JPH0515526A - X-ray simulator image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the obtaining of a beam's eye view image of high quality with a simple operation and in a short time. CONSTITUTION:An analog video signal for displaying images of an X-ray simulator is converted into an image data with an A/D converter 7 to be stored into an image memory 4. The image data is used to perform an image processing for the generation of the optimum shape of an irradiation field or the like with a central processing unit 3. This enables the obtaining of a beam's eye view image with higher aerial resolutions immediately and realizaion of the apparatus inexpensively.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an X-ray simulator image processing apparatus used for simulating the irradiation conditions of a treatment machine for radiotherapy.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a computerized simulation system using a conventional X-ray CT apparatus, in which 1a is an X-ray CT apparatus and 2 is an X-ray CT apparatus 1a. A CRT monitor, 3 is a central processing unit connected to the X-ray CT apparatus 1a by a digital interface, 4 is an image memory accessible by the central processing unit 3, 5 is a CRT monitor for displaying the contents of the image memory, 6 is a plotter, It is a graphic output and display device such as a video copy and a transmissive LCD panel.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view for explaining the principle of converting a CT image obtained by the X-ray CT apparatus 1a into a beam's eye view image suitable for treatment of a radiotherapy machine. In FIG. , 8 is a plurality of CT images obtained from the X-ray CT apparatus 1a, 9 is a virtual radiation source of the radiotherapy machine, 10 is an isocenter plane on which the beams eye view image is projected, and 11 is an isocenter plane 10. It is a beam's eye view image.

Next, the operation will be described. The CT image created by the X-ray CT apparatus 1a is displayed on the CRT monitor 2. The CT image is sent as digital image information to the central processing unit 3 and stored in the image memory 4.
Next, in FIG. 6, a plurality of Cs stored in the image memory 4
The T image 8 is projected on the isocenter plane 10 from the point of the virtual radiation source 9 of the radiotherapy machine in the central processing unit 3,
The coordinates are converted into a so-called beam's eye view image 11. A shape of an X-ray shielding material such as a collimator or a lead block is combined with the created beams eye view image 11 and displayed on the CRT monitor 5. The shape of the X-ray shielding material is adjusted on the display screen to determine the optimum irradiation field shape for treatment.

[0005]

The conventional computerized simulation system using the X-ray CT apparatus is constructed as described above, and a so-called tomographic CT image is used as it is for the treatment of the radiotherapy machine. I can't do that, so I'll use the CT image as a beams eye view image 1
The process of converting to 1 is required. Therefore, multiple C
It takes time and effort to photograph the T image 8. In addition, since a small number of CT images 8 are usually used for conversion into the beams eye view image 11, the quality of the obtained beams eye view image 11 is poor. Further, there is a problem that the cost of the system becomes high.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an X-ray simulator capable of acquiring a high-quality beam eye view image with a simple operation in a short time and realizing at a relatively low cost. The purpose is to obtain an image processing device.

[0007]

X according to the invention of claim 1
The X-ray simulator image processing apparatus uses an X-ray simulator apparatus for performing normal X-ray imaging, obtains image data by A / D converting the analog video signal that is the output, and determines the irradiation field shape using this image data. It is possible to perform processing such as.

An X-ray simulator image processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is one in which a scale using a metal wire or the like is provided on an isocenter plane.

[0009]

In the X-ray simulator image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the analog video signal output from the X-ray simulator apparatus is A / D converted, so that a beams eye view image having a high spatial resolution can be instantaneously obtained. Obtainable.

In the X-ray simulator image processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the scale provided on the isocenter plane is imprinted by the X-ray simulator apparatus, and the scale displayed on the screen of the CRT monitor is pointed to obtain an image. You can know the scale of.

[0011]

【Example】

Example 1. An embodiment of the invention of claim 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, 1 is an X-ray simulator apparatus for performing X-ray imaging, 2 is a CRT monitor connected to the X-ray simulator apparatus 1, and 7 is an X-ray simulator apparatus 1.
A / D converter connected to the transmission line of the analog video signal output from the CRT monitor 2 to 3 is a central processing unit for controlling the A / D converter 7, the image memory 4, the graphic output and display device 6, Reference numeral 4 is an image memory for storing image data obtained from the A / D converter 7, 5 is a CRT monitor for displaying the contents of the image memory 4, and 6 is a graphic output and display device.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of image processing. In FIG. 2, 12 is an X-ray simulated image taken by the X-ray simulator 1, and 13 is for determining the shape of the irradiation field. The X-ray shielding material image No. 14 is a composite image in which the X-ray simulator 12 and the X-ray shielding material image 13 are superimposed.

Next, the operation will be described. The X-ray simulator image 12 of FIG. 2 taken by the X-ray simulator apparatus 1 is a beams eye view image. The analog video signal having the contents of the beam's eye view image is output from the X-ray simulator apparatus 1 and applied to the CRT monitor 2, whereby the X-ray simulator image 12 as the beam's eye view image is displayed.

The analog video signal is also applied to the A / D converter 7 and the signal for one frame is digitized to obtain image data having the contents of the X-ray simulator image 12. This image data is stored in the image memory 4.

On the other hand, the shape of the X-ray shielding material such as the collimator or the lead block created by the central processing unit 3 is also stored in the image memory 4 as the X-ray shielding material image 13 of FIG. Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the X-ray simulator image 12 and the X-ray shielding material image 13 are normalized to the size on the isocenter plane image and overlapped, as shown in a composite image 14.

The composite image 14 is displayed on the CRT monitor 5, and the operator changes the shape of the X-ray shielding material so as to form the optimum irradiation field. The X-ray simulator image 12 and the X-ray shielding material shape created in this way are output to the graphic output and display device 6 and used for the actual arrangement of the X-ray shielding material.

Example 2. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the invention of claim 2. In FIG. 3, 15 is a radiation source of the X-ray simulator apparatus 1, 16 is an imaging surface of the X-ray simulator apparatus 1, 1
Reference numeral 8 is an isocenter plane on which the X-ray simulator image of the X-ray simulator apparatus 1 is projected, and 17 is a scale provided on the isocenter plane 18, which is made of a material such as a metal wire that does not completely transmit X-rays.

FIG. 4 shows an X-ray simulator image 19 on which the scale 17 is imprinted.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram when the positional relationship among the radiation source 15, the imaging surface 16, and the isocenter plane 18 of the X-ray simulator apparatus 1 is changed.
In FIG. 3, a scale 17 made of a metal wire or the like is provided on an isocenter plane 18, and the scale 17 is provided with the scale 17.
As a result of the photographing, the scale 17 is displayed on the X-ray simulator image 19 acquired as shown in FIG.

The scale of the X-ray simulator image 19 can be known by pointing a mouse or the like at a predetermined position on the scale 17. That is, C
By knowing the number of dots (the number of pixels) between two points pointed on the image of the RT monitor 5, the size per dot = predetermined size / the number of dots between two points can be known,
It can be normalized to a predetermined scale.

[0021]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1,
Since the existing video output is directly A / D converted by using the X-ray simulator device, the device can be made inexpensive and the beam eye view image with high spatial resolution can be immediately obtained.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the scale made of a material that does not completely transmit X-rays is provided on the isocenter plane, the scale is imprinted on the X-ray simulator image and is displayed on the CRT monitor. An accurate scale can be obtained by pointing the scale.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an X-ray simulator image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of image processing by the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an X-ray simulator image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention of claim 2;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an X-ray simulator image obtained from the same apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a computed simulation system using a conventional X-ray CT apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an image conversion process of the system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 X-ray simulator device 3 Central processing unit 4 image memory 7 A / D converter 17 scale 18 Isocenter plane

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] May 26, 1992

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Claims]

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0003

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0003] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the principle of converting the CT images obtained by the X-ray CT apparatus 1a to Bimuzu eye view (Beam's Eye View) image suitable for the treatment of radiation therapy machines, 6 , 8 is a plurality of CT images obtained from the X-ray CT apparatus 1a, 9 is a virtual radiation source of the radiotherapy machine, 10 is an isocenter plane on which the beams eye view image is projected, and 11 is an isocenter plane 10. It is a beam's eye view image.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

An X-ray simulator image processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention uses a metal wire rod or the like on the isocenter plane .
This is what caused the scale.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0010

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

In the X-ray simulator image processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the scale produced on the isocenter plane is imaged by the X-ray simulator apparatus, and the scale displayed on the screen of the CRT monitor is pointed. , You can know the scale of the image.

[Procedure Amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0012

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0012] Figure 2 is an explanatory view for explaining an example of the image processing, in FIG. 2, 12 is an X-ray simulator images taken by the X-ray simulator instrumentation <br/> location 1 (the first Image de
Data) , 13 is an X-ray shielding material image (second image data) for determining the irradiation field shape, and 14 is an X-ray simulator 12
3 is a composite image in which the image and the X-ray shielding material image 13 are superimposed.

[Procedure correction 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0017

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Example 2. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the invention of claim 2. In FIG. 3, 15 is a radiation source of the X-ray simulator apparatus 1, 16 is an imaging surface of the X-ray simulator apparatus 1, 1
8 isocenter plane X-ray simulator images of the X-ray simulator device 1 is projected, 17 is a scale that caused the isocenter plane 18 is projected by a member made of a material which X-rays are not completely transparent, such as a metal wire The
It

[Procedure Amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0019

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram when the positional relationship among the radiation source 15, the imaging surface 16, and the isocenter plane 18 of the X-ray simulator apparatus 1 is changed.
3, since the cause more scale 17 to <br/> a metal wire on the isocenter plane 18, by taking it in the X-ray simulator apparatus 1, the obtained X-ray simulator as in FIG. 6 The scale 17 is displayed on the image 19.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An X-ray simulator apparatus, an A / D converter which digitizes an analog video signal output from the X-ray simulator apparatus to form image data, and the A / D converter.
An X-ray simulator image processing apparatus comprising: an image memory for storing image data obtained from a D converter; and a central processing unit for performing image processing using the image data stored in the image memory. 2. The X-ray simulator image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a scale made of a material that does not completely transmit X-rays is provided on the isocenter plane of the X-ray simulator apparatus.