WO2012144589A1 - 光子計数型放射線検出器のキャリブレーション装置及びそのキャリブレーション方法 - Google Patents
光子計数型放射線検出器のキャリブレーション装置及びそのキャリブレーション方法 Download PDFInfo
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Definitions
- the present invention relates to a radiation detector calibration apparatus and calibration method, and more particularly to a radiation detector calibration apparatus and calibration method called a photon counting type (photon counting type).
- a detector for detecting radiation is indispensable for this type of apparatus, and the improvement of the performance of this radiation detector plays a part in the above-mentioned technological progress.
- so-called digitization in which detection signals are output in a digital format, is becoming increasingly finer and the detection surface is becoming larger.
- a detection method called a photon counting method is also attracting attention.
- This photon counting method has been conventionally used in gamma ray detectors in the field of nuclear medicine (see, for example, Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-109040).
- Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-109040.
- Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-109040.
- Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-109040
- Patent Document 2 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-101926.
- the photon counting type detector that outputs the electric signal corresponding to the energy of the particle by regarding the radiation incident on each of the plurality of collecting pixels as a photon is provided, and each of the collecting pixels output by the detector is output.
- the count data of the number of particles of the radiation classified into a plurality of energy regions on the energy spectrum of the radiation is calculated based on the signal, and the energy region is calculated as the count data of each of the calculated energy regions for each collected pixel.
- Radiation detection which performs weighting of a separately given weighting coefficient, adds the count data of each of the plurality of weighted energy regions for each collected pixel to each other, and outputs the added data as radiation image generation data for each collected pixel Device ".
- one or more (preferably a plurality of) thresholds for discriminating the energy of each incident X-ray photon are prepared. Since the energy range is defined by this threshold value, it is possible to determine to which energy range the energy of each X-ray photon belongs. As a result of this determination, the number of X-ray photons discriminated into the respective energy ranges is measured. Information on the number of measurements is reflected as a pixel value of the image.
- This accuracy and uniformity is influenced by differences in the characteristics of the circuits formed of CMOS on the output channel side of each element in addition to the sensitivity of each X-ray detection element constituting the collection pixel. For this reason, calibration is performed for each collection pixel and for each threshold value of the pixel, and the sensitivity to the X-ray photon energy of each collection pixel is adjusted in advance so that it can be regarded as the same or the same between the collection pixels. It was necessary to keep.
- this calibration is performed using a plurality of gamma ray sealed radiation sources such as 241-Am (59.5 keV) and 57-Co (122 keV) whose energy values are known. That is, this radiation source emits gamma rays for a predetermined time in front of the detection surface of the X-ray detector.
- the X-ray detection element that has received the incident gamma rays outputs an electric pulse corresponding to the known energy value.
- Sensitivity to the energy value of the X-ray photon using the signal value from each collected pixel (generally referred to as so-called S-characteristic, in which the output is distorted between a low signal and a high signal: the amplitude of the electric pulse with respect to the energy value
- S-characteristic in which the output is distorted between a low signal and a high signal: the amplitude of the electric pulse with respect to the energy value
- the threshold given to each collected pixel is adjusted so that the collected pixels are substantially the same between the collected pixels, that is, between the collected channels.
- nonpatent literature 1 the thing of a nonpatent literature 1 is also known as a setting example of a threshold value.
- one threshold is given to a detector using CdTe.
- the size of the X-ray detector pixel (collection pixel) is small, the number of X-ray ( ⁇ -ray) photons incident on each collection pixel is small. In other words, the incident rate becomes extremely low, and when trying to calibrate all the collected pixels, it takes a long collection time, for example, it takes many hours. For this reason, a lot of time and labor are required for the preparation work, which burdens the operator and reduces the operating rate of the diagnostic apparatus.
- the dose used for calibration is significantly different from the actual use dose, there is a problem that the accuracy of calibration does not increase.
- the gamma ray source since the gamma ray source has discrete energy, it is difficult to maintain the accuracy of the threshold due to the gain and offset of each preamplifier circuit or S-shaped nonlinear input / output characteristics. It was. However, when the pixel is as small as 200 mm or less, even if the effect of miniaturization is large, it is extremely difficult to maintain the accuracy of the hardware for realizing the effect.
- the threshold value is one and the collection pixel is as large as 1 mm ⁇ 1 mm.
- the accuracy of calibration does not matter so much, and it can be dealt with by uniformity correction after collecting X-ray transmission data.
- the collection pixel is small and a plurality of threshold values are set for each collection pixel, it is extremely important to perform calibration with high accuracy as described above.
- the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a calibration method for a photon counting radiation detector capable of performing calibration accurately for each collection pixel in a short time. And its purpose.
- a plurality of pixels are formed and the radiation incident on each of the pixels from a radiation source is detected as a photon, and the energy of the photon is detected.
- a detector having a plurality of detection modules each provided with a plurality of detection elements that output a pulse signal having an electric quantity corresponding to the energy amount, and a plurality of detection modules provided to discriminate the magnitude of the energy on the energy spectrum of the radiation.
- At least one discriminating circuit that applies at least one energy threshold value corresponding to each of the pixels, and a count value of the pulse signal output from each of the plurality of detection elements
- a data generation circuit that generates count data of the number of particles of the radiation for each pixel and for each of the plurality of energy regions
- a calibration device used in a photon counting radiation detector comprising: an image generating means for generating an image of the object based on the counting data generated by the data generating circuit when radiated toward Is provided.
- the calibration apparatus includes an irradiation condition setting unit that sets an irradiation condition of the radiation so that a probability that the incident particles overlap with each other when the radiation particles are incident on the plurality of detection modules is equal to or less than a predetermined value; A first calibration is performed so that the radiation detection sensitivity is uniformed between the plurality of detection modules or in each of the plurality of detection modules in a state where the radiation condition is set by the irradiation condition setting means.
- the detection sensitivities are arranged among a plurality of detection modules or for each detection module, and then the detection sensitivity is set for each channel of each pixel and for each discrimination circuit in each channel, that is, for each energy threshold.
- the detection sensitivity is set for each channel of each pixel and for each discrimination circuit in each channel, that is, for each energy threshold.
- FIG. 16 is a subroutine flowchart for explaining data collection and storage processing executed in a part of FIG. 15.
- this photon counting type (photon counting) radiation detector is implemented with a photon counting type X-ray detector (hereinafter, X-ray detector) as an example.
- the X-ray detector is applied to a medical X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) scanner and an X-ray panoramic imaging apparatus.
- a panoramic imaging device an example of an X-ray panoramic imaging device (hereinafter referred to as a panoramic imaging device) is shown.
- FIG. 1 shows an overview of the panoramic imaging device 1.
- the panorama imaging apparatus 1 includes a gantry (data collection apparatus) 2 that collects data from a subject P, and a console 3 that processes the collected data to create an image and the like and controls the operation of the gantry 2.
- gantry data collection apparatus
- console 3 that processes the collected data to create an image and the like and controls the operation of the gantry 2.
- the gantry 2 includes a support 11.
- the longitudinal direction in which the column extends is called a vertical direction (or vertical direction: Z-axis direction), and a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction is called a horizontal direction (direction along the XY plane).
- the support 11 is provided with a vertically moving arm unit 12 having a substantially U-shape so as to be movable in the vertical direction.
- the vertically moving arm unit 12 includes a vertical arm 12A that can move along the column 11, and an upper horizontal arm 12B and a lower horizontal arm 12C that extend laterally from the upper and lower ends of the vertical arm 12A.
- a pivot arm unit 13 is attached to a predetermined position of the upper lateral arm 12B so as to be pivotable within a lateral plane orthogonal to the column 11.
- the tip of the lower lateral arm 12C is configured as a chin rest 14 on which the subject P's chin is placed. For this reason, at the time of imaging, the subject P faces the imaging with his chin placed like a virtual line in the figure.
- the vertical position of the vertically moving arm unit 12 is adjusted according to the height of the subject P by a drive mechanism (not shown).
- Rotating arm unit 13 includes a horizontal arm 13A that is downward and substantially U-shaped, and a source-side vertical arm 13B and a detection-side vertical arm 13C that extend downward from both ends of the horizontal arm 13A.
- the horizontal arm 13A is suspended by the rotation shaft 13D, and is rotated (rotated) about the rotation shaft 13D by a drive mechanism such as an electric motor (not shown).
- An X-ray tube 21 is installed at the lower end of the radiation source side arm 13B, and X-rays exposed as, for example, pulse X-rays from the X-ray tube 21 are collimators (not shown) provided at the lower end.
- An X-ray detector 22 (hereinafter referred to as a detector) having an X-ray incident window W (for example, 5.0 mm wide ⁇ 145 mm long) is installed at the lower end of the detection-side vertical arm 13C.
- the size of the detection surface of the detector 22 is, for example, horizontal 6.4 mm ⁇ vertical 150 mm.
- the detector 22 has a plurality of detection modules B1 to Bn in which X-ray imaging elements are two-dimensionally arranged, and the detection portion is constituted by the plurality of detection modules B1 to Bn as a whole.
- the plurality of detection modules B1 to Bm are created as blocks independent of each other, and are mounted in a predetermined shape (for example, a rectangular shape) on a substrate (not shown) to form the entire detector 22.
- Each detection module B1 ( ⁇ Bm) is made of a semiconductor material that converts X-rays directly into electrical pulse signals. For this reason, the detector 22 is a photon counting X-ray detector of a direct conversion method using a semiconductor.
- the size of each collection pixel Sn is, for example, 200 ⁇ m ⁇ 200 ⁇ m.
- Each of the plurality of collection pixels Sn includes a scintillator such as a cadmium telluride semiconductor (CdTe semiconductor), a cadmium zinc telluride semiconductor (CdZnTe semiconductor), a silicon semiconductor (Si semiconductor), CsI, and a photoelectric converter such as a C-MOS.
- a scintillator such as a cadmium telluride semiconductor (CdTe semiconductor), a cadmium zinc telluride semiconductor (CdZnTe semiconductor), a silicon semiconductor (Si semiconductor), CsI, and a photoelectric converter such as a C-MOS.
- the semiconductor cell (sensor) C Each of the semiconductor cells C detects incident X-rays and outputs a pulse electric signal corresponding to the energy value. That is, the detector 22 includes a cell group in which a plurality of semiconductor cells C are two-dimensionally arranged, and a data collection circuit is provided on the output side of each of the semiconductor cells C, that is, the plurality
- the size (200 ⁇ m ⁇ 200 ⁇ m) of each of the collection pixels Sn described above is a sufficiently small value that can detect X-rays as photons (particles).
- the size capable of detecting X-rays as the particles means “an electric pulse signal in response to each incident when a plurality of radiation (for example, X-ray) particles are successively incident at or near the same position.
- the occurrence of a superposition phenomenon (also called pile-up) is defined as “a size that can be substantially ignored or whose amount is predictable”.
- pile-up counting also called pile-up counting
- the size of the collection pixel Sn formed in the X-ray detector 12 is set to such a size that the counting-off can be regarded as not occurring or substantially not occurring, or to the extent that the counting-down amount can be estimated. .
- Each charge amplifier 52 is connected to each collector electrode of each semiconductor cell S, charges up the collected current in response to the incidence of X-ray particles, and outputs it as a pulse signal of electric quantity.
- the output terminal of the charge amplifier 52 is connected to a waveform shaping circuit 53 whose gain and offset can be adjusted.
- the waveform of the detected pulse signal is processed with the previously adjusted gain and offset to shape the waveform.
- the gain and offset of the waveform shaping circuit 53 are calibrated in consideration of non-uniformity with respect to the charge-charge characteristic for each collection pixel Sn made of the semiconductor cell C and variations in each circuit characteristic. As a result, it is possible to increase the output of the waveform shaping signal from which non-uniformity has been eliminated, and the relative threshold setting accuracy.
- the waveform shaped pulse signal corresponding to each collection pixel Sn that is, output from the waveform shaping circuit 53 of each collection channel CNn has a characteristic that substantially reflects the energy value of the incident X-ray particles. . Therefore, the variation between the collection channels CNn is greatly improved.
- the output terminal of the waveform shaping circuit 53 is connected to the comparison input terminals of the plurality of comparators 54 1 to 54 4 .
- one pulse signal can be individually compared with different analog amount threshold values th 1 to th 4 .
- the reason for this comparison is to examine which region (discrimination) the energy value of the incident X-ray particle enters among the energy regions set in advance divided into a plurality.
- the lowest analog amount threshold th 1 is normally set so as not to detect disturbances, noise caused by circuits such as the semiconductor cell S and the charge amplifier 42, or low-energy radiation that is not necessary for imaging. Is set as the threshold value.
- the number of thresholds, that is, the number of comparators is not necessarily limited to four, and may be one including the analog amount threshold th 1 or any number of two or more. Also good.
- the analog amount threshold values th 1 to th 4 described above are given as digital values from the calibration calculator 38 of the console 3 via the interface 32 for each collection pixel Sn, that is, for each collection channel. Therefore, the reference input terminals of the comparators 54 1 to 54 4 are connected to the output terminals of the four D / A converters 57 1 to 574, respectively.
- the D / A converter 57 1-57 4 is connected to the threshold receiving end T 1 via the latch circuits 58 ( ⁇ T N), this threshold receiving end T 1 ( ⁇ T N) of the console 3 interface 32 It is connected.
- the latch circuit 58 latches the threshold values th 1 ′ to th 4 ′ of digital quantities given from the threshold applier 40 via the interface 31 and the threshold receiving end T 1 ( ⁇ T N ) at the time of imaging, and the corresponding D / are output to the a converter D / a converter 57 1-57 4. Therefore, the D / A converters 57 1 to 57 4 can supply the commanded analog amount thresholds th 1 to th 4 to the comparators 54 1 to 54 4 as voltage amounts, respectively.
- the analog amount threshold th i is an analog voltage applied to the comparator 54 i in each discrimination circuit DS i
- the energy threshold TH i is an analog value for discriminating the X-ray energy (keV) of the energy spectrum.
- the waveform shown in FIG. 5 shows a continuous spectrum of the energy of X-rays emitted from a commonly used X-ray tube.
- the count value (count) on the vertical axis is an amount proportional to the photon generation frequency corresponding to the energy value on the horizontal axis, and the energy value on the horizontal axis is an amount depending on the tube voltage of the X-ray tube 21.
- the first analog amount threshold th 1 is set in correspondence with the energy threshold TH 1 that can distinguish the X-ray particle number from the non-countable region and the lower energy region 1.
- the second, third, and fourth analog amount threshold values th 2 , th 3 , and th 4 are higher than the first energy threshold value TH 1 , and the second , third , and fourth energy threshold values are set.
- TH 2 , TH 3 , and TH 4 are set in order.
- These energy thresholds TH i are determined so that one or more subjects as a reference are assumed and the count value for a predetermined time for each energy region is substantially constant.
- the output terminals of the comparators 54 1 to 54 4 are connected to an energy region distribution circuit 55 as shown in FIG.
- This energy region distribution circuit 55 compares the output of the plurality of comparators 54 1 to 54 4 , that is, the pulse voltage corresponding to the detected energy value of the X-ray particles and the analog amount threshold th 1 (to th 4 ). And the energy range 1 to 4 is classified into the energy regions 1 to 4. For example, if the outputs of the two comparators 54 1 , 542 are on (detection value ⊃ threshold) and the outputs of the remaining two comparators 54 3 and 54 4 are off (detection value ⁇ threshold), the energy The value is discriminated in the energy region 2.
- Energy region distribution circuit 55 sends a pulse signal corresponding to the discrimination result in any of the counters 56 1-56 4. For example, if there is an event to be discriminated in the energy region 1, and sends a pulse signal to the counter 56 1 in the first stage. If there is an event to be discriminated in the energy region 2, and sends a pulse signal to the second-stage counter 56 2. The same applies to the energy regions 3 and 4.
- each of the counters 56 1-56 4 counts up every time the pulse signal is input from the energy region distribution circuit 55. Thereby, the X-ray particle number of the energy value discriminated in the energy region in charge can be measured as a cumulative value for every fixed time.
- start and stop signals is supplied via a start-stop terminal T2 from the controller 33 of the console 3 to the counter 56 1-56 4. The measurement for a certain time is managed from the outside using a reset circuit included in the counter itself.
- the interface 31 receives the count data and stores it in the first storage unit 34.
- the image processor 35 reads the count data stored in the first storage unit 34 in response to an operator command from the input device 37, and uses the count data to follow the image, for example, the dentition.
- An X-ray transmission image (panoramic image) of a certain cross section is reconstructed under, for example, the tomosynthesis method.
- Count data of a plurality of energy regions 1 to 4 is obtained from each collected pixel Sn. For this reason, in the reconstruction of the panoramic image, for example, the image processor 35 gives higher weight to the count data having a higher energy value, and adds them to each other. Thereby, the collected data is created for each collected pixel Sn.
- data associated with the X-ray scan collected from all the collected pixels Sn is prepared, and these collected data are processed by the tomosynthesis method to reconstruct a panoramic image.
- This panoramic image is displayed on the display 36, for example.
- the panoramic image may be reconstructed without weighting.
- weighting process is used to emphasize the count data in the high energy region, artifacts due to beam hardening can be suppressed. Moreover, weighting can be performed so as to emphasize a low energy region for the purpose of improving contrast of soft tissue. It is also possible to weight both areas for the purpose of suppressing artifacts due to beam hardening and improving soft tissue contrast.
- the cervical spine that is superimposed as the shadow of the anterior teeth which is the fate of the dental panoramic device, is somewhat more cervical if weighting that emphasizes the count data in the high energy region when reconstructing the anterior teeth.
- the reflection of can be reduced.
- a similar weighting process can be used to reduce the reflection of the opposite jaw during so-called orthogonal imaging, which reduces the overlap of the side teeth.
- a clearer image can be formed by weighting and emphasizing the low energy count data.
- the semiconductor cell S and the data collection circuit 51n corresponding to the N collection pixels Sn described above are integrally formed of CMOS by ASIC.
- the data collection circuit 51n may be configured as a circuit or device separate from the group of semiconductor cells S.
- the console 3 includes an interface (I / F) 31 that performs input and output of signals, a controller 33 that is communicably connected to the interface 31 via a bus 32, and a first storage unit 34, an image processor 35, a display 36, an input device 37, a calibration calculator 38, a second storage unit 39, a ROM 40, and a threshold value assigner 41.
- the controller 33 controls the driving of the gantry 2 in accordance with a program given in advance to the ROM 40. This control includes sending a command value to the high voltage generator 42 that supplies a high voltage to the X-ray tube 21 and a drive command to the calibration calculator 38.
- the first storage unit 34 stores frame data sent from the gantry 2 via the interface 31.
- the image processor 35 converts the frame data stored in the first storage unit 34 into a known shift and add (shift and add) based on a program given in advance to the ROM 40. Processing is performed by a tomosynthesis method based on a so-called calculation method, and an X-ray transmission image (tomographic image) of the dentition of the oral cavity of the subject P is created.
- the display unit 36 is responsible for displaying the generated transmission image, displaying information indicating the operation status of the gantry 2, and displaying operator operation information provided via the input unit 37.
- the input device 37 is used for an operator to give information necessary for imaging to the system.
- the calibration calculator 38 operates under the control of the controller 33 under a program previously stored in the ROM 40, and is provided for each energy discriminating circuit for each collected pixel Sn by a data collecting circuit described later. Calibrate the digital quantity threshold for discrimination. This calibration is performed at the factory before shipping the panoramic imaging apparatus, or is performed at regular or faulty maintenance inspections or before imaging work. Since this calibration is central to the features of the present invention, it will be described in detail later.
- the second storage unit 39 stores a threshold value generated for each collection pixel and each energy discrimination circuit by calibration. This threshold value is called under the control of the controller 33 at the time of imaging, is given to a data collection circuit described later, and is subjected to calibration.
- the threshold value assigner 41 calls the digital amount threshold value stored in the second storage unit 39 at the time of imaging for each collection pixel and for each discrimination circuit, and uses the threshold value as a command value. It transmits to the detector 22 via the interface 31. In order to execute this process, the threshold value assigner 41 executes a program stored in the ROM 40 in advance.
- the controller 33, the image processor 35, the calibration calculator 38, and the threshold value assigner 41 are all provided with a CPU (central processing unit) that operates according to a given program. Those programs are stored in the ROM 40 in advance.
- each acquisition channel is a graph showing the relationship between the height of a pulse signal detected with the incidence of an X-ray photon and the energy value of the photon, generally as shown in FIG. It becomes a letter-shaped curve. This is usually a non-linear graph called S-shaped characteristics.
- the offset and gain of the S-characteristic and the shape of the curve showing the S-shape are different for each acquisition channel (for example, the acquisition channel 1 is the characteristic # 1, and the adjacent acquisition channel # 2 is hard.
- the acquisition channel 1 is the characteristic # 1
- the adjacent acquisition channel # 2 is hard.
- the reliability of the threshold value set for energy values other than two points is extremely low. Moreover, it takes a long time (for example, several hours to several tens of hours) to collect a sufficient amount of data from all pixels using a gamma ray source, and the working efficiency is extremely low, which is not practical.
- this panoramic imaging apparatus is characterized in that it has a function of performing calibration that eliminates these disadvantages.
- This calibration is not performed using a plurality of types of radiation sources such as a gamma ray source and an X-ray source, but is performed in a short time and with high accuracy using only an X-ray source.
- the X-ray source the X-ray tube 21 described above is used in this embodiment.
- the measurement conditions for calibration in this embodiment will be described.
- the calibration is performed in a state where various conditions are set so that counting down by the detector 22 is minimized. This is called the optimum measurement condition.
- This optimum measurement condition is composed of two conditions in the present embodiment, and both are set to reduce counting down. Of the two optimum measurement conditions described below, depending on the state of implementation, adopting only one of them is effective in reducing counting errors.
- the first optimum measurement condition indicates, for example, calibration with energy set so that actual counts are equal in each energy region as much as possible when the actually used X-ray tube voltage is 80 kV. It is a specification of conditions including the current (tube current) supplied to the X-ray tube 21 sometimes. In particular, this tube current irradiates the entire detection surface of the detector 22 with X-rays, and sets a threshold value lower than all desired types (values) given to each collected pixel Sn for energy discrimination. In a given state, a theoretical 1% X-ray particle count-down (superposition phenomenon) corresponding to the shape of the spectrum of the X-ray collected by each collection pixel Sn and the shaping time of the output electric pulse signal is shown. It is set to be 1/10 of the count rate. This tube current is set according to the difference in X-ray energy, that is, the voltage (tube voltage) applied to the X-ray tube 21.
- the second optimum measurement condition is to perform beam hardening of the X-ray spectrum incident on the detector 22 and harden the entire spectrum waveform (beam hardening).
- This is a resin filter FT placed on the front surface of the X-ray tube 21 only during calibration (see FIG. 9 described later).
- the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray tube 21 are cured by passing through the filter FT as schematically shown in FIG.
- X-ray particles having lower energy are more likely to be superimposed (pile-up) on X-ray particles having higher energy.
- This filter FT is, for example, a plate made of acrylic or aluminum having a thickness of 20 mm, and the operator installs it in a support mechanism (not shown) during calibration, or activates an automatic loading mechanism (not shown).
- the X-ray tube 21 is fixed at the front position. It is desirable that the material of the filter FT differs depending on the tube voltage to be adjusted. Of course, the filter FT is removed from at least the X-ray irradiation path when calibration is not performed.
- Table 1 shows an example of measurement conditions in consideration of the first and second optimum measurement conditions when the distance between the detector 22 and the X-ray tube focal position is 55 cm.
- the information shown in Table 1 is stored in advance in, for example, the calibration calculator 38 or the second storage unit 39 in the form of a storage table, and is referred to as necessary.
- the filter thickness when the X-ray energy 39.5 keV is 10 mm, and the filter thickness when the other X-ray energy is 20 mm.
- the threshold and the threshold width are expressed as relative values when the continuous energy values on the spectrum obtained when the X-ray energy is set to the highest possible value are quantized to 1 to 128. More importantly, for each discrimination circuit DS i , the start value TH i ST of the energy threshold and its collection width THw can always be sufficiently swung to the height around the X-ray energy (determined by the tube voltage). The minimum necessary and sufficient range is set (see FIG. 17 described later). Since the calibration performed in the present invention is to find an energy threshold at which the count value is almost truly zero, the above range is set so that this is achieved.
- the optimum value is also obtained for the X-ray acquisition time.
- the collection time is set in order to keep the statistical collection accuracy of calibration at a certain level or more.
- the collection time is set to 200 frames.
- Calibration is performed by integrating the frame data of 200 frames.
- the number of frames is not necessarily limited to 200 frames, and is determined in consideration of collection accuracy and counting time due to statistical noise. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the number of frames if other design conditions change slightly or the processing method is devised.
- this panoramic imaging device is subjected to calibration before shipment from the factory or after installation on the site, periodically or when the detector is replaced when an abnormality occurs.
- the console 3 includes a calibration calculator 38, a second storage unit 39, and a threshold value assigner 41.
- the “global” that matches the detection characteristics between the plurality of detection modules B 1 to B N first is used.
- Calibration (hereinafter referred to as global calibration: first calibration) and in parallel to this global calibration or after global calibration, each individual detection module B 1 ( ⁇ B M )
- matching the detection characteristics to each other means that the threshold value (command value) corrected so that the energy discrimination threshold values applied to the energy discrimination circuits of all the collection pixels Sn of the detector 22 are aligned for each discrimination circuit.
- the present embodiment also has a feature that defective pixels in the collected pixels Sn are detected during the global calibration before or during the global calibration.
- the defective pixel referred to here is a collection pixel that cannot detect X-rays, a collection pixel that outputs an abnormal detection value, and the like, and is a collection pixel that cannot be used for X-ray imaging.
- defective pixels are first detected, and then global calibration and trim calibration are executed in parallel with each other.
- defective pixels may be detected in parallel with global calibration, and trim calibration may be performed on pixels excluding the defective pixels.
- each of the plurality of collection pixels Sn constituting the detection surface 22F of the detector 22 is a unit for collecting X-ray transmission data under X-ray particle measurement. For this reason, each of the collection pixels Sn becomes the starting point of the collection channel CNn described above. Further, one collection channel CNn is connected to one or more energy discriminating circuits implemented in a semiconductor layer therein. That is, a plurality (four in this case) of discrimination circuits are connected to each collection channel CN.
- the threshold value th ′ of the digital quantity corresponding to the threshold value th ′ of the analog quantity is set so that the detection sensitivities of the discrimination circuits coincide with each other for each energy threshold value with respect to all the collection channels CN. Adjustment data).
- a filter FT is inserted between the X-ray tube 21 and the detector 22 as shown in FIG.
- a spectrum analyzer 60 is arranged in the vicinity of.
- the filter FT is placed in the X-ray path for the purpose of hardening the X-ray quality as described above (see FIG. 11).
- this filter FT one type of filter may be used regarding the material and thickness, or a plurality of types of filters FT may be selectively used.
- the filter FT may be manually installed each time, or may be automatically loaded by a drive mechanism 61 such as a motor.
- the spectrum analyzer 60 measures the actual value of the energy of X-rays irradiated from the X-ray tube 21 and transmits the measured value to the calibration calculator 38 of the console 3.
- the calibration calculator 38 feedback-controls the X-ray tube voltage commanded to the high-voltage generator 42 using this measured value, thereby reliably setting the X-ray energy actually irradiated to the command value. It is supposed to let you.
- the calibration calculator 38 first designates the initial state of X-ray irradiation interactively with the operator (FIG. 10, step S1).
- the designation of the initial state is not only the specified values of the tube voltage and tube current of the X-ray tube 21, but also the number of collections of frame data and the arrangement of the first filter FT (manual or automatic arrangement).
- the tube voltage of the X-ray tube 21 59 kV
- its tube current 4 mA
- the number of frames to be collected 200 frames
- the filter FT 20 mm thick aluminum plate is designated (commanded).
- TH4 45 (relative value) is commanded (step S2).
- step S3 the calibration calculator 38 sends a command to the controller 33 to collect 200 frames of frame data.
- the controller 33 sends a drive signal to the high voltage generator 42, so that the high voltage generator 42 drives the X-ray tube 21 with the set tube voltage.
- the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray tube 21 enter the detector 22 via the filter FT and are detected as 50 ⁇ 1450 pixel frame data provided by the plurality of detection modules B1 to Bm.
- This frame data is collected for the commanded number of frames, that is, 200 frames in this embodiment.
- the numerical value may be used as it is for detecting defective pixels, or may be averaged per system and used for detecting defective pixels.
- the tube voltage of the X-ray tube 21 is finely adjusted using the actual X-ray energy value measured by the spectrum analyzer 60 described above. Thereby, the energy value of the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray tube 21 is held with higher accuracy at the value specified as the specified value in step S1.
- step S4 each pixel value of the frame data, that is, the photon count value measured by each collected pixel is mutually added between the frame data for 200 frames.
- frame data of 50 ⁇ 1450 pixels each pixel value including a count value obtained by adding photons is created.
- This scheme is the same in the detection of defective pixels in the second to fourth bullets described later.
- each count value (added value) of the collected pixels excluding the defective pixels determined by the detection of the first defective pixel in the frame data of 50 ⁇ 1450 pixels may be a certain value or more. It is determined whether or not there is nothing.
- the “constant value” for this determination is set as a value with which it is possible to determine that there is almost no possibility in normal X-ray particle measurement (see FIG. 12).
- step S9 the defective pixel is determined and stored in the same manner as in step S6 described above. In the same manner as described above, whether or not the defective pixels have been checked for all the collected pixels except for the defective pixels determined by the detection of the first defective pixel in the frame data of 50 ⁇ 1450 pixels in step S10. judge. If this check has not been completed, the process returns to step S8.
- the process proceeds to a process for examining the variation in the count value using the standard deviation, that is, detection of the third defective pixel (steps S11 to S16).
- the average value ⁇ of the count values (added values) for each detection module is calculated (step S11). This average value ⁇ is calculated for the collected pixels excluding the defective pixels that have been removed in the detection of defective pixels up to the second bullet.
- step S12 the count value of each collected pixel is corrected so that the average value ⁇ of the count values for each detection module calculated in step S11 is uniform, and the corrected count value is stored (step S12). ). Further, the standard deviation ⁇ is calculated using the corrected count value (step S13), and a range of ⁇ 4 ⁇ based on the standard deviation ⁇ is set (step S14: see FIG. 13).
- step S4 the count value (added value) calculated in step S4 for each collection pixel is “average value ⁇ ” for each of the remaining collection pixels other than those determined to be defective pixels until the detection of the second defective pixel. It is determined whether or not it is outside the range of “ ⁇ 4 ⁇ ” (step S15: see FIG. 13). If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S16 to determine the defective pixel and store the address as described above. After this process, if the determination in step S16 is NO, the same process is repeated for the remaining collected pixels (step S17). Thereby, the detection of the third defective pixel is executed for all the collected pixels determined to be good by the detection of the first and second defective pixels.
- the value of the energy threshold value TH is changed, and pixels indicating statistically impossible measurement values are exposed as defective pixels.
- This is the detection of the fourth defective pixel, the first and second defective pixels that are simply confirmed only by the count value, and the detection of defective pixels due to variations using the standard deviation. Executed in combination with. By detecting defective pixels from the first to fourth bullets, the reliability of defective pixel detection can be further enhanced.
- the processing of the fourth defective pixel is shown in steps S19 to S23.
- frame data for 200 frames is collected (step S20) as in steps S3 and S4 described above. Are mutually added between the data of 200 frames (step S21).
- the counted value (added value) B is compared. Specifically, it is determined for each collection pixel whether or not the latter count value B> A (that is, whether or not the count value is reversed) (step S21). If this determination is YES (the count value is reversed), the pixel is judged to be statistically impossible, and the pixel is determined to be a defective pixel having instability (step S22).
- the concept of the count value inversion is shown in FIG. The determination of whether or not the count value is reversed is sequentially performed for all the collected pixels that remain without being detected in the first to third defective pixels (step S23). Thus, the fourth defective pixel detection process is completed.
- step S24 it is determined whether or not the number of defective pixels (defective collection channels) detected by the series of processes described above is equal to or greater than a specified number (for example, 5% of the total number of pixels). If the determination is YES, that is, if more than the specified number of defective pixels are still found, the calibration calculator 38 returns the process to step S3. Thereby, the process described above is repeatedly executed. If the determination in step S24 is NO during this repetition, the number of defective pixels detected has converged during the repetition, and a series of defective pixel detection ends.
- a specified number for example, 5% of the total number of pixels
- the calibration calculator 38 stores information for identifying the detected defective pixel, that is, an address, in its internal memory. For this reason, at the time of photographing, the count value collected by the collection channel CNi starting from the collection pixel Si at the address position is not used for image reconstruction, and the count value is interpolated from surrounding pixels, for example. Presumed.
- the number of times of returning from step S24 to step S3, that is, the number of repetitions of defective pixel detection may be limited to a fixed value (for example, 4 times). In other words, it is possible to determine that the number of detected defective pixels does not converge even if the detection is repeated more than a certain value, and the processing can be terminated after giving up. In that case, it can be said that the entire detector 21 has a serious manufacturing defect.
- step S31 the calibration calculator 38 sets a variable i representing the number of discrimination circuits DSi connected in parallel to each collection pixel Sn to 0.
- step S34 setting or changing of the filter FT used for X-ray quality hardening is instructed.
- this filter FT is also determined according to which discrimination circuit DSi.
- the drive mechanism 61 is driven as shown in FIG. 9, or the filter FT1 (for example, aluminum plate 10 mm, 20 mm thickness) or the filter FT2 (acrylic plate 20 mm thickness) is manually operated.
- a filter FT2 (acrylic, 20 mm thick) is arranged.
- step S36 the calibration calculator 38 collects and stores data of, for example, 200 frames, which is set in advance as the specified number of frames, as in the case of the above-described instruction for detecting defective pixels. performed for the first of discrimination counting DS 1.
- FIG. 16 shows this data collection and storage process as a subroutine.
- the threshold increment ⁇ TH is set in advance to a predetermined value that can accurately grasp the change in the count value when the energy threshold is increased.
- step S37 shown in FIG. 15 is executed again. That is, in step S37, as shown in FIG. 17, the profile is created as shown in FIG. 17 using the count values for the specified number of frames (for example, 200 frames) collected in step S36.
- a cross indicates a count value. This count value is created for each discrimination circuit DSi of each of the collected pixels Sn, and the value is, for example, an average value of count values for 200 frames.
- step S38 the calibration calculator 38 applies correction or fitting to the created profile by applying a multi-order function or the like, and the count value that decreases by raising the energy threshold as shown in FIG.
- the energy threshold TH i TR to become is estimated.
- step S39 for each detection module, for each of the first discriminator DS1 calculates the average value of the energy threshold TH 1 TR, further the average value of the energy threshold TH 1 TR between a plurality of detection modules Calculation is performed (step S39).
- This average value is calculated as a representative value and does not necessarily have to be an average value.
- the average value TH AVE is obtained by matching energy threshold values among a plurality of detection modules, and is stored as global calibration data.
- step S41 it is determined whether or not the above-described processing from steps S36 to S40 has been performed a prescribed number of times (for example, 4 times). If this determination is NO, steps S36 to S40 are repeated until the specified number of times is satisfied. This repetition is for stabilizing the calibration.
- the calibration calculator 38 or the second storage unit 39 stores the latest global calibration data (TH AVE ) updated by repetition, and Trim calibration data ( ⁇ th n ) is stored.
- step S42 it is determined whether similar calibration data has been created for all the discrimination circuits DSi. In this case, since the processing for the second to fourth discrimination counts DS 2 to DS 4 still remains, the determination is NO and the process returns to step S32. Thus, in turn, creates the calibration data is performed for the second discriminator DS 2. The same applies to the third and fourth ones.
- step S43 it is interactively determined whether or not the calibration is forcibly stopped with the operator. If this stop command is not, at step S44 and S45, to create a final calibration data for each discrimination circuit DS i of each collecting pixel Sn. As shown in FIG. 19, this creation is performed by adding / subtracting “global calibration data (TH AVE ) + trim calibration data ( ⁇ th n )” for each collected pixel and for each discrimination circuit (step S 44). For example, the result is stored in the second storage unit (step S45).
- the command value of the optimized digital quantity is stored in the second storage unit 39 as calibration data. For this reason, at the time of imaging, calibration data that has been accurately calibrated by the threshold value assigner 41 with respect to the first to fourth threshold values TH1, TH1, TH3, TH4, that is, calculated in the above-described discarding S44, S45.
- the calibration according to this embodiment is performed as described above. Therefore, there are the following excellent effects that have not been seen in the past.
- calibration can be performed using only the X-ray tube 21 which is one kind of radiation source. That is, the calibration can be performed much faster and more accurately than using only gamma rays or using gamma rays and X-rays as reference sources, and the labor of the operator is reduced. This is because, with respect to each energy threshold value, the threshold value can be accurately set only by the tube voltage by setting the X-ray tube voltage to only the energy to be set.
- defective pixels are detected in advance while being a calibration process.
- this defective pixel is detected from various points of view, such as being unable to count at all and having an abnormal count value (abnormally high, abnormally dispersed, unstable).
- the reliability of detection of defective pixels is extremely high, and the detector 22 having defective pixels is not used for photographing as it is. That is, since the position of the defective pixel is stored, the count value of the defective pixel is not included in the image reconstruction at the time of photographing, and a measure such as interpolation from surrounding pixels is performed. For this reason, the uniformity of the reconstructed image is improved, and a reliable image is obtained.
- the above-described defective pixels are detected in the previous stage of calibration (global calibration and trim calibration). For this reason, detection of a defective pixel has already been completed at the time of calibration, and it is not necessary to perform calibration for the defective pixel. Therefore, the calculation load of trim calibration is reduced, and the processing is speeded up.
- the panoramic imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in the method of calculating global and trim calibration data.
- the calibration calculator 38 performs the process of the partial flowchart shown in FIG.
- Other components and processing are the same as those in the first embodiment.
- the calibration calculator 38 proceeds to step S39 ′ after step S38, calculates the average value TH AVE ⁇ m of the energy threshold TH i TR in each of the plurality of detection modules Bm, the average value TH AVE-m of a global calibration data of each detection module Bm. Further, in step S40 ′, for each detection module Bm, a deviation amount ⁇ th N / m from the average value TH AVE-m of each of the collected pixels is calculated, and the deviation amount ⁇ th N / m is trimmed. Data. Further, in step S40 ′, the process is repeated until the global calibration data TH AVE-m of each detection module Bm converges to a certain energy value range TH A. During this repetition, the operator can instruct to stop calibration (step S46).
- a detection module that does not fall within the constant energy value range TH A can be eliminated, and a detection module that falls within that range can be newly installed, and treatment can be performed in units of detection modules. Thereby, the detection module Bm can be used without waste.
- the calibration methods according to the first and second embodiments described above can be applied to various X-ray diagnostic apparatuses equipped with a photon counting radiation detector. That is, not only the above-described dental X-ray panoramic imaging apparatus, but also an X-ray CT scanner for medical and nondestructive examination, an X-ray mammography apparatus, an X-ray tomosynthesis scanner for orthopedic use and lung cancer screening, and the like.
- this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment mentioned above, In the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it can change suitably further.
- a plurality of two-dimensional array area sensors are arranged as a detector.
- the above-described calibration is applied to a line detector having an elongated pixel region having one or more (a plurality of) pixels in one of two vertical and horizontal directions and a plurality of pixels in the other direction. May be implemented.
- the present application can be applied if a plurality of pixels of the line detector are divided into a plurality of modules.
- each line detector can be regarded as one module, and the same calibration method can be performed. Further, since a planar X-ray detector called a flat panel for medical use or nondestructive inspection is composed of a plurality of modules, a similar calibration method can be performed.
- the calibration method of the photon counting type radiation detector which can perform a calibration for every pixel accurately in a short time can be provided, and photon counting type radiation detector can be provided. Extremely useful.
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Abstract
Description
図1~20を参照して、本発明の第1の実施形態に係る、光子計数型放射線検出器のキャリブレーション装置及びそのキャリブレーション方法の好適な実施形態を説明する。なお、この光子計数型(フォトンカウンティング)放射線検出器は、一例として、光子計数型X線検出器(以下、X線検出器)と実施されている。また、このX線検出器は、医療用のX線CT(Computed Tomography)スキャナやX線パノラマ撮像装置に適用される。以下、本実施形態においては、X線パノラマ撮像装置(以下、パノラマ撮像装置と呼ぶ)の例を示す。
続いて、本実施形態におけるキャリブレーションの意義、条件、具体的な手法などについて説明する。
上記表1において、X線エネルギ=39.5keVのときのフィルタの厚さは10mmであり、その他のX線エネルギのときのフィルタの厚さは20mmである。また、閾値及び閾値幅は、可能な最高値に設定したX線エネルギのときに得られるスペクトラム上のエネルギの連続値を1~128に量子化したときの相対値で表されている。さらに重要なことは、弁別回路DSi毎に、エネルギ閾値の開始値THiSTとその収集幅THwは、必ず、X線エネルギ(管電圧で決まる)を中心にその高低に十分振ることができる、必要最小限で且つ十分な範囲を持つように設定されている(後述する図17参照)。本発明で実施するキャリブレーションは、計数値が殆ど真に0となるエネルギ閾を見つけることであるので、これが果されるように上記の範囲が設定される。
最初に、不良画素(不良の収集画素)の検出を図10に示すフローに沿って説明する。このフローに基づく処理は、入力器37から与えられるオペレータの操作情報にコントローラ33が応答し、コントローラ33がキャリブレーション演算器38に不良画素の検出を指令することで実行される。
上述のように不良画素の検出が完了すると、キャリブレーション演算器38は、グローバル及びトリムのキャリブレーションに移行する。このキャリブレーションのための処理の概要を図15及び図16に示す。
このようにしてキャリブレーションが終了すると、第2の記憶部39には、適正化されたデジタル量の指令値がキャリブレーションデータとして格納されている。このため、撮像時には、閾値付与器41により、第1~第4の閾値TH1、TH1,TH3,TH4に対して精度良くキャリブレートされた、すなわち、前述した捨てS44,S45で演算されたキャリブレーションデータに相当するデジタル量の閾値tht´(t=1~4)が指令値としてラッチ回路58及びD/A変換器57tを介して与えられる。これにより、キャリブレートされたアナログ量の閾値tht(t=1~4)が各収集チャンネルの比較器54tにそれぞれ与えられる。
次に、本発明の第2の実施形態に係る放射線撮像装置としてのパノラマ撮像装置を説明する。なお、本実施形態の説明において、第1の実施形態に係る装置と同一又は同等の機能を有する構成要素には同一符号を付して、その説明を省略又は簡略化する。
2 ガントリ
3 コンソール
12 上下動アームユニット
13D 回転軸
21 X線管(放射線源)
22 検出器
33 コントローラ
38 キャリブレーション演算器
39 第2の記憶部
41 閾値付与器
51 データ収集回路
54 比較器
55 エネルギ領域振分回路
56 カウンタ
57 D/A変換器
58 ラッチ回路
59 シリアル変換器
C 半導体セル(画素)
Sn 収集画素
DSi 弁別回路
CNn 収集チャンネル
FT フィルタ
Claims (17)
- 複数の画素を形成し且つ当該画素のそれぞれに放射線源から入射した放射線を光子と見做して検出し当該光子のエネルギに応じた電気量のパルス信号を出力する複数の検出素子をそれぞれ備えた複数の検出モジュールを有する検出器と、
前記放射線のエネルギスペクトル上で前記エネルギの大きさを弁別するために与えられ、複数のエネルギ領域を設定する少なくとも1つのエネルギ閾値が前記画素のそれぞれに対応して与えられる少なくとも1つの弁別回路と、
前記複数の検出素子のそれぞれが出力した前記パルス信号の計数値に基づいて、前記画素毎に且つ前記複数のエネルギ領域毎の前記放射線の粒子数の計数データを生成するデータ生成回路と、
前記放射線を対象物に向けて放射したときに、前記データ生成回路により生成された前記計数データに基づいて当該対象物の画像を生成する画像生成手段と、を備えた光子計数型放射線検出器で用いられるキャリブレーション装置において、
前記放射線の粒子が前記複数の検出モジュールに入射するときに入射粒子同士が重畳する確率が所定値以下になるように当該放射線の照射条件を設定する照射条件設定手段と、
この照射条件設定手段により前記放射線の照射条件を設定した状態で、前記複数の検出モジュールの相互間で又は当該複数の検出モジュールそれぞれで前記放射線の検出感度を均一化させるようにキャリブレートする第1のキャリブレーション手段と、
前記第1のキャリブレーション手段によるキャリブレーションの結果を用いて、少なくとも前記複数の検出モジュール、前記弁別回路、及び前記データ演算回路を含む回路群が形成する、前記画素それぞれのチャンネル毎に、且つ、その各チャンネルにおける前記弁別回路毎に前記放射線の検出感度を均一化させるようにキャリブレートする第2のキャリブレーション手段と、
を備えたことを特徴とするキャリブレーション装置。 - 前記放射線源は前記放射線としてのX線を照射するX線管であり、
前記照射条件設定手段は、前記各画素における前記X線の計数特性に、当該X線のパルス整形時間に応じたパルスの重畳現象の理論的な発生確率が1%の確率の1/10以下の計数特性を与えるように前記X線管の電流を設定する手段を含む、ことを特徴とする請求項1に記載のキャリブレーション装置。 - 前記放射線源は前記放射線としてのX線を照射するX線管であり、
前記照射条件設定手段は、前記各画素における前記X線の計数特性に、前記X線のエネルギースペクトラム形状と当該X線のパルス整形時間とに応じたパルスの重畳現象の理論的な発生確率が1%の確率の1/10以下の計数特性を与えるように前記X線管の電流を設定する手段を含む、ことを特徴とする請求項1に記載のキャリブレーション装置。 - 前記放射線源は前記放射線としてのX線を照射するX線管であり、
前記照射条件設定手段は、前記X線管の前面に前記複数のエネルギ閾値に応じて前記X線の線質を固くするフィルタを配置する手段を含む、ことを特徴とする請求項1に記載のキャリブレーション装置。 - 前記フィルタは、前記エネルギ閾値の大小に応じた前記X線の所望の線質硬化度を得るように当該フィルタの厚みと材質が設定されていることを特徴とする請求項3に記載のキャリブレーション装置。
- 前記フィルタは、前記エネルギ閾値が低い場合に用いられる所望厚さのアクリル樹脂製の板体、又は、前記エネルギ閾値が高い場合に用いられる所望厚さのアルミニウム樹脂製の板体である、ことを特徴とする請求項5に記載のキャリブレーション装置。
- 前記第1のキャリブレーション手段は、
前記複数の検出モジュールが提供する前記複数の画素それぞれに対して前記複数のエネルギ閾値のうちの1つのエネルギ閾値を選択する選択手段と、
この選択手段により前記1つのエネルギ閾値が選択された状態で、当該1つのエネルギ閾値とは異なるエネルギ閾値を開始値とし、且つ、この開始値から所定値ずつ所定の最大値又は最小値までインクリメント又はデクリメントさせたエネルギ閾値に相当する電圧を前記放射線源に供給しつつ、それぞれの電圧供給時の、前記各画素から出力される前記パルス信号を計数する第1の信号収集手段と、
この第1の信号収集手段により収集された前記パルス信号の計数値を用いて前記各画素における前記パルス信号のエネルギースペクトラム上で当該パルス信号の計数値が零となるエネルギ閾値を推定する零位置推定手段と、
この零位置推定手段により推定されたエネルギ閾値に基づく前記複数の検出モジュールそれぞれの代表値を演算して、または、当該エネルギ閾値に基づく前記複数の検出モジュール間の代表値を演算して第1のキャリブレーションデータとする第1の演算手段と、
前記第1の信号収集手段による前記パルス信号の収集、前記零位置推定手段によるエネルギ位置の推定、及び第1の演算手段による第1のキャリブレーションデータの推定を、前記各画素の前記残りのエネルギ閾値に対して繰り返して実行させる繰返し実行手段と、
を含むことを特徴とする請求項2~6の何れか一項に記載のキャリブレーション装置。 - 前記第2のキャリブレーション手段は、
前記第1の演算手段により演算された第1のキャリブレーションデータからの前記第1の信号収集手段により計数された前記パルス信号の計数値のずれ量を前記各画素に対する前記弁別回路毎に演算する第2の演算手段と、
前記第1の演算手段と前記第2の演算手段の演算結果を加算して前記放射線の検出感度を均一化させるキャリブレーションデータを演算する第3の演算手段とを備えたことを特徴とする請求項7に記載のキャリブレーション装置。 - 前記複数の検出モジュールそれぞれの各画素及びこの各画素が供する各収集チャンネルが前記パルス信号の計数に適さない状態を不良画素であるとして、当該不良画素を検出する不良検出手段を備えたことを特徴とする請求項1~8の何れか一項に記載のキャリブレーション装置。
- 前記不良検出手段は、
前記複数の検出モジュールに前記放射線源から前記放射線を照射させて当該複数の検出モジュールが出力する前記パルス信号を画素毎に所定フレーム数分、前記検出モジュール毎に収集する第2の信号収集手段と、
この第2の信号収集手段が収集した前記所定フレーム数分の前記パルス信号を検出モジュール毎に且つ画素毎に相互に加算する第1の加算手段と、
この第1の加算手段によって相互に加算された、前記複数の検出モジュールそれぞれの各画素における前記パルス信号の加算値が異常な振舞を呈している不良画素があるか否かを判断する第1の不良画素判断手段を備えたことを特徴とする請求項9に記載のキャリブレーション装置。 - 前記第1の不良画素判断手段が判断する前記異常な振舞とは前記パルス信号の加算値が零であるか、または、予め定めた閾値以上の統計的に稀な値を示すことである請求項10に記載のキャリブレーション装置。
- 前記不良検出手段は、
前記第1の信号収集手段が収集した、前記残りの画素からの前記パルス信号の計数値から計数値のヒストグラムを設定するヒストグラム設定手段と、
前記ヒストグラムから標準偏差を演算する標準偏差演算手段と、
前記標準偏差のn倍(nは4以上の整数)の範囲を逸脱する前記計数値があるか否かを前記残りの画素のそれぞれについて判断する計数値判断手段と、
この計数値判断手段により判断された前記逸脱した計数値を示す画素を不良画素として判断する第2の不良画素判断手段と、
を含むことを特徴とする請求項9~11の何れか一項に記載のキャリブレーション装置。 - 前記不良検出手段は、
前記複数の検出モジュールに前記放射線源から前記放射線を照射させて当該複数の検出モジュールが出力する前記パルス信号を画素毎に所定フレーム数分だけ再度、収集する第3の信号収集手段と、
この第2の信号収集手段が収集した前記所定フレーム数分の前記パルス信号を検出モジュール毎の画素毎に相互に加算する第2の加算手段と、
この第2の加算手段によって相互に加算された、前記複数の検出モジュールそれぞれの各画素における前記パルス信号の加算値が、前記第1の加算手段によって相互に加算された、前記複数の検出モジュールそれぞれの各画素における前記パルス信号の加算値よりも大きい大小逆転状態か否かを判断する大小判断手段と、
この大小判断手段により大小逆転状態であると判断されたときに、その大小逆転状態を呈している画素を異常画素として判断して撮像には不適な不良画素であるとして記録する第3の不良画素判断手段と、
を含むことを特徴とする請求項10~12の何れか一項に記載のキャリブレーション装置。 - 前記放射線源はX線管であり、
前記X線管から実際に照射されるX線のエネルギの値を測定するエネルギ測定手段を備え、
前記第1、第2、及び第3の信号収集手段は、前記エネルギ測定手段の測定値に応じて前記X線管に供給するX線照射用の高電圧の値を補正する補正手段を含む、ことを特徴とする請求項1~13の何れか一項に記載のキャリブレーション装置。 - 前記複数の検出素子それぞれの画素サイズは250μmx250μm以下であることを特徴とする請求項1~14の何れか一項に記載のキャリブレーション装置。
- 前記複数のエネルギ閾値は、前記エネルギに対して離散的に設定された複数のエネルギ閾値であり、任意に変更可能なエネルギ閾値である、ことを特徴とする請求項1~15の何れか一項に記載のキャリブレーション装置。
- 前記複数のエネルギ閾値は、基準となる一つ以上の被写体を想定し、前記エネルギ領域毎の所定時間の計数値が概略一定になるように決定されていることを特徴とする請求項16に記載のキャリブレーション装置。
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Also Published As
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JPWO2012144589A1 (ja) | 2014-07-28 |
EP2703843A4 (en) | 2015-04-01 |
EP2703843A1 (en) | 2014-03-05 |
KR20140056166A (ko) | 2014-05-09 |
CN103492906A (zh) | 2014-01-01 |
US20140105370A1 (en) | 2014-04-17 |
US9351701B2 (en) | 2016-05-31 |
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