KR20090078506A - Frame typed imaging apparatus and imaging method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and method for acquisition of image in a frame mode is provided to reduce x-ray bombed by an object by filming in frame unit. A x-ray light source(100) irradiates x-ray moving along constant trace around object. An image sensor(200) is placed facing to x-ray light source. The image sensor moves corresponding to x-ray light source and acquires an image of image layer(11). A correlation module synchronizes x-ray light source and image sensor. An image processing apparatus treats received image from an image sensor.

Description

Frame type image acquisition device and image acquisition method {FRAME TYPED IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a frame-type image acquisition device and an image acquisition method, and more particularly, to selectively irradiate x-rays to a region of interest of a subject, and to synchronize the image sensor to operate only in a section to which x-rays are irradiated. The present invention relates to a frame type image acquisition device and an image acquisition method for reducing the x-ray dose to be exposed.

The conventional medical image acquisition method includes a large area sensor that can cover the entire area of the subject largely, and obtains an image of the subject by irradiating x-rays to the entire area of the subject at once and using the line sensor. There is a method of scanning by continuously scanning.

In addition, a method of scanning by using the line sensor is also called a line scan method, and generally uses a time delay integration (TDI) line scan method.

On the other hand, the line sensor used in the line scan method is a one-dimensional sensor in which pixels for receiving x-rays are arranged on a line, so that the line sensor or the subject is moved in order to take a two-dimensional area of the subject, and the images are continuously taken line by line. To get the image.

That is, the line scan method has a merit that a high resolution image can be obtained because the number of pixels is small compared to the method using the area sensor because it is inexpensive, mobile, and continuous scanning.

However, the line scan method has a problem in that, in order to photograph the subject at a high speed, the time for accumulating the charges to each pixel is shortened and the amount of light is insufficient, so that the image is not obtained clearly.

That is, the line scan method is economical and obtains a high resolution image compared to the method using the area sensor, but has a disadvantage in that the shooting speed is slow.

Therefore, in order to solve the problem of the line scanning method, by arranging a plurality of line sensors in the scanning direction to make a constant size area sensor to scan continuously, by transferring the charge stored in the previous line to the next line to accumulate charge In addition, TDI line scan method has been developed to obtain a clear image.

However, since the line scan method and the TDI line scan method must irradiate the subject with x-rays continuously, the disadvantage of adversely affecting the human body due to a long time to expose the subject to x-rays has been overlooked.

The present invention was devised to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to increase the economical efficiency by using an area sensor, but to reduce the size, x being exposed to the subject by selectively irradiating the subject with x-rays in a certain section. The present invention provides a frame type image acquisition device and an image acquisition method that can reduce dose.

An image acquisition apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object is an x-ray light source that moves along a constant trajectory around a subject and irradiates x-rays, and the x-ray light source with the subject therebetween. An image sensor positioned toward the light source, moving in correspondence with the x-ray light source, and receiving an x-ray passing through the subject to obtain an image of an image layer that is a region of interest in the subject; In order to selectively irradiate and to perform the light receiving operation of the image sensor in the irradiation section of the x-ray, so that the image sensor can acquire the subject image of the frame unit, each of the x-rays passing through the image layer From the synchronization module and the image sensor for synchronizing the x-ray light source and the image sensor so as not to overlap each other And an image processing apparatus for processing the received image.

In an exemplary embodiment, the x-ray light source rotates based on a predetermined center of rotation between the x-ray light source and the image layer to irradiate the x-rays.

The image acquisition method according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object is to face the x-ray light source for irradiating x-rays with one side of the subject between the x-ray light source and the x-ray passing through the object A first step having a light receiving image sensor, moving along a predetermined trajectory, irradiating the x-rays from one side to the other side of the subject, and synchronizing the x-rays selectively in certain sections on the trajectory. And a third step of acquiring the image of the subject in frame units and a third step of processing the acquired images of the subject to create a subject image.

In a preferred embodiment, the second step is a step 2-1 of irradiating the x-ray to one side of the subject to obtain a first frame image which is an image by x-rays irradiated in the first section on the trajectory A second frame image obtained by moving the x-ray light source and the image sensor to obtain a second frame image which is an image of a subject adjacent to one side of the subject and is an image of x-rays irradiated in a second section on the trajectory; And a second frame image obtained by sequentially acquiring a frame image adjacent to the previously captured frame image and being an image of the other side of the subject, and obtaining an n-frame image, which is an image by x-rays radiated in an n-th section on the trajectory. 3 steps are made.

In a preferred embodiment, the frame images of the second step are obtained as images having no image overlap with each other.

In a preferred embodiment, the x-ray light source of the second step is rotated at a predetermined center of rotation between the x-ray light source and the image layer which is the region of interest in the subject, and irradiates the x-rays.

As described above, according to the present invention, an area sensor is used, but by photographing certain sections of the subject in units of frames, the amount of x-rays exposed to the subject can be reduced.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view showing an image acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an image acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an x-ray light source 100, an image sensor 200, a synchronization module 300, an image processing device 400, and a display device 500. It is done by

The x-ray light source 100 is provided with an x-ray tube (not shown) for generating x-rays therein, and irradiates x-rays to the subject 10 using slits (not shown).

In addition, the x-ray light source 100 irradiates x-rays while moving around the subject 10 along a predetermined trajectory.

Detailed description of the movement of the x-ray light source 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

The image sensor 200 is an area sensor having a constant area, provided to face the x-ray light source 100 with the subject 10 interposed therebetween, and a trajectory corresponding to the trajectory of the x-ray light source 100 moving. Move along.

In addition, the image sensor 200 receives the x-rays emitted from the x-ray light source 100 and transmitted through the subject 10 to obtain an image of the subject 10.

In more detail, the image sensor 200 acquires an image of the image layer 11, which is a region of interest in the subject 10.

A detailed description will be given with reference to FIG. 2.

In addition, the image sensor 200 is provided as a CD (ccd) sensor or a CMOS (cmos) sensor. However, any sensor can be used as long as it can receive x-rays.

On the other hand, the image sensor 200 is a small area sensor smaller than the large area sensor that is provided with a size to cover only a portion of the subject 10 covers the entire area of the conventional subject (10).

Therefore, there is an economical advantage over the conventional large area sensor.

The synchronization module 300 controls the operation of the x-ray light source 100 and the image sensor 200.

In addition, the synchronization module 300 allows the x-ray light source 100 to selectively irradiate x-rays only in certain sections on the trajectory, and at the same time, the image sensor 200 only in certain sections in which the x-rays are irradiated. Synchronize the light receiving operation of the camera.

That is, only the image of the portion of interest of the subject 10 can be obtained.

Therefore, compared with the conventional line scan method and the TDI line scan method, since only an image of a necessary section can be obtained, the amount of x-ray exposure to the subject 10 can be reduced.

The image processing apparatus 400 receives an image signal of the subject 10 from the image sensor 200, forms a digital image, and displays the image to a user through the display apparatus 500.

2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an operation of an image acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an image of a subject photographed by the image acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a description of the same components as those of FIG. 1 will be omitted.

Referring to the drawings, the x-ray light source 100 irradiates x-rays once to one side 11a of the subject 10 in the first section 100a which is a starting point on a certain trajectory 100a, 100b.

In addition, the image sensor 200 receives an x-ray passing through one side portion 11a of the subject 10 to obtain a first frame image 210a which is a single image.

In addition, the image sensor 200 captures an image layer 11 which is a region of interest of the subject 10.

In other words, the image layer 100 may be referred to as a focal point of the image acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

For example, the image layer 11 may be a jaw bone 11a, 11b ... 11n including a tooth of a head of a person.

Next, the x-ray light source 100 is rotated by a predetermined angle around the virtual rotation center (c) positioned between the x-ray light source 100 and the image layer 11 to move to the second section (100b). The x-ray is irradiated once to the portion 11b adjacent to the one side portion 11a of the subject.

Meanwhile, the image sensor 200 moves in a direction 200a-> 200b corresponding to a direction (100a-> 100b) in which the x-ray light source 100 moves to be adjacent to one side 11a of the subject. A second frame image 210b which is an image of 11b is obtained.

Next, the x-ray light source 100 moves to the next section, acquires the frame images 210c, 210d, and 210e, moves to the nth section 100n, and ends up to the nth frame image 210n.

That is, the synchronization module 300 matches the synchronization signal 300a to which the x-ray light source 100 irradiates x-rays with the synchronization signal 300b to allow the image sensor 200 to receive a light. will be.

However, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the image of the subject 10 is photographed while the x-ray light source 100 and the image sensor 200 are moved, but the x-ray light source 100 and the image sensor are reversed. The 200 is fixed and a method of rotating the subject 10 is also possible.

Therefore, compared with the conventional scanning method in which x-rays are continuously irradiated and the light receiving operation of the image sensor is continuously performed, the use of the image acquisition device according to the present invention has the effect of greatly reducing the x-ray exposure amount.

In addition, the x-rays irradiated from the irradiation sections 100a, 100b ... 100n pass through the image layer so that the respective frame images 210a, 210b ... 210n do not overlap each other. When the X-ray irradiation of the x-ray light source 100 is synchronized so as not to overlap each other.

Therefore, the amount of x-rays exposed from the x-ray light source 100 to the subject 11 can be reduced as much as possible.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an image acquisition method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the description of the same components as in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 4, an image acquisition method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be performed by comparing an x-ray light source 100 and an x-ray light source with one side portion 11a of the subject 10 interposed therebetween. The image sensor 200 is positioned to receive the x-rays passing through the subject (S1000).

Next, a first frame which is an image of x-rays radiated from the first section 100a of the trajectory images 100a, 100b ... 100n by irradiating x-rays to one side 11a of the subject 11. An image 210a is obtained (S2000).

Next, the x-ray light source 100 moves to the second section 200b, and the image sensor 200 moves to the position 200b corresponding to the second section 200b to make the second frame image 210b. ) Is obtained (S3000).

In addition, the x-ray light source 100 is rotated based on the virtual rotation center (c) between the x-ray light source 100 and the image layer (11).

However, when the x-ray light source 100 photographs the side head of the subject 10 instead of the jawbones 11a, 11b... 11n of the subject 10, the x-ray light source 100 may move in a straight line to irradiate x-rays.

Next, the previously captured frame image 210b and the adjacent frame images 210c, 210d, and 210e are sequentially obtained, which is an image of the other side of the subject 10, and is irradiated in the nth section on the trajectory. Up to an nth frame image 210n, which is a line image, is acquired (S4000).

In addition, the frame images 210a, 210b, ... 210n do not overlap each other.

That is, the X-rays are irradiated so that the X-rays radiated from the irradiation sections on the trajectories 100a, 100b ... 100n through which the x-ray light source 100 moves do not overlap each other when passing through the image layer 11. The location must be synchronized.

Next, the subject image is processed by processing the frame images of the subject acquired by the image sensor 200 (S5000).

In the above, the configuration and operation of the present invention has been shown in accordance with the above description and drawings, but this is merely described, for example, and various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. .

1 is a view showing an image acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a conceptual diagram showing that an image acquisition device operates according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a view showing an image of a subject photographed by the image acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a flowchart illustrating an image acquisition method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings according to the present invention, the same reference numerals are used for components having substantially the same configuration and function.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: x-ray light source 200: image sensor

300: synchronization module 400: image processing device

500: display device 210: frame video

Claims (6)

An x-ray light source that travels along a constant trajectory around the subject and radiates x-rays; An image sensor positioned to face the x-ray light source with the subject interposed therebetween, moving corresponding to the x-ray light source, receiving x-rays passing through the subject to obtain an image of an image layer that is a region of interest in the subject ; Wherein the x-rays are selectively irradiated at predetermined intervals on the trajectory, and the light receiving operation of the image sensor is performed in the irradiation section of the x-rays, so that the image sensor can acquire the subject images in the frame unit, A synchronization module for synchronizing the x-ray light source and the image sensor such that respective x-rays passing through the image layer do not overlap each other; And And an image processing apparatus for processing the image received from the image sensor. The method of claim 1, The x-ray light source is an image acquisition device, characterized in that for irradiating x-rays while rotating based on a predetermined rotation center between the x-ray light source and the image layer. A first step comprising an x-ray light source for irradiating x-rays with one side of the subject interposed therebetween and an image sensor facing the x-ray light source and receiving x-rays passing through the subject; Moving along a certain trajectory and irradiating the x-rays from one side to the other side of the subject, and synchronizing the x-rays selectively in certain sections on the trajectory to acquire an image of the subject in units of frames Second step; And And obtaining a subject image by processing the acquired images of the subject. The method of claim 3, wherein The second step is: A second step of obtaining a first frame image which is an image of x-rays irradiated in a first section on the trajectory by irradiating the x-rays to one side of the subject; Moving the x-ray light source and the image sensor to obtain a second frame image which is an image of a subject adjacent to one side of the subject and is an image of x-rays irradiated in a second section on the trajectory; And Steps 2-3 are obtained by sequentially obtaining a frame image adjacent to the previously captured frame image and obtaining an n-th frame image which is an image of the other side of the subject and is an image of x-rays radiated from the n-th section on the trajectory. Image acquisition method comprising the. The method according to claim 3 or 4, The image acquisition method of claim 2, wherein the frame images of the second step are obtained as images having no image overlap with each other. The method of claim 5, wherein And the x-ray light source of the second step rotates at a predetermined center of rotation between the x-ray light source and the image layer which is a region of interest in the subject and irradiates x-rays.

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