Abstract: An X-ray detector for use in a medical X-ray imaging apparatus comprising a rotary means rotatable relative to an object to be examined, an X-ray generator provided at one side of the rotary means, and an X-ray detecting portion provided at the other side of the rotary means so as to face the X-ray generator. The X-ray detector is provided in the X-ray detecting portion or is detachably mounted in the X-ray detecting portion, the X-ray detector is provided with an imaging portion comprised of a plane electric imaging means extending in a two-dimensional direction used for X-ray CT and has an imaging portion positioning means for moving up and down the imaging portion in the X-ray detector.

Abstract: An X-ray detector for use in a medical X-ray imaging apparatus comprising a rotary means rotatable relative to an object to be examined, an X-ray generator provided at one side of the rotary means, and an X-ray detecting portion provided at the other side of the rotary means so as to face the X-ray generator. The X-ray detector is provided in the X-ray detecting portion or is detachably mounted in the X-ray detecting portion, the X-ray detector is provided with an imaging portion comprised of a plane electric imaging means extending in a two-dimensional direction used for X-ray CT and has an imaging portion positioning means for moving up and down the imaging portion in the X-ray detector.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging detector for generating X-ray transmission image in a form of electric signal, for use in X-ray imaging apparatus which comprises the X-ray imaging detector, an X-ray generator and a fixing support for fixedly positioning an object to be examined between the X-ray generator and the X-ray imaging detector mounted thereon, whereby X-ray imaging is performed by moving the X-ray generator and the X-ray imaging detector both interposing the object fixedly positioned by the fixing support while keeping facing each other.

Abstract: A laparoscope apparatus for use in laparoscopic surgery or the like comprises a cannula with an inner hollow having therein a light guide for introducing light to its tip end for illuminating the object to be observed, and an endoscope which is capable of being pulled into and out from the inner hollow of the cannula. The cannula is airtightly sealed with a transparent member at its tip end, while the endoscope has therein an image pick-up with a wide-angle lens, and the image pick-up is housed in the cannula close to the transparent member.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging detector for generating X-ray transmission image in a form of electric signal, for use in X-ray imaging apparatus which comprises the X-ray imaging detector, an X-ray generator and a fixing means for fixedly positioning an object to be examined between the X-ray generator and the X-ray imaging detector mounted thereon, whereby X-ray imaging is performed by moving the X-ray generator and the X-ray imaging detector both interposing the object fixedly positioned by the fixing means while keeping facing each other.

Abstract: An X-ray computed tomography (CT) method of producing sectional images and panoramic images while reducing the exposure dose and time. The method includes producing an X-ray projection image on a two-demensional X-ray image sensor by turning a rotary arm within a scope of angle according to the projection conditions, while locally radiating conical X-ray beams, with a small width in the rotating direction of the beams, with the rotating center of the rotary arm fixed at the center position of the region to be X-rayed and the X-ray projection images are processed using specific equation as previously prepared by a computer to extract image information, and thereby to produce a sectional image of the local region of the object to be examined.

Abstract: The panoramic radiographic apparatus of the present invention has a cassette holder capable of accommodating both a conventional film cassette and a digital sensor cassette loaded with an electric X-ray image detector, one at a time, in a rotary arm, wherein when a film cassette is mounted, the cassette holder is mechanically moved in accordance with the rotation of the rotary arm so as to carry out panoramic radiographing, and when a digital sensor cassette is mounted, without moving the cassette holder, the electric X-ray image detector is driven by supplying control signals corresponding to the rotation of the rotary arm to the digital sensor cassette to obtain image signals required for generating a panoramic X-ray image. Therefore, both the film cassette and the digital sensor cassette can easily be mounted, one at a time, whereby required panoramic X-ray images can be obtained by fully using the features of each type of cassette.

Abstract: The panoramic radiographic apparatus of the present invention has a cassette holder capable of accommodating both a conventional film cassette and a digital sensor cassette loaded with an electric X-ray image detector, one at a time, in a rotary arm, wherein when a film cassette is mounted, the cassette holder is mechanically moved in accordance with the rotation of the rotary arm so as to carry out panoramic radiographing, and when a digital sensor cassette is mounted, without moving the cassette holder, the electric X-ray image detector is driven by supplying control signals corresponding to the rotation of the rotary arm to the digital sensor cassette to obtain image signals required for generating a panoramic X-ray image. Therefore, both the film cassette and the digital sensor cassette can easily be mounted, one at a time, whereby required panoramic X-ray images can be obtained by fully using the features of each type of cassette.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a dual-purpose X-ray imaging apparatus capable of partial CT imaging in addition to panoramic tomographic imaging. Another object of the invention is to provide a dedicated partial X-ray CT imaging apparatus. An X-ray imaging apparatus comprises an X-ray source 28 which irradiates an object with X-rays; an image sensor 38 which detects X-rays having passed through the object; a support arm 24 which supports the X-ray source 28 and the image sensor 38; and a plurality of motors for moving the support arm 24. These motors move the X-ray source 28 and image sensor 38 along a CT image formation locus in the CT mode, and the X-ray source 28 and the image sensor 38 along a panoramic image formation locus in the case of the panorama mode.

Abstract: A phosphor, an optical fiber plate containing lead particles, a CCD, and an X-ray shielding member consisting of copper tungsten are sequentially stacked on a substrate from an X-ray incident surface side and sealed in a container made of a light-shielding synthetic resin. The substrate has projecting portions projecting toward the direction of X-ray incident along three sides of the X-ray incident surface. Each of these projecting portions has an overhang portion projecting toward the optical fiber plate. The overhang portions are close to or in contact with corresponding side surfaces of the optical fiber plate so that the optical fiber plate is fixed at a predetermined position. The container has, in the inner surface, convex portions corresponding to the projecting portions, so the substrate is fixed in the container.

Abstract: An X-ray detecting element detects an image produced by X-ray irradiation. An apparatus case capable of being inserted into a mouth has an X-ray irradiation face having different dimensions in two directions perpendicular to each other, and houses the X-ray detecting element. A cable is connected to the apparatus case to transmit a signal from the X-ray detecting element to the outside of the apparatus case. The cable is drawn out from the apparatus case in a direction which is parallel with the X-ray irradiation face and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the X-ray irradiation face. According to this configuration, the cable does not obstruct the imaging operation in a course of imaging teeth in a mouth, particularly a molar portion. Therefore, an imaging operation can be easily conducted without giving the subject an unpleasant feeling.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus including an X-ray tube which emits X-rays, an image sensor which detects X-rays which pass through an object, a support arm which supports the X-ray tube and the image sensor so that they are opposed to each other across the object, a driving motor which moves the support arm in a predetermined direction, a gain adjustment circuit which adjusts the imaging sensitivity of the image sensor and a controlling circuit for controlling the gain of the adjusting circuit. The controlling circuit controls the gain adjusting circuit on the basis of the detected image density of the image sensor. When the adjustment by means of the gain adjusting circuit is insufficient, the controlling circuit controls X-ray tube current, X-ray tube voltage and driving speed adjusters.

Abstract: An image processor comprises a CPU, a ROM for storing programs and data, a main storage memory for storing image data, parameters for image processing and the like, an image memory for storing image data which are to be displayed on a monitoring device, a DA converter for outputting a signal to the external monitoring device or video printer, a DMA controller, a clock signal generator for driving an imager device such as a CCD sensor, an AD converter for converting an image signal SG from the imager device into a digital signal, an input/output circuit for generating a busy signal to an external X-ray controller and receiving an exposure signal from the X-ray controller, etc.

Abstract: A digital X-ray imaging apparatus comprises an X-ray generator 6 for generating X-rays toward a subject, an X-ray imaging device 7 for detecting an image of X-rays having passed through the subject, a swivel member 4 and a horizontal movement means 8 provided with the X-ray generator 6 and the X-ray imaging device 7 opposed to each other to relatively move the X-ray generator 6 and the X-ray imaging device 7 with respect to the subject, a CPU 21 for producing a tomographic image in accordance with an imaging signal from the X-ray imaging device 7, frame memories and an image display unit 26 for displaying the tomographic image. The X-ray imaging device 7 includes a MOS image sensor having a plurality of two-dimensional light-receiving pixels. With this configuration, a tomographic image along a given tomographic plane can be produced by a signal X-ray imaging operation, and the imaging sensitivity of the digital X-ray imaging apparatus can be enhanced.

Abstract: A medical X-ray imaging apparatus is provided, which comprises an X-ray source, an X-ray imaging device for detecting an image of X-rays having passed through a subject and a swivel member for-rotating the X-ray source and the X-ray imaging device around the subject. The X-ray imaging device comprises a CCD sensor for performing the TDI operation and a dosage sensor for detecting X-rays having passed. Dosage signal Y and transfer speed signal X corresponding to the frequency of a false vertical transfer clock are supplied to a divider, and control signal Z is outputted. When control signal Z is supplied to an X-ray control circuit via a delay circuit, the X-ray irradiation dosage of the X-ray source can be feedback-controlled properly.

Abstract: An X-ray image displaying apparatus including a CPU, a video memory for storing image data, palette registers to which conducts the gradient conversion on image data stored in the video memory, DA converters for converting image data output from the palette registers into a color video signal, a monitoring device for receiving the color video signal and color-displaying an X-ray image, and a video printer for displaying the image on a recording medium. An interested region width setting switch and an interested region position setting switch are connected to a keyboard. The gradient characteristics of the palette registers are set to be .gamma.>1 in an interested region, and to be y=1 in an uninterested region.

Abstract: Images are to be satisfactorily continued even at joints of image regions.The surface of a fluorescent screen on which an X-ray image is to be formed is partitioned in the longitudinal direction of a slit, into image regions. From the image regions, image information is guided to CCD imaging elements by optical fiber bundles. Boundaries of the image regions are formed so as to be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of a slit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an X-ray tomographic imaging apparatus, wherein image degrading components caused by a CCD sensor (3c) or the like are reduced so as to obtain high-quality X-ray images. After tomographic imaging, dark current noise is eliminated by subtracting dark current correction data from a specific line of data among image data stored in an image memory. Next, sensitivity correction coefficients are prepared on the basis of data obtained when an X-ray beam having nearly uniform intensity distribution enters an X-ray imaging device 3. The image data obtained after dark current correction is then multiplied by the sensitivity correction coefficients. As a result, noise due to sensitivity variations or the like can be eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a panoramic imaging apparatus capable of obtaining a clear tomographic image even when the rotation speed of a swivel member changes. The clock for driving an FFT CCD device in accordance with the TDI method is set on the basis of the angular speed .omega. of the arm detected by a tachogenerator and a function value f (.theta.) which responds to the rotation angle .theta. of the swivel member detected by an angle detector and used to determine a tomographic orbit. The angle detector is provided with a cam having a shape having been set in accordance with the relationship between the rotation angle .theta. and the film feeding speed at the time of performing X-ray panoramic imaging by using photographic films. The signal of the angular speed .omega. and the signal of the function value f (.theta.) corresponding to the angle .theta. are added by an analog multiplier, and subjected to frequency modulation by a V/F converter to create a TDI clock.

Abstract: An image processor comprises a CPU, a ROM for storing programs and data, a main storage memory for storing image data, parameters for image processing and the like, an image memory for storing image data which are to be displayed on a monitoring device, a DA converter for outputting a signal to the external monitoring device or video printer, a DMA controller, a clock signal generator for driving an imager device such as a CCD sensor, an AD converter for converting an image signal SG from the imager device into a digital signal, an input/output circuit for generating a busy signal to an external X-ray controller and receiving an exposure signal from the X-ray controller, etc.