Patent Number: 054855004
Section: description

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a chest X-ray imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The chest X-ray imaging system of this embodiment includes components, such as an imaging sequence controller 1, an X-ray tube high voltage generator 2, an X-ray tube 3, an X-ray iris and filter 4, an X-ray slit 5, an X-ray grid 6, an X-ray image intensifier 7 (hereinafter abbreviated as X-ray II), an optical lens and mirror unit 8, an iris 9, an ultra high precision television camera 10, an image acquisition and processing unit 11, an image display unit 12, a data storage unit 13, a position change mechanism 14 for controlling the position of an X-ray detection unit 16 enclosed by a broken line, and a position change controller 15. The imaging posture of a subject is a standing position, or a dorsal or ventral position on a bed. For the standing position, an X-ray incident plane of the X-ray detection unit is positioned generally upright on the floor (like shown in FIG. 1). For the dorsal or ventral position, X-ray beams are applied to a subject from the higher or lower position and the detector is positioned under or above the bed. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray detection unit 16 moves perpendicular to the surface of the drawing sheet (parallel to the floor) for imaging a subject a plurality of times. The television camera 10 uses as its image pickup device a high resolution image pickup tube 20. The X-ray II 7 has an effective input view field diameter of about 14 inches, corresponding to a field of view covering a single lung and mediastinum. The X-ray incident plane of the X-ray detection unit 16 is set vertical to the floor and to the center line inter-connecting the X-ray tube and the center of the X-ray incident plane. The function of each component will be summarized in the following. The imaging sequence controller 1 defines the imaging sequence of the X-ray detection unit 16 for X-ray imaging a single lung (right or left lung) and mediastinum at two predetermined positions, namely it defines the width and period of two X-ray pulses, the amplitude of a high voltage (X-ray tube voltage), the value of a tube current, and a position change of the X-ray detection unit 16. The position change controller 15 controls the position change mechanism 14 to maintain the X-ray detection unit 16 still at the two predetermined positions during X-ray imaging and move it during the period between the two X-ray pulses. In this manner, X-ray imaging can be performed two times consecutively at the two positions. The X-ray slit 5 has a predetermined width through which an X-ray is transmitted, and is adapted to move in one direction and change its position with a changed imaging region. The high voltage generator 2 generates a voltage and current and the X-ray tube 3 generates an X-ray, in accordance with an imaging sequence. An X-ray transmitted through the subject 17 is applied to the X-ray II 7 via the X-ray grid 6 at which the X-ray is attenuated by shielding its scattered X-ray. An X-ray image projected to an input phosphor screen 18 of the X-ray II 7 is converted into a visual image on an output phosphor screen 19. The optical lens and mirror unit 8 focusses the visual image onto the television camera 10 which converts the image into a video signal to be inputted to the image acquisition and processing unit 11. At the image acquisition and processing unit 11, the video signal is A/D converted and stored in an internal frame memory. Geometric distortion and image level (density) shading of the two digital X-ray images inherent to the X-ray detection unit are corrected. Two corrected images are joined together so as to align the subject regions commonly contained in the two images, image-processed, displayed on the image display unit 12, and stored in the data storage unit 13. The data display unit 12 displays either a single lung image, a joined image, or a composite image of right and left lung juxtaposed images. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a position change sequence in the imaging sequence. Both the position (position A) of the X-ray detection unit 16 covering the region of one lung and mediastinum and the position (position B) covering the region of the other lung and mediastinum are determined beforehand. Typically, positions A and B are located at the right and left sides of a subject, 85 mm from the center line of it. First, the position of the X-ray detection unit 16 is set to position A. In the typical operation mode of the television camera shown in FIG. 2, a video signal is read 30 frames per second and 1000 scan lines per frame. The read time is 33 ms, and the X-ray irradiation time is 5 ms. The irradiation time may be set to, for example, about 30 ms. At the frame when an X-ray is irradiated, an image-read-out scan is stopped by the frame blanking operation of the television camera to record an X-ray image on an image pickup screen. At the next frame, the frame blanking operation is stopped and the image-read-out scan is executed to read first image data and store it in the image acquisition and processing unit. Next, the X-ray detection unit 16 is moved to position B. An average motion speed is typically about 50 cm/s, and it takes 330 ms to move the unit 16. After the unit 16 is moved to position B, second image data is acquired in the similar manner to the case of position A. FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an image joining algorithm. This algorithm includes an image correction process for correcting the sensitivity and geometric distortion of a plurality of digital X-ray images and an image joining process for joining the plurality of digital X-ray images by aligning the common subject regions contained in the images, and for correcting the image densities. The image correction process 320 is divided into a pre-process 300 for generating correction tables prior to X-ray imaging a chest and a post-process 310 for correcting image data. The pre-process 300 generates a non-uniformity correction factor table (302) for correcting image sensitivity non-uniformity (303-1, 303-2, . . . ) and a corresponding position relation table (304) for correcting image geometrical distortions (305-1, 305-2, . . . ). In order to generate the non-uniformity correction factor table (302), a standard chart having a uniform X-ray transmittance is imaged (301). In order to generate the corresponding position relation table (304), a standard chart having elements (such as holes) at known positions is imaged (303). In order to generate the non-uniformity correction factor table, the standard chart with the uniform X-ray transmittance is imaged to measure an image-level (density) data of each pixel detected by the detector. The measured data itself, or the measured data with high frequency noises removed therefrom by smoothing it, is stored in the non-uniformity correction factor table. The image data D(x, y) of a subject is given by the following equation (1) in the x-y coordinate system of the X-ray detector: EQU D(x, y)={T(x, y)+S(x, y)}* H(x, y) * A(x, y) (1) where A(x, y) represents an X-ray emission intensity, T(x, y) represents an X-ray transmittance distribution of the subject, and S(x, y) represents a scattered X-ray distribution. The image data B(x, y) of the chart with a uniform X-ray transmittance is given by the following equation (2): EQU B(x, y)=k*H(x, y)*A(x, y) (2) where k is a constant. For example, for the non-uniformity factor correction, the left side of the following equation (3) is calculated: EQU lnD(x, y)-lnB(x, y)=ln {T(x, y)+S(x, y){-lnk (3) The correction result is the right side of the equation (3). In this case, the scattered X-ray distribution S(x, y) is left uncorrected. As a method of correcting the scattered X-ray distribution, there is a method of substituting the scattered X-ray distribution actually measured into the equation (3). Alternatively, as will be later described, the scattered X-ray distribution may be corrected by correcting the density difference of two images as the joining point when a plurality of images are joined together. In order to generate the corresponding position relation table, the standard chart having elements at known positions is imaged. The image of the standard chart is analyzed so that the direction and magnitude of a distortion at each element position can be known. The corresponding position relation between a subject image and the standard chart image is stored in the corresponding position relation table, using the coordinate values of each element as parameters. This table is generated using as parameters the coordinate values of all pixels of the standard chart image in the following manner. Since pixels of a distortion-corrected image are not all in correspondence with the discrete positions of the measured standard chart image, the corresponding coordinates values are estimated from adjacent known discrete positions, by interpolation and extrapolation calculations. As the interpolation and extrapolation calculations, various interpolation methods may be used such as a nearest neighborhood method, a Lagrange interpolation method, a sampling function interpolation method, and a spline interpolation method. FIG. 4 shows an example of the standard chart. This standard chart has holes at a plurality of lattice points 140. In this case, the coordinate values of the lattice points are stored as parameters in the corresponding position table. Other coordinate values at positions other than the lattice points to be stored in the table are calculated by interpolation and extrapolation. In the case where the Lagrange interpolation method using four lattice points is used, as shown in FIG. 4, the coordinate values of pixels in an oblique line area 144 surrounded by four lattice points within a circle view field 42 are calculated by interpolation, and the coordinate values of pixels in another oblique line area 146 near the inside and outside of the view field 42 are calculated by extrapolation. At the post-process (310) shown in FIG. 3, the images (308-1, 308-2, . . . ) obtained through radiography of a subject (307-1, 307-2, . . . ) undergo the sensitivity non-uniform correction process (303-1, 303-2, . . . ). In this correction process, the non-uniformity correction factor for each pixel of a subject image is obtained from the non-uniformity correction factor table. The pixel value of the subject is divided by the correction factor. Next, the geometric distortion correction process (305-1, 305-2, . . . ) is executed. In this correction process, the coordinate value of each pixel of the distortion-corrected image is related to the corresponding coordinate value of a pixel of the measured image, by using the corresponding position relation table. The value of the pixel at the corresponding coordinate value is used as the image density. As described previously, since pixels of a distortion-corrected image are not all in correspondence with the discrete positions of the measured image, the corresponding coordinates values are estimated from adjacent known discrete positions, by interpolation and extrapolation calculations. As the interpolation and extrapolation calculations, various interpolation methods may be used such as a nearest neighborhood method, a Lagrange interpolation method, a sampling function interpolation method, and a spline interpolation method. After the image correction process (320), an image joining process (330) is executed. At the image joining process 330, a joining point for image joining is determined (331-1, 331-2, . . . ) and thereafter the coordinate systems are unified so as to make the coordinate values of joining points of images coincide with each other (332-1, 332-2, . . . ). The images are then joined together (335), and the image level (density) of the subject image near the joining point is corrected (336). With the procedure of the algorithm illustrated in FIG. 3, it is possible to obtain a joined image 337 of a plurality of subject images while performing various corrections. FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate how a joining point is determined. In FIGS. 5A and 5B, there is shown the position relation between fields of view obtained by two radiographic exposures. Two circles 42 represent the fields of view of the X-ray detection unit at different imaging positions. FIG. 5A illustrates a method of using as a reference point the characteristic point (such as an edge of a particular bone) of a subject common to two X-ray images. In FIG. 5A, the first to fifth thoracic vertebrae 43-1 to 43-5 and ribs 44 are shown. One edge point on these bones, e.g., the vertebra, in this example, an edge point on the second vertebra indicated by a solid black circle, is used as a marker 40. FIG. 5B illustrates a method of using, as reference points, the points of markers (40-1, 40-2) common to two X-ray images. In this example, the markers made of circular metal pieces are attached to a subject when imaging it. FIG. 5C illustrates a method of imaging a subject 47 by placing a marker chart 45 having a known transmittance and known positions of lattice points usable as joining points, and using as reference points some lattice points, such as points (140-3, 140-4) indicated by black solid circles. With this method, it is possible both to determine reference points and to correct geometric distortions by referring to the positions of lattice points on the subject image. It is preferable that a reference point for determining the joining point is contained in a plurality of X-ray images. The joining method used in this case will be later described with reference to Fig. 6. Even if a reference point is contained in only one X-ray image, a plurality of X-ray images can be joined together by using known reference point coordinate values in the subject space. For example, in the case of the marker chart 45 shown in FIG. 5C, if the coordinate values of four lattice points (46-1 to 46-4) indicated by white empty circles are known, the images can be joined together. As a method of joining a plurality of digital images, a method disclosed, for example, in JP-A-2-264372 may be used. According to this method, two points commonly imaged on a plurality of digital images are sampled, the images are joined together by using a line passing through the two points as a border line (joining line) for two images, and the average density distribution of each image is calculated to correct the density of each pixel. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of an image joining method. In FIG. 6, two reference points A and B are commonly contained in two X-ray images R and L. If the joining points on the image L are points A1 and B1 and the joining points on the image R are points A2 and B2, points A1 and A2 and points B1 and B2 correspond to reference points A and B at the same positions of the subject. The coordinate systems of the two images R and L are unified by making points A1 and A2 coincide with each other at point A so that points A1 and A2 are shown at the same point A in Fig. 6 and points B1 and B2 coincide with each other at point B so that points B1 and B2 are shown at the same point B in Fig. 6. Affine transformation is used for the coordinate transformation, and the corresponding position relation table obtained through interpolation and extrapolation is used. After the coordinate system transformation, two images are superposed one upon the other so as to make corresponding joining points coincide with each other. A polygonal line CABD is used as a joining line, where A is the coincident point of the joining points A1 and A2, B is the coincident point of the joining points B1 and B2, C and D are cross points of the outer peripheries of the two fields of view. The left image L to the left of the joining line and the right image R to the right of the joining line are joined together. Generally, a polygonal line coupling coincident joining points and cross points of the outer peripheries of fields of view is used as the joining line to join images together. After the image joining, the density (image value) of the superposed area of the images L and R is corrected in order to correct the discontinuity of the density at the joining points. FIGS. 7A to 7E illustrate an example of the density correction. The pixel value of the image L is represented by 1, and that of the image R is represented by r. In this invention, the pixel values in the area only contained in one of two images are kept unchanged, and the pixel values in the area contained on both the two images are corrected by using a density correction factor calculated by the algorithm to be described later. In FIG. 7A, R and L represent two images, and a bold polygonal line is a joining line (CABD) (refer to FIG. 6). The density correction for a line G (coincident with X-axis) is illustrated in FIG. 7B. RD and LD are density curves of the images R and L on the line G. The pixel value on the joining line takes an arithmetic mean of pixel values of the images R and L on the line. The pixel values near the joining line are multiplied by correction factors, so as to make the change in the pixel values of the images R and L on the line continuous. As shown in FIG. 7C, correction factors (represented by a broken line RC1 and a solid line LC1 for the images R and L) are linearly changed so as to make the pixel values of the images R and L continuous on the joining line. The correction factors are calculated for each line (in the X-direction). An example of determining correction factors will be described, The pixel values on the joining line are set to an arithmetic means of the pixel value (1) of the image L and the pixel value (r) of the image R. The correction amount m (refer to FIG. 7B) on the joining line is calculated from the following equation (4). The position of the line G is changed in the Y-direction to obtain an arithmetic means on a new line from the equation (4). EQU m=(L-r)/2 . . . (4) The correction amount m changes discontinuously in the vertical direction (Y-direction). Namely, as shown in FIG. 7D, correction factors (represented by a solid line LC2 and broken line RC2) calculated from the correction amount m on the joining line at each point become discontinuous in the vertical direction. As a result, if the density correction is performed by using these correction factors, the density of the corrected image becomes discontinuous in the vertical direction although it is continuous in the horizontal direction (X-direction). In order to obtain correction factors continuous also in the vertical direction, the correction amount m' on the joining line given by the following equation (5) is used: ##EQU1## where i represent the pixel position in the X-direction, and j represents the pixel position in the Y-direction. The correction amount m' is an arithmetic mean of correction amounts m given by the equation (4) in a window defined by p pixels in the horizontal direction (X-direction) and q pixels in the vertical direction (Y-direction). As shown in FIG. 7E, correction factors (a solid line LC3 and broken line RC3) calculated so that the correction amounts is equal to m' on the joining line m' become continuous also in the vertical direction. If the density correction is performed using these correction factors the density of the corrected image becomes continuous both in the horizontal direction (X-direction) and in the vertical direction (Y-direction) at each line. In the above embodiment, the input field of view of the X-ray II covers one lung and mediastinum, and the whole chest can be covered by two radiographic exposures, minimizing the time required for imaging the subject and processing image data. The shape of the view field of a joined image obtained by a chest X-ray imaging system is preferably a square or a shape like a square. The imaging time is preferably 2 seconds or less in order to minimize the motion of the chest while the breathing is stopped. In this embodiment, the input field of view of the X-ray II is a circle having a diameter of about 30 to 45 cm. The relative motion distance of the X-ray II between two radiographic exposures is about 1/2 of the diameter of the input field of view. The shape of a joined image is a square having a side length of about .sqroot.3/2 times the diameter of the input field of view, which provides a sufficient field of view of a 35 cm square required for the chest diagnosis. The imaging time is about 0.5 sec or less, which is proper in practical use. In the above embodiment, the position change mechanism moves the X-ray detection unit horizontally between consecutive radiographic exposures. This is suitable for imaging the chest of a subject in a standing posture, and for moving the X-ray detection unit having a large weight by using a simple structure of the mechanism. As a trajectory of the X-ray detection unit between two radiographic exposures, a circular trajectory 80 indicated by a bold line in FIG. 8 as well as a straight trajectory may also be used. In FIG. 8, reference numerals 85 represent two imaging centers. The position change mechanism for a straight trajectory involves reversed motion directions. The position change mechanism for a circular trajectory does not require reversed motion directions so that the structure of the mechanism can be simplified. If a small X-ray II of about 12 inches is used, the number of chest radiographic exposures is preferably four. In this case, it is preferable to move the imaging center of the X-ray detection unit along the circular trajectory indicated by the bold line in FIG. 9 so that a field of view like a square can be obtained. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the structure of an X-ray imaging system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the X-ray imaging system of this embodiment, the positions of an X-ray source 3 and a subject 17 are fixed. When imaging the subject 17, the X-ray source 3 positions on a center line coupling the X-ray source 3 and the center of the X-ray input plane of an X-ray detection unit 16, and the X-ray detection unit 16 moves while always maintaining its X-ray input plane perpendicular to the center line. As a result, the X-ray detection unit 16 moves along the arc line about the center of the X-ray source 3. Instead of moving the X-ray detection unit along the arc line in the above manner, another position change mechanism may also be used wherein a linear position change system for linearly moving the center of the X-ray input plane of the X-ray detection unit 16 to predetermined imaging positions, and a rotary system for rotating the X-ray detection unit 16 placed on a stage rotating about its rotation axis and facing the unit 16 towards the X-ray source 3. In this case, the predominant motion is a linear motion so that the X-ray detection unit 16 can be moved at high speed. In the above embodiment, the X-ray source 3 and the subject 17 are fixed. Instead, the X-ray source 3 is faced to the center of the X-ray detection unit 16 at each exposure time. In this case, the X-ray intensity distribution can be maintained constant, allowing to make the focal size small and the resolution high. In changing the relative position between an X-ray detection unit and a subject, the subject 17 may be moved instead of moving the X-ray detection unit 16. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, the X-ray source 3 and X-ray detection unit 16 are fixed on a center line passing through the X-ray source and the center of the X-ray detection unit 16, while maintaining the X-ray input plane of the X-ray detection unit perpendicular to the center line. When imaging the X-ray source 3, the subject 17 is located at a predetermined position on a center line passing through the X-ray source and the center of the subject 17, while the subject 17 maintaining its posture perpendicular to the center line. The method of moving only the subject does not give any direct vibration to the X-ray detection unit, eliminating the adverse effect of vibration noises. In addition to the above methods of imaging a plurality of divided target imaging regions by changing the relative position between the X-ray detection unit and subject, both the X-ray detection unit and subject may be moved at the same time or time sequentially. The method of moving both the X-ray detection unit and subject provides an advantage of shortening the time required for moving them. If the relative position between the X-ray detection unit and subject is changed even during X-ray exposure, the position change mechanism can be simplified. In a ultra high precision camera using an image pickup tube, the resolution in the horizontal scanning line direction is generally lower than that in the vertical direction. Therefore, if an X-ray absorption plate constituting the X-ray grid is vertical to the horizontal scanning line direction of the image pickup tube, an image of the X-ray absorption plate, i.e., a grid pattern, becomes unsharp on the subject image, so that the visual diagnosis of the subject image will not be obstructed. In the above embodiments, an X-ray II-TV system using an X-ray II and a television camera of an image pickup tube has been used as the X-ray detection unit. This system has the most advanced technical development and is now widely used as the real time X-ray imaging system. A ultra high precision camera with 2100 or 4200 scanning lines may be used with this system, allowing a high resolution X-ray image to be imaged relatively easily. Also with this system, X-ray fluoroscopy is possible, realizing easy imaging position alignment. Since an image can be read in real time, the next imaging can be started immediately after the X-ray detection unit 16 is moved to the next imaging position, and also the continuous imaging can be performed. If the horizontal scanning line direction of an image pickup tube used as the image pickup element of a television camera is made parallel to the motion of the X-ray detection unit taking a plurality of subject images, then the position alignment of a plurality of subject images can be achieved only by parallel position changes between a plurality of subject images. Therefore, calculation for generating a joined image can be simplified, and the time required for obtaining the joined image from a plurality of subject images can be shortened. Instead of the image pickup tube, a CCD image pickup device maybe used for a television camera, in which the direction of arrays of CCD elements is made parallel to the direction of moving the X-ray detection unit taking a plurality of subject images. If a camera using an image pickup tube is mechanically vibrated during read-out scanning, noises may be generated by the characteristic oscillation of the electrodes of the image pickup tube, resulting in a possible error. After the mechanical vibration is removed, it takes a certain time thereafter to attenuate noises. In the case of a CCD element which is a solid element, the noises are rarely generated by mechanical vibration. It is therefore possible to perform reading an image and moving the X-ray detection unit at the same time after X-ray exposure, and to perform next imaging immediately after moving the X-ray detection unit. As a result, a plurality of X-ray images used for forming a joined image can be obtained at high speed, reducing the influence of a motion of a subject during the period while the X-ray detection unit is moved. Not only a combination of an X-ray II and a television camera but also a combination of a phosphor plate and a television camera may be used as the X-ray detection unit. In the latter case, the geometrical distortion and non-uniformity of sensitivity at low spatial frequencies of an image on the phosphor plate are smaller than an X-ray II, allowing images to be corrected and joined more easily. However, the sensitivity of a high resolution phosphor plate is lower than an X-ray II, so that used as a television camera is a high sensitivity imaging device such as a ultra high sensitivity image pickup tube using avalanche phenomenon or a ultra low noise imaging device such as a cooled CCD device. The application fields of the present invention are not limited to chest radiography, but are applicable to other large internal organs such as the colon of a subject with a large body structure. An angiogram of a whole body may be formed by smoothly coupling joining regions of a plurality of images, for the proper diagnosis of blood vessels near the joining regions. The digital X-ray imaging system of this invention can use various imaging methods available to conventional X-ray imaging systems, extending the application fields of the present invention. For example, an image of a wider field of view and more precise than a conventional system can be obtained by using a tomography imaging method, an enlarged imaging methods or a stereo imaging method.