JP2019072372A - X-ray ct apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve the operability of an area light projector.SOLUTION: An X-ray CT apparatus according to the embodiment includes a control unit. The control unit acquires one of a range in a channel direction indicated by light of an area light projector and a range in a slice direction indicated by the light of the area light projector based on one of information indicating the state of a bed apparatus and information indicating the state of a cradle apparatus, the control unit controlling the area light projector based on the one of the ranges acquired.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to an X-ray CT apparatus.

  In an X-ray CT apparatus, a lamp (area lamp) that projects light onto a tabletop may be used in order to confirm an imaging range. By confirming the range indicated by the light projected onto the top plate by the area lamp corresponding to the imaging range of the main imaging, the user can avoid exposure of the subject at the stage of positioning imaging, The imaging range of the X-ray main imaging can be confirmed.

  When confirming the imaging range using the area light, the lighting of the area light is usually performed before the detailed setting of the inspection conditions. Therefore, when the user starts using the area lamp, the area lamp does not hold the information of the inspection condition such as the imaging range. In such a case, the operability of the area lamp may be reduced.

JP, 2016-13303, A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve the operability of the area lamp.

  The X-ray CT apparatus according to the embodiment includes a control unit. The control unit determines a range in the channel direction indicated by the light of the area lamp and the light of the area lamp based on at least one of the information indicating the state of the bed apparatus and the information indicating the information of the gantry apparatus. And at least one range of the range in the slice direction indicated by and the area lamp is controlled based on the acquired at least one range.

FIG. 1 is a view showing an X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing performed by the X-ray CT apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of imaging performed by the X-ray CT apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of imaging performed by the X-ray CT apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of imaging performed by the X-ray CT apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of imaging performed by the X-ray CT apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of processing performed by the X-ray CT apparatus according to the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the X-ray CT apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment)
First, an outline of each part of the X-ray CT apparatus according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of an X-ray CT apparatus according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray CT apparatus according to the embodiment includes a gantry device 10, a couch device 30, and a console device 40.

  In the present embodiment, the rotation axis of the rotary frame 13 in the non-tilt state or the longitudinal direction of the top plate 33 of the bed device 30 is orthogonal to the Z axis direction and the Z axis direction, and is horizontal to the floor surface. The direction is orthogonal to the X-axis direction, the Z-axis direction, and the axial direction perpendicular to the floor surface is defined as the Y-axis direction.

  The gantry device 10 is a device that irradiates the subject P with X-rays and collects projection data from detection data of the X-rays transmitted through the subject P, and includes the X-ray tube 11, the wedge 16, and the collimator 17. An X-ray detector 12, an X-ray high voltage device 14, a DAS (Data Acquisition System) 18, a rotating frame 13, a control device 15, and a bed device 30 are provided.

  The X-ray tube 11 is a vacuum tube which irradiates thermoelectrons from a cathode (filament) to an anode (target) by application of a high voltage from the X-ray high voltage device 14.

  The wedge 16 is a filter for adjusting the X-ray dose of the X-ray irradiated from the X-ray tube 11. Specifically, the wedge 16 transmits and attenuates the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray tube 11 so that the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray tube 11 to the subject P have a predetermined distribution. Filter.

  The wedge 16 is, for example, a wedge filter or a bow-tie filter, and is a filter obtained by processing aluminum so as to have a predetermined target angle and a predetermined thickness.

  The collimator 17 is a lead plate or the like for narrowing the irradiation range of the X-rays transmitted through the wedge 16, and forms a slit by a combination of a plurality of lead plates or the like.

  The X-ray detector 12 detects an X-ray emitted from the X-ray tube 11 and having passed through the subject P, and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the X-ray dose to the data acquisition device (DAS 18). The X-ray detector 12 has, for example, a plurality of X-ray detection element rows in which a plurality of X-ray detection elements are arranged in the channel direction along one arc centering on the focal point of the X-ray tube 11. The X-ray detector 12 has, for example, a plurality of X-ray detection element rows in which a plurality of X-ray detection elements are arranged in the channel direction along one arc centering on the focal point of the X-ray tube. The X-ray detector 12 has, for example, a structure in which a plurality of X-ray detection element rows in which a plurality of X-ray detection elements are arranged in the channel direction are arranged in a slice direction (also referred to as body axis direction or column direction).

  The X-ray detector 12 is, for example, an indirect conversion detector having a grid, a scintillator array, and a light sensor array. The scintillator array has a plurality of scintillators, and the scintillators have scintillator crystals that output light of an amount of photons according to the incident X-ray dose. The grid is disposed on the X-ray incident side of the scintillator array and has an X-ray blocking plate having a function of absorbing scattered X-rays. The photosensor array has a function of converting it into an electrical signal according to the amount of light from the scintillator, and includes, for example, a photosensor such as a photomultiplier tube (PMT). The X-ray detector 12 may be a direct conversion detector having a semiconductor element that converts incident X-rays into an electric signal.

  The X-ray high voltage device 14 has an electrical circuit such as a transformer and a rectifier, and has a function of generating a high voltage to be applied to the X-ray tube 11, and the X-ray tube 11 emits radiation. And an X-ray controller for controlling an output voltage according to the X-ray to be transmitted. The high voltage generator may be a transformer type or an inverter type. The X-ray high voltage device 14 may be provided on the rotating frame 13 or may be provided on the stationary frame (not shown) side of the gantry device 10. The fixed frame is a frame that rotatably supports the rotating frame 13.

  The DAS 18 (Data Acquisition System) includes an amplifier for amplifying the electric signal output from each X-ray detection element of the X-ray detector 12 and an A / D converter for converting the electric signal into a digital signal. Have and generate detection data. The detection data generated by the DAS 18 is transferred to the console device 40.

  The rotating frame 13 is an annular frame that supports the X-ray tube 11 and the X-ray detector 12 in an opposing manner and causes the control device 15 to rotate the X-ray tube 11 and the X-ray detector 12. In addition to the X-ray tube 11 and the X-ray detector 12, the rotary frame 13 may further support the X-ray high voltage device 14 and the DAS 18. The detection data generated by the DAS 18 has, as an example, a photodiode provided in the non-rotational part of the gantry device 10 such as a fixed frame by optical communication from a transmitter having a light emitting diode provided in the rotary frame 13 It is sent to the receiver and forwarded to the console device 40. In addition, the transmission method of the detection data from the rotation frame 13 to the non-rotation part of the gantry device 10 is not limited to the optical communication, and may be performed using another non-contact type data transmission method.

  The control device 15 has a processing circuit having a CPU and the like, and a drive mechanism such as a motor and an actuator. The control device 15 has a function of performing operation control of the gantry device 10 and the couch device 30 in response to an input signal from the input interface 43 attached to the console device 40 or the input interface attached to the gantry device 10. For example, the control device 15 performs control of rotating the rotation frame 13 in response to an input signal, control of tilting the gantry device 10, and control of operating the couch device 30 and the top 33. The control for tilting the gantry 10 is, for example, a rotation frame around an axis parallel to the X-axis direction by the tilt angle (tilt angle) information input by the input interface attached to the gantry 10. It is realized by rotating 13. Moreover, the control apparatus 15 also performs light projection control of the area light 1 mentioned later. The control device 15 may be provided to the gantry device 10 or may be provided to the console device 40. The control function 150 a of the control device 15 or the processing circuit 150 is an example of a control unit.

  The couch device 30 is a device for placing and moving the subject P to be scanned, and includes a base 31, a couch driving device 32, a top 33, and a support frame 34. The base 31 is a housing that supports the support frame 34 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The bed driving device 32 is a motor or an actuator that moves the top 33 on which the subject P is placed in the long axis direction of the top 33. The top plate 33 provided on the upper surface of the support frame 34 is a plate on which the subject P is placed. In addition to the top 33, the bed driving device 32 may move the support frame 34 in the long axis direction of the top 33.

  The console device 40 is a device that receives an operation of the X-ray CT apparatus 100 by a user and reconstructs X-ray CT image data from the X-ray detection data collected by the gantry device 10. The console device 40 includes a memory 41, a display 42, an input interface 43, and a processing circuit 150.

  The memory 41 is realized by, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a semiconductor memory device such as a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, or the like. The memory 41 stores, for example, projection data and reconstructed image data. The memory 41 is an example of a storage unit.

  The display 42 is a monitor to which the user refers, and displays various types of information. For example, the display 42 outputs a medical image (CT image) generated by the processing circuit 150, a graphical user interface (GUI) for receiving various operations from the user, and the like. For example, the display 42 is a liquid crystal display or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display. The display 42 is an example of a display unit.

  The input interface 43 receives various input operations from the user, converts the received input operations into electric signals, and outputs the electric signals to the processing circuit 150. For example, the input interface 43 receives, from the user, acquisition conditions when acquiring projection data, reconstruction conditions when reconstructing a CT image, and image processing conditions when generating a post-processed image from a CT image. For example, the input interface 43 is realized by a mouse, a keyboard, a trackball, a switch, a button, a joystick, or the like. The input interface 43 is an example of an input unit.

  The processing circuit 150 controls the overall operation of the X-ray CT apparatus 100. The processing circuit 150 includes, for example, a control function 150a, a preprocessing function 150b, an image reconstruction function 150c, and an image generation function 150d. In the embodiment, each processing function performed by the control function 150a, the preprocessing function 150b, the image reconstructing function 150c, and the image generating function 150d, which are constituent elements, is stored in the memory 41 in the form of a computer executable program. ing. The processing circuit 150 is a processor that realizes a function corresponding to each program by reading the program from the memory 41 and executing the program. In other words, the processing circuit 150 in the state where each program is read will have the respective functions shown in the processing circuit 150 of FIG. In FIG. 1, although the processing function performed by the control function 150a, the pre-processing function 150b, the image reconstructing function 150c, and the image generating function 150d is realized by a single processing circuit 150, A plurality of independent processors may be combined to constitute the processing circuit 150, and each processor may execute a program to realize a function. The control function 150a, the preprocessing function 150b, the image reconstruction function 150c, and the image generation function 150d are examples of a control unit, a preprocessing unit, a reconstruction processing unit, and an image generation unit, respectively.

  In other words, each function described above may be configured as a program, and one processing circuit may execute each program, or a specific function may be implemented in a dedicated independent program execution circuit. May be

  The word “processor” used in the above description may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphical processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (for example, a simple logic circuit). A programmable logic device (Simple Programmable Logic Device: SPLD), Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), etc. It means. The processor implements a function by reading and executing a program stored in the memory 41. Instead of storing the program in the memory 41, the program may be directly incorporated in the circuit of the processor. In this case, the processor implements the function by reading and executing a program embedded in the circuit.

  The processing circuit 150 controls various functions of the processing circuit 150 based on the input operation received from the user via the input interface 43 by the control function 150 a. The processing circuit 150 generates data subjected to preprocessing such as logarithmic conversion processing, offset processing, sensitivity correction processing between channels, and beam hardening correction with respect to detection data output from the DAS 18 by the preprocessing function 150 b. . The data before the pre-processing (detection data) and the data after the pre-processing may be collectively referred to as projection data. The processing circuit 150 performs reconstruction processing using the filter correction back projection method, the successive approximation reconstruction method, etc. on the projection data generated by the preprocessing function 150 b by the reconstruction processing function 150 c to obtain CT image data Generate The processing circuit 150 uses the image generation function 150 d to generate CT image data generated by the image reconstruction processing function 150 c based on an input operation received from the user via the input interface 43 according to a known method. Convert to image data and 3D image data.

  The area lamp 1 (area finder) emits light in the direction of the table 33 or the subject P so that the imaging range in which the X-ray CT apparatus 100 performs CT imaging can be confirmed. It is a floodlight to Specifically, based on the range in the channel direction (FOV direction) or the slice direction (body axis direction) indicated by the area light device 1, the user confirms the imaging range in which the X-ray CT apparatus 100 performs CT imaging can do. As an example of the area light 1, for example, a laser projector, an LED projector, a mercury lamp projector, a halogen lamp and other projectors can be mentioned. Since the confirmation of the imaging range by the area lamp 1 can be performed without X-ray irradiation, for example, the imaging light of the subject P is compared with the case where the scanogram image / scout image is acquired by positioning imaging. Radiation exposure can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in addition to this, the X-ray CT apparatus 100 is a straight line parallel to the longitudinal direction of the top 33, passing through the X-ray pass projector for displaying the X-ray path, and the center position of the top 33 in the lateral direction. A midline projector for displaying a midline may be provided.

  Note that the user may acquire the range indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 as it is, and may acquire the imaging range for performing CT imaging, or CT based on the area indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 The imaging range to be imaged may be obtained manually or automatically. In other words, the range indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 and the imaging range in which CT imaging is performed may be the same range or different ranges.

  Next, the background according to the embodiment will be briefly described.

  When photographing is performed using the area lamp 1, the lighting of the area lamp 1 is usually performed before the detailed setting of the inspection conditions. For example, the inspection conditions of each part of the body are set in advance, and the subject P is placed on the top 33 before selecting any plan among the predetermined inspection conditions, and the area light unit May use 1

  In such a case, at the time when the lighting of the area lamp 1 is started, the area lamp 1 can not recognize the region to be photographed, so the range shown on the top plate 33 by the light of the area lamp 1 in the initial state is It does not reflect the imaging range for CT imaging. For example, in the initial state, the area lamp 1 projects light onto the top 33 using a predetermined setting value or a setting value at the time of use as an initial value. Therefore, the user manually sets the display range of the area light 1 to, for example, the gantry device in order to make the range shown on the top 33 by the light of the area light 1 equal to the imaging range for CT imaging. It is necessary to make corrections using a touch panel or the like provided on the 10 side, and the operability has been reduced.

  As an example, area lamps are lighted on both the front side of the gantry 10 (the side where the top plate 33 is inserted) and the rear side of the gantry 10 (the side opposite to the side where the ceiling 33 is inserted in the gantry 10). There is a button for lighting the lamp 1, but a touch panel or the like for changing the display range of the area light unit 1 is provided only on the front side of the gantry 10 and on the rear side of the gantry 10. If not, it may be mentioned. Here, for example, since imaging is performed on the rear side of the gantry device 10, it is assumed that the area lamp 1 is turned on using a rear button for turning on the area lamp 1. In such a case, since the touch panel for changing the display range is not on the rear side, the user needs to go around to the front side and change the display range of the area lamp 1 using the front touch panel. Was falling.

  In view of such background, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150a is an area lamp based on at least one of the information indicating the state of the bed device 30 and the information indicating the state of the gantry device 10 At least one of the range in the channel direction (X direction) indicated by 1 light and the range in the slice direction (Z direction) indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 is acquired, and based on the acquired range Control the area lamp 1.

  Thereby, the setting of the imaging range can be automatically performed without the user manually setting it, and the operability is improved.

  The details of such processing will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing performed by the X-ray CT apparatus 100 according to the embodiment.

  First, before setting the subject P in step S100, registration of patient information in the examination reservation list and input on details are performed. Subsequently, in steps S100 to S170, acquisition of various settings and information is performed. The details of the processing of steps S100 to S170 differ depending on the imaging region and the like. Hereinafter, when the imaging site (target to be imaged) is “depression”, when the imaging site is “hand”, when the imaging site is “foot”, when the imaging site is “head”, the imaging site is “head” And the process of step S100 to S170 in case the test object P is a "child" is demonstrated using FIGS. 3-6. Fig. 3 shows the image when the region to be imaged is "Depressive", Fig. 4 shows the image when the region to be imaged is "hand", Fig. 5 shows the image when the region to be imaged is "foot", and Fig. 6 shows This represents imaging in the case where the imaging site is "head".

  The case where the region to be imaged is "deglutition" will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the case where the imaging site is "grow", imaging is performed with the subject P placed, for example, on the rear side of the gantry 10 (the opposite side to the direction in which the table 33 is inserted into the gantry 10). In the case where the imaging site is "grow", for example, with the subject P sitting on the chair 54, the head 50 is inserted into the bore of the gantry device 10 to perform imaging.

  The gantry center height 2 represents the height of the center of the gantry device 10 when there is no tilt in the gantry device 10. The gantry center height 2 is a height serving as a reference of the position of the bed device 30 in the vertical direction. Here, the bed upper and lower position 52 indicates the position of the bed apparatus 30 in the vertical direction, and specifically means the position of the top 33 in the vertical direction. The width 53 represents the difference between the gantry center height 2 and the bed upper and lower position 52. In the case where the imaging site is “underarm”, the width 53 is, for example, 100 mm or less. Therefore, in the case where the imaging site is "grow", the bed upper and lower position 52 is, for example, a height of -100 mm or less based on the height 2 of the gantry center.

  In addition, when the imaging region is “the swallowing”, since the table 33 is not used, the table slide position, which is the position in the longitudinal direction of the table 33 at the start of imaging, is “0 mm”. In addition, when the imaging site is "sucking", the subject P sits on the chair 54 and performs imaging, so the weight is not applied to the table 33, and the weight on the table is "0 kg". In addition, since the subject holder is not used in particular for imaging, the subject holder / accessory is "none". In addition, for the presence / absence of attachment of the object holder and the accessory, and the determination of the type thereof, for example, the shape of a part of the fitting of the top plate 33 and the accessory can be identified for each type of accessory. Alternatively, there is a method of identifying the type by detecting the type with an optical sensor or embedding an IC chip or the like in an accessory or the like.

  In addition, when the imaging site is "grow", the control device 15 performs imaging by tilting the gantry 10 rearward by tilt angle 51. For example, when the imaging region is “grow”, the control device 15 performs imaging of the subject P by tilting the gantry device 10 in the direction of the axis 3 with the tilt angle 51 of the gantry device 10 being 20 degrees or more. . Therefore, in the case where the imaging region is "grow", the tilt angle is, for example, "+20 degrees or more".

  The process of steps S100 to S170 in the case where the imaging region is "grow" will be described. In step S100, setting is performed so that the position of the subject P is at a predetermined position. Specifically, the user prepares the chair 54 for the subject P and arranges the chair 54 on the rear side of the gantry device 10. In step S110, the control device 15 controls the position of the top 33 in the vertical direction so that the bed upper and lower position is, for example, the position of "mount frame center height-100 mm or less". In step S120, the control device 15 acquires information related to the vertical position of the bed device 30, for example, by collecting information using an encoder or the like.

  Moreover, since the table-top 33 is not used for imaging | photography when the imaging | photography site | part is "sucking", the movement of the longitudinal direction of the table-top 33 shown to step S130 is not performed. In step S140, the control device 15 acquires information related to the slide position in the longitudinal direction of the bed device 30, for example, by collecting information by an encoder or the like, but in step S130, the slide in the longitudinal direction of the top 33 is a row Since the tabletop slide position is not “0 mm”, for example.

  Subsequently, in step S150, the control device 15 tilts the gantry 10 backward. Here, “tilt backward” means to tilt so that the rear side of the gantry device 10 is vertically down. Subsequently, in step S160, the control device 15 acquires the tilt angle of the gantry 10 by collecting information using, for example, an encoder or an angle sensor. Here, when the gantry device 10 is tilted forward, the tilt angle is a negative tilt angle, and when the gantry device 10 is tilted backward, the tilt angle is a positive tilt angle. In the case where the imaging region is "grow", the tilt angle acquired by the control device 15 in step S160 is, for example, an angle of +20 degrees or more.

  In step S170, the control device 15 acquires information related to the load on the bed device 30. However, when the imaging site is "swallowing", the weight on the table is 0 kg because the table 33 is not used. Here, as a method of acquiring information related to the load on the bed apparatus 30, for example, a method of incorporating a weight sensor, a strain gauge, or the like under the tabletop or under the bed may be mentioned.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the case where the imaging region is “hand” will be described.

  Also in the case where the imaging site is a "hand", imaging is performed with the subject P placed, for example, on the rear side of the gantry device 10, as in the case of "grows". When the region to be imaged is “hand”, imaging is performed with the hand 60 inserted in the bore of the gantry device 10 with the subject P sitting on a chair 54 or in a state where the subject P stands. Moreover, when the imaging | photography site | part is a "hand", imaging | photography is performed by sliding the top 33 and putting the hand 60 of the to-be-tested object P on the top 33 which was made to slide.

  When the site to be imaged is “hand”, the bed vertical position is equal to the height 2 of the gantry center. Since the top slide position slides the top 33 in the longitudinal direction, for example, "400 to 600 mm", and the tip of the top 33 is about 200 mm to 300 mm from the center of the scan plane so that the hand 60 of the subject P can be placed. The controller 15 moves the top 33 to the position where it has entered.

  Further, since the weight of the hand is placed on the top 33, the weight on the top is, for example, "3 to 10 kg". In addition, since the subject holder is not used in particular for imaging, the subject holder / accessory is "none". Alternatively, when the extension top plate is used, the object holder / accessory is the “extension top plate”. In addition, when the imaging region is “hand”, the tilt of the gantry 10 is not particularly required, so the tilt angle is “0 degree”.

  The process of steps S100 to S170 when the imaging region is a "hand" will be described. In step S100, setting is performed so that the position of the subject P is at a predetermined position. Specifically, the user prepares the chair 54 for the subject P and arranges the chair 54 on the rear side of the gantry device 10. In step S110, when the imaging region is a "hand", the control device 15 moves the top 33 in the vertical direction. Alternatively, in the case where the movement of the top 33 in the vertical direction is unnecessary, the controller 15 may not particularly move the top 33 up and down. In step S120, the control device 15 acquires information related to the vertical position of the bed device 30.

  In step S130, the control device 15 moves the top 33 in the longitudinal direction. In step S <b> 140, the control device 15 acquires information related to the slide position in the longitudinal direction of the bed device 30. If the imaging site is a "hand", the controller 15 does not tilt the gantry 10 in step S150. Therefore, when the imaging region is “hand”, the tilt angle acquired by the control device 15 in step S160 is 0 degrees. In step S <b> 170, the control device 15 acquires information related to the load on the bed device 30.

  The case where the imaging region is "foot" will be described using FIG. When the imaging site is "foot", the subject P lies on the top 33, and the foot 70 is placed in the bore of the gantry 10 to perform imaging. The bed upper and lower position 71 is a position lower than the gantry center height 2 by the width 72. Here, the width 72 is, for example, 50 mm. Further, the slide of the top 33 is performed, and the weight on the top is the weight of the subject P. In addition, since the object holder is not particularly used except for the extension top plate in imaging, the object holder / accessory is “no particular or extension top plate”. In addition, since the tilt of the gantry 10 is unnecessary in particular, the tilt angle is “0 degree”.

  The process of steps S100 to S170 when the imaging region is "foot" will be described. In step S100, setting is performed so that the position of the subject P is at a predetermined position. Specifically, the setting is performed so that the subject P comes to a predetermined position on the top 33. In step S110, the control device 15 moves the top 33 in the vertical direction. In step S120, the control device 15 acquires information related to the vertical position of the bed device 30. In step S130, the control device 15 moves the top 33 in the longitudinal direction. In step S <b> 140, the control device 15 acquires information related to the slide position in the longitudinal direction of the bed device 30. In addition, since the control device 15 does not tilt the gantry 10 in step S150, the tilt angle acquired by the control device 15 in step S160 is 0 degree. In step S <b> 170, the control device 15 acquires information related to the load on the bed device 30.

  The case where the imaging region is the "head" will be described with reference to FIG. When the imaging site is the "head", the subject P lies on the top 33, and the head 81 is placed in the bore of the gantry device 10 as in the case where the imaging site is the "foot". To be done. When the imaging site is the "head", the headrest 90 is used for imaging. The bed upper and lower position 8 is lower than the gantry center height 2 by a width 83. Here, the width 83 is, for example, 100 mm. Further, the slide of the top 33 is performed, and the weight on the top is the weight of the subject P. Further, the control device 15 performs imaging by tilting the gantry 10 to the front side in the direction of the axis 4 by the tilt angle 80. The tilt angle is, for example, 0 degrees to 15 degrees.

  The process of steps S100 to S170 when the imaging region is the "head" will be described. In step S100, setting is performed so that the position of the subject P is at a predetermined position. In step S110, the control device 15 moves the top 33 in the vertical direction. In step S120, the control device 15 acquires information related to the vertical position of the bed device 30. In step S130, the control device 15 moves the top 33 in the longitudinal direction. In step S <b> 140, the control device 15 acquires information related to the slide position in the longitudinal direction of the bed device 30. In step S150, the control device 15 tilts the gantry device 10. In step S <b> 160, the control device 15 acquires the tilt angle of the gantry device 10. In step S <b> 170, the control device 15 acquires information related to the load on the bed device 30.

  Next, the case where the region to be imaged is the "head" and the subject P is the "child" will be described. In such a case, the procedure is basically the same as in the case where the imaging site is the "head" and the subject P is an adult, but a "baby bed" is additionally used as a subject holder / accessory. . In addition, the weight on the top may be smaller as compared to when the subject P is an adult, and the upper and lower positions of the bed may be photographed at different upper and lower positions as compared to when the subject P is an adult. .

  Next, the process of step S180 will be described using FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of imaging performed by the X-ray CT apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. In step S180, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150a generates the light of the area light 1 based on at least one of the information indicating the state of the bed device 30 and the information indicating the state of the gantry device 10. At least one of the range in the channel direction (X-axis direction) indicated by and the range in the slice direction (Z-axis direction) indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 is acquired, and the area is based on the acquired range Control the luminaire 1. As an example, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150 a estimates the imaging region based on at least one of the information indicating the state of the bed apparatus 30 and the information of the gantry device 10, and estimates the imaging region Based on the range of the channel direction indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 and the range of the slice direction indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 and controlling the area lamp 1 based on the acquired range . Here, the information concerning the vertical position of the bed apparatus 30, the information concerning the sliding position of the table 33 in the longitudinal direction of the bed apparatus 30, the information concerning the object holder, and the information concerning the load on the bed apparatus 30 3 is an example of information indicating the state of the bed apparatus 30. Further, the information related to the tilt angle of the gantry device 10 is an example of information indicating the state of the gantry device 10.

  As an example, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150 a estimates the imaging region based on at least one of the information indicating the state of the bed apparatus 30 and the information of the gantry device 10, and estimates the imaging region The range of the channel direction indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 and the range of the slice direction indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 are calculated by calculation, and the area lamp 1 is calculated based on the calculated range. Control.

  The above-mentioned acquisition of the range in the channel direction and the range in the slice direction can be performed by calculating the range in the channel direction and the range in the slice direction by calculation as in the above-mentioned example, and data from, for example, a table stored in the memory 41 And the case of acquiring data related to the range in the channel direction and the range in the slice direction. In the latter case, the memory 41 includes information indicating the state of the bed apparatus 30 and information indicating the state of the gantry 10, and initial setting values of the range in the channel direction and the range in the slice direction indicated by the light of the area lamp 1. Are associated and stored, for example, in the form of a table.

  When the information acquired by the control unit 15 can be expressed in the first column of FIG. 7A, that is, the bed upper and lower position acquired by the control unit 15 in step S120 is “the mount center height is less than or equal to −100 mm”, The top slide position acquired by the control unit 15 in step S140 is "0 mm", the top weight on the top acquired by the control unit 15 in step S170 is "0 kg", and the object holder / accessory is " Especially, it is assumed that the tilt angle obtained by the control device 15 in step S160 is "+20 degrees or more". In this case, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150a is shown in FIG. 7B in consideration of the fact that the top plate 33 is not used and that the tilt angle is positive. As described above, it is estimated that the region to be imaged is "deglutition". Subsequently, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150a is shown by the light of the area lamp 1 as shown in FIG. 7 (c) based on the estimated imaging site "grow". The information that the range in the channel direction (FOV) is “M” and the range in the slice direction (body axis direction) indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 is “160 mm” is acquired. More specifically, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150a has, for example, the range of the channel direction (FOV) indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 based on the estimated imaging site "grow". , “M”, and the range in the slice direction (body axis direction) indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 is calculated by calculation to be “160 mm”. Further, as another example, the range of the channel direction (FOV) and the slice direction (body axis direction corresponding to the imaging region “grow” from the memory 41, for example, from the memory 41 The data of the initial setting value of the range of) is read out, the range of the channel direction (FOV) indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 is "M", and the slice direction (body axis indicated by the light of the area lamp 1) The information that the range of the direction is "160 mm" is acquired. Further, as another example, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150 a may, for example, use the memory 41 to determine the channel direction based on the information indicating the state of the bed device 30 or the information indicating the state of the gantry device 10. Data of initial setting values in the range of (FOV) and the range of slice direction (body axis direction) may be read out directly.

  In addition, when the information acquired by the control device 15 can be expressed in the second column of FIG. 7A, that is, the bed upper and lower position acquired by the control device 15 in step S120 is “mount center height”; The top slide position acquired by the control device 15 in S140 is "400 to 600 mm", and the top weight on the top acquired by the control device 15 in step S170 is "3 kg to 10 kg", and the object holder / accessories Here, it is considered that “the case is particularly nothing” or “the extended top plate” and the tilt angle acquired by the control device 15 in step S160 is “0 degree”. In such a case, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150a has a top board weight of 3 kg to 10 kg and does not have the entire weight, and no baby bed is attached as the object holder. Therefore, it is estimated that the imaging region is a "hand" as shown in FIG. 7 (b), considering that it is likely to be performed even in children imaging and the bed upper and lower position and the like. Subsequently, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150a is indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 as shown in FIG. 7 (c) based on the estimated photographing part "hand". The information that the range in the channel direction (FOV) is “S” and the range in the slice direction (body axis direction) indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 is “80 mm” is acquired.

  In addition, when the information acquired by the control device 15 can be represented in the third column of FIG. 7A, the processing device 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150a has the entire top weight on the top plate As shown in FIG. 7 (b), taking into account comprehensively the absence of the object holder, that the tilt angle is 0, the vertical position of the bed, the weight on the top plate, etc. Is presumed to be a "foot". Subsequently, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150a is shown by the light of the area lamp 1 as shown in FIG. 7 (c) based on the estimated imaging site "foot". The information that the range in the channel direction (FOV) is “S” and the range in the slice direction (body axis direction) indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 is “160 mm” is acquired.

  Further, when the information acquired by the control device 15 can be expressed in the fourth column of FIG. 7A, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150a uses a headrest as the object holder. As shown in FIG. 7 (b), it is estimated that the imaging region is the "head", taking account of the problem, etc. Subsequently, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150a determines the range of the channel direction (FOV) indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 and the slice direction (body Get the range of the axis direction).

  Further, when the information acquired by the control device 15 can be expressed in the fifth column of FIG. 7A, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150a uses a baby bed or the like as the object holder. As shown in FIG. 7 (b), it is estimated that the region to be imaged is the "head" and the object to be imaged is "the child" in consideration of the presence of the patient. Subsequently, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150a determines the range of the channel direction (FOV) indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 and the slice direction (body axis direction) based on the estimated imaging region etc. Get the range of

  To summarize the above, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150a estimates the imaging region and the imaging object based on the information related to the object holder (accessory), and estimates the imaging object and the imaging region estimated. Based on the above, at least one of the range in the channel direction indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 and the range in the slice direction indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 is acquired. As an example, when the object holder (accessory) is a “baby bed”, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150 a estimates that the object to be imaged is a child, and the object holder (attached If the product is a "headrest", it is estimated that the imaging site is the head, and if the object holder (accessory) is an "extended top plate", it is estimated that the imaging site is the hand, foot, etc. And obtain the range based on those estimation results.

  Further, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150a estimates the imaging region and the imaging target based on the information related to the load on the bed apparatus 30, and the area based on the imaging object and the imaging region estimated. At least one of the range in the channel direction indicated by the light of the lamp 1 and the range in the slice direction indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 is acquired. As an example, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150a is that the object to be imaged is other than a child when the load on the bed device 30 is a load determined to be the full adult weight. If the imaging site is estimated to be the head or foot and the load on the bed apparatus 30 is about 3 to 10 kg, the imaging site is estimated to be the hand or the imaging target is a child, and the bed apparatus If the load on 30 is 0, it is estimated that the object to be photographed is swallowing, and the range is acquired based on the estimation results.

  Further, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150a estimates the imaging region and the imaging target based on the information on the tilt angle of the gantry device 10, and the area based on the imaging object and the imaging region estimated. At least one of the range in the channel direction indicated by the light of the lamp 1 and the range in the slice direction indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 is acquired. As an example, when the gantry device 10 is tilted in the positive angular direction, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150 a estimates that the imaging region is the swallow or head, and the estimation results thereof Get the range based on

  Further, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150 a estimates the imaging region and the imaging target based on the information related to the slide position in the longitudinal direction of the table 33 of the bed device 30 and estimates the imaging target or Based on the region to be imaged, at least one of the range in the channel direction indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 and the range in the slice direction indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 is acquired. As an example, when the top 33 does not slide in the longitudinal direction, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150a estimates that the imaging region is swallowing, and based on the estimation results, the range is determined. get.

  Further, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150 a estimates the imaging region and the imaging target based on the information related to the position in the vertical direction of the bed device 30, and estimates the imaging region and the imaging region. At least one of the range in the channel direction indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 and the range in the slice direction indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 is acquired. As an example, the processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150a estimates that the imaging region is a hand when the bed vertical position is about the same as the gantry center height, and the couch upper and lower position is below the gantry center height. If it is about 50 mm, it is estimated that the imaging site is the foot or the head of a child, and if the bed upper and lower position is about 100 mm below the height of the gantry center, it is estimated that the imaging site is the swallow or head. The range is acquired based on the estimation result.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the control device 15 outputs the acquisition result of the imaging region estimated in step S180, the acquired imaging range, etc. to an input / output interface (not shown), and the result estimated by the control device 15 from the user is incorrect. Accept correction input if it is For example, the control device 15 outputs the information related to the estimated imaging region and the acquired imaging range to the input / output interface provided on the front side of the gantry device 10, and receives the correction input from the user. For example, when the control unit 15 estimates that the imaging region is "head" but the imaging region is actually "foot", the control device 15 determines that the imaging region is "foot" from the input / output interface. Accept a correction input to that effect. Also, for example, although the control device 15 has acquired the information indicating that the shooting range is “S”, it is appropriate that the shooting range is actually “M”. A correction input indicating that the imaging range is "M" is received from the user through the input interface.

  Subsequently, in step S190, the control device 15 acquires the range indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 based on the range acquired by the control device 15 in step S180 or the correction input received from the user in step S185. The area lamp 1 is controlled to light up so as to be in the range described above.

  Subsequently, in step S200, the control device 15 acquires an imaging range in which CT imaging is performed based on the range acquired by the control device 15 in step S180. As an example, the control device 15 sets the range in the channel direction indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 and the range in the slice direction indicated by the light of the area lamp 1 as the imaging range in which the CT imaging is performed. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the range indicated by the light of the area light projector 1 may be different from the range in which CT imaging is performed. Further, as another example, the control device 15 transmits the information of the imaging region estimated by the control device 15 in step S180 from the gantry device 10 to the console 40, and causes the processing circuit 150 to automatically set the imaging plan. It is also good. The processing circuit 150 having the imaging plan set automatically acquires an imaging range in which CT imaging is performed based on the selected imaging plan. The control device 15 or the processing circuit 150 automatically acquires the imaging range in which CT imaging is performed, so that the user automatically turns on the imaging range in which the CT imaging is performed at the same time as lighting the area light 1 without inputting patient information. It becomes possible to set and improve the user's operability.

  In addition, the control device 15 performs DAS (Data conversion) on the X-ray detector 12 based on the range acquired by the light of the area lamp 1 based on the range acquired by the control device 15 in step S180, for example. You may set the gain of Acquisition System). By this, the gain of the DAS can be automatically set, and the operability is further improved.

  In addition, the control device 15 may obtain a recommended value or the like of the X-ray irradiation condition based on the range obtained by the control device 15 in step S180. For example, the control device 15 may obtain the tube voltage, the tube current, the recommended value of the X-ray irradiation time, and the like based on the range obtained by the control device 15 in step S180.

  Subsequently, in step S210, the X-ray CT apparatus 100 executes CT imaging based on the conditions acquired in step S200.

  The embodiment is not limited to the above-described example.

  As described above, in the embodiment, when the processing device 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150a acquires various information, the information may be calculated by calculation, or the information may be related to the information The information may be read from, for example, the memory 41. In the case of the latter case, the memory 41 includes, for example, information related to the object holder, information related to the imaging target and the imaging region, information related to the tilt angle, information related to the slide position in the longitudinal direction of the table 33, and a bed apparatus Information on the 30 vertical positions, information on the range in the channel direction indicated by the light of the area lamp 1, information on the range in the slice direction indicated by the light of the area lamp 1, CT imaging A table representing a relationship with information concerning the imaging range, information concerning the setting of the gain of the DAS, information concerning the recommended value of the X-ray irradiation condition, etc. is stored as data. The processing circuit 150 having the control device 15 or the control function 150 a acquires the various information by reading the table from the memory 41.

  Although the embodiment has been described in the case of the X-ray CT apparatus 100 of the single-tube type and the Rotate / Rotate type, the embodiment is not limited to this. In the X-ray CT apparatus, a Rotate / Rotate type in which the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector integrally rotate around the subject P, and a large number of X-ray detection elements arranged in a ring are fixed. Although there are various types such as a stationary / rotate type in which only the tube rotates around the subject P, the present embodiment is applicable to any type. Further, in recent years, so-called multi-tube type X-ray CT apparatuses having a plurality of pairs of X-ray tubes and X-ray detectors mounted on a rotating frame have been commercialized, and development of peripheral technologies thereof is progressing. In this embodiment, either a conventional single-tube type X-ray CT apparatus or a multi-tube type X-ray CT apparatus is applicable.

  Further, hardware for generating X-rays is not limited to the X-ray tube 11. For example, instead of the X-ray tube 11, a focus coil for focusing an electron beam generated from an electron gun, a deflection coil for electromagnetic deflection, and an electron beam formed by changing a half circumference of the subject P collide with X-rays. X-rays may be generated using a fifth generation method including a target ring to be generated.

  In addition, the X-ray CT apparatus 100 may perform imaging using a so-called dual energy scan method in which imaging is performed using two different types of X-ray energy, and a so-called multi-energy scan performing imaging using three or more different types of X-ray energy Shooting may be performed by a method. In such a case, the method of material decomposition may be a method of performing material decomposition using projection data, or a method of performing material decomposition using image data. The imaging method may be any of the Kv switching method, dual source method, and stacked detector method.

  Further, as a method of moving the table 33, only the table 33 may be moved, or a method of moving the support frame 34 of the bed apparatus 30 may be used. When the embodiment is applied to the standing position CT, a method of moving a patient support mechanism corresponding to the top 33 may be used.

  In addition, even when the relative change of the positional relationship is performed by the drive of the table 33 when performing the scan including the relative change of the positional relationship of the table 33 of the gantry device 10 such as helical scan or positioning scan. It may be performed by traveling of the gantry device 10, or may be performed by combining them.

  Further, the processing by the processing circuit 150 described in the embodiment may be executed by either the console device 40 or an external work station (image processing device). Further, the processing by the processing circuit 150 may be performed simultaneously by both the console device 40 and an external image processing device.

  Further, storage of projection data and image reconstruction data is not limited to the case where the memory 41 of the console device 40 performs, and a cloud server connectable to the X-ray CT device 100 via a communication network such as the Internet is an X-ray CT device It is also possible to store projection data and reconstructed image data in response to a storage request from 100.

  Further, the processing circuit 150 is not limited to being included in the console device 40, and may be included in an integrated server that collectively performs processing on detection data acquired by a plurality of medical image diagnostic devices.

  The X-ray CT apparatus 100 according to the embodiment may use a full scan method of collecting data for 360 degrees around the subject, or a half scan method for collecting data for 180 degrees + fan angle. You may use.

  The embodiment is also applicable to dental CT.

  As described above, according to the X-ray CT apparatus according to the embodiment, the operability of the area lamp can be improved.

  While certain embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof as well as included in the scope and the gist of the invention.

15 Controller 150a Control Function

Claims (11)

  A range in the channel direction indicated by the light of the area lamp and a slice indicated by the light of the area lamp based on at least one of the information indicating the state of the bed apparatus and the information indicating the state of the gantry apparatus An X-ray CT apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to acquire at least one of a range of directions and control the area lamp based on the acquired at least one of the ranges.   The control unit is configured to, based on at least one of the information indicating the state of the bed apparatus and the information indicating the state of the gantry, at least one of the range in the channel direction and the range in the slice direction. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a range is calculated, and the area lamp is controlled based on the calculated at least one range.   The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further acquires an imaging range for performing CT (Computed Tomography) imaging based on the at least one range.   The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further sets a gain of a data acquisition system (DAS) related to a detector based on the at least one range.   The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further acquires a recommended value of the X-ray irradiation condition based on the at least one range.   The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit estimates an imaging region based on the at least one information, and acquires the at least one range based on the estimated imaging region.   The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one piece of information is information related to a position in the vertical direction of the bed apparatus.   The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one information is information related to a slide position in a longitudinal direction of a top plate of the bed apparatus.   The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one piece of information is information related to a tilt angle of the gantry device.   The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one piece of information is information related to a subject holder.   The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one information is information related to a load on the bed apparatus.

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