US-20260123896-A1 - DIGITAL TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGE ACQUISITION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME

US20260123896A1US 20260123896 A1US20260123896 A1US 20260123896A1US-20260123896-A1

Abstract

A digital tomographic image acquisition device is proposed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The digital tomographic image acquisition device includes: a generator configured to generate X-rays; and a detector configured to detect readout data corresponding to the generated X-rays. The detector may be configured to detect the readout data in a target readout area corresponding to a source area in which the X-rays generated by the generator are to be emitted. The target readout area may be set as a partial area of an entire readout area covered by the detector.

Inventors

Taehyung Kim
Sungeun Lee
Byungkee Lee
Yongtae Kim
Youngjun JUNG
Dahea HAN

Assignees

LG ELECTRONICS INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20250609
Priority Date: 20241104

Claims (20)

1 . A digital tomographic image acquisition device comprising: a generator configured to generate X-rays; and a detector configured to detect readout data corresponding to the generated X-rays, wherein the detector is configured to detect the readout data in a target readout area corresponding to a source area in which the X-rays generated by the generator are to be emitted, and wherein the target readout area is set as a partial area of an entire readout area covered by the detector.
2 . The digital tomographic image acquisition device of claim 1 , wherein the target readout area is configured to have a size determined based on position information on the source area corresponding to the target readout area or position information on the generator for the source area corresponding to the target readout area.
3 . The digital tomographic image acquisition device of claim 1 , wherein the generator comprises a plurality of X-ray source units, and wherein the generator is configured to sequentially emit the X-rays to source areas configured for each of the plurality of X-ray source units.
4 . The digital tomographic image acquisition device of claim 1 , wherein the generator comprises a movable X-ray source unit, wherein the movable X-ray source unit is configured to sequentially emit the X-rays to a target source area configured for the movable X-ray source unit as the movable X-ray source unit moves, and wherein the target source area is a part of an entire source area of the generator configured to emit the X-rays.
5 . The digital tomographic image acquisition device of claim 1 , wherein the detector is configured to identify the target readout area and the generator or a position of the generator that emits the X-rays corresponding to the target readout area through pre-calibration.
6 . The digital tomographic image acquisition device of claim 1 , wherein the target readout area is determined based on a radius of the target readout area or position information on a foot of a perpendicular dropped from an activated X-ray source unit of the generator to a plane on the detector that includes the target readout area, and wherein the radius of the target readout area is determined based on a shortest distance between the generator and the detector and an X-ray emission angle of the generator.
7 . The digital tomographic image acquisition device of claim 6 , wherein the target readout area is defined by a gate line range of the detector and a data line range of the detector, wherein the gate line range includes a range on a first axis that falls within the radius of the target readout area, centered on a first-axis coordinate value of the position information, and wherein the data line range includes a range on a second axis that falls within the radius of the target readout area, centered on a second-axis coordinate value of the position information.
8 . The digital tomographic image acquisition device of claim 5 , wherein the target readout area is determined based on the position of the generator and the readout data to be detected corresponding to each of the position of the generator.
9 . The digital tomographic image acquisition device of claim 7 , wherein the gate line range and the data line range are limited within a boundary of the entire readout area.
10 . The digital tomographic image acquisition device of claim 1 , wherein the detector is configured to deactivate readout areas except for the target readout area.
11 . A control method for a digital tomographic image acquisition device, the control method comprising: generating X-rays through a generator; and detecting readout data in a target readout area corresponding to a source area in which the X-rays generated by the generator are to be emitted, through a detector, wherein the target readout area is set as a partial area of an entire readout area covered by the detector.
12 . The control method of claim 11 , wherein the target readout area is configured to have a size determined based on position information on the source area corresponding to the target readout area or position information on the generator for the source area corresponding to the target readout area.
13 . The control method of claim 11 , wherein the generator comprises a plurality of X-ray source units, and wherein the method comprises sequentially emitting the X-rays to source areas configured for each of the plurality of X-ray source units.
14 . The control method of claim 11 , wherein the generator comprises a movable X-ray source unit, wherein the method comprises sequentially emitting the X-rays to a target source area configured for the movable X-ray source unit while moving the movable X-ray source unit, and wherein the target source area is a part of an entire source area of the generator configured to emit the X-rays.
15 . The control method of claim 11 , comprising identifying the target readout area through pre-calibration.
16 . The control method of claim 11 , wherein the target readout area is identified based on a radius of the target readout area or position information on a foot of a perpendicular dropped from an activated X-ray source unit of the generator to a plane on the detector that includes the target readout area, and wherein the radius of the target readout area is determined based on a shortest distance between the generator and the detector and an X-ray emission angle of the generator.
17 . The control method of claim 16 , wherein the target readout area is defined by a gate line range of the detector and a data line range of the detector, wherein the gate line range includes a range on a first axis that falls within the radius of the target readout area, centered on a first-axis coordinate value of the position information, and wherein the data line range includes a range on a second axis that falls within the radius of the target readout area, centered on a second-axis coordinate value of the position information.
18 . The control method of claim 15 , wherein the target readout area is identified based on a position of the generator and the readout data to be detected corresponding to each of the position of the generator.
19 . The control method of claim 17 , wherein the gate line range and the data line range are limited within a boundary of the entire readout area.
20 . A computer-readable medium storing code configured to cause a computer or a processor to execute the method according to claim 11 .

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119, this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to International Application No. PCT/KR2024/017137, filed on Nov. 4, 2024, the contents of which are all incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. BACKGROUND Technical Field The present disclosure relates to an X-ray device and method for controlling the same, and more particularly, to a device for non-rotational tomographic imaging and method for controlling the same. Discussion of the Related Art Digital tomosynthesis is an imaging diagnostic technology that combines the advantages of traditional X-ray technology and tomography. Digital tomosynthesis is primarily used in chest imaging and reconstructs three-dimensional (3D) images using X-ray images taken from multiple angles. Digital tomosynthesis may be configured as follows. X-ray imaging: An X-ray device captures multiple images from various angles around an examination area. In this case, the radiation exposure is similar to that of regular 2D X-ray imaging. Image reconstruction: The captured images are processed by a processor or computer to reconstruct the captured images into 3D images. The reconstruction allows viewing cross-sections layer by layer, making it possible to clearly observe fine lesions that were not visible in conventional 2D X-ray images. Tomographic image analysis: The 3D images may be analyzed by specific slices at various depths. Overlapping tissues are separated and displayed, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy. As described above, digital tomosynthesis allows for more accurate detection of small lesions or abnormalities that are easily missed in 2D X-ray images, thereby making it advantageous for early diagnosis of various diseases. Additionally, digital tomosynthesis offers 3D images similar or comparable to computed tomography (CT) while maintaining lower radiation exposure. Further, by resolving the issue of overlapping tissues, digital tomosynthesis enables clearer visualization of lesions, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy. SUMMARY Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to a digital tomographic image acquisition device and method for controlling the same that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. The present disclosure aims to provide a digital tomographic image acquisition device or digital tomosynthesis device for faster digital tomosynthesis with reduced radiation exposure and control method therefor in the previously described digital tomosynthesis technology. Additional advantages, objects, and features of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the disclosure. The objectives and other advantages of the disclosure may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, provided is a digital tomographic image acquisition device. The device includes: a generator configured to generate X-rays; and a detector configured to detect readout data corresponding to the generated X-rays. The detector may be configured to detect the readout data in a target readout area corresponding to a source area in which the X-rays generated by the generator are to be emitted. The target readout area may be set as a partial area of an entire readout area covered by the detector. Additionally or alternatively, the target readout area may be configured to have a size determined based on position information on the source area corresponding to the target readout area or position information on the generator for the source area corresponding to the target readout area. Additionally or alternatively, the generator may include a plurality of X-ray source units. The generator may be configured to sequentially emit the X-rays to source areas configured for each of the plurality of X-ray source units. Additionally or alternatively, the generator may include a movable X-ray source unit. The movable X-ray source unit may be configured to sequentially emit the X-rays to a target source area configured for the movable X-ray source unit as the movable X-ray source unit moves. The target source area may be a part of an entire source area of the generator to emit the X-rays. Additionally or alternatively, the detector may be configured to identify the target readout area and the generator or a position of the generator that emits the X-rays corresponding to the target readout area through pre-calibration. Additionally or alternatively, the target readout area may be determined based on a radius of the target readou