JP5553965B2 - Radiation imaging system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiographic imaging system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for reducing the burden of various setting operations on a radiographic imaging system has been studied. Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging system for imaging an object with radiation and generating image data, and an imaging system. A test data storage unit for storing a plurality of test data sets including an arm support mechanism that supports the subject in a variable posture with respect to the subject, and imaging condition data of the imaging system and posture data with respect to the subject. A technique is disclosed in which inspection data designated by an operator is read from a storage unit, and imaging conditions and postures are set according to imaging condition data and posture data included in the read inspection data.

  Moreover, in the examination of a subject using a radiographic imaging system, which part of the subject should be observed from which direction is determined in advance, and in order to reproduce the optimum observation situation, a radiographic image is obtained for each examination. An operation (hereinafter referred to as “positioning”) for determining the position of the radiation tube constituting the imaging unit of the diagnostic apparatus and the radiation detector with respect to the subject is required.

  In order to facilitate the positioning of the radiation tube and the radiation detector with respect to the subject as described above, conventionally, data relating to the position of the radiation tube with respect to the subject and the radiation detector (hereinafter referred to as “positioning data”). A function that reproduces the registered position and performs radiography by moving the radiation tube and radiation detector to the previously registered position (hereinafter referred to as the function). Is called "auto-positioning function").

  As a technique related to the auto-positioning function, Patent Document 2 describes that a radiation tube and an arm holding a radiation detector are supported by a support, and when the arm is moved to a desired position by the support, A technique for displaying a list of positioning information included in a predetermined range on a monitor as positioning candidates is disclosed. According to the technique, when the operator tries to move the arm in a desired direction, the positioning information in the desired direction is displayed sequentially, so that the selection of the positioning information becomes easy and the radiation imaging throughput is improved. Can do.

Further, Patent Document 3 records the examination data including the radiographic imaging unit positioning data and the radiographic imaging conditions with respect to the subject for each radiographic imaging by the radiographic imaging means, and the test information is recorded on the subject based on the recorded examination information. A technique for creating a unique examination protocol and using the created examination protocol for subsequent radiography of a subject is disclosed.
JP 2001-149354 A JP-A-2005-245502 JP 2005-176996 A

  However, in the above technique, when an imaging menu is selected and designated, the radiation tube and the radiation detector are pre-registered at the time of installation of the radiographic imaging system (hereinafter referred to as “home position”). Move to. At this time, if the distance between the radiation inspection table and the radiation tube is short, there is a risk that the subject may come into contact with the radiation source while the subject is invited to the imaging radiation imaging table and preparation for imaging is performed. . Thus, there are problems relating to ensuring the safety of the subject and improving the throughput of the radiation examination.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a radiographic imaging system that can ensure the safety of a subject and improve the throughput of a radiological examination.

In order to achieve the above object, a radiographic imaging system of the present invention detects a radiation source that is movably provided to irradiate radiation, and that is irradiated from the radiation source and transmitted through a subject. A radiation detector that is movably provided independently of the radiation source , and does not hinder the preparation for photographing by the subject, and is suitable for photographing preparation by an operator instructing photographing, a higher standby position from the photographing position determined by the corresponding information, the preparation position determined according to information on the operator, the first movement control for moving the radiation source, after the first movement control, the photographing the radiation source in position, and a second movement control for moving at least one of said radiation detectors, and, after the photographing, the position of the radiation source height rather than the shooting position, and the subject radiation A movement control means for each of the third movement control for moving the easy-position off from the scanning table, and a.

  In the radiographic imaging system of the present invention, the imaging content includes a region to be imaged in the body of the subject, imaging conditions, the posture of the subject at the time of imaging, and the subject with respect to the subject. It is preferable to include at least one of the irradiation directions of the radiation.

  According to the present invention, before the movement control to the photographing position determined according to the photographing content, the preparation position that does not disturb the photographing preparation by the subject and is suitable for the photographing preparation by the operator who instructs photographing. Therefore, the safety of the subject can be ensured and the throughput of the radiation examination can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an outline of an in-hospital information system 10 in a hospital. The in-hospital information system 10 is a centralized management information system (HIS) 12 composed of a computer that centrally manages medical information in the hospital, and information related to radiographic imaging handled in the radiology department in the hospital. A radiology information system (RIS) 14 composed of a computer to be managed, a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (MR) 16 that images internal information in the body using a nuclear magnetic resonance phenomenon, and a human body using X-rays A computer tomography apparatus (CT) 18 that images a cross section (circle cut image), a console 22 of a radiographic imaging system 20 described later, and the like are connected by a LAN.

  The medical information stored in the HIS 12 includes subject information for identifying the subject to be imaged such as the subject's name, sex, and subject ID number. The subject information is registered in advance in the HIS 12 prior to photographing.

  The information related to radiographic image capturing stored in the RIS 14 includes an imaging menu, positioning data, and operator information. The imaging menu and positioning data are normally registered when the radiographic image capturing system 20 is constructed.

  The imaging menu includes about 50 different areas to be imaged in the body of the subject, imaging conditions, the posture of the subject at the time of imaging (standing position or supine position), and the above-mentioned with respect to the subject The information includes at least one of the radiation directions.

  The positioning data is data indicating the position of the radiation tube 32 at the time of imaging, and is determined for each combination of the imaging menu, the imaging menu, and the technique determined in accordance with the purpose of inspection.

  The operator information is associated with an operator ID for identifying an operator who captures a radiographic image and information for determining a position where the operator can easily operate by matching the physical object, such as height data indicating the height of the operator. And can be set and registered for each operator.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the radiographic imaging system 20 is connected to a console 22 having operation buttons, a radiographic stand 28, a radiation tube suspension 26, a radiographic table 30, and the console 22. Each of the radiation tube suspension 26 and the radiation controller 24 that controls the operation of the radiation imaging table 30 is configured.

  The console 22 is connected to the HIS 12 and the RIS 14, acquires medical information in the hospital from the HIS 12, and acquires information related to radiographic image capturing from the RIS 14. The console 22 displays an imaging menu among information related to radiographic image acquisition acquired from the RIS 14.

  In addition, operation information indicating operation contents input by an operator who captures a radiographic image by operating an operation button is input to the console 22. In accordance with the operation information input to the console 22, the radiation controller 24 performs a movement control process and a radiation irradiation control process to be described later according to the program.

  The radiation tube suspender 26 is a radiation tube 32 for irradiating radiation, and a setting registration operation by an operator instructing the radiation tube 32 to take a desired imaging position according to the imaging region, posture, and body shape of the body of the subject. A telescopic arm 34 connected to the radiation tube 32 that moves to a preparatory position suitable for the above and a monitor 36 having a touch panel for registering an imaging range and confirming imaging conditions to be described later.

  The radiation tube 32 irradiates the subject with radiation having a dose according to the imaging conditions. Imaging conditions are conditions for determining the tube voltage, tube current, irradiation time, etc. for irradiating radiation of an appropriate dose to the imaging region of the subject's body to be imaged, Each of an imaging region, a transmission thickness of the imaging region, and an inter-image-receiving surface distance (SID) that is a distance between the tube of the radiation tube 32 and the radiation detectors 38 and 40 indicated by arrows D1 and D2 are shown. Determined by information.

  An example of a display screen 36D displayed on the monitor 36 having a touch panel is shown in FIG. The display screen 36D displays the imaging conditions including the information on the tube voltage determined according to the imaging menu including the imaging region and the imaging direction, and the information on the dose that can be adjusted by the time when the tube current flows. It can be changed according to. Since the imaging condition is determined by the radiation transmission thickness of the imaging region of the subject who is the imaging target, it is necessary to finely adjust the imaging condition by the subject even when imaging the same region. For this reason, before photographing, confirmation is performed by displaying photographing conditions on a monitor 36 having a touch panel. The display screen 36D displays a determination button for the operator to touch when shooting may be performed with the content of the display screen 36D. When the determination button is touched, the monitor 36 having a touch panel transmits information on the determined imaging condition to the radiation controller 24.

  In the radiation tube 32, the position and the irradiation angle at which the radiation is irradiated are changed by the control of the radiation controller 24 in accordance with the selected imaging menu and the positioning data corresponding to the operator information of the operator who performs imaging.

  With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, drive control of the radiation tube suspension 26 of the radiation controller 24 will be described.

  The radiation controller 24 controls the drive driver 52 to drive the slide motor 54 in accordance with the posture (standing position or recumbent position) of the subject, and drives the radiation tube suspension 26 along the slide rail 42. While moving in the direction indicated by the arrow A1, the driving driver 52 is controlled to drive the rotation motor 56, and the radiation tube 32 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow A2. By rotating, the radiation tube 32 can irradiate radiation from any angle. The movement of the radiation tube suspender 26 along the slide rail 42 can be realized by, for example, a mechanism using a pulley and a belt. Further, the rotation of the radiation tube 32 can be realized by a rotation mechanism using a stepping motor, for example.

  In addition, the radiation controller 24 controls the drive driver 52 to drive the expansion / contraction motor 58 according to the imaging region of the subject's body, to expand / contract the expansion / contraction arm 34, and to radiate radiation in the direction indicated by the arrow A3. The tube 32 is moved. The expansion / contraction of the telescopic arm 34 can be realized by a mechanism using a ball screw and a stepping motor, for example.

  Furthermore, the radiation controller 24 controls the tube voltage of the radiation irradiated from the radiation tube 32 and the energization time of the tube voltage in accordance with the imaging condition corresponding to the imaging menu selected by the operator on the console 22.

  The radiation imaging stand 28 includes a radiation detector 38. The radiation imaging table 30 includes a radiation detector 40 as with the radiation imaging stand 28.

  The radiation detectors 38 and 40 are provided with a power switch (not shown) and can operate when the power is on.

  The radiation detectors 38 and 40 are moved under the control of the radiation controller 24 according to the selected imaging menu and positioning data corresponding to the operator information of the operator who performs imaging.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the radiation detectors 38 and 40 are disposed inside the casings 38C and 40C made of a material that transmits radiation from the irradiation surfaces 38F and 40F side of the casings 38C and 40C to which the radiation is irradiated. , Grids 38A and 40A for removing radiation scattered by the subject, radiation conversion panels 38B and 40B for detecting radiation transmitted through the subject, and lead plates 38D and 40D for absorbing back scattered radiation. Arranged and configured. In addition, you may comprise the irradiation surfaces 38F and 40F of the casings 38C and 40C as the grids 38A and 40A.

  In the radiation conversion panels 38B and 40B, photoelectric conversion layers made of a material such as amorphous selenium (a-Se) that senses radiation and generates charges are arranged on an array of thin film transistors (TFTs). After the generated charge is stored in the storage capacitor, the TFTs are sequentially turned on for each row, and the charge is read out as an image signal.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the radiation detectors 38 and 40 store in the image memories 48 and 68 and the image memories 48 and 68 for storing information on the radiation detected by the radiation conversion panels 38B and 40B. Transmitting and receiving units 50 and 70 are provided for transmitting and receiving data including information on the received radiation to and from the console 22.

  The drive control of the radiation detectors 38 and 40 of the radiation controller 24 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the subject's posture is standing, the radiation controller 24 controls the drive driver 44 to drive the slide motor 46 in accordance with the imaging region of the subject's body, thereby causing the radiation detector 38 to move. And move in the direction indicated by arrow A4.

  Further, the radiation controller 24 controls the drive driver 62 to drive the slide motor 64 according to the imaging region of the body of the subject when the posture of the subject is in the supine position, and the radiation detector 40 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow A5. Further, in order to make it easy for the subject to move up to the radiation imaging table 30, the radiation controller 24 controls the drive driver 62 to drive the up / down motor 66 so that the radiation imaging table 30 is moved to the subject. You may make it move so that it may fall to the height under the knee.

  The radiation controller 24 connects the drive drivers 44 and 62 of the radiation detectors 38 and 40 and the drive driver 52 of the radiation tube suspension 26 so that the positions of the radiation detectors 38 and 40 correspond to the positions of the radiation tube 32. Control.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6, the process routine of the movement control process performed in the radiation controller 24 and the radiation irradiation control process is demonstrated.

  First, in step 100, it is determined whether or not the radiation detectors 38 and 40 are turned on. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 102. If the determination is negative, the determination in step 100 is repeated.

  In step 102, it is determined whether operator information of an operator who operates the radiographic imaging system 20 is input. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 104. If the determination is negative, the determination of step 102 is repeated.

  In step 104, it is determined whether or not the shooting menu has been selected by the operator via the operation button of the console 22. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 106, and if the determination is negative, the determination of step 104 is repeated.

  Prior to the imaging process, the radiation detectors 38 and 40 are switched to the power-on state by an RFID card receiving unit provided in the radiation detectors 38 and 40, and the operator who performs radiography authenticates himself / herself. The RFID card to be held may be held over the receiving unit. In this case, since the operator information of the operator is input by holding the RFID card over the receiving unit, the processing in step 102 described above is omitted.

  In step 106, it is determined whether or not the operator has instructed to move the radiation tube 32 to the imaging preparation position via the operation button of the console 22. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 108. If the determination is negative, the determination of step 106 is repeated.

  In step 108, the drive drive 52 of the radiation suspender 28 is controlled so that the radiation tube 32 moves to a preparation position for preparing for imaging. This preparation position is a position that does not interfere with preparation for photographing by the subject and is suitable for preparation for photographing by an operator who instructs photographing. For example, when shooting the abdomen in the supine position, set the position 30 cm higher than the shooting position as the preparation position, and when shooting the chest in the lying position, set the position 20 cm higher than the shooting position as the preparation position. It is possible to do. In addition, when the A operator takes a picture, a position 50 cm higher than the shooting position can be set as a preparation position, and when the B operator takes a picture, a position 40 cm higher than the shooting position can be set as a preparation position. It is.

  In step 110, the operator is notified that the radiation tube 32 has been moved to the preparation position, for example, by displaying it on the console 22.

  In step 112, it is determined whether the registered imaging range has been notified by the operation of the monitor 36 having a touch panel by the operator. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 114. If the determination is negative, the determination of step 112 is repeated. For example, an imaging camera is provided in the vicinity of the radiation tube 32, and an imaging region captured by radiation is imaged and displayed on a monitor 36 provided with a touch panel to allow the operator to confirm and register the imaging range. May be. Further, a visible light lamp that irradiates visible light in the vicinity of the radiation tube 32 may be provided, and the operator may confirm and register by irradiating the imaging region of the subject's body.

  In step 114, it is determined whether or not an operator has input a change in shooting conditions via the monitor 36 having a touch panel. If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 116 to change the photographing condition, and if the result is negative, the process proceeds to step 118.

  In step 118, it is determined whether or not the operator has instructed the movement of the radiation tube 32 to the imaging position via the operation button of the console 22. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 120. If the determination is negative, the determination at step 118 is repeated.

  In step 120, the drive drive 52 of the radiation suspender 28 is controlled so that the radiation tube 32 moves to the imaging position.

  In step 122, the operator is notified that the radiation tube 32 has been moved to the imaging position, for example, by displaying it on the console 22.

  In step 124, it is determined whether or not it has been notified that the irradiation field has been confirmed by the operation of the monitor 36 having a touch panel by the operator. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 126. If the determination is negative, the determination of step 124 is repeated. The operator confirms the irradiation field by irradiating visible light from an irradiation field lamp (not shown) provided in the vicinity of the radiation tube 32, and manually adjusts the aperture if necessary, and collimator. The irradiation field is changed by adjusting the aperture.

  In step 126, it is determined whether or not an imaging instruction is input from the operator via the operation button of the console 22. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 128. If the determination is negative, the determination of step 126 is repeated.

  In step 128, the radiation tube 32 is irradiated with radiation, and imaging of the imaging range of the subject's body is performed. Image data representing a radiation image based on radiation detected by the radiation detector 40 (or radiation detector 38) is acquired from the storage capacity of each pixel of the radiation conversion panels 38B and 40B. The image data representing the radiation image is converted into a digital signal and temporarily stored in the image memory 68 (or the image memory 48) of the radiation detector 40 (or the radiation detector 38).

  In addition, after imaging | photography, it is good to move the position of the radiation tube 32 to a position higher than the imaging | photography position so that a subject may get down from a radiography table easily.

  Further, the image data representing the radiation image may be obtained using a light conversion type radiation detector. In this light conversion type radiation detector, when radiation is incident on each solid state detection element, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the dose is accumulated and recorded on the solid state detection element. When reading the electrostatic latent image, the radiation detector is irradiated with reading light, and the value of the generated current is acquired as information indicating the radiation image. Note that the radiation detector can erase and reuse information indicating a radiation image that is a remaining electrostatic latent image by irradiating the radiation detector with erasing light (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-105297). reference).

  In step 130, image data representing a radiation image is acquired from the image memory 68 (or image memory 48) of the radiation detector 40 (or radiation detector 38) via the transmission / reception unit 70 (or transmission / reception unit 50). After performing predetermined image processing, the radiographic image is previewed on the console 22.

  Conventionally, especially when photographing in a supine position, the SID is a short distance of about 100 cm, so that the subject becomes a radiation source while inviting the subject to the radiation imaging table and preparing for imaging. There was a risk of contact.

  On the other hand, the safety of the subject can be ensured by moving the radiation tube to the imaging position after moving the radiation tube to the preparation position as in the present embodiment. Furthermore, since the preparation position for preparation for photographing is a position suitable for preparation for photographing of the operator who instructs photographing, the workability of the operator can be improved, and the inspection throughput can be improved.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, Of course, it can change freely in the range which does not deviate from the main point of this invention.

  For example, data transmission / reception between the console and the radiation detector may be performed wirelessly.

  In addition, the above-described imaging conditions, operator information, and subject information may be set directly on the console.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the hospital information system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the radiographic image detection system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is an example of the display screen displayed on a touch panel. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical connection of the radiographic image detection system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the radiation detector which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart of a movement control process and a radiation irradiation control process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 In-hospital information system 20 Radiographic imaging system 22 Console 24 Radiation controller 26 Radiation tube suspension 28 Radiography stand 30 Radiography table 32 Radiation tube 34 Telescopic arm 36 Monitors 38 and 40 with touch panels Radiation detectors 38B and 40B Radiation Conversion panel

Claims (2)

A movable radiation source for irradiating radiation;
A radiation detector that is radiated from the radiation source and detects radiation that has passed through the subject, and is movably provided independently of the radiation source ;
The preparation position is higher than the photographing position determined by the information according to the photographing content, which is suitable for the preparation for photographing by the operator who instructs photographing , and is not hindered by the subject. preparation position determined in accordance with the first movement control for moving the radiation source, after the first movement control, the radiation source to the photographing position, and the second moving for moving at least one of the radiation detector control, and, after the photographing, the position of the radiation source height rather than the shooting position, and a movement control means for each of the third movement control for moving the position have easy down from the subject radiographic table ,
Radiographic imaging system equipped with.   The content of imaging is at least one of a region to be imaged in the body of the subject, imaging conditions, the posture of the subject at the time of imaging, and an irradiation direction of the radiation to the subject. The radiographic imaging system according to claim 1, comprising:

Images