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EP 0 883 976 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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29.03.2000 Bulletin 2000/13 |
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Date of filing: 18.02.1997 |
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International application number: |
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PCT/NL9700/069 |
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International publication number: |
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WO 9732/454 (04.09.1997 Gazette 1997/38) |
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X-RAY IMAGE DEVICE
VORRICHTUNG ZUR BILDERZEUGUNG MITTELS RÖNTGENSTRAHLEN
DISPOSITIF DE PRODUCTION D'IMAGE RADIOLOGIQUE
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Designated Contracting States: |
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DE FR GB IT NL |
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Priority: |
27.02.1996 NL 1002466
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Date of publication of application: |
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16.12.1998 Bulletin 1998/51 |
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Proprietor: Delft Instruments Intellectual Property B.V. |
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2600 MD Delft (NL) |
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Inventor: |
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- GELUK, Ronald, Jan
NL-2631 PL Nootdorp (NL)
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Representative: Van kan, Johan Joseph Hubert, Ir. et al |
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Algemeen Octrooibureau
P.O. Box 645 5600 AP Eindhoven 5600 AP Eindhoven (NL) |
(56) |
References cited: :
EP-A- 0 141 448 EP-A- 0 547 679 WO-A-95/27922 US-A- 5 235 191
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EP-A- 0 374 298 EP-A- 0 579 325 NL-A- 9 102 063
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] The invention relates to an X-ray image device of the type in which the X-ray image
to be formed is built up with the aid of an elongated X-ray detector which is capable
of converting incident X-ray radiation into a light image which is received by a camera
wherein said elongated X-ray detector performs during operation a scanning movement
in a housing of the device in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction
of the elongated X-ray detector.
[0002] Such an X-ray image device may, for example, be a device for slit radiography, such
as is described, for example, in EP-A-0 141 448. EP-A-0 141 448 discloses a device
for slit radiography wherein an object or a patient is scanned with by means of a
flat, fan-shaped X-ray beam which is moved during at least one scanned stroke transversely
to the surface of the fan-shaped beam. Behind the object or the patient, an elongated
X-ray detector moves synchronously with the X-ray beam in such a way that the radiation
transmitted through the patient or the object always falls essentially on the X-ray
detector. The X-ray detector converts the X-ray radiation received into a light image
which can be used to expose a photographic film and/or to generate electrical signals
representing the X-ray image. The flat, fan-shaped beam can be obtained, for example,
with the aid of an X-ray source which interacts with a slit diaphragm. The X-ray source
and the slit diaphragm can be moved jointly or with respect to one another in such
a way that the beam leaving the slit diaphragm performs the desired scanning movement.
The diaphragm may, if desired, be provided with slit control means such as those described
in the Dutch Patent Application 8400845. The invention is, however, also applicable
to other types of devices which comprise an elongated X-ray detector which performs
a scanning movement in order to scan a predetermined area. An example is described
in Dutch Patent Application 9102063.
[0003] An elongated X-ray detector suitable for use in an X-ray image device of the type
described above is, for example, an X-ray image intensifier tube as described in Dutch
Patent 183914. For use in an X-ray image device suitable for thorax examination, the
X-ray image intensifier tube must have an image surface of approximately 400 to 500
mm. This dimension corresponds to the width of the thorax in most people and of the
fan-shaped beam. In the scanning direction, the image surface can be, for example,
approximately 25 mm high. In order to be able to form a complete thorax image, the
X-ray image intensifier tube must traverse an area of approximately 400 × 400 mm
2, which is achieved by allowing the X-ray image intensifier tube to perform a scanning
movement in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the X-ray image
intensifier tube. During the scanning movement, the X-ray image intensifier tube produces
a varying output image which can be used to expose a photographic film, but which
is preferably projected onto a photosensitive electronic device which converts the
incident light into corresponding electrical signals. The electrical signals can then
be stored or used to form a video image or the like, optionally after further processing.
[0004] To convert the output signal of the X-ray image intensifier into electrical signals,
an elongated CCD device (CCD = charge-coupled device) is generally used. Such CCD
devices are obtainable commercially, but have much smaller dimensions than the output
window of the elongated X-ray image intensifier tube. A suitable CCD device is, for
example, the Dalsa I-FI-2048 which has 2048 × 96 image elements and a sensitive area
of 28.7 × 1.34 mm. The output image of the elongated image intensifier tube can be
imaged for this purpose in reduced size on the CCD device. For this purpose, use can
be made of a camera which comprises a lens system which reduces the size of the output
image of the X-ray image intensifier tube to dimensions suitable for the CCD device
and images the output image of the X-ray image intensifier tube on the CCD device.
The necessary reduction factor β is, in the given example, approximately 16, which
results in a fairly large spacing d (Figure 1) between the X-ray image amplifier tube
and the camera and consequently in a relatively large depth of the housing of the
X-ray image device. A drawback of a large depth of the housing of the X-ray image
device is the large installation space which such an X-ray device takes up and also
the effort involved in installing and/or moving such a bulky X-ray device. Another
aspect is that the housing of the X-ray image device has to be lightproof. The bigger
the housing is, the greater is the chance generally of a locally incomplete sealing.
[0005] There is therefore a need for an X-ray image device having a more compact construction
than the known X-ray image devices. For this purpose, according to the invention,
an X-ray image device of the type described above is one wherein at least one mirror
is mounted in the housing of the device and at least partially receives the light
image formed by the X-ray detector during operation in every position of the X-ray
detector during the scanning movement and reflects it to at least one camera which
moves synchronously together with the X-ray detector and which is mounted near one
of the ends of the elongated X-ray detector.
[0006] The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying
drawing of some exemplary embodiments.
Figure 1 shows diagrammatically in side view/cross section an example of an X-ray
image device according to the prior art;
Figure 2 shows diagrammatically the device of Figure 1 in plan view;
Figure 3 shows diagrammatically in plan view a first exemplary embodiment of a device
according to the invention;
Figure 4 shows diagrammatically in plan view a second exemplary embodiment of a device
according to the invention;
Figure 5 shows diagrammatically in plan view a third exemplary embodiment of a device
according to the invention; and
Figure 6 shows diagrammatically in plan view a fourth exemplary embodiment of a device
according to the invention.
[0007] Figures 1 and 2 show diagrammatically in side view and plan view an example of a
known X-ray image device 1. The device shown comprises an X-ray source 2 provided
with a slit diaphragm 3 via which a flat, fan-shaped X-ray beam 4 is directed onto
a patient 6 to be investigated or onto an object to be investigated placed in front
of a housing or cabinet 5. In the example shown, the X-ray source 2 can swivel together
with the slit diaphragm 3 round an axis 6, as shown by an arrow 7. The fan-shaped
X-ray beam 4 swivels during this process in a direction transverse to the surface
of the fan-shaped X-ray beam, as indicated in Figure 1 by an arrow 8, in order to
scan the patient or the object, or at least a relevant part thereof, with the X-ray
beam during one or more working strokes.
[0008] The cabinet 5 has a front wall 9 which is transparent to X-ray radiation and behind
which there is an elongated X-ray detector 10. The X-ray detector is coupled to the
X-ray source 2, which swivels during operation, in such a way, not shown in greater
detail, that the X-ray radiation transmitted by the patient or the object 6 always
falls on the entry window of the X-ray detector 10. The X-ray detector 10 therefore
moves synchronously with the flat, fan-shaped beam 4, as indicated by arrows 11.
[0009] The X-ray detector 10 is designed to convert the X-ray radiation incident at the
input side into a light image which is produced at the output side. In the example
shown, a tubular X-ray detector is used having an elongated cathode 12 which is sensitive
to X-ray radiation and which emits electrons under the influence of incident X-ray
radiation. Situated opposite the cathode 12 is an elongated anode 13. The emitted
electrons move under the influence of a high voltage, prevailing in operation between
the cathode and the anode, from the cathode to the anode. The anode converts the incident
electrons into light quanta. The light image thus formed at the anode side is projected
via a lens or a lens system 14 onto a photographic film or, as shown, onto a photosensitive
semiconductor device, such as a CCD 15, which converts the light image into corresponding
electrical signals which can be processed and/or stored in a device not shown. The
lens system 14 and the film or semiconductor device form part of a stationary camera
which is placed at a distance from the X-ray detector 10 so that the camera can receive
the output image of the X-ray detector 10 in every position of the X-ray detector
10 and can project it onto the semiconductor device or film.
[0010] The associated distance d between the X-ray detector and the camera is relatively
large so that a fairly deep housing 5 is necessary and must be completely lightproof.
[0011] Figure 3 shows diagrammatically in plan view a first example of a device according
to the invention. In Figure 3 and in Figures 4 to 6 inclusive, the parts of the X-ray
device which are not essential for a good understanding of the invention are not shown.
In Figure 3, the image surface at the anode or the output window of the X-ray detector
10 is indicated by 20. Arranged near one of the ends of the elongated strip-shaped
image area 20 is a camera 21 having a lens or lens system 22 and, in this example,
a photosensitive semiconductor device 23, referred to below as a CCD. The camera 21
can be moved together with the X-ray detector 10 when the X-ray detector 10 traverses
a scanning path. For this purpose, the X-ray detector 10 and the camera 21 may be
mounted, for example, on a common support. Such a support is indicated diagrammatically
at 24. The support 24 can also form a carriage or be mounted on a carriage which is
driven during operation by means of a suitable drive means in order to traverse the
scanning path.
[0012] Arranged opposite the X-ray detector 10 and the camera 21 is a mirror 25 which reflects
the image surface 20 of the X-ray detector in the direction of the lens system 22
of the camera 21. In this example, the mirror 25 is a single, fixed flat mirror, but
this is not strictly necessary. In this embodiment, the mirror 25 has a length corresponding
to the scanning path perpendicular to the surface of the drawing. By using the mirror
25, the depth needed for the housing of the X-ray device is approximately halved,
which provides an appreciable space saving and reduces the probability of light leakages.
[0013] Figures 4 and 5 show two other exemplary embodiments, in each of which two mirrors
30, 31 or 40, 41, respectively, placed at an angle to one another are used with associated
cameras 32, 33 or 42, 43, respectively. The cameras are now mounted in each case at
both ends of the elongated X-ray detector 10 and are preferably again mounted together
with the X-ray detector 10 on a diagrammatically indicated common support 34 or 44,
respectively. The mirrors 30, 31 or 40, 41, respectively, are stationary in this example
and are placed in a V shape, the V shape being placed with the apex turned toward
the image surface 20 in Figure 4, while the apex of the V shape is turned away from
the image surface in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 5. The apex of the V shape
coincides in both examples essentially with the central plane perpendicular of the
image surface. In this embodiment, each of the mirrors images half, and preferably
somewhat more, of the image surface on the lens system of one of the cameras, as a
result of which the installation depth required is reduced further. In addition, compared
with the embodiment having a single mirror, a smaller reduction of the output image
of the X-ray detector 10 is necessary and a larger CCD surface can be used. This results
in a better signal/noise ratio, a better modulation transfer function (MTF) and a
greater dynamic range in the electrical signals formed by the CCD.
[0014] In the embodiment of Figure 5, each mirror interacts with the camera which is furthest
from the mirror. The mirror 40 is situated, for example, opposite the image surface
half 20a, but interacts with the camera 43 which is situated near the end of the other
image surface half 20b. In the same way the mirror 41 situated opposite the image
surface half 20b interacts with the camera 42 situated near the end of the image surface
half 20a.
[0015] In the examples shown, the two mirrors are adjacent to one another. It is also possible,
however, to place the mirrors at some distance from one another.
[0016] In principle, it is also possible to use curved mirrors instead of flat mirrors.
[0017] In addition, stationary mirrors are used in the examples shown and these have a relatively
large length corresponding to the length of the scanning path perpendicular to the
surface of the drawing.
[0018] As an alternative it is possible to use one or more smaller mirrors which move together
with the camera(s) and the X-ray detector 10. This also opens up the possibility of
mounting the mirror(s) together with the X-ray detector 10 and the camera(s) on a
common support.
[0019] Such an embodiment is shown diagrammatically in Figure 6 by way of example. Figure
6 again shows an image surface 20 which represents the output image of the elongated
X-ray detector 10. Placed at both ends of the image surface is a camera 50 or 51,
respectively. Mounted near each camera is, in addition, a relatively small mirror
52 or 53, respectively. Both the mirrors and the cameras move during operation together
with the X-ray detector 10 along the scanning path. For this purpose, the mirrors
52, 53 and the cameras 50, 51 are preferably mounted together with the X-ray detector
on a common support. Preferably, the common support is formed by the housing of the
X-ray detector. Such a support is indicated diagrammatically by broken lines at 54.
The mirrors 52, 53 may have a small height in the direction perpendicular to the surface
of the drawing because the image to be projected onto the camera placed opposite each
mirror also has only a small height. The mirrors can therefore be of strip-shaped
construction and be placed at an angle with respect to the image surface 20 which
is such that the half of the image surface situated near a mirror can be reflected
by the mirror to the camera situated opposite. Thus, in the arrangement shown in Figure
6, the camera 50 interacts with the mirror 53, while the camera 51 interacts with
the mirror 52.
[0020] The support 54 may form part of a carriage or be mounted on a carriage which is coupled
in a known manner to drive means and guide members so that the carriage can traverse
the desired scanning path during operation.
[0021] The common carrier can advantageously be constructed as a flat, lightproof cabinet
in which the X-ray detector, the cameras and the mirrors are mounted. The housing
5 of the X-ray image device no longer has to be lightproof in that case. The lightproof
cabinet containing X-ray detector, cameras and mirrors can advantageously be constructed
as a preassembled unit which can be mounted or removed or replaced as a single entity.
The lightproof cabinet must, of course, be provided, at the position of the cathode
of the X-ray detector, with a window which is essentially transparent to X-ray radiation
and which may be composed, for example, of plastic or a thin metal plate.
[0022] It is pointed out that, after the above, various modifications are obvious to the
person skilled in the art. Thus, the mirrors 52, 53 may in principle be of longer
construction and even adjoin one another at the height of the central plane perpendicular
of the image surface. In addition, the X-ray device may be provided with slit control
means or image equalization means known per se. These and similar modifications are
deemed to fall within the scope of the invention, as defined by the attached claims,
unless they depart therefrom.
1. An X-ray image device of the type in which the X-ray image to be formed is built up
with the aid of an elongated X-ray detector (10) which is capable of converting incident
X-ray radiation (4) into a light image which is received by a camera (21; 32,33; 42,43;
50,51) wherein said elongated X-ray detector performs during operation a scanning
movement (8) in a housing (5) of the device in a direction (11) transverse to the
longitudinal direction of the elongated X-ray detector (10), characterized in that
at least one mirror (25; 30,31; 40,41; 52,53) is mounted in the housing (5) of the
device and at least partially receives the light image formed by the X-ray detector
(10) during operation in every position of the X-ray detector (10) during the scanning
movement and reflects it to at least one camera (21; 32,33; 42,43; 50,51) which moves
synchronously together with the X-ray detector, said camera being mounted in the housing
near one of the ends of the elongated X-ray detector (10).
2. The X-ray image device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the at least one
mirror (25; 30,31; 40,41; 52,53) is a mirror which is mounted in a fixed manner in
the housing (5) and which extends in the housing (5) at a distance from the elongated
X-ray detector (10) and essentially parallel to the scanning movement (11).
3. The X-ray image device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the at least one
camera (21; 32,33; 42,43; 50,51) and the elongated X-ray detector (10) are mounted
on a common support.
4. The X-ray image device as claimed in claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the at least
one mirror (25; 30,31; 40,41; 52,53) is a mirror which moves synchronously together
with the X-ray detector (10).
5. The X-ray image device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the at least one
mirror (25; 30,31; 40,41; 52,53) is a strip-shaped mirror one dimension of which is
essentially parallel to the scanning movement (11).
6. The X-ray image device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in
that two cameras (21; 32,33; 42,43; 50,51) are each mounted near one end of the elongated
X-ray detector (10) and at least two mirrors (25; 30,31; 40,41; 52,53) are each capable
of receiving at least a part of the light image formed by the X-ray detector (10)
during operation and reflecting it to one of the cameras (21; 32,33; 42,43; 50,51).
7. The X-ray image device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the two mirrors
(25; 30,31; 40,41; 52,53) are placed in a V shape.
8. The X-ray image device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the apex of the
V shape is turned toward the X-ray detector (10).
9. The X-ray image device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the apex of the
V shape is turned away from the X-ray detector (10).
10. The X-ray image device as claimed in one of the claims 6 to 9 inclusive, characterized
in that a gap is present between the mirrors.
11. The X-ray image device as claimed in one of the claims 6 to 10 inclusive, characterized
in that the mirrors, the elongated X-ray detector and the cameras are linked to a
common support (54), which support (54) is coupled to drive means and guide means
for performing a scanning movement during operation along a predetermined scanning
path.
12. The X-ray image device as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the elongated
X-ray detector (10), the cameras (21; 32,33; 42,43; 50,51) and the mirrors (25; 30,31;
40,41; 52,53) are jointly mounted in a lightproof cabinet, which lightproof cabinet
is capable of traversing a scanning path in the housing of the X-ray image device.
13. The X-ray image device as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the mirrors (25;
30,31; 40,41; 52,53) are relatively short strip-shaped mirrors.
14. The X-ray image device as claimed in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the lightproof
cabinet is linked to a carriage which is coupled in turn to guide means and drive
means which cause the carriage to move along a predetermined scanning path during
operation.
15. The X-ray image device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in
that the camera(s) (21; 32,33; 42,43; 50,51) comprise(s) at least one photosensitive
semiconductor device (23) .
16. A lightproof cabinet for use as a preassembled unit in a device as claimed in one
of claims 12 to 15 inclusive, provided with an entrance window for X-ray radiation,
an elongated X-ray detector placed behind the entrance window, two cameras (50,51)
placed near each end of the X-ray detector (10) in said cabinet and two strip-shaped
mirrors (52,53) placed near each end of the X-ray detector (10), which mirrors (52,53)
are capable of reflecting a light image formed by the X-ray detector (10) at least
partially onto one of the cameras (50,51).
1. Röntgenbildvorrichtung des Typs, bei dem das zu erstellende Röntgenbild mit Hilfe
eines langgestreckten Röntgendetektors (10) gebildet wird, der eine auftreffende Röntgenstrahlung
(4) in ein optisches Bild umwandeln kann, welches von einer Kamera (21; 32, 33; 42,
43; 50, 51) empfangen wird, wobei der langgestreckte Röntgendetektor während des Betriebes
eine Abtastbewegung (8) in einem Gehäuse (5) der Vorrichtung in einer quer zur Längsrichtung
des langgestreckten Röntgendetektors (10) verlaufenden Richtung (11) durchführt,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
mindestens ein Spiegel (25; 30, 31; 40, 41; 52, 53) in dem Gehäuse (5) der Vorrichtung
montiert ist und mindestens teilweise das von dem Röntgendetektor (10) während des
Betriebes in jeder Position des Röntgendetektors (10) während der Abtastbewegung erstellte
optische Bild empfängt und dieses auf mindestens eine Kamera (21; 32, 33; 42, 43;
50, 51) reflektiert, die sich synchron mit dem Röntgendetektor bewegt, wobei die Kamera
in dem Gehäuse nahe einem der Enden des langgestreckten Röntgendetektors (10) montiert
ist.
2. Röntgenbildvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der mindestens
eine Spiegel (25; 30, 31; 40, 41; 52, 53) ein Spiegel ist, der fest in dem Gehäuse
(5) montiert ist und der in dem Gehäuse (5) in einer Distanz zu dem langgestreckten
Röntgendetektor (10) und im wesentlichen parallel zu der Abtastbewegung (11) verläuft.
3. Röntgenbildvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die mindestens
eine Kamera (21; 32, 33; 42, 43; 50, 51) und der langgestreckte Röntgendetektor (10)
auf einer gemeinsamen Halterung montiert sind.
4. Röntgenbildvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der mindestens
eine Spiegel (25; 30, 31; 40, 41; 52, 53) ein Spiegel ist, der sich synchron mit dem
Röntgendetektor (10) bewegt.
5. Röntgenbildvorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der mindestens
eine Spiegel (25; 30, 31; 40, 41; 52, 53) ein streifenförmiger Spiegel ist, bei dem
eine Dimension im wesentlichen parallel zu der Abtastbewegung (11) verläuft.
6. Röntgenbildvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß zwei Kameras (21; 32, 33; 42, 43; 50, 51) jeweils nahe einem Ende des langgestreckten
Röntgendetektors (10) montiert sind, und mindestens zwei Spiegel (25; 30, 31; 40,
41; 52, 53) jeweils mindestens einen Teil des von dem Röntgendetektor (10) während
des Betriebes erstellten optischen Bildes empfangen und auf eine der Kameras (21;
32, 33; 42, 43; 50, 51) reflektieren.
7. Röntgenbildvorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die beiden Spiegel
(25; 30, 31; 40, 41; 52, 53) V-förmig angeordnet sind.
8. Röntgenbildvorrichtung nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Spitze des
V in Richtung des Röntgendetektors (10) zeigt.
9. Röntgenbildvorrichtung nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Spitze des
V vom Röntgendetektor (10) wegzeigt.
10. Röntgenbildvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 6 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
ein Spalt zwischen den Spiegeln vorhanden ist.
11. Röntgenbildvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 6 bis 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Spiegel, der langgestreckte Röntgendetektor und die Kameras mit einem gemeinsamen
Halter (54) verbunden sind, wobei der Halter (54) zur Durchführung einer Abtastbewegung
entlang einem vorbestimmten Abtastweg während des Betriebes mit einer Antriebseinrichtung
und einer Führungseinrichtung gekoppelt ist.
12. Röntgenbildvorrichtung nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der langgestreckte
Röntgendetektor (10), die Kameras (21; 32, 33; 42, 43; 50, 51) und die Spiegel (25;
30, 31; 40, 41; 52, 53) gemeinsam in einem lichtundurchlässigen Kasten montiert sind,
wobei der lichtundurchlässige Kasten einen Abtastweg in dem Gehäuse der Röntgenbildvorrichtung
abfahren kann.
13. Röntgenbildvorrichtung nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Spiegel (25;
30, 31; 40, 41; 52, 53) relativ kurzstreifenförmige Spiegel sind.
14. Röntgenbildvorrichtung nach Anspruch 12 oder 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der lichtundurchlässige
Kasten mit einem Schlitten verbunden ist, welcher wiederum mit einer Führungseinrichtung
und einer Antriebseinrichtung gekoppelt ist, die dafür sorgen, daß sich der Schlitten
während des Betriebes entlang einem vorbestimmten Abtastweg bewegt.
15. Röntgenbildvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Kamera(s) (21; 32, 33; 42, 43; 50, 51) mindestens eine lichtempfindliche Halbleitervorrichtung
(23) aufweist/aufweisen.
16. Lichtundurchlässiger Kasten zur Verwendung als vorgefertigte Einheit in einer Vorrichtung
nach einem der Ansprüche 12 bis 15, mit einem Eingangsfenster für Röntgenstrahlung,
einem langgestreckten Röntgendetektor hinter dem Eingangsfenster, zwei Kameras (50,
51) nahe jedem Ende des Röntgendetektors (10) in dem Kasten und zwei streifenförmigen
Spiegeln (52, 53) nahe jedem Ende des Röntgendetektors (10), wobei die Spiegel (52,
53) ein von dem Röntgendetektor (10) erstelltes optisches Bild mindestens teilweise
auf eine der Kameras (50, 51) reflektieren können.
1. Dispositif de radiographie du type dans lequel la radiographie à former est créée
au moyen d'un détecteur de rayons X allongé (10) qui est capable de convertir un rayonnement
de rayons X incident (4) en une image de lumière qui est reçue par une caméra (21
; 32, 33 ; 42, 43 ; 50, 51), dans lequel ledit détecteur de rayons X allongé effectue,
en fonctionnement, un mouvement de balayage (8) dans un logement (5) du dispositif
dans un sens (11) transversal au sens longitudinal du détecteur de rayons X allongé
(10), caractérisé en ce qu'au moins un miroir (25 ; 30, 31 ; 40, 41 ; 52, 53) est
monté dans le logement (5) du dispositif et reçoit au moins partiellement l'image
de lumière formée par le détecteur de rayons X (10) en fonctionnement à chaque position
du détecteur de rayons X (10) pendant le mouvement de balayage et la réfléchit vers
au moins une caméra (21 ; 32, 33 ; 42, 43 ; 50, 51) qui se déplace en synchronisation
avec le détecteur de rayons X, ladite caméra étant montée dans le logement près d'une
des extrémités du détecteur de rayons X allongé (10).
2. Dispositif de radiographie selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit,
au moins un, miroir (25 ; 30, 31 ; 40, 41 ; 52, 53) est un miroir qui est monté d'une
manière fixe dans le logement (5) et qui s'étend dans le logement (5) à une distance
du détecteur de rayons X allongé (10) et essentiellement parallèle au mouvement de
balayage (11).
3. Dispositif de radiographie selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite,
au moins une, caméra (21 ; 32, 33 ; 42, 43 ; 50, 51) et le détecteur de rayons X allongé
(10) sont montés sur un support commun.
4. Dispositif de radiographie selon la revendication 1 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que ledit
au moins un miroir (25 ; 30, 31 ; 40, 41 ; 52, 53) est un miroir qui se déplace en
synchronisation avec le détecteur de rayons X (10).
5. Dispositif de radiographie selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que ledit au
moins un miroir (25 ; 30, 31 ; 40, 41 ; 52, 53) est un miroir en forme de bande dont
une dimension est essentiellement parallèle au mouvement de balayage (11).
6. Dispositif de radiographie selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé
en ce que deux caméras (21 ; 32, 33 ; 42, 43 ; 50, 51) sont montées chacune près d'une
extrémité du détecteur de rayons X allongé (10) et au moins deux miroirs (25 ; 30,
31 ; 40, 41 ; 52, 53) sont capables chacun de recevoir au moins une partie de l'image
de lumière formée par le détecteur de rayons X (10) en fonctionnement et de la réfléchir
vers l'une des caméras (21 ; 32, 33 ; 42, 43 ; 50, 51).
7. Dispositif de radiographie selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que les deux
miroirs (25 ; 30, 31 ; 40, 41 ; 52, 53) sont placés selon une forme en V.
8. Dispositif de radiographie selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que l'apex
de la forme en V est tourné vers le détecteur de rayons X (10).
9. Dispositif de radiographie selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que l'apex
de la forme en V est tourné à l'opposé du détecteur de rayons X (10).
10. Dispositif de radiographie selon l'une des revendications 6 à 9 incluse, caractérisé
en ce qu'un espace est présent entre les miroirs.
11. Dispositif de radiographie selon l'une des revendications 6 à 10 incluse, caractérisé
en ce que les miroirs, le détecteur de rayons X allongé et les caméras sont reliés
à un support commun (54), lequel support (54) est accouplé à des moyens d'entraînement
et à des moyens de guidage pour effectuer un mouvement de balayage en fonctionnement
le long d'un trajet de balayage prédéterminé.
12. Dispositif de radiographie selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que le détecteur
de rayons X allongé (10), les caméras (21 ; 32, 33 ; 42, 43 ; 50, 51) et les miroirs
(25 ; 30, 31 ; 40, 41 ; 52, 53) sont montés conjointement dans une armoire étanche
à la lumière, laquelle armoire étanche à la lumière est capable de parcourir un trajet
de balayage dans le logement du dispositif de radiographie.
13. Dispositif de radiographie selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce que les miroirs
(25 ; 30, 31 ; 40, 41 ; 52, 53) sont des miroirs en forme de bande relativement courts.
14. Dispositif de radiographie selon la revendication 12 ou 13, caractérisé en ce que
l'armoire étanche à la lumière est reliée à un chariot qui est accouplé à des moyens
de guidage et à des moyens d'entraînement qui entraînent le déplacement du chariot
le long d'un trajet de balayage prédéterminé, en fonctionnement.
15. Dispositif selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la(les)
caméra(s) (21 ; 32, 33 ; 42, 43 ; 50, 51) comprennent au moins un dispositif semi
conducteur photosensible (23).
16. Armoire étanche à la lumière destinée à être utilisée en tant qu'unité pré-assemblée
dans un dispositif selon l'une des revendications 12 à 15 incluse, pourvue d'une fenêtre
d'entrée pour le rayonnement de rayons X, d'un détecteur de rayons X allongé placé
derrière la fenêtre d'entrée, de deux caméras (50, 51) placées près de chaque extrémité
du détecteur de rayons X (10) dans ladite armoire et de deux miroirs en forme de bande
(52, 53) placés près de chaque extrémité du détecteur de rayons X (10), lesquels miroirs
(52, 53) sont capables de réfléchir une image de lumière formée par le détecteur de
rayons X (10) au moins partiellement sur une des caméras (50, 51).