JP2001333894A - X-ray imaging equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide X-ray imaging equipment which enables an X-ray technician to aim at and to make sure a light field from a distant place without letting him/her go close to a movable diaphragm for X-ray or installing a special operating switch. SOLUTION: A recognizing circuit 27, which recognizes time for operating a switch SW1, is placed in an X-ray controlling device 4. When an X-ray technician operates the SW1 for a short period of time by clicking it at a distant place from a movable diaphragm 5 for X-ray, holding an irradiating switch 3, a circuit 28 for lighting on/off an irradiating lamp for the movable diaphragm 5 for X-ray is activated, and the light field can be confirmed by aiming at an examinee. If the X-ray technician keeps on pressing the SW1, a circuit 29 for preparing for imaging is activated, and the completion of preparing for imaging is confirmed at a confirming circuit 30. High voltage is applied to a X-ray tube 32 by pressing SW2, and an X-ray is taken.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an X-ray photographing apparatus having a function of aiming an X-ray irradiation field by an X-ray movable diaphragm to an examination region of a subject with an irradiation lamp.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a radiographic apparatus, for example, there is a cordless inverter type radiographic apparatus for round-trip as shown in FIG. This apparatus comprises an X-ray tube 32, an arm 39 holding the X-ray tube 32, a column 40 that can be turned on a carriage 41, a vertical moving unit where the arm 39 moves up and down along the column 40, and a front wheel 44 that can be freely turned. And the rear wheel 43 that cannot be steered
And a trolley 41 including a controller that is moved forward or backward by a drive motor by operating the operation handle 42 provided on the trolley 41 back and forth. And the arm 39 which expands and contracts in the horizontal direction, provided with a support mechanism and a rotation mechanism of the X-ray tube 32, is designed as a mechanism which can smoothly move vertically on the support column 40 to achieve balance, and is designed in all directions and spatial positions. X-ray tube 32
X-ray movable diaphragm 5 attached to the radiation port of
6 is directed to an imaging part of the subject 34 placed on the upper part 6 and is imaged using a cassette 45 set at a lower part. This X-ray imaging apparatus is characterized in that it is small and light as a mobile apparatus and has good operability, and can be easily moved to a bedroom, an operating room, a pediatric room, an X-ray room, an infant room, etc. in a hospital. It is easily used for radiography on site.

[0003] X-ray photography is performed using an X-ray irradiation switch 3 shown in FIG. The surgeon 35 stands near the subject 34 to know the irradiation range of the X-ray before the X-ray imaging, and is attached to the side surface of the X-ray movable diaphragm 5 or provided separately. When the switch 6 is turned on, the irradiation field provided to the body surface of the subject 34 is confirmed by the irradiation lamp provided inside the X-ray movable diaphragm 5. The irradiation field of view can be adjusted with a knob provided on the side surface of the X-ray movable diaphragm 5. When the adjustment is completed, the hand irradiation lamp switch 6 is turned off. And
The operator 35 moves to a place away from the subject 34, and
As shown in (b), when the first push button SW1 of the X-ray irradiation switch 3 is pressed with the finger 38, the imaging preparation circuit operates. Prior to imaging, it takes about 1 second or more for the filament heating circuit of the X-ray tube 32 to operate and the rotating starter circuit of the rotating anode to operate and complete predetermined preparations. Then, after the preparation for imaging is completed, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the second push button SW2 is pressed with the finger 38, a high voltage is applied to the X-ray tube 32 to irradiate X-rays, and imaging is started. Complete.

Next, the structure of the movable diaphragm for X-rays is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In order to adjust the X-ray irradiation field, the role of the X-ray movable diaphragm 5 attached to the emission port of the X-ray tube 32 of the X-ray imaging apparatus is to reduce the exposure dose and improve the image quality. The X-rays from the focal point 32a of the X-ray tube 32 are provided on the movable diaphragm 5 for X-rays to limit left and right and front and rear X-rays, and to restrict the cones 7 and 8
The X-ray flux 19 is formed by the two-stage blades
4 are irradiated to the diagnostic site. The beam cone limiting blades 7 and 8 (also referred to as upper blades) mainly made of a lead plate set the used beam cone to a minimum necessary X-ray irradiation field. The driving method of this blade is
There are two methods: arc movement by gear and link mechanism, or parallel movement by wire rope, pulley and shaft arranged in parallel, but the former has a simpler mechanism,
In the latter, the accuracy of the set X-ray irradiation field is good. The lower blades 9, 10 and the out-of-focus X-ray reduction blades 11, 12 (also referred to as back blades) operate in conjunction with the line cone control blades 7, 8. A small motor is used for driving. The lower blades 9, 10 greatly contribute to the reduction of scattered radiation and the leakage dose of the movable diaphragm, and the out-of-focus X-ray reduction blades 11, 12 are blades that effectively reduce out-of-focus X-rays. The overall performance is determined by not only the individual performances of the above three sets of blades but also the mutual geometric relationship and assembly dimensional accuracy. The display of the X-ray irradiation field indicates that the light emitted from the irradiation lamp 13 is reflected by mirrors 14 and 15.
A method for visually observing the light irradiation field formed by passing through the beam cone limiting blades 7 and 8 on the subject 34, and a pointer 16 interlocking with the beam cone limiting blades 7 and 8 serve as a scale plate 17 of the X-ray irradiation field. There are two methods of displaying the opening degree by instructing the user to confirm without opening X-rays. However, some do not include the irradiation lamp 13. Further, a detachable additional filter 18 and the like are provided to protect the total filtration that defines the quality of X-rays.

[0005]

The conventional X-ray imaging apparatus is constructed as described above. However, the operation of confirming the X-ray irradiation field is performed by using the light emitted from the irradiation lamp 13 by the mirrors 14, 15 and the beam cone. A method of visually confirming the light irradiation field formed by passing through the restricting blades 7 and 8 on the subject 34 by the operator 35 or a pointer 16 interlocking with the cone-shape restricting blades 7 and 8 is used for the X-ray irradiation field. Scale plate 1
7 is a method of confirming the opening degree indicating the position of the X-ray movable stop 5 when the hand-held irradiation lamp switch 6 for ON / OFF of the irradiation lamp 13 is attached to the side surface of the X-ray movable diaphragm 5.
In order to know the X-ray irradiation field, the surgeon 35 must go to the X-ray movable diaphragm 5 each time and press the hand irradiation lamp switch 6 or indicate the scale plate 17 of the X-ray irradiation field. It is necessary to check the opening degree, and there is a problem that the burden on the operator 35 increases. Also, the irradiation lamp 13 is controlled by a dedicated switch.
There is a problem that the light source cannot be operated unless a dedicated switch is separately prepared when ON-OFF is performed.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is not necessary for an operator to go to the vicinity of an X-ray movable diaphragm each time to check an X-ray irradiation field. An object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray imaging apparatus capable of aiming a light irradiation field from a remote place without providing a dedicated operation switch.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention checks an X-ray irradiation field on an imaging region of a subject by using an irradiation lamp of an X-ray movable diaphragm. hand,
An X-ray imaging apparatus that operates an imaging preparation unit by operating a first switch of an X-ray irradiation switch, and after completion of preparation, applies a high voltage to an X-ray tube by operating a second switch to perform imaging. Recognition means for recognizing the ON time of the first switch operation of the irradiation switch is provided. If the ON time is equal to or less than a predetermined time, the irradiation lamp of the X-ray movable diaphragm is turned on and off by the output of the recognition means, If the ON time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the photographing preparation means operates.

The X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention is configured as described above. The X-ray controller is provided with a recognizing means for recognizing the ON time of the operation of the first switch of the X-ray irradiation switch. By operating the operation for a short time, for example, by clicking operation, the irradiation lamp of the X-ray movable diaphragm can be turned on, and by clicking again, the irradiation lamp can be turned off. The photographing preparation means can be operated by turning the first switch ON for a predetermined time or more. Therefore, the operator can confirm the light irradiation field aimed at the body surface of the subject by clicking the first switch of the X-ray irradiation switch away from the X-ray movable diaphragm. Further, the light irradiation field can be aimed from a remote place without providing a special operation switch separately.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention. This X-ray imaging device
X having a first switch SW1 and a second switch SW2
A recognition circuit 27 that recognizes the ON time of the operation of the first switch in the X-ray irradiation switch 3 and the X-ray controller 4 and determines whether to start preparation for imaging or to turn on / off the irradiation lamp of the X-ray movable diaphragm.
An imaging preparation circuit 29 for preparing for heating the filament of the X-ray tube 32 and the rotation of the anode; a confirmation circuit 30 for confirming a predetermined time of the imaging preparation;
Irradiation lamp on / off circuit 28 for turning on / off 3
And the second switch SW of the X-ray irradiation switch 3
2. A high voltage generating circuit 31 for applying a high voltage to the X-ray tube 32 by the X-ray tube 32, the X-ray tube 32, and a built-in irradiation lamp aim at the light irradiation field to the subject 34 and collimate the X-ray irradiation field. And an X-ray movable diaphragm 5.

The X-ray irradiation switch 3 has a first switch SW1 in the first stage and a second switch SW2 in the second stage.
W1 is connected to a recognition circuit 27 provided in the X-ray controller 4, and SW2 is connected to an input circuit for operating the high voltage generation circuit 31 in the X-ray controller 4. As shown in FIG. 4, normally, in the non-operation state (a), the first-stage SW1 is arranged concentrically at the center of the second-stage SW2, and only the SW1 is pushed down with the finger 38 for a predetermined time. When the above state is turned on, the imaging preparation operation state (b) is set, the filament heating circuit and the anode rotating starter circuit of the X-ray tube 32 operate, and the imaging preparation state is set. When the first-stage SW1 is turned on for a short time by the finger 38, for example, when a click operation is performed, the recognition circuit 27 recognizes the short-operation ON state of the SW1 and turns on / off the irradiation lamp of the X-ray movable diaphragm 5. 28 operates, the irradiation lamp 13 is lit, and the light irradiation field is
Aim at the body surface. When the SW1 is clicked again, the irradiation lamp turning on / off circuit 28 operates, and the irradiation lamp 13 is turned off. The recognition circuit 27 recognizes the operation state of the switch SW1 based on the operation time of the switch ON, and turns on the switch ON.
If the time is less than or equal to a predetermined time, a signal is output so as to operate the irradiation lamp lighting / extinguishing circuit 28 of the X-ray movable diaphragm 5, and if the switch ON time is equal to or more than the predetermined time, the imaging preparation circuit 29 to output a signal. Irradiation lamp on / off circuit 28 with one short operation
Is operated to turn on the irradiation lamp 13 and then operate again for a short time.
8 operates and the irradiation lamp 13 is turned off. When the irradiation lamp lighting / turning-off circuit 28 is operated by one short operation to turn on the irradiation lamp 13 and then the operation is performed for a long time, the imaging preparation circuit 29 operates to prepare for imaging. .
The imaging preparation circuit 29 performs preparations before imaging so that a heating current is supplied to the filament of the X-ray tube 32 to easily emit thermoelectrons, and the rotating anode is rotated at high speed to increase the heat capacity. . The time required for this preparation takes one second or more, and differs depending on the type of the X-ray tube 32. By providing the confirmation circuit 30 until a high voltage is applied to the X-ray tube 32, a high voltage is not applied even when the SW2 is operated unless a predetermined time has elapsed after the long-time operation of the SW1. I have. The X-ray movable diaphragm 5 is provided with a hand-irradiation lamp switch 6 on a side surface of the X-ray movable diaphragm 5 so that the conventional operation can be performed. In the present X-ray imaging apparatus, the hand-irradiation lamp switch 6 is If the switch is set to the OFF state, the SW1 of the X-ray irradiation switch 3 is operated for a short time, for example, by clicking, and the irradiation lamp is turned on / off by the irradiation lamp lighting / off circuit 28 provided in the X-ray controller 4. Will be

Next, an operation flow of the X-ray imaging apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. First, the X-ray irradiation switch 3
Is clicked on the first-stage SW1 provided in. The recognition circuit 27 determines that the operation has been performed for a short time, and turns on / off the irradiation lamp.
The light-off circuit 28 is operated, and the X-ray movable diaphragm irradiation lamp 13
Lights up. A light irradiation field corresponding to the X-ray irradiation field can be confirmed on the body surface of the subject 34. Again the first stage SW
1 Click operation to turn on / off the illumination lamp 2
8, the X-ray movable diaphragm irradiation lamp 13 is turned off. Further, when the first-stage SW1 is clicked, the irradiation lamp lighting / extinguishing circuit 28 is operated, the X-ray movable diaphragm irradiation lamp 13 is turned on, and then the first-stage SW1 is pressed and operated for a long time to prepare for photographing. Then, the filament heating circuit and the anode rotating starter circuit operate. After a lapse of a predetermined time of about 1 second or more, the confirmation circuit 30 confirms that the preparation for photographing is completed. When the second-stage SW2 of the X-ray irradiation switch is pressed, the high-voltage generation circuit 31
, A high voltage is applied to the X-ray tube 32, and the imaging is completed under the set X-ray conditions.

As described above, the operator 35 grasps the X-ray irradiation switch 3 and, at a position away from the main body of the X-ray imaging apparatus by the cable 37, simply clicks the switch SW1 to emit the irradiation lamp of the X-ray movable diaphragm 5. By turning on the light 13, a light irradiation field corresponding to the X-ray irradiation field can be visually confirmed on the body surface of the subject 34. Further, when SW1 is kept pressed, preparation for imaging is started. By pressing SW2, a high voltage is applied to the X-ray tube 32, and imaging is performed. In the above description, the recognition circuit 27 and the photographing preparation circuit 29 have been described. However, these are examples of a recognition unit and a photographing unit including a method of processing by software, and are not limited to the above and illustrated examples.

[0013]

The X-ray imaging apparatus of the present invention is constructed as described above, and a recognition circuit for recognizing the ON time of the first switch operation provided on the X-ray irradiation switch is provided in the X-ray controller. The operator operates the first switch for a short time at a place away from the X-ray movable aperture by holding the X-ray operation switch,
For example, if a click operation is performed, the irradiation lamp of the X-ray movable diaphragm is turned on by the output of the recognition circuit, and the light irradiation field aimed at the body surface of the subject can be confirmed. Then, when the click operation is performed again, the irradiation lamp is turned off.
When the operation of the first switch is lengthened, the photographing preparation circuit operates, the filament is heated, the anode is rotated, and after the preparation for photographing is completed, the photographing is performed by pressing the second switch. Therefore, the light irradiation field can be visually confirmed from a distant place without providing a special operation switch separately, and the operator's labor can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation flowchart of the X-ray imaging apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an X-ray imaging state using a round-trip X-ray imaging apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a two-stage operation type X-ray irradiation switch.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a structure of an X-ray movable diaphragm.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... SW (1st stage) 2 ... SW (2nd stage) 3 ... X-ray irradiation switch 4 ... X-ray controller 5 ... X-ray movable diaphragm 6 ... Hand irradiation lamp switch 27 ... Recognition circuit 28 ... Irradiation lamp on / off Circuit 29 ... Preparation circuit for photographing 30 ... Confirmation circuit 31 ... High voltage generation circuit 32 ... X-ray tube

Claims (1)

[Claims] An X-ray irradiation field is collimated with an irradiation lamp of an X-ray movable aperture to confirm an X-ray irradiation field on an imaging region of a subject, and an imaging preparation means is operated by operating a first switch of an X-ray irradiation switch. After completion of the preparation, a recognition means for recognizing the ON time of the first switch operation of the X-ray irradiation switch is provided in an X-ray imaging apparatus which performs imaging by applying a high voltage to the X-ray tube by operating the second switch. If the ON time is equal to or shorter than a predetermined time, the irradiation lamp of the X-ray movable diaphragm is turned on and off by the output of the recognition means, and if the ON time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the imaging preparation means operates. An X-ray imaging apparatus characterized in that: