Three-dimensional fluoroscopy and X-ray bulb for the same

[0003] The present invention relates to three-dimensional fluoroscopy for continuous stereoscopic observation of a human blood vessel by using a contrast medium, 3-D visualization in nondestructive inspection of materials, baggage check and so on. The present invention also relates to an X-ray bulb for the three-dimensional fluoroscopy.

[0004] To this date, fluoroscopy is only two-dimensional.

[0005] At present, there is no visual, continuous, three-dimensional fluoroscopy. Recently however, there is need in the field of engineering, medicine and so on for three-dimensional fluoroscopic imaging.

[0006] A difference between the present invention and the prior art fluoroscopy is in the number of X-rays (beams) radiated, namely, whether only one beam is used or two beams are used. Imaging with one beam of X-ray is equivalent to seeing an object with only one eye, whereas imaging with two X-ray beams is comparable to seeing the object with both eyes.

[0007] A conventional X-ray image only gives a two-dimensional view, but with two X-ray beams, the image gives a three-dimensional view. There are three methods for producing the three-dimensional view by using two X-ray beams.

[0008] A first method is to use two X-ray vacuum tubes (X-ray bulbs) simultaneously for generation of two X-ray beams, which are irradiated alternately to an object to obtain fluoroscopic images for stereoscopic viewing.

[0009] A second method is to use mirrors for making two X-ray beams from a single X-ray beam generated by one X-ray bulb.

[0010] A third method is to modify an X-ray bulb for generation of two X-ray beams.

[0011] In any of the methods described above, the two X-ray beams are spaced from each other by three to seven centimeters, because sources of the two X-ray beams should be spaced from each other as far as between the left and right pupils in a human. Experiments have established that the distance of five centimeters will give the most natural view.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting a three-dimensional fluoroscopy for viewing an object stereoscopically from outside, by using two X-ray bulbs thereby generating two X-ray beams.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting a three-dimensional fluoroscopy for viewing an object stereoscopically from outside, by using an X-ray bulb thereby generating an X-ray beam, showing an arrangement for formation of a left-eye view.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting a three-dimensional fluoroscopy for viewing an object stereoscopically from outside, by using an X-ray bulb thereby generating an X-ray beam, showing an arrangement for formation of a right-eye view.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a diagram depicting a three-dimensional fluoroscopy for viewing an object stereoscopically from outside, by using an X-ray bulb thereby generating two X-ray beams.

[0016] A first method uses two X-ray bulbs 14, 15, as shown in FIG. 1, for generation of two X-ray beams 8, 9. These two sources of the beams are spaced from each other by a distance L which is an interpupillary distance of a human inspector. Cathode rays come out of cathodes 7, 4 of respective X-ray bulbs 14, 15, hit on anodes 5, 2 and generates the left and the right X-ray beams 8, 9, which pass a shutter 10, penetrate an object 11 such as a blood vessel with a contrast medium injected therein according to the present embodiment, then reach and make a fluorescent screen 12 glow.

[0017] The shutter 10 opens and closes at a predetermined time interval, thereby alternately allowing the left and right X-ray beams to pass through, so as to project images alternately for the left and right eyes on the fluorescent screen 12. By using a stereoscopic viewer 13, the inspector can see a three-dimensional view of the object 11 such as the blood vessel, an organ and so on from outside of the body. This makes it possible to perform a treatment, a surgical operation and so on to an intertwined vessel for example, from outside of the body and under visual observation.

[0018] If applied to a nondestructive inspection, it becomes possible to give stereoscopic evaluation to an internal object from outside.

[0019] It should be noted here that components indicated by numeral codes 6, 3 are power sources for the anodes 5, 2 and cathodes 7, 4 respectively.

[0020] A second method uses one X-ray bulb 21. A cathode ray comes out of a cathode 25 to an anode 23, thereby generating an X-ray beam 27, which is then reflected by a rotating X-ray reflection mirror 29 made of a heavy metal alloy.

[0021] By rotating a mirror-surface controlling shaft 28, the X-ray beam 27 is reflected in a left direction and a right direction as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 which respectively show an arrangement for formation of a left-eye view and an arrangement for formation of a right-eye view. This constitution, together with a set of reflector plates 31, provides two X-ray beams having an interpupillary distance of a human inspector and alternating at a predetermined time interval.

[0022] The above splitting of the X-ray beam for the left eye and the right eye also covers the function performed by the shutter 10 in FIG. 1. By the irradiation of these two X-ray beams to an object 22, images for each of the eyes are projected, independently a long time, on a fluorescent screen 24. By continuously viewing these images through a stereoscopic viewer 13, the object 22 can be observed three-dimensionally.

[0023] It should be noted here that the reflector plates 31 are movable, and so is the screen 32 as to allow focusing.

[0024] According to the second method, brightness of the obtained image may not be optimum, yet there is an economic and technical advantage that the 3-D image can be obtained with only one X-ray bulb.

[0025] A third method uses one X-ray bulb 41 as shown in FIG. 4. The X-ray bulb 41 generates two continuous X-ray beams 45, 44 coming out of sources spaced at an interpupillary distance.

[0026] This method uses a beveled, rotating, tungsten anode which is known publicly. In a known application, a cathode ray is generated in one direction, and an X-ray beam is produced in another direction from the anode plate. According to the present invention however, the cathode rays come in two directions, thereby generating corresponding X-ray beams in corresponding two directions from sources spaced at an interpupillary distance, and these two X-ray beams are utilized in the same way as in the first and the second methods for the three-dimensional fluoroscopy.

[0027] This method is described in more detail. Specifically, the X-ray bulb 41 has a center portion provided with a beveled, rotating anode 50, and a left and a right end portions provided with cathodes 43, 42 respectively.

[0028] The cathodes 43, 42 are heated to generate cathode rays hitting on the anode 50 at different angles, generating the X-ray beams 45, 44 coming at corresponding angles.

[0029] The X-ray beams pass respective shutters 52, 56 and filters 53, 54, and then penetrate an object 47 placed at a predetermined distance for a predetermined exposure time, projecting X-ray images on a fluorescent screen 48 in alternation for the left eye and the right eye.

[0030] By viewing these images through a stereoscopic viewer 13 independently but continuously with the left eye and the right eye, a three-dimensional fluoroscopic view can be observed. If this method is used in imaging a human body by using a contrast medium of various kinds, the obtained view can be utilized for a medical purpose. Further, the method can also be applied to various kinds of nondestructive inspection.

[0031] As has been described above, the present invention provides a three-dimensional fluoroscopy, wherein two X-ray beams are irradiated to an object from sources spaced from each other by an interpupillary distance of a human inspector, for projection of alternating X-ray images for the left eye and the right eye on a fluorescent screen for a predetermined exposure time and at a predetermined interval, and the images for the left eye and the images for the right eye are projected on a stereoscopic viewer continuously but independently from each other, whereby providing a three-dimensional fluoroscopic view. Therefore, it has become possible to perform continuous stereoscopic observation of a human blood vessel by using a contrast medium, 3-D visualization in nondestructive inspection of materials, baggage check and so on.

[0032] Further, the present invention provides a three-dimensional fluoroscopy, wherein one X-ray beam is reflected in a left direction and a right direction in alternation for a predetermined exposure time and at a predetermined interval by a rotating mirror, the reflected X-ray is further reflected by a pair of mirrors spaced from each other by an interpupillary distance of a human inspector, whereby irradiating two X-ray beams to an object in alternation. Therefore, it has become possible to perform continuous stereoscopic observation of a human blood vessel by using a contrast medium, 3-D visualization in nondestructive inspection of materials, baggage check and so on.

[0033] Further, the present invention provides a three-dimensional fluoroscopy, wherein one X-ray bulb has a beveled, rotating anode having a diameter generally equal to an interpupillary distance of a human, and two cathode rays are hit on the anode for generation of two X-ray beams from sources spaced at the interpupillary distance, whereby irradiating the two X-rays to an object in alternation for a predetermined exposure time and at a predetermined interval.