X-Ray imaging

Abstract: In an x-ray imaging system, an x-ray detector assembly includes an x-ray detector and a support assembly secured to the x-ray detector for supporting an antiscatter grid assembly (45). The x-ray detector preferably includes a matrix of crystal detectors. The support assembly includes a foam bezel (50) having one or more magnets (55) disposed therein. The antiscatter grid assembly includes an antiscatter grid (60) secured to a metal frame (65). The one or more magnets disposed in the bezel are situated so as to align with the metal frame of the antiscatter grid assembly when the antiscatter grid assembly is coupled to the x-ray detector assembly. The strengths of the one or more magnets are such as to allow the antiscatter grid assembly to be removably secured to the x-ray detector assembly. Alternatively, the one or more magnets may be secured to the metal frame of the antiscatter grid assembly and corresponding metal plates may be placed in the support assembly.

Description: The present invention relates to x-ray imaging especially for diagnostic purposes. In the medical imaging field, x-rays are often used to produce images of a patient for diagnostic purposes. The x-rays are generated within an x-ray tube and are directed through a patient or subject under examination to a detector assembly situated on an opposite side of the patient. Based on the intensity of the x-rays received by detectors within the detector assembly, an image indicative of the radiation attenuative characteristics of an object located between the tube and detector may be produced. As x-rays pass through a body of a patient, the x-rays pass through tissue, bone, and other anatomy consisting of different densities all of which may cause some of the x-rays to scatter. If left unaccounted for, such scattered x-rays may degrade overall image quality. For this reason, antiscatter grids have been developed. An antiscatter grid is a device which attaches to the detector assembly and serves to prevent some or all of the scattered x-rays from reaching the detectors thereby providing for better image quality. One known drawback to using an antiscatter grid is that it may also prevent some useful radiation from reaching the detectors. Thus, when using an antiscatter grid it is often necessary to increase the dose of x-rays directed through the patient in order to ensure an image of sufficient quality may be obtained. Of course, if an antiscatter grid is not necessary to reduce the negative effects on image quality it would be desirable to remove the antiscatter grid so as to reduce the necessary dose of radiation to which the patient must be exposed. Thus, for example, in paediatrics and other fields requiring imaging of only a small volume, an antiscatter grid is typically not used. However, when imaging larger volumes, such as providing a fluoroscopic image during a needle biopsy of the liver, the antiscatter grid is very useful. For this reason, antiscatter grids are typically mechanically secured to the detector assembly using a mechanism which allows for removal of the antiscatter grid when desired. Mechanisms used for detachment of the antiscatter grids include a quick release latches, fastening screws, and clips. One drawback to using such mechanisms is that there is often a need for the operator of the x-ray imaging device to utilize tools to remove the grid adding time and inconvenience to such a procedure. Even if a tool is not necessary, the operator is often wearing a glove to protect against exposure to radiation. Unfortunately, when wearing a glove there is typically reduced precision, dexterity, and tactile feedback which may be needed to manipulate small release devices. Additionally, antiscatter grid attachment mechanisms may present crevices and pockets which may trap fluids and increase the difficulty of disinfecting the x-ray imaging device. US patent US 5,241,578 describes an optical grid alignment system for portable radiography that has a movable grid cassette comprising an X-ray film holding portion and an anti-scatter grid substantially fixed relative to the X-ray film holding portion. It further has a light beam projector fixed substantially relative to an X-ray source that is provided for projecting a light beam onto a reflector element that is fixed substantially relative to the anti-scatter grid. US patent US 5,056,128 describes an X-ray filtration apparatus for shaping the beam from an X-ray source, which apparatus has filters and filter holders which are magnetic to make interconnection of the elements quick and easy. The invention provides an x-ray imaging apparatus which includes an x-ray source for emitting radiation, an x-ray detector for detecting radiation emitted by the x-ray source which has passed through an object being imaged, and magnetically attachable means for reducing scattered radiation received by the x-ray detector. According to a more limited aspect, the means for reducing includes an antiscatter grid. According to still more limited aspect, the apparatus includes a ferromagnetic structure disposed in fixed relation to the antiscatter grid. According to a yet more limited aspect, the ferromagnetic structure comprises a metal frame. According to another yet more limited aspect, the apparatus includes a magnet disposed at a periphery of the x-ray detector for magnetically engaging the ferromagnetic structure. According to a yet more limited aspect, the apparatus includes a support structure disposed about the x-ray detector for supporting the means for reducing. According to a still more limited aspect, the support structure includes a foam bezel and each of the plurality of magnets is disposed at least in part within the foram bezel. According to a still more limited aspect, the bezel includes an indent sized to accommodate a human digit, whereby the indent may be used in detaching the means for reducing. According another limited aspect, the apparatus includes a magnet disposed about a periphery of the antiscatter grid. According to a yet more limited aspect, the apparatus includes a ferromagnetic structure disposed in fixed relation to the x-ray detector for magnetically engaging the magnet. According to another more limited aspect, the apparatus includes a movable c-arm having first and second ends. The x-ray source is mounted to the first end and the x-ray detector is mounted to the second end. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of x-ray imaging includes the steps of positioning an antiscatter grid at a location between an object being imaged and an x-ray detector, magnetically attaching the antiscatter grid at the location, detecting radiation which has passed through the object, and generating an image indicative of the object. According to a more limited aspect, the step of magnetically attaching includes using a magnet disposed in fixed relation to the antiscatter grid to magnetically engage a ferromagnetic structure disposed about a periphery of the x-ray detector. According to another more limited aspect, the step of magnetically attaching includes using a magnet disposed in fixed relation to the detector to magnetically engage a ferromagnetic structure disposed about a periphery of the antiscatter grid. One advantage of the present invention is that the magnetic coupling between the means for reducing scattered radiation and the detector simplifies removal and reattachment of the means for reducing scattered radiation. Another advantage of the present invention is that cleaning and disinfecting of the detector assembly can be simplified. Ways of carrying out the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a representative side view of an x-ray imaging apparatus of the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded isometric view of a detector assembly of the present invention; Figure 3 is an isometric view of a sub-frame of the detector assembly of Fig. 2; Figure 4 is an exploded isometric view of an antiscatter grid assembly of the present invention. Figure 5 is a partial cross sectional enlarged side view of a bezel of the detector assembly of Fig. 2 supporting the antiscatter grid assembly of Fig. 4; Figure 6 is an isometric view of the antiscatter grid coupled to the detector assembly of the present invention; and Figure 7 is an isometric view of a grid assembly in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. With reference to Fig. 1, an x-ray imaging apparatus 10 includes a support structure 15 having a movable arm 18 shaped in the form of a "C". The movable arm 18 is rotatably coupled to a ground support leg 20 via a slidable connector 22. As electronic control panel 30 is secured to one end of the movable arm 18 and provides a user with the ability to control operations of the x-ray imaging apparatus 10. An x-ray source 24 is secured to an opposite end of the movable arm 18 and provides x-rays 23 for imaging of a patient or object 25. A x-ray detector assembly 26 is secured to the electronic control panel 30 for receiving the x-rays 23 and producing signals indicative of the strength of the x-rays received. The detector assembly 26 preferably includes a flat panel silicon detector array. The array includes a sheet of scintillating material which emits a scintillation of light in response to incident radiation. An array of photodiodes disposed behind the scintillator generates an electrical signal indicative of the intensity of the incident radiation for each of a plurality of x,y positions in the array. Alternately, the detector assembly 26 may includes a so-called direct conversion array such as disclosed in U.S. Patents 5,331,179 and 5,319,206 to Lee. These detectors convert the incident radiation directly to electrical charge using a selenium photoconductor layer on top of a microcapacitor matrix. A patient or other object to be imaged is situated on a patient support (not shown) between the x-ray source 24 and the detector assembly 26. It will be appreciated that the x-ray imaging apparatus 10 may also be part of a computed tomography (CT) imaging apparatus (not shown). The detector assembly 26 is coupled to image reconstruction circuitry 28 which serves to reconstruct an image of the object 25 based on the position and intensity of the detected x-rays 23 as is known in the art. The reconstructed image may then be displayed on a video monitor 29 or otherwise be stored for later retrieval. If used to produce fluoroscopic images, the detector 26 and reconstruction circuitry combine to produce a repeatedly updated image which is useful for observing a dynamic function, guiding a procedure, searching through a body section, or the like. If used to produce radiographic images, one or more still images are generated. Referring now to Fig. 2, an exploded view of the detector assembly 26 of the present invention is shown. As shown, the detector assembly 26 includes a flat panel detector 27 and a support assembly 35. The support assembly 35 includes a bezel 50, a sub-frame 51, and magnets 55. The bezel 50 is made of a soft durable material, such as a urethane foam 90 (Fig. 5), and aids in sealing the flat panel detector 27 from light, air, and fluids which may otherwise deleteriously effect image quality and sterility of the flat panel detector 27. The foam 90 also helps form a seal against bio-hazardous fluids which may be introduced at or near the flat panel detector 27. Disposed in the bezel 50 is a series of puck-shaped magnets 55. Although the magnets 55 are shown above the bezel 50 in the exploded view of Fig. 2, it will be appreciated that the bezel 50 is actually moulded about the magnets 55. This may be seen more clearly below with reference to Fig. 5 wherein the magnets 55 are shown actually situated within the soft urethane foam 90 of bezel 50. In the present invention the support assembly 35 includes eight magnets 55, however, it will be appreciated that any number of suitable magnets may be used. Each magnet 55 of the present embodiment is approximately 3/4 inch (1.91 cm) in diameter and 1/4 inch (0.64 cm) in height. Further, each magnet 55 has a strength, or pulling force, of approximate eight pounds (3.63 kg). As is discussed in more detail below, the combined strength of the magnets 55 is sufficient to support an antiscatter grid assembly 45 through the bezel 50 while still allowing for easy removal by a user. Of course, other suitable sizes, shapes, and strengths for the magnets 55 may alternatively be used. The sub-frame 51 is made of a metal such as steel and provides support for bezel 50. As best seen in Fig. 3, the sub-frame 51 includes a magnet receiving groove 53 corresponding to each magnet 55. The magnet receiving grooves 53 provide added security to placement of the magnets about the periphery of the bezel 50. Referring again to Fig. 2, the flat panel detector 27 is coupled to the support assembly 35 by way of a plurality of screws (not shown) which are threaded through aligned screw apertures 57 in the bezel 50, the sub-frame 51 and the flat panel detector 27. The screws are inserted through a bottom surface 91 of the bezel and are threaded through both the sub-frame 51 and flat panel detector 27. Referring now to Fig. 4, an exploded view of the antiscatter grid assembly 45 is shown. The antiscatter grid assembly 45 includes an antiscatter grid 60 which in the present embodiment is made of a carbon fibre and serves to prevent stray radiation from reaching the detectors (not shown). An antiscatter grid which may be used in the present embodiment is, for example, of a type commercially available from Smit Rotogen in the Netherlands. The antiscatter grid assembly 45 further includes a frame assembly 65 having an upper frame 68 and a lower frame 70. The upper frame 68 and the lower frame 70 are both made of a metal such as steel, and together serve to sandwich the antiscatter grid 60 therebetween. More specifically, a lower surface 74 of the upper frame 68 is bonded to an upper surface 76 of the lower frame 70 with the antiscatter grid 60 sandwiched between using an epoxy resin. The epoxy resin provides a secure, permanent connection which also bonds with the carbon fibre of the antiscatter grid 60. Of course other bonding methods which would not deleteriously effect the performance of the antiscatter grid 60 may also be used. An outer periphery 78 of the antiscatter grid 60 is slightly larger than an inner periphery 80 of the lower frame 70 such that the sandwiched antiscatter grid 60 may be supported by, and rest on, the lower frame 70. Further, to ensure proper alignment of the antiscatter grid 60, the upper frame 68 includes a raised portion 81 along its inner periphery 82 with a height just slightly larger than a height of the antiscatter grid 60 so as to allow situation of the antiscatter grid 60 therein. The frame assembly 65 serves to provide a magnetic interface for the antiscatter grid assembly 45 to couple to the bezel 50 (Fig. 2) and also helps protect the antiscatter grid 60 from damage in the event it is dropped or otherwise mishandled. Turning now to Fig. 5, a more detailed view of the disposition of the magnets 55 within the urethane foam 90 of the bezel 50 having is shown along with the antiscatter grid assembly 45 coupled thereto. More specifically, the magnet 55 is shown to be disposed within the urethane foam 90 of the bezel 50 in a manner sufficiently close to the bottom surface 91 of the bezel 50 so as to allow magnetic forces of the magnet 55 to support the antiscatter grid assembly 45 placed in proximity thereto. A top portion 59 of each magnet 55 protrudes upward from a inner surface 56 of the bezel 50 (see Fig. 2) such that the magnet receiving grooves 53 in the sub-frame 51 fit over the magnet 55. As best seen in Figs. 5 and 6, a bottom portion of the bezel 50 defines a recessed chamber 100 which is sized and shaped to snugly fit the antiscatter grid assembly 45. A pair of thumb holes or thumb indents 110 in the bezel 50 defined along opposite sides of the recessed chamber 100 provides for easy insertion and removal of the antiscatter grid assembly 45 from the bezel 50 of the detector assembly 26 (Fig. 1). The thumb holes 110 may be sized to accommodate users who may have gloves on their hands, for example. Although two thumb holes 110 are disclosed in the present embodiment, it will be appreciated that one or more thumb holes of various sizes may alternatively be used. In operation, the antiscatter grid assembly 45 may be easily inserted and removed from the bezel 50 of the detector assembly 26. Insertion of the antiscatter grid assembly 45 may be accomplished by placing the antiscatter grid assembly 45 within a close proximity of the recessed chamber 100 of the bezel 50. As the antiscatter grid assembly 45 is moved close to the recessed chamber 100, the magnets 55 and the upper frame 68 of the metal frame assembly 65 sufficiently attract such that the antiscatter grid assembly 45 couples to the bezel 50 with no further action on the part of the user. In order to remove the antiscatter grid assembly 45, the user may place any one of his/her fingers, for example, into the oppositely spaced thumb holes 110 and direct the antiscatter grid assembly 45 away from the recessed chamber 100. As the grid 45 begins to move away from the bezel 50, and hence the magnets 55, the antiscatter grid assembly 45 becomes fully removed and independent of the bezel 50. Thus, the present invention provides for a simple and efficient manner to couple the antiscatter grid 60 to the detector assembly 26 which requires no additional mechanical clips, joints or fasteners. Further, because there are no additional mechanical connections and crevices, the present invention provides for a design which allows the detector assembly 26 to be easily cleaned for disinfection purposes. Referring now to Fig. 7, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment the metal frame assembly 65 of the antiscatter grid assembly 45 is shown to have the magnets 55 secured thereon. The magnets 55 may be secured to the metal frame assembly 65 using an epoxy or other suitable adhesive. Alternatively, the magnets 55 may be mechanically secured to the antiscatter grid assembly 45. In order to couple the antiscatter grid assembly 45 of the present embodiment to the bezel 50 of the detector assembly 26, the bezel 50 includes metal discs made of steel, for example, in place of the magnets 55. Thus, when the magnets 55 situated on the antiscatter grid assembly 45 are brought into close proximity to the metal plates disposed in the bezel 50, a magnetic coupling allows the antiscatter grid assembly 45 to become attached to the bezel 50. It will also be appreciated, that the bezel 50 and the antiscatter grid assembly 45 may both have magnets 55 coupled or disposed thereon. In such a case, the opposing component provides a metal surface such that the metal surface aligns with the opposing magnet 55 on the other component when the two components are joined. While the anti-scatter grid has been described in connection with a C-arm system which is particularly well-suited for interventional procedures, it may also be used in conjunction with radiographic or fluoroscopic tables, in CT scanners, or the like. The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations. The invention is only as defined in the appended set of claims.

Claims: An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising an X-ray source (24) for emitting radiation; an X-ray detector (26) for detecting radiation emitted by the X-ray source which has passed through an object being imaged; and means that serve to prevent some or all radiation caused to scatter in the object from reaching the detector, characterized in that the means are magnetically attachable. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means (45) for reducing scattered radiation includes an antiscatter grid (60). Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, including a ferromagnetic structure (65) disposed in fixed relation to the antiscatter grid (60). Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the ferromagnetic structure (65) comprises a metal frame. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, including a magnet (55) disposed at a periphery of the x-ray detector for magnetically engaging the ferromagnetic structure (65). Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, including a support structure (35) disposed about the x-ray detector for supporting the means (45) for reducing scattered radiation. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, including a plurality of magnets (55), wherein the support structure includes a foam bezel (50), and wherein each of the plurality of magnets is disposed at least in part within the foam bezel. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the bezel includes an indent (110) sized to accommodate a human digit, whereby the indent may be used in detaching the means (45) for reducing scattered radiation. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, including a magnet (55) disposed about a periphery of the antiscatter grid. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, including a ferromagnetic structure disposed in fixed relation to the x-ray detector for magnetically engaging the magnet. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, including a movable C-arm (18) having first and second ends and wherein the x-ray source (24) is mounted to the first end of the C-arm and the x-ray detector (26) is mounted to the second end of the C-arm. A method of x-ray imaging comprising: positioning an antiscatter grid (60) at a location between an object being imaged and an x-ray detector (26); magnetically attaching the antiscatter grid at the location; detecting radiation which has passed through the object; and generating an image indicative of the object. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the step of magnetically attaching includes using a magnet (55) disposed in fixed relation to the antiscatter grid (60) to magnetically engage a ferromagnetic structure disposed about a periphery of the x-ray detector (26). A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the step of magnetically attaching includes using a magnet (55) disposed in fixed relation to the detector (26) to magnetically engage a ferromagnetic structure (65) disposed about a periphery of the antiscatter grid.

Inventors: DEUCHER JOSEPH S, PISCITELLI MARC, SHROY ROBERT E, DEUCHER, JOSEPH S., PISCITELLI, MARC, SHROY, ROBERT E.
Applicants: KONINKL PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NV, KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A61B6
IPC codes: G06T1, A61B6, G21K1, H04N7