Patent ID: 8005187
Filing Date: 2011-08-23
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A medical digital X-ray imaging apparatus having a plurality of imaging modes including computed tomography mode comprising: an X-ray source for generating X-rays; a digital X-ray sensor having a two-dimensional detection plane for detecting the X-rays; a supporter which supports the X-ray source and the digital X-ray sensor while interposing an object between the X-ray source and the digital X-ray sensor; an image reconstructor which acquires data from the digital X-ray sensor and reconstructs an image based on the acquired data; a mode selector for selecting one of a first imaging mode and a second imaging mode, the first imaging mode being CT imaging mode, the second imaging mode being panoramic imaging mode; an irradiation field setter which sets an irradiation field of the X-rays according to the mode selected by said mode selector; and wherein when the first imaging mode is selected, a first irradiation field is set by said irradiation field setter, and a first area in the two-dimensional detection plane of the digital X-ray sensor from which image data are read is set, in correspondence to the first imaging mode selected by said mode selector, while when the second imaging mode is selected, a second irradiation field different from the first irradiation field is set by said irradiation field setter, and a second area smaller than the first area in the two-dimensional detection plane of the digital X-ray sensor from which image data are read is set, in correspondence to the second imaging mode selected by said mode selector, while the same two-dimensional detection plane of the digital X-ray sensor is used to detect X-rays in the first and second imaging modes, and the first area can be shifted in the two-dimensional detection plane of the digital X-ray sensor in a direction parallel to an axial direction of a rotary shaft of said supporter for rotating the X-ray source and the digital X-ray sensor around the object.