JP2001333893A - X-ray diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide X-ray diagnostic equipment which can process imaging information from a flat panel detector and an IP reader, can control radiographing conditions depending on radiographing by either a flat panel detector or an IP cassette, and can output image data to networks. SOLUTION: The equipment is provided with a flat panel detector 3 for standing position, a flat panel detector 5 for recumbent position, and an IP reader 6 and processes the images after image signals are input into an image processing device 1. The image data obtained by image processing can be sent to LAN 19 and can be output to the other mediums. As a radiographing control means 23 is equipped, operations of an X-ray generating device 22 are controlled. The conditions to control the device are determined depending on using either the flat panel detector or the IP cassette.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus, and more particularly to an X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus having a flat panel detector and image processing means for processing image information of an IP cassette.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional X-ray image diagnostic apparatus uses an X-ray that has been irradiated and transmitted through a subject for the purpose of performing good X-ray imaging in accordance with the region of the subject to be imaged. Various configurations are applied to detection means for detection.

[0003] Among these configurations, for example, in an X-ray image diagnostic apparatus for general radiography for photographing the abdomen and the chest of a subject, a standing photographing device or a recumbent photographing device is used in accordance with the posture of the subject. Have been. Each of these imaging apparatuses is provided with a plane detector for standing imaging and a plane detector for recumbent imaging, and detects X-rays transmitted through the subject, converts the X-rays into electric signals, and outputs the electric signals. The same type of flat detector can be used in the standing position and the lying position. The flat detector is arranged in the horizontal position or the vertical position, and is adapted to the standing position and the lying position.

[0004] The flat detector is a means for converting X-rays into electric signals. This planar detector has one X
The light is received by the phosphor and converted into light once, and the light is received by the photodiode and converted into an electric signal. Another configuration is a system in which X-rays are directly received by amorphous selenium or the like and directly converted into electric signals. In this method, a constant bias voltage is applied to amorphous selenium, and the distribution of the potential due to this application collapses instantaneously due to the incidence of X-rays, and an electric signal can be obtained by capturing the change in potential due to the collapse. it can.

The electric signal output from the flat panel detector is input to an image processing device as image information, subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing device, and converted into an X-ray image, which is important for diagnosis, diagnosis, and follow-up observation. It will be a source of judgment.

[0006] In addition to an X-ray image diagnostic apparatus having a flat detector, an IP (Imagi) without using the flat detector is used.
ng Plate) X for performing X-ray imaging using a cassette
A line image diagnostic apparatus is also used. What is an IP cassette?
It is an image detector that can be used repeatedly and has a structure in which a stimulable phosphor is applied on a support. X-ray irradiation causes an image to accumulate due to the photostimulated luminescence phenomenon, emits fluorescence by laser light stimulation, and is subjected to photoelectric conversion. An image signal can be obtained by this photoelectric conversion. X-rays transmitted through a subject are projected on an IP cassette and read as image data by an IP reader. The image data output from the IP reader is an electric signal, and this image data is input to an image processing device or the like and subjected to predetermined image processing. Used as a material. As a specialized device among the X-ray image diagnostic apparatuses using the IP cassette, for example, the present invention is applied to a mammography apparatus, a round-ray X-ray apparatus, and the like.

[0007]

However, the prior art has the following problems to be solved.

In an X-ray image diagnostic apparatus that performs imaging with a plane detector in X-ray imaging, X-ray imaging of a general abdomen or chest can be performed, but, for example, X-ray imaging of a shoulder joint in orthopedic surgery is not possible. X-ray photography using the cassette cannot be performed.

In an X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus for performing X-ray imaging using an IP cassette, X-ray imaging using an IP cassette can be performed for imaging a shoulder joint in orthopedic surgery, but a flat detector is required. I can't prepare.

In each X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus having a flat panel detector and an IP cassette, the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus has a different X-ray detector depending on the use of the flat panel detector or the IP cassette.
It was not controlled in conjunction with the radiographic conditions.

An externally provided LAN (Locala)
l Area Network) or HIS / RIS (in-hospital / examination room network), which can process and transmit the captured image data.
It is not possible to bidirectionally communicate X-ray imaging conditions and the like and input X-ray imaging conditions and the like to the X-ray imaging control device. Also, no external image data or other medical data could be obtained.

In view of these problems, the present invention can perform image processing on image information from both a flat panel detector and an IP reader, and controls shooting conditions in accordance with shooting by a flat panel detector or an IP cassette. Can also
It is an object of the present invention to provide an X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus capable of outputting image data to a network.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flat detector for detecting image information in X-ray imaging of a subject. An IP reader for reading the image information from an IP cassette on which the image information is imprinted in the X-ray imaging of the subject, and image processing and storing the image information from the flat panel detector and the IP reader; An X-ray image diagnostic apparatus comprising an image processing apparatus capable of outputting is defined as a solution.

Further, according to the present invention described in claim 2,
The image processing apparatus may include the flat panel detector or the IP
The X-ray imaging diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an X-ray imaging control device that controls X-ray imaging conditions in accordance with use of the cassette.

According to the third aspect of the present invention,
The X-ray image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus includes a connection unit for connecting to an external network.

[0016]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of an X-ray image diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The X-ray image diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes an image processing device 1, an upright imaging device 2, and an upright plane detector 3
, The lying position photographing device 4, the lying position detector 5, the IP reader 6, the monitor 16, the image printer 17, the removable media 18, the LAN 19, and the keyboard 20.
And a mouse 21.

The image processing apparatus 1 has a CPU (Central Processing) as its internal configuration.
(Unit) 7, a plane detector I / F 8, and an IP-I / F
9, a pixel compensating unit 11, an image processing unit 12, a processing history data adding unit 13, an HD (Hard Dis
k) 14 and an external output I / F 15.

The standing photographing device 2 and the lying photographing device 4 and I
The P readers 6 are both connected to the image processing apparatus 1. With this connected configuration, image signals from the standing plane detector 3 included in the standing imaging apparatus 2 and the lying plane detector 5 included in the lying imaging apparatus 4 are input to the image processing apparatus 1.
In addition, an image signal read from the IP cassette already photographed by the IP reader 6 is also input to the image processing apparatus 1.

The image signals from the standing plane detector 3 and the lying plane detector 5 are both input to the plane detector I / F 8.
The image signal from the IP reader 6 is input to the IP-I / F 9. The plane detector I / F8 and the IP-I / F9 are interfaces for receiving an image signal, which is an electric signal, which is input together, in an electrically stable manner. . Pixel compensation means 11
Then, among the image data, a pixel which does not indicate predetermined image data is detected from among a large number of pixels constituting the image, and compensation is performed on the detected pixels so as to indicate predetermined image data.

The image data output from the pixel correction means 11 is then subjected to image correction by the image processing means 12.
This image correction adjusts the γ curve of the input image data or adjusts other image parameters. In the image data obtained from the subject, adjustments such as contrast, brightness, and contour enhancement are performed to improve the visibility of a region of interest, which is a part necessary for examination and diagnosis.

The processing history data providing means 13 provides the contents corrected by the image processing means 12 as history information in association with the image data. By adding the history information of the image processing to the image data, the content of the image processing performed so far on the target image data can be known. For example, when it is desired to obtain image data before the image data is subjected to undesired image correction, an undesired image correction to be processed is specified from the processing history data. With this designation, image data before the designated image correction is performed can be reproduced.

The CPU 7 has a flat panel detector I / F 8 and an IP-
I / F 9, pixel compensating means 11, image processing means 12
And the operation of the processing history data adding means 13. The internal configuration of the CPU 7 includes, for example, a computer (not shown) as information processing means. Planar detector I /
F8, IP-I / F9, A / D converter 10 are CPU
The control of the operation / non-operation and the control of the operation content according to the input image signal are performed by 7. Pixel compensation means 1
1 controls the degree of compensation for pixels by the CPU 7,
Alternatively, control of the operation / non-operation of compensation is performed.

The image processing means 12 is instructed by the CPU 7 for the contents of correction, and the processing history data adding means 13 is
The processing history is input to the image processing means 12 under the control of. Image data and history information are generated by linking, and this history information is read by the CPU 7 and used as one piece of control information for image processing control. The image data processed by the image correcting means 12 is stored in the HD 14 via the CPU 7 and sent to the external output I / F 15. Alternatively, the image data may be directly transmitted from the image processing unit 12 to the HD 14 or the external output I / F 15 without the intervention of the CPU 7. In this configuration, the operation control of the image processing means 12, the HD 14, and the external output I / F 15 is performed by the CPU 7.

The external output I / F 15 has a monitor 16 for displaying image data, an image printer 17, a removable medium 18, a mouse 21, and a keyboard 2
0 and connected to the LAN 19.

While viewing the image data displayed on the monitor 16, the operator can operate the keyboard 20, the mouse 21 and the like as an instruction input means to perform desired image processing on the image data. It is also possible to create an image report by adding characters or the like to this image data. The image printer 17 is used to print image data on a film or the like, and the removable medium 18 can store image data or read image data from another device. As the removable medium 18, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a magneto-optical disk can be used.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention. The X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in FIG.
, The IP reader 6, the upright imaging device 2, the recumbent imaging device 4, the imaging control means 23, the X-ray tube control means 24, X
And a line generator 22.

Image signals from the standing plane detector 3, the lying plane detector 5, and the IP reader 6 are input to the image processing apparatus 1. The input image signal is subjected to image processing as described in the first embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment of the present invention, as compared with the first embodiment, an X-ray image diagnostic apparatus is formed as a configuration that is performed by the image processing apparatus 1 including the operation control of the X-ray generator 22. .

When an X-ray imaging method is designated by the image processing apparatus 1, X-ray imaging conditions are controlled in accordance with, for example, the case where an IP cassette is used and the case where a plane detector is used. In this control, the photographing conditions and other overall operation control are determined by the photographing control means 23. This control information is input to the X-ray tube control means 24 and the X-ray generator 22
To control the amount and timing of X-ray exposure. Arrows indicated by broken lines in the figure schematically represent the X-rays to be irradiated, and the irradiation is performed on the standing image capturing device 2 and the lying position image capturing device 4 according to an operator's instruction. Control.

FIG. 3 shows an example of installation of the X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention. This diagram schematically shows, for example, the arrangement of an examination room in a hospital, and a shielding wall 32 installed on a floor 33.
Is divided into right and left. A monitor 30 and an IP reader 31 are arranged in one room partitioned by the shielding wall 32, and an operator operates the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus while watching the monitor 30. An operation console (not shown) is provided in the vicinity of the monitor 30 so that a photographing operation can be performed at the operation console. Then, a desired photographing operation is performed.

The track rail 29 is provided near the ceiling in the examination room, and the X-ray generator 25 is movable using the track rail 29 as a guide. When either the standing imaging device 26 or the recumbent imaging device 27 disposed in the examination room is selected, the X-ray generator moves to a predetermined position with respect to the selected imaging device. The operating conditions of the X-ray generator 25 are controlled depending on whether X-rays are detected by a plane detector or when a shoulder joint is photographed using an IP cassette.

According to the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus of the present invention having the above-described structure, the X-ray diagnostic apparatus is provided with the plane detector for upright imaging and the plane detector for supine imaging, and a processing device for controlling these and performing image processing. It is characterized by having. In addition, I
An image captured by a P-cassette or the like is obtained image data by an IP reader, and can be processed by the same image processing apparatus. HIS / R by providing external output I / F
The connection to IS, LAN, etc. can be made only with the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, and imaging information obtained by other specialized equipment (mammography apparatus, X-ray apparatus for round-trip) is also image-processed. And can be distributed as digital images to a network or the like.

The embodiments described above are described for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and are not described for limiting the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment is intended to include all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0033]

According to the present invention, a flat detector and an IP
Image information from the reader can be processed together,
Further, it is possible to provide an X-ray image diagnostic apparatus capable of controlling imaging conditions in accordance with imaging by a flat panel detector or an IP cassette and outputting image data to a network.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement configuration of the X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing apparatus, 2 ... Standing imaging apparatus, 3 ... Standing plane detector, 4 ... Lying plane imaging apparatus, 5 ... Lying plane detector, 6 ... I
P reader, 7 CPU, 8 Flat detector I / F, 9 I
P-I / F, 11: pixel compensation means, 12: image processing means, 13: processing history data, 14: HD, 15: external output I / F, 22: X-ray generator, 23: imaging control means,
24: X-ray tube control means, 25: X-ray generator, 32: shielding wall

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A flat panel detector for detecting image information in X-ray imaging of a subject, and an IP having image information imprinted in the X-ray imaging of the subject.
An X-ray apparatus comprising: an IP reader for reading the image information from a cassette; and an image processing apparatus capable of processing, storing, and outputting the image information from the flat panel detector and the IP reader. Diagnostic imaging device. 2. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus includes an X-ray imaging control device that controls X-ray imaging conditions according to use of the flat panel detector or the IP cassette. X-ray diagnostic imaging device. 3. The X-ray image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus includes a connection unit for connecting to an external network.