US5023896A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
X-ray television apparatus
Assignee: Hitachi Healthcare Manufacturing Ltd
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Filing: 1989-05-25
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Granted: 1991-06-11
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Expires: 2009-05-25
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Hisatake Yokouchi
- 👤 Yukio Takasaki
- 👤 Tadaaki Hirai
- 👤 Kouichi Koike
- 👤 Masayuki Tsuneoka
- 👤 Yoichi Onodera
- 👤 Takakazu Funo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:47
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05G; H05G1/00; H05G1/08; H05G1/60; H01; H01J; H01J29/00; H01J29/02; H01J29/10; H01J29/36; H01J29/39; H01J29/45; H01J31/00; H01J31/08; H01J31/26; H01J31/28; H01J31/34; H01J31/38; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/30; H04N5/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An X-ray television apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said photoconductive layer is composed of an amorphous semiconductor containing Se as the main ingredient.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An X-ray television apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said X-ray sensor has an emission spectrum in which the peak of emission wavelength is not more than 500 nm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
An X-ray television camera according to claim 1, wherein said X-ray sensor includes a fluorescent screen for converting said X-ray projection image of said object into said optical image and an optical lens for forming said optical image on an image input surface of said TV camera.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
An X-ray television apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said X-ray sensor includes an X-ray image intensifier for intensifying said X-ray projection image of said object and converting said image into said optical image and an optical lens for forming said optical image on an image input surface of said TV screen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
181 words
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.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
181 words
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.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
An X-ray television apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said control means switches the operation of said photoconductive layer into the operation enabling said avalanche multiplication in said photoconductive layer in at least an operation mode in which said video signal is displayed by said TV monitor in real time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An X-ray television apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said photoconductive layer is composed of an amorphous semiconductor containing Se as the main ingredient.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
An X-ray television apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said X-ray sensor has an emission spectrum in which the peak of emission wavelength is not more than 500 nm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
An X-ray television camera according to claim 7, wherein said X-ray sensor includes a fluorescent screen for converting said X-ray projection image of said object into said optical image and an optical lens for forming said optical image on an image input surface of said TV camera.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
An X-ray television apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said X-ray sensor includes an X-ray image intensifier for intensifying said X-ray projection image of said object and converting said image into said optical image and an optical lens for forming said optical image on an image input surface of said TV screen.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
91 words
An X-ray television apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said control means switches the operation of said photoconductive layer into the operation enabling said avalanche multiplication in said photoconductive layer in a first operation mode in which said video signal is displayed by said TV monitor in real time, and said control means switches the operation of said photoconductive layer into the operation enabling one of said avalanche multiplication and said non-avalanche multiplication in said photoconductive layer in a second mode in which said radiograph is recorded by said recording means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An X-ray television apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said photoconductive layer is composed of an amorphous semiconductor containing Se as the main ingredient.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
An X-ray television apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said X-ray sensor has an emission spectrum in which the peak of emission wavelength is not more than 500 nm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
An X-ray television camera according to claim 12, wherein said X-ray sensor includes a fluorescent screen for converting said X-ray projection image of said object into said optical image and an optical lens for forming said optical image on an image input surface of said TV camera.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
An X-ray television apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said X-ray sensor includes an X-ray image intensifier for intensifying said X-ray projection image of said object and converting said image into said optical image and an optical lens for forming said optical image on an image input surface of said TV screen.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-06-10 | 1994-12-10 | 1995-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-10 | 1998-12-10 | 1999-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-10 | 2002-12-10 | 2003-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |