Method and device for making radiographic images

• US 6,687,331 B1
• Filed: 11/29/1999
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GE Medical Systems Norway AS (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: GE Medical Systems Norway AS (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Miotti, Luc, Muller, Serge, Saladin, Jean-Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): Church, Craig E.
• Application Number:
  US09/450,917
• Time in Patent Office: 1,527 Days
• Field of Search: 378/98.5, 378/195-197
• US Class Current: 378/98.5
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/04 Positioning of patients; Tiltable beds or the like operating tables A61G13/00; operating chairs A61G15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0414 with compression means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/502 for diagnosis of breast, i.e. mammography

Abstract

Device for taking radiologic images, of the type comprising a means of emission of an X-ray beam and a means of reception of the X-ray beam after it has passed through an organ to be studied. The means of emission and the means of reception are supported by an arm pivoting about at least one shaft supported by a frame. The device comprises a means for detecting the angle of swivel of the arm, a means for entering data relative to the organ to be studied, a processing means capable of determining the type of image that will be taken as a function of the angle of swivel and of the said data relative to the organ, and a means for displaying on the image the type of image determined by the said processing means.

Claims

1. A device for taking radiologic images, comprising a means for emission of an X-ray beam and a means for reception of the X-ray beam after it has passed through an organ to be studied, the means for emission and the means of reception being supported by an arm pivoting about at least one shaft supported by a frame, comprising:

a means for detecting the angle of swivel of the arm;

a means for entering data relative to the organ to be studied;

a processing means capable of determining the type of the image that will be taken as a function of the angle of swivel and of the data relative to the organ; and

a means for displaying on the image the type of image determined by the processing means.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the means for detecting the angle of swivel of the arm comprises a pendulum mounted rotary on the arm and coupled to a rotary potentiometer, whereby rotation of the pendulum with respect to the arm produces rotation of the potentiometer and a proportional variation in the output voltage of the potentiometer.

3. The device according to claim 2, comprising an electromagnetic brake for damping the oscillations of the pendulum.

4. The device according to claim 2, comprising a means for converting the output voltage of the potentiometer into a digital variable furnished to the processing means.

5. The device according to claim 3, comprising a means for converting the output voltage of the potentiometer into a digital variable furnished to the processing means.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein means for detecting the angle of swivel of the arm comprises an angle transmitter sensing the angle of swivel of the arm with respect to the frame.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the angle transmitter is of the optical type.

8. The device according to claim 1 wherein, comprising a support for a compression pad, the support being in one piece with the arm, and a means for detecting the type of compression pad used, the said means being connected to the processing means.

9. The device according to claim 1, comprising a means capable of returning the image by rotation about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the image and/or by rotation about an axis contained in the plane of the image.

11. The method according to claim 9:

input criteria of rotation and tilting of image as a function of the type of image; and

displaying after rotation and/or tilting images in accordance with the criteria.

14. The device according to claim 1 comprising:

means mounted on the arm coupled to means for determining a signal; and

means for converting the signal into a signal provided to the means for processing.

15. The device according to claim 1 wherein the radiologic image is a radiograph.

10. A method for generation of images from an apparatus for taking radiologic images, of the type comprising a means of emission of an X-ray beam and a means of reception of the X-ray beam after it has passed through an organ to be studied, comprising the steps of:

measuring the angle between the axis of the X-ray beam and a reference axis;

entering data relative to the organ to be studied;

determining the type of image that will be taken as a function of the angle and the data; and

displaying the type of image that has been determined on the image.

12. The method according to claim 10 comprising:

providing a table from which various types of image views may be selected as a function of the angle, the rotation of the images to be taken and the orientation of the organ to be studied; and

displaying the type of image view selected on a visual monitor or together with the radiologic image or printed with the radiologic image or provided to a conventional radiologic film.

13. The method according to claim 10 wherein the radiologic image is a radiograph.

16. A device for providing a radiograph of an object comprising:

means for emission of an X-ray beam along an axis;

means for reception of the X-ray beam after it has passed through the object;

means for providing a signal which is a proportional variation of an angle formed between the means for emission and a reference axis;

means for providing data from which various types of radiographs may be selected as a function of the angle, a description of the object and an orientation of the object; and

means for displaying on the radiograph the selected type of image and the data for the selected image.

17. A device for providing radiograph of an object comprising:

means for emission of an X-ray beam along an axis;

means for reception of the X-ray beam after it has passed through the object;

a potentiometer for providing a signal which is a proportional variation of an angle formed between the means for emission and a reference axis;

a look-up table for providing data from which various types of radiographs may be selected as a function of the angle, a description of the object and an orientation of the object; and

means for displaying on the radiograph the selected type of image and the data for the selected image.

18. A device for providing radiograph of an object comprising:

means for emission of an X-ray beam along an axis;

means for reception of the X-ray beam after it has passed through the object;

a pendulum rotatively coupled to the means for emission;

a rotary potentiometer coupled to pendulum for providing a signal which is a proportional variation of an angle formed between the means for emission and a reference axis;

a look-up table for providing data from which various types of radiographs may be selected as a function of the angle, a description of the object and an orientation of the object; and

means for displaying on the radiograph the selected type of image and the data for the selected image.