Description

OBJECT SCANNING SYSTEM

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates generally to the field of electronic and digital radiography and computed tomography scanning systems. More specifically, the invention relates to scanning unit with the capability transmit and receive X-rays in an inventive manner.

Background Art

[2] It is well known in the field of radiography, that X-rays produced by an X-ray source may be used for imaging by passing through an object, then interacting with a scintillator thus producing visible light photons The information acquired from X-rays passing through an object may be converted into light by passing through a scintillator. Historically, the scintillator may be located adjacent to an x-ray capturing device such as a camera or an amorphous detector. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[3] In other solutions, the scintillator is located near the object, creating space between the scintillator and the imaging device. If the imaging device is a CCD or other crystalline silicon sensor, the X-rays can damage the device. In some solutions, a mirror may be placed to divert or reflect the light to a camera not in the direct line of the X-rays. However, these solutions, by themselves, invariably create blurring and distortion the resulting images. Also, efforts to shield the CCD sensor from scatter radiation may involve additional shielding and dense optical glass which add weight to the assembly and still stray X-ray photons cause image degradation and damage to the CCD sensor.

Technical Solution

[4] In a preferred embodiment, the invention involves a method of using a linear path to transmit X-rays through, sequentially, an object, a scintillator, a lens and an imaging sensor. Even more specifically, the invention relates to an X-ray scanner that uses an amorphous silicon detector plate to detect photons transmitted from a scintillator with lens or fiber coupling. Finally, the invention relates to a method for utilizing an amorphous silicon area detector to create digital radiographs of parts which are themselves larger than the active area of the amorphous silicon array.

[5] In one embodiment of the invention, a scanning apparatus is disclosed for imaging an object of interest that includes an X-ray source capable of producing and transmitting X-rays through the object of interest; a scintillator that converts X-rays to visible light; a lens to focus the visible light into a volume of information; a capturing device to capture the volume of information.

Advantageous Effects

[6] The present invention provides a unique X-ray system that allows the array of the capturing device to be inline with the X-ray source. The array is protected from stray X-ray photons that might normally damage the array. The system allows objects greater in size than the array to be imagined and digitally displayed.

[7] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific aspects of its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent aspects of the invention. These aspects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent feature and applications of the present invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or by modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, a fuller understanding of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments in addition to the scope of the invention are illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

Description of Drawings

[8] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[9] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode

[10] The following detailed description shows the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[11] The method and apparatus of imaging objects of interest envisioned by the present invention differs greatly both in function and in structure from past attempts to scan objects with X-rays. The present invention provides the novel advantage of utilizing a direct line of transmitting X-rays through an object of interest, converting them to visible light, focusing the visible light through an optical system, and capturing the magnified visible light on a radiation-tolerant plate such as an amorphous silicon plate, all in a direct line with X-rays and allowing imaging of objects larger than the detector array.

[12] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 1. The imaging system 10 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes at least the following components: X-ray source 20, scintillator 30, optical system 40 and flat panel display 50.

[13] The X-ray source 20 includes well known x-ray sources that are capable of providing x-rays through an object to the scintillator.

[14] The scintillator 30 absorbs the X-rays and converts them into visible light photons that then pass onto the photodiode array of the capturing detector. The scintillator 30 is made from gadolinium oxysulfide or caesium iodide or other known materials for converting the X-rays into visible light photons.

[15] The optical system 40 is preferably a lens 42 that focuses the photons from the scintillator 30 to the imaging panel 50. The lens 42 magnifies the visible light photons received from the scintillator 30 for transmission to the capturing detector 50. The lens can transmit those magnified photons directly to the detector or through an optical fiber to the detector.

[16] The capturing detector 50 can be a flat panel amorphous silicon photodiode array or other known capturing device. The amorphous silicon photodiode array consists of a sheet of glass covered with a thin layer of silicon that is in an amorphous state. The silicon has been imprinted with millions of transistors arranged in a highly ordered array. Each of these thin film transistors (TFTs) are attached to a light-absorbing photodiode making up an individual pixel (picture element). Photons striking the photodiode are converted into two carriers of electrical charge, called electron-hole pairs. Since the number of charge carriers produced will vary with the intensity of incoming light photons, an electrical pattern is created that can be swiftly converted to a voltage and then a digital signal, which is interpreted by a computer to produce a digital image. Other types of capturing detectors can be a CCD sensor, camera or other devices.

[17] In use, the x-ray source 20 transmits the x-ray radiation through the object to be imaged to the scintillator 30. The scintillator 30 converts the x-ray radiation into visible light photons that are further transmitted to the lens 42. The lens 42 then magnifies the visible light photons and transmit those magnified light photons to the capturing device. The capturing device, such as a flat panel amorphous silicon photodiode array, CCD sensor or camera, converts those light photons into a digital image.

[18] This allows the detector 50 to be aligned directly inline with the x-ray source without damage to the detector from the stray x-ray photons. The system also does not require additional dense optical glass or radiation shielding to protect the detector from stray x-ray photons.

[19] The use of the lens 42 can also be used to reduce the size of the light photons from the scintillator 30. The reduction of the light photons allows objects of greater size than the detector array to be x-rayed. The overall size of the object is reduced by the lens which allows the object to be fully shown on the display. This reduces the number of x-rays that might be required in order to x-ray a larger area.

[20] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 2.

This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of Figure 1 discussed above, but uses a fiber optic coupling instead or in combination with the lens 42. The fiber optic coupling receives the visible light photons directly from the scintillator 30 and transmits those photons directly to the capturing device array. This provides the benefits of allowing objects greater in size than the array as well as protecting the array from stray x-ray photons.

[21] One application for the present invention is for use with medical imaging. One such application is for use in creating orthodontic prosthetic components and with creating surgical stints. It is to be expressly understood that the present invention may also be used in any application requiring the use of an x-ray to create a digital image.

[22] As has been demonstrated, the present invention provides advantageous techniques for a scanning patients and impressions that provide a single scanning unit with features providing more accurately-fabricated products such as surgical stints and prosthetics components also styled according to the invention. While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, additional variations and modifications in those embodiments may occur to those skilled in the art once they learn of the basic inventive concepts. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims shall be construed to include both the preferred embodiment and all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.