X-ray examination apparatus having an object absorption dependent brightness control

• US 6,263,044 B1
• Filed: 12/07/1999
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Joosten, Johannes H. M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bruce, David V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dunn, Drew A.
• Application Number:
  US09/455,665
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 378/98.7, 378/98.8, 378/95, 378/62
• US Class Current: 378/98.7
• CPC Class Codes: H05G 1/36 Temperature of anode; Brightness of image power electrical temperature regulating in general G05D23/19

Abstract

An X-ray examination apparatus for generating an X-ray image of an object, wherein X-ray image generator includes a brightness control input, image processor coupled to the X-ray image generator in order to output a brightness control signal to the control input. The X-ray image generator is provided with an X-ray data output, the image processor is provided with an X-ray data input coupled to the X-ray data output, and the image processor is arranged as calculating system for calculating absorption properties of the object and for generating the brightness control signal in dependence on the absorption properties. Intelligent measuring field selection is now possible on the basis of calculating absorption properties of identifiable objects or parts of objects reproduced in the visible image. Image quality is improved because of brightness control based on more intelligently selected measuring fields.

Claims

1. An X-ray examination apparatus comprising:

means for generating an X-ray image of an object, which X-ray image generating means have a brightness control input, and

image processing means coupled to the X-ray image generating means in order to output a brightness control signal to said brightness control input,

wherein the X-ray image generating means are provided with an X-ray data output, and

the image processing means are provided with an X-ray data input coupled to the X-ray data output, and

the image processing means are arranged as calculating means for calculating absorption properties of the object and for generating the brightness control signal in dependence on said absorption properties.

2. An X-ray examination apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the object absorption calculating means are arranged as calculation means wherein the absorption of the object is calculated relative to the absorption rate of a reference substance.

3. An X-ray examination apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the reference substance is chosen from a group including:

water, air, calcium, iodine, barium, iron or a synthetic material such as plastic.

4. An X-ray examination apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the object absorption calculating means include an application parameter input for inputting a signal which is representative of an absorption profile defining a contribution area wherefrom information is selectively taken in order to derive the brightness control signal therefrom.

5. An X-ray examination apparatus as claimed in claim 4 further comprising Fuzzy Logic means for defining a Fuzzy Logic rule dependent contribution area.

6. An X-ray examination apparatus as claimed claim 1 wherein the X-ray data output of the X-ray image generating means provides information about parameters which are relevant for the calculation of absorption properties of the object.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the parameters comprise a driving current and/or driving voltage applied to the X-ray image generating means, or a distance between an X-ray source and an image intensifier in the X-ray image generating means, or the image format of the image intensifier.

8. A method for deriving a brightness control signal for an x-ray image apparatus comprising:

forming an x-ray image of an object in the X-ray apparatus, and

a step for deriving the brightness control signal from information resulting from the calculation of absorption properties of the object or parts thereof.