Radiant energy – Invisible radiant energy responsive electric signalling – Semiconductor system
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-14
2001-03-13
Hannaher, Constantine (Department: 2878)
Radiant energy
Invisible radiant energy responsive electric signalling
Semiconductor system
C250S370090, C250S370140
Reexamination Certificate
active
06201249
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an X-ray image sensing unit, a processing unit used upon being connected to the X-ray image sensing unit, and an X-ray imaging system obtained by combining the X-ray image sensing unit and the processing unit. The present invention is ideal for application to a digital X-ray imaging apparatus that uses a solid-state imaging device, particularly a digital X-ray imaging apparatus in which the sensor section for imaging is capable of being separated from a processing unit such as a controller.
2. Description of the Related Art
A film screen system comprising a combination of sensitized paper and X-ray photographic film is used in X-ray imaging for the purpose of medical diagnosis. In accordance with this system, X-rays that have passed through an object include information representing the interior of the object and are converted by the sensitized paper to visible light proportional to the strength of the X-rays. The visible light exposes the X-ray photographic film so that an X-ray image is formed on the film.
A digital X-ray imaging apparatus that has recently begun to be used employs a phosphor to convert X-rays to visible light that is proportional to the strength of the X-rays, converts the visible light to an electric signal using a photoelectric transducer, and converts the electric signal from an analog to a digital quantity by an A/D converter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to make it possible for a processing unit to automatically acquire information relating to imaging by the imaging section of an X-ray image sensing unit in an X-ray imaging system having the X-ray image sensing unit and the processing unit.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, the foregoing object is attained by providing an X-ray image sensing unit having an imaging section for picking up an X-ray image, the X-ray imaging sensing unit being removably attached to an external processing unit and comprising: transfer means for transferring the image picked up by the imaging section to the processing unit; a terminal for connecting or disconnecting the transfer means and the processing unit; and a non-volatile storage medium for storing information by which the processing unit specifies conditions of imaging by the imaging section.
In a preferred embodiment, the information stored on the storage medium in the X-ray imaging sensing unit according to the first aspect of the invention includes e.g. information relating to sensitivity of the imaging section.
In a preferred embodiment, the information stored on the storage medium in the X-ray imaging sensing unit according to the first aspect of the invention includes e.g. information relating to sharpness of the image picked up by the imaging section.
In a preferred embodiment, the imaging section in the X-ray imaging sensing unit according to the first aspect of the invention has a phosphor for converting X-rays to visible light and a photoelectric transducer for converting the visible light to electricity, the information stored on the storage medium including e.g. information relating to thickness of the phosphor.
In a preferred embodiment, the information stored on the storage medium in the X-ray imaging sensing unit according to the first aspect of the invention includes e.g. information relating to defective pixels of the imaging section.
In a preferred embodiment, the information stored on the storage medium in the X-ray imaging sensing unit according to the first aspect of the invention includes e.g. information relating to ON time of the imaging section.
In a preferred embodiment, the information stored on the storage medium in the X-ray imaging sensing unit according to the first aspect of the invention includes e.g. information for compensating for a difference insensitivity between elements constituting pixels of the imaging section.
In a preferred embodiment, the information stored on the storage medium in the X-ray imaging sensing unit according to the first aspect of the invention includes e.g. information indicating whether the X-ray imaging sensing unit has means for controlling X-ray exposure time.
In a preferred embodiment, the information stored on the storage medium in the X-ray imaging sensing unit according to the first aspect of the invention includes e.g. information indicating whether the X-ray imaging sensing unit has a grid for preventing X-rays, which have been scattered by an object, from impinging upon the imaging section.
In a preferred embodiment, the X-ray imaging sensing unit according to the first aspect of the invention further comprises a grid for preventing X-rays, which have been scattered by an object, from impinging upon the imaging section, wherein the information stored on the storage medium includes e.g. information relating to the type of grid.
In a preferred embodiment, the information stored on the storage medium in the X-ray imaging sensing unit according to the first aspect of the invention includes e.g. an ID number of the X-ray imaging sensing unit.
In a preferred embodiment, the storage medium in the X-ray imaging sensing unit according to the first aspect of the invention is capable of having information read out and rewritten by the processing unit.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the foregoing object is attained by providing an X-ray imaging system comprising an X-ray imaging sensing unit having an imaging section for picking up an X-ray image, and a processing unit for controlling the X-ray imaging sensing unit and processing an image supplied by the X-ray imaging sensing unit, wherein the X-ray imaging sensing unit has a non-volatile storage medium for storing information by which the processing unit specifies conditions of imaging by the imaging section, and the processing unit has decision means for reading out the information stored on the storage medium and deciding, on the basis of the information, a method of controlling the X-ray imaging sensing unit and/or content of processing executed by the processing unit.
In a preferred embodiment, the X-ray imaging sensing unit in the X-ray imaging system according to the second aspect of the invention is capable of being attached and detached, and the X-ray imaging sensing unit and processing unit each have a terminal for connecting and disconnecting them.
In a preferred embodiment, the processing unit in the X-ray imaging system according to the second aspect of the invention has a function whereby a storage device on a network is shared by other processing units.
In a preferred embodiment of the X-ray imaging system according to the second aspect of the invention, an ID number of the X-ray imaging sensing unit is stored on the storage medium, information indicating conditions of imaging by imaging sections of various X-ray imaging sensing units is stored in the storage device on the network, and the processing unit reads the ID number out of the storage medium and reads information corresponding to this ID number out of the storage device on the network.
In a preferred embodiment of the X-ray imaging system according to the second aspect of the invention, the processing unit has a mechanism for connecting the processing unit to a plurality of X-ray imaging sensing units.
In a preferred embodiment of the X-ray imaging system according to the second aspect of the invention, the information stored on the storage medium includes information relating to sensitivity of the imaging section.
In a preferred embodiment of the X-ray imaging system according to the second aspect of the invention, the information stored on the storage medium includes information relating to sharpness of the image picked up by the imaging section.
In a preferred embodiment of the X-ray imaging system according to the second aspect of the invention, the imaging section has a phosphor for converting X-rays to visible light and a photoelectric transducer for converting the visible light to electricity, the information stored on the s
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Gabor Otilia
Hannaher Constantine
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