on one side lower portion of the rotating member,

And the source part is mechanically coupled to the guide rail and the motor to be moved along the longitudinal direction of the rotating member.
The method of claim 1,

The distance measuring means is installed on one side lower portion of the rotating member, the x-ray panoramic photographing apparatus, characterized in that disposed on the same distance as the distance between the source and the detection unit.
The method of claim 1,

And said distance measuring means is a distance measuring sensor using a laser.
In the X-ray panorama photographing method for the dental arch of the patient to shoot the dental arch of the patient by driving the rotating member disposed to face each other and the source unit for emitting X-rays and the detection unit for detecting the X-rays emitted from the source,

Step S1 of measuring distance information between the source portion and the skin surface covering the photographed tooth at each photographing position of the X-ray panoramic photographing by a distance measuring means;

A step S2 of comparing the distance information measured in the step S1 with the position of the current source unit to determine the X-ray focus positions of the captured teeth of the source unit for each of the photographing positions of the X-ray panoramic photographing; And

X-ray panoramic imaging is performed while the rotating member is rotated, but the source unit 30 passes through X-ray focus positions of the target teeth of the source unit determined in step S2, and the X-ray panoramic imaging is performed. S3 step of controlling the position moving means for moving the position of; Dental arch X-ray panorama photographing method comprising a.
The method of claim 6,

The distance measuring means is installed on the lower side of the one side of the rotating member, it is disposed on the same distance as the distance between the source and the detection unit dental arch X-ray panorama photographing method.
The method of claim 6,

The distance measuring means is a dental arch X-ray panoramic photographing method, characterized in that the distance measuring sensor using a laser.
The method of claim 6, wherein the step S2,

S2-1 step of calculating the distance information corrected by summing the distance corresponding to the thickness of the skin from the distance information measured in the step S1,

X-ray focus X-ray panorama of the X-ray panorama, characterized in that the X-ray focal positions of the target teeth of the source portion are determined for each of the shooting positions of the X-ray panoramic image by comparing the corrected distance information with the current source position. How to shoot.