Apparatus for Reading Out X-ray Information Stored in Storage Phosphor Layer and Radiography Module

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for reading out X-ray information of an X-ray image stored in a storage phosphor layer (4) includes an irradiation device (13) for irradiating the storage phosphor layer (4) with stimulation radiation (14) and a detection device (16) for collecting emission radiation (15) which the storage phosphor layer (4) emits as a result of the irradiation by means of the stimulation radiation (14). The irradiation device (13) and the detection device (16) are fixedly or rigidly associated with one another. Furthermore, an actuation device (8) is provided for producing a relative movement between the storage phosphor layer (4) on the one hand and the irradiation device (13) and the detection device (16) on the other hand. According to the invention, the apparatus (1) includes acquiring unit (19, 19′, 20, 20′, 21, 21′) for acquiring a speed of the relative movement. In this way, in a technically simple way, good image quality of an X-ray image read out can be guaranteed. Furthermore, the invention relates to a radiography module with this type of apparatus (1).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; emphasis has instead been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective illustration of an example of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention for reading out X-ray information stored in a storage phosphor layer, the apparatus being in the form of a radiography module;

FIG. 2 is a further schematic illustration of a structure of the radiography module according to FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an example of an application of the radiography module according to FIG. 1 fitted in an X-ray system,

Claims

1. An apparatus for reading out X-ray information of an X-ray image stored in a storage phosphor layer, comprising: an irradiation device for irradiating the storage phosphor layer with stimulation radiation;a detection device for collecting emission radiation which the storage phosphor layer emits as a result of the irradiation by means of the stimulation radiation, the irradiation device and the detection device being rigidly associated with one another;an actuation device for producing a relative movement between the storage phosphor layer on the one hand and the irradiation device and the detection device on the other hand; andan acquiring unit for acquiring a speed of the relative movement.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquiring unit acquires the speed a number of times when reading out the stored X-ray information.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquiring unit is designed such that it acquires at least an average speed of the relative movement, the average speed being acquired between at least two relative positions which the storage phosphor layer takes relative to the irradiation device and the detection device.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the average speed is acquired during the read-out of the X-ray information.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the acquiring unit has at least two sensors which are allocated to the at least two relative positions and serve to determine a time which the relative movement requires when reading out the X-ray information between reaching the at least two positions.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein in that the at least two sensors have photo sensors.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller processes the X-ray information read out from the storage phosphor layer in response to the speed of the relative movement.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the controller has contain pre-specified details for processing the X-ray information read out and selects at least some of the pre-specified details depending upon the acquiring of the speed of the relative movement, and use the details selected for processing the X-ray information.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the controller is establishes a pixel size of the X-ray information read out depending upon the acquiring of the speed of the relative movement.

10. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the controller establishes an intensity of the X-ray information read out depending upon the acquiring of the speed of the relative movement.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second controller that controls the read-out of the X-ray information depending upon the acquiring of the speed of the relative movement.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the second controller controls the irradiation device depending upon the acquiring of the speed of the relative movement.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the second controller controls the detection device depending upon the acquiring of the speed of the relative movement.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the controller controls the speed of the relative movement depending upon the acquiring of the speed of the relative movement.

15. An X-ray cassette, comprising a housing; andan apparatus for reading out X-ray information of an X-ray image stored in a storage phosphor layer in the housing, the apparatus including: an irradiation device for irradiating the storage phosphor layer with stimulation radiation;a detection device for collecting emission radiation which the storage phosphor layer emits as a result of the irradiation by means of the stimulation radiation, the irradiation device and the detection device being rigidly associated with one another;an actuation device for producing a relative movement between the storage phosphor layer on the one hand and the irradiation device and the detection device on the other hand; andan acquiring unit for acquiring a speed of the relative movement.

16. A method for reading out X-ray information of an X-ray image stored in a storage phosphor layer, comprising: irradiating the storage phosphor layer with stimulation radiation;collecting emission radiation which the storage phosphor layer emits as a result of the irradiation by means of the stimulation radiation, the irradiation device and the detection device being rigidly associated with one another;producing a relative movement between the storage phosphor layer on the one hand and the irradiation device and the detection device on the other hand; anddetermining a speed of the relative movement.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the step of determining the speed comprises acquiring an average speed of the relative movement.

18. The method according claim 16, further comprising processing the X-ray information read out from the storage phosphor layer in response to the speed of the relative movement.