JP2000237181A - X-ray tomographic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an X-ray tomographic device supporting an X-ray bulb device and an X-ray detecting device with an inboard structure, preventing their flapping, capable of suppressing the occurrence of vibration even at high- speed rotation, and capable of expanding an X-ray radiation range. SOLUTION: An X-ray radiation device section 50 in this X-ray tomographic device is arranged with parallel annular frames 1130, 1140 so that a base end section 1010 is coupled and fixed to the circular through hole 511 of a main body frame 510 arranged nearly vertically and the X-ray radiation device section 50 can be rotated via bearing devices 1110, 1120 at both end sections on the outer periphery around a cylinder shaft 10 fitted nearly vertically to the main body frame 510. An X-ray bulb device 6 and an X-ray detecting device 7 are rotatably mounted on bases 1150, 1151 suspended on the annular frames 1130, 1140 respectively, and the tip section 1020 of the cylinder shaft 10 is supported by a support member 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention generally relates to X-ray CT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an X-ray tomography apparatus called an apparatus, and more particularly to an X-ray tomography apparatus having means capable of stably supporting an X-ray irradiator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art First, a conventional X-ray tomography apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a general X-ray tomography apparatus, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of an X-ray irradiator in the X-ray tomography apparatus shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 generally indicates a conventional X-ray tomography apparatus. This X-ray tomography apparatus 1
Is composed of a bed 2 and an X-ray tomography main body 3. The couch 2 is formed of a material through which X-rays can pass, such as carbon fiber, and the circular through-hole 521 of the X-ray tomography main body 3 with the subject B lying down.
It is configured so that it can pass through. The X-ray tomography main body 3 is covered with a protective cover 4 having a predetermined depth, and includes an X-ray irradiator 5 composed of an X-ray tube device 6 and an X-ray detector 7, and a cable. The duct unit 8 and the stopper unit 9 are built therein.

As shown in FIG. 4, the X-ray irradiator 5 has at least one surface finished in a plane, a circular through-hole 511 in the center, and is arranged almost vertically. The main body frame 510 is mainly configured. A rotary table 520 having a circular through hole 521 is mounted on one flat surface side of the main body frame 510 via a bearing 530. An alternate long and short dash line Co is a common center line of the circular through holes 511 and 521.

[0005] A bracket 522 for mounting the X-ray detector 7 is attached to the rotary table 520 in the vicinity of the circular through hole 521, substantially perpendicular to the rotation plane of the rotary table 520. With the circular through hole 521 interposed therebetween, the bracket 522
A bracket 523 for mounting the X-ray tube device 6 is also mounted substantially perpendicular to the rotation plane of the turntable 520. The X-ray tube device 6 is mounted on a horizontal surface of the bracket 523 via a mounting plate 524. In FIG. 4, the illustration of the X-ray detection device 7 attached to one bracket 522 is omitted.

[0006] The X-ray irradiator 5 of the X-ray tomography apparatus 1 has the above-described structure. When a tomographic image of the subject B is to be taken, the bed 2 on which the subject B is laid is placed. X-rays from the X-ray tube device 6 are carried into the circular through-hole 521 of the X-ray irradiation device unit 5 while rotating the rotary table 520 of the X-ray irradiation device unit 5 with a rotation driving device (not shown). The X-rays that have been irradiated and transmitted through the subject B are detected by the X-ray detector 7, and a desired two-dimensional or three-dimensional tomographic image is obtained by image processing by a computer.

[0007]

However, in the X-ray irradiating unit 5, the rotary table 520, the two brackets 522, 523, and the X are fixed to the bearing 530 fixed to one side surface of the main body frame 510. The X-ray tube device 6, the X-ray detection device 7, and the like are mounted in a cantilever structure. Therefore, the following problems occur in the X-ray tomography apparatus 1 of the related art. That is, 1. 1. The main body frame 510 requires rigidity, and therefore becomes heavy, and it is difficult to reduce the weight. If the rigidity of the main body frame 510, the rotary table 520, the brackets 522, 523 and the like is low in order to reduce the weight, the X-ray tube device 6 and / or the X-ray detection device 7 vibrate, and the tomographic image becomes unclear. . 3. It is difficult to rotate the turntable 520 at high speed. X-ray irradiation range cannot be widened

The present invention is intended to solve these problems. The X-ray irradiating unit is supported by a supporting structure having two ends, so that generation of vibration can be suppressed even at high speed rotation. In addition, X can provide a wide X-ray irradiation range.
It is intended to obtain a line tomography apparatus.

[0009]

Therefore, in the X-ray tomography apparatus according to the present invention, the X-ray irradiating unit includes:
A body frame disposed substantially vertically, having a circular hole formed therein, and having at least one surface finished in a plane; and a base end fitted into the circular hole to be substantially perpendicular to the plane of the body frame. A cylindrical shaft attached to the
A X-ray tube device, an X-ray detection device, and a rotation support device that rotatably supports the X-ray tube device and the X-ray detection device on the outer periphery of an intermediate portion of the cylindrical shaft; The above object is attained by providing a rotation driving device that rotates around a cylindrical shaft and a support member that supports at least a lower portion of the other end of the cylindrical shaft.

[0010] In the X-ray tomography apparatus according to the present invention as set forth in claim 2, in the X-ray tomography apparatus according to claim 1, the rotary support device is provided with an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical shaft. At the base end and the front end of the X-ray tube, a pair of annular frames disposed in parallel with each other via a bearing device, and attached to the pair of annular frames at predetermined angular intervals. The object is achieved by a plurality of bases each including a base on which a ball device is mounted and a base on which the X-ray detection device is mounted, and wherein the rotary driving device is connected to at least one of the annular frames. ing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the X-ray tomography apparatus according to the first and second aspects, wherein the support member supports the other end of the cylindrical shaft. Are provided with a height adjusting function.

Further, in the X-ray tomography apparatus according to the present invention described in claim 4, in the X-ray tomography apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the cylindrical shaft is formed of a material made of carbon fiber. It is characterized by doing.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the X-ray irradiation unit can be supported by both ends.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the double-sided mechanism of the X-ray irradiation device can be reduced in weight. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the tilting of the rotation center of the X-ray irradiation device can be easily adjusted. Furthermore, according to the present invention as set forth in claim 4, by forming the cylindrical shaft with a material made of carbon fiber,
X-rays from the X-ray tube apparatus can be transmitted to the subject very well.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An X-ray tomography apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a front view of an X-ray irradiator in an X-ray tomography apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the X-ray irradiator shown in FIG. The X-ray tomography apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a bed 2 similarly to the X-ray tomography apparatus 1 of the related art, and an X-ray including the bed 2 and an X-ray irradiator described below. The X-ray tomography main body, and only the X-ray irradiator of the X-ray tomography apparatus is shown in the drawing. In the X-ray irradiator of the present invention, the same components as those of the X-ray irradiator 5 of the prior art will be described with the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 50 indicates an X-ray irradiator of one embodiment of the present invention. The X-ray irradiator unit 50 includes a main body frame 510, a cylindrical shaft 10, a rotation support device 11, a rotation drive device 12, and a support member 13 in addition to the X-ray tube device 6 and the X-ray detection device 7. I have.

The X-ray tube device 6 and the X-ray detection device 7 are supported by a rotation support device 10 described later. The main body frame 510 is also disposed substantially vertically, a circular through hole 511 is opened, and at least one surface is finished to be flat.

The cylindrical shaft 10 is made of, for example, carbon fiber, and is a cylindrical part having a predetermined length and the same inside diameter through which the bed 2 can be inserted. It is a cylinder thicker than the middle part and the tip part, and a flange 1011 having a diameter larger than the diameter of the circular through-hole 511 is formed at the end thereof, and a base end 1010 is formed in the circular through-hole 511. The main frame 510 is fitted so as to be substantially perpendicular to the plane. The dashed line Co is the center line of the cylindrical shaft 10.

The rotation support device 11 is provided with the cylindrical shaft 10.
A device for rotatably supporting the X-ray tube device 6 and the X-ray detection device 7 on the outer periphery of the intermediate portion of
A proximal end 1010 and a distal end 10 of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical shaft 10.
20 and bearing devices 1110, 1120, respectively.
Are mounted, and these bearing devices 1110,
A pair of annular frames 11 parallel to each other via 1120
30, 1140 are attached. Note that reference numeral 11
Reference numerals 11 and 1112 denote bearings of the bearing device 1110, and reference numerals 1121 and 1122 denote bearings 1111.
There are 20 bearing restraints.

The pair of annular frames 1130,
In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of bases 1140, 1140, 1
151, 1152, 1153 are fixed, and the pair of bases 1150, 1151 facing each other among these bases 1150, 1151, 1152, 1153 is
The X-ray tube device 6 and the X-ray detection device 7 are mounted and fixed respectively, and the other bases 1152, 1153
Is a stay having only the function of reinforcing the annular frames 1130 and 1140. The X-ray tube device 6 is attached to the base 1150 via an attachment plate 524, and reference numeral 61 indicates a filter unit.

The annular frames 1130, 114
0 in this embodiment, the annular frame 11 in this embodiment.
The rotary drive device 12 including a drive pulley and the like is connected to 30 and is configured to be rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown).

The lower part of the outer end of the bearing device 1120 at the distal end 1020 of the cylindrical shaft 10 is
3 is supported. The support member 13 is provided with an adjusting device 1310 capable of adjusting its length, and by adjusting the adjusting device 1310, the distal end portion 10 of the cylindrical shaft 10 is adjusted.
The X-ray irradiation device 5 can be adjusted by moving the X-ray irradiation device 20 up and down.

The support member 13 may be, for example, the same member as the main body frame 510, and
Although it may be configured to support the leading end portion 1020, it is desirable to use the support member 13 as described above because the weight and simplification of the entire apparatus are impaired.

With the above-described configuration, the X-ray irradiator 50 of the present invention provides an annular frame 1130 which is supported by bearings 1110 and 1120 fixed to both ends of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical shaft 10. 1140, base 115
0, 1151, 1152, 1153, X-ray tube device 6,
The filter unit 61 and the X-ray detection device 7 are
Can be integrally rotated by the
0 is supported by the support member 13,
By finely adjusting the height (length) of the X-ray tube device 6 and / or the X-ray detection device 7 by finely adjusting the height (length) with the adjusting device 1310, it is possible to finely adjust the tilt. In addition, the cylindrical shaft 10
The center of the rotation axis on the space can also be adjusted via.

[0024]

As is clear from the above description, according to the X-ray tomography apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention: 1. An excessive load is not applied to the main body frame, and the weight can be reduced. 2. The X-ray tube device and the X-ray detection device can be rotated at high speed without applying excessive force to the bearing device. 3. The support rigidity of the rotary support device composed of both annular frames is improved, and vibration of the X-ray tube device and / or the X-ray detection device can be suppressed. 4. Since the bearing device is located between the X-ray tube device and the X-ray detection device, it can be supported even if the X-ray irradiation range is widened. Numerous excellent effects are obtained, such as easy adjustment of the center of rotation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an X-ray irradiator in an X-ray tomography apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the X-ray irradiator shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line AA.

FIG. 3 is a schematic external perspective view of a general X-ray tomography apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of an X-ray irradiator in the X-ray tomography apparatus shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... The X-ray tomography apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention, 50 ... X-ray irradiation part of one Embodiment in X-ray irradiation apparatus of this invention, 510 ... Body frame, 511 ... Circular through-hole, 6 ...
X-ray tube apparatus, 7: X-ray detector, 10: cylindrical axis, 10
Reference Signs List 10: base end of cylindrical shaft 10, 1020: distal end of cylindrical shaft 10, 11: rotation support device, 1110, 1120: bearing device, 1130, 1140: annular frame, 12: rotation drive device, 13: support member, 1310 ... Adjustment device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A main body frame which is disposed substantially vertically, has a circular hole, and has at least one surface finished in a flat surface, and a base end portion fitted into the circular hole to form a flat surface of the main body frame. An X-ray tube device, an X-ray tube device, an X-ray detection device, and the X-ray tube device and the X-ray detection device rotatable around an outer periphery of an intermediate portion of the cylindrical shaft. X-ray irradiation comprising: a rotation support device that supports the rotation support device; a rotation drive device that rotates the rotation support device around the cylindrical axis; and a support member that supports at least a lower portion of the other end of the cylindrical shaft. An X-ray tomography apparatus, comprising: an apparatus unit. 2. A pair of annular frames disposed parallel to each other via a bearing device at a base end and a distal end of an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical shaft, wherein the rotation support device includes: And a plurality of bases each of which is mounted so as to be bridged at a predetermined angular interval to each other, and includes a base on which the X-ray tube device is mounted and a base on which the X-ray detection device is mounted, and The X-ray tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an apparatus is connected to at least one of the annular frames. 3. The support member for supporting the other end of the cylindrical shaft has a height adjusting function.
An X-ray tomography apparatus according to claim 2. 4. The X-ray tomography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical shaft is formed of a material made of carbon fiber.