Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Gerhard Linke

Manfred Pfeiler

Walter Distler

Willi A Kalender

Roderich Zink

Erich Kintopp

Ernst-Peter Ruhrnschopf

In an exemplary embodiment, the measuring arrangement including the x-ray tube and radiation receiver, is capable of being locked against rotation, and the patient support is capable of being locked against longitudinal movement. The x-ray beam is selectively limited in extent by means of an adjustable diaphragm. In the case of a locked measuring arrangement and patient support and a limited x-ray beam, the measured values of the radiation receiver are detected by a computer which, from them and from information regarding the cross section of a vessel to be examined, determines the concentration and/or quantity of an x-ray contrast agent therein. The information regarding the cross section is obtained with a normal computer tomographic scanning operation.

Tomographic x-ray apparatus for the production of transverse layer images

A planigraphic X-ray apparatus for the preparation of transverse tomographic or planigraphic images of an exposure object, which consists of an X-ray measuring arrangement including an X-ray source generating a polyenergetic X-ray beam penetrating through the exposure object, with a radiation receiver which determines the radiation intensity of the X-radiation as a reference value prior to its ingress into the object, and a further radiation receiver which determines the radiation intensity behind the object in the direction of the radiation as attenuated values, through scanning of the projected X-ray beam at sequential equidistant points, a comparator element which forms a measured magnitude from the two values, as well as a drive arrangement for the measuring arrangement, consisting of a pivot mounting for producing rotational movements of the X-ray measuring arrangement through small equidistant angular amounts about a rotational axis generally coincident with the symmetrical longitudinal axis of the exposure object in an alternating sequence with each respective scan and, a measured value converter for the transformation of the measured values into a tomographic image wherein a function stage applies a proximation function to the results obtained with polyenergetic X-ray energy so as to convert the results to values suitable for processing based on the assumption of monoenergetic radiation.

Planigraphic X-ray apparatus for the preparation of tomographic images

A tomographic X-ray apparatus for the producing of transverse laminographic or tomographic images, constituted of an X-ray measuring arrangement having an X-ray source which generates an X-ray beam, whose cross-sectional expanse or spread perpendicular to the X-rayed layer is equal to the layer thickness, and in parallel to the layer is equal to the layer thickness or is lesser than the latter; and including a radiation receiver which measures the radiation intensity behind the object at successive equidistant points, as well as a drive installation for the measuring arrangement, consisting of a pivot mounting for producing rotary movements of the X-ray measuring arrangement through small equidistant angular increments about a rotational axis which is approximately coincident with the symmetrical longitudinal axis of the exposure object; as well as a slide carriage located on the pivot mounting for producing a linear scanning movement (scanning lift) of the X-ray measuring arrangement perpendicular to the direction of the central X-ray beam over the entire object expanse in an alternating sequence with each incremental rotary movement; and including a holding installation for the exposure object in the X-ray path consisting of a rectangular or box-shaped, in the radiation direction homogeneous and uniformly absorbent, compensating body of tissue-equivalent material encompassing the exposure object, which is fixedly connected with the pivot mounting of the X-ray measuring arrangement, whose extent in the direction of the scanning movement is equal to or larger than the scanning lift, and which possesses an elastic contouring body resting opposite the rotary compensating body, and which is closely located against the surface of the exposure object after the introduction of the latter into the compensating body.

Tomographic X-ray apparatus for producing tomographic images

A patient's support installation for a transverse axial scanning or tomographic X-ray apparatus utilized for producing tomographic X-ray images, in particular of the skull as a laminagraphic object; consisting of a base or pedestal portion having a frame and a horizontally displaceable table plate which is supported on the latter; a holding arrangement encompassing the laminagraphic object on all sides thereof, fastened to the head end of the table plate, which possesses an aperture into which there is introducible the laminagraphic object to a desired depth; as well as means for fixing the skull in the desired position; and an X-ray transmitter or generator for generating an X-ray beam transilluminating the holding arrangement together with the laminagraphic object at the elevation of the laminagraphic plane, and for scanning the laminagraphic object from different directions in the laminagraphic plane; as well as including an X-ray measuring arrangement which is operatively connected with the X-ray generator and located behind the laminagraphic object in the direction of the beam. The foregoing is inventively attained, in a support installation of the above-mentioned type, by providing a transport web slidingly located on the table plate or pallette so as to be in the longitudinal direction thereof, as the patient support for introduction of the laminagraphic object into the holding arrangement, as well as an adjusting arrangement consisting of a drive means for effecting the displacement of the table plate and the holding arrangement which is coupled therewith with respect to the X-ray beam along the longitudinal direction of the table by specifiable amounts, and finally including an indicating means for the determination of these amounts.

Patients' support installation for a tomographic X-ray apparatus

An X-ray diagnostic installation for producing a transverse layer or planigraphic image including a first X-ray measuring arrangement having X-ray source which generates an X-ray beam whose extent of cross-sectional diffusion perpendicular to the layer is equal to the layer thickness, and equal to or less than the layer thickness in parallel to the layer, and a radiation receiver which measures the radiation intensity behind the object at successive equidistantly located points, as well as a drive arrangement for the measuring arrangement adapted to generate a linearly guided scanning motion extending in perpendicular to the direction of the central beam across the total expanse of the object, in an alternating sequence with a rotational motion about small equidistant angles, whose sum comprises 180.degree., and about a center of revolution lying approximately in the central portion of the layer surface on the main radiation beam. In addition to the first measuring arrangement, a second measuring arrangement is provided which is parallel offset with respect to the former in the direction of the linear movement, whose X-ray source generates radiation having a different value of radiation energy in comparison with that of the first X-ray source; and including a calculator which determines for each image point from the measuring signals of both measuring arrangements for the two different values the radiation energy, the two adsorption coefficients or their proportional magnitudes, forms their respective quotients and from the foregoing, by means of a computed-in calibrating table provides the median ordinate value or a corresponding magnitude for each image point.

Growing community of inventors

Erlangen-Frauenaurach, Germany

Gerhard Linke