X-ray diagnostic apparatus comprising means for the enlarged visual display of a selectable detail of the overall image

• US 5,117,446 A
• Filed: 02/15/1991
• Issued: 05/26/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Koppe, Reiner H., Klotz, Erhard P. A., Haaker, Paul R., Linde, Rolf E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Janice A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Porta, David P.
• Application Number:
  US07/656,895
• Time in Patent Office: 466 Days
• Field of Search: 378/99, 378/98, 378/62, 378/95, 378/145-147, 378/152, 358/111, 358/213.11, 358/213.13, 358/213.23
• US Class Current: 378/98.3
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/541 involving acquisition triggered by a physiological signal
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 1/04 using variable diaphragms, shutters, choppers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/32 Transforming X-rays cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from X-rays H04N23/30; circuitry of SSIS for transforming X-rays into image signals H04N25/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253
• CPC Class Codes: H05G 1/60 Circuit arrangements for obtaining a series of X-ray photographs or for X-ray cinematography

Abstract

An X-ray diagnostic apparatus, comprises an X-ray source (1), an imaging surface (6) on which the intensity distribution of the X-rays to be applied to a test object (4) is imaged, an optical imaging device for imaging an overall image (10) of the imaging surface (6) onto the entrance surface of a first image sensor (11), a device (12) for the visual display of the overall image (10), and an imaging enlargement device for the enlarged visual display of a selectable detail of the overall image. Strongly enlarged and still high-resolution detail images are generated in that the selectable detail (20) of the overall image is directed onto a second image sensor 16) which discriminates a substantially higher number of pixels relative to the unit of surface area of the overall image.

Claims

1. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus, comprising:

an X-ray source, first imaging means for forming an image of the intensity distribution of X-rays directed through a test object, first and second image sensors, optical imaging means for imaging an overall image presented by the first imaging means onto the entrance surface of said first image sensor, display means for visual display of the overall image means for enlarging the visual display of a selectable detail of the overall image and means for directing at least a portion of the overall image onto said second imaging sensor which exhibits a substantially higher number of pixels with respect to the unit of surface area of the overall image than said first sensor.

2. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first image sensor is a video camera.

3. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said optical imaging means branches a part of the radiation entering the optical imaging so as to be directed onto the second image sensor.

4. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second image sensor is a CCD image sensor.

5. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second imaging sensor is a CCD sensor which detects X-ray and includes means for inserting the second sensor into the path of the X-rays behind the object to be tested.

6. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second image sensor is a luminescence detector whose imaging surface is scanned by a laser beam.

7. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the entrance surface of the second imaging sensor is proportioned to be so small that only a portion of the overall image is detected, and means for displacing the second imaging sensor across the overall image in two coordinate directions.

8. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the X-ray source is succeeded by a diaphragm which transmits an X-ray field corresponding to the portion sensed covered by the second image sensor.

9. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the coordinate movements of the second image sensor and the diaphragm are controlled by a common control circuit.

10. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the coordinate movements are controlled by a cursor circuit, the target being predetermined by a point-out pen aimed at the center of the portion for enlargement of that portion of the visually displayed overall image.

11. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus as claim in claim 1 wherein for examination of a periodically moving test object, said apparatus includes means for synchronizing the X-ray pulses with the motion of the test object.