JP6929680B2 - X-ray CT system - Google Patents

Description

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

The X-ray CT (computed tomography) device and the angio CT device are installed as a set system in one laboratory. The X-ray CT apparatus has a gantry (CT gantry), a sleeper, and a console. The angio CT device has a C-arm, a gantry (CT gantry), a sleeper and a console. In this type of system, the gantry of the angio CT apparatus has a low operating rate, and an improvement in the operating rate is required.

On the other hand, as a method for improving the operating rate of the gantry by sharing the gantry among a plurality of inspection rooms, that is, a plurality of systems, a multi-room solution in which the gantry moves in each inspection room is known.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-190535

However, this method is usually not particularly problematic, but according to the study of the present inventor, the positional relationship of each system with the bed and the combination of each system are different due to the sharing of the gantry. For this reason, inconsistencies occur in the movement control of the gantry and the display of the user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) such as the operation panel and the console. As a result, erroneous operation of the operation unit, which is the UI, is likely to occur.

An object is to provide an X-ray CT system capable of preventing erroneous operation of the operation unit of the gantry.

The X-ray CT system according to the embodiment includes a pedestal, a first berth, a second berth, a transport unit, and a control means.

The gantry has an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector that detects X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube, and an operation unit that generates an instruction signal for instructing tilt movement in response to an operator's operation. ..

The first sleeper is arranged in the first room. The second sleeper is arranged in the second room.

When transporting the pedestal to the first room, the transport unit arranges the pedestal so that the front side of the pedestal and the first bed face each other. When transporting the pedestal to the second room, the transport unit arranges the pedestal so that the back side of the pedestal and the second bed face each other.

The control means controls the direction of tilt movement of the gantry according to the room in which the gantry is arranged while the instruction signal is generated by the operation unit.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the X-ray CT system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is an external view which shows the X-ray CT system 1 seen from the examination room R2 side shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the X-ray CT apparatus and the X-ray angio CT apparatus provided in the X-ray CT system in the same embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the operation panel PL in the same embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows that the approach direction, the separation direction, and the tilt direction are opposite to each other between the examination rooms R1 and R2 in the same embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the sensor output in the same embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the storage content of the memory in the same embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the implementation example of the switching function sc in the same embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation in the same embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the layout structure when the X-ray CT system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is applied to a 4-room solution. It is a schematic diagram which shows the network configuration of the X-ray CT system of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the sensor output in the same embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the storage content of the memory in the same embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the 1st modification in the same embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation of 1st modification in the same Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the 2nd modification in the same embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation of the 2nd modification in the same embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the 3rd modification in the same embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation of the 3rd modification in the same embodiment.

Hereinafter, the X-ray CT system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In this X-ray CT system, for example, a gantry is shared between a plurality of modality units each having a sleeper, and movement control and UI display are switched according to the combination of modality in which the gantry is present. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the X-ray CT system may be any as long as it can prevent erroneous operation of the operation unit of the gantry by controlling the control means (control circuit). For example, the control means may be configured to fix the UI display of the operation unit to control the movement direction of the gantry, or the control means may be configured to switch the UI display of the operation unit and control the movement direction along the UI display. good. Further, since the movement direction may be finally controlled, the timing of switching the movement direction may be during the transportation of the gantry, after the transportation of the gantry, or immediately after the start of generation of the instruction signal. In this X-ray CT system, the X-ray CT apparatus can be combined with any modality. Examples of modalities that can be combined include those that adopt a self-propelled gantry system such as angio CT and surgical sleeper, and systems that have a sleeper movement base mechanism such as X-ray CT and PET (Positron Emission Tomography) -CT. The number of sleepers sharing the pedestal is an arbitrary plurality of berths such as 2, 3, 4, .... First, an example in which the X-ray CT system is applied to the two-room solution will be described as the first embodiment. When applied to a multi-room solution with three or more rooms, for example, the number of sleepers, the destination room by the transport unit, the function of the control means, etc. are set according to the number of rooms for the configuration applied to the two-room solution. It may be expanded. Subsequently, an example in which the X-ray CT system is applied to the four-room solution will be described as a second embodiment. Each of the following embodiments will be described by exemplifying a case where one sleeper and one room have a one-to-one correspondence in a multi-room solution, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the plurality of sleepers and one room are not limited to this. It is also applicable when the laboratory corresponds to. The "inspection room" may simply be referred to as the "room".

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an X-ray CT system according to the first embodiment. In the X-ray CT system 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of gantry 2 for performing X-ray computed tomography (CT imaging) on a subject are provided in each of a plurality of examination rooms. It is shared among modalities. In other words, the X-ray CT system 1 shares the gantry 2 among the plurality of examination rooms R1 and R2, and also shares the gantry 2 among the plurality of sleepers 4 and 7. The examination room R1 and the sleeper 4 may be referred to as a first room and a first sleeper, respectively. The examination room R2 and the bed 7 may be referred to as a second room and a second bed, respectively. The gantry 2 is provided so as to be movable between a plurality of inspection rooms R1 and R2 by using a transfer device and a transfer rail L1_2. The subscripts "1_2" of different numbers on the rail L1_2 indicate different laboratories "R1, R2" corresponding to different numbers. This also applies to other rail subscripts and sensor subscripts. Consoles 3 and 6 are provided individually for sleepers 4 and 7. Further, the movement path of the gantry 2 and the opening / closing door 9 are provided between the plurality of inspection rooms to secure the movement path when the gantry 2 is moved, and to maintain the independence of each inspection room. The opening / closing door 9 may be controlled to open / close according to the transportation of the consoles 3 and 6 or the gantry 2 to the gantry 2, or may be an automatic door that automatically opens / closes according to the transportation of the gantry 2. In addition to this, sensors s1_2 are provided between the examination rooms so that the examination room in which the gantry 2 exists can be identified from the sensor information. Specifically, for example, sensors s1_2 are provided on the floor at a position where the movement path of the gantry 2 and the opening / closing door 9 intersect, so that the gantry 2 being transported can be detected. Since the sensor s1_2 detects that the gantry 2 is being transported toward the inspection room R1 or R2, it may be called a gantry detector. The sensor s1_2 may be any sensor that can detect the gantry 2, and for example, a photo sensor or the like can be used. Further, the sensor s1_2 does not necessarily have to be installed on the floor. The same applies to other sensors described later, as long as the sensor can detect the gantry 2. When the sensor s1_2 is installed on the floor, it may be installed, for example, when the X-ray CT device and the X-ray angio CT device are installed. Further, the sensors s1_2 may be arranged between the sleepers 4 and 7 arranged apart from each other, and may be able to detect the pedestal 2 being conveyed. That is, the sensor s1_2 does not necessarily have to be arranged at the boundary of the laboratory.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a two-room CT in which the gantry 2 is shared between two modality. For example, one of the examination rooms R1 is provided with an X-ray CT apparatus capable of photographing a still image of a tomographic surface. The X-ray CT apparatus includes a gantry 2, a CT console 3, and a sleeper 4 shared with the X-ray angio CT apparatus. The sleeper 4 includes a top plate T1. The X-ray CT apparatus and the X-ray angio CT apparatus can communicate with each other by, for example, CAN (Controller Area Network) communication. This also applies to each of the following embodiments. The configuration of the X-ray CT apparatus will be described later with reference to FIG.

The other examination room R2 is provided with an angiography (Angio) apparatus capable of photographing a plane moving image of a blood vessel and an X-ray angio CT apparatus in combination with the X-ray CT apparatus. The X-ray angio CT apparatus includes a gantry 2 shared with the X-ray CT apparatus, an X-ray imaging apparatus 5, an X-ray console 6, and a sleeper 7. The sleeper 7 includes a top plate T2. The configuration of the X-ray angio CT apparatus will be described later with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing an X-ray CT system 1 as seen from the examination room R2 side shown in FIG. Each configuration of the X-ray CT system 1 according to the present embodiment is arranged as shown in FIG. In the inspection room R2, the sensor s2_2 for detecting the initial position of the gantry 2 is arranged on the floor at a position where the transport rail L1_2 approaches the bed 7, for example. The subscript "2_2" of the same number in the sensor s2_2 indicates only the laboratory "R2" corresponding to the same number. This also applies to the subscripts of other sensors and the subscripts of rails. Further, in the inspection room R1, the sensor s1_1 for detecting the initial position of the gantry 2 is arranged on the floor at a position where the transport rail L1_2 approaches the bed 4. The X-ray imaging apparatus 5 is arranged so as to be able to enter and evacuate to the sleeper 7 via a rail L2_2 provided on the ceiling along a direction orthogonal to the movement path of the gantry 2. The gantry 2 has operation panels (not shown) on the left and right sides of the front surface facing the sleeper 4 side, and operation panels PL and PR on the left and right sides of the back surface facing the sleeper 7 side. The operation panels PL and PR have the same configuration as each other, and are provided at a plurality of locations so that they can be operated from any of the left and right sides of the front surface of the gantry 2 and the left and right sides of the back surface of the gantry 2. The arrangement of each configuration shown in FIG. 2 can be appropriately changed according to the type of modality to be used and the installation environment. For example, the transport rail L1_2 is an optional additional item and may be omitted. This is because the transport unit (not shown) may be configured to be able to transport the gantry 2 by the driving force of the motor, and does not necessarily have to travel on the transport rail L1_2. Further, the ceiling rail L2_2 may be omitted by providing a floor traveling type X-ray photographing apparatus instead of the ceiling traveling type X-ray photographing apparatus 5. Further, instead of the sensors s1_2 between the examination rooms R1 and R2, the sensors s1_1 and s2_2 arranged in the vicinity of the sleepers 4 and 7 may detect the examination room or the sleeper in which the gantry 2 is arranged.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an X-ray CT apparatus and an X-ray angio CT apparatus provided in the X-ray CT system 1 according to the embodiment. The X-ray CT device, the X-ray angio CT device, the opening / closing door 9, and the sensors s1_1, s1_2, and s2_2 can communicate with each other via a network. First, the X-ray CT apparatus will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the X-ray CT apparatus includes a gantry 2, a CT console 3, and a sleeper 4. The gantry 2 includes a slip ring 21, a tube voltage generator 22, an X-ray tube 23, an X-ray detector 24, a data acquisition circuit (DAS) 25, a non-contact data transmission circuit 26, and a transfer device. 27, it has an operation unit 28a and a gantry control circuit 28. The gantry 2 includes a rotary ring 29, a ring support mechanism that rotatably supports the rotary ring 29 with the body axis (Z axis) of the subject as the rotary axis, and a rotary drive device (motor) 30 that rotationally drives the rotary ring 29. Has. A top plate T1 on which the subject P can be placed is inserted into the opening of the rotating ring 29. The top plate T1 is movably supported by the bed 4 along the central axis of the rotating ring 29. Here, the top plate T1 is positioned so that the body axis of the subject P placed on the top plate T1 coincides with the central axis of the rotating ring 29. The rotating ring 29 is equipped with a tube voltage generator 22, an X-ray tube 23, an X-ray detector 24, a DAS 25, a non-contact data transmission circuit 26, a cooling device (not shown), and the like. The tube voltage generator 22 generates a tube voltage applied to the X-ray tube 23 and a filament current (Filament current) supplied to the X-ray tube 23 under the control of the CT console 3 via the gantry control circuit 28. do.

The X-ray tube 23 receives the application of the tube voltage and the supply of the filament current from the tube voltage generator 22 via the slip ring 21. The X-ray tube 23 radiates X-rays from the focal point of the X-rays to the subject P placed on the top plate T1. The X-ray tube 23 generates X-rays having an energy spectrum corresponding to the tube voltage applied by the tube voltage generator 22. The radiation range of X-rays is shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG.

The X-ray detector 24 is attached to the rotating ring 29 at a position and an angle facing the X-ray tube 23 across the rotating shaft. The X-ray detector 24 has a plurality of light receiving bands for detecting X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 23. Here, it is assumed that a single light receiving band constitutes a single channel. The plurality of channels are orthogonal to the axis of rotation and are centered on the focal point of the emitted X-rays, and the arc direction (channel direction) and the Z direction whose radius is the distance from this center to the center of the light receiving band for one channel. They are arranged in a two-dimensional manner with respect to the two directions (slice direction). A DAS 25 is connected to the output side of the X-ray detector 24. The X-ray detector 24 arranges a plurality of light receiving bands in a row. At this time, each of the plurality of light receiving bands is arranged one-dimensionally in the substantially arc direction along the channel direction. Further, the plurality of light receiving bands may be arranged two-dimensionally with respect to the two directions of the channel direction and the slice direction. That is, the two-dimensional array may be configured by arranging a plurality of channels arranged in a one-dimensional manner along the channel direction in a plurality of rows in the slice direction.

The DAS25 includes an IV converter that converts the current signal of each channel of the X-ray detector 24 into a voltage, an integrator that periodically integrates this voltage signal in synchronization with the X-ray exposure cycle, and this integrator. An amplifier that amplifies the output signal of the above and an analog digital converter that digitally converts the output signal of this amplifier are attached to each channel. The DAS 25 transmits the output data (pure raw data) to the CT console 3 via a non-contact data transmission circuit 26 using magnetic transmission / reception or optical transmission / reception.

The transport device 27 is a device that has a motor and can transport the pedestal 2 to each of the plurality of beds 4 and 7. The transport device 27 makes it possible to transport the gantry 2 between a plurality of inspection chambers R1 and R2 by using, for example, the transport rail L1_2 provided in the inspection chamber. When transporting the gantry 2 to the inspection room R1, the transport device 27 arranges the gantry 2 so that the front side of the gantry 2 and the sleeper 4 face each other. When transporting the gantry 2 to the inspection room R2, the transport device 27 arranges the gantry 2 so that the back side of the gantry 2 and the sleeper 7 face each other. In such a transport device 27, the orientation of the gantry 2 may be substantially constant for transport. That is, the orientation of the gantry 2 arranged in the inspection room R1 and the orientation of the gantry 2 arranged in the inspection chamber R2 may be substantially the same, and the orientation of the gantry 2 during transportation does not have to be substantially constant.

The operation unit 28a generates various movement instructions in response to the operation of the operation panels PL and PR by the operator, and inputs the generated movement instructions to the gantry control circuit 28. Various movement instructions include, for example, a tilt movement instruction (instruction signal for instructing tilt movement) and a movement instruction for moving in a certain direction (instruction signal for instructing relative movement between the gantry 2 and the sleeper 4 (or 7)). )and so on. Such an operation unit 28a includes a positive / negative display of the tilt movement direction and a positive / negative display of the movement amount of the tilt movement. In such an operation unit 28a, at least one of the positive and negative displays related to the tilt movement is switched and controlled by the gantry control circuit 28. Similarly, the operation unit 28a includes a positive / negative display of the direction of relative movement between the gantry 2 and the sleeper 4 (or 7), and a positive / negative display of the movement amount of the relative movement. In such an operation unit 28a, at least one display among the positive and negative displays relating to the relative movement is switched and controlled by the gantry control circuit 28. The positive / negative display of the direction may be referred to as, for example, the forward / reverse display of the direction. Since the operation panels PL and PR of the operation unit 28a have the same configuration as each other, the operation panel PL on the left side will be described here as an example.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view for explaining the operation panel PL in the examination rooms R1 and R2, and FIG. 5 shows the approach / separation directions between the pedestal and the bed and the gantry between the examination rooms R1 and R2. It is a schematic diagram which shows that the tilt direction of is opposite to each other. For example, the approaching direction of the sleeper 4 in the examination room R1 (right direction of the paper surface) corresponds to the separation direction of the sleeper 7 in the examination room R2 (right direction of the paper surface). Further, the separation direction of the sleeper 4 in the examination room R1 (left direction of the paper surface) corresponds to the approach direction of the sleeper 7 in the examination room R2 (left direction of the paper surface).

Similarly, the approaching direction of the gantry 2 in the inspection room R1 (leftward direction of the paper surface) corresponds to the separation direction of the gantry 2 in the inspection room R2 (leftward direction of the paper surface). Further, the separation direction of the gantry 2 in the inspection room R1 (right direction of the paper surface) corresponds to the approach direction of the gantry 2 in the inspection room R2 (right direction of the paper surface).

Similarly, the ascending / tilting direction of the gantry 2 in the inspection room R1 (clockwise direction on the paper) corresponds to the descending tilting direction (clockwise on the paper) of the gantry 2 in the inspection room R2. Further, the downward tilt direction of the gantry 2 in the inspection room R1 (counterclockwise direction on the paper surface) corresponds to the upward tilt direction (counterclockwise direction on the paper surface) of the gantry 2 in the inspection room R2.

Here, the operation panel PL is displayed and controlled by the gantry control circuit 28 so that the UI display does not become inconsistent due to the difference in direction between the inspection rooms R1 and R2 described above. Specifically, each button of the operation panel PL has a pictogram of a top plate and a pedestal, and is implemented as hardware capable of corresponding to various patterns. In the vicinity of each button, one or two sets of arrow-shaped lamps opposite to each other are arranged. By displaying (lighting) either of these 1 or 2 sets of lamps, the movement target is represented by the pictogram of the top plate or pedestal located near the displayed arrow, and the direction of the displayed arrow indicates. It represents the direction of movement.

In such an operation panel PL, at least one of the interpretation of the button and the direction of the arrow to be displayed is switched and controlled from the viewpoint of preventing inconsistency. For example, when the movement direction is inconsistent for the same movement target, if the interpretation of the button is switched from the viewpoint of preventing the inconsistency between the button operation and the movement direction, even if the button that causes the inconsistency is pressed, Inconsistencies do not occur due to changes in button interpretation. Alternatively, if the direction of the displayed arrow is switched, the button that does not cause inconsistency is pressed according to the guidance of the arrow, so that inconsistency does not occur. If the movement directions are inconsistent for different movement targets, in addition to switching the display position of the arrow to the vicinity of the pictogram of the movement target, the interpretation of the button or the direction of the arrow depends on the movement direction as described above. Just switch.

The operation panel PL includes first and second tilt movement buttons bt1 and bt2 in which arrows indicating the tilt direction are displayed in the vicinity, and a positive / negative display unit (± 0 ° in the figure) of the tilt movement amount. .. Here, the display of the arrow means that, for example, one of the two arrow-shaped lamps arranged in opposite directions arranged for each button is turned on. In the positive / negative display unit of the tilt movement amount, for example, the movement amount for tilting the opening of the gantry 2 upward with respect to the sleeper is displayed positively, and the movement amount for tilting downward is displayed negatively. The operation panel PL includes first and second movement buttons bc1 and bc2, a top plate separation lamp TF having an arrow-shaped left-pointing paper, a top plate approaching lamp TN having an arrow-shaped right-pointing paper, and a gantry approaching lamp GN having an arrow-shaped right-pointing paper. It is equipped with a pedestal separation lamp GF in the shape of an arrow pointing to the left on the paper, and a positive / negative display unit (± 0 mm in the figure) of the amount of movement in the moving direction. In the positive / negative display unit of the movement amount in the movement direction, for example, the movement amount in the direction in which the bed and the pedestal approach each other is displayed positively, and the movement amount in the direction away from each other is displayed negatively. Further, the operation panel PL includes a top plate raising button bc3 and a top plate lowering button bc4.

In the examination rooms R1 and R2, the first and second tilt movement buttons bt1 and bt2 are common, but the arrow in the reference direction displayed near each button bt1 and bt2 is erased (turned off), and the arrow in the opposite direction is erased. It is displayed (lit).

That is, in the inspection room R1, the first tilt movement button bt1 inputs a tilt movement instruction for tilting the opening of the gantry 2 upward with respect to the pedestal to the gantry control circuit 28 by a push operation of the operator. The second tilt movement button bt2 inputs a tilt movement instruction for tilting the opening of the gantry 2 downward with respect to the pedestal to the gantry control circuit 28 by a push operation of the operator.

In the examination room R2, the first tilt movement button bt1 inputs a tilt movement instruction for tilting the opening of the gantry 2 downward with respect to the pedestal to the gantry control circuit 28 by a push operation of the operator. The second tilt movement button bt2 inputs a tilt movement instruction for tilting the opening of the gantry 2 upward with respect to the pedestal to the gantry control circuit 28 by a push operation of the operator.

In the inspection room R1, since the top plate slide control in the X-ray CT is executed, the top plate separation lamp TF is displayed (lit) in the vicinity of the first movement button bc1 under the control of the gantry control circuit 28, and the second movement is performed. The top plate approach lamp TN is displayed (lit) near the button bc2. At this time, the first movement button bc1 inputs to the gantry control circuit 28 a movement instruction for moving the top plate away from the gantry 2 by a push operation of the operator. The second movement button bc2 inputs to the gantry control circuit 28 a movement instruction for moving the top plate in the direction of approaching the gantry 2 by a push operation of the operator.

In the inspection room R2, since the gantry self-propelled control in the X-ray angio CT is executed, the gantry approach lamp GN is displayed (lit) in the vicinity of the first movement button bc1 under the control of the gantry control circuit 28, and the second movement is performed. The gantry separation lamp GF is displayed (lit) in the vicinity of the button bc2. At this time, the first movement button bc1 inputs to the gantry control circuit 28 a movement instruction for moving the gantry 2 in the direction of approaching the berth by the push operation of the operator. The second movement button bc2 inputs to the gantry control circuit 28 a movement instruction for moving the gantry 2 in a direction in which the gantry 2 is separated from the sleeper by a push operation of the operator.

In the examination rooms R1 and R2, the top plate ascending button bc3 and the top plate descending button bc4 are common.

The gantry control circuit 28 operates the tube voltage generator 22, the transfer device 27, and the operation according to the control signal output from the CT console 3, the output signals of the sensors s1_2, s1_1, and s2_2, and the movement instruction input from the operation unit 28a. It controls the unit 28a, the rotation drive device 30, and the like. The gantry control circuit 28 has a processing device (processor) such as a CPU and MPU and a storage device (memory) such as a ROM and RAM as hardware resources. Further, the gantry control circuit 28 may be realized by an ASIC, FPGA, CPLD, SPLD or the like. The processing device realizes the above function by reading and realizing a program stored in the storage device. Instead of storing the program in the storage device, the program may be directly incorporated in the circuit of the processing device. In this case, the processing device realizes the above function by reading and executing a program incorporated in the circuit.

Here, the sensor s1_2 is arranged between the beds 4 and 7, and detects the pedestal 2 being transported. In this example, the sensors s1_2 are arranged at the boundary between the inspection chambers R1 and R2, and as shown in FIG. 6, when the gantry 2 being conveyed from the inspection chamber R1 to the inspection chamber R2 is detected, the output signal “0” is generated. Instead, the output signal "1" is transmitted to the gantry control circuit 28. The gantry control circuit 28 holds the value “1” of this output signal in the memory as sensor information. This held sensor information is used for reading out control information described later.

The memory may store a table corresponding to the expected system combination with respect to the sensor information in advance. For example, the transfer destination of the gantry 2, the orientation of the gantry 2 after the transfer, the movement direction of the gantry 2 or the top plate. And the tilt direction of the gantry 2 may be associated and stored. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the memory may store the sensor information indicating the value of the output signal of the sensor s1_2, the orientation of the gantry 2 with respect to the sleeper, the sleeper, the examination room, and the control information in association with each other. At this time, based on the sensor information held above, the orientation, sleeper, examination room, and control information of the gantry 2 associated with the sensor information in advance can be read out. In the case of the inspection room R1 corresponding to the sensor information "0", the control information indicates the top plate slide control in the reference direction and the tilt movement control in the reference direction. Further, the control information indicates, in the case of the inspection room R2 corresponding to the sensor information "1", the gantry self-propelled control in the reverse direction and the tilt movement control in the reverse direction. In this example, the reference direction and the reference direction are associated with the examination chambers R1 and R2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the opposite direction and the reference direction may be associated with the examination chambers R1 and R2. Further, although the top plate slide control is associated with the CT sleeper, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pedestal self-propelled control may be associated with the CT sleeper. Similarly, the pedestal self-propelled control is associated with the angio sleeper, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the top plate slide control may be associated with the angio sleeper. Further, the memory does not necessarily have to store all the information shown in FIG. 7 in association with each other. For example, when it is desired to control the direction of tilt movement, the memory may store the room in which the gantry 2 is arranged and the direction of tilt movement in association with each other. Alternatively, when it is desired to control the relative movement, the memory may store the room in which the gantry 2 is arranged and the direction of the relative movement in association with each other. That is, the memory may be stored in association with the transport destination of the gantry 2 and the control information. As the transport destination, either an examination room or a bed may be used. Further, the memory may store the sensor information and the control information in association with each other.

When the gantry control program is installed from the outside, the memory stores the gantry control program. The gantry control program is, for example, a program for realizing the following control functions (f1) and (f2) in the gantry control circuit 28 as a computer included in the gantry 2. The control functions (f1) and (f2) may be realized like the switching function (sc).

(f1) A first control function for controlling the direction of tilt movement of the gantry 2 according to the room in which the gantry 2 is arranged while the tilt movement instruction (instruction signal for instructing the tilt movement) is generated by the operation unit 28a. The first control function f1 may control the direction of tilt movement based on, for example, the stored contents of the memory. Further, the first control function f1 uses, for example, the detection result of the sensor s1_2 as a trigger to switch the direction of tilt movement corresponding to the room to which the gantry 2 is transported, and is based on the switched direction during the generation of the instruction signal. , The direction of tilt movement of the gantry may be controlled.

(f2) While the operation unit 28a is generating a movement instruction (instruction signal for instructing relative movement) in a certain direction, the pedestal 2 and the bed 4 (or 7) are relative to each other according to the room in which the gantry 2 is arranged. A second control function that controls the direction of target movement. Regarding the relative movement of the pedestal 2 and the sleeper 4 (or 7), the sleeper 4 may be read as the top plate T1, and the sleeper 7 may be read as the top plate T2. Further, the second control function f2 may control the relative movement direction based on, for example, the stored contents of the memory. Further, the second control function f2 uses the detection result of the sensor s1_2 as a trigger to switch the relative movement direction corresponding to the room to which the gantry 2 is transported, and is based on the switched direction during the generation of the instruction signal. , The direction of relative movement may be controlled.

(sc) During the transportation of the gantry 2, depending on the transport destination of the gantry 2 and the orientation of the gantry 2 after the transportation, the movement direction of the gantry 2 or the top plate T1 after the transportation and the display of the movement direction are shown. A switching function that switches and controls at least one. When the switching function sc is in the gantry control circuit 28, for example, even if the same control signal (eg, an instruction to move in the front direction in FIG. 5) is received from the console, the transport destination of the gantry 2 and the gantry 2 after transport are received. It may be realized as a function of switching the moving direction to the front direction or the back direction depending on the direction of. That is, the switching function sc is realized as an interpretation function that interprets the received control signal, and in the case of a control signal that causes inconsistency, converts it into a control signal that does not cause inconsistency and outputs it to the transfer device 27. May be good. Further, the switching function sc may be realized as a display switching function for switching the display in the moving direction so that a control signal that does not cause inconsistency is input in advance. Further, the switching function sc may be realized as a function of switching the display position in the moving direction according to the moving target, in addition to the interpretation function or the display switching function. The switching function sc may execute switching control based on the storage contents (transport destination, orientation of the gantry, and moving direction) of the memory described above. The switching function sc may switch and control the tilt direction of the gantry 2 after transportation according to the orientation of the gantry 2 after transportation. The switching function sc may execute the switching control of the tilt direction of the gantry 2 based on the storage contents (transport destination, the orientation of the gantry, the moving direction, and the tilt direction) of the memory described above. The switching function sc may execute switching control using the detection result of the sensor s1_2 (for example, the change from the output signal “0” to “1”) as a trigger.

Further, when the switching function sc switches and controls the display contents of the operation panels PL and PR described above, any of the positive / negative display of the movement amount in the movement direction, the display of the tilt direction, and the positive / negative display of the movement amount in the tilt direction. The display may be switched and controlled. Further, as described above, the switching function sc may switch the display in the moving direction. As described above, the switching function sc displays at least one of the positive / negative display of the tilt movement direction and the positive / negative display of the tilt movement amount provided in the operation unit 28a in the room where the gantry 2 is arranged. Switching control may be performed accordingly. Similarly, in the switching function sc, the gantry 2 is arranged to display at least one of the positive / negative display of the relative movement direction provided in the operation unit 28a and the positive / negative display of the movement amount of the relative movement. Switching control may be performed according to the room.

As shown in FIG. 8, the switching function sc is not limited to the above-mentioned gantry 2, but is in the system control circuit 37 of the CT console 3, the system control circuit 66 of the X-ray console 6, or the gantry 2 and the console 3. It can be arranged at any place on the path of the control signal transmitted from the consoles 3 and 6 to the gantry 2, such as in the device arranged between the consoles 3 and 6. Further, when the switching function sc is mounted in the device arranged between the gantry 2 and the console, it may be mounted in one device that controls a plurality of room solutions instead of a plurality of devices. In addition to this, the switching function sc may be implemented as a program for realizing the function in a computer, or may be implemented in a gantry or a console as a control circuit of hardware for executing the function. The above description of the arrangement and implementation of the switching function sc is the same for each of the control functions f1 and f2 and each of the following embodiments.

The CT console 3 includes a preprocessing circuit 31, a reconstruction circuit 32, an input interface (I / F) circuit 33, a communication interface (I / F) circuit 34, a display 35, a storage circuit 36, and a system control circuit 37.

The preprocessing circuit 31 performs preprocessing on the pure raw data output from the non-contact data transmission circuit 26. Preprocessing includes, for example, logarithmic conversion processing for pure raw data, sensitivity non-uniformity correction processing between channels, X-ray strong absorber, processing for correcting extreme signal strength reduction or signal omission mainly due to metal parts, and the like. Is done. The preprocessing circuit 31 represents a view angle when data is collected from the data immediately before the reconstruction process (raw data or projection data, here referred to as projection data) that has undergone preprocessing. It is associated with the data and transmitted to the reconstruction circuit 32 and the storage circuit 36. The data immediately before the reconstruction process that has undergone the preprocessing is referred to as raw data or projection data. In the present embodiment, the data immediately before the reconstruction process is referred to as projection data.

Here, the projection data is a set of data values according to the intensity of X-rays transmitted through the subject P. Here, for convenience of explanation, a set of projection data over all channels having the same view angle collected at substantially the same time in one shot is referred to as a projection data set. The view angle represents each position of the circular orbit around the rotation axis of the X-ray tube 23 in the range of 360 ° with the top of the circular orbit vertically upward from the rotation axis as 0 °. Is. The projection data for each channel of the projection data set is identified by the view angle, the cone angle, and the channel number.

The reconstruction circuit 32 is subjected to, for example, a Feldkamp method or a cone beam reconstruction method based on a projection data set with a view angle in the range of 360 ° or 180 ° + fan angle transmitted from the preprocessing circuit 31. It reconstructs the volume data of a substantially cylindrical shape. The reconstruction circuit 32 is realized by, for example, a memory and a predetermined processor. Further, the reconstruction circuit 32 is subjected to, for example, a fan beam reconstruction method (also referred to as a fan beam convolution back projection method), a filter-corrected back projection method (FBP: Filtered Back Projection), a successive approximation reconstruction method, or the like. A two-dimensional CT image (tomographic image, hereinafter simply referred to as a CT image) is reconstructed from the projection data set. The Feldkamp method is a reconstruction method when the projected ray intersects the reconstruction surface like a cone beam, and is treated as a fan projection beam when convolving on the premise that the cone angle is small. Back projection is an approximate image reconstruction method that processes along the rays during scanning. The cone beam reconstruction method is a reconstruction method that corrects the projection data according to the angle of the ray with respect to the reconstruction surface as a method of suppressing the error of the cone angle as compared with the Feldkamp method. The reconstruction circuit 32 transmits the reconstructed volume data to the storage circuit 36. The reconstruction circuit 32 transmits the reconstructed CT image to the storage circuit 36.

The input interface circuit 33 is realized by a trackball, a switch button, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch pad that performs an input operation by touching an operation surface, a touch panel display in which a display screen and a touch pad are integrated, and the like. The input interface circuit 33 is connected to the system control circuit 37. The input interface circuit 33 converts the input operation received from the operator into an electric signal and outputs it to the system control circuit 37. In the present embodiment, the input interface circuit 33 is not limited to the one including physical operation parts such as a trackball, a switch button, a mouse, and a keyboard. For example, an example of the input interface circuit 33 is an electric signal processing circuit that receives an electric signal corresponding to an input operation from an external input device provided separately from the device and outputs the electric signal to the system control circuit 37. include.

The communication interface circuit 34 is a circuit for communicating with an external device by wire, wirelessly, or both. The external device is, for example, a server included in a system such as a modality, a radiological information management system (RIS), a hospital information system (HIS), and a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System), or the like. Workstations, etc.

The display 35 displays various data, the CT image, the three-dimensional image, and the like on the display device according to the control by the system control circuit 37. Display devices include, for example, CRT displays (Cathode Ray Tube Display), liquid crystal displays (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display), organic EL displays (OELD: Organic Electro Luminescence Display), plasma displays, and others known in the art. Any display is available as appropriate.

The storage circuit 36 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like that can store a relatively large amount of data. The storage circuit 36 stores the CT image reconstructed by the reconstructing circuit 32. The storage circuit 36 stores the projection data transmitted from the preprocessing circuit 31 and the volume data reconstructed by the reconstruction circuit 32. The storage circuit stores a control program that controls the timing of applying the tube voltage to the X-ray tube 23.

In addition to the magnetic disk such as an HDD, the storage circuit 36 may use an optical disk such as a magneto-optical disk, a CD (Compact Disc), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). Further, the storage area of the storage circuit 36 may be in the X-ray CT system 1 or in an external storage device connected by a network.

The system control circuit 37 has the above-mentioned processing device and storage device as hardware resources. The system control circuit 37 functions as the center of the X-ray CT apparatus. Specifically, the system control circuit 37 reads out the control program stored in the main storage circuit 59, expands it on the memory, and controls each part of the X-ray CT apparatus according to the expanded control program.

Next, the X-ray angio CT apparatus will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the X-ray angio CT apparatus includes a gantry 2 shared with the X-ray CT apparatus, an X-ray imaging apparatus 5, an X-ray console 6, and a sleeper 7.

The X-ray imaging device 5 includes a tube voltage generator 51, an X-ray tube 52, an X-ray detector 53, a support mechanism 54, a drive device 55, and an imaging control circuit 56.

The tube voltage generator 51 generates a tube current supplied to the X-ray tube 52 and a tube voltage applied to the X-ray tube 52. The tube voltage generator 51 supplies the tube current to the X-ray tube 52 and applies the tube voltage to the X-ray tube 52 according to the X-ray imaging conditions under the control of the X-ray console 6 via the imaging control circuit 56. do.

The X-ray tube 52 generates X-rays at the X-ray focus based on the tube current supplied from the tube voltage generator 51 and the tube voltage applied by the tube voltage generator 51. The X-rays generated from the X-ray focus are applied to the subject P through the X-ray emission window provided on the front surface of the X-ray tube 52.

The X-ray detector 53 detects X-rays generated from the X-ray tube 52 and transmitted through the subject P. The electric signals generated by the plurality of semiconductor detection elements due to the incident of X-rays are output to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (not shown). The ADC converts electrical signals into digital data. The ADC outputs digital data to the image generation circuit 61. An image-intensifier may be used as the X-ray detector 53.

The support mechanism 54 movably supports the X-ray tube 52 and the X-ray detector 53. Specifically, the support mechanism 54 has, for example, a C-arm and a C-arm support portion (not shown). The C-arm mounts the X-ray tube 52 and the X-ray detector 53 so as to face each other. The C-arm support portion slidably supports the C-arm in a direction along the C-shape of the C-arm (hereinafter referred to as the C-direction). Further, the C-arm support portion is movably installed along the rail L2_2 provided on the ceiling. The rail L2_2 is provided on the ceiling, for example, along a direction orthogonal to the long axis direction of the top plate T2. The C-arm support portion rotatably supports the C-arm in a direction orthogonal to the C direction (hereinafter, referred to as a C-orthogonal direction) with a connecting portion connecting the C-arm and the C-arm support as a substantially center. The C-arm support portion can also support the C-arm so as to be movable in parallel with the short-axis direction and the long-axis direction of the top plate T2. Further, the C arm supports the X-ray tube 52 and the X-ray detector 53 so that the distance between the X-ray focus and the X-ray detector 53 (distance between source image distances (SID)) can be changed. do.

The support mechanism 54 is not limited to the structure of the C arm. The support mechanism 54 may be movably supported in any direction by, for example, two arms (for example, a robot arm or the like) that support the X-ray tube 52 and the X-ray detector 53, respectively. Further, the support mechanism 54 may be an Ω arm suspended from the ceiling instead of the C arm. Further, the support mechanism 54 may have a biplane structure. Further, the support mechanism 54 is not limited to the over tube system, the under tube system, and the like, and can be applied to any form.

The drive device 55 drives the sleeper 7 and the support mechanism 54 under the control of the X-ray console 6. Specifically, the drive device 55 supplies a drive signal corresponding to the control signal from the system control circuit 66 to the C arm support portion, slides the C arm in the C direction, and rotates the C arm in the C orthogonal direction. At the time of X-ray imaging, the subject P placed on the top plate T2 is arranged between the X-ray tube 52 and the X-ray detector 53.

The drive device 55 moves the top plate T2 by driving the sleeper 7 under the control of the system control circuit 66. Specifically, the drive device 55 slides the top plate T2 in the short axis direction or the long axis direction of the top plate T2 based on the control signal of the system control circuit 66. Further, the drive device 55 raises and lowers the top plate in the vertical direction. In addition, the drive device 55 may rotate the top plate T2 in order to tilt the top plate T2 with at least one of the major axis direction and the minor axis direction as the rotation axis.

The imaging control circuit 56 drives the tube voltage generator 51, the X-ray detector 53, according to the control from the system control circuit 66 based on the operator's instruction, the X-ray imaging direction, the X-ray irradiation range, the X-ray irradiation conditions, and the like. It controls the device 55 and the like.

The X-ray console 6 includes an image generation circuit 61, an input interface circuit 62, a communication interface circuit 63, a display 64, a storage circuit 65, and a system control circuit 66.

The image generation circuit 61 preprocesses the digital data output from the X-ray detector 53. The preprocessing includes, for example, correction of non-uniform sensitivity between channels in the X-ray detector 53, correction of an extreme decrease in signal strength due to a strong X-ray absorber such as metal, or correction of data loss. The image generation circuit 61 generates an X-ray image based on the preprocessed digital data. The image generation circuit 61 outputs the generated X-ray image to the display 64 and the storage circuit 65.

The input interface circuit 62 is realized by a trackball, a switch button, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch pad that performs an input operation by touching an operation surface, a touch panel display in which a display screen and a touch pad are integrated, and the like. The input interface circuit 62 is connected to the system control circuit 66. The input interface circuit 62 converts the input operation received from the operator into an electric signal and outputs it to the system control circuit 66. In the present embodiment, the input interface circuit 62 is not limited to the one including physical operation parts such as a trackball, a switch button, a mouse, and a keyboard. For example, an example of the input interface circuit 62 is an electric signal processing circuit that receives an electric signal corresponding to an input operation from an external input device provided separately from the device and outputs the electric signal to the system control circuit 66. include.

The communication interface circuit 63 is a circuit for communicating with an external device by wire, wirelessly, or both. External devices are, for example, servers included in systems such as modalities, radiological department information management systems (RIS), hospital information systems (HIS) and PACS, or other workstations.

The display 64 displays various data, the X-ray image, and the like on the display device according to the control by the system control circuit 66. As the display device, for example, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL display (OELD), a plasma display, or any other display known in the art can be appropriately used.

The storage circuit 65 includes an X-ray image generated by the image generation circuit 61, a control program of the X-ray imaging device 5, a diagnostic protocol, an operator's instruction input from the input interface circuit 62, imaging conditions related to X-ray imaging, and fluoroscopy. Stores various data groups such as conditions, X-ray dose, etc.

The system control circuit 66 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory (not shown). The system control circuit 66 illustrates information such as an operator's instruction sent from the input interface circuit 62, an X-ray imaging position, an X-ray imaging direction by an X-ray tube 52, an X-ray irradiation range, and X-ray irradiation conditions. Temporarily store in memory that does not. The system control circuit 66 is a tube via an imaging control circuit 56 in order to execute X-ray imaging according to an operator's instruction, an X-ray imaging direction, an X-ray irradiation range, an X-ray irradiation condition, etc. stored in a memory. It controls the voltage generator 51, the X-ray detector 53, the drive device 55, and the like. Further, the system control circuit 66 controls the display 64 and the like.

Next, the operation of the X-ray CT system configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The following description mainly describes the movement of the gantry 2 before the CT examination. This also applies to each of the following embodiments.

First, it is assumed that the gantry 2 is arranged in the reference inspection room R1 among the inspection rooms R1 and R2 of the two-room solution. At this time, it is assumed that the gantry 2 is moved from the bed 4 of the examination room R1 to the bed 7 of the examination room R2.

In the CT console 3 of the inspection room R1, the system control circuit 66 sends a gantry movement request to the gantry 2 in response to the operation of the operator (step ST1).

In the gantry 2, the gantry control circuit 28 controls the transport device 27 based on the gantry movement request. The transport device 27 starts transporting the gantry 2 under the control of the gantry control circuit 28. As a result, the gantry 2 moves (step ST2). During the transfer of the gantry by the transfer device 27, the gantry control circuit 28 prohibits the operator from operating the consoles 3 and 6 and the operation panels PL and PR (step ST3). However, the operation prohibited in step ST3 is an operation related to CT inspection using the gantry 2, not an operation related to transporting or stopping the gantry 2. For example, an operation for urgently stopping the transportation of the gantry 2 is not prohibited. Further, it is preferable to output a warning screen display or a warning sound during movement on the consoles 3 and 6 or the user navigation system (not shown) during the transportation of the gantry 2 to notify the operator. If the safety inside the inspection rooms R1 and R2 is ensured (for example, if there is no unnecessary exposure and there is a possibility of a contact accident with the gantry), the operation control from the consoles 3 and 6 is canceled by the operator. You may. During this time, tube warm-up, calibration, gantry rotation, and the like may be performed to improve the inspection throughput. Further, in order to improve the inspection throughput, each of the sleepers 4 and 7 has a function that does not require switching control of the movement direction according to the movement of the gantry 2, such as a function for setting the subject (limited to the vertical movement of the sleeper). , May be allowed to be used alone.

Subsequently, the gantry control circuit 28 determines whether or not the sensor information based on the output signal of the sensor s1_2 between the inspection rooms R1 and R2 has been updated (step ST4), and if not, within the time limit for movement. Whether or not it is determined (step ST5). If it is within the time limit, the processing of steps ST2 to ST4 is continued. If it is outside the time limit, an error is detected (step ST6), for example, the sensor information is updated by the setting from the CT console 3 (step ST7), and the process from step ST1 is re-executed. Note that step ST4 may be a process of detecting the update of the sensor information by using the detection result of the sensor s1_2 as a trigger.

On the other hand, when the sensor information is updated as a result of the determination in step ST4, the gantry control circuit 28 executes the movement control after transportation and the UI display switching control based on the updated sensor information and the stored contents of the memory. (Step ST8). In this case, the movement control and UI display in the examination room R1 are switched to the movement control and UI display in the examination room R2. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the top plate slide control in the reference direction is switched to the gantry self-propelled control in the reverse direction, and the tilt movement control in the reference direction is switched to the tilt movement control in the reverse direction. Along with this, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the UI display in the examination room R1 is switched to the UI display in the examination room R2. In FIG. 4, the positive / negative display unit of the tilt movement amount is ± 0 °, but in the inspection room R2, the tilt movement amount is displayed as negative (-) by pressing the first tilt movement button bt1, and the second tilt movement is performed. The tilt movement amount is switched to be displayed as positive (+) by pressing the button bt2. Similarly, the positive / negative display unit of the movement amount in the movement direction is ± 0 mm, but in the inspection room R2, the gantry movement amount is positively (+) displayed by pressing the first movement button bc1, and the second movement button bc2. The amount of movement of the gantry is switched so that it is displayed as negative (-) by pressing. Note that this step ST8 may be executed using the detection result of the sensor s1_2 as a trigger. Further, step ST8 may be executed after the gantry 2 is transported, instead of during the transportation of the gantry 2. In any case, after the gantry 2 is transported, the UI display may be switched according to the room in which the gantry 2 is arranged.

Subsequently, the gantry control circuit 28 controls the transport device 27 so as to move to the initial position of the transport destination. The transport device 27 moves the gantry 2 to the initial position under the control of the gantry control circuit 28 (step ST9).

On the other hand, in the X-ray console 6 of the inspection room R2, the system control circuit 66 determines whether or not the gantry 2 has arrived at the initial position based on the output signal from the sensor s2_2 for initial position detection (step ST10). ), If not, it is determined whether or not the movement is within the time limit (step ST11). If it is within the time limit, the processing of steps ST9 to ST11 is continued. If it is outside the time limit, the process returns to step ST6. The gantry control circuit 28 may execute the determination in step ST10.

Further, when the gantry 2 arrives at the initial position as a result of the determination in step ST10, the system control circuit 66 notifies the gantry 2 of the completion of the gantry movement on the X-ray console 6 (step ST12). As a result, in the gantry 2, the gantry control circuit 28 stops the transfer device 27.

After that, the gantry control circuit 28 confirms the ID of the current position (step ST13). Specifically, the gantry control circuit 28 determines whether or not the sensor information held in the memory as the inspection room ID matches the inspection room ID received from the X-ray console 6 of the inspection room R2 (step ST14). ). In the case of no, in order to detect an error (step ST15) and reacquire the current position, for example, the gantry 2 re-steps on the sensor s1_2 to update the sensor information (step ST16). After that, the process from step ST1 is re-executed. Alternatively, when an error is detected in step ST15, for example, depending on the condition that the vehicle has arrived at the correct initial position and safety is ensured, forced error reset (forced setting) by the operator's operation from the X-ray console 6 May proceed to step ST18.

On the other hand, if the two match as a result of the determination in step ST14, the gantry control circuit 28 permits the operator to operate from the operation panels PL, PR and the X-ray console 6 (step ST18). At this time, the gantry control circuit 28 may output a movement report message including permission for this operation from the display 64 of the X-ray console 6 by outputting the movement report message to the X-ray console 6.

In the examination room R2, the operator can operate the X-ray console 6 and the operation panels PL and PR to inspect the subject P by the X-ray angio CT apparatus using the gantry 2. For example, the gantry control circuit 28 controls the direction of the tilt movement of the gantry 2 according to the inspection room R2 in which the gantry 2 is arranged while the tilt movement instruction is generated by the operation unit 28a. Alternatively, the gantry control circuit 28 is relative to the gantry 2 and the berth 7 according to the inspection room R2 in which the gantry 2 is arranged while the operation unit 28a is instructing the pedestal 2 or the berth 7 to move in a certain direction. Control the direction of target movement.

Further, even when the gantry 2 is moved from the examination room R2 to the examination room R1 after the inspection in the examination room R2, the corresponding components between the examination rooms R1 and R2 are appropriately read, and steps ST1 to ST18 are used. It can be seen that the process of can be executed in the same way. Similarly, in the inspection room R1, the gantry control circuit 28 controls the direction of tilt movement and the relative movement direction according to the inspection room R1 in which the gantry 2 is arranged while the movement instruction is generated by the operation unit 28a. can do.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the direction of tilt movement of the gantry is controlled according to the room in which the gantry is arranged while the instruction signal is generated by the operation unit. Alternatively, while the instruction signal is generated by the operation unit, the relative movement direction between the pedestal and the first berth or the second berth is controlled according to the room in which the pedestal is arranged. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a malfunction of the operation unit of the gantry.

At this time, at least one of the positive / negative display of the tilt movement direction and the positive / negative display of the tilt movement amount provided in the operation unit may be switched and controlled according to the room in which the gantry is arranged. .. Alternatively, at least one of the positive / negative display of the relative movement direction and the positive / negative display of the relative movement amount provided in the operation unit may be switched and controlled according to the room in which the gantry is arranged. good. This makes it possible to prevent inconsistencies in the UI display of the gantry.

In addition, using the detection result of the gantry detector as a trigger, the direction of tilt movement corresponding to the room to which the gantry is transported is switched, and while the instruction signal is being generated, the direction of tilt movement of the gantry is controlled based on the switched direction. You may. Alternatively, using the detection result of the gantry detector as a trigger, the direction of the relative movement corresponding to the room to which the gantry is transported is switched, and the relative movement direction is controlled based on the switched direction during the generation of the instruction signal. You may. This makes it possible to prevent inconsistencies in the movement control of the gantry.

Supplementally, conventionally, the movement control of the gantry and the UI display of the operation panel in the multi-room solution are fixed. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a plurality of patterns of movement control and UI display are prepared, and each pattern is switched according to the transport destination of the gantry and the orientation of the gantry after the transport. It is possible to eliminate inconsistencies with the system combination and sleeper position.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the control can be automatically switched from the sensor information and the movement report can be clearly shown to the operator, so that the operator can safely handle the gantry without any discomfort.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the memory of the gantry control circuit 28 stores the room in which the gantry 2 is arranged and the direction of the tilt movement in association with each other, and stores the room in which the gantry is arranged and the relative movement direction. And memorize in association with. As a result, the gantry control circuit 28 controls the direction of tilt movement and the direction of relative movement based on the stored contents of the memory, so that the contents of the switching control can be easily set in the memory.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the switching function sc for executing the switching control is arranged on the gantry 2, the switching function sc of the X-ray CT system can be integrated in one place.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the switching function sc is arranged in each console, the console configuration related to the switching control can be standardized. Supplementally, according to the orientation of the gantry 2, a common switching function sc is mounted on each console instead of mounting a separate switching function sc specialized for each console on each console. Therefore, it is possible to standardize the console configuration related to switching control.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the gantry detector such as a sensor detects that the gantry 2 is being transported toward the transport destination, and the switching function sc executes the switching control using this detection result as a trigger. , The position of the gantry 2 that causes the trigger of the switching control can be easily set.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since a plurality of sensors are arranged between the respective berths and detect the pedestal 2 being transported, each berth is in a separate examination room or in the same examination room. Regardless of this, the position of the gantry 2 that causes the trigger for switching control can be easily set.

<Second embodiment>
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a layout configuration when the X-ray CT system according to the second embodiment is applied to a four-room solution, and FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a network configuration of the X-ray CT system of FIG. In the figure, substantially the same parts as those in the above-described drawings are designated by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and different parts will be mainly described here. Duplicate description will be omitted for each of the following embodiments in the same manner.

That is, the second embodiment is a modification of the configuration applied to the two-room solution of the first embodiment to the configuration applied to the four-room solution. Along with this, the two inspection rooms R1 and R2 are expanded into the first to fourth inspection rooms R1 to R4 of four rooms. Specifically, the examination rooms R1 and R2 of the first embodiment correspond to the first examination room (A) R1 and the fourth examination room (D) R4 of the second embodiment, respectively. The second laboratory (B) R2 and the third laboratory (C) R3 are newly added. The first to fourth inspection chambers R1 to R4 are, for example, four chambers divided via a substantially cross-shaped partition wall, and are counterclockwise when viewed from above with reference to the first inspection chamber R1. , The second examination room R2, the third examination room R3, and the fourth examination room R4 are sequentially arranged. However, the arrangement of the four rooms is not limited to this, and any arrangement such as a substantially L-shaped arrangement or a substantially T-shaped arrangement when viewed from above can be applied.

Here, as shown in FIG. 10, in the first examination room (A) R1, a CT console 3A, a bed 4A, and sensors s1_1 for initial position detection are arranged as X-ray CT devices sharing the gantry 2. The CT console 3A, the sleeper 4A, and the sensor s1_1 have the same configurations as the CT console 3, the sleeper 4, and the sensor s1_1 shown in FIG.

The second examination room (B) R2 is provided on the X-ray imaging device 5B, the X-ray console 6B, the sleeper 7B, the sensor s2_2 for initial position detection, and the ceiling as an X-ray angio CT device sharing the gantry 2. Rail L2_2 is arranged. The X-ray imaging apparatus 5B, the X-ray console 6B, the sleeper 7B, the sensor s2_2, and the rail L2_2 are the same as the X-ray imaging apparatus 5, the X-ray console 6, the sleeper 7, the sensor s2_2, and the rail L2_2 shown in FIGS. It is the composition of.

In the third examination room (C) R3, a CT console 3C, a bed 4C, and sensors s3_3 for initial position detection are arranged as X-ray CT devices sharing the gantry 2. The CT console 3C, the sleeper 4C, and the sensor s3_3 have the same configuration as the CT console 3, the sleeper 4, and the sensor s1_1 shown in FIG.

The fourth examination room (D) R4 is provided on the X-ray imaging device 5D, the X-ray console 6D, the sleeper 7D, the sensor s4_4 for initial position detection, and the ceiling as an X-ray angio CT device sharing the gantry 2. Rail L4_4 is arranged. The X-ray imaging apparatus 5D, the X-ray console 6D, the sleeper 7D, the sensor s4_4 and the rail L4_4 are the same as the X-ray imaging apparatus 5, the X-ray console 6, the sleeper 7, the sensor s2_2 and the rail L2_2 shown in FIGS. It is the composition of.

A transport rail L1_2 is laid between the initial position near the bed 4A in the first inspection room (A) R1 and the initial position near the bed 7B in the second inspection room (B) R2. An opening / closing door 9 and a sensor s1_2 (not shown) are arranged at the boundary between the first inspection room (A) R1 and the second inspection room (B) R2. The gantry 2 is laterally transported on the transport rail L1_2 from a state in which the front surface faces the sleeper 4A. Therefore, the front surface of the gantry 2 faces the sleeper 7B.

A transport rail L2_3 is laid between the initial position near the bed 7B in the second inspection room (B) R2 and the initial position near the bed 4C in the third inspection room (C) R3. An opening / closing door 9 and sensors s2_3 (not shown) are arranged at the boundary between the second inspection room (B) R2 and the third inspection room (C) R3. The gantry 2 is transported in the rear direction on L2_3 on the transport rail from a state in which the front surface faces the sleeper 7B. Therefore, the back surface of the gantry 2 faces the sleeper 4C.

A transport rail L3_4 is laid between the initial position near the bed 4C in the third inspection room (C) R3 and the initial position near the bed 7D in the fourth inspection room (D) R4. An opening / closing door 9 and sensors s3_4 (not shown) are arranged at the boundary between the third inspection room (C) R3 and the fourth inspection room (D) R4. The gantry 2 is laterally transported on the transport rail L3_4 from a state in which the back surface faces the sleeper 4C. Therefore, the back surface of the gantry 2 faces the sleeper 7D.

A transport rail L4_1 is laid between the initial position near the bed 7D in the fourth inspection room (D) R4 and the initial position near the bed 4A in the first inspection room (A) R1. An opening / closing door 9 and a sensor s4_1 (not shown) are arranged at the boundary between the fourth inspection room (D) R4 and the first inspection room (A) R1. The gantry 2 is transported in the front direction on the transport rail L4_1 from a state in which the back surface faces the sleeper 7D. Therefore, the front surface of the gantry 2 faces the sleeper 4A.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the gantry 2, CT consoles 3A, 3C, X-ray consoles 6B, 6D, and each sensor s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, s4_1 can communicate via a network, for example, by CAN communication or the like. ing.

The CT console 3A can communicate with the sleeper 4A and the sensor s1_1 for initial position detection. The X-ray console 6B can communicate with the sleeper 7B and the sensor s2_2 for initial position detection. The CT console 3C can communicate with the sleeper 4C and the sensor s3_3 for initial position detection. The X-ray console 6D can communicate with the sleeper 7D and the sensor s4_4 for initial position detection. Not limited to this, the sleepers 4A, 7B, 4C, 7D and the sensors s1_1, s2_2, s3_3, s4_4 for initial position detection may also be able to communicate with the gantry 2 or the like via a network, for example, by CAN communication or the like. ..

When the four sensors s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, and s4_1 arranged at the boundary of each of the inspection rooms R1 to R4 detect the gantry 2 being transported, as shown in FIG. 12, they replace the output signal "0", respectively. The output signal "1" is transmitted to the gantry control circuit 28. The output signal "0" and the output signal "1" may be reversed.

The gantry control circuit 28 holds in the memory the values of the output signals from the sensors s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, and s4_1 as sensor information. In this case, the sensor information is a 4-digit value (s4_1 value, s3_4 value, s2_3 value, s1_2 value) in which the values from each sensor s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, and s4_1 are arranged in each digit. For example, a sensor number is assigned to each sensor s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, s4_1, and the output signal value and the sensor number are output from each sensor s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, s4_1 to the gantry control circuit 28. The gantry control circuit 28 updates the sensor information based on the value of the output signal and the sensor number. As a result, the sensors s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, s4_1 and the sensor information can be easily managed. The arrangement of each digit in the sensor information is an example, and may be another arrangement. That is, it is not limited to the configuration in which the position of the gantry 2 is estimated based on the order in which the plurality of sensors s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, and s4_1 transition to the ON state, and it corresponds to the combination of the values from each sensor s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, and s4_1. It suffices if the position of the gantry 2 can be estimated. Further, when the value of the sensor information becomes "1111", the gantry control circuit 28 resets the sensor information in the memory and each sensor s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, s4_1.

In addition to this, as shown in FIG. 13, the memory of the gantry control circuit 28 contains sensor information indicating the values of the output signals of the sensors s1_2 to s4_1, the orientation of the gantry 2 with respect to the berth, the berth, the examination room, and control information. It may be associated and stored. At this time, based on the sensor information held above, the orientation, sleeper, examination room, and control information of the gantry 2 associated with the sensor information in advance can be read out. The control information indicates the top plate slide control in the reference direction and the tilt movement control in the reference direction in the case of the inspection room (A) R1 corresponding to the sensor information “0x0” (= 0000). Further, the control information indicates the gantry self-propelled control in the reference direction and the tilt movement control in the reference direction in the case of the inspection room (B) R2 corresponding to the sensor information “0x1” (= 0001). Further, the control information indicates the top plate slide control in the reverse direction and the tilt movement control in the reverse direction in the case of the inspection room (C) R3 corresponding to the sensor information “0x3” (= 0011). Further, in the case of the inspection room (D) R4 corresponding to the sensor information "0x7" (= 0111), the control information indicates the gantry self-propelled control in the reverse direction and the tilt movement control in the reverse direction.

According to the above configuration, the same operation as in steps ST1 to ST18 described above can be performed between the console of the inspection room where the gantry 2 is located before the transportation, the gantry 2 and the console of the inspection room of the transportation destination. Will be executed.

Here, among steps ST1 to ST18, the operations of steps ST4 and ST8 will be described in detail. In step ST4 of the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the sensor information consisting of the output signal values of the four sensors s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, and s4_1 has been updated.

Further, when the sensor information is updated as a result of the determination in step ST4, the gantry control circuit 28 performs post-transport movement control and UI display switching control based on the updated sensor information and the stored contents of the memory. Execute (step ST8).

In step ST8, the gantry control circuit 28 switches between movement control and UI display each time the gantry 2 being transported is detected by each sensor s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, s4_1. The gantry control circuit 28 determines and controls which laboratory system is combined with the gantry 2 when the gantry 2 is moved, and whether there is any change in the UI display at that time.

For example, when the X-ray CT apparatus in the inspection room A is used as a reference, in the inspection room B, the gantry 2 is combined with the X-ray angio CT apparatus, so that the gantry control circuit 28 changes from the top plate slide control to the gantry self-propelled control. Switch. Specifically, when the gantry 2 is transported from the first inspection room (A) R1 to the second inspection room (B) R2, the movement control and UI display in the first inspection room (A) R1 are performed in the second inspection room (B). ) Switch to movement control and UI display in R2. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, the top plate slide control in the reference direction is switched to the gantry self-propelled control in the opposite direction. The tilt movement control in the reference direction is the same in the second inspection room (B) R2. Along with this, the UI display in the first laboratory (A) R1 is switched to the UI display in the second laboratory (B) R2. Although the UI display is not shown, the approaching direction, the separation direction, and the tilting direction in the first inspection room (A) R1 and the second inspection room (B) R2 are the same as those on the left side (R1 side) of FIG. This is because each direction in the laboratory R1 shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to each direction in the first laboratory (A) R1 and the second laboratory (B) R2 of the second embodiment.

Further, in the inspection room C, since the orientation of the gantry 2 is opposite, the gantry control circuit 28 reverses the top plate slide direction and the tilt movement direction, respectively. For example, in step ST8, when the gantry 2 is transported from the second inspection room (B) R2 to the third inspection room (C) R3, the movement control and UI display in the second inspection room (B) R2 are the third inspection. It is switched to the movement control and UI display in the room (C) R3. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, the self-propelled gantry control in the reference direction is switched to the top plate slide control in the opposite direction. The tilt movement control in the reference direction is switched to the tilt movement control in the reverse direction. Along with this, the UI display in the second laboratory (B) R2 is switched to the UI display in the third laboratory (C) R3. Although the UI display is not shown, the approaching direction, the separation direction, and the tilting direction in the second inspection room (B) R2 and the third inspection room (C) R3 are the same as those in FIG. This means that each direction in the laboratory R1 shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to each direction in the second laboratory (B) R2, and each direction in the laboratory R2 shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to each direction in the third laboratory (C). This is to correspond to each direction in R3.

Further, in the inspection room D, the gantry control circuit 28 switches to the gantry self-propelled control and reverses the tilt movement direction. For example, in step ST8, when the gantry 2 is transported from the third inspection room (C) R3 to the fourth inspection room (D) R4, the movement control and UI display in the third inspection room (C) R3 are the fourth inspection. It can be switched to the movement control and UI display in the room (D) R4. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, the top plate slide control in the reverse direction is switched to the gantry self-propelled control in the reverse direction. The tilt movement control in the reverse direction is the same in the fourth inspection room (D) R4. Along with this, the UI display in the third laboratory (C) R3 is switched to the UI display in the fourth laboratory (D) R4. Although the UI display is not shown, the approaching direction, the separation direction, and the tilting direction in the third inspection room (C) R3 and the fourth inspection room (D) R4 are the same as those on the right side (R2 side) of FIG. This is because each direction in the laboratory R2 shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to each direction in the third laboratory (C) R3 and the fourth laboratory (C) R4 of the second embodiment, respectively.

The above is the operation of steps ST4 and ST8.

Such an X-ray CT system executes the operations of steps ST1 to ST18 shown in FIG. 9 so as to include the operations of steps ST4 and ST8 described above each time the gantry 2 moves to another examination room.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when the X-ray CT system is applied to the four-room solution, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

The second embodiment may be modified as in the following first to fourth modifications. That is, the method of estimating the position of the gantry 2 is not limited to the method based on the sensor information from each sensor s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, s4_1 arranged at the boundary of the examination room, and the following first to fourth modified examples, Alternatively, it may be similar to these modifications. Supplementally, in the first to fourth modifications, the sensors s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, s4_1 and the sensor information are not used. In the first to fourth modifications, sensors s1_1 to s4_4 for initial position detection (not shown) or alternative means thereof are used. As an alternative means, for example, a means for detecting that the transport device 27 for transporting the gantry 2 has arrived at the initial position by providing an encoder in the transport device 27 and detecting the amount of movement of the transport device 27 is appropriately used. It is available.

First, a first modification will be described. The first modification is an example relating to a mechanical switch.
That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the first modification is a pedestal arranged in the vicinity of the respective sleepers 4A, 7B, 4C, and 7D, and arranged in any of the first to fourth inspection rooms R1 to R4. Mechanical switches sw1 to sw4 are provided as first to fourth switches for switching the connection between the console 3A, 6B, 3C, and 6D to the gantry 2 to the open state or the closed state. One end of each mechanical switch sw1 to sw4 is electrically connected to the consoles 3A, 6B, 3C, and 6D, and the other end is electrically connected to electrodes el1 to el4 arranged near the sleeper. The electrodes el1 to el4 are arranged on both ends of the transport rails L1_2 and L3_4, and have a long shape connecting both ends and the initial position, respectively. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when the gantry 2 arrives near the berth 7B, the electrode el2 arranged in the vicinity of the berth 7B comes into contact with an electrode (not shown) of the gantry 2 to electrically attach the gantry 2 to the mechanical switch sw2. Connect to. Here, when the mechanical switch sw2 is operated in the ON state, the gantry 2 and the X-ray console 6B are electrically connected. For example, it is assumed that a current is output from the X-ray console 6B to the mechanical switch sw2 via the reference power supply and the reference resistor, and the current is supplied to the gantry 2 via the mechanical switch sw2. The reference resistance shall be a different resistance value for each console. Subsequently, it is assumed that the current flows to the ground side through a predetermined resistor in the gantry 2. By measuring the voltage values across the predetermined resistor, the gantry 2 can acquire an eigenvalue (voltage value) for each transport destination instead of the sensor information. That is, this eigenvalue may be set in the memory of the gantry control circuit 28 instead of the sensor information shown in FIG. Therefore, depending on the ON state of the mechanical switch sw2, it can be determined by both the gantry 2 and the X-ray console 6B that the gantry 2 has arrived in the vicinity of the bed 7B at the transfer destination. The other electrodes el1, el3, el4 also function in the same manner.

Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, steps ST1 to 3, ST5, ST6, ST8 to 15, ST17, and ST18, which are not related to the above-mentioned sensors s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, and s4_1, are executed in the same manner as described above. Further, steps ST4, ST7, and ST16 relating to each sensor s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, and s4_1 are executed as shown in the following steps ST4a, ST7a, and ST16a, respectively.

First, step ST4a will be described. Steps ST1 (request for moving the gantry) to ST3 (prohibition of operations related to CT inspection) are executed, and the gantry control circuit 28 determines whether or not the mechanical switch sw2 is connected during the transportation of the gantry 2 (step ST4a). If no, the processes of steps ST2 to ST5 are repeatedly executed within the time limit (step ST5: Yes) as described above. Here, it is assumed that the gantry 2 arrives in the vicinity of the bed 7B at the transport destination. At this time, the gantry 2 stops moving, for example, by operating the operation unit 28a. Further, the electrode el2 arranged in the vicinity of the sleeper 7B electrically connects the gantry 2 to the mechanical switch sw2 via an electrode (not shown) of the gantry 2. Subsequently, when the operator operates the mechanical switch sw2 in the ON state, in step ST4a, the gantry control circuit 28 determines that the mechanical switch sw2 is connected. Hereinafter, the processes after step ST8 are similarly executed.

Further, step ST7a will be described. If the determination result in step ST4a is negative and the time limit is outside (step ST5: No), an error is detected (step ST6). After that, for example, the state in which the mechanical switch sw1 of the transport source is connected is notified to the gantry 2 by the setting from the CT console 3 (step ST7a), and the process from step ST1 is re-executed.

Further, the switch ST16a will be described. If the determination result in step ST14 is negative, an error is detected (step ST15). After that, in order to reacquire the current position, for example, the mechanical switch sw2 at the transfer destination is reconnected to update the connection state (step ST16a). After that, the process from step ST1 is re-executed.

According to such a first modification, even if the sensors s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, s4_1 at the boundary of the examination room and the sensor information thereof are omitted, the gantry 2 and the console of the transfer destination are connected by a mechanical switch. Therefore, the same effect as that of each of the above embodiments can be obtained. Here, in order to facilitate understanding, the two laboratories R1 and R2 will be focused on. For example, in the control circuit as the control means, the gantry 2 and the first console (3A) or the second console (6B) are connected to each other via the first switch (sw1) or the second switch (sw2). By being connected, the room (R1 or R2) in which the gantry 2 is arranged is detected. Even when such a detection method is used, the control circuit can control the direction of tilt movement or the direction of relative movement according to the room in which the gantry 2 is arranged.

Next, a second modification will be described. The second modification is an example relating to physical switching of the connection cable between the gantry 2 and each console when there are a plurality of scanning consoles.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, the second modification is arranged in any of the first to fourth inspection rooms R1 to R4, and the first to fourth consoles 3A and 6B with respect to the gantry 2, respectively. The first to fourth cables ca1 to ca4 extended from 3C and 6D, and the first to fourth connectors cn1 to the tips of the first to fourth cables ca1 to ca4 that can be connected to the gantry 2. It includes cn4. Specifically, each cable ca1 to ca4 has one end connected to each console 3A, 6B, 3C, 6D and the other end having connectors cn1 to cn4. When the gantry 2 arrives near the sleeper, the connectors cn1 to cn4 electrically connect the gantry 2 to the consoles 3A, 6B, 3C, and 6D by connecting to a connector (not shown) of the gantry 2. Such a second modification functions similarly when the connector cn2 is connected to the gantry 2 and when the mechanical switch sw2 of the first modification is turned on.

Therefore, in the second modification, as in the first modification, the pedestal 2 to which the connector (cable via) is connected can acquire the eigenvalue (voltage value) for each transport destination instead of the sensor information. .. That is, this eigenvalue may be set in the memory of the gantry control circuit 28 instead of the sensor information shown in FIG. Therefore, by connecting the connector cn2 (cable via the cable), it can be determined by both the gantry 2 and the X-ray console 6B that the gantry 2 has arrived in the vicinity of the bed 7B of the transport destination. Other connectors cn1, cn3, cn4 also function in the same manner.

Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 17, steps ST1 to 3, ST5, ST6, ST8 to 15, ST17, and ST18, which are not related to the above-mentioned sensors s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, and s4_1, are executed in the same manner as described above. Further, steps ST4, ST7, and ST16 relating to each sensor s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, and s4_1 are executed as shown in the following steps ST4b, ST7b, and ST16b, respectively.

First, step ST4b will be described. Steps ST1 (request for moving the gantry) to ST3 (prohibition of operations related to CT inspection) are executed, and the gantry control circuit 28 determines whether or not the cable ca2 is connected via the connector cn2 while the gantry 2 is being conveyed (the gantry control circuit 28 determines whether or not the cable ca2 is connected via the connector cn2). Step ST4b). If no, the processes of steps ST2 to ST5 are repeatedly executed within the time limit (step ST5: Yes) as described above. Here, it is assumed that the gantry 2 arrives in the vicinity of the bed 7B at the transport destination. At this time, the gantry 2 stops moving, for example, by operating the operation unit 28a. Further, the cable ca2 connected to the X-ray console 6B electrically connects the gantry 2 to the X-ray console 6B by connecting the connector cn2 at the tip to a connector (not shown) of the gantry 2. As a result, in step ST4b, it is determined that the gantry control circuit 28 is connected to the cable cn2 of the X-ray console 6B. Hereinafter, the processes after step ST8 are similarly executed.

Further, step ST7b will be described. If the determination result in step ST4b is negative and the time limit is outside (step ST5: No), an error is detected (step ST6). After that, for example, the state in which the cable ca1 of the transport source is connected is notified to the gantry 2 by the setting from the CT console 3 (step ST7b), and the process from step ST1 is re-executed.

Further, the switch ST16b will be described. If the determination result in step ST14 is negative, an error is detected (step ST15). After that, in order to reacquire the current position, for example, the cable ca2 at the transfer destination is reconnected to update the connection state (step ST16b). After that, the process from step ST1 is re-executed.

According to such a second modification, even if the sensors s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, s4_1 at the boundary of the examination room and the sensor information thereof are omitted, the gantry 2 and the console of the transfer destination are connected by a cable. , The same effects as those of the above-described embodiments and the above-mentioned first modification can be obtained. Here, in order to facilitate understanding, the two laboratories R1 and R2 will be focused on. For example, in the control circuit as the control means, the gantry 2 and the first console (3A) or the second console (6B) are connected to each other via the first connector (cn1) or the second connector (cn2). By being connected, the room (R1 or R2) in which the gantry 2 is arranged is detected. Even when such a detection method is used, the control circuit can control the direction of tilt movement or the direction of relative movement according to the room in which the gantry 2 is arranged.

Next, a third modification will be described. The third modification relates to switching by determining the spatial distance (whether or not it is within the communication range) between the console (or the inspection room) and the gantry 2 by wireless communication.

Specifically, in the third modification, as shown in FIG. 18, the communication interface circuits 34 and 63 of the consoles 3A, 6B, 3C and 6D arranged in the inspection rooms R1, R2, R3 and R4 are wireless. It has first to fourth wireless communication circuits that transmit signals within the communication range rg1, rg2, rg3, rg4 near the sleeper. The gantry 2 includes a 0th wireless communication circuit 28b that receives a wireless signal within the communication range rg1, rg2, rg3, rg4. That is, the 0th wireless communication circuit 28b is located within the communication range rg1, rg2, rg3, rg4, so that wireless communication with the first to fourth wireless communication circuits is possible. The wireless communication circuit 28b is connected to the gantry control circuit 28.

When the gantry 2 arrives at the communication range rg1, rg2, rg3, rg4 near the sleeper, the wireless communication circuit 28b of the gantry 2 receives the radio signal within the communication range rg1, rg2, rg3, rg4, and the consoles 3A, 6B, Wireless communication is possible for 3C and 6D. Such a third modification functions in the same manner as, for example, when the connector cn2 is connected to the gantry 2 or when the mechanical switch sw2 of the first modification is turned on.

Therefore, in the third modified example, as in the first and second modified examples, in the gantry 2 arriving within the communication range, the eigenvalue (set value in the wireless signal) for each transport destination is used instead of the sensor information. You can get it. That is, this eigenvalue may be set in the memory of the gantry control circuit 28 instead of the sensor information shown in FIG. Therefore, since the gantry 2 and the X-ray console 6B in the communication range rg2 can wirelessly communicate with each other, it can be determined by both the gantry 2 and the X-ray console 6B that the gantry 2 has arrived near the bed 7B of the transport destination. Other communication ranges rg1, rg3, rg4 also function in the same manner.

Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, steps ST1 to 3, ST5, ST6, ST8 to 15, ST17, and ST18, which are not related to the above-mentioned sensors s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, and s4_1, are executed in the same manner as described above. Further, steps ST4, ST7, and ST16 relating to each sensor s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, and s4_1 are executed as shown in the following steps ST4c, ST7c, and ST16c, respectively.

First, step ST4c will be described. Whether or not the gantry control circuit 28 has arrived within the communication range rg2 via the wireless communication circuit 28b during the transportation of the gantry 2 by executing steps ST1 (request for moving the gantry) to ST3 (prohibition of operation related to CT inspection). Is determined (step ST4c). If no, the processes of steps ST2 to ST5 are repeatedly executed within the time limit (step ST5: Yes) as described above. Here, it is assumed that the gantry 2 arrives at the communication range rg2 near the bed 7B of the transport destination. At this time, the wireless communication circuit 28b of the gantry 2 can wirelessly communicate with the X-ray console 6B by receiving the wireless signal transmitted from the X-ray console 6B. As a result, in step ST4c, the gantry control circuit 28 determines that it has arrived within the communication range of the X-ray console 6B via the wireless communication circuit 28b. Hereinafter, the processes after step ST8 are similarly executed.

Further, step ST7c will be described. If the determination result in step ST4c is negative and the time limit is outside (step ST5: No), an error is detected (step ST6). After that, for example, the eigenvalue of the carrier is notified to the gantry 2 by transmitting a wireless signal from the CT console 3, the wireless communication is terminated (step ST7c), and the process from step ST1 is re-executed.

Further, the switch ST16c will be described. If the determination result in step ST14 is negative, an error is detected (step ST15). After that, in order to reacquire the current position, for example, the radio signal including the eigenvalue of the transport destination is retransmitted from the X-ray console 6b to update the eigenvalue, and the wireless communication is terminated (step ST16c). After that, the process from step ST1 is re-executed.

According to such a third modification, even if the sensors s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, s4_1 at the boundary of the laboratory and the sensor information thereof are omitted, the gantry 2 and the console of the transport destination communicate wirelessly. The same effects as those of the above-described embodiments and the above-mentioned modifications can be obtained. Here, in order to facilitate understanding, the two laboratories R1 and R2 will be focused on. For example, a control circuit as a control means wirelessly communicates between the gantry 2 and the first console (3A) or the second console (6B) to provide a room (R1 or R2) in which the gantry 2 is arranged. To detect. Even when such a detection method is used, the control circuit can control the direction of tilt movement or the direction of relative movement according to the room in which the gantry 2 is arranged.

Next, a fourth modification will be described. The fourth modification relates to appropriately arranging the sensors in a range along the transport rail L when the gantry 2 is transported to another bed in the same inspection room. Supplementally, the fourth modification makes it possible to recognize which system the gantry is connected to depending on the position of the sensor when another system (sleeper) exists in the same examination room. Specifically, the fourth modification corresponds to the configuration in which the partition wall and the opening / closing door 9 between the inspection rooms are omitted in each of the above-described embodiments and the above-mentioned modified examples. According to such a fourth modification, even when the gantry 2 is transported to another bed in the same inspection room, the same effect as that of each of the above-described embodiments and the above-mentioned modified examples can be obtained.

According to at least one embodiment described above, during the transportation of the gantry, the movement direction of the gantry or the top plate is switched and controlled according to the transport destination of the gantry and the orientation of the gantry after the transportation, and the switching control is performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent inconsistency in the movement control of the gantry and the UI display by the configuration in which the display of the movement direction is switched and controlled.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, as well as in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 ... X-ray CT system, 2 ... Stand, 3,3A, 3C ... CT console, 4,4A, 4C, 7,7B, 7D ... Sleeper, 5,5B, 5D ... X-ray imaging device, 6,6B, 6D ... X-ray interface, 9 ... Open / close door, 21 ... Slip ring, 22,51 ... Tube voltage generator, 23,52 ... X-ray tube, 24,53 ... X-ray detector, 25 ... Data acquisition circuit, 26 ... Non Contact data transmission circuit, 27 ... Conveyor device, 28 ... Stand control circuit, 28a ... Operation unit, 28b ... Wireless communication circuit, 29 ... Rotation ring, 30 ... Rotation drive device, 31 ... Preprocessing circuit, 32 ... Reconstruction circuit, 33, 62 ... Input interface circuit, 34, 63 ... Communication interface circuit, 35, 64 ... Display, 36, 65 ... Storage circuit, 37, 66 ... System control circuit, 54 ... Support mechanism, 55 ... Drive device, 56 ... Shooting Control circuit, 61 ... Image generation circuit, s1_2, s2_3, s3_4, s4_1, s1_1, s2_2, s3_3, s4_4 ... Sensor, T1, T2 ... Top plate, R1 to R4 ... Laboratory, L1_2, L2_3, L3_4, L4_1, L2_2 , L4_4 ... Rail, sw1-sw4 ... Mechanical switch, el1-el4 ... Electrode, ca1-ca4 ... Cable, cn1-cn4 ... Connector, rg1-rg4 ... Communication range.

Claims (13)

A gantry having an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector that detects X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube, and an operation unit that generates an instruction signal for instructing tilt movement in response to an operator's operation.
The first sleeper placed in the first room and
The second sleeper placed in the second room,
When transporting the pedestal to the first room, the pedestal is arranged so that the front side of the pedestal and the first bed face each other, and when the pedestal is transported to the second room. Is a transport unit for arranging the pedestal so that the back side of the pedestal and the second berth face each other.
An X-ray CT system including a control means for controlling the direction of tilt movement of the gantry according to a room in which the gantry is arranged while the instruction signal is generated by the operation unit. The control means displays at least one of a positive / negative display of the direction of the tilt movement and a positive / negative display of the movement amount of the tilt movement provided in the operation unit according to the room in which the gantry is arranged. The X-ray CT system according to claim 1, wherein switching control is performed. A memory for storing the room in which the gantry is arranged and the direction of the tilt movement in association with each other is provided.
The X-ray CT system according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the direction of the tilt movement based on the stored contents of the memory. A gantry detector for detecting that the gantry is being transported toward the first room or the second room is provided.
The control means switches the direction of the tilt movement corresponding to the room to which the gantry is conveyed, using the detection result of the gantry detector as a trigger, and while the instruction signal is being generated, the control means is based on the switched direction. The X-ray CT system according to claim 1, which controls the direction of tilt movement of the gantry. A pedestal having an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector that detects X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube, and an operation unit that generates an instruction signal for instructing relative movement in response to an operator's operation.
The first sleeper placed in the first room and
The second sleeper placed in the second room,
When transporting the pedestal to the first room, the pedestal is arranged so that the front side of the pedestal and the first bed face each other, and when the pedestal is transported to the second room. Is a transport unit for arranging the pedestal so that the back side of the pedestal and the second berth face each other.
A control means for controlling the relative movement direction between the pedestal and the first berth or the second berth according to the room in which the pedestal is arranged while the instruction signal is generated by the operation unit is provided. X-ray CT system. The control means displays at least one of a positive / negative display of the relative movement direction provided in the operation unit and a positive / negative display of the movement amount of the relative movement in the room where the gantry is arranged. The X-ray CT system according to claim 5, wherein switching control is performed accordingly. A memory in which the room in which the gantry is arranged and the direction of the relative movement are stored in association with each other is provided.
The X-ray CT system according to claim 5, wherein the control means controls the direction of the relative movement based on the stored contents of the memory. A gantry detector for detecting that the gantry is being transported toward the first room or the second room is provided.
The control means switches the direction of the relative movement corresponding to the room to which the gantry is conveyed, using the detection result of the gantry detector as a trigger, and while the instruction signal is being generated, the control means is based on the switched direction. The X-ray CT system according to claim 5, which controls the direction of the relative movement. The X-ray CT system according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the control means is arranged on the gantry. A first switch arranged in the vicinity of the first berth and switching the connection between the pedestal arranged in the first room and the first console to the pedestal in an open state or a closed state.
A second switch arranged in the vicinity of the second bed and for switching the connection between the pedestal arranged in the second room and the second console to the pedestal in an open state or a closed state is provided.
The control means is a room in which the gantry is arranged by connecting the gantry to the first console or the second console via the first switch or the second switch. The X-ray CT system according to claim 1 or 5. A first cable located in the first room and extended from the first console to the gantry.
A first connector provided at the tip of the first cable and connectable to the gantry,
A second cable located in the second room and extended from the second console to the gantry.
A second connector provided at the tip of the second cable and connectable to the gantry is provided.
The control means is a room in which the gantry is arranged by connecting the gantry to the first console or the second console via the first connector or the second connector. The X-ray CT system according to claim 1 or 5. The 0th wireless communication means provided on the gantry and
A first wireless communication means provided on a first console arranged in the first room and capable of wireless communication with the 0th wireless communication means, and a first wireless communication means.
A second wireless communication means provided on the second console arranged in the second room and capable of wireless communication with the 0th wireless communication means, and a second wireless communication means.
With
The X according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the control means detects a room in which the gantry is arranged by wirelessly communicating between the gantry and the first console or the second console. Line CT system. The X-ray CT system according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the transport unit transports the gantry in a substantially constant orientation.

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