X-ray imaging system for cephalometric dentomaxillofacial x-ray imaging operation

Abstract

To provide a versatile, cost-optimized X-ray imaging system for a Cephalometric dentomaxillofacial X-ray imaging operation, which makes it possible to carry out one-shot (full-view) and scanning imaging operations.SOLUTION: An X-ray imaging system (100) comprises a controller (132), an X-ray emitter (104) for emitting X-rays (106), primary and secondary collimators (108, 110) for collimating the X-rays, an X-ray receiver (124) for receiving the X-rays from the emitter, and a positioner (120) for positioning an object (102) to be imaged. The controller is configured to select one of one-shot and scanning Cephalometric imaging operations and to control the emitter (106) to emit X-ray radiation and the receiver to receive the emitted radiation in order to acquire X-ray image data in the selected imaging operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1b

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application generally relates to an X-ray imaging system for cephalometric dental facial X-ray imaging operations.

Background Art

[0002] Known cephalometric X-ray imaging systems require that the patient to be imaged be positioned between an X-ray emitter and a digital X-ray sensor, whereby X-rays are emitted through the emitter towards the patient's dental region, and after the X-rays penetrate the patient, the X-rays can be received through the sensor. The received X-rays are converted into the form of X-ray image data within the sensor, and this image data is used to form a two-dimensional (2D) cephalometric image of the patient.

[0003] Known one-shot (full-view) imaging systems use a high-speed one-shot imaging operation, and a wide sensor captures the entire imaging area of the patient at once. To capture the entire imaging area, the one-shot imaging operation requires a large sensor area from the sensor, leading to an expensive sensor.

[0004] Known scanning imaging systems use a less expensive scanning imaging operation, and a narrow sensor captures the entire imaging area in several consecutive imaging area portions, and the sensor and collimator follow the X-rays emitted by the emitter across the imaging area. To capture the entire imaging area, the scanning imaging operation requires a scanning movement of system components, which results in a long imaging operation, and this long imaging time exposes the imaging operation to patient movement. These movements cause artifacts in the captured image data, which leads to an increased need for correction of the image data in image formation and degraded image quality.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] One objective of the present invention is to provide a versatile, cost-optimized X-ray imaging system for cephalometric dentofacial X-ray imaging operations that eliminates the shortcomings of known systems and enables one-shot (full-view) and scanning imaging operations.

[0006] One object of the present invention is achieved by providing an X-ray imaging system, an X-ray imaging method, a computer program, and a computer-readable medium as described in the independent claims.

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention are specified by the X-ray imaging system, X-ray imaging method, computer program, and computer-readable medium described in the independent claims.

[0008] A first X-ray imaging system for cephalometric dentofacial X-ray imaging operations includes a controller, an X-ray emitter for emitting X-rays, primary and secondary collimators for collimating X-rays, an X-ray receiver for receiving X-rays from the emitter, and a positioner for positioning the object to be imaged. The controller is configured to select one of a one-shot or scanning cephalometric imaging operation and to control the emitter to emit X-ray radiation and the receiver to receive the emitted radiation in order to acquire X-ray image data in the selected imaging operation.

[0009] A second X-ray imaging method for a cephalometric dentofacial X-ray imaging operation performed by a preceding first imaging system. The imaging method includes the steps of: selecting one of a one-shot and a scanning cephalometric imaging operation by a controller; and controlling an X-ray emitter by the controller to emit X-ray radiation. The imaging method further includes the steps of: collimating radiation emitted by at least one of a primary collimator and a secondary collimator; and controlling an X-ray receiver by the controller to receive the collimated radiation and acquire X-ray image data in the selected imaging operation.

[0010] The third computer program includes instructions, which, when the computer program is executed by a controller, cause the preceding first imaging system to perform at least one step of the preceding second imaging method.

[0011] The fourth tangible, non-volatile, computer-readable medium contains a stored computer program, which follows the previous third computer program.

[0012] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the attached figures. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1a] This paper presents the principle of the X-ray imaging system used in one-shot head measurement and imaging operations. [Figure 1b] We present the principles of the X-ray imaging system in scanning head measurement imaging operations, with further details. [Figure 2] A flowchart of the X-ray imaging method for single-shot and scanning head measurement imaging operations is presented. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Figures 1a and 1b present an X-ray imaging system 100 configured to acquire (capture) X-ray image data IDs from an object 102, such as a patient or calibration target, during an X-ray imaging operation. The acquired image data IDs are processed (calculated and transformed) to form an X-ray image from at least a portion of the imaged object 102.

[0015] System 100 is configured to perform (execute, carry out) at least cephalometric radiography operations (e.g., one-shot and scanning operations), which, as shown in the figure, yield (generate) image data IDs for forming two-dimensional (2D) cephalometric radiography images from the dentofacial region of the imaged object 102, e.g., lateral or posteroanterior (PA) images.

[0016] The system 100 may also be configured to perform a panoramic X-ray imaging operation, which provides an image data ID for forming a 2D panoramic image from the imaged object 102. Furthermore, the system 100 may also be configured to perform a computed tomography (CT) X-ray imaging operation, which provides an image data ID for reconstructing a three-dimensional (3D) volume from the imaged object 102.

[0017] The system 100 includes an X-ray emitter 104 configured to emit (irradiate) X-rays (X-ray emission) 106 for at least head measurement imaging operations. The emitter 104 may be further configured to emit X-rays 106 for at least one of panoramic and CT imaging operations.

[0018] System 100 further includes a primary collimator 108 and a secondary collimator 110. The primary collimator 108 is configured to collimate X-rays 106 emitted on its own in a one-shot imaging operation and in a scanning imaging operation together with the secondary collimator 110, while the secondary collimator 110 is configured to collimate X-rays 106 emitted in a scanning imaging operation.

[0019] The primary collimator 108 includes one adjustable aperture 112, which is configured to collimate X-rays 106 as a one-shot aperture in one-shot imaging operations and as a scanning aperture in scanning imaging operations. At least one dimension (e.g., width, height, cross-sectional area (size)) of the adjusted one-shot aperture 112 is greater than the corresponding dimension of the adjusted scanning aperture 112. Alternatively, the primary collimator 112 includes two apertures 112, 114, among which the larger one-shot aperture 112 configured to collimate X-rays 106 during one-shot imaging operations has at least one dimension greater than the narrower scanning aperture 114 configured to collimate X-rays 106 during scanning imaging operations, as shown in the figure.

[0020] The primary collimator 108 is positioned between the emitter 104 and the positioned object 102 such that the primary collimator 108 is in the vicinity of the emitter 104 or is part of the structure of the emitter 104, and therefore the primary collimator 108 is much closer to the emitter 104 than the positioned object 102.

[0021] The primary collimator 108 comprises, as described above and below, and as shown in the figures, at least one collimator (collimator structure), for example, one collimator that is primarily used, or at least two consecutive collimators (collimator structures) that are rarely used and not shown in the figures. The at least two consecutive collimators include two, three, four, five, or more consecutive collimators.

[0022] Regardless of the number of consecutive collimators within the primary collimator 108, the primary collimator 108, composed of multiple collimators, is configured to collimate the emitted X-rays 106 together with a secondary collimator 110 that corresponds to the primary collimator 108, which includes one collimator, both in single-shot imaging and in scanning imaging. In addition, regardless of the number of consecutive collimators within the primary collimator 108, the primary collimator 108, composed of multiple collimators, is positioned between the emitter 104 and the positioned object 102 such that the primary collimator 108 is in the vicinity of the emitter 104 or is part of the structure of the emitter 104, corresponding to the primary collimator 108.

[0023] System 100 further includes a selector 116 configured to select a larger one-shot position OS for aperture 112 to collimate the X-rays 106 emitted during one-shot imaging, and to select a narrower scanning position SP for apertures 112 and 114 to collimate the X-rays 106 emitted during scanning imaging.

[0024] When the primary collimator 108 has a single aperture 112, the selector 116 adjusts the dimension of the aperture 112 to the one-shot position OS so that the aperture 112 operates as a one-shot aperture in the one-shot imaging operation, and adjusts the dimension of the aperture 112 to a scanning position SP narrower than the one-shot position OS described above, so that the aperture 112 operates as a scanning aperture in the scanning imaging operation. Alternatively, when the primary collimator 108 has two apertures 112, 114 as shown in the drawings, the selector 116 positions (adjusts) the primary collimator 108 so that the larger one-shot aperture 112 is correctly positioned at the one-shot position OS for the one-shot imaging operation, and arranges the primary collimator 108 so that the narrower scanning aperture 114 is correctly positioned at the scanning position SP for the scanning imaging operation, thereby making the selection.

[0025] The secondary collimator 110 includes an aperture 118 configured to be used in the scanning imaging operation SP. The secondary collimator 110 is disposed between the emitter 104, the primary collimator 108, and the positioned object 102. The distance CO between the second collimator 110 and the positioned object 102 is shorter than the distance EC between the emitter 104 and the collimator 110, so the secondary collimator 110 is closer to the positioned object 102 than the emitter 104 and the primary collimator 108.

[0026] System 100 further includes a positioner 120 configured to position an object 102 to be imaged at a head measurement imaging position. The positioner 120 includes a display of an imaging position (not shown) in the vicinity of the system 100 where the object 102 occupies the positions for one-shot and scanning imaging operations. Additionally or alternatively, the positioner 120 includes at least one of an ear rod (ear supporter) 122 configured to be set within the auditory canal of the object 102 and a nasion (nasion) supporter 123 configured to be set with respect to the object 102. The ear rod 122 and the nasion supporter 123 are configured to position the object 102 at the imaging position in a one-shot imaging operation or a scanning imaging operation.

[0027] System 100 further includes an X-ray receiver 124 configured to receive X-rays 106 from an emitter 104 and generate image data ID from the positioned X-ray-exposed (imaged) object 102. The generated image data ID is then processed in the formation of a head measurement image from the object 102.

[0028] The receiver 124 includes a digital X-ray sensor such that the receiver 124 is configured to perform at least one-shot and scanning head measurement imaging operations. The sensor is further configured to perform panoramic and CT imaging operations if they exist.

[0029] The most frequently used area of ​​the temporal measurement image in a one-shot acquisition operation is approximately from a portion of object 102 to the tip of the nose of object 102. This portion-to-tip-of-the-nose distance is typically less than 16 cm. A sufficient horizontal width WI of the sensor is 16–17 cm, e.g., 16, 16.25, 16.5, 16.75, or 17 cm. A sensor with this width WI is configured to operate most head measurement acquisition operations by one-shot acquisition operations, and in rare cases where a wider area (e.g., the entire temporal measurement image area) is required, it is operated by scanning acquisition operations. Alternatively, the sensor width WI may be 16–20 cm, e.g., 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 cm. Regardless of the width of the sensor used in system 100, the width WI is significantly smaller than that of a full-width sensor with a width of 26 cm anyway.

[0030] The system 100 may include a mover 126 configured to move the MO receiver 124 in at least one of linear and rotational directions relative to the emitter 104, so that the receiver 124 is perpendicular to the emitter 104 during the emission of X-rays 106 for at least one of one-shot and scanning imaging operations.

[0031] System 100 further comprises a supporter 128 configured to support the emitter 104, primary collimator 108, and selector 116 relative to the structure of System 100 and the supporter 128. Furthermore, the supporter 128 is configured to establish a sufficient distance EO between the emitter 104 and the positioned object 102 (positioner 120). Furthermore, the supporter 128 is configured to move the emitter 104 and primary collimator 108 to their imaging positions for one-shot and scanning imaging operations, and to move the primary collimator 108 and, if necessary, the emitter 104, in at least one rotational and linear direction relative to System 100 according to the scanning movement SC during scanning imaging operations.

[0032] If emitter 104 is the only emitter in system 100, the supporter 128 includes a C-shaped rotor (gantry) 128. In this single-emitter configuration, system 100 further includes a distal head measuring device (head measuring image supporter) 130 comprising at least a vertical column (not shown), a horizontal upper shelf (not shown), a secondary collimator 110, a positioner 120, and a receiver 124, as well as actuator mechanisms for operating the upper shelf and rotor linearly and rotationally, as well as other system components.

[0033] Alternatively, if emitter 104 is not the only emitter in system 100, the supporter 128 includes a distal emitter supporter 128 for establishing the distance EO between emitter 104 and the positioned object 102. In this embodiment comprising multiple emitters, system 100 further includes a rotor (not shown) containing another X-ray emitter for at least one of column, upper shelf, panoramic and CT imaging operations, a secondary collimator 110, and a distal head measuring device including a receiver 124, a positioner 120, and actuator mechanisms for operating the upper shelf and rotor pivotally, linearly and rotationally as other system components.

[0034] The operation and required system components of an embodiment of System 100 consisting of a single emitter are described more precisely in the background of the published patent application FI20145617. The operation and required system components of an embodiment of System 100 consisting of multiple emitters are described more precisely in the detailed description of the same patent application.

[0035] System 100 further comprises a controller 132 configured to control the operation of system components, such as system components 104, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 124, 126, 128, 130, 138, 140, 142, and 144, so that System 100 operates as described above and below.

[0036] The controller 132 includes a processor 134 configured to execute instructions initiated by an operator, instructions initiated by a computer program (software), or both, and to process data in order to run the computer program (application, software). The processor 134 comprises at least one processor, for example, one, two, three, four, or more processors.

[0037] The controller 132 further includes a memory 136 configured to store and maintain data. The data may be instructions, computer programs, and data files. The memory 136 includes at least one memory, for example, one, two, three, four, or more memory units.

[0038] System 100 further includes a communicator 138 configured to control controller 132 to transmit commands, requests, and data to, for example, at least one of system components 104, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 124, 126, 128, 130, 138, 140, 142, 144, for example, emitter 104 and receiver 124. Controller 132 is further configured to control communicator 138 to receive commands, requests, and data from, for example, at least one of system components 104, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 124, 126, 128, 130, 138, 140, 142, 144, for example, emitter 104 and receiver 124. Communication between the communication device 138 and, for example, system components 104, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 124, 126, 128, 130, 138, 140, 142, and 144 is performed via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or both.

[0039] The system 100 further includes an actuator 140 configured such that a controller 132 controls it to actuate at least one of the system components 104, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 124, 126, 128, and 130. The actuator 140 includes, for example, a motor, driver, actuator mechanism, or other actuator components.

[0040] The system 100 further comprises a power supply 142 configured to control the controller 132 to supply power to the operation of the system 100. The power supply 142 includes connections to at least one power supply component configured to supply power to the system 100, such as an electrical plug, a battery, a regulator, or other power supply component.

[0041] System 100 further includes a user interface (UI) 144 configured to control controller 346 to receive commands, requests, or data from the operator of System 100. Controller 132 is further configured to control UI 358 to present commands, requests, or data to the operator.

[0042] Memory 136 is configured to store a communication device program 146 for operating (controlling) the communication device 138, an actuator program 148 for operating the actuator 140, a power supply program 150 for operating the power supply unit 142, and a UI program 152 for operating the UI 144.

[0043] Memory 136 is further configured to store a computer program 154 configured to be executed (driven) by the controller 346 to control the operation of the system 100, for example, the operation of at least one of the system components 104, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 124, 126, 128, 130, 138, 140, 142, 144, as described above. The computer program 154 includes computer-readable code instructions.

[0044] The computer program 154 is configured to be stored in a tangible, non-volatile (non-temporary) computer-readable medium, such as a compact disc (CD) or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) storage device.

[0045] Figure 2 shows an X-ray imaging method 256 for performing head measurement and maxillofacial X-ray imaging using the system 100 described above.

[0046] In step 258, system 100 presents the emitter 104, primary collimator 108, secondary collimator 110, selector 116, receiver 124, mover 126, and other system components. The operator, via UI 144, instructs controller 132 to start system 100, initialize it, and obtain image data IDs from the object 102 to be imaged.

[0047] In step 260, if certain parameters describing the state of system 100, a specific elapsed time since the previous calibration, or several performed imaging processes exceeding predetermined limits indicate the need to calibrate system 100 after system 100 initialization, the operator instructs controller 132 via UI 144 to calibrate emitter 104, receiver 124, and other related system components according to the calibration target. Alternatively, controller 132 may initially (automatically) detect the need for calibration and perform calibration when at least one of the aforementioned states exceeds a predetermined limit.

[0048] In step 262, the operator or system 100 instructs the operator to position the object 102, i.e., the patient, between the emitter 104 and the receiver 124, and between the primary collimator 108, or between the secondary collimator 110 and the receiver 124 as shown in the previous figure, so that the emitter 104 can irradiate the patient 102, the primary collimator 108 can collimate the X-rays 106 emitted by the secondary collimator 110 if possible, depending on the imaging operation used, and the receiver 124 can capture image data IDs from the irradiated patient 102.

[0049] Patient 102 was positioned by the positioner 120. Patient 102 performed at least one of the following actions: freely positioning according to positioning instructions, setting the ear rod 122 into the auditory tube, or supporting the nose against the nasion supporter 123.

[0050] In step 264, the operator selects whether to use a one-shot imaging operation or a scanning imaging operation by instructing the controller 132 via the UI 144 to control the selector 116 to select the relevant apertures 112, 114 for the primary collimator 108, to control the actuator 140 to actuate the distal head compensator 130 or rotor according to the selected imaging operation, and to control the secondary collimator 110 to be correctly positioned for the selected imaging operation.

[0051] If the imaging operation selected in step 264 is a one-shot imaging operation, the controller 132 instructs the selector 116 to select a wider aperture 112 configured for the one-shot imaging operation by adjusting the dimensions of the aperture 112 if the primary collimator 108 includes only a single aperture 112, or by operating the primary collimator 108 so that a wider one-shot aperture 112 is correctly positioned at the one-shot position OS, as shown in Figure 1a, if the primary collimator 108 includes multiple apertures 112, 114.

[0052] Furthermore, if system 100 is a system consisting of a single emitter, controller 132 instructs actuator 140 to control supporter (rotor) 128 so that emitter 104 and selected aperture 112 are correctly positioned for one-shot imaging, control head meter 130 so that secondary collimator 118 does not prevent or interfere with one-shot imaging, and control mover 126 so that receiver 124 is correctly positioned and directed toward emitter 104. If system 100 is a system consisting of multiple emitters, controller 132 instructs actuator 140 to control rotor so that it is correctly positioned (above) the distal head meter (positioner 120) and the secondary collimator 118 is not prevented or interfered with, and control mover 126 so that receiver 124 is correctly positioned toward emitter 104.

[0053] Alternatively, if the imaging operation selected in step 264 is a scanning imaging operation, the controller 132 instructs the selector 116 to select the narrower aperture 112 configured for the scanning imaging operation by adjusting the dimensions of the aperture 112 if the primary collimator 108 includes only a single aperture 112, or by operating the primary collimator 108 so that the narrower scanning aperture 114 is correctly positioned at the scanning position SP, as shown in Figure 1b, if the primary collimator 108 includes multiple apertures 112, 114.

[0054] Furthermore, if system 100 is a system consisting of a single emitter, the controller 132 instructs the actuator 140 to control the supporter 128 so that the emitter 104 and selected apertures 112, 114 are properly positioned and ready for scanning movement SC, to control the head meter 130 so that the secondary collimator 118 is correctly positioned and ready for the associated scanning movement SC, and to control the mover 126 so that the receiver 124 is correctly positioned toward the emitter 104 and ready for the associated scanning movement SC. If system 100 is a system consisting of multiple emitters, the controller 132 instructs the actuator 140 to control the distal emitter supporter 128 so that the emitter 104 and selected apertures 112, 114 are ready for the associated scanning movement SC; to control the rotor so that the rotor and secondary collimator 118 are correctly positioned relative to the distal head measuring device and ready for the associated scanning movement SC; and to control the mover 126 so that the receiver 124 is correctly positioned toward the emitter 104 and ready for the associated scanning movement SC.

[0055] In step 266, the operator or system 100 instructs the controller 132 via the UI 144 to control the imaging operation selected to acquire image data IDs from the dentofacial region of the positioned patient 102.

[0056] If the selected imaging operation is a one-shot imaging operation, the controller 132 instructs the emitter 104 to emit X-rays 106 once so that the primary collimator 108 collimates the emitted X-rays 106, passing through (crossing) at least partially the relevant dentofacial region of the patient 102 and the receiver 124 to receive the penetrating X-rays 106. The controller 132 further instructs the receiver 124 to generate image data IDs of the relevant region of the patient 102 based on the received X-rays 106. The emitter 104, primary collimator 108, and receiver 124 remain stationary relative to the object 102 (positioner 120, system 100) during the emission and reception of the X-rays 106.

[0057] If the selected imaging operation is a scanning imaging operation, the controller 132 instructs at least one of the emitter 104, primary collimator 108, and secondary collimator 110 and receiver 124 to perform a scanning movement SC. The controller 132 may instruct the actuator 140 to activate the emitter 104 so that the primary collimator 108 performs a scanning movement SC synchronously with the scanning movement SC of the secondary collimator 110 and receiver 124. Alternatively, the controller 132 may instruct the actuator 140 to activate only the emitter 104, not the primary collimator 108, so that it performs a scanning movement SC synchronously with the scanning movement SC of the secondary collimator 110 and receiver 124. Alternatively, the controller 132 may instruct the actuator 140 to activate only the primary collimator 108, not the emitter 104, so that it performs a scanning movement SC synchronously with the scanning movement SC of the secondary collimator 110 and receiver 124. Alternatively, the controller 132 can instruct the actuator 140 to activate the emitter 104 so that the primary collimator 108 performs a scan-movement SC synchronously with only the receiver 124's scan-movement SC, and not the secondary collimator 110. In all options, these scan-movement SCs are performed on object 102. The controller 132 further instructs the emitter 104 to emit X-rays 106, so that the primary collimator 108 and the secondary collimator 110 collide the emitted X-rays 106 that at least partially penetrate the relevant region of patient 102, and the receiver 124 receives the X-rays 106 that penetrated during the aforementioned scan-movement SC. The controller 132 further instructs the receiver 124 to generate an image data ID of the relevant region of patient 102 based on the received X-rays 106.

[0058] In step 268, the operator instructs patient 102 to leave the imaging position.

[0059] In step 270, after all necessary image data IDs have been acquired, the controller 132 forms a head measurement image of the relevant region by calculating the image from the acquired image data IDs.

[0060] The present invention and some of its advantages have been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments described above. It is clear that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments but includes all possible embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An X-ray imaging system (100) for cephalometric dental maxillofacial X-ray imaging operations, comprising: a controller (132); an X-ray emitter (104) for emitting X-rays (106); a primary collimator and a secondary collimator (108, 110) for collimating the X-rays; an x-ray receiver (124) for receiving the x-rays from the emitter; a positioner (120) for positioning the object (102) to be imaged; 1. An X-ray imaging system (100), wherein the controller is configured to select (264) one of a one-shot imaging operation and a scanning cephalometry imaging operation, and to control the emitter to emit X-ray radiation (106) and control the receiver to receive the emitted radiation (266) in order to acquire X-ray image data (ID) in the selected imaging operation.

2. 2. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the emitted radiation is collimated by the primary collimator in the one-shot imaging operation and by the primary collimator and the secondary collimator in the scanning imaging operation.

3. 2. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the primary collimator comprises a one-shot aperture for collimating the emitted radiation in the one-shot imaging operation and a scanning aperture, the scanning aperture being narrower than the one-shot aperture for collimating the emitted radiation in the scanning imaging operation together with the secondary collimator when the secondary collimator is positioned between the emitter and the positioned object such that the secondary collimator is closer to the positioned object than the emitter.

4. 4. The imaging system of claim 3, further comprising a selector (116) configured to select the one-shot aperture to a one-shot position (OS) in the one-shot imaging operation and to select the scan aperture to a scan position (SP) in the scanning imaging operation to collimate the emitted radiation.

5. The imaging system of claim 4 , wherein the controller is configured to control the selector to select the one-shot or scanning aperture of the primary collimator.

6. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the emitter, the primary collimator, and the receiver are stationary relative to the object during the emission of the X-ray radiation in the one-shot imaging operation.

7. 2. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the emitter, the primary collimator, and the secondary collimator move synchronously relative to the object during the emission of the X-ray radiation in the scanning imaging operation, or the emitter is stationary and the primary collimator and the secondary collimator move synchronously relative to the object.

8. The imaging system of claim 7 , wherein the receiver moves synchronously with at least the primary collimator and the secondary collimator relative to the object during the emission of the X-ray radiation in the scanning imaging operation.

9. The imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising a support (128) configured to support the emitter relative to a structure of the system.

10. 2. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the positioner, which includes ear rods (122) for positioning the object in the one-shot imaging operation or the scanning imaging operation, establishes a head mount (130) for supporting the object in the one-shot imaging operation or the scanning imaging operation.

11. The imaging system of claim 10, wherein the head monitor further comprises the receiver, the secondary collimator, and a national supporter (123) in the one-shot imaging operation or the scanning imaging operation when the supporter comprises a rotor (128) that supports the emitter.

12. 2. The imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a mover (126) configured to control the controller to move the receiver relative to the emitter so that the receiver is perpendicular to the emitter during the emission of the X-ray radiation in the selected imaging operation.

13. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the primary collimator comprises at least one collimator.

14. 1. An X-ray imaging method (256) for a cephalometric dental maxillofacial X-ray imaging operation, comprising: controlling (266) the X-ray emitter (104) by the controller (132) to emit X-ray radiation (106); and collimating (266) the emitted radiation by at least one of a primary collimator (108) and a secondary collimator (110), The method (256) for X-ray imaging, further comprising the steps of: selecting (264) by the controller one of a one-shot imaging operation and a scanning cephalometry imaging operation; and controlling (266) by the controller an X-ray receiver (124) to receive the collimated radiation and acquire X-ray image data (ID) during the selected imaging operation.

15. 15. A computer program (154) including instructions that, when executed by a controller (132), cause an X-ray imaging system (100) to perform at least the steps of the method (256) of claim 14.

16. A tangible, non-volatile computer readable medium having stored thereon the computer program (154) of claim 15.

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