Radiation image recording device

• US 7,142,632 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2003
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GMBH (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Köhler, Volkmar, Herrmann, Roland, Atzinger, Franz, Schramm, Helmuth
• Primary Examiner(s): Glick, Edward J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SONG, HOON K
• Application Number:
  US10/527,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20050279942A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,163 Days
• Field of Search: 378/21, 378/22, 378 24- 27, 378/189, 378/98.12, 378/62, 378/55, 378/196
• US Class Current: 378/62
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4225 using image intensifiers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4464 the source unit or the detector unit being mounted to ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5241 combining overlapping images of the same imaging modality, e.g. by stitching

Abstract

Disclosed is a radiation image recording device comprising a source of radiation and a radiation receiver which are movable in a vertical direction in order to be positioned relative to a standing patient, and an image processing device for creating an output image based on the recorded image data. The source of radiation and the radiation receiver are movable in a controlled manner into successive image recording positions via a control device so as to record an area of analysis which exceeds the height of the active area of the digital radiation receiver, one radiation image being recorded in each image recording position. The positions are defined in such a way that the recorded radiation images cover the area of analysis while the image processing device is embodied so as to create a full image representing the entire area of analysis based on the image data of the individual radiation images.

Claims

1. A medical imaging device, comprising:

a radiation source;

a digital radiation detector for recording images, the radiation source and the digital radiation detector configured to be moved vertically relative to a patient in a standing position;

a control device adapted to move the radiation source and the digital radiation detector to a plurality of successive imaging positions for recording an image of an examination area having a height exceeding a height of an active surface area of the digital radiation detector; and

an image processing device for generating a combined image showing the examination area, wherein

the plurality of successive imaging positions are calculated by the control device based on user input data providing the height of the examination area and based on the height of the active surface area of the digital radiation detector,

an image is recorded at each imaging position, the images recorded at the imaging positions in their entirety covering the examination area, and

the image processing device is configured to generate the combined image using the images recorded at the imaging positions.

2. The medical imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is adapted to move the radiation source and the digital radiation detector synchronously.

3. The medical imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is further adapted to move the radiation source and the digital radiation detector to the imaging positions successively using an automation program.

4. The medical imaging device according to claims 1, wherein the images recorded at adjacent imaging positions overlap in an overlap area.

5. The medical imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the images recorded at adjacent imaging positions overlap a few millimeters at edge areas of the respective adjacent images.

6. The medical imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the imaging processing device is further adapted to arrange the images recorded at the adjacent imaging positions relative to the combined image using the overlap area.

7. The medical imaging device according to claim 5, wherein the imaging processing device is further adapted to arrange the images recorded at the adjacent imaging positions relative to the combined image using algorithms to search for continuing structures in the respective adjacent images and to position the respective adjacent images in respect of each other such that edges of the continuing structures in the respective adjacent images coincide or are precise continuations of each other.

8. The medical imaging device according to claims 1, wherein the combined image is displayed on a monitor or printed on a hardcopy.

9. The medical imaging device according to claim 8, wherein the displayed or printed combined image is scaled down.

10. The medical imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the combined image is displayed on a monitor using a display format corresponding to a recording format of the combined image, the combined image movable on the monitor using a scrolling mechanism.

11. The medical imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the combined image is displayed on a monitor using a display format exceeding the original size of the examination area, the combined image movable on the monitor using a scrolling mechanism.

12. The medical imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the radiation source and the digital radiation detector are arranged on adjustable wall- or floor-mounted supports.

13. The medical imaging device according to claim 12, wherein the supports are telescopic supports.

14. The medical imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a platform for accommodating the patient, the platform having a safeguard device for securing the patient'"'"'s standing position.

15. The medical imaging device according to claim 14, wherein the safeguard device includes a handhold.

16. The medical imaging device according to claim 14, further comprising a plate permeable for radiation emitted by the radiation source, the plate arranged on the platform and facing the digital radiation detector.

17. The medical imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the user input data is provided by input means to input the geometric data, including the height, of the examination area.

18. The medical imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the user input data is provided by movement of the radiation detector to a first position and to a second position to define a first and a last image of the plurality of successive imaging positions.