JP4817475B2 - X-ray diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a medical image display particularly useful for providing medical information in an X-ray diagnostic apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally used X-ray diagnostic apparatuses generally have a fluoroscopy function, an imaging function, an image selection function, an image reproduction function, and the like as functions for advancing examinations and treatments.
[0003]
In the prior art, these functions are uniformly provided by the apparatus side, and an operator, for example, a doctor or a radiologist, selects, for example, a necessary function from among these functions as necessary. Imaging can be performed under intended imaging conditions from the direction, and images necessary for proceeding with the examination and treatment can be selected from a group of images collected during the examination and displayed. Furthermore, in order to evaluate the effect of treatment, an image before and after treatment is selected and displayed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, conventionally, in these X-ray diagnostic apparatuses, the functions to be provided and the images to be provided are common at any point in the progress stage of the examination and treatment. For this reason, doctors and radiographers who are operators need to search for and operate a necessary function from many functions at a certain point during the examination. For example, the following operation procedure is necessary.
[0005]
(1) In order to acquire an image from a certain arbitrary direction, an operation for starting the image acquisition is performed after the operator performs an operation of directing the X-ray imaging system in the direction to be imaged.
[0006]
(2) In order to collect an image of a part different from the target part to be imaged until a certain process of the examination, the image acquisition is started after changing the imaging parameter suitable for the part to be newly acquired. Perform the operation.
[0007]
(3) In order to advance the catheter or guide wire through the blood vessel under fluoroscopy, the operator selects a reference image from among the images already collected in the examination, and then performs a display operation.
[0008]
(4) In order to compare and observe the pre-treatment image and the post-treatment image, the operator selects a pre-treatment image and a post-treatment image from the images already collected in the examination, and then performs a display operation.
[0009]
The operation in which the operator turns the X-ray imaging system in (1), the operator changes the image acquisition parameter in (2), and the operator selects an image in (3) and (4) This is an incidental operation to be performed.
[0010]
Because of this incidental operation, it is inevitable that the operations of the doctors and radiographers who are operators are complicated, and it is impossible to concentrate on the examination and treatment itself. There is a problem that the burden on the person increases.
[0011]
It is necessary to know what the operator intends in the aspect of examination and treatment in order to omit or simplify incidental operations that the operator originally wants to perform and to facilitate the progress of examination and treatment. is there. The operator's intention changes according to the progress of the examination, and knowing the operator's intention leads to the diagnosis apparatus recognizing the progress of the examination.
[0012]
An object of the present invention is to solve a means for a diagnostic device to recognize the progress of an examination, and to provide a function that matches an operator's intention from the recognition of the progress of an examination.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, in an X-ray diagnostic apparatus capable of obtaining medical information necessary for diagnosis by X-ray exposure to a subject, an image acquisition program is associated with an examination technique and a site, Inspection progress procedure storage means for storing inspection progress procedure storage data separately for each inspection procedure, at least one of an operator operation history from the operation unit or the image display unit , an elapsed time from the start of the inspection, and a state of image collection Based on the information, the examination progress state recognition means for specifying the progress state of the examination or treatment, and the examination or treatment from the examination procedure storage data based on the result of the examination progress state recognized by the examination progress state recognition means An operation function for supporting the progress of the image or support means for selectively displaying image display candidates.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a circulatory X-ray diagnostic apparatus for explanation as an embodiment.
[0017]
By performing an imaging start operation at the operation unit 1 or the operation unit 15, the X-ray high voltage generator 2 starts to irradiate X-rays intermittently in a pulse form from the X-ray tube 3. The irradiated X-rays pass through the subject 4, and the transmitted X-rays enter the X-ray detection unit 5.
[0018]
The transmitted X-ray incident on the X-ray detector 5 is converted into digital data by the A / D converter 6 in synchronization with the X-ray pulse irradiation, and one frame of digital data is generated for one pulse. The digital data is displayed on the display monitor 7 and recorded in the image recording unit 8. The electrocardiographic waveform of the subject is detected by the electrode 16 attached to the subject 4 and sent to the image processing unit 18 via the A / D converter 17. This image processing unit also controls the reading and writing of data to the image recording unit 8. Accordingly, digital data from the A / D converter 6 is also stored in the image recording unit 8 via the image processing unit 18.
[0019]
After the first X-ray irradiation, a series of digital data is created by intermittent pulse X-ray irradiation and recorded in the image recording unit 8. When the operation unit 1 or the operation unit 15 is operated to end the imaging, or when the number of X-ray irradiations set in advance by the operation unit 1 or the operation unit 15 is completed, the X-ray irradiation is completed. The generated series of digital data is stored and managed in the image recording unit 8 as continuous image data.
[0020]
Note that, regardless of what form and method the X-ray detection unit 5 adopts, for example, a method of imaging the output of the image intensifier device with a TV camera, or using a semiconductor solid state detector A method of detecting transmitted X-rays may be used.
[0021]
In the present embodiment, the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus, the X-ray high voltage generator 2 and the X-ray detector 5 are configured separately, but the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus includes the X-ray high voltage generator. The same effect can be obtained even in a configuration including both or one of the X-ray detector 5 and the X-ray detector 5.
[0022]
Typical tests and treatments using such devices are:
(1) Procedure for initiating examination such as registration in subject's device, (2) Puncture, (3) Insertion of guide wire and catheter, (4) Progress of guide wire and catheter to target site and target blood vessel, (5) Image collection in target blood vessel, (6) Observation of collected image, (7) Percutaneous treatment (balloon, stent, etc.) in target blood vessel, (8) Image for observing the result of percutaneous treatment The process proceeds as follows: collection, (9) evaluation of treatment results and determination of the end of the test, and (10) end of the test.
[0023]
In the examination of the heart system, the dynamics of the target blood vessels are fast, so the pulse rate of X- rays when collecting images is fast, and in the treatment of the brain region, parts such as observing minute blood vessels because they target even peripheral blood vessels The operation unit 1 or the operation unit 15 performs a function of switching the X-ray pulse rate at the time of image acquisition, the resolution of the acquired image, and the like.
[0024]
In addition, there is a clear difference between a function that is necessary for advancing the test and an image that is required for a test that is not intended for percutaneous treatment and a test that involves treatment. In examinations involving treatment, in order to advance a therapeutic device while observing a fluoroscopic X-ray image percutaneously to a target blood vessel, it is often used to display an image serving as a guide to the target blood vessel. An image serving as this guide is called a reference image. Reference images are not frequently used in examinations that do not involve treatment.
[0025]
In addition, the reference image needs to be an image taken from the same direction as the fluoroscopic X-ray image being observed for that purpose. As described above, there are differences in required functions and required images depending on the region and the inspection technique. As a means for switching the X-ray pulse rate at the time of image acquisition, the resolution of the acquired image, and the like, a method of selecting a preset image acquisition program is generally used.
[0026]
In this embodiment, the image collection program is associated with the region and the examination technique (cardiac system routine examination, heart system treatment, brain area routine examination, brain area treatment, etc.), and the examination flow in each examination technique is stored separately. By doing so, the optimal function and the optimal image are provided in the flow of each inspection.
[0027]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the optimum function and the optimum image providing function that constitute the examination progress recognition unit 10. The examination progress recognition unit 10 includes an examination progress procedure storage unit 11 and an examination progress state recognition unit 12. The examination progress recognizing unit 10 is a part having a function of storing the examination progress procedure storage data 13 for each examination part or procedure and specifying the examination progression procedure storage data 13 corresponding to the examination procedure. The individual examination progress procedure storage data 13 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0028]
On the other hand, the examination progress state recognizing unit 12 is a part that specifies the state of the examination progress from the operator's operation, the elapsed time from the start of the examination, and the previous image collection state. For example, when an operation for selecting a reference image is frequently performed in a cardiac system treatment procedure, operation feedback such as operation history information from the start of an examination by the operation unit 15 is sent to the examination progress information recognition unit 12. By being input, it can be recognized that it is a stage where a therapeutic device is going to be advanced to a target blood vessel, and an examination state ID corresponding to “progression of therapeutic device of heart system” can be issued. The inspection state ID from the inspection progress state recognizing unit 12 is used as input of the selected inspection progress procedure storage data 13 and is used to provide an optimal function and image.
[0029]
FIG. 3 shows the examination progress procedure storage data 13. This is data that defines a candidate for an image to be displayed, a direction for collecting the next image, and a function to be preferentially displayed on the operation menu for the examination state ID, and is permanently stored in the X-ray diagnostic apparatus. As the examination state ID, in addition to the above-mentioned “cardiovascular treatment device progression”, “image collection for treatment device size determination”, “image observation for treatment effect evaluation”, “during treatment device operation”, etc. There is function definition data.
[0030]
Candidate images to be displayed are defined as “continuous images at the same angle”, “images of what frame from the beginning of the target continuous images”, “continuous images collected during a specific period from the start of inspection”, etc. To do. The next collection direction is almost determined by routine inspection. Functions that are preferentially displayed in the operation menu often use different functions in the pre-treatment stage, the treatment stage, and the post-treatment evaluation stage. Is.
[0031]
This examination progress procedure storage data 13 is permanently stored in the X-ray diagnostic apparatus. As a means for storing it, a method preset by an operator, a function and an operation used in an actual examination are used. This can be reflected at any time, and a method of learning according to the hospital or operator using the apparatus can be taken.
[0032]
According to the X-ray diagnostic apparatus of the present invention described above, it is possible for the X-ray diagnostic apparatus to provide an optimal function and an optimal image by recognizing the flow of the inspection, and it is possible for the operator to perform inspection and treatment. Concentration, shortening of examination time, and reduction of burden on the subject can be provided.
[0033]
The embodiment described above is described in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and is not described in order to limit the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment includes all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
According to the X-ray diagnostic apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, the X-ray diagnostic apparatus can provide an optimal function and an optimal image by recognizing the flow of the inspection. Concentration on treatment, shortening of examination time, and reduction of burden on the subject can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining functions in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an examination progress recognition unit, an optimum function, and an optimum image providing function in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows one example of examination progress procedure storage data in the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Operation part, 2 ... X-ray high voltage generator, 3 ... X-ray tube, 4 ... Subject, 5 ... X-ray detection part, 6 ... A / D converter, 7 ... Display monitor, 8 ... Image recording , 10 ... Examination progress recognition unit, 11 ... Examination progress procedure storage unit, 12 ... Examination progress state recognition unit, 13 ... Examination progress procedure storage data

Claims (2)

In an X-ray diagnostic apparatus capable of obtaining medical information necessary for diagnosis by X-ray exposure to a subject,
An examination progress procedure storage means for associating an image collection program with an examination procedure and a part, and storing examination progression procedure storage data separately for each examination procedure;
An examination progress state recognizing means for identifying the progress state of the examination or treatment based on at least one of the operator operation history from the operation unit or the image display unit , the elapsed time from the start of the examination, and the image collection state; ,
Support means for selectively displaying an operation function or an image display candidate for supporting the progress of the examination or treatment from the examination procedure storage data based on the result of the examination progress state recognized by the examination progress state recognition means; ,
An X-ray diagnostic apparatus comprising: The test progress status recognition means emits a test status ID that identifies the progress status of the test or treatment,
The X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support unit displays an operation function or an image display candidate corresponding to the examination state ID of the examination procedure storage data in a selectable manner.

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