Intraoral tomosynthesis X-ray imaging device, system, and method with interchangeable collimator
An intraoral tomosynthesis x-ray imaging device, system, and method with an interchangeable collimator. The intraoral tomosynthesis x-ray imaging device includes an x-ray source array including one or more spatially distributed focal spots and a detachable collimation assembly to provide rectangular or circular radiation fields. The intraoral tomosynthesis x-ray imaging device further includes a digital intraoral x-ray detector. In some embodiments, the x-ray source array is configured to produce either a scanning x-ray beam illuminating an object from different viewing angles without mechanically moving the x-ray source array for tomosynthesis, or a single two-dimensional radiograph.
1. An x-ray intraoral tomosynthesis imaging system comprising:
an x-ray source array comprising one or more spatially distributed x-ray focal spots configured to produce a scanning x-ray beam;
a voltage power supply and a current source;
a switching circuit configured to connect the current source to a plurality of cathodes of the x-ray source array, one at a time, to produce a scanning x-ray beam;
a collimation assembly configured to provide rectangular or circular radiation fields;
a digital intraoral x-ray detector;
an input panel configured to allow a user to select one or more of x-ray energy, tube current, exposure time, and imaging mode; and
an image viewer configured to display a stack of reconstructed tomosynthesis slice images,
wherein the x-ray source array is configured to selectively produce either: (a) a scanning x-ray beam illuminating an object from different viewing angles without mechanically moving the x-ray source array for tomosynthesis; or (b) a single two dimensional (2D) radiograph; and
wherein the collimation assembly is configured to substantially collimate x-ray radiation from all x-ray focal spots to the digital intraoral x-ray detector.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the collimation assembly comprises:
a primary collimator positioned close to an exit window of the x-ray source array wherein the primary collimator comprises an array of one or more apertures, each of the one or more apertures being aligned with one corresponding x-ray focal spot of the x-ray source array, and configured to allow x-ray radiation from the one corresponding x-ray focal spot to pass through;
a secondary collimator positioned in line with respect to the primary collimator, wherein the secondary collimator has one aperture configured to further confine x-ray radiation passing through the primary collimator; and
a cone structure that encloses the primary collimator and the secondary collimator.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the primary collimator is fixed to the x-ray source array; and wherein the secondary collimator is attached to a distal end of the cone structure and can be removed and exchanged by an operator of the device.
4. The system of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the apertures of the array of one or more apertures of the primary collimator is larger than a remainder of the array of one or more apertures; wherein x-ray radiation generated from the one corresponding x-ray focal spot is used for a 2D radiograph; and wherein the secondary collimator is large and circular.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the collimation assembly comprises one or more detachable or interchangeable collimators.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the one or more detachable or interchangeable collimators comprises a first detachable or interchangeable collimator with a tight rectangular aperture or a second detachable or interchangeable collimator with a large circular aperture.
7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the one or more detachable or interchangeable collimators have different lengths and are configured to allow intraoral imaging at different source-to-detector distances.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the collimation assembly comprises a tight rectangular aperture configured to collimate radiation generated from all of the one or more spatially distributed x-ray focal spots to a surface of the digital intraoral x-ray detector thereby reducing radiation dose.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the collimation assembly comprises a circular aperture configured to collimate radiation generated from all of the one or more spatially distributed x-ray focal spots into a radiation field that is substantially larger than a size of the digital intraoral x-ray detector such that the digital intraoral x-ray detector can be readily aligned within the radiation field without an alignment apparatus.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein radiation from any one of the one or more x-ray focal spots of the x-ray source array is sufficient for a 2D radiography.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the collimation assembly comprises one or more collimators that are molded, extruded, or three dimensionally (3D) printed using materials that do not contain lead.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the collimation assembly is detachable and reattachable to the device thereby allowing imaging at different modes; and wherein the collimation assembly comprises one or more attachments, including a tomosynthesis collimator configured for intraoral tomosynthesis imaging using all of the one or more x-ray focal spots, a radiograph collimator configured for 2D radiographic imaging using a pre-selected x-ray focal spot, or a combination collimation assembly configured for imaging in both 2D and tomosynthesis modes.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the imaging mode includes a 2D imaging mode, three dimensional (3D) imaging mode, or a combination of the 2D imaging mode and the 3D imaging mode.
14. An x-ray intraoral tomosynthesis imaging device comprising:
an x-ray source array comprising one or more spatially distributed focal spots configured to produce a scanning x-ray beam;
a collimation assembly configured to provide rectangular or circular radiation fields; and
a digital intraoral x-ray detector;
wherein the x-ray source array is configured to produce either a scanning x-ray beam, illuminating an object from different viewing angles without mechanically moving the x-ray source array for tomosynthesis, or a single 2D radiograph;
wherein the collimation assembly is configured to substantially collimate x-ray radiation from all focal spots to the digital intraoral x-ray detector; and
wherein the collimation assembly comprises a circular aperture configured to collimate radiation generated from all of the one or more spatially distributed x-ray focal spots into a radiation field that is substantially larger than a size of the digital intraoral x-ray detector such that the digital intraoral x-ray detector can be readily aligned within the radiation field without an alignment apparatus.
15. The device of claim 14 , wherein the collimation assembly comprises:
a primary collimator positioned close to an exit window of the x-ray source array wherein the primary collimator comprises an array of one or more apertures, each of the one or more apertures being aligned with one corresponding x-ray focal spot of the x-ray source array, and configured to allow x-ray radiation from the one corresponding x-ray focal spot to pass through;
a secondary collimator positioned in line with respect to the primary collimator, wherein the secondary collimator has one aperture configured to further confine x-ray radiation passing through the primary collimator; and
a cone structure that encloses the primary collimator and the secondary collimator.
16. The device of claim 15 , wherein the primary collimator is fixed to the x-ray source array; and wherein the secondary collimator is attached to a distal end of the cone structure and can be removed and exchanged by an operator of the device.
17. The device of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the apertures of the array of one or more apertures of the primary collimator is larger than a remainder of the array of one or more apertures; wherein x-ray radiation generated from the one corresponding x-ray focal spot is used for a 2D radiograph; and wherein the secondary collimator is large and circular.
18. The device of claim 14 , wherein the collimation assembly comprises one or more detachable or interchangeable collimators.
19. The device of claim 18 , wherein the one or more detachable or interchangeable collimators comprises a first detachable or interchangeable collimator with a tight rectangular aperture or a second detachable or interchangeable collimator with a large circular aperture.
20. The device of claim 18 , wherein the one or more detachable or interchangeable collimators have different lengths and are configured to allow intraoral imaging at different source-to-detector distances.
21. The device of claim 14 , wherein the collimation assembly comprises a tight rectangular aperture configured to collimate radiation generated from all of the one or more spatially distributed x-ray focal spots to a surface of the digital intraoral x-ray detector thereby reducing a patient's radiation dose.
22. The device of claim 14 , wherein radiation from any one of the one or more x-ray focal spots of the x-ray source array is sufficient for a 2D radiography.
23. The device of claim 14 , wherein the collimation assembly comprises one or more collimators that are molded, extruded, or 3-D printed using materials that do not contain lead.
24. The device of claim 14 , wherein the collimation assembly is detachable and reattachable to the device thereby allowing imaging at different modes; and wherein the collimation assembly comprises one or more attachments, including a tomosynthesis collimator configured for intraoral tomosynthesis imaging using all of the one or more x-ray focal spots, a radiograph collimator configured for 2D radiographic imaging using a pre-selected x-ray focal spot, or a combination collimation assembly configured for imaging in both 2D and tomosynthesis modes.