X-ray imaging apparatus

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides an X-ray imaging device, comprising: a main body having a predetermined space provided therein and an aperture formed in the front; an X-ray light source unit, located inside the main body, that irradiates X-rays toward the aperture; a hollow guide unit, located in front of the aperture, that guides the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray light source unit forward; a projector unit, arranged to be movable up and down on an outer surface of the guide unit, that forms a light guide that irradiates identification light to indicate an irradiation range of the X-ray light source unit; and a reflection member that reflects the identification light irradiated from the projector unit forward of the guide unit.

Description

X-ray machine

[0001] The present invention relates to an X-ray photographing device, and more particularly, to an X-ray photographing device capable of adjusting the X-ray irradiation range of an X-ray light source through identification light irradiated onto a patient's facial surface.

[0002] X-ray imaging devices used for diagnostic purposes in dentistry typically irradiate the patient's body with X-ray light 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] In particular, among X-ray imaging devices, oral X-ray imaging devices utilizing intraoral sensors are widely used to obtain X-ray images of objects such as one or more teeth and alveolar bone. The intraoral sensor included in the oral X-ray imaging device is inserted into the patient's oral cavity, more precisely, behind the teeth, when taking an X-ray.

[0004] An intraoral sensor receives X-ray light from an external source within the oral cavity and generates an electrical signal. The sensor includes an image sensor, such as a CCD, that converts X-rays passing through structures such as the patient's teeth into image signals. The image signals are then converted into X-ray images containing the shape of the structures through digital data processing.

[0005] At this time, there was a problem that if the irradiation range of the X-ray was not aligned with the intraoral sensor, objects such as teeth inside the patient's mouth would overlap or be distorted, resulting in inaccurate images. Therefore, conventional X-ray imaging devices displayed an identification light corresponding to the X-ray irradiation range on the patient's face using an LED light source so that the user could identify the X-ray irradiation range and easily adjust it.

[0006] Meanwhile, conventional X-ray imaging devices had a problem in that they were not convenient to use because they could not adjust the irradiation range of the identification light even if the X-ray irradiation range and the identification light irradiation range were different from each other due to manufacturing tolerances, assembly tolerances, etc.

[0007] 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 in which the irradiation range of identification light can be easily controlled.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention provides an X-ray photographing device, comprising: a main body having a predetermined space provided therein and an opening hole formed in the front; an X-ray light source unit located inside the main body and irradiating X-rays toward the opening hole; a hollow guide unit located in front of the opening hole and guiding X-rays irradiated from the X-ray light source unit forward; a projector unit arranged to be movable up and down on an outer surface of the guide unit and forming a light guide that irradiates identification light to indicate an irradiation range of the X-ray light source unit; and a reflective member that reflects the identification light irradiated from the projector unit forward of the guide unit.

[0009] In one embodiment, the reflective member may be arranged so that the optical axis of the identification light reflected from the reflective member coincides with the optical axis of the X-ray light source.

[0010] In one embodiment, the projector unit may be brought closer to the reflective member when rotated in one direction, and may be moved away from the reflective member when rotated in the other direction.

[0011] In one embodiment, the projector portion may be screw-coupled to the guide portion.

[0012] In one embodiment, the reflective member may be detachably coupled to the rear of the guide portion.

[0013] In one embodiment, the guide portion may include a shielding portion made of a lead material that guides X-rays.

[0014] In one embodiment, the X-ray photographing device may further include a control unit that controls the operation of the X-ray light source unit and the projector unit according to the operation of a switch.

[0015] In one embodiment, the switch generates a click voltage signal corresponding to the number of clicks, and the control unit can control the projector unit to operate in response to one click of the switch and control the X-ray light source unit to operate in response to two clicks of the switch.

[0016] In one embodiment, the switch may include a first switch that outputs an operating signal of the projector unit and a second switch that outputs an operating signal of the X-ray light source unit.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, if the X-ray irradiation range and the identification light irradiation range are misaligned, the vertical position of the vertical support part with respect to the guide part can be adjusted to match the identification light irradiation range with the X-ray irradiation range, thereby enabling the X-ray to be irradiated accurately to the area of ​​the tooth to be photographed.

[0018] 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.

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an X-ray photographing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 1.

[0021] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the state before the projector unit is adjusted.

[0022] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the projector unit has been adjusted.

[0023] Figures 5 and 6 are block diagrams of an X-ray imaging device according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0024] 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.

[0025] Throughout the specification, whenever a part is said to "include" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise stated.

[0026] 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.

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an X-ray photographing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the projector unit is adjusted, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state after the projector unit is adjusted.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, an X-ray photographing device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to include a main body (110), an X-ray light source unit (120), a guide unit (130), a projector unit (140), and a reflective member (150).

[0030] In detail, a predetermined space in which an X-ray light source (120) is mounted is formed inside the main body (110), and an aperture hole (111) through which X-rays (X) of the X-ray light source (120) pass is formed in the front of the main body (110).

[0031] In addition, the main body (110) may include a handle (not shown) that a user can grip, and the handle may be provided with a switch that can be operated by the user.

[0032] The X-ray light source (120) can generate X-rays (X) for X-ray photography and irradiate the X-rays (X) toward the patient's face corresponding to the sensor positioned inside the patient's mouth.

[0033] The X-ray light source (120) may be provided to be located at the inner center of the main body (110) and receives a high voltage (e.g., a voltage of 20 [kV] or more) from a power source to generate and radiate X-rays (X) to the outside, so that the X-rays (X) can be irradiated through the aperture hole (111) of the main body (110).

[0034] A first shielding portion (121) made of lead can be formed on the inner surface of the main body (110) to guide X-rays (X) irradiated from the X-ray light source (120) toward the aperture hole (111) and at the same time shield backscatter radiation generated during the radiation process of the X-rays (X).

[0035] The first shielding portion (121) may include a ring-shaped protrusion (121a) extending along the perimeter of the opening hole (111) of the main body (110) and protruding forward of the opening hole (111). The inner circumference of the reflective member (150) is supported by being in close contact with the outer circumference of the protrusion (121a).

[0036] At this time, it is preferable that the optical axis (C1) of the X-ray (X) irradiated from the X-ray light source (120) be configured to coincide with the central axis of the aperture hole (111) of the main body (110).

[0037] The guide unit (130) can guide X-rays (X) irradiated from the X-ray light source unit (120) forward. The guide unit (130) is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and extends forward along the central axis of the opening hole (111) of the main body (110). At this time, it is preferable that the optical axis (C1) for the direction in which the X-rays (X) irradiated from the X-ray light source unit (120) proceed is configured to coincide with the central axis of the guide unit (130).

[0038] In addition, a second shielding portion (133) made of lead may be formed on the inner surface of the guide portion (130) to effectively shield backscattered radiation.

[0039] Specifically, when using an X-ray imaging device (100), the user is repeatedly exposed to backscattered radiation, and if the user is exposed to this backscattered radiation for a long period of time, diseases and complications may be induced.

[0040] Accordingly, the second shielding portion (133) is formed along the entire inner surface of the guide portion (130) to guide the irradiated X-rays (X) toward the front of the guide portion (130) and at the same time shields backscatter radiation generated during the radiation process of the X-rays (X).

[0041] The diameter of the guide part (130) is formed to gradually increase as it goes forward, thereby determining the irradiation range of the identification light (L) and X-ray (X).

[0042] A coupling hole (134) to which a projector part (140) is coupled may be provided on the rear outer surface of the guide part (130), and a female screw part (135) to which the projector part (140) is coupled so that it can move up and down may be provided on the inner surface of the coupling hole (134).

[0043] The projector unit (140) can irradiate identification light (L) corresponding to the irradiation range of X-rays (X) irradiated by the X-ray light source unit (120) to the patient's face surface, and is configured to include a vertical support unit (141), a substrate (143), and a light source (144).

[0044] The vertical support member (141) has a hollow shape and extends in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the guide member (130), and a male screw member (142) that is coupled to the coupling hole (134) of the guide member (130) is provided at one end of the vertical support member (141).

[0045] In detail, the male screw portion (142) of the vertical support portion (141) can be screw-connected to the female screw portion (135) provided in the coupling hole (134) of the guide portion (130). When the vertical support portion (141) is turned in one direction or the other direction, the vertical support portion (141) can move up and down to move away from or close to the reflective member (150), and accordingly, the irradiation range of the identification light (L) can be changed.

[0046] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, if the irradiation range of the identification light (L1) is spaced apart from the irradiation range of the X-ray (X) by a predetermined distance (d), the user may inaccurately recognize the irradiation range of the X-ray (X), and objects such as teeth inside the patient's mouth may overlap or be distorted during shooting.

[0047] In the above case, as shown in FIG. 4, if the vertical support member (141) is turned in one direction and moved upward, the irradiation range of the identification light (L) can be slightly narrowed to match the irradiation range of the X-ray (X). That is, the user can easily adjust the irradiation range of the identification light (L) by moving the projector member (140) up and down.

[0048] A substrate (143) and a light source (144) are provided on the other side of the vertical support member (141).

[0049] The substrate (143) is formed in a circular shape, and a light source (144) that irradiates identification light toward the joining hole (134) of the guide portion (130) is arranged on the lower surface of the substrate (143). The light source (144) can be, for example, an LED light-emitting element.

[0050] Preferably, the projector unit (140) can be arranged so that the optical axis (C2) of the identification light (L) forms a 90-degree angle with the optical axis (C1) of the X-ray (X) irradiated from the X-ray light source unit (120).

[0051] The reflective member (150) can reflect the identification light (L) irradiated from the projector unit (140) to the front hole (131) of the guide unit (130), and a reflector (151) formed to form a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis (C2) of the identification light (L) irradiated from the projector unit (140) can be provided on the front of the reflective member (150).

[0052] Preferably, the reflector (151) may be positioned to form an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis (C2) of the identification light (L) irradiated from the projector unit (140). In this case, the identification light (L) irradiated from the projector unit (140) is reflected by 90 degrees by the reflective member (150), so that the optical axis (C3) of the reflected identification light (L) coincides with the optical axis (C1) of the X-ray (X).

[0053] Preferably, the reflective member (150) can be detachably coupled to the protrusion (121a) of the first shielding member (121) and the rear hole (132) of the guide member (130).

[0054] Figures 5 and 6 are block diagrams of an X-ray imaging device according to embodiments of the present invention. An X-ray imaging device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to further include a control unit (160).

[0055] As referenced in FIG. 5, the control unit (160) can control the operation of each of the X-ray light source unit (120) and the projector unit (140) according to the control signal output from the switch (170).

[0056] For example, a switch (170) may be provided on a handle formed on the main body. A user can control the operation of the X-ray light source unit (120) and the projector unit (140) by operating the switch (170).

[0057] In one embodiment, the switch (170) may be a two-stage input type switch (170) that generates a click voltage signal corresponding to the number of clicks. Specifically, the switch (170) may output an operating signal of the projector unit (140) when the switch (170) is clicked once. When a first control signal, which is an operating signal for the projector unit (140), is input, the control unit (160) operates the projector unit (140) to irradiate the identification light. When the user clicks the switch (170) again while the identification light irradiated from the projector unit (140) is irradiated to the area to be photographed, the switch (170) may stop outputting the operating signal of the projector unit (140) and output an operating signal of the X-ray light source unit (120). Accordingly, when the second control signal, which is an operating signal for the light source unit (120), is input, the control unit (160) terminates the operation of the projector unit (140) and operates the X-ray light source unit (120) to irradiate X-rays.

[0058] In this way, the user can adjust the direction of the X-ray photographing device (100) so that the identification light irradiated by the projector unit (140) is irradiated to the location to be photographed before photographing the patient's teeth by operating the switch (170), and then operate the switch (170) again, thereby having the advantage of allowing the X-ray to be irradiated precisely to the area of ​​the teeth to be photographed.

[0059] In another embodiment, as referenced in FIG. 6, the control unit (260) can control the operation of each of the X-ray light source unit (120) and the projector unit (140) according to the control signal output from the switch (270a, 270b).

[0060] In detail, the first switch (270a) can output an operating signal of the projector unit (140), and the second switch (270b) can output an operating signal of the X-ray light source unit (120). At this time, the first switch (270a) and the second switch (270b) can be respectively provided on the handle of the main body. When the first switch (270a) is operated, the control unit (260) can operate the projector unit (140) to irradiate identification light. When the second switch (270b) is operated, the control unit (260) can operate the X-ray light source unit (120) to irradiate X-rays.

[0061] As described above, according to the X-ray photographing device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the irradiation range of the X-ray (X) and the irradiation range of the identification light (L) are misaligned, the vertical position of the vertical support member (141) with respect to the guide member (130) can be adjusted to match the irradiation range of the identification light (L) with the irradiation range of the X-ray (X), thereby enabling the X-ray to be accurately irradiated to the area of ​​the tooth to be photographed.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064]

[0065] [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 100 X-ray imaging device

[0067] 110 body

[0068] 120 X-ray source

[0069] 130 Guide Department

[0070] 140 Projector Unit

[0071] 150 reflective member

[0072] 160 Control Unit

[0073] 170 switch

[0074] X X-ray

[0075] L, L1 identification light

Claims

1. A main body having a predetermined space inside and an opening hole formed in the front; An X-ray source located inside the main body and irradiating X-rays toward the opening; A hollow guide section positioned in front of the above opening and guiding X-rays irradiated from the X-ray source forward; A projector unit is positioned on the outer surface of the guide unit so as to be able to move up and down, and forms a light guide that irradiates identification light to indicate the irradiation range of the X-ray light source unit; and An X-ray photographing device including a reflective member that reflects identification light irradiated from the projector unit toward the front of the guide unit.

2. In paragraph 1, The above reflective member is, An X-ray photographing device, characterized in that the optical axis of the identification light reflected from the reflective member is arranged to coincide with the optical axis of the X-ray light source.

3. In paragraph 1, The above projector part, When rotating in one direction, it approaches the above reflective member, An X-ray photographing device characterized in that it is spaced apart from the reflective member when rotated in another direction.

4. In paragraph 1, An X-ray imaging device, characterized in that the projector part is screw-connected to the guide part.

5. In paragraph 1, An X-ray imaging device, characterized in that the reflective member is detachably attached to the rear of the guide portion.

6. In paragraph 1, An X-ray photographing device, characterized in that the above guide part includes a shielding part made of a lead material that guides X-rays.

7. In paragraph 1, An X-ray imaging device, characterized in that it further includes a control unit that controls the operation of the X-ray light source unit and the projector unit according to the operation of a switch.

8. In paragraph 7, The above switch generates a click voltage signal corresponding to the number of clicks, The above control unit, Control the projector unit to operate in response to one click of the above switch, An X-ray photographing device characterized in that the X-ray source unit is controlled to operate in response to two clicks of the switch.

9. In paragraph 7, The above switch is, A first switch for outputting an operating signal of the above projector unit, and An X-ray photographing device, characterized by including a second switch for outputting an operating signal of the X-ray light source unit.

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