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) is pivotable and includes acquiring unit (24) for acquiring an orientation of the apparatus (1). 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;

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;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a top view of the radiography module according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram with a first example of a sequence according to the invention in the radiography module according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram with a second example of a sequence according to the invention in the radiography module according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram with a third example of a sequence according to the invention in the radiography module according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram with a fourth example of a sequence according to the invention in the radiography module according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram with a fifth example of a sequence according to the invention in the radiography module according to FIG. 1; and

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram with a sixth example of a sequence according to the invention in the radiography module according to FIG. 1.

Claims

1. An apparatus for reading out X-ray information of an X-ray image stored in a storage phosphor layer, the apparatus being pivotable, the apparatus comprising: an acquiring unit for acquiring an orientation of the apparatus.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquiring unit determines a direction of acceleration due to gravity relative to the apparatus.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquiring unit comprises at least one acceleration sensor.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquiring unit comprises at least one rotation sensor.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the at least one rotation sensor is disposed on an axis of rotation of the apparatus.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller processes the X-ray information read out from the storage phosphor layer and processes the X-ray information read out depending upon the orientation of the apparatus.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the controller has specified details for processing the X-ray information read out and is designed such that it selects at least some of the pre-specified details depending upon the orientation of the apparatus and uses the details selected for processing the X-ray information.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an irradiation device for irradiating the storage phosphor layer with stimulation radiation and a detection device for collecting emission radiation which the storage phosphor layer emits as a result of irradiation by means of the stimulation radiation, the irradiation device and the detection device being rigidly associated with one another.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a controller for controlling the read-out of the X-ray information depending upon the orientation of the apparatus.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the controller controls the irradiation device depending upon the orientation of the apparatus.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the controller controls the detection device depending upon the orientation of the apparatus.

12. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising an actuation device for producing a relative movement between the storage phosphor layer on the one hand and the stimulation device and the detection device on the other hand.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the controller controls the speed of the relative movement depending upon the orientation of the apparatus.

14. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the controller stores pre-specified details for controlling the apparatus and selects between the pre-specified details depending upon the orientation of the apparatus and uses the details selected for controlling the apparatus.

15. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the acquiring unit acquires a speed of the relative movement.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the acquiring unit determines at least an average speed of the relative movement, this average speed occurring during the read-out of the X-ray information between at least two relative positions between the storage phosphor layer on the one hand and the stimulation device and detection device on the other hand.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising at least two sensors which are allocated to the at least two relative positions and serve to determine a time required by relative movement when reading out the X-ray information between the at least two positions.

18. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the controller processes the X-ray information read out from the storage phosphor layer and processes the X-ray information read out depending upon the orientation of the apparatus and has specified details for processing the X-ray information read out and is designed such that it selects at least some of the pre-specified details depending upon the orientation of the apparatus and uses the details selected for processing the X-ray information, and compares the orientation of the apparatus and the speed to one another, modifies pre-specified details for processing the X-ray information.

19. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the controller stores pre-specified details for controlling the apparatus and selects between the pre-specified details depending upon the orientation of the apparatus and uses the details selected for controlling the apparatus and wherein the controller is designed such that it compares the orientation of the apparatus acquired by the acquiring unit and the speed to one another and uses this comparison with to the pre-specified details for controlling the apparatus.

20. A radiography 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 acquiring unit for acquiring an orientation of the housing.

21. The cassette according to claim 20, wherein the acquiring unit determines a direction of acceleration due to gravity relative to the apparatus.

22. The cassette according to claim 20, wherein the acquiring unit comprises at least one acceleration sensor.

23. The cassette according to claim 20, wherein the acquiring unit comprises at least one rotation sensor.

24. The cassette according to claim 23, wherein the at least one rotation sensor is disposed on an axis of rotation of the apparatus.

25. The cassette according to claim 1, further comprising a controller that processes the X-ray information read out from the storage phosphor layer and processes the X-ray information read out depending upon the orientation of the apparatus.

26. An method for reading out X-ray information of an X-ray image stored in a storage phosphor layer with a read out apparatus, the method comprising: acquiring an orientation of the read out apparatus;controlling a processing of the X-ray image in response to the orientation.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the step of acquiring the orientation comprises determining a direction of acceleration due to gravity relative to the apparatus.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein the step of acquiring the orientation comprises measuring rotation of the apparatus.

29. The method according to claim 26, wherein the step of controlling the processing comprises controlling an irradiation device for irradiating the storage phosphor layer with stimulation radiation and a detection device for collecting emission radiation which the storage phosphor layer emits as a result of irradiation by means of the stimulation radiation in response to the orientation.