X-ray imaging apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to an X-ray imaging apparatus. The X-ray imaging apparatus includes: an imaging unit including a generator unit and a sensor unit facing each other across an object to be imaged; and a drive control unit that captures an X-ray image of the subject by rotating the generator unit and the sensor unit in opposite directions about a rotation axis between the generator unit and the sensor unit, the generator unit including: an X-ray generation unit that is controlled by the drive control unit so as to generate X-rays irradiated toward the subject; and a camera unit that, when the generator unit and the sensor unit rotate in the opposite directions, captures a three-dimensional optical image of the subject by being controlled by the drive control unit, the camera unit is arranged inside a guide groove recessed from the outer surface of the generator unit to the inside, and the X-ray generation unit is arranged on one side of the guide groove. According to the X-ray imaging device, the three-dimensional camera is arranged on one side of the X-ray generating part, so that the phenomenon that the camera is degraded due to X-rays can be prevented.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an X-ray imaging device. Background Technology

[0002] In fields such as dentistry, X-ray imaging devices are used to accurately visualize a patient's oral cavity. These devices consist of an X-ray generating unit that projects X-rays onto the patient and an X-ray sensor (hereinafter referred to as the sensor) that receives the transmitted X-rays. X-ray imaging devices can be categorized as: intraoral X-ray devices, where the sensor is positioned inside the oral cavity and X-rays generated by an external X-ray generating unit are used to image specific structures within the cavity; and extraoral X-ray devices, where the sensor and X-ray generating unit are positioned outside the oral cavity and rotate in opposite directions relative to the patient, thereby using X-rays to image the overall structure of the oral cavity.

[0003] Extraoral X-ray devices, also known as extraoral X-ray devices, can use cameras in addition to X-rays to obtain optical images of the subject. However, if the camera is located in the direction of the sensor unit, the camera will be degraded by the X-rays and there are limitations such as the sensor unit being too large.

[0004] The technology that forms the background of this application is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-0933198. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application is made to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and its purpose is to provide an X-ray imaging device.

[0006] However, the technical problems to be solved by the embodiments of this application are not limited to the technical problems described above, and other technical problems may also exist.

[0007] As a technical means to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, an X-ray imaging apparatus according to one aspect of this application includes: an imaging unit, including a generator unit and a sensor unit facing away from the object being imaged; a drive control unit, which rotates the generator unit and the sensor unit in opposite directions about a rotation axis between the generator unit and the sensor unit to capture an X-ray image of the object being imaged, wherein the generator unit includes: an X-ray generating unit, controlled by the drive control unit, to generate X-rays irradiating towards the object being imaged; and a camera unit, which, when the generator unit and the sensor unit rotate in opposite directions, is controlled by the drive control unit to capture a three-dimensional optical image of the object being imaged.

[0008] According to one embodiment of this application, the camera unit may be arranged inside a guide groove recessed from the outer surface of the generator unit, and the X-ray generating unit may be arranged on one side of the guide groove, but is not limited thereto.

[0009] The above-described technical solutions are merely exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the intent of this application. In addition to the exemplary embodiments described above, further embodiments may exist in the accompanying drawings and detailed description of the invention.

[0010] According to the above technical solution of this application, the X-ray imaging device of this application can prevent the camera from deteriorating due to X-rays by arranging a three-dimensional (3D) camera on one side of the X-ray generating part.

[0011] Furthermore, the 3D camera is tilted and arranged in a recessed portion (guide groove) of the generator section, thereby allowing adjustment of the focal length and optical axis between the 3D camera and the subject being photographed.

[0012] Furthermore, with the increasing size of sensors used for large field of view (FOV), the available space for the sensor unit has become insufficient. If a camera is installed under such circumstances, there is a problem that the sensor unit is too large. However, this application can obtain more accurate 3D optical images by arranging a 3D camera in the X-ray generation unit and adjusting its focal length and optical axis.

[0013] However, the effects that can be obtained by this application are not limited to those described above, and other effects may also exist. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a diagram of an existing X-ray imaging device.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the generator section according to an implementation example of this application.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the generator section according to an implementation example of this application.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the light source section according to an implementation example of this application.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the camera, sensor, and rotation axis of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of this application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art to which this application pertains can easily implement it.

[0020] However, this application can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, parts unrelated to the description have been omitted for clarity, and similar reference numerals have been used for similar parts throughout the specification.

[0021] Throughout this application, when referring to a part being "connected" to another part, it includes not only the case of "direct connection" but also the case of "electrical connection" with other elements in between.

[0022] Throughout the description of this application, when one component is located "above", "upper part", "upper end", "lower", "lower part", or "lower end" of another component, it includes not only the inclination of any component in contact with another component, but also the situation where there is another component between the two components.

[0023] Throughout the description of this application, when a part is referred to as "including" a certain constituent element, unless otherwise stated, it means that other constituent elements may also be included, rather than excluding other constituent elements.

[0024] The following describes an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment and implementation of this application.

[0025] As a technical means to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, an X-ray imaging apparatus according to one aspect of this application includes: an imaging unit, including a generator unit and a sensor unit facing each other across the object being imaged; a drive control unit, which rotates the generator unit and the sensor unit in opposite directions about a rotation axis between the generator unit and the sensor unit, and captures an X-ray image of the object being imaged by controlling the generator unit and the sensor unit, wherein the generator unit includes: an X-ray generating unit that generates X-rays irradiating towards the object being imaged; and a camera unit arranged on one side of the X-ray generating unit, wherein the drive control unit controls the camera unit to capture a three-dimensional optical image of the object being imaged when the generator unit and the sensor unit rotate in opposite directions.

[0026] That is, the X-ray imaging device, as an extraoral X-ray device, includes: an imaging unit; a sensor unit, arranged facing the imaging unit and spaced apart from the imaging unit by a predetermined interval, such that the object to be imaged can be located between them; and a control unit (drive control unit) for controlling the operation of the imaging unit and the sensor unit, wherein the imaging unit includes: an X-ray generating unit for generating X-rays; a camera unit arranged on one side of the X-ray generating unit; and a generator unit on which the X-ray generating unit and the camera unit are arranged, and the X-ray generating unit and the camera unit are arranged on the surface of the generator unit.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a diagram of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application includes an imaging unit, a drive control unit that drives and controls the imaging unit, and an image processing unit that reconstructs an X-ray image using the imaging results of the imaging unit.

[0028] Reference Figure 1 The imaging unit includes a generator end (the generator part of this application) and a sensor end (the sensor part of this application) facing each other across the object being imaged. The generator end is equipped with an X-ray generating unit that generates X-rays and irradiates them toward the object being imaged, and a camera part that includes a 3D camera. The sensor part is equipped with an X-ray sensor that detects X-rays transmitted through the object being imaged.

[0029] At this point, the camera section is tilted and positioned inside the guide groove of the generator section to meet the focal length and optical axis requirements.

[0030] The generator section may include a frame connecting the X-ray generating section and the camera section.

[0031] The X-ray generating unit is the part that generates X-rays, which are generated by thermionic or field-effect methods. The X-rays generated by the X-ray generating unit pass through the object being photographed and are sensed by the sensor unit.

[0032] The drive control unit drives and controls the imaging unit to capture X-ray images and / or 3D optical images of the subject. To this end, the drive control unit rotates the generator and sensor units in opposite directions based on the rotation axis between them, and can obtain X-ray images and / or 3D optical images of the subject by controlling the X-ray generating unit, the 3D camera, and the X-ray sensor.

[0033] The drive control unit can be the firmware form of the control generator, sensor unit, and drive unit.

[0034] The X-ray detection results detected by the X-ray sensor and the optical image acquired by the 3D camera are reconstructed into an X-ray image and a 3D optical image of the subject by the image processing unit. At this time, the image processing unit may have an algorithm for reconstructing the image based on the X-ray detection results obtained by the sensor.

[0035] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the generator section according to an implementation example of this application. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the generator section according to an implementation example of this application.

[0036] According to one embodiment of this application, the generator section may include a guide groove recessed from the outer surface to the inner surface, but is not limited thereto. As described below, the guide groove is used to arrange the camera section at an angle and has the shape of an irregular quadrilateral with opposite side lengths and angles of different sizes.

[0037] According to one embodiment of this application, the camera unit may be arranged inside the guide groove, and the X-ray generating unit may be arranged on one side of the guide groove, but is not limited thereto.

[0038] According to one embodiment of this application, the guide groove can be formed such that the tilt angle of the direction in which the X-ray generating part is provided (one direction) is smaller than the tilt angle of the direction in which the X-ray generating part is not provided (another direction). That is, the camera part provided at the end of the guide groove can be configured to face the rotation axis described later, but is not limited thereto.

[0039] According to one embodiment of this application, the guide groove can be formed by taking into account the focal length and optical axis between the camera unit and the subject being photographed, but is not limited thereto.

[0040] According to one embodiment of this application, taking into account the focal length and optical axis between the camera unit and the subject being photographed, the guide groove can be formed such that the camera unit faces the rotation axis, but is not limited thereto.

[0041] Reference Figure 2 It can be confirmed that the generator section has an X-ray generating section arranged inside, and on one side of the X-ray generating section (based on...) Figure 2 After the guide groove is slotted (at the three o'clock position), the camera unit is arranged inside the guide groove.

[0042] At this time, the guide groove of the generator section according to Figure 3 The cross-sectional view is formed. As an example, refer to... Figure 3 Within the guide groove, the tilt angle A of the direction in which the X-ray generating section is located is smaller than the tilt angle A' of the direction opposite to the X-ray generating section (based on an acute angle). Furthermore, among the sides constituting the guide groove, the side length B facing the X-ray generating section can be formed to be longer than the side length B' arranged in the direction opposite to the X-ray generating section. In this case, for the distance between the generator and the camera, A can be inversely proportional, and B can be directly proportional. However, since the guide groove is formed taking into account the focal length and optical axis between the camera section and the object being photographed, the shape of the guide groove can be adjusted as needed.

[0043] According to one embodiment of this application, the camera unit may be arranged at a predetermined angle inside the guide groove, but is not limited thereto.

[0044] The predetermined angle can be from 10° to 80°, but is not limited to this. The predetermined angle can be determined by the size of the camera unit, the depth of the guide groove, the distance between the camera unit and the X-ray generating unit, the type of light source, the distance between the object being photographed and the camera unit, etc.

[0045] When the camera unit is not tilted inside the guide groove, not only is sufficient focal length not guaranteed, but the side of the subject will be photographed at an angle instead of the front. To overcome this problem, the camera unit can be placed inside the generator unit to ensure sufficient focal length, and the camera unit can be tilted at a predetermined angle by the shape of the guide groove so as to face the rotation axis, thereby allowing the camera unit to photograph the front of the subject with accurate focal length.

[0046] According to one embodiment of this application, the X-ray imaging device may further include a light source unit, which is arranged on one side, the other side, or in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the camera unit, but is not limited thereto.

[0047] from Figure 2 It can be confirmed that the light source portion of the X-ray imaging device can be formed on the outer periphery of the guide groove where the camera portion is located. For example... Figure 2 As shown, when the guide groove is located on the right side (three o'clock direction) of the X-ray generating unit, it can be arranged on the upper and lower sides (twelfth o'clock and six o'clock directions) of the guide groove, or it can be arranged on the left or right side of the guide groove between the guide groove and the X-ray generating unit.

[0048] According to one embodiment of this application, the light source may include a light source for illuminating the subject and a polarizing prism for aligning the optical axis of the light source with the optical axis of the camera, but is not limited thereto.

[0049] The light source assists the camera in receiving sufficient light during shooting by illuminating the subject, and the polarizing prism is used to adjust the optical axis of the light source and the optical axis of the camera to make them consistent.

[0050] According to one embodiment of this application, the camera unit includes a 3D camera, which may include an RGB camera for capturing the surface of the subject and at least one depth camera for capturing the depth of the subject, but is not limited thereto.

[0051] According to one embodiment of this application, the camera unit may include an RGB camera that acquires color information of the subject and a depth camera that captures depth information of the surface of the subject. By utilizing the color and depth information obtained from the RGB camera and the depth camera, a color 3D facial optical image of the subject is obtained, but this is not a limitation. Furthermore, to obtain more accurate depth information, the camera unit may include multiple depth cameras spaced apart from each other, and may also include a projector that provides a predetermined pattern to the surface of the subject.

[0052] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the camera, sensor, and rotation axis of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of this application.

[0053] In an X-ray imaging device, specifically in an extraoral X-ray imaging device, the X-ray generating unit of the generator section and the X-ray sensor of the sensor section face each other across a rotating axis, and the rotating axis passes through the object being imaged.

[0054] The X-ray imaging apparatus according to this application tilts the camera within the generator section toward the rotation axis, allowing the camera to observe the object directly (vertically). Thus, in the X-ray imaging apparatus, the generator, sensor, and camera can all be arranged toward the rotation axis.

[0055] At this time, the camera can be arranged in the generator section to align the focal length, and a guide groove for the camera is provided for correcting the camera's angle of view.

[0056] The above description of this application is merely illustrative. Those skilled in the art to which this application pertains should understand that it can be easily modified into other specific forms without altering the technical concept or essential features of this application. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. For example, the constituent elements described in a single form may also be implemented separately, and similarly, the constituent elements described in a separate form may also be implemented in a combined form.

[0057] The scope of this application is not defined by the foregoing detailed description, but by the claims, and should be interpreted as including the meaning and scope of the claims and all variations or modifications derived from their equivalents within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. An X-ray imaging device, characterized in that, include: The imaging unit includes a generator unit and a sensor unit that are positioned in front of the subject being filmed; The drive control unit rotates the generator unit and the sensor unit in opposite directions around the rotation axis between them to capture an X-ray image of the object being imaged. The generator unit includes: An X-ray generating unit, controlled by the drive control unit, generates X-rays that irradiate the object being photographed; and The camera unit, when the generator unit and the sensor unit rotate in opposite directions, is controlled by the drive control unit to capture a three-dimensional optical image of the subject. The camera unit is arranged inside a guide groove that is recessed inward from the outer surface of the generator unit. The X-ray generating unit is arranged on one side of the guide groove.

2. The X-ray imaging apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The guide groove is formed such that the tilt angle of the direction in which the X-ray generating part is provided is smaller than the tilt angle of the other direction in which the X-ray generating part is not provided.

3. The X-ray imaging apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The guide groove is formed so that the camera unit is oriented toward the rotation axis in a manner that takes into account the focal length and optical axis between the camera unit and the subject being photographed.

4. The X-ray imaging apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The camera unit is arranged at a predetermined angle inside the guide groove.

5. The X-ray imaging apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The X-ray imaging device also includes: The light source is arranged on one side of the camera unit, on the other side, or in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the side.

6. The X-ray imaging apparatus as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The light source unit includes: A light source that illuminates the subject being photographed; and A polarizing prism is used to align the optical axis of the light source with the optical axis of the camera unit.

7. The X-ray imaging apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The camera unit includes: 3D camera, The 3D camera includes: An RGB camera is used to photograph the surface of the object being photographed; and At least one depth-sensing camera is used to capture the depth of the object being photographed.

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