JP2001145618A - Medical signal acquiring device and medical image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a medical signal acquiring device which is operated only by operation by an operator and is not operated by others and a medical image pickup device using such a medical signal acquiring device. SOLUTION: This device has an operation means 102 provided in a medical signal acquiring means 100, an operator detecting means 106 for detecting the existence of an operator in the neighborhood of the medical signal acquiring means and a function validating means for validating an operation function on condition that the operator is detected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medical signal acquiring apparatus and a medical image capturing apparatus, and more particularly to a medical signal acquiring apparatus having an operation section and a medical image capturing apparatus using such a medical signal acquiring apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a medical image pickup apparatus such as an X-ray CT apparatus, a projection signal of an object to be imaged is obtained by using X-rays.
The signal is processed to generate a tomographic image of the imaging target.
The acquisition of the projection signal is performed by a signal acquisition device called a gantry. The signal processing is performed by a data processing device in an operator console.

[0003] The gantry is capable of adjusting the inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction in order to adjust the projection angle of the object to be imaged. The adjustment of the tilt angle is performed by an operator appropriately operating an operating tool such as a push button provided on the gantry.

[0004]

In a miniaturized medical imaging device or the like, there is a possibility that the patient on the imaging table can reach the operating tool of the signal acquisition device. No measures were taken to deal with the case of touch.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a medical signal acquisition device that does not operate except for an operation by an operator, and a medical image pickup device using such a medical signal acquisition device.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems (1) According to one aspect of the invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, a medical signal acquiring means, and a medical signal acquiring means which is operated by an operator and is operated by an operator. Operating means for operating the obtaining means, operator detecting means for detecting the presence of an operator in the vicinity of the medical signal obtaining means, and a function of the operating means provided that the operator detecting means detects the operator. And a function activating unit for activating the medical signal.

In the invention according to this aspect, the presence of the operator near the medical signal acquisition means is detected, and the function of the operation means is validated on condition that the presence of the operator is detected. This makes it possible to realize a medical signal acquisition device that does not operate except for operations performed by the operator.

(2) According to another aspect of the invention for solving the above-mentioned problem, the operator detecting means has a stepping detecting means for detecting a stepping by the operator. Medical signal acquisition device.

In the invention according to this aspect, the presence of the operator near the medical signal acquiring means is detected by the stepping detecting means. Thereby, the operation is validated only when the operator is at the predetermined operation position.

(3) According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medical signal acquiring apparatus according to (1), wherein the operator detecting means uses a proximity switch. .

In the invention according to this aspect, the presence of the operator near the medical signal acquiring means is detected by the proximity switch. Thus, the fact that the operator is at the predetermined operation position is detected in a non-contact manner.

(4) According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medical signal acquiring unit, and an operation provided in the medical signal acquiring unit and operated by an operator to operate the medical signal acquiring unit. Means, an operator detecting means for detecting the presence of an operator in the vicinity of the medical signal acquiring means, and a function enabling the function of the operating means on condition that the operator detecting means detects the operator. A medical image capturing apparatus, comprising: a converting unit; and an image generating unit configured to generate an image based on a signal acquired by the signal acquiring unit.

In the invention according to this aspect, the presence of the operator near the medical signal acquisition means is detected, and the function of the operation means is validated on condition that the presence of the operator is detected. This makes it possible to realize a medical imaging apparatus in which the medical signal acquisition device does not operate except for operations performed by the operator.

(5) According to another aspect of the invention for solving the above-mentioned problem, the operator detecting means has a stepping detecting means for detecting a stepping by the operator. Medical imaging apparatus.

In the invention according to this aspect, the presence of the operator in the vicinity of the medical signal acquiring means is detected by the stepping detecting means, and an image is taken based on an operation which is activated only when the operator is at a predetermined operation position. I do.

(6) According to another aspect of the invention for solving the above-mentioned problem, the operator detection means uses a proximity switch, and the medical image pickup apparatus according to (4), wherein .

In the invention according to this aspect, the presence of the operator in the vicinity of the medical signal acquisition means is detected in a non-contact manner by the proximity switch, and the operation is activated only when the operator is at the predetermined operation position. Imaging.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the X-ray CT apparatus. This apparatus is an example of an embodiment of the medical image capturing apparatus according to the present invention. An example of an embodiment of the device of the present invention is shown by the configuration of the present device.

The medical image pickup apparatus is not limited to an X-ray CT apparatus, but may be, for example, an MRI (Magnetic).
Resonance Imaging apparatus, X-ray fluoroscopy apparatus, gamma camera (γ camera), PE
T (Positron Emission Tomog)
and various types of medical image capturing apparatuses such as a medical device. Hereinafter, an example of an X-ray CT apparatus will be described, but the same applies to other medical image capturing apparatuses.

As shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray CT apparatus has a signal acquisition unit 100. The signal acquisition unit 100 is an example of an embodiment of a medical signal acquisition unit according to the present invention. The signal acquisition unit 100 includes an X-ray irradiation / detection device (not shown) in a housing having a substantially cylindrical outer shape. The signal acquisition unit 100 corresponds to a so-called gantry. Hereinafter, the signal acquisition unit 100
Is also called a gantry.

An object 500 to be imaged is placed on an imaging table 700, which will be described later, and carried into and out of the X-ray irradiation space of the gantry 100. The gantry 100 acquires X-ray transmission signals in a plurality of directions around the body axis of the imaging target 500 by the X-ray irradiation / detection device. The acquisition of such an X-ray transmission signal is called a scan.

The gantry 100 has a driver (drive)
r) 110 is connected. The driver 110 makes a scan using the gantry 100. Scan conditions are determined according to the imaging technique.

Depending on the scanning conditions, as shown in FIG.
Scanning is performed by changing the inclination of the gantry 100 with respect to 0. Such a scan is called a tilt scan. The driver 110 also tilts the gantry.

A data collection unit 120 is connected to the gantry 100. The data collection unit 120 includes the gantry 10
0 captures the signal acquired by the scan and collects it as digital data.

Driver 110 and data collection unit 120
Is connected to the control unit 130. The control unit 130
The driver 110 and the data collection unit 120 are controlled according to the imaging technique.

The output side of the data collection unit 120 is connected to the data processing unit 140. The data processing unit 140 fetches data from the data collection unit 120 and stores it in a memory (not shown), and generates (reconstructs) a tomographic image of the imaging target 500 based on the data. The data processing unit 140 is composed of, for example, a computer. Data processing unit 140
Is an example of an embodiment of an image generating unit according to the present invention.

The data processing section 140 is connected to the control section 130. The data processing unit 140 is above the control unit 130 and controls it. The display unit 150 and the operation unit 160 are connected to the data processing unit 140. The display unit 150 displays the reconstructed image and various information output from the data processing unit 140. The operation unit 160 is operated by an operator, and inputs various commands, information, and the like to the data processing unit 140.

The driver 110 includes a tilt switch 10
The operation signal of 2 is a tilt enabling unit (unit) 1
04. The tilt switch 102 is operated by an operator. The tilt switch 102 is an example of an embodiment of the operation unit in the present invention. The tilt enabling unit 104 is an example of an embodiment of a function enabling unit in the present invention.

The tilt switch 102 is provided on the gantry 100, for example, as shown in FIG. The tilt enabling unit 104 is built in the gantry 100. Thus, the operator can perform a tilt operation while watching the imaging target 500 nearby.

A signal indicating the presence or absence of an operator is input from the operator detection unit 106 to the tilt enable unit 104. When the signal indicates the presence of the operator, the operation signal of the tilt switch 102 is enabled. . The gantry 100 is tilted based on the activated operation signal.

The operator detection unit 106 includes a gantry 1
The presence of the operator near 00 is detected. The operator detection unit 106 is an example of an embodiment of an operator detection unit according to the present invention. As the operator detection unit 106, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a sheet switch (sheet sw
switch) and foot switch (foot switch)
h), etc., are used. The stepping detector 106 is an example of an embodiment of a stepping detecting unit according to the present invention.

The presence or absence of the operator may be detected by the proximity switch 106 as shown in FIG.
The proximity switch 106 detects the presence or absence of an operator in a non-contact manner using ultrasonic waves, radio waves, light, infrared rays, or the like. The proximity switch 106 is an example of an embodiment of the proximity switch according to the present invention. The proximity switch 106 is connected to the gantry 10
It is installed on the surface of the device 0 so as to emit ultrasonic waves, radio waves, light, infrared rays, or the like toward the position where the operator stands.

With the above configuration, the gantry 100 is tilted only when the operator performs a tilt operation at a predetermined position. Therefore, even if the patient on the imaging table 700 erroneously presses the tilt switch 102 while the operator is not at the predetermined position, the operation is invalidated. Therefore, the gantry 100 does not perform a tilt operation not intended by the operator.

When the medical image pickup apparatus is, for example, an MRI apparatus, an X-ray fluoroscopy apparatus, a gamma camera, a PET, or the like other than the X-ray CT apparatus, each of the signal acquisition units 100 has a unique configuration. That is, an MRI apparatus is a magnet system, an X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus is a gantry provided with an X-ray irradiation / detection apparatus, a gamma camera is a gantry provided with a γ-ray irradiation / detection apparatus, and PET is used.
Is a gantry equipped with a positron irradiation / detection device. Each of these has a variable inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction.

The parts other than the signal acquisition unit 100 are basically the same as the above-described configuration. As a result, in any of the medical image capturing apparatuses, the signal acquisition unit does not operate except for the operation of the operator.

Although the operation of the signal acquisition unit has been described as being tilted, the operation is not limited to tilting as a matter of course.

[0037]

As explained in detail above, a medical signal acquisition device which does not operate except for operation by an operator, and
A medical image pickup device using such a medical signal acquisition device can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating tilting of a gantry in the apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a gantry, a tilt switch, and an operator detection unit in the device illustrated in FIG. 1;

4 is a diagram showing a relationship between a gantry, a tilt switch, and an operator detection unit in the device shown in FIG.

[Description of Signs] 100 signal acquisition unit 102 tilt switch 104 tilt enable unit 106 operator detection unit 110 driver 120 data collection unit 130 control unit 140 data processing unit 150 display unit 160 operation unit

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A medical signal acquiring unit, an operating unit provided in the medical signal acquiring unit, operated by an operator to operate the medical signal acquiring unit, and detecting the presence of the operator near the medical signal acquiring unit. An operator detecting means to perform, a function enabling means for enabling a function of the operating means on condition that the operator detecting means has detected an operator,
A medical signal acquisition device comprising: 2. The medical signal acquiring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said signal acquiring means has a variable inclination angle with respect to a horizontal direction. 3. The medical signal acquiring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said signal acquiring means has X-ray irradiation / detection means. 4. The medical signal acquiring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said operator detecting means has a stepping detecting means for detecting a stepping by the operator. . 5. The medical signal acquiring apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said stepping detecting means uses a sheet switch. 6. The medical signal acquisition device according to claim 4, wherein said stepping detection means uses a foot switch. 7. The medical signal acquiring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operator detecting means uses a proximity switch. 8. The proximity switch uses ultrasonic waves.
The medical signal acquisition device according to claim 7, wherein: 9. The medical signal acquisition device according to claim 7, wherein the proximity switch uses a radio wave. 10. The medical signal acquisition device according to claim 7, wherein the proximity switch uses light. 11. The medical signal acquisition device according to claim 10, wherein the proximity switch uses infrared rays. 12. A medical signal acquiring unit, an operating unit provided in the medical signal acquiring unit, operated by an operator to operate the medical signal acquiring unit, and detecting the presence of the operator near the medical signal acquiring unit. An operator detecting unit that performs an operation based on a signal acquired by the signal acquiring unit; a function enabling unit that activates a function of the operating unit on condition that the operator detecting unit detects an operator. A medical image capturing apparatus, comprising: an image generating unit that generates an image. 13. The medical image pickup apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the signal acquisition unit has a variable inclination angle with respect to a horizontal direction. 14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said signal acquisition means has X-ray irradiation / detection means, and said image generation means generates a tomographic image based on an X-ray detection signal.
3. The medical image capturing apparatus according to claim 1. 15. The medical image pickup apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said operator detecting means has a stepping detecting means for detecting a stepping by the operator. . 16. The medical image pickup apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said stepping detecting means uses a sheet switch. 17. The medical image pickup apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the stepping detecting means uses a foot switch. 18. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said operator detecting means uses a proximity switch.
5. The medical image capturing apparatus according to any one of 4. 19. The medical imaging apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the proximity switch uses an ultrasonic wave. 20. The proximity switch uses radio waves,
19. The medical image pickup apparatus according to claim 18, wherein: 21. The medical imaging apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the proximity switch uses light. 22. The medical imaging apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the proximity switch uses infrared rays.