X-ray television apparatus
AssigneeHitachi Medical Corporation
InventorsHisatake Yokouchi, Yukio Takasaki, Tadaaki Hirai, Kouichi Koike, Masayuki Tsuneoka, Yoichi Onodera, Takakazu Funo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An X-ray television apparatus applies an X-ray to an object to be inspected, converts the X-ray projection image of the object into an optical image by a fluorescent screen or an X-ray image intensifier, picks up the optical image by a TV camera, displays the video signal obtained by a TV monitor for fluoroscopic monitoring, and records radiograph of the object by using the video signal. Avalanche multiplication is caused on the photoconductive layer of the image pick-up tube of the TV camera so as to enable monitoring or imaging with high sensitivity at a low X-ray dose rate.
Claims16
An X-ray television apparatus comprising:
- X-ray generating means for applying X-rays to an object to be inspected;
- an X-ray sensor for converting an X-ray projection image of said object into an optical image and forming a real image thereof;
- a TV camera including an image pick-up tube having a photoconductive layer with a structure enabling blocking of charge injection into said photoconductive layer due to an electric field, and enabling operations of avalanche multiplication and non-avalanche multiplication in said photoconductive layer, said TV camera receiving said real image and converting said real image into a video signal for each of the avalanche multiplication and non-avalanche multiplication operations in said photoconductive layer in said image pick-up tube;
- a TV monitor for displaying the video signal delivered out of said TV camera in real time;
- recording means for recording a radiograph of said object by using the video signal delivered out of said TV camera;
- and
- control means for enabling switching of the operations of said photoconductive layer between the operation enabling said avalanche multiplication and the operation enabling said non-avalanche multiplication;
- wherein said control means enables said avalanche multiplication operation in said photoconductive layer in a first operation mode in which said video signal is displayed by said TV monitor in real time, and enables said non-avalanche multiplication in said photoconductive layer in a second mode in which said radiograph is recorded by said recording means.
An X-ray television apparatus comprising:
- X-ray generating means for applying X-rays to an object to be inspected;
- an X-ray sensor for converting an X-ray projection image of said object into an optical image and forming a real image thereof;
- a TV camera including an image pick-up tube having a photoconductive layer with a structure enabling blocking of charge injection into said photoconductive layer due to an electric field, and enabling operations of avalanche multiplication and non-avalanche multiplication in said photoconductive layer, said TV camera receiving said real image and converting said real image into a video signal for each of the avalanche multiplication and non-avalanche multiplication operations in said photoconductive layer in said image pick-up tube;
- a TV monitor for displaying the video signal delivered out of said TV camera in real time;
- a recording means for recording a radiograph of said object by using the video signal delivered out of said TV camera;
- and
- control means for enabling switching of the operations of said photoconductive layer between the operation enabling said avalanche multiplication and the operation enabling said non-avalanche multiplication.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.