X-ray imaging apparatus

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present invention, provided is an X-ray imaging apparatus comprising: an X-ray light source unit for emitting X-rays; and a collimator, which includes a pair of plates that move relative to each other along a curved movement trajectory, for determining the irradiation area of the X-rays emitted from the X-ray light source unit by adjusting the separation distance between the pair of plates.

Description

X-ray imaging device

[0001] The present invention relates to an X-ray photographing device.

[0002] X-ray imaging devices typically irradiate a patient's body with X-rays generated from an X-ray tube, and a sensor facing the source receives the X-rays that reach the patient's body, either partially or completely penetrating the body. The received X-rays are then converted into electrical signals to obtain projection data.

[0003] Depending on the purpose of the photographing, it is necessary to adjust the area to which X-rays are irradiated from the X-ray source, and the device that adjusts the irradiation area of ​​the X-rays emitted from the X-ray source is a collimator.

[0004] As illustrated in FIG. 1, an X-ray photographing device according to the prior art includes a plate (20) that moves in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction, and by adjusting the gap between the plates (20), the size of the opening therebetween, i.e., the opening through which X-rays can be irradiated, is adjusted.

[0005] However, since the edge (21) of the opening of the plate (20) generally has a vertical angled shape, a portion of the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray source (10) are interfered with or partially blocked at the angled edge (21), resulting in a wide penumbra area (R) at the edge of the image acquired by the detection unit (30).

[0006] That is, conventional X-ray imaging devices have the problem of photographing unnecessary areas, increasing the radiation exposure of patients or users, and also lowering the quality of X-ray images.

[0007] In addition, when the plate (20) moves in a straight line relative to the axis, the relative position and angle between the edge (21) and the X-ray source (10) change, and in this case, the ratio of X-ray interference or blocking at the edge (21) changes, so there was a problem that the area of ​​the penumbra region (R) could not be controlled consistently.

[0008] The present invention is intended to solve the problems of the above-mentioned prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray photographing device capable of precisely controlling an X-ray irradiation area.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention provides an X-ray photographing device including an X-ray light source unit that emits X-rays and a pair of plates that move relatively along a curved movement path, and a collimator that determines an irradiation area of ​​X-rays emitted from the X-ray light source unit by adjusting a distance between the pair of plates.

[0010] In one embodiment, the movement trajectory may be formed as an arc having a predetermined curvature.

[0011] In one embodiment, the pair of plates may be formed into an arc shape having the predetermined curvature.

[0012] In one embodiment, the radius of curvature of the movement trajectory may be equal to the separation distance between the X-ray light source and the pair of plates.

[0013] In one embodiment, the edges of the pair of plates positioned to face each other may be formed in a plane perpendicular to the movement trajectory.

[0014] In one embodiment, the device may further include a guide portion in which a guide groove is formed to guide movement of the pair of plates.

[0015] In one embodiment, the guide groove may be formed in an arc shape having a predetermined curvature.

[0016] In one embodiment, the collimator may include a support member that supports the pair of plates, a shaft that is arranged to be movable along the guide groove and has one side connected to the support member, and a driving gear connected to the other side of the shaft.

[0017] In one embodiment, the device may further include a driving unit that engages with the driving gear to move the pair of plates.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, a pair of plates can be moved relative to each other along an arc-shaped movement trajectory centered on an X-ray source, thereby reducing the occurrence of a penumbra region.

[0019] In addition, since the edge of the plate is formed as a plane perpendicular to the movement trajectory, the relative angle between the edge of the plate and the X-ray light source can be maintained at a constant 0°, thereby minimizing the occurrence of a penumbra area at the edge of the plate.

[0020] This can minimize radiation exposure to patients or users, and improve the quality of X-ray images by allowing more precise control of the X-ray imaging device.

[0021] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the detailed description of the present invention or the composition of the invention described in the claims.

[0022] Figure 1 is a drawing showing a conventional X-ray photographing device.

[0023] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an X-ray photographing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 2.

[0025] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the AA' direction of Fig. 2, schematically showing a state in which the collimator is closed.

[0026] Figure 5 is a schematic drawing showing a partially open state of the collimator of Figure 4.

[0027] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in various different forms and is therefore not limited to the embodiments described herein. In the drawings, irrelevant parts have been omitted for clarity of description, and similar parts have been designated with similar reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0028] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected" to another part, this includes not only "directly connected" but also "indirectly connected" with other elements intervening. Furthermore, when a part is said to "include" a component, this does not exclude other components, but rather implies that the other components may be included, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0029] Terms containing ordinal numbers, such as "first" or "second," used herein may be used to describe various components or steps, but such components or steps are not limited by the ordinal numbers. Terms containing ordinal numbers should be interpreted only to distinguish one component or step from other components or steps.

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an X-ray photographing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an X-ray photographing device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a main body (110), an X-ray light source unit (120), a collimator (130), an X-ray detection unit (140), a guide unit (150), and a driving unit (160).

[0033] A predetermined space is formed inside the main body (110) in which an X-ray light source (120) is mounted, and a hole (111) through which X-rays of the X-ray light source (120) pass is formed in the front of the main body (110).

[0034] A shielding metal plate made of lead or the like may be placed on the inner surface of the main body (110) to shield backscatter radiation generated during the X-ray radiation process, but the shielding metal plate is not limited to lead.

[0035] The X-ray light source (120) can be positioned inside the main body (110) and receives a high voltage from a power source to generate and radiate X-rays to the outside, so that the X-rays can be irradiated through the opening (111) of the main body (110).

[0036] A collimator (130) may include a pair of plates (131, 132) that move relative to each other to adjust the irradiation area of ​​the X-ray.

[0037] In detail, the plates (131, 132) may be formed of a lead material as a shielding metal plate of the collimator (130), but the shielding metal plate is not limited to a lead material, and may be formed to a predetermined thickness so as to be effective in shielding X-rays. The plates (131, 132) may be horizontally arranged side by side in front of the hole (111) of the main body (110) with the X-ray light source (120) as the center. In this case, a pair of plates (131, 132) may be relatively moved to be spaced apart or close to each other in the horizontal direction by the driving unit (160).

[0038] However, it is not limited thereto, and a pair of plates (131, 132) may be vertically arranged side by side in front of the opening (111) of the main body (110) with the X-ray source (120) as the center. In this case, a pair of plates (131, 132) may be relatively moved to be vertically spaced apart or close together by a driving unit (160).

[0039] The edges (131a, 132a) of the plates (131, 132) are positioned to face each other and come into contact with each other when the collimator (130) is closed. The edges (131a, 132a) of the plates (131, 132) may be formed as a flat surface, but are not limited thereto and may also be formed as a curved surface.

[0040] Meanwhile, when the plates (131, 132) move relative to each other in a straight line, the relative position and angle between the edges (131a, 132a) of the plates (131, 132) that cause the penumbra region and the X-ray source (120) change. In this case, since the ratio of X-ray interference or blocking at the edges (131a, 132a) changes depending on the position of the plates (131, 132), there was a problem in that the area of ​​the penumbra region could not be controlled consistently.

[0041] Accordingly, the present invention is characterized in that the plates (131, 132) are moved relatively along a curved movement path.

[0042] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the AA' direction of Fig. 2, schematically showing a state in which the collimator is closed, and Fig. 5 is a schematic drawing schematically showing a state in which the collimator of Fig. 4 is partially open.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the plates (131, 132) can move along an arc-shaped movement trajectory (T) centered on the X-ray source unit (120). When the distance between the X-ray source unit (120) and the plates (131, 132) is d, the curvature of the movement trajectory (T) can be formed as 1 / d. That is, the radius of curvature of the movement trajectory (T) of the plates (131, 132) can be equal to the distance between the X-ray source unit (120) and the plates (131, 132).

[0044] In this way, when the plates (131, 132) move relatively along an arc-shaped movement trajectory (T) centered on the X-ray source unit (120), the relative angle between the edges (131a, 132a) of the plates (131, 132) and the X-ray source unit (120) is maintained constant, and the distance between the edges (131a, 132a) of the plates (131, 132) and the X-ray source unit (120) is maintained constant, so that the occurrence of a penumbra area at the edges (131a, 132a) of the plates (131, 132) can be reduced.

[0045] Through this, the radiation exposure of the patient or user can be minimized, and the X-ray imaging device (100) can be controlled more accurately, thereby improving the quality of the X-ray image.

[0046] In one embodiment, the edges (131a, 132a) of the plates (131, 132) may be formed as a plane, and a line connecting the X-ray source unit (120) at one point of the edges (131a, 132a) may be formed so as to be located on the same plane as the edges (131a, 132a). In other words, the edges (131a, 132a) of the plates (131, 132) may be formed as a plane perpendicular to the movement trajectory (T).

[0047] In this case, even if the plates (131, 132) move relatively along an arc-shaped movement trajectory (T) centered on the X-ray source unit (120), the relative angle between the edges (131a, 132a) of the plates (131, 132) and the X-ray source unit (120) can be maintained at a constant 0°, thereby minimizing the occurrence of a penumbra area at the edges (131a, 132a) of the plates (131, 132).

[0048] In one embodiment, the plates (131, 132) may be formed as an arc having a curvature of 1 / d. In this case, even if the plates (131, 132) move relative to each other, the distance between the plates (131, 132) and the X-ray source (120) is maintained constant over the entire area of ​​the plates (131, 132), so that the occurrence of a penumbra area near the edges (131a, 132a) as well as the edges (131a, 132a) of the plates (131, 132) can be minimized.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 5, a pair of plates (131, 132) move relative to each other along an arc-shaped movement trajectory (T) by the driving of a driving unit (160), thereby forming a through window (W) therebetween. That is, the irradiation area of ​​X-rays emitted from the X-ray source unit (120) can be determined according to the separation distance between the pair of plates (131, 132).

[0050] The collimator (130) may include a pair of support members (133) that support plates (131, 132). The plates (131, 132) may be arranged on the front of the support member (133), but are not limited thereto, and the support member (133) and the plates (131, 132) may be formed integrally. In addition, the support member (133) may be formed of a material having excellent X-ray transmittance.

[0051] Referring again to FIG. 3, the collimator (130) may further include a drive gear (134) and a shaft (135) connecting the support member (133) and the drive gear (134).

[0052] The driving gear (134) is connected to the upper part of the support part (133), and is engaged with the driving part (160) to receive power from the driving part (160) and to move the support part (133) and plates (131, 132). However, this is not limited to this, and the driving gear (134) may be placed at the bottom or side of the support part (133).

[0053] In one embodiment, the drive gear (134) may be formed to have the same curvature as the movement trajectory (T).

[0054] The shaft (135) is connected to the support member (133) on one side and to the drive gear (134) on the other side. The shaft (135) is arranged to be movable along the inner surface of the guide groove (151) of the guide member (150), and moves along the guide groove (151) according to the driving of the drive member (160).

[0055] The X-ray detection unit (140) detects X-rays that have passed through the subject through the penetration window (W) of the collimator (130), and transmits the detected results to the image data processing unit (not shown). That is, the X-ray detection unit (140) obtains frame data that has passed through the subject at a preset frame rate, and the image data processing unit obtains an X-ray image based on the frame data received from the X-ray detection unit (140).

[0056] The guide unit (150) serves to guide the movement of the plates (131, 132) of the collimator (130), and may include a guide groove (151) on the inner surface of which the shaft (135) of the collimator (130) is arranged. The guide groove (151) may be formed in an arc shape having a predetermined curvature, and when the distance between the X-ray source unit (120) and the plates (131, 132) is d, the predetermined curvature may be 1 / d.

[0057] That is, as the curvature of the guide home (151) is formed as 1 / d, the collimator (130) can move relative to the movement trajectory (T) formed as an arc having a curvature of 1 / d.

[0058] The driving unit (160) is engaged with the driving gear (134) of the collimator (130), and can adjust the size and shape of the irradiation area of ​​the X-ray by moving the plates (131, 132). In the drawing, the driving unit (160) is shown as being provided on the upper part of the collimator (130), but it is not limited thereto, and its position may be changed depending on the position of the driving gear (134).

[0059] According to the X-ray photographing device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention described above, a pair of plates (131, 132) can move relative to each other along an arc-shaped movement trajectory (T) centered on the X-ray light source (120), thereby minimizing the occurrence of a penumbra area.

[0060] Through this, the radiation exposure of the patient or user can be minimized, and the X-ray imaging device (100) can be controlled more accurately, thereby improving the quality of the X-ray image.

[0061] The foregoing description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention can be readily modified into other specific forms without altering the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single entity may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined manner.

[0062] The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims set forth below, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

[0063]

[0064] [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 100 X-ray imaging device

[0066] 110 body

[0067] 120 X-ray source

[0068] 130 collimator

[0069] 140 X-ray detector

[0070] 150 Guide Department

[0071] 160 drive unit

Claims

1. An X-ray source that emits X-rays; and An X-ray photographing apparatus comprising a pair of plates that move relative to each other along a curved trajectory, and a collimator that determines an irradiation area of ​​X-rays emitted from the X-ray source by adjusting a distance between the pair of plates.

2. In paragraph 1, An X-ray photographing device in which the above movement trajectory is formed as an arc having a predetermined curvature.

3. In paragraph 2, An X-ray photographing device wherein the above pair of plates are formed in an arc shape having the above-described curvature.

4. In paragraph 2, The radius of curvature of the above movement trajectory is An X-ray photographing device having the same separation distance between the X-ray source and the pair of plates.

5. In paragraph 4, An X-ray photographing device in which the edges of the pair of plates positioned to face each other are formed as a plane perpendicular to the movement trajectory.

6. In paragraph 1, An X-ray photographing device further comprising a guide section in which a guide groove for guiding movement of the pair of plates is formed.

7. In paragraph 6, An X-ray photographing device in which the above guide home is formed in an arc shape having a predetermined curvature.

8. In paragraph 6, The above collimator, A support member supporting the above pair of plates; A shaft arranged to be movable along the above guide home and having one side connected to the support; and An X-ray imaging device comprising a drive gear connected to the other side of the shaft.

9. In paragraph 8, An X-ray imaging device further comprising a driving unit that moves the pair of plates by engaging with the driving gear.

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