X-ray generation module, X-ray imaging apparatus, and X-ray imaging method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9439614-B2
Application number	US-201314055361-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 16, 2013
Priority date	Oct 19, 2012
Publication date	Sep 13, 2016
Grant date	Sep 13, 2016

Abstract

Disclosed is an X-ray imaging apparatus, which includes a plurality of X-ray generation modules configured to emit X-rays to a subject, the X-ray generation modules being configured to move independently of one another, an X-ray detector configured to detect a plurality of X-rays emitted from the plurality of X-ray generation modules and which have passed through the subject, and an image processor configured to acquire a plurality of X-ray images from the plurality of detected X-rays.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising:
a main body;
a transfer rail secured to the main body;
a plurality of X-ray generation modules configured to emit X-rays to a subject, the X-ray generation modules being configured to move independently of one another;
an X-ray detector configured to detect a plurality of X-rays emitted from the plurality of X-ray generation modules and which have passed through the subject; and
an image processor configured to acquire a plurality of X-ray images from the plurality of detected X-rays,
wherein the transfer rail comprises a rack gear and a guide protrusion to guide movement of the plurality of X-ray generation modules.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 ,
wherein the plurality of X-ray generation modules is configured to move along the transfer rail.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein each of the X-ray generation modules comprises a moving unit configured to move each X-ray generation module independently.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 ,
wherein the moving unit of each X-ray generation module comprises a pinion gear engaged with the rack gear, and a transfer motor to rotate the pinion gear, and
wherein each X-ray generation module has a guide groove into which the guide protrusion is fitted.

5. An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising:
a plurality of X-ray generation modules configured to emit X-rays to a subject, the X-ray generation modules being configured to move independently of one another;
an X-ray detector configured to detect X-rays emitted from the plurality of X-ray generation modules and which have passed through the subject;
an image processor configured to acquire a plurality of X-ray images from the plurality of detected X-rays;
a controller configured to independently move the respective X-ray generation modules so as to enable the plurality of X-ray generation modules to irradiate the subject with X-rays at different positions;
a main body; and
a transfer rail secured to the main body,
wherein the plurality of X-ray generation modules is configured to move along the transfer rail, and
wherein the transfer rail comprises a rack gear and a guide protrusion to guide movement of the plurality of X-ray generation modules.

6. An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising:
a plurality of X-ray generation modules configured to emit X-rays to a subject, the X-ray generation modules being configured to move independently of one another;
an X-ray detector configured to detect a plurality of X-rays emitted from the plurality of X-ray generation modules and which have passed through the subject;
an image processor configured to acquire a plurality of X-ray images from the plurality of detected X-rays; and
a controller configured to set image-capture conditions based on at least one of a thickness and a density of the subject, and configured to move at least one X-ray generation module among the plurality of X-ray generation modules according to the image-capture conditions, thereby controlling an image capture operation to capture an image of the subject.

7. An X-ray imaging method comprising:
checking a thickness of a subject;
performing a pre-shot by emitting X-rays from at least one X-ray generation module, among a plurality of X-ray generation modules that are movable independently of one another, to the subject, and acquiring a pre-shot image of the subject based on the pre-shot;
determining a density of the subject by analyzing the acquired pre-shot image;
setting image-capture conditions for a main-shot based on at least one of the thickness and density of the subject; and
performing the main-shot by moving the at least one X-ray generation module among the plurality of X-ray generation modules according to the image-capture conditions, and acquiring a main-shot image based on the main-shot.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the image-capture conditions include an image-capture angle, an image-capture position, and a number of image-capture operations.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the image-capture angle is set to a greater value as the thickness of the subject increases, and is set to a smaller value as the thickness of the subject decreases.

10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the image-capture angle is set to a greater value as the density of the subject increases, and is set to a smaller value as the density of the subject decreases.

11. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the image-capture angle is set to a greater value as the thickness of the subject increases and the density of the subject increases, and is set to a smaller value as the thickness of the subject decreases and the density of the subject decreases.

12. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the number of image-capture operations is set to a greater value as the thickness of the subject increases, and is set to a smaller value as the thickness of the subject decreases.

13. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the number of image-capture operations is set to a greater value as the density of the subject increases, and is set to a smaller value as the density of the subject decreases.

14. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the number of image-capture operations is set to a greater value as the thickness of the compressed subject increases and the density of the subject increases, and is set to a smaller value as the thickness of the compressed subject decreases and the density of the subject decreases.

15. The method according to claim 8 , wherein a distance between two neighboring image-capture positions in a central region is set to be different as compared to a distance between two neighboring image-capture positions in a peripheral region of an image capture angular range.

16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the image-capture positions are set such that the distance between the two neighboring image-capture positions in the central region is smaller than the distance between the two neighboring image-capture positions in the peripheral region.

17. The method according to claim 15 , wherein a magnitude of a tube voltage and a filter material in the central region are set to be different as compared to a magnitude of a tube voltage and a filter material in the peripheral region.

18. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the image-capture conditions further include an anode material.

19. An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising:
a transfer member;
a plurality of X-ray generation modules configured to emit X-rays to a subject, the X-ray generation modules being configured to move independently of one another along the transfer member; and
a controller configured to control the plurality of X-ray generation modules to independently move to respective positions along the transfer member, and, after moving to the respective positions, to emit the X-rays to the subject after a standby duration elapses.

20. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the standby duration corresponds to a duration of time for removal of a damping motion that occurs according to movement of the plurality of X-ray generation modules.

21. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the subject comprises a human female breast.

22. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the respective positions to which the plurality of X-ray generation modules are independently moved are determined according to at

Assignees

• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd

Inventors

• Jang Kwang Eun
• Sung Young Hun
• Lee Jae Hak
• Lee Jong Ha

Classifications

• A61B6/488

  involving pre-scan acquisition · CPC title

• A61B6/542

  involving control of exposure · CPC title

• A61B6/502 Primary

  for diagnosis of breast, i.e. mammography · CPC title

• A61B6/03 Primary

  Computed tomography [CT] · CPC title