X-ray multi-target photographing system and multi-target photographing switching method

Abstract

This invention discloses an X-ray multi-target imaging system and a multi-target imaging switching method. The imaging system includes a radiation source, a beam limiter, a first detector, and a second detector. The beam limiter is positioned in front of the radiation source's exit port and is used to adjust the radiation range. The first and second detectors have different resolutions. Both the first and second detectors are positioned opposite to the radiation source and are fixed in position. The first detector does not interfere with the radiation source's irradiation of the second detector, and the second detector does not interfere with the radiation source's irradiation of the first detector. Under the adjustment of the beam limiter, the radiation source irradiates only one of the first and second detectors at a time. The X-ray multi-target imaging system and multi-target imaging switching method provided by this invention achieve switching between the radiation source and the two detectors through the adjustment of the beam limiter, eliminating the need for rotation and simplifying the overall internal structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of X-ray equipment technology, and in particular to an X-ray multi-target imaging system and a multi-target imaging switching method. Background Technology

[0002] X-ray imaging is increasingly being used in medical testing, industrial flaw detection, and security inspection. Among these, the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) system for the oral cavity is currently the most widely used and promising device for cranial imaging. An oral CBCT typically includes three functions: tomographic imaging, curved-surface tomography, and cephalometrics. Tomographic imaging and curved-surface tomography use one detector, while cephalometrics uses another. Usually, each detector corresponds to a separate X-ray source, and they do not interfere with each other. However, this significantly increases costs and requires more space.

[0003] The above background information is provided only to assist in understanding the inventive concept and technical solution of this invention. It does not necessarily belong to the prior art of this patent application, nor does it necessarily provide technical teaching. In the absence of clear evidence that the above information was disclosed before the filing date of this patent application, the above background information should not be used to evaluate the novelty and inventiveness of this application. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the problems existing in the prior art, this invention provides an X-ray multi-target imaging system and a multi-target imaging switching method. The technical solution is as follows:

[0005] On one hand, the present invention provides an X-ray multi-target imaging system, including a radiation source and a beam limiter. The beam limiter is disposed at the light outlet of the radiation source and is configured to adjust the irradiation range of the radiation. The system also includes a first detector and a second detector, which have different resolutions. Both the first and second detectors are disposed opposite to the radiation source and are in fixed positions. The first detector does not interfere with the radiation source's irradiation of the second detector, and the second detector does not interfere with the radiation source's irradiation of the first detector. Under the adjustment of the beam limiter, the radiation source irradiates only one of the first and second detectors at a time.

[0006] Furthermore, the X-ray source includes an X-ray tube configured not to rotate relative to the first detector or the second detector, and the X-ray source has a first outer limit position and a second outer limit position under the adjustment of the beam limiter, the first outer limit position corresponding to the outer edge of the first detector away from the second detector, and the second outer limit position corresponding to the outer edge of the second detector away from the first detector.

[0007] Furthermore, the angle between the line connecting the center point of the radiation source and the center point of the first detector and the detection surface of the first detector is in the range of 85° to 90°; the angle between the line connecting the center point of the radiation source and the center point of the second detector and the detection surface of the second detector is in the range of 85° to 90°.

[0008] Furthermore, the center line between the first outer limit position and the second outer limit position is located between the first detector and the second detector.

[0009] Furthermore, the distance between the first detector and the radiation source is greater than the distance between the second detector and the radiation source.

[0010] Furthermore, the first detector and the second detector are equidistant from the radiation source.

[0011] Furthermore, the first detector and the second detector are rectangular and arranged side by side, with the first detector on the left and the second detector on the right. The projections of the right edge of the first detector and the left edge of the second detector onto the vertical irradiation surface of the radiation source coincide or are close to each other.

[0012] Furthermore, the size of the first detector is larger than the size of the second detector.

[0013] Furthermore, the first detector is a detector for cephalometric measurement, and the second detector is a detector for tomographic imaging and curved tomographic imaging.

[0014] On the other hand, the present invention provides an X-ray multi-target imaging switching method, which is executed based on the multi-target imaging system and includes the following steps: according to the imaging requirements of the patient's body part to be imaged, guiding the user to the corresponding detector, and using the beam limiter to adjust the irradiation range of the X-ray source so that it only irradiates the corresponding detector.

[0015] Furthermore, based on the distance and orientation relationship between the first and second detectors and the radiation source, the control parameters of the beam limiter are pre-adjusted and saved.

[0016] Furthermore, when photographing the patient in front of the first detector, other suitable patients are arranged to wait in front of the second detector in advance, and then the patient in front of the second detector is photographed directly next time, while other suitable patients are arranged to wait in front of the first detector.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided by this invention are as follows: by adjusting the beam limiter, the switching between the X-ray source and the two detectors is realized without rotation, which greatly reduces the overall internal structure and facilitates lightweight design. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the framework of the X-ray multi-target imaging system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] The accompanying reference numerals include: 1-ray source, 2-beam limiter, 3-first detector, and 4-second detector. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, an X-ray multi-target imaging system is provided, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 1 The system includes a radiation source 1, a beam limiter 2, a first detector 3, and a second detector 4. The beam limiter 2 is located in front of the light outlet of the radiation source 1 and is used to adjust the irradiation range of the radiation. The first detector 3 and the second detector 4 are arranged opposite to the radiation source, and the first detector 3 and the second detector 4 do not block the irradiation of the radiation source from each other. That is, the first detector does not interfere with the irradiation of the second detector by the radiation source, and the second detector does not interfere with the irradiation of the first detector by the radiation source. Under the adjustment of the beam limiter, the radiation source irradiates only one of the first detector and the second detector at a time. Accordingly, the radiation source has a first single-shot mode and a second single-shot mode to adapt to different shooting needs. In the first single-shot mode, the radiation source only irradiates the first detector, and in the second single-shot mode, the radiation source only irradiates the second detector.

[0023] The radiation source includes an X-ray tube configured not to rotate relative to the first or second detector. Under the adjustment of the beam limiter, the radiation source has a first outermost limit position and a second outermost limit position. The first outermost limit position refers to the outermost position of the radiation source when irradiating the first detector, corresponding to the outer edge of the first detector away from the second detector. The second outermost limit position refers to the outermost position of the radiation source when irradiating the second detector, corresponding to the outer edge of the second detector away from the first detector. The centerline between the first and second outermost limit positions lies between the first and second detectors.

[0024] It is important to note that, under the adjustment of the beam limiter, the radiation source has the capability to simultaneously irradiate both the first and second detectors. When the radiation source is used at its maximum irradiation range under the beam limiter, it precisely covers the outermost detection edges of both the first and second detectors to ensure no radiation leakage. At this time, the centerline of the radiation beam emitted by the radiation source corresponds to the centerline between the first and second outermost limit positions, which lies between the first and second detectors to ensure relatively uniform radiation intensity on both detectors. However, generally only one detector is irradiated for ease of radiation dose calculation.

[0025] The angle between the line connecting the center point of the radiation source and the center point of the first detector and the detection surface of the first detector is between 85° and 90°. Similarly, the angle between the line connecting the center point of the radiation source and the center point of the second detector and the detection surface of the second detector is also between 85° and 90°, with 90° being preferred for both. That is, both the first detector and the second detector are directly facing the radiation source to improve the radiation effect.

[0026] The positional distribution of the first and second detectors can be mainly divided into the following two categories:

[0027] (1) The distances between the first detector and the second detector and the radiation source are not equal.

[0028] For example, the distance between the first detector and the radiation source is greater than the distance between the second detector and the radiation source, the size of the first detector is greater than the size of the second detector, and the radiation source can achieve a larger radiation area on the more distant first detector and a smaller radiation area on the more nearby second detector, so as to meet the area requirements of different radiation parts.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the first and second detectors are rectangular and arranged side-by-side, with the first detector on the left and the second detector on the right. The projections of the right edge of the first detector and the left edge of the second detector onto the vertical irradiation surface of the radiation source coincide or are close to each other, thus maximizing space efficiency in the lateral direction. The vertical irradiation surface refers to the plane perpendicular to the centerline. It should be noted that "projections close to each other" means that the distance between the two projections is less than 5 mm or that the included angle between the two projections is less than 5°.

[0030] (2) The first detector and the second detector are equidistant from the radiation source.

[0031] For example, the first detector and the second detector are arranged around the focal point of the radiation source, close to each other and at the same distance from the focal point. In this case, the first detector and the second detector are of equal status and can be interchanged. Patients with the same imaging needs can be photographed in front of the two detectors at the same time, and staff can take turns photographing on the two detectors to reduce the waiting time for staff to prepare patients.

[0032] The first and second detectors can have different or the same functions. When the two detectors have different functions, the detector parameters need to be reconfigured according to the different functions, and the size and resolution of the detectors need to be adjusted to adapt to different functional requirements. When the two detectors have the same function, the two detectors can be used alternately to reduce the waiting time for staff. At the same time, alternating the use of the two detectors can also allow sufficient processing time for the detector data scanning and feedback.

[0033] It should be noted that the positional distribution and functional classification of the first and second detectors described above can be freely and flexibly combined, and all schemes formed by such free and flexible combinations fall within the protection scope of this embodiment.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the radiation source is an X-ray source. The distance between the first detector and the radiation source is greater than the distance between the second detector and the radiation source. The first detector is used for cephalometric analysis to correspond to a first single-shot mode, and the second detector is used for tomographic and curved tomographic imaging to correspond to a second single-shot mode. The distance between the second detector and the focal point of the radiation source is D1, and the distance between the first detector and the focal point of the radiation source is D2. The radiation source's exit port is designed with a large-area wide-angle shape. When installing the X-ray source assembly, the line connecting the focal point of the radiation source and the center point of the second detector is used as a reference line. The centerline of the X-ray beam is deflected from the reference line by a certain angle, denoted as deflection angle α, so that the centerline of the X-ray beam is located between the first and second detectors. Through the large-area X-ray exit port, the X-rays emitted from the X-ray source can simultaneously cover the first and second detectors. The switching between the first and second detectors is achieved by adjusting the beam limiter. It should be noted that the size of the X-ray source's exit port needs to be designed in conjunction with the size of the first and second detectors and their placement relationship to ensure that the emitted X-rays can simultaneously cover both detectors.

[0035] Specifically, the distance between the second detector and the focal point of the X-ray source is D1 = 600 mm, the distance between the first detector and the focal point of the X-ray source is D2 = 1750 mm, and the X-ray source deflection angle is α = 13.5°. For the second detector, the X-ray beam angle distribution used is 0° to -16°; for the first detector B, the X-ray beam angle distribution used is 0° to 9°. Within the above X-ray beam angle distribution range, the X-ray intensity does not significantly attenuate and has no significant impact on the imaging quality. The X-ray source uses a beam limiter to switch between the first and second detectors to meet different imaging modes.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, an X-ray multi-target imaging switching method is provided. The multi-target imaging switching method is executed based on the multi-target imaging system and includes the following steps: according to the imaging requirements of the patient's body part to be imaged, guiding the user to the corresponding detector, adjusting the irradiation range of the X-ray source using the beam limiter so that it only irradiates the corresponding detector, and then making fine adjustments to align the X-ray with the body part to be imaged.

[0037] Based on the distance and orientation relationship between the first and second detectors and the radiation source, the control parameters of the collimator are pre-adjusted and saved. This allows for direct access to the corresponding control parameters when using either the first or second single-shot mode. The operator can then fine-tune the parameters according to the actual situation of the area to be photographed to achieve alignment. When photographing a patient in front of the first detector, other suitable patients are pre-arranged to wait in front of the second detector. The next time, the patient in front of the second detector is photographed directly, while other suitable patients are arranged to wait in front of the first detector. This process is repeated to improve overall efficiency.

[0038] The X-ray multi-target imaging system and multi-target imaging switching method provided by this invention can simultaneously cover two detectors without physical rotation. It has low precision requirements, low cost, and simple structure. It achieves switching between two detectors through an X-ray beam limiter to realize different imaging modes.

[0039] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An X-ray multi-target imaging system, comprising a radiation source and a beam limiter, wherein the beam limiter is disposed at the light outlet of the radiation source and is configured to adjust the radiation range, characterized in that, The system also includes a first detector and a second detector, which have different resolutions. The first detector and the second detector are both positioned opposite to the radiation source and are fixed in position. The first detector does not interfere with the radiation source's irradiation of the second detector, and the second detector does not interfere with the radiation source's irradiation of the first detector. Under the adjustment of the beam limiter, the radiation source irradiates only one of the first detector and the second detector at a time. The X-ray source includes an X-ray tube configured not to rotate relative to the first detector or the second detector. The X-ray source has a first outer limit position and a second outer limit position under the adjustment of the beam limiter. The first outer limit position corresponds to the outer edge of the first detector away from the second detector, and the second outer limit position corresponds to the outer edge of the second detector away from the first detector. The center line between the first outer limit position and the second outer limit position is located between the first detector and the second detector. The distance between the first detector and the radiation source is greater than the distance between the second detector and the radiation source. The size of the first detector is greater than the size of the second detector. The first detector is used for cephalometric measurement, and the second detector is used for tomographic imaging and curved tomographic imaging. The distance between the second detector and the focal point of the X-ray source is D1 = 600 mm, the distance between the first detector and the focal point of the X-ray source is D2 = 1750 mm, and the X-ray source deflection angle is α = 13.5°. The X-ray beam angle distribution corresponding to the second detector is 0° to -16°, and the X-ray beam angle distribution corresponding to the first detector is 0° to 9°.

2. The multi-target photographing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The angle between the line connecting the center point of the radiation source and the center point of the first detector and the detection surface of the first detector is in the range of 85° to 90°; the angle between the line connecting the center point of the radiation source and the center point of the second detector and the detection surface of the second detector is in the range of 85° to 90°.

3. The multi-target photographing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first detector and the second detector are rectangular and arranged side by side, with the first detector on the left and the second detector on the right. The projections of the right edge of the first detector and the left edge of the second detector onto the vertical irradiation surface of the radiation source coincide or are close to each other.

4. An X-ray multi-target photographing switching method, characterized by comprising: The multi-target imaging switching method is performed based on the multi-target imaging system as described in any one of claims 1-3, and includes the following steps: according to the imaging requirements of the patient's body part to be imaged, guiding the user to the corresponding detector, and using the beam limiter to adjust the irradiation range of the X-ray source so that it only irradiates the corresponding detector.

5. The multi-target shooting switching method according to claim 4, characterized in that, Based on the distance and orientation relationship between the first and second detectors and the radiation source, the control parameters of the beam limiter are pre-adjusted and saved.

6. The multi-target shooting switching method according to claim 4, characterized by, When photographing the patient in front of the first detector, other suitable patients are arranged to wait in front of the second detector in advance. Then, the patient in front of the second detector is photographed directly next time, while other suitable patients are arranged to wait in front of the first detector.

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