Multi-energy spectrum ray detector and multi-energy spectrum imaging system
By using parallel ray filtering mechanisms and surface array detection mechanisms in multi-energy spectrum ray detectors, the high and low energy of rays is solved, and the problems of high and complex structures in the existing technology are achieved with high efficiency and low cost. multi-energy spectrum imaging.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202011598816.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2020-12-29
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-13
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-12-29
AI Technical Summary
When performing energy spectrum imaging, existing multi-energy spectral imaging systems usually need to change the internal structure or semiconductor material of the detector, resulting in high cost and complex structure.
Using a multi-energy spectrum ray detector with a parallel arrangement of ray filtering mechanism and a surface array detection mechanism, the rays are separated into high and low energy rays through the ray filtering mechanism, and received by the surface array detection mechanism to generate an energy spectrum image to realize multi-energy Spectral imaging.
A scan of the target position can be obtained by a scan, which improves detection efficiency, reduces the damage to the patient by radiation, and does not need to change the internal structure or semiconductor material of the detector, achieving low-cost multi-energy spectrum imaging.
Smart Images
Figure CN112674784B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of X-ray imaging devices, and in particular to a multi-energy spectrum ray detector and a multi-energy spectrum imaging system. Background Art
[0002] Spectral CT imaging technology can use the different absorption of X-rays of different energies produced by matter to provide more imaging information than conventional CT. It can not only obtain material density and its distribution image, but also obtain spectral images. On this basis, it can calculate the effective atomic coefficients and electron density of lesions or tissues to achieve specific tissue identification. It has great application potential in material identification, bone density measurement, etc.
[0003] In the related art, multi-spectral imaging devices use a double-layer energy spectrum detector that can distinguish energy when performing energy spectrum imaging. The conventional CT scanning scheme is used to collect low-energy and high-energy rays through the upper and lower layers of detectors for energy collection, and then perform relevant energy spectrum calculations. In addition, photon counting detectors are also commonly used. By setting energy gating thresholds, the energy spectrum channels are divided, and the number of photons in different energy spectrum regions is accumulated and counted to obtain more comprehensive energy spectrum information about different materials and realize material identification. However, the above two methods change the internal structure or semiconductor material of the detector, which is costly to implement and has a complex structure. Summary of the invention
[0004] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the defects of the multi-energy spectrum imaging systems in the related art that all change the internal structure or semiconductor material of the detector, resulting in high cost and complex structure, thereby providing a multi-energy spectrum ray detector and a multi-energy spectrum imaging system.
[0005] The present invention provides a multi-energy spectrum ray detector, comprising: a detector body, having a ray receiving end; a ray filtering mechanism, arranged at the ray receiving end of the detector body, the filtering mechanism having at least two filter units arranged in parallel, different filter units separating the same ray into rays with different energies; a planar array detection mechanism, arranged at the ray receiving end of the detector body and located on the inner side of the ray filtering mechanism, the planar array detection mechanism having a plurality of crystal units arranged in parallel, the crystal units being arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the filter units of the ray filtering mechanism, and being used to receive rays with different energies separated by the filter units.
[0006] Optionally, the ray filtering mechanism comprises: a substrate, the substrate is a frame structure, and the filtering unit is arranged in the frame of the substrate.
[0007] Optionally, the multiple filter units on the substrate are alternately arranged in sequence along the transverse and / or longitudinal direction.
[0008] Optionally, the filter unit is square or circular, and a plurality of the filter units are alternately arranged in sequence along the horizontal and vertical directions on the substrate.
[0009] Optionally, the filter unit is rectangular, and a plurality of filter units are alternately arranged in sequence along a horizontal or vertical direction on the substrate.
[0010] Optionally, among the multiple filter units, at least one filter unit is a cavity structure.
[0011] Optionally, the filter unit array is a single-layer structure on the substrate.
[0012] Optionally, a grid hollow structure is provided in the frame of the substrate, and the grid hollow structure is used to connect the plurality of filter units respectively.
[0013] Optionally, the shape of the crystal unit is the same as that of the filter unit; and the area of the crystal unit is less than or equal to the area of the filter unit.
[0014] The present invention also provides a multi-energy spectrum imaging system, comprising the multi-energy spectrum ray detector described above.
[0015] The technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages:
[0016] The multi-energy spectrum ray detector provided by the present invention has a planar array detection mechanism, a ray receiving end, and a ray filtering mechanism arranged therebetween. When a ray is directed to the ray receiving end of the multi-energy spectrum ray detector, the ray filtering mechanism will attenuate the ray to different degrees, and different filtering units will divide the ray into high and low energy rays, which are then received by the planar array detection mechanism to generate an energy spectrum image for the same scanned object. When the multi-energy spectrum imaging system performs dual-energy or multi-energy imaging, a scanning image of the target position on the scanned object can be obtained in one scan, thereby improving detection efficiency and reducing radiation damage to patients; and there is no need to change the internal structure or semiconductor material of the detector, so the cost is low. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.
[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-energy spectrum ray detector provided in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a multi-energy spectrum ray detector provided in yet another embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a ray filtering mechanism provided in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] Figure 4 For use Figure 3 Schematic diagram of data of two rays of different energies obtained by the ray filtering mechanism in FIG.
[0022] Figure 5 To use interpolation method to process Figure 4 A schematic diagram of data obtained by the ray filtering mechanism shown;
[0023] Figure 6 To use interpolation method to process Figure 4 Another schematic diagram of data obtained by the ray filtering mechanism shown;
[0024] Figure 7 To use pixel merging processing Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the data in ;
[0025] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the processed results;
[0026] Fig. 9 A schematic structural diagram of a ray filtering mechanism provided in yet another embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] Fig.10 For use Figure 8 Schematic diagram of data of four rays with different energies obtained by the ray filtering mechanism in FIG.
[0028] Fig.11 To use interpolation method to process Fig.10 A schematic diagram of data obtained by the ray filtering mechanism shown;
[0029] Fig.12 To use interpolation method to process Fig.10 Another schematic diagram of data obtained by the ray filtering mechanism shown;
[0030] Fig.13 To use interpolation method to process Fig.10 Another schematic diagram of data obtained by the ray filtering mechanism shown;
[0031] Fig.14 To use the interpolation method to process Fig.13 Another schematic diagram of data obtained by the ray filtering mechanism shown;
[0032] Fig.15 To use pixel merging processing Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the data in ;
[0033] Fig.16 for Fig.15 Schematic diagram of the processed results;
[0034] Fig.17 A schematic structural diagram of a ray filtering mechanism provided in yet another embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] Fig.18 A schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-energy spectrum imaging system provided in one embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] Description of reference numerals:
[0037] 1-ray filtering mechanism; 2-first filtering unit; 3-second filtering unit;
[0038] 4- the third filtering unit; 5- the fourth filtering unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] The technical solution of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0040] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0041] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.
[0042] In addition, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.
[0043] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-energy spectrum ray detector provided in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-energy spectrum ray detector provided in another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the present invention provides a multi-energy spectrum ray detector, comprising: a detector body, having a ray receiving end; a ray filtering mechanism, arranged at the ray receiving end of the detector body, the filtering mechanism having at least two filter units arranged in parallel, different filter units separating the same ray into rays with different energies; a planar array detection mechanism, arranged at the ray receiving end of the detector body and located on the inner side of the ray filtering mechanism 1, the planar array detection mechanism having a plurality of crystal units arranged in parallel, the crystal units being arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the filter units of the ray filtering mechanism, and being used to receive rays with different energies separated by the filter units.
[0044] For example, Figure 1 As shown, the ray filtering mechanism 1 can be packaged inside the multi-energy spectrum ray detector. After the rays enter the multi-energy spectrum ray detector, they are separated into rays with different energies and then reach the crystal unit of the array detection mechanism.
[0045] For example, Figure 2 As shown, the ray filtering mechanism 1 can be pasted on the outer surface of the multi-energy spectrum ray detector. Before the rays enter the multi-energy spectrum ray detector, they are separated into rays with different energies and then reach the crystal unit of the array detection mechanism.
[0046] The multi-energy spectrum ray detector provided by the present invention has a planar array detection mechanism, a ray receiving end, and a ray filtering mechanism arranged therebetween. When a ray is directed to the ray receiving end of the multi-energy spectrum ray detector, the ray filtering mechanism will attenuate the ray to different degrees. Different filtering units will divide the ray into high and low energy rays, which are then received by the planar array detection mechanism to generate an energy spectrum image for the same scanned object. When the multi-energy spectrum imaging system performs dual-energy or multi-energy imaging, a scanning image of the target position on the scanned object can be obtained in one scan, thereby improving detection efficiency and reducing radiation damage to patients; and there is no need to change the internal structure or semiconductor material of the detector, so the cost is low.
[0047] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a ray filtering mechanism provided in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 As shown, the present invention provides a ray filtering mechanism 1, comprising: a substrate, the substrate is a frame structure, and at least two filter units are arranged in parallel in the frame of the substrate, and different filter units separate the same ray into rays with different energies.
[0048] Specifically, the filter units on the ray filtering mechanism 1 can be alternately distributed in a chessboard pattern along the horizontal and vertical directions of the substrate. For example, the filter units on the ray filtering mechanism 1 can be alternately distributed in parallel strips along the horizontal or vertical directions of the substrate. The filter units can be square or circular.
[0049] For example, different filter units may correspond to a filter material with a certain transmittance, and the filter material may be aluminum, copper, or air. For example, the transmittance of the same filter material may be changed by changing its thickness.
[0050] For example, among multiple filter units, at least one filter unit is a cavity structure. For example, a through hole can be set on the substrate to form a hollow area. The filter unit at this position is air, and the energy of the rays will not be attenuated after directly passing through the filter unit.
[0051] For example, the filter unit is a single-layer structure on the substrate. For example, the substrate of the ray filtering mechanism 1 can be a grid-shaped frame with multiple hollow structures, and filter materials with different transmittances are embedded or pasted in each grid to form different filter units. For example, one of the filter materials can be aluminum, recorded as the first filter unit 2; the other filter material can be copper, recorded as the second filter unit 3. Among them, the filter materials embedded in the grid are not limited to two, and can also be four or nine. Different filter materials are embedded in different positions as needed.
[0052] For example, the size of the grid on the substrate may be 64*64, that is, 64 grid areas are arranged along the length direction of the substrate, and 64 grid areas are arranged along the width direction of the substrate. Among them, half of the grid areas in each row are the first filter unit 2, and half of the grid areas are the second filter unit 3, and half of the grid areas in each column are the first filter unit 2, and half of the grid areas are the second filter unit 3.
[0053] For example, the ray filtering mechanism 1 may further include a bottom plate, the substrate is arranged on the plate surface of the bottom plate, the bottom plate may be used for bonding or welding on the multi-energy spectrum ray detector, and the thickness of the bottom plate may be set to be smaller to reduce the energy attenuation when the X-ray passes through. For example, the bottom plate may be made of a thin aluminum plate.
[0054] In yet another embodiment, the shape of the crystal unit on the area array detection mechanism is the same as the shape of the filter unit on the ray filtering mechanism 1 .
[0055] In yet another embodiment, the area of the crystal unit on the planar array detection mechanism is less than or equal to the area of the filter unit on the ray filtering mechanism 1 .
[0056] For example, when the area of the filter unit is the same as that of the crystal unit, one crystal unit can correspond to one filter unit. For example, when the area of the filter unit is larger than the size of the crystal unit, one filter unit can correspond to multiple crystal units. When in use, the filter unit on the substrate can be aligned with the crystal unit on the array detection mechanism, which is beneficial to improve the imaging effect.
[0057] When radiation passes through the radiation filtering mechanism 1, the first filtering unit 2 and the second filtering unit 3 have different transmission capabilities for X-rays. For example, the transmittance of the first filtering unit 2 for X-rays is higher than that of the second filtering unit 3. After passing through the radiation filtering mechanism 1, the X-rays are converted into high-energy X-rays and low-energy X-rays.
[0058] Fig.18 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-spectral imaging system provided in one embodiment of the present invention; Fig.18 As shown, for example, the entire multi-energy spectrum system has a ray generator for emitting X-rays required for scanning; it also has the multi-energy spectrum ray detector for receiving X-rays; and a computing unit for receiving the rays detected by the multi-energy spectrum ray detector and performing data analysis.
[0059] For example, the energy spectrum imaging system may be a cone beam CT scanning system or a direct digital X-ray photography system.
[0060] Figure 4 For use Figure 3 Schematic diagram of data of two rays of different energies obtained by the ray filtering mechanism in FIG. Figure 5 To use interpolation method to process Figure 4 A schematic diagram of data obtained by the ray filtering mechanism shown; Figure 6 To use interpolation method to process Figure 4 Another schematic diagram of data obtained by the ray filtering mechanism shown; Figure 7 To use pixel merging processing Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the data in ; Figure 8 for Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the result after processing in the figure; wherein, "A" in each figure represents data obtained by a ray of one energy, "B" represents data obtained by another ray of one energy, "C" represents data obtained by another ray of one energy, and "D" represents data obtained by another ray of one energy. That is, A, B, C and D each correspond to data obtained by a ray of one energy.
[0061] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 As shown, for example, in one scan, the ray generator uses a high voltage, such as 140KV. After the X-ray passes through the scanned object, it passes through the filter unit with different transmission capabilities, and then is divided into rays with different high and low energies. The rays with different high and low energies are received by the multi-energy spectrum ray detector, and the multi-energy spectrum ray detector transmits the data to the calculation unit, and finally an energy spectrum image for the same scanned object can be generated. Among them, the calculation unit can extract data, and after reconstruction, two groups of projection images of high-energy data and low-energy data for the same object can be obtained, thereby realizing the projection acquisition of dual-energy CT imaging. For example, in one embodiment, the data with "*" is supplemented by an interpolation method to obtain two groups of data consistent with the original sampling number, and then, the pixel merging method is adopted to obtain high-energy data and low-energy data, and the sampling number is reduced to 1 / 2 of the original. Finally, the linear attenuation coefficient of the scanned object at two energies is obtained by CT reconstruction, and then different base materials are selected to perform base material decomposition calculation on the detected object, and then the atomic number image and the electron density image are obtained to realize the identification of specific tissues.
[0062] The multi-energy spectrum imaging system provided by the present invention has a multi-energy spectrum ray detector, which can separate rays with a single energy into rays with different energies. When in use, the ray generator emits X-rays, which are filtered by the ray filtering mechanism 1 after passing through the object to be detected, and are divided into two rays with different high and low energies after passing through the first filtering unit 2 and the second filtering unit 3. The two rays with different high and low energies are received by the area array detection mechanism, and finally a high-energy CT image and a low-energy CT image for the same object to be detected can be generated. The multi-energy spectrum imaging system can realize dual-energy CT imaging in one scan, improves detection efficiency, reduces the harm caused by radiation to patients, and does not need to change the crystal structure, materials and related manufacturing processes inside the existing detector, which is conducive to reducing production costs.
[0063] Fig. 9 A schematic structural diagram of a ray filtering mechanism provided in yet another embodiment of the present invention; Fig.10 For use Fig. 9 Schematic diagram of data of four rays with different energies obtained by the ray filtering mechanism in FIG. Fig.11 To use the interpolation method to process Fig.10 A schematic diagram of data obtained by the ray filtering mechanism shown; Fig.12 To use the interpolation method to process Fig.10 Another schematic diagram of data obtained by the ray filtering mechanism shown; Fig.13 To use the interpolation method to process Fig.10 Another schematic diagram of data obtained by the ray filtering mechanism shown; Fig.14 To use the interpolation method to process Fig.13 Another schematic diagram of data obtained by the ray filtering mechanism shown; Fig.15 To use pixel merging processing Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the data in ; Fig.16 for Fig.15 Schematic diagram of the processed results; Fig. 9 , Fig.10 , Fig.11 , Fig.12 , Fig.13 , Fig.14 , Fig.15 as well as Fig.16As shown, in another embodiment, the ray filtering mechanism 1 includes a first filtering unit 2, a second filtering unit 3, a third filtering unit 4 and a fourth filtering unit 5; wherein the first filtering unit 2, the second filtering unit 3, the third filtering unit 4 and the fourth filtering unit 5 are alternately arranged in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction. Among them, the four grid areas are a small whole, and the distribution positions of the first filtering unit 2, the second filtering unit 3, the third filtering unit 4 and the fourth filtering unit 5 in the small whole can be designed as needed, and are not limited here. The use method of the ray filtering mechanism 1 containing four filtering units is the same as the use method of the ray filtering mechanism 1 containing two filtering units, which will not be repeated here.
[0064] Fig.17 FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a ray filtering mechanism 1 provided in another embodiment of the present invention; Fig.17 As shown, for example, the multi-spectral imaging system can be a panoramic CT scanning system or a direct digital X-ray photography system.
[0065] In this embodiment, both filter units are long strip structures, which are respectively denoted as the first filter unit 2 and the second filter unit 3 . The first filter unit 2 and the second filter unit 3 are arranged on the substrate along the horizontal direction.
[0066] For example, the size of the ray filtering mechanism 1 can be designed to be larger. When the ray filtering mechanism 1 is used, after the ray is emitted, it passes through the scanned object, and then passes through the first filtering unit 2 as high-energy ray, and passes through the second filtering unit 3 as low-energy ray. The two types of rays are then received by the multi-energy spectrum ray detector, and the multi-energy spectrum ray detector feeds back the received ray data to the calculation unit of the multi-energy spectrum imaging system, and finally a high-energy image and a low-energy image can be generated. In addition, the ray generator can be rotated to scan and image different positions of the scanned object. In summary, the multi-energy spectrum imaging system can achieve dual-energy or even multi-energy imaging in one scan, which improves the detection efficiency and reduces the harm caused by radiation to patients. There is no need to change the internal crystal structure, materials and related manufacturing processes of the existing detector, which is conducive to reducing costs.
[0067] In summary, the multi-energy spectrum imaging system can achieve dual-energy or even multi-energy imaging in one scan, which improves detection efficiency, reduces the harm of radiation to patients, and does not require changes to the internal crystal structure, materials and related manufacturing processes of existing detectors, which is conducive to reducing costs.
[0068] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples for the purpose of clear explanation, and are not intended to limit the implementation methods. For those skilled in the art, other different forms of changes or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to list all the implementation methods here. The obvious changes or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of the invention.
Claims
1. A multi-energy spectrum ray detector, characterized in that: include: The detector body has a ray receiving end; A ray filtering mechanism is arranged at the ray receiving end of the detector body, and the filtering mechanism has at least two filter units arranged in parallel, and different filter units separate the same ray into rays with different energies; A planar array detection mechanism is arranged at the ray receiving end of the detector body and is located inside the ray filtering mechanism. The planar array detection mechanism has a plurality of crystal units arranged in parallel. The crystal units are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the filtering units of the ray filtering mechanism. The crystal units are used to receive rays with different energies separated by the filtering units. The ray filtering mechanism comprises: a base, the base is a frame structure, the filtering unit is arranged in the frame of the base; the various filtering units on the base are arranged alternately in the horizontal and / or vertical direction; The filter units are square or circular, and a plurality of the filter units are alternately arranged in sequence along the horizontal and vertical directions on the substrate.
2. The multi-energy spectrum ray detector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter units are rectangular, and a plurality of the filter units are alternately arranged in sequence along the horizontal or vertical direction on the substrate.
3. The multi-energy spectrum ray detector according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: Among the multiple filter units, at least one filter unit is a cavity structure.
4. The multi-energy spectrum ray detector according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The filter unit array is a single-layer structure on the substrate.
5. The multi-energy spectrum ray detector according to claim 1, characterized in that: A grid hollow structure is provided in the frame of the base, and the grid hollow structure is used to connect the plurality of filter units respectively.
6. The multi-energy spectrum ray detector according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The shape of the crystal unit is the same as that of the filter unit; The area of the crystal unit is smaller than or equal to the area of the filter unit.
7. A multi-spectral imaging system, characterized in that: A multi-energy spectrum ray detector comprising any one of claims 1-6.