X-ray computed tomography apparatus with scanner function

Abstract

An X-ray computed tomography apparatus with a scanner function includes a vertical frame, a patient support arm provided below the vertical frame, a horizontal support arm extending horizontally from a top portion of the vertical frame, a rotary arm drive unit provided at an end of the horizontal support arm, a horizontal rotation arm provided horizontally below the rotary arm drive unit to rotate 360 degrees, a general CT imaging X-ray source provided at one end of the horizontal rotation arm, and an X-ray detector provided at the other end of the horizontal rotation arm to face the general CT imaging X-ray source. A micro CT imaging X-ray source is provided on the vertical frame, a rotary table for seating and rotating an object to be imaged is provided above the patient support arm, and the X-ray detector is composed of a common X-ray detector.

Claims

1. An X-ray computed tomography apparatus with a scanner function, comprising: a vertical frame; a patient support arm provided below the vertical frame; a horizontal support arm extending horizontally from a top portion of the vertical frame; a rotary arm drive unit provided at an end of the horizontal support arm; a horizontal rotation arm provided horizontally below the rotary arm drive unit to rotate 360 degrees; a general CT imaging X-ray source provided at one end of the horizontal rotation arm; and an X-ray detector provided at the other end of the horizontal rotation arm to face the general CT imaging X-ray source, wherein a micro CT imaging X-ray source is further provided on the vertical frame, a rotary table for seating and rotating an object to be imaged is further provided above the patient support arm, and the X-ray detector is composed of a common X-ray detector configured to be rotated by an X-ray detector drive unit, so that the apparatus performs both a micro CT imaging operation and a general CT imaging operation.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a rotary table drive unit for rotating the rotary table is provided below the rotary table.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rotary table drive unit is provided so as to be movable along a rail provided on the patient support arm.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rotary table or the rotary table drive unit is detachably provided on an upper surface of the patient support arm.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the micro CT imaging X-ray source is provided to be able to move up and down and rotate at a predetermined angle in a horizontal direction.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when performing the micro CT imaging operation, the micro CT imaging X-ray source and the common X-ray detector are rotated at a predetermined angle, the centers of the micro CT imaging X-ray source and the rotary table are placed on a line, and then the micro CT imaging X-ray source and the common X-ray detector are allowed to face each other.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first X-ray source and a second X-ray source for performing the micro CT imaging operation by irradiating X-rays having different focuses are provided on the vertical frame.

8. An X-ray computed tomography apparatus with a scanner function, comprising: a vertical frame; a patient support arm provided below the vertical frame; a horizontal support arm extending horizontally from a top portion of the vertical frame; a rotary arm drive unit provided at an end of the horizontal support arm; a horizontal rotation arm provided horizontally below the rotary arm drive unit to rotate 360 degrees; an X-ray source provided at one end of the horizontal rotation arm; and an X-ray detector provided at the other end of the horizontal rotation arm to face the X-ray source, wherein the X-ray source is composed of a dual focus type X-ray source configured to emit both a micro CT imaging X-ray and a general CT imaging X-ray from one tube, so that the apparatus performs both a micro CT imaging operation and a general CT imaging operation.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a rotary table drive unit for rotating the rotary table is provided below the rotary table.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the rotary table drive unit is provided so as to be movable along a rail provided on the patient support arm.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the rotary table or the rotary table drive unit is detachably provided on an upper surface of the patient support arm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a conventional micro CT apparatus.

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a conventional general CT apparatus.

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an X-ray CT apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a plan view for explaining a case where a micro CT imaging operation is performed using the X-ray CT apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining a case where a general CT imaging operation is performed using the X-ray CT apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing an X-ray CT apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing an X-ray CT apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 8 is a plan view for explaining a case where a micro CT imaging operation is performed using the X-ray CT apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 9 is a plan view for explaining a case where a general CT imaging operation is performed using the X-ray CT apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

(11) FIGS. 3 to 5 show an X-ray computed tomography (CT) apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the X-ray CT apparatus with a scanner function according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes: a vertical frame 26; a patient support arm 30 provided below the vertical frame 26; a horizontal support arm 25 extending horizontally from a top portion of the vertical frame 26; a rotary arm drive unit 24 provided at an end of the horizontal support arm 25; a horizontal rotation arm 23 provided horizontally below the rotary arm drive unit 24 to rotate 360 degrees; a general CT imaging X-ray source 20 provided at one end of the horizontal rotation arm 23; and an X-ray detector provided at the other end of the horizontal rotation arm 23 to face the general CT imaging X-ray source 20, wherein a micro CT imaging X-ray source 27 is further provided on the vertical frame 26, a rotary table 28 for seating and rotating an object to be imaged is further provided above the patient support arm 30, and the X-ray detector is composed of a common X-ray detector 21 capable of being rotated by an X-ray detector drive unit 22.

(12) That is, the X-ray CT apparatus according to the present embodiment includes both the micro CT imaging X-ray source 27 and the general CT imaging X-ray source 20.

(13) According to the above structure, it is possible to perform both a micro CT imaging operation of imaging an object such as an impression body, a model or the like at a high resolution and a general CT imaging operation of imaging a part of a body of a patient.

(14) In addition, both the micro CT imaging operation and the general CT imaging operation can be performed with only one expensive X-ray detector, which makes it possible to manufacture the X-ray CT apparatus without increasing costs.

(15) A rotary table drive unit 29 for rotating the rotary table 28 is provided below the rotary table 28 on which an object to be imaged is seated.

(16) The rotary table 28 and the rotary table drive unit 29 may be fixedly installed, or may be configured to be movable along a rail to change a magnification during the micro CT imaging operation. The rotary table 28 may be detachably provided on the upper surface of the rotary table drive unit 29. In addition, the rotary table 28 may be fixed to the upper surface of the rotary table drive unit 29, and the rotary table drive unit 29 may be detachably provided on the upper surface of the patient support arm 30.

(17) In addition, the micro CT imaging X-ray source 27 is provided so as to be movable up and down and rotatable at a predetermined angle in a horizontal direction.

(18) According to the above structure, the micro CT imaging operation can be performed while adjusting the position of the micro CT imaging X-ray source 27.

(19) Hereinafter, a process of performing a micro CT imaging operation and a general CT imaging operation using the X-ray CT apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(20) First, when performing the micro CT imaging operation, as shown in FIG. 4, the object to be imaged is seated on the rotary table 28. Then, the common X-ray detector 21 provided at one end of the horizontal rotation arm 23 is rotated to align the micro CT imaging X-ray source 27. In other words, the horizontal rotation arm 23 is rotated by the rotary arm drive unit 24, and the common X-ray detector 21 is rotated by the X-ray detector drive unit 22. At this time, the centers of the micro CT imaging X-ray source 27 and the rotary table 28 are aligned with each other, and the X-ray source 27 and the common X-ray detector 21 are caused to face each other. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 32 denotes an X-ray center axis during the micro CT imaging operation.

(21) An X-ray is irradiated from the micro CT imaging X-ray source 27 while rotating the rotary table 28. Then, the common X-ray detector 21 detects the X-ray passing through the object and transmits a detection signal to the computer.

(22) Next, a process of performing a general CT imaging operation using the X-ray CT apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(23) In the case of performing the general CT imaging operation, a part of the body of the patient is placed on the patient support arm 30. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the general CT imaging X-ray source 20 and the common X-ray detector 21 are caused to face each other. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 33 denotes an X-ray center axis during the general CT imaging operation.

(24) In this state, an X-ray is irradiated from the general CT imaging X-ray source 20 while rotating the horizontal rotation arm 23 around the head of the patient. Then, the common X-ray detector 21 detects the X-ray transmitted through a part of the human body and transmits a detection signal to the computer.

(25) According to the present invention, it is possible to perform both the micro CT imaging operation and the general CT imaging operation using one X-ray CT apparatus.

(26) In particular, the micro CT imaging operation and the general CT imaging operation can be performed using only one expensive X-ray detector, with making it possible to manufacture the X-ray CT apparatus at a relatively low cost.

(27) In addition, since both the micro CT imaging operation and the general CT imaging operation can be performed using one X-ray CT apparatus, it is possible to reduce the equipment purchase cost and enhance the space utilization.

Second Embodiment

(28) FIG. 6 shows an X-ray CT apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The X-ray CT apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes two micro CT imaging X-ray sources, each of which is employed in the first embodiment.

(29) That is, as shown in FIG. 6, a first X-ray source 34 and a second X-ray source 35 for performing a micro CT imaging operation by irradiating X-rays having different focuses are provided on the vertical frame 10 employed in the first embodiment.

(30) According to the second embodiment of the present invention, there is an advantage that it is possible to perform a micro CT imaging for various objects.

(31) Other matters are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and the redundant description thereof will be omitted.

Third Embodiment

(32) FIGS. 7 to 9 show an X-ray computed tomography (CT) apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, the X-ray CT apparatus with a scanner function according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes: a vertical frame 26; a patient support arm 30 provided below the vertical frame 26; a horizontal support arm 25 extending horizontally from a top portion of the vertical frame 26; a rotary arm drive unit 24 provided at an end of the horizontal support arm 25; a horizontal rotation arm 23 provided horizontally below the rotary arm drive unit 24 to rotate 360 degrees; an X-ray source 20 provided at one end of the horizontal rotation arm 23; and an X-ray detector provided at the other end of the horizontal rotation arm 23 to face the X-ray source, wherein the X-ray source is composed of a dual focus type X-ray source 36 capable of emitting both a micro CT imaging X-ray and a general CT imaging X-ray from one tube.

(33) That is, the dual focus type X-ray source 36 includes two X-ray sources provided in an X-ray tube and capable of emitting X-rays having different focuses.

(34) According to the third embodiment of the present invention, both a micro CT imaging operation and a general CT imaging operation can be performed using only one X-ray tube and one X-ray detector.

(35) First, when performing a micro CT imaging operation, as shown in FIG. 8, the horizontal rotation arm 24 is rotated by the rotary arm drive unit 24, and the horizontal support arm 25 is moved in front-rear and left-right directions so that the center of the dual focus type X-ray source 36 provided at one end of the horizontal rotation arm 23 coincides with the center of the rotary table 28.

(36) Then, the dual focus type X-ray source 36 and the common X-ray detector 21 are caused to face each other. At this time, the horizontal rotation arm 23 may be moved in front-rear and left-right directions in order to adjust a magnification. It is also possible to adjust the magnification by moving the rotary table 28 in front-rear and left-right directions along the X-ray center axis. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 32 denotes an X-ray center axis when performing a micro CT imaging operation.

(37) Subsequently, the dual focus type X-ray source 36 irradiates an X-ray for micro CT imaging while rotating the rotary table 28 by the rotary table drive unit 29. Then, the common X-ray detector 21 detects the X-ray transmitted through an object and transmits a detection signal to the computer.

(38) When performing a general CT imaging operation, as shown in FIG. 9, the rotary arm drive unit 24 is moved in front-rear and left-right directions so that the center of the rotary arm drive unit 24 coincides with the center of the body portion of the patient to be imaged. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 33 denotes an X-ray center axis when performing a general CT imaging operation.

(39) In this state, the head of the patient is positioned on the jaw fixing portion of the patient support arm 30. Then, the X-ray for general CT imaging is emitted from the dual X-ray source 36 while allowing the horizontal rotation arm 23 to rotate 360 degrees around the head of the patient. The common X-ray detector 21 detects the X-ray transmitted through a part of the human body and transmits a detection signal to the computer.

(40) Other matters are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

(41) The embodiments described above are presented to merely describe preferred embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Those skilled in the art may make various changes, modifications or substitutions within the spirit of the present invention and the claims. It is to be understood that such changes, modifications or substitutions fall within the scope of the present invention.