Energy spectrum imaging system and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of X-ray imaging, and provides an energy spectrum imaging system and method, the energy spectrum imaging system comprising: a ray emitting mechanism, having a ray emitting end; an imaging receiving mechanism, arranged opposite to the ray emitting end of the ray emitting mechanism, and an object to be detected is arranged between the imaging receiving mechanism and the ray emitting mechanism; a filtering mechanism, arranged at the emitting end of the ray emitting mechanism, and having at least two filtering units on the filtering mechanism, the filtering units are used to separate the rays emitted by the ray emitting mechanism into rays with at least two different energies; the imaging receiving mechanism simultaneously receives the rays separated by the filtering mechanism, and transmits the data to a computing unit. The energy spectrum imaging system can realize dual-energy imaging in one scan, improves detection efficiency, reduces the harm caused by radiation to patients, and does not need to change the internal crystal structure, materials and related manufacturing processes of the existing planar array detector, which is conducive to reducing production costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of X-ray imaging, and in particular to an energy spectrum imaging system and method. 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 images of material density and its distribution, but also obtain dual-energy or even multi-energy 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 energy spectrum imaging system of related technologies, when performing energy spectrum CT imaging, the most commonly used method is to use a double-layer energy spectrum detector that can resolve energy. It adopts a conventional CT scanning scheme, collects low-energy and high-energy rays through the upper and lower layers of detectors respectively for energy collection, and then performs 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 respectively, so as 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 energy spectrum imaging systems in the related art that all of them change the internal structure or semiconductor material of the detector, resulting in high cost and complex structure, thereby providing an energy spectrum imaging system and method.

[0005] The present invention provides an energy spectrum imaging system, comprising: a ray emitting mechanism, having a ray emitting end; an imaging receiving mechanism, arranged opposite to the ray emitting end of the ray emitting mechanism, and suitable for arranging an object to be detected between the imaging receiving mechanism and the ray emitting mechanism; a filtering mechanism, arranged at the emitting end of the ray emitting mechanism, the filtering mechanism having at least two filtering units arranged in parallel, the filtering units being used to separate the rays emitted by the ray emitting mechanism into rays with at least two different energies; the imaging receiving mechanism simultaneously receives the two rays separated by the filtering mechanism, and transmits the data to a computing unit.

[0006] Optionally, the filtering mechanism comprises: a ray filter, the ray filter having a filtering unit array for separating the rays, and the filtering unit array having at least two types of filtering units.

[0007] Optionally, the two types of filter units are alternately arranged in sequence along the transverse direction on the filter unit array.

[0008] Optionally, the filtering unit on the ray filter is in the shape of a long strip.

[0009] Optionally, among the filter units on the filter unit array, at least one filter unit is a cavity structure.

[0010] Optionally, the filter unit array is a single-layer structure.

[0011] The present invention also provides an energy spectrum imaging method, comprising the following steps: separating the rays emitted by a ray emitting mechanism into at least two rays with different energies through a filtering mechanism; the separated multiple rays pass through an object to be detected and are simultaneously irradiated on an imaging receiving mechanism; after the imaging receiving mechanism receives the rays with different energies, the data is transmitted to a computing unit.

[0012] The technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0013] The energy spectrum imaging system provided by the present invention has a filter mechanism disposed at the transmitting end of the ray emitting mechanism. When in use, the transmitting end of the ray emitting mechanism emits X-rays, which are divided into high and low energy rays after passing through filter units with different transmission capabilities. After the high and low energy rays pass through the object to be scanned, they are received by the imaging receiving mechanism, and the data is transmitted to the computing unit, and finally a dual-energy or even multi-energy image for the same scanned object can be generated. The energy spectrum imaging system can realize dual-energy or even multi-energy imaging in one scan, improves detection efficiency, reduces the harm caused by radiation to patients, and does not need to change the internal crystal structure, materials and related manufacturing processes of the existing planar array detector, which is conducive to reducing production costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] 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.

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an energy spectrum imaging system provided in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a ray filter in an energy spectrum imaging system provided in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Description of reference numerals:

[0018] 1. Ray filter; 2. First filtering unit; 3. Second filtering unit; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a ray filter in an energy spectrum imaging system provided in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides an energy spectrum imaging system, comprising: a ray emitting mechanism, having a ray emitting end; an imaging receiving mechanism, arranged opposite to the ray emitting end of the ray emitting mechanism, and an object to be detected is suitable for being arranged between the imaging receiving mechanism and the ray emitting mechanism; a filtering mechanism, arranged at the emitting end of the ray emitting mechanism, the filtering mechanism having at least two filtering units arranged in parallel, the filtering units being used to separate the rays emitted by the ray emitting mechanism into rays with at least two different energies; the imaging receiving mechanism simultaneously receives the rays separated by the filtering mechanism, and transmits the data to the computing unit.

[0024] The energy spectrum imaging system provided by the present invention has a filter mechanism disposed at the transmitting end of the ray emitting mechanism. When in use, the transmitting end of the ray emitting mechanism emits X-rays, which are divided into high and low energy rays after passing through filter units with different transmission capabilities. After the high and low energy rays pass through the object to be scanned, they are received by the imaging receiving mechanism, and the data is transmitted to the computing unit, and finally a dual-energy or even multi-energy image for the same scanned object can be generated. The energy spectrum imaging system can realize dual-energy or even multi-energy imaging in one scan, improves detection efficiency, reduces the harm caused by radiation to patients, and does not need to change the internal crystal structure, materials and related manufacturing processes of the existing planar array detector, which is conducive to reducing production costs.

[0025] For example, the energy spectrum imaging system may be a panoramic CT scanning system or a direct digital X-ray photography system.

[0026] For example, the ray emitting mechanism can be a ray generator, and the emitting end of the ray emitting mechanism can emit X-rays for scanning. When scanning is required, the ray emitting mechanism emits rays and can rotate around the object to be detected to scan the object to be detected at less than or equal to 360°.

[0027] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a ray filter in an energy spectrum imaging system provided in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 As shown, for example, the filter mechanism may have two filter units, namely, the first filter unit 2 and the second filter unit 3, and the two filter units have different transmittances to the rays. For example, the transmittance of the first filter unit 2 to the X-rays is higher than that of the second filter unit 3, and the X-rays are converted into high-energy X-rays and low-energy X-rays after passing through the filter mechanism. For example, the imaging receiving mechanism may be a planar array detector or an oral digital sensor, which is specifically used to receive high-energy X-rays and low-energy X-rays passing through the object to be detected, and the received ray data may be fed back to the computing unit. For example, the computing unit may be a computer, which may generate an image based on the received ray data.

[0028] The filtering mechanism in this embodiment can be used as an independent component and arranged at the emission end of the ray emitting mechanism to separate the rays into rays with different energies before the rays scan the object to be detected.

[0029] In one embodiment, the filtering mechanism includes: a ray filter 1, the ray filter 1 has a filter unit array for separating rays, and the filter unit array has at least two types of filter units.

[0030] For example, the filter unit array may include two filter units, namely, a first filter unit 2 and a second filter unit 3, and the first filter unit 2 and the second filter unit 3 are alternately arranged in sequence along the transverse direction on the filter unit array.

[0031] For example, the filter unit may also include four filter units, namely a first filter unit 2, a second filter unit 3, a third filter unit and a fourth filter unit, and the first filter unit 2, the second filter unit 3, the third filter unit and the fourth filter unit are alternately arranged in sequence along the lateral direction.

[0032] In another embodiment, the filter unit on the ray filter 1 is in the shape of a long strip.

[0033] In yet another embodiment, among the filter units on the filter unit array, at least one filter unit is a cavity structure.

[0034] For example, different filter units may correspond to a filter material with a certain transmittance, and the filter material may be aluminum and copper, or air. For example, the transmittance of the same filter material may be changed by changing its thickness.

[0035] In another embodiment, the filter unit array is a single-layer structure. For example, the body of the entire ray filter 1 can be a substrate, for example, the substrate is made of a certain filter material, and the material at the required position on the surface of the substrate is removed to form a hollow area, and the hollow area is another filter material, that is, air. For example, the ray filter 1 also includes a bottom plate, and the substrate is arranged on the surface of the bottom plate. The bottom plate can be used for bonding or welding on the ray emitting mechanism, and the thickness of the bottom plate can be set smaller to reduce the energy attenuation when the X-ray passes through.

[0036] The present invention also provides an energy spectrum imaging method, comprising the following steps: separating the rays emitted by a ray emitting mechanism into at least two rays with different energies through a filtering mechanism; the separated multiple rays pass through an object to be detected and are simultaneously irradiated on an imaging receiving mechanism; after the imaging receiving mechanism receives the rays with different energies, the data is transmitted to a computing unit.

[0037] In one scan, the ray generator uses a high voltage, such as 110KV, to emit a beam. For example, the size of the ray filter can be designed to be larger. When the ray filter is used, it can be placed at the emission end of the ray generator and completely block the entire beam outlet. After the ray is emitted, the rays passing through the first filter unit 2 may be high-energy rays, and the rays passing through the second filter unit 3 may be low-energy rays. The two types of rays pass through the scanned object and are then received by the array detector. The array detector then feeds back the received ray data to the calculation unit of the energy spectrum imaging system, and finally generates a high-energy image and a low-energy image. In addition, the ray generator can be rotated to scan and image different positions of the scanned object. By rotating the angle of the ray generator, the multiple rays separated by the filtering mechanism scan the same position of the object to be detected in sequence, so as to obtain an image of the object to be detected under the irradiation of rays of different energies.

[0038] In summary, the energy spectrum imaging method can achieve dual-energy or even multi-energy imaging in a single 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 area array detectors, which is conducive to reducing costs.

[0039] 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 spectrum imaging system, characterized in that: include: A ray emitting mechanism having a ray emitting end; An imaging receiving mechanism is arranged opposite to the ray emitting end of the ray emitting mechanism, and an object to be detected is suitable for being arranged between the imaging receiving mechanism and the ray emitting mechanism; A filtering mechanism is arranged at the transmitting end of the ray transmitting mechanism, and the filtering mechanism has at least two filtering units arranged in parallel, and the filtering units are used to separate the rays emitted by the ray transmitting mechanism into rays with at least two different energies; The imaging receiving mechanism simultaneously receives the rays separated by the filtering mechanism and transmits the data to the computing unit; The filtering mechanism comprises: a ray filter, the ray filter having a filter unit array for separating the rays, the filter unit array having at least two filter units arranged in parallel; The two types of filter units are alternately arranged in sequence along the lateral direction on the filter unit array; The filtering unit on the ray filter is in the shape of a long strip.

2. The energy spectrum imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Among the filter units on the filter unit array, at least one filter unit is a cavity structure.

3. The energy spectrum imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter unit array is a single-layer structure.

4. A spectrum imaging method, characterized in that: The method comprises the following steps: Separating the radiation emitted by the radiation emitting mechanism into at least two radiations with different energies by means of a filtering mechanism; The separated multiple rays pass through the object to be detected and irradiate the imaging receiving mechanism at the same time; After receiving the radiation with different energies through the imaging receiving mechanism, the data is transmitted to the computing unit.

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