JP3259659B2 - X-ray controller - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a subject (patient)
The present invention relates to an X-ray control device that controls an X-ray imaging device for directly or indirectly recording a transmitted X-ray image by an X-ray transmitted through an X-ray film. The present invention relates to a technique for allowing an operator to always know the progress of shooting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, X-ray photography is performed almost daily in hospitals. An examination request form is issued from a doctor to an X-ray imaging technician (operator) for instructing X-ray imaging. The technician who receives the instruction sets the transmission X-ray imaging conditions corresponding to the imaging instruction of the examination request form with the X-ray control device that controls the high-pressure generator of the X-ray imaging device, the X-ray tube, and the like. Execute shooting. That is, X-ray irradiation is performed under the set imaging conditions, and a transmitted X-ray image of the X-ray transmitted through the patient is printed on the X-ray film. The X-ray film is developed and provided to a doctor. In recent X-ray radiography, single radiography with a single number of radiographs is rare, and a series of multiple radiographs is often performed. In the case of performing a series of photographing of a plurality of images, the technician first sets the respective photographing conditions in accordance with the photographing instruction, and executes X-ray photographing one after another under the set photographing conditions. If the number of images is large, the information on the lesion is increased, so that the reliability of the doctor's diagnosis is increased.

[0003]

However, the conventional X-ray control apparatus has a problem that when the number of images is large, a technician tends to lose track of the progress of the imaging. For example, in the case of the cervical vertebra, a series of as many as seven images is taken, and it may not be possible to know how far the image was taken in the middle. Once progress is lost, the only option is to check whether the X-ray film has been developed and photographed. If the X-ray film is developed and there is no imaging, the patient is set on the X-ray imaging apparatus again, and X-ray imaging is performed again. Therefore, the imaging efficiency is low and the patient is forced to bear an extra burden.

In addition, the conventional X-ray control apparatus has a problem that it is difficult to judge the quality of the photographing result without developing the X-ray film, especially in the case of automatic exposure photographing. Normally, X-ray photography is often performed by automatic exposure photography in which the X-ray exposure is automatically stopped when the X-ray exposure amount to the X-ray film reaches a predetermined exposure amount. The predetermined exposure amount is determined based on the sensitivity of the X-ray film and the like. When the appropriate X-ray exposure amount is reached, the X-ray exposure is automatically terminated. The X-ray exposure time for X-ray photography will vary without being constant. If the patient moves or the setting of the patient is poor during the imaging, the X-ray exposure is terminated earlier than expected, and the X-ray film may be underexposed, resulting in poor imaging results. Each X-ray exposure time is displayed spontaneously for a short time each time imaging is completed, but since the X-ray exposure time originally changes, even if only one X-ray exposure time is viewed, the image is taken It is difficult to judge the quality of the result. Of course, although the imaging result is known at the stage of developing the X-ray film, if the imaging result is unacceptable, the patient is set on the X-ray imaging apparatus again and X-ray imaging is performed again. In addition to being worse, the patient is also burdened with an extra burden.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, it is a first object of the present invention to provide an X-ray control apparatus capable of grasping the progress of radiography at any time even when the number of radiographs is large. It is a second object of the present invention to provide an X-ray control device capable of judging an imaging result without developing a film.

[0006]

In order to achieve the first object, an X-ray control apparatus according to the present invention captures a transmitted X-ray image of an X-ray transmitted through a subject on an X-ray film. In order to do so, a doctor instructs an operator of the X-ray imaging apparatus to perform X-ray imaging in an X-ray control apparatus that controls a high-voltage generator, an X-ray tube, and the like of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to set imaging conditions. A tube current or a tube voltage of the high-voltage generator or the X-ray tube of the transmitted X-ray image corresponding to the imaging instruction described in the examination request form;
A photographing condition setting unit configured to set a plurality of photographing conditions for performing a series of photographing, while setting a photographing condition including a set value such as an X-ray exposure time, and the photographing condition set by the photographing condition setting unit. A photographing condition display means for displaying a plurality of photographing conditions corresponding to a series of photographing in a list on a screen of a display monitor, and an already photographed item and an unphotographed item can be identified in a list display by the photographing condition display means. List display control means for controlling the list display.

Further, in order to achieve the second object,
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the X-ray controller according to the first aspect, when the X-ray exposure amount to the X-ray film reaches a predetermined predetermined exposure amount, the X-ray exposure is automatically stopped. In addition to the automatic exposure unit, the list display control unit is configured to display at least the actual X-ray exposure time in a corresponding item in the list display each time each imaging is completed.

[Operation] Next, an operator (technologist) in a case where a plurality of images are photographed in series by the X-ray control apparatus of the present invention.
The function of grasping the shooting progress status by the camera will be described. In the X-ray control apparatus according to the first aspect, when the operator sets the imaging conditions of the transmission X-ray image in accordance with the imaging instructions described in the examination request issued by the doctor by the imaging condition setting means, Are listed on the screen of the display monitor by the photographing condition display means. After setting the imaging conditions, the operator performs a series of X-ray imaging one after another. On the monitor screen of the X-ray controller according to the first aspect, each time one imaging is completed, the display of the list-captured item is changed by the list display control means so that it can be recognized that the imaging has already been performed. Therefore, the operator can firmly grasp the progress of photographing only by distinguishing between photographed and not photographed in the list display on the display monitor screen.

In the X-ray control apparatus according to the second aspect, every time the automatic X-ray imaging (auto X-ray imaging) using the automatic exposure means is completed once, the list display control means actually executes the corresponding item in the list display. The X-ray exposure time is displayed. The operator can accurately determine the quality of the imaging result by comparing the actual X-ray irradiation times displayed one after another in the list display on the display monitor screen.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the X-ray controller according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a state when the X-ray imaging apparatus is controlled by the X-ray control apparatus according to the embodiment. The X-ray control device of the embodiment controls the imaging operation of the X-ray imaging device 1. Although not shown, one or several X-ray imaging apparatuses in addition to the X-ray imaging apparatus 1 are connected to the X-ray control apparatus of the embodiment. Generally, one is selected, and when a plurality of X-ray imaging apparatuses are connected, each X-ray imaging apparatus usually has a different imaging function.

The X-ray imaging apparatus 1 is configured so that an X-ray tube 2 and an X-ray film 3 are supported oppositely with a subject (patient) M therebetween. The X-ray film 3 is for projecting a transmitted X-ray image by X-rays transmitted through the subject M.
An X-ray fluorescent panel 4 that emits light in accordance with the intensity of incident X-rays is arranged on the side of the subject M of the X-ray film 3. On the back side of the X-ray fluorescent panel 4, three photomultiplier tubes 5 for measuring the amount of light of the X-ray fluorescent panel 4 are installed at different positions. Further, in the X-ray imaging apparatus 1, an irradiation control unit 7 including a high-pressure generator 6 is connected to the X-ray tube 2, and the irradiation control unit 7 controls the high-pressure generator 6 according to a command from the X-ray control device. The X-ray tube 2 emits X-rays by generating a high voltage.

The X-ray controller includes a computer (CPU) 11 for performing necessary arithmetic and control processing.
Various memories 12 to 15 for storing programs and data necessary for arithmetic control and the like in advance are connected to the computer 11 via the bus line BUS, and a liquid crystal display monitor 16 for displaying the contents stored in the memories And
A touch sensor (transparent touch switch) 17 for performing necessary input operations from the screen of the display monitor 16 is provided. The program memory 12 stores a control program for controlling the operation of the entire control device. The computer 11 controls the X-ray imaging apparatus 1 according to the control program read from the program memory 12.

The inspection item memory 13 stores an imaging method (simple imaging, tomography, etc.) described in an inspection request sheet (examination request sheet) for instructing the operator to perform X-ray imaging, and an imaging site. Shooting items corresponding to (head, chest, etc.) and shooting directions (front, side, etc.) are stored in advance. The inspection items stored in the inspection item memory 13 are displayed on the display monitor 16. In the shooting condition memory 14,
The imaging conditions such as the tube voltage and tube current of the X-ray tube 2 and the backup time (X-ray exposure upper limit time) are stored in advance in the form of being associated with the inspection items in the number of times of imaging. The photographing conditions such as the tube voltage, tube current, and backup time stored in the photographing condition memory 14 are displayed on the display monitor 16.
However, not all data of each shooting condition is necessarily displayed on the display monitor 16, and only the representative data of each stored shooting condition may be selectively displayed as in this embodiment. . Needless to say, data that is not displayed as data in the imaging conditions also participates in X-ray imaging.

The exposure time memory 15 previously stores film density data necessary for automatic exposure photographing and the like. The film density data indicates the density (degree of blackening) of the transmitted X-ray image projected on the X-ray film 3 and is set and stored in advance according to the characteristics of the X-ray film 3 and the intensifying screen used. Is done. For example, the settings are taken under the standard shooting conditions of a hospital, the film density is measured using a film density measuring device (not shown), and the shooting is performed while adjusting the film density data until the density becomes appropriate. It is done by repeating. Then, the film density data at the time when the density becomes appropriate is stored in the exposure time memory 15.
The memories 13 to 15 have an EEPROM (Electric
ally Erasable and Programmable ROM), which is a memory device that can rewrite the stored contents as needed and can retain the stored contents even after the power of the apparatus is cut off.

The X-ray controller of the embodiment displays an inspection item selection screen 20 shown in FIG. 2 for selecting a specific inspection item from a large number of inspection items stored in the inspection item memory 13. Image display control unit 1 to be displayed on monitor 16
And a touch sensor IF 19 that detects a touch position of the touch sensor 17 and sends a touch position signal to the computer 11. Image display control unit 1
As shown in FIG. 2, a large number of inspection item marks Ma,..., Ma are arranged vertically and horizontally on the inspection item selection screen 20 displayed by 8. A white star ma and a black star mb at the head of the inspection item mark Ma indicate an imaging method. By the way, white star ma
Indicates horizontal Bucky imaging, and black star mb indicates tomographic imaging. For example, the inspection item mark Ma at the upper left corner indicates the imaging method:
Horizontal bucky imaging, imaging region: head, imaging direction: for setting imaging in two directions, inspection item mark Ma at the center of the third row
Means imaging method: tomography, imaging site: head, imaging direction: 5
It is for shooting setting of direction.

On the other hand, the touch sensor 17 has a transparent switch group (not shown) which is overlapped on each inspection item mark Ma in the same vertical and horizontal arrangement as the inspection item mark Ma as usual.
Is provided, and the inspection item can be selected simply by pressing (touching) the position of the inspection item mark Ma corresponding to the inspection request sheet through the transparent switch of the touch sensor 17. Each transparent switch and each inspection item mark Ma are associated with each other on a one-to-one basis. The position of the transparent switch touched by the touch sensor IF19 is detected, sent to the computer 11 as a touch position signal, and the corresponding inspection item is displayed. It is detected by the computer 11. Then, the imaging conditions of each X-ray imaging for the inspection items detected by the computer 11 are set from the imaging condition memory 14 to the computer 11, and the imaging conditions are displayed in a list by the image display control unit 18 as shown in FIG. Is done.

In FIG. 3, the set photographing conditions are three of Nos. 1 to 3, but when the number of photographing conditions displayed in a list is very large, a part of the list display protrudes from the screen and cannot be seen. Sometimes. For the invisible part of the list display, the screen scroll switch 22 is pressed to move the screen up and down to display the invisible part. Inspection items and imaging conditions can be changed. By pressing the change key 23 at the lower right of the screen to call a change operation screen (not shown) and performing a correction input operation, the contents of the inspection items and the imaging conditions can be rewritten and changed. Also, the list display control unit 31 displays the next shooting mark Md before the item to be shot next, and displays the representative data in the shooting condition with the next shooting mark Md in the enlarged column Mf at the top of the screen. . Therefore, in the case of the embodiment apparatus, the imaging condition setting means for setting the imaging condition of the transmission X-ray image corresponding to the imaging instruction of the inspection request includes the computer 11, the inspection item memory 13, the imaging condition memory 14, the touch sensor 17 And a touch sensor IF19.

In the case of the embodiment, when performing X-ray irradiation, the operator presses the irradiation switch 24. An exposure control signal corresponding to the tube voltage and tube current corresponding to the imaging conditions is sent from the computer 11 to the exposure control unit 7 via the D / A conversion unit 25, and the exposure command of the exposure switch 24 is issued. Upon receiving the signal, a specified tube voltage and tube current are applied to the X-ray tube 2 and X-rays are emitted to the subject M. Then, the tube voltage detection signal and the tube current detection signal indicating the actual tube voltage and tube current from the tube voltage / flow detection unit 7a of the irradiation control unit 7 are transmitted via the A / D conversion unit 26 to the X-ray control device. Sent to the side.

The apparatus of the embodiment has an automatic exposure photographing mechanism. Film density data corresponding to the X-ray film 3 or the intensifying screen is read from the exposure time memory 15 and set in the exposure timer 27, and is automatically transmitted from the exposure timer 27 via the D / A converter 28 as a set exposure signal. It is sent to the exposure controller 29. On the other hand, the amount of light generated due to the X-ray exposure is detected using the whole or a part of the photomultiplier tube 5 on the back side of the X-ray fluorescent panel 4 and the plurality of photomultiplier tubes 5 are detected. Is used, the light amount detection signal is averaged, sent to the automatic exposure control unit 29, and integrated. When the integrated value of the light amount detection signal in the automatic exposure control unit 29 reaches the set exposure signal, an exposure stop signal is sent from the automatic exposure control unit 29 to the X-ray exposure control unit 7. Further, there is provided a timer A that starts a timing operation with an exposure command signal from the exposure switch 24, stops the timing operation with an exposure stop signal from the automatic exposure control unit 29, and measures the timing time as an actual exposure time. And the actual exposure time signal is output in response to the stop of the exposure. The timer operation is started by an exposure command signal from the exposure switch 24, and when the backup time (0.01 SEC) input from the computer 11 displayed in the leftmost enlarged column Mf is reached, the timer operation is stopped. do it,
It also has a timer B that outputs an exposure cut-off signal to the exposure control unit 7, and X
It is configured to avoid an abnormal situation in which the line is left exposed.

Further, the X-ray control apparatus according to the embodiment controls the list display so that the photographed items and the unphotographed items can be identified on the photographing condition list display screen by the image display control unit 18. The display control unit 31 is also provided. The list display control unit 31 receives the tube voltage detection signal and the tube current detection signal from the X-ray irradiation control unit 7 and the actual exposure time signal from the timer A. Accordingly, in the list display, the photographed mark Mc is displayed in the section where photographing has been completed, and at the same time, the actual tube voltage / tube current and the actual exposure time are added to the list display. Further, the list display control unit 31 also displays the next photographing mark Md before the item to be photographed next. The mark Mk at the right end of the list display screen indicates a photomultiplier tube use mode indicating the photomultiplier tube 5 used for automatic exposure shooting. Black squares indicate used photomultiplier tubes, and white squares indicate unused photomultiplier tubes.

Next, a control operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus by the X-ray control apparatus of the embodiment described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of a series of X-ray imaging control by the embodiment device. First, referring to the inspection item selection screen 20 of FIG. 2, an inspection item corresponding to the inspection item described in the inspection request sheet is selected. Now, it is assumed that the inspection item described in the inspection request is horizontal bucky photographing on the left end: 3 directions of the chest. Therefore, the operator touches the inspection item mark Ma on the left end of the second row in the inspection item selection screen 20. Then, the pressed position of the touch sensor 17 is detected by the touch sensor IF 19 and transmitted to the computer 11. The computer 11 immediately reads the horizontal bucky photographing: the photographing conditions corresponding to the three directions of the chest are immediately read out from the photographing condition memory 14, and the three photographing condition items are listed on the screen of the display monitor 16 as shown in FIG. Is done. In the first item, the next shooting mark Md is displayed. Normally, shooting proceeds in the order of 1, 2, and 3. However, if it is desired to change the order, the screen is switched with the change key 23 to change the order.

Further, an exposure control signal corresponding to a tube voltage and a tube current corresponding to the first imaging condition is sent from the computer 11 to the exposure control section 7, and an appropriate signal corresponding to an X-ray film or the like to be used is provided. Set exposure signal is exposure timer 27
Is sent to the automatic exposure control unit 29 from. Thus, when the irradiation preparation is completed, the irradiation ready lamp Mg is turned on. When the operator turns on the irradiation switch 24 after the irradiation ready lamp Mg is turned on, a high voltage is applied to the X-ray tube 2 from the high voltage generator 6 and the subject M is irradiated with X-rays. The X-rays transmitted through the subject M cause the X-ray fluorescent panel 4 to emit light and expose the X-ray film 3. The light quantity of the X-ray fluorescent panel 4 is converted into a light quantity detection signal by the photomultiplier 5 and integrated by the automatic exposure controller 29, and the integrated value of the light quantity detection signal from the photomultiplier 5 is converted into a set exposure signal. When it reaches, the exposure stop signal is sent from the automatic exposure control unit 29 to the exposure control unit 7, and the high voltage is cut off to stop the X-ray emission.

With the stop of the exposure, the actual exposure time measured by the timer A for measuring the actual exposure time, that is, the time from the start of the X-ray exposure to the end of the X-ray exposure, from the timer A to the list display control unit 31 As shown in FIG. 4, the actual exposure time is displayed instead of the backup time of the first chest front imaging condition, and the actual values of the tube voltage and the tube current are also listed from the exposure control unit 7. It is sent to the display control unit 31 and displayed. At the same time, the shot mark Mc is added to the top of the first shooting condition.
Is displayed. Also, the next shooting mark Md moves to the second shooting condition, and the enlarged section Mf changes to the second shooting condition for the side of the chest.

When X-ray imaging of the second side of the chest is completed in the same manner as in the first imaging, as shown in FIG. 5, the actual exposure time is used instead of the backup time of the imaging condition of the second front of the chest. Is displayed, and the actual values of the tube voltage and tube current are also displayed. Also, a photographed mark Mc is displayed at the head of the second photographing condition. Also, the next shooting mark Md moves to the third shooting condition, and the enlarged section Mf changes to the second shooting condition for the side of the chest.

In the same manner as in the first and second photographing,
The thorax oblique imaging is performed, and as shown in FIG.
The actual exposure time is displayed instead of the backup time of the imaging condition of the thorax of the thorax, and the actual values of the tube voltage and the tube current are also displayed. At the same time, the already shot mark Mc is also displayed at the head of the third shooting condition, and the series of shooting in the three directions of the chest ends.

Then, the operator can grasp the progress of the series of photographing at any time only by identifying the photographed items and the unphotographed items in the list display on the screen of the display monitor 16, so that photographing omission occurs. Don't worry. Further, the operator can accurately judge the quality of the imaging result by comparing the actual X-ray irradiation times added one after another in the list display on the screen of the display monitor 16. In the case of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the actual exposure time of the third chest oblique is considerably shorter than the actual exposure time of the first chest front, for example.
Even if the X-ray film is not developed, it can be seen that the imaging result of the third oblique chest is bad. In this case, the photographing is performed again only for the third thoracic tilt, but the number of photographed images is one.
Just increasing the number of images may reduce the imaging efficiency and increase the burden on the patient.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be modified as follows. (1) In the above embodiment, after each photographing operation, the exposure time and the measured values of the tube voltage and the tube current are displayed, but the tube voltage and the tube current are the set values and the measured values. Since the difference is relatively small, there is a modified example in which the tube voltage and the tube current are kept at the set values, and only the exposure time is displayed as the actually measured value after each photographing.

(2) In the above embodiment, when an inspection item is selected, a plurality of photographing conditions are displayed in a list at the same time. However, a plurality of photographing conditions are input and set one by one by the operator, and the display monitor is displayed. A configuration in which a list of a plurality of photographing conditions is displayed on the screen described above is a modified example.

(3) In the above embodiment, the display monitor is a liquid crystal display monitor, but may be another monitor such as a CRT display monitor.

[0030]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the X-ray control apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of X-rays are to be performed in a series of imagings, the respective imaging conditions are those of the already-photographed and unphotographed. A list display that allows identification of shooting is displayed on the screen of the display monitor, so the operator can determine the progress of shooting in a series of shooting at any time simply by distinguishing between shot and unshot in the list display on the screen of the display monitor. The camera can be grasped firmly, and there is no omission of shooting.

In the X-ray control device according to the second aspect of the present invention,
The actual X-ray exposure time is displayed in the items already taken in the list display, so even if the X-ray film is not developed, the operator can
By comparing the actual X-ray exposure times, it is possible to accurately judge the quality of the imaging result.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an X-ray control apparatus according to an embodiment and an X-ray imaging apparatus controlled by the embodiment apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an inspection item selection screen on a display monitor.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an unphotographed stage of a photographing condition list display screen on a display monitor.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a shooting condition list display screen at the end of first shooting in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a photographing condition list display screen at a second photographing end stage in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a shooting condition list display screen at a third shooting end stage in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a series of X-ray imaging control performed by the embodiment device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... X-ray imaging apparatus 2 ... X-ray tube 3 ... X-ray film 5 ... Photomultiplier tube 6 ... High voltage generator 11 ... Computer 13 ... Test item memory 14 ... Imaging condition memory 16 ... Display monitor 17 ... Touch sensor 18 ... Image display control unit 27 exposure timer 29 automatic exposure control unit 31 list display control unit M subject

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An X-ray apparatus for controlling a high-voltage generator, an X-ray tube, and the like of an X-ray imaging apparatus in accordance with set imaging conditions in order to image a transmitted X-ray image of X-rays transmitted through a subject on an X-ray film. In the X-ray control apparatus, a tube of the high-pressure generator or the X-ray tube of a transmitted X-ray image corresponding to an imaging instruction described in an examination request document for instructing an operator of the X-ray imaging apparatus to perform X-ray imaging from a doctor. Imaging condition setting means for setting imaging conditions including set values such as current, tube voltage, and X-ray exposure time, and setting a plurality of the imaging conditions for performing a series of imaging; A photographing condition display means for displaying a list of a plurality of photographing conditions corresponding to the series of photographing set on the screen of the display monitor, and identifying a photographed item and an unphotographed item in the list display by the photographing condition display means List display so that it is possible An X-ray control device, comprising: a list display control means for controlling the control of the X-ray. 2. The X-ray control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the X-ray exposure amount to the X-ray film reaches a predetermined predetermined exposure amount, the X-ray exposure is automatically stopped. An X-ray control apparatus including an exposure unit, wherein the list display control unit is configured to display at least the actual X-ray irradiation time in a corresponding item in the list display each time each imaging is completed.