KR20180120867A - Apparatus for modulating radiation beam intensity and digital tomosynthesis system having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A radiation intensity modulation device is provided. The radiation intensity modulating apparatus includes a plurality of shielding layers sequentially stacked along the irradiation direction for irradiating the subject with an intensity control unit for controlling the shielding rate of the irradiation region of the radiation; A light source for outputting light so as to display an irradiation area of the radiation, and a reflector for adjusting the path of the light emitted from the light source.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a radiation intensity modulation apparatus and a digital tomography image synthesis system including the same.

The present invention relates to a radiation intensity modulation apparatus and a digital tomography image synthesis system including the same.

Generally, three-dimensional medical images such as computed tomography images have an advantage that they can be grasped at a glance, but in order to observe the internal structure of the subject in detail, high X-ray imaging conditions and a large number of projection images It is necessary to acquire a high dose problem that the subject receives.

In recent years, a digital tomosynthesis system (DTS: Digital Tomosynthesis System) capable of improving dose problems and image quality of such a subject has been developed and a lot of research for clinical application is underway.

The digital single layer synthetic imaging system uses projection image data obtained by a plurality of angles within a limited angle, that is, by angle, unlike reconstructing three-dimensional data after capturing an image of a subject while rotating 360 degrees It reconstructs tomographic images.

For this reason, the single layer synthetic imaging system is recognized as a meaningful and efficient diagnostic technique while providing a 3D tomographic image of the subject, while resolving the limitations on many irradiation dose and rotation angle of the computerized tomography system.

However, the digital single layer synthetic imaging system also requires a higher irradiation dose than the X-ray general imaging apparatus in order to provide a 3D tomographic image, and the discrimination of the lesion due to the artifact in the reconstructed image due to the projection image data acquisition method is reduced There is a case.

Therefore, in order to more closely observe the internal structure of the subject using the digital single layer synthetic imaging system, it is possible to efficiently reduce the irradiation dose using a new imaging technique, and to provide an imaging method and image Processing technology is required.

In the current hospital, the digital tomography system is actively used as a follow-up method to confirm the progress of the patient's surgery after the surgery or after the operation, and acquires the image in a state of knowing the information about the position of the lesion .

However, in the conventional digital single layer synthetic imaging system, only the shape and size of the linear velocity are controlled and the radiation is irradiated in the required direction, so that there is a problem that it is impossible to image the surrounding irradiated region requiring the observation other than the irradiated region in which the lesion of the subject is located.

In one embodiment of the present invention, irradiation with limited X-rays is performed only on a lesion site and a lesion periphery, thereby reducing an irradiation dose for an organ having a high radiation sensitivity among internal structures of the subject, And to provide a digital tomography image synthesis system including the radiation intensity modulation apparatus.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an intensity control apparatus including a plurality of shield layers sequentially stacked along an irradiation direction for irradiating a subject with an intensity control unit for controlling a shielding rate of an irradiation region of radiation; A light source for outputting light so as to display an irradiation area of the radiation, and a reflector for adjusting a path of the light emitted from the light source.

At this time, the plurality of shield layers may be formed of materials having different shielding ratios.

At this time, the plurality of shielding layers may be formed of a material having a low shielding rate sequentially along the irradiation direction.

At this time, the plurality of shielding layers may be disposed so as to be spaced apart from the shielding layer having a low shielding rate to the shielding layer, sequentially away from the inspected object.

At this time, the plurality of shield layers may overlap with each other as the distance from the center to the outer side increases, and the shielding rate may be increased.

At this time, each of the plurality of shielding layers may be arranged so that a plurality of shielding members having the same shielding ratio in the irradiation direction and the vertical direction are laterally connected to each other.

The intensity controller may further include a driving motor that adjusts the position of the plurality of shield layers according to the position and size of the subject.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radiation generating apparatus for generating radiation; The radiation intensity modulator described above being located in a path through which radiation is irradiated in the radiation generating apparatus; And a detector for detecting radiation passing through the subject, the radiation being irradiated through the radiation intensity modulating device.

The radiation intensity modulator according to an embodiment of the present invention and the digital tomography image synthesis system including the radiation intensity modulator according to an embodiment of the present invention have already been able to determine the location of the lesion by using a digital tomography image synthesis system as a follow- The intensity of the radiation can be controlled so that the radiation can be focused only on the extra area around the lesion.

The radiation intensity modulator according to an embodiment of the present invention and the digital tomographic image synthesis system including the same are capable of acquiring an image by irradiating limited X-rays only on a lesion area and a lesion periphery, By reducing the irradiation dose for organs with high radiation sensitivity in the structure, the lesion site can be effectively imaged.

The radiation intensity modulation apparatus and the digital tomography image synthesis system including the radiation intensity modulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can control the intensity of radiation to capture a patient with a minimum dose.

The radiation intensity modulator according to an embodiment of the present invention and the digital tomography image synthesis system including the radiation intensity modulator according to an embodiment of the present invention use a shielding material having various radiation absorption rates so that radiation can be focused only on the irradiation range of the lesion and the peripheral portion of the lesion. The intensity can be adjusted.

The radiation intensity modulation apparatus and the digital tomography image synthesis system including the radiation intensity modulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can reduce unnecessary X-ray exposure by thin rods of material layers having different shielding ratios when acquiring diagnostic images, We can contribute to relief.

The radiation intensity modulator according to an embodiment of the present invention and the digital tomographic image synthesis system including the intensity intensity modulator according to an embodiment of the present invention include an intensity controller to adjust the position of a plurality of shield layers according to a diagnostic image of a lesion, And the scattering line is reduced, so that the quality of the image can be improved.

The radiation intensity modulating apparatus and the digital tomographic image synthesizing system including the same according to the embodiment of the present invention can provide user convenience by adjusting the range in which observation is required according to the location and shape of the lesion as well as the arrangement of the shielding layers .

The radiation intensity modulation apparatus and the digital tomography image synthesis system including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied to various body systems such as a wide chest area as well as a knee joint, a back bone, a sinus, May be possible.

The radiation intensity modulation apparatus and the digital tomography image synthesis system including the radiation intensity modulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used as a database for advancing into the medical market of the image diagnosis system and contribute to industrialization and technology development of the domestic digital tomography image synthesis system .

1 is a perspective view illustrating a radiation intensity modulation apparatus and a digital tomography image synthesis system including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a side view illustrating a radiation intensity modulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a digital tomography image synthesis system including the same.
3 is a plan view showing an intensity adjusting unit of a radiation intensity modulating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating an intensity adjusting unit of a radiation intensity modulating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the intensity of radiation using a radiation intensity modulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In order to clearly illustrate the present invention, parts not related to the description are omitted, and the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

In this specification, the terms "comprises" or "having" and the like refer to the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, But do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof. Also, where a section such as a layer, a film, an area, a plate, or the like is referred to as being "on" another section, it includes not only the case where it is "directly on" another part but also the case where there is another part in between. On the contrary, where a section such as a layer, a film, an area, a plate, etc. is referred to as being "under" another section, this includes not only the case where the section is "directly underneath"

1 is a perspective view illustrating a radiation intensity modulation apparatus and a digital tomography image synthesis system including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a side view illustrating a radiation intensity modulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a digital tomography image synthesis system including the same.

1, a digital tomography system 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a radiation generator 10, a radiation intensity modulator 20, a controller (not shown) and a detector (not shown) . ≪ / RTI >

Accordingly, the digital tomographic image synthesis system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a follow-up measure of a patient who has undergone surgical operation of the chest, and when the position of the lesion is already known, only the extra portion around the lesion is focused The intensity of the radiation can be adjusted so that it can be examined and the patient can be photographed with minimal dose.

Meanwhile, in an embodiment of the present invention, the radiation generating apparatus 10 may be a columnar X-ray tube 11. At this time, when the high-speed electrons collide with the object, the X-ray tube 11 generates an X-ray, which is an electromagnetic wave having a short wavelength and a strong penetrating force.

Also, the x-ray tube 11 may include a filament that emits thermoelectrons and an electrode that forms a strong electric field at high voltage. At this time, when a high voltage is applied to the X-ray tube 11, the thermoelectrons are emitted from the filament constituting the cathode.

Referring to FIG. 1, the X-ray tube 11 drifts due to a strong electric field and then collides with the anode, and the local size point where the hot electrons collide is the X-ray generating point 13, .

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the radiation intensity modulator 20 may be disposed at a position irradiated with X-rays generated in the radiation generating apparatus 10. At this time, the irradiated X-rays can be irradiated through the radiation intensity modulator 20 so that the radiation can be focused only on the irradiation range of the lesion and the surrounding region of the lesion.

1 and 2, the radiation intensity modulating apparatus 20 may include a housing 21, a light source 23, a reflector 25, and an intensity adjusting unit 30. Accordingly, in the case where a patient is photographed through the digital tomographic image synthesizing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the radiation absorption rate can be varied to reduce unnecessary X-ray exposure, By adjusting to the diagnosis image of the lesion, the X-ray irradiation range of the patient is reduced and the scattering line is reduced, so that the quality of the image can be improved.

The housing 21 may have a hollow portion in which the light source 23, the reflector 25, and the intensity adjusting portion 30 may be installed. In addition, the housing 21 may have a first opening (not shown) at a position irradiated with X-rays and a second opening (not shown) at a position where the X-rays are emitted.

Meanwhile, in one embodiment of the present invention, the light source 23 can irradiate a visible ray toward a path through which the X-ray is irradiated. In this case, since the X-ray is not visible to the human eye, in order to visually confirm the irradiation area of the X-rays irradiated to the outside through the radiation intensity modulator 20, visible light is irradiated to the area irradiated with the X- Can be visually confirmed.

The light source 23 is a light source that blinks at a predetermined frequency, and a semiconductor light emitting device such as a light emitting diode (LED) or a laser diode (LD) and a gas discharge lamp such as a halogen lamp or a Xenon lamp are used But is not limited thereto.

In order to display the region irradiated with the X-rays as a visible light, the light source 23 for outputting the visible light must be located at the same point as the generation point of the X-ray, but the visible light is output at the same position as the generation point 13 of the X- The light source 6 can be disposed outside the irradiation path of the X-ray as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, so that the light source 6 can irradiate visible rays toward the irradiation path of the X-rays.

2, in one embodiment of the present invention, the reflecting mirror 25 can be disposed on the irradiation path of the visible light emitted from the light source 23 to change the irradiation path of the visible light.

At this time, the reflecting mirror may be arranged to form a certain angle with the irradiation direction of the visible ray so as to match the irradiation region of the visible light ray reflected by the reflecting mirror 25 with the irradiation region of the X-ray. By changing the irradiation path of the visible ray using the reflector 25 in this way, the irradiated region of the X-ray can be displayed as a visible ray.

1 and 2, in an embodiment of the present invention, the intensity controller 30 includes a plurality of shielding members 31a, 33a, 35a, 37a, and 39a for selectively shielding the X- Shielding layers 31, 33, 35, 37, 39 may be stacked.

Accordingly, the radiation intensity modulating apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention can detect the location and shape of the lesion as well as the arrangement and shielding rate (material) of the plurality of shielding members 31a, 33a, 35a, 37a and 39a By regulating the range in which the observation is required, the X-ray is irradiated only on the lesion area and the periphery of the lesion to obtain the image, thereby reducing the irradiation dose for the organ with high radiation sensitivity among the internal structure of the subject, Lt; / RTI >

Meanwhile, the radiation intensity modulating apparatus 20 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be used for various diagnostic systems such as a chest having a large area, as well as other bodies such as a knee joint, a back bone, a sinus, .

3 is a plan view showing an intensity adjusting unit of a radiation intensity modulating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating an intensity adjusting unit of a radiation intensity modulating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the intensity of radiation using a radiation intensity modulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3, in an embodiment of the present invention, the intensity controller 30 includes a first shield layer 31, a second shield layer 33, a third shield layer 35, a fourth shield layer 37 And the fifth shielding layer 39 may be sequentially stacked. At this time, the intensity controller 30 can adjust the number of the shielding layers to control the shielding ratio.

3 and 4, each of the plurality of shield layers 31, 33, 35, 37, and 39 may include a plurality of shielding members 30, (Lesions, P) may be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the subject (lesion, P) by being connected to each other in the lateral direction.

3 and 4, the intensity adjusting unit 30 includes a first shielding layer 31, a second shielding layer 33, a third shielding layer 35, a fourth shielding layer 37, And the fifth shielding layer 39 may be sequentially stacked.

In addition, the first shielding layer 31 may be connected to the plurality of first shielding members 31a in the lateral direction along the longitudinal direction of the lesion. At this time, the plurality of first shielding members 31a may be spaced apart from the lesion by a predetermined distance so as to include the irradiation range S1 of the lesion and the peripheral region S2 of the lesion.

The second shielding layer 33, the third shielding layer 35, the fourth shielding layer 37 and the fifth shielding layer 39 are formed in the same manner as the first shielding layer 31 in the embodiment of the present invention A plurality of second shielding members 33a, a plurality of third shielding members 35a, a plurality of fourth shielding members 37a and a plurality of fifth shielding members 39a are disposed laterally along the longitudinal direction of the lesions Can be connected.

At this time, the plurality of second shielding members 33a, the plurality of third shielding members 35a, the plurality of fourth shielding members 37a, and the plurality of fifth shielding members 39a, And may be spaced apart from the lesion by a predetermined distance so as to include the peripheral region S2 of the lesion.

3 and 4, the intensity adjusting unit 30 includes a first shielding layer 31, a second shielding layer 33, and a second shielding layer 33 which are sequentially stacked to control the shielding ratio, The third shielding layer 35, the fourth shielding layer 37 and the fifth shielding layer 39 are arranged in the order of the first shielding layer 31, the second shielding layer 33, The layer 35, the fourth shielding layer 37 and the fifth shielding layer 39 are overlapped with each other to increase the shielding ratio.

4, the intensity controller 30 includes a first shield layer 31, a second shield layer 33, and a third shield layer 35 which are sequentially stacked to control the shielding ratio The second shielding layer 33, the third shielding layer 35, the fourth shielding layer 37, and the fourth shielding layer 39 move toward the outside of the lesion, If the shielding layer 37 and the fifth shielding layer 39 overlap with each other to increase the shielding ratio, they may be stacked in the opposite direction of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 5, the radiation intensity modulator 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an intensity controller 30 that adjusts the arrangement of the shielding layer so as to have a different radiation absorption rate, By irradiating the X-ray only to the peripheral portion of the lesion, an image can be obtained and the lesion can be effectively imaged by reducing the irradiation dose to organs with high radiation sensitivity among the internal structure of the subject.

Meanwhile, in an embodiment of the present invention, the intensity controller 30 may include a first shield layer 31, a second shield layer 33, a third shield layer 35, The fourth shielding layer 37 and the fifth shielding layer 39 are formed of materials having different shielding ratios, so that the ratio of transmitting radiation can be different.

The first shielding layer 31, the second shielding layer 33, the third shielding layer 35, the fourth shielding layer 37 and the fifth shielding layer 39, which are sequentially stacked, Can be 10%, 39%, 50%, 70% and 90%, respectively. That is, the intensity adjusting unit 30 may have a higher shielding rate toward the upper side, but is not limited thereto as long as the shielding rate can be adjusted.

5, the radiation intensity modulating apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an intensity adjusting unit 30 using a shielding material having various radiation absorbing ratios, The intensity of the radiation can be adjusted so that the radiation can be focused.

2, 3, and 4, a control unit (not shown) controls the driving motor 27 connected to the plurality of shield members 31a, 33a, 35a, 37a, and 39a in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The positions of the plurality of shield members can be adjusted according to the angle change of the X-ray tube, the position and size of the lesion.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a detector (not shown) can detect an X-ray passing through the inspected object P. At this time, the detector may be a display for viewing the natural color of the visible light from a different point of view.

In addition, the detector converts the X-ray into visible light and then converts the X-ray into an electric signal, and can act as a kind of photo sensor that generates an electric signal through the X-ray. Therefore, if you connect a monitor to the detector, you can see the recorded image.

The operation of a digital tomographic image synthesis system including a radiation intensity modulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

First, the patient is laid down on the table, and the patient is settled for the chest tomographic image synthesis through the digital tomographic image synthesis system, and the position of the x-ray tube and the detector is set.

After setting the contour of the target organ (subject) with reference to the patient's chest radiographing preliminary image, the driving motor 27 is driven to set an X-ray irradiation range including the entire outline of the target organ.

At this time, an outline is set in consideration of an irradiation range error in accordance with a change of the patient's posture position in comparison with a dictionary image, and the X-ray irradiation range is set such that the motor can be driven in a stepwise manner have.

Accordingly, in an embodiment of the present invention, the digital tomographic image synthesis system adjusts the intensity of the x-ray so that the peripheral region of the lesion is minimally irradiated and focused only on the lesion. In addition, if the outline of the objective part to be viewed is included in the survey range, the shooting of the digital tomographic image synthesis system is terminated.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1: Digital tomographic image synthesis system S1: lesion site
S2: Peripheral area 10: Radiation generator
11: X-ray tube 13: X-ray generating point
20: Radiation intensity modulator 21: Housing
23: light source 25: reflector
27: Driving motor 30:
31: first shielding layer 31a: first shielding member
33: second shielding layer 33a: second shielding member
35: third shielding layer 35a: third shielding member
37: fourth shielding layer 37a: fourth shielding member
39: fifth shielding layer 39a: fifth shielding member
P: sample

Claims (8)

An intensity controller for adjusting a shielding rate of an irradiation area of the radiation including a plurality of shield layers sequentially stacked along the irradiation direction for irradiating the subject with radiation;
A light source for outputting light so as to display an irradiation area of the radiation;
And a reflector for adjusting the path of the light emitted from the light source. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the plurality of shield layers are formed of materials having different shielding ratios. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the plurality of shielding layers are formed of a material having a low shielding rate sequentially along the irradiation direction. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the plurality of shielding layers are disposed so as to be spaced apart from a shielding layer having a low shielding rate to a high shielding layer, The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the plurality of shield layers overlap each other in a direction from the center to the outer side of the inspected object, thereby increasing the shielding rate. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein each of the plurality of shielding layers is disposed so that a plurality of shielding members having the same shielding ratio in a direction perpendicular to the irradiation direction are laterally connected to each other. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the intensity controller further includes a driving motor that adjusts the position of the plurality of shield layers according to the position and size of the subject. A radiation generating device for generating radiation;
The radiation intensity modulating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the radiation intensity modulating device is located in a path through which radiation is irradiated in the radiation generating apparatus. And
And a detector for detecting radiation passing through the subject, the radiation being irradiated through the radiation intensity modulating device.

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