X-ray imaging detector and X-ray imaging apparatus

• US 20010021244A1
• Filed: 02/20/2001
• Published: 09/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: J Morita Manufacturing
• Original Assignee: J Morita Manufacturing
• Inventors: Hayasi, Takeshi, Suzuki, Masakazu, Ito, Yutaka, Tachibana, Akifumi
• Granted Patent: US 6,584,171 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/196
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4233 using matrix detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/51 for dentistry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/548 Remote control of the apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 42/02 using X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/711 Time delay and integration [TDI] registers; TDI shift registers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/72 using frame transfer [FT]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/325 Image enhancement, e.g. by subtraction techniques using polyenergetic X-rays

Abstract

An X-ray imaging detector for generating X-ray transmission image in a form of electric signal, for use in X-ray imaging apparatus which comprises the X-ray imaging detector, an X-ray generator and a fixing means for fixedly positioning an object to be examined between the X-ray generator and the X-ray imaging detector mounted thereon, whereby X-ray imaging is performed by moving the X-ray generator and the X-ray imaging detector both interposing the object fixedly positioned by the fixing means while keeping facing each other. The X-ray imaging detector comprises an imaging element for generating electric charged image constituting X-ray transmitted image by detecting X-ray radiated from the X-ray generator and transmitted through the object, a TDI (time delay integration) clock generator for generating TDI clock signal, and a TDI clock controller for controlling generating of TDI clock signal from the TDI clock generator based on TDI frequency control data for controlling the frequency of the TDI clock signal and for executing time delay integration control of the charged image generated by the imaging element corresponding to the TDI clock signal.

Claims

1. An X-ray imaging detector for generating X-ray transmitted image in a form of electric signal, for use in X-ray imaging apparatus which comprises the X-ray imaging detector, an X-ray generator, and a fixing means for fixedly positioning an object to be examined between the X-ray generator and the X-ray imaging detector mounted thereon, whereby X-ray imaging is performed by moving the X-ray generator and the X-ray imaging detector both interposing the object fixedly positioned by the fixing means while keeping facing each other,

said X-ray imaging detector comprising;

an imaging element for generating electric charged image constituting X-ray transmitted image by detecting X-ray radiated from said X-ray generator and transmitted through said object,

a TDI (Time Delay Integration) clock generator for generating TDI clock signal, and

a TDI clock controller for controlling generating of TDI clock signal from said TDI clock generator based on TDI frequency control data for controlling the frequency of the TDI clock signal and for executing TDI control of the electric charged image generated by said imaging element corresponding to said TDI clock signal.

2. The X-ray imaging detector as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein said TDI clock controller is provided with a clock control data memory storing said TDI frequency control data.

3. The X-ray imaging detector as set forth in

claim 2

, wherein said clock control data memory rewritablly stores said TDI frequency control data.

4. The X-ray imaging detector as set forth in

claim 2

, wherein said clock control data memory stores plural patterns of said TDI frequency control data.

5. The X-ray imaging detector as set forth in

claim 4

, wherein a selection means for selecting at least one of said plural patterns of TDI frequency control data stored in said clock control data memory is further provided.

6. The X-ray imaging detector as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein said TDI clock controller further has binning processing function when the electric charged image generated by said imaging element is processed by TDI control method.

7. The X-ray imaging detector as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein said TDI clock controller has further function of moving said X-ray generator and said X-ray imaging detector at high speed while keeping facing each other by executing binning process when said electric charged image generated by said imaging element corresponding to said TDI clock signal is processed by TDI control method.

8. The X-ray imaging detector as set forth in

claim 6

, wherein said TDI clock controller can selectively execute at least normal projection mode and high-speed projection mode which is faster than the normal mode when said electric charged image generated by said imaging element is processed by TDI control method and wherein in each projection mode, frequency of said TDI clock signal and binning data are employed as control elements.

9. The X-ray imaging detector as set forth in

claim 7

, wherein said TDI clock controller can selectively execute at least normal projection mode and high-speed projection mode which is faster than the normal mode when said electric charged image generated by said imaging element is processed by TDI control method and wherein in each projection mode, frequency of said TDI clock signal and binning data are employed as control elements.

10. The X-ray imaging detector as set forth in any one of

claim 1

-9, wherein an imaging element for producing X-ray transmitted image is a CCD sensor of full frame transfer type.

11. An X-ray imaging apparatus provided with the X-ray imaging detector as set forth in any one of

claim 1

-9.

12. An X-ray imaging apparatus provided with the X-ray imaging detector as set forth in

claim 10

.

13. The X-ray imaging apparatus as set forth in

claim 11

, wherein the TDI clock signal produced from said TDI clock generator provided for said X-ray imaging detector and movement control signal for moving said X-ray generator and said X-ray imaging detector both interposing the object fixedly positioned by said fixing means while keeping facing each other are varied in synchronizing manner.

14. The X-ray imaging apparatus as set forth in

claim 11

, wherein said X-ray imaging apparatus is a panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus.

15. The X-ray imaging apparatus as set forth in

claim 11

, wherein said X-ray imaging apparatus is a cephalometric X-ray imaging apparatus.

16. An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising an X-ray imaging detector, an X-ray generator, and a fixing means for fixedly positioning an object to be examined between the X-ray generator and the X-ray imaging detector mounted thereon, whereby X-ray image is produced by moving the X-ray generator and the X-ray imaging detector both interposing the object fixedly positioned by the fixing means while keeping facing each other, wherein said X-ray imaging detector comprises an imaging element for producing electric charged image constituting X-ray transmitted image by detecting X-ray radiated from said X-ray generator and transmitted through said object;

wherein said X-ray imaging apparatus comprises

a TDI clock generator for generating TDI clock signal,

a clock control data memory storing TDI frequency control data for controlling frequency of TDI clock signal generated from said TDI clock generator, and

a TDI clock controller for controlling generating of TDI clock signal from said TDI clock generator based on TDI frequency control data for controlling the frequency of the TDI clock signal and for executing TDI control of the electric charged image generated by said imaging element corresponding to said TDI clock signal; and

wherein said TDI clock controller has function of moving said X-ray generator and said X-ray imaging detector at high speed while keeping facing each other by executing binning processing when said electric charged image generated by said imaging element corresponding to said TDI clock signal is processed by TDI control method.

17. The X-ray imaging apparatus as set forth in

claim 16

, wherein said TDI clock controller can selectively execute at least normal projection mode and high-speed projection mode which is faster than the normal mode when said electric charged image generated by said imaging element is TDI controlled and wherein in each projection mode frequency of said TDI clock signal and binning data are employed as control elements.

18. The X-ray imaging apparatus as set forth in

claim 16

, wherein an imaging element for producing X-ray transmitted image is a CCD sensor of full frame transfer type.

19. The X-ray imaging apparatus as set forth in

claim 17

, wherein an imaging element for producing X-ray transmitted image is a CCD sensor of full frame transfer type.

20. The X-ray imaging apparatus as set forth in any one of

claim 16

-19, wherein the TDI clock signal generated from said TDI clock generator provided for said X-ray imaging apparatus and movement control signal for moving said X-ray generator and the X-ray imaging detector both interposing the object fixedly positioned by said fixing means while keeping facing each other are varied in synchronizing manner.

21. The X-ray imaging apparatus as set forth in any one of claim 16-19, wherein said X-ray imaging apparatus is a panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus.

22. The X-ray imaging apparatus as set forth in any one of

claim 16

-19, wherein said X-ray imaging apparatus is a cephalometric X-ray imaging apparatus.