Digital x-ray imaging system and method

Abstract

A digital X-ray imaging system having an X-ray generator, an X-ray generator controller for controlling the X-ray generator, an X-ray detecting unit for detecting an X-ray transmitted through a subject, the X-ray detecting unit having an X-ray grid for shielding a scattered X-ray, a signal processor for acquiring a signal from the X-ray detecting unit and processing the signal to obtain a digital X-ray image of the subject, and a display device for displaying an image of the subject obtained by the signal processor. The system is provided with a position changing unit for changing a relative position between the X-ray detecting unit and the subject, a position change controller for controlling the position changing unit, and an imaging-sequence controller for controlling the position change controller and the X-ray generator controller. The imaging controller controls setting of each of a plurality of target imaging regions of the subject to generally a central area of an X-ray detecting plane of the X-ray detector, the X-ray detecting plane being an incident plane of the transmitted X-ray, and to set at least one imaging view field to contain an intermediate region between target imaging regions. The whole or part of a plurality of obtained digital X-ray images is used to join a single or a plurality of digital X-ray images for display.