JP2002000599A - X-ray ct system loading vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an X-ray CT system loading vehicle suitable for a traveling diagnosis, a group medical examination or the like at an underpopulated area. SOLUTION: In the X-ray CT system loading vehicle 100, a lung cancer CAD system 143a as a screening system for extracting a candidate of an abnormal shadow by a support of a computer based on image data obtained by the X-ray CT system is provided in a stuff chamber 140. Thus, a collection of the image data and an interpretation of the image can be continuously conducted, a detecting operation of the shadow and an extracting operation of the candidate to be considered to be abnormal from the shadow are left to a computer, and a doctor may interpret the image of the extracted abnormal candidate. Accordingly, a load on the doctor's interpretation can be alleviated, and a diagnostic result can be provided to the subject in a short time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an X-ray CT apparatus mounted on a self-propelled vehicle, and to a vehicle equipped with an X-ray CT apparatus for performing image diagnosis in a disaster-stricken area or a mountainous area. More particularly, the present invention relates to a vehicle equipped with an X-ray CT apparatus which is adapted to be suitable for mass screening by installing a screening system for extracting an image having an abnormal shadow following collection of image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art X-rays are emitted from the periphery of a subject, the amount of X-rays transmitted through the subject is measured, and the obtained projection data is subjected to image reconstruction processing using a computer. An X-ray CT apparatus for obtaining a tomographic image of an examiner is effective in early detection of a disease, determination of an appropriate treatment policy, and the like. In addition, by moving a so-called X-ray CT-equipped vehicle with an X-ray CT device mounted on a self-propelled vehicle such as a bus to the disaster-stricken area, image diagnosis such as the presence or absence of fractures and damage to internal organs at the site is performed. It is also used for patrol diagnosis and mass screening in depopulated areas such as mountainous areas. Particularly, recently, with the advent of a helical scanning type X-ray CT apparatus, a chest region can be imaged during one breath, and a helical scan is used for mass screening for early detection of a chest disease. X-ray C equipped with a type X-ray CT system
The realization of a vehicle equipped with a T device has been strongly desired.

In this helical scanning type X-ray CT apparatus, an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector provided so as to face each other with a subject interposed therebetween are continuously rotated at a high speed around the subject. Moving the subject at a constant speed to obtain continuous CT data without interruption over the desired imaging range;
By reconstructing this data, a tomographic image of the subject is obtained. This helical scanning type X-ray CT
The apparatus can obtain multi-section images at a high speed, so that the examination efficiency is improved, and clinically significant effects are exhibited. That is, since one examination can be completed while the subject holds one breath, the burden on the subject can be reduced, and a clear image can be obtained even from an emergency patient who has difficulty holding his breath. In the case of a detailed inspection performed by injecting a contrast agent to stain a lesion, the dye is dyed by the contrast agent for a short time, but CT data of all organs can be obtained without missing this timing, and detection of a microtumor To be able to make accurate differential diagnosis of benign and malignant. High-definition three-dimensional images can be easily formed by continuous data at high speed. Furthermore, it is being proven to be extremely useful for early detection of lung cancer.

[0004] As a conventional vehicle equipped with an X-ray CT apparatus, one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3027769 is known, and its outline is shown in FIG.
That is, at the center of the large bus type vehicle 1 in the length direction,
The gantry 2a and the bed 2b of the X-ray CT apparatus are mounted, and the power supply device 3 and the high-voltage generator 4 are installed in the space between the driver's seat 18 at the front of the vehicle and the gantry 2a and the bed 2b. In addition, an X-ray monitor 5 and a console 6 are provided. In addition, an entrance 12 for a subject on a stretcher or a wheelchair and a lift device 15 are provided on the rear wall surface of the vehicle 1, and an entrance 13 for a subject who can walk by himself is provided on the rear side wall surface of the vehicle 1. Things. Other vehicles equipped with an X-ray CT apparatus are disclosed in JP-A-6-154202 and JP-A-8-12.
The one disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 7282 and the like is also known.

[0005]

However, the one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3027769 is not suitable for mass screening, and the X-ray C
The main purpose is to capture a T image. Further, since the power supply device 3 is installed in the same room as the gantry 2a and the bed 2b of the X-ray CT apparatus, there is concern about safety,
There has been a problem that the subject being inspected is discomforted by noise. Further, the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-154202 discloses an X-ray CT system in which a subject is seated on a chair.
Since the imaging is performed, it is not suitable for X-ray CT imaging of a severely injured subject. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-127282
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP-A-2002-209139 discloses an industrial X-ray CT apparatus mounted on a large trailer, which has problems such as road conditions, and is used for patrol diagnosis or mass screening in depopulated areas such as mountainous areas. Was unsuitable. The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, a gantry and a bed for an X-ray CT apparatus formed at a substantially intermediate portion of a self-propelled vehicle having a driver's seat at the front are installed. Operate a CT room, a power supply room provided with a power supply device formed between the CT room and the driver's seat, and a gantry and a bed of the X-ray CT device formed behind the CT room and process data. In a vehicle equipped with an X-ray CT apparatus equipped with a console for performing the operation and a staff room in which equipment including a monitor for displaying a CT image is installed, abnormalities are generated with the aid of a computer based on image data obtained by the X-ray CT apparatus. A screening system for extracting shadow candidates is provided in the staff room.
Then, the screening system includes the X-ray CT
An image storage unit for sequentially storing the image data obtained by the apparatus, and sequentially reading out the image data stored in the image storage unit to extract abnormal shadow candidates from among the extracted abnormal shadow candidates. An abnormal shadow candidate detecting means for selecting a specific candidate based on the morphological feature amount; and a display means for displaying an image having the specific abnormal shadow detected by the abnormal shadow candidate detecting means. .
Thus, the interpretation of the image can be performed subsequent to the imaging of the CT image, so that a diagnosis result can be obtained in a short time. Then, the task of detecting abnormal shadows and extracting candidates that appear to be abnormal among them is left to the computer, and the doctor only has to interpret the images of the extracted abnormal candidates, thus reducing the burden on the doctor's interpretation work. can do. In addition, it is possible to prevent a person from overlooking a delicate contrast abnormality that is difficult to recognize by human eyes, and coexistence of the doctor and the computer is effectively achieved.

The X-ray CT apparatus is a helical scanning type X-ray CT apparatus, and the screening system is a computer-aided diagnosis system for detecting lung cancer candidates. Thus, it can contribute to efficient implementation of mass screening, early detection of lung cancer, and reduction of the burden on doctors. In addition, the screening system is arranged along one side wall surface of the staff room together with the equipment installed in the staff room, and a space between the staff room and a changing space formed on the other wall surface side of the staff room. It is characterized by being partitioned by a movable shield. This eliminates the possibility that the diagnostic image is seen by another subject, and protects the privacy of the subject.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a vehicle equipped with an X-ray CT apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. In these drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an overall layout for explaining an embodiment of a vehicle equipped with an X-ray CT apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the same. In FIG. 1, the ceiling portion of the vehicle is not shown. Now, the X-ray CT-equipped vehicle 100 according to the present invention has a CT room 120 formed substantially in the middle of a self-propelled vehicle having a driver's seat 110 at the front, such as a large bus type. Part 2 between CT room 120
A power supply room 130 having a layer structure is formed, and a staff room 140 is formed behind the CT room 120. An entrance 150 for a subject or the like is formed on the rear wall of the self-propelled vehicle so as to communicate with the staff room 140, and the staff room 140 also serves as a changing room for the subject. The CT room 120 has the largest space in the self-propelled vehicle, and the gantry 121 and the bed 122 of the X-ray CT apparatus are fixedly installed on the floor, and the air conditioner 123 and the switchboard 1
24 etc. are installed. This X-ray CT apparatus is capable of, for example, helical scanning, and usually has a gantry 12
1, a bed 122 and a console 141, and the console 141 is a staff room 1 as described later.
40.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of a gantry 121 and a bed 122 provided in the CT room 120. In the center of the gantry 121, a through hole 121a serving as an imaging port is provided.
Is formed, and the subject placed on the top plate 122a of the bed 122 is sent into the imaging opening 121a by sliding the top plate 122a. This top plate 1
The slide stroke of 22a toward the photographing port 121a is
Usually, the maximum is about 1800 mm, but when the space condition of the CT room 120, for example, the distance between the partition wall 120a separating the CT room 120 and the power supply room 130 and the gantry 121 cannot be sufficiently secured, For example, the slide stroke can be limited to a maximum of 1600 mm according to the distance therebetween. The setting of the limit value is performed, for example, by changing the slide limit value of the top plate 122a by the bed control firmware. However, if the medical staff erroneously instructs the slide stroke to be equal to or larger than the limit value during the imaging operation. If so, a warning is issued to reset the settings. This depends on the type of the self-propelled vehicle or the type of the X-ray CT apparatus installed in the CT room 120, etc.
It is expected that the size of CT room will be different.
This is to prevent the sliding top plate 122a from interfering with the partition wall 120a when 20 is small.

Although not shown in the frame 121, a rotating unit provided with an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector is provided so as to face each other with the imaging opening 121a interposed therebetween, and further drives the rotating unit. A tilt mechanism for tilting the drive unit and the gantry 121, a high voltage generator for generating a high voltage to be supplied to the X-ray tube, a signal amplifier for amplifying a signal detected by the X-ray detector, and the like are housed. The tilt angle of the gantry 121 by this tilt mechanism is also usually in the range of +30 degrees to −30 degrees, but the space condition of the CT room 120, for example, the CT room 1
In a case where the distance between the partition wall 120a that separates the power supply room 20 and the gantry 121 or the height dimension between the floor and the ceiling of the CT room 120 cannot be sufficiently secured, the tilt angle is set to, for example, It can be set appropriately according to the space condition of the CT room 120 so as to be in the range of +20 degrees to −20 degrees. This is also the top plate 12 of the bed 122
Similarly to 2a, even if various types of gantry 121 of different types are installed in the CT room 120, the ceiling and the partition wall 12
This is to prevent interference with 0a. This setting also
For example, this is performed by changing the limit tilt angle of the tilt mechanism by tilt mechanism control firmware.

The surface of the gantry 121 is covered with a cover, and the cover is divided into a front cover 121b, a side cover 121c, an upper cover 121d, a back cover 121e, and the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the front cover 121b is designed to be opened to the ceiling side of the self-propelled vehicle so that internal devices can be accessed from the front. A handle 121f is provided to protrude from the side cover 121c of the gantry 121. The handle 121f is for fixing or releasing the fixing of the tilt mechanism.
At the time of traveling, the vehicle is fixed at the time of traveling so that the tilt mechanism is not damaged by vibration or the like at the time of traveling, the vehicle 100 equipped with the X-ray CT device is stopped at a predetermined position, and the fixing is released when the X-ray CT device is operated. Is what you do. When the vehicle 100 with the X-ray CT device starts running or when the X-ray CT device starts operating, the operating state of the handle 121f, that is, the fixed / released state of the tilt mechanism, is constantly changed so as not to mislead the operator. For display, a display 125 is provided on a wall in the CT room 120 as part of a safety device. In addition, the bed 122 can be lowered to about 35 cm above the floor in a state where the couchtop 122a is retracted so that the subject can easily get on and off the couch 122a. An interlock circuit is provided to prevent sliding.

Next, the power supply chamber 130 will be described. The power supply room 130 is located between the driver's seat 110 and the CT room 120 and is partially formed in a two-layer structure. A power supply device 131 composed of a generator is installed in a lower part, and a power supply Air cooling equipment 132 such as a fan for cooling the device 131
Is installed. As described above, the power supply chamber 130 is formed in a two-layer structure, and a power supply device 131 which is a heavy material is provided below the power supply chamber 130.
Are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the self-propelled vehicle, so that the space efficiency of the self-propelled vehicle is improved. Further, since the power supply room 130 is an independent room, the subject in the CT room 120 is less likely to be discomfort due to noise,
Safety is also improved. Then, from this power supply room 130, X
The necessary power is supplied to each component of the line CT apparatus. However, the space of the power supply room 130 is limited, and it is difficult to install a very large power supply unit 131. Sufficient power supply is not necessarily provided. Therefore, at the time of imaging by the X-ray CT apparatus, the load can be adjusted according to the capacity of the power supply device 131, but the means will be described later.

Next, the staff room 140 formed behind the CT room 120 and the equipment installed therein will be described. The staff room 140 is a room mainly used by medical staff such as doctors and technicians to operate the X-ray CT apparatus and to interpret acquired CT images.
The staff room 140 includes a console 141 for the X-ray CT apparatus, a monitor 142 for displaying the CT image, and the like, and analyzes the CT image with a computer to detect an abnormal shadow, thereby assisting a doctor's diagnosis. Computer-aided diagnosis system (hereinafter, referred to as CAD system) 143a, communication system 143b, and analyzer 1
Various devices 143 such as 43c are arranged along one side wall surface of the staff room 140, in other words, along one surface of the longitudinal side wall of the self-propelled vehicle. This C
The AD system 143a uses the CT collected by the X-ray CT device.
This is a screening system that screens an image, picks up a candidate that seems to be abnormal, and marks and displays the candidate on a CT image. Then, the interpreting doctor interprets the CT image while referring to the abnormal candidate presented by the CAD system 143a, and finally makes a diagnosis based on his own judgment. Therefore, since it is not necessary to observe all the collected CT images, the load on the interpretation work of the interpreting doctor is reduced, and it is also possible to prevent a person from overlooking a delicate contrast abnormality that is difficult to identify by human eyes. Can be.

The CAD system 143a is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-306246, and its outline will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG.
The system 143a includes an image input unit 21, an image storage unit 2,
2. Display unit 23, abnormality candidate detection unit 24, detection result storage unit 25, instruction input unit 26, display determination information storage unit 27, detection result display determination unit 28, and a control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of the entire system. It is composed of
The image input unit 21 has a function as an interface for inputting CT image data directly sent from an X-ray CT device mounted on the same X-ray CT device mounted vehicle 100. The CT image data input from the image input unit 21 is stored in a storage medium provided in the image storage unit 22. The CT image data stored in the image storage unit 22 is sent to the abnormal candidate detection unit 24, and processed by a conventionally known general algorithm.
An abnormal shadow candidate included in the T image is detected, and an area as a morphological feature amount of each detected abnormal candidate is calculated. The area as the morphological feature amount detected and calculated by the abnormal candidate detection unit 24 and the position of the abnormal candidate on the image are stored in the detection result storage unit 25 in the subject name, the examination identification number, and the image number. The information is stored as an abnormal candidate information table in association with the above.

On the other hand, the instruction input unit 26 has input devices such as a keyboard, a touch panel, and a mouse, so that a radiologist can freely set or change criteria for determining an abnormal candidate to be displayed. Therefore, the criterion of the abnormality candidate to be displayed input by the instruction input unit 26 is stored in a storage medium such as a magnetic disk provided in the display determination information storage unit 27, and based on the criterion information, The detection result display determination unit 28 determines, selects, and stores, for all the abnormality candidates stored in the detection result storage unit 25, a specific abnormality candidate to be displayed.
The display unit 23 is a display device such as a cathode ray tube or a liquid crystal display, displays a CT image via the image storage unit 22, and displays the CT image on the image by the detection result display determination unit 28. The position of the specific abnormal candidate selected and determined as above is presented by superimposing a mark on the coordinates of the abnormal candidate.

Next, the operation of the CAD system 143a thus configured is detected by detecting a lung cancer candidate from a chest CT image acquired by, for example, a helical scanning type X-ray CT apparatus mounted on a self-propelled vehicle. , The detection result is displayed. First, an operation from acquisition of image data to detection of a lung cancer candidate and storage of the result will be described. An X-ray CT apparatus mounted on the vehicle 100 equipped with the X-ray CT apparatus performs chest CT imaging of the subject. Then, the acquired chest CT image data of the subject is sent to and stored in the image storage unit 22 via the image input unit 21.
This image data is formed from image supplementary information such as a subject's name, an examination identification number, and an image number, and a distribution of CT values (pixel values). The image data stored in the image storage unit 22 is read out for each inspection unit, and sent to the abnormality candidate detection unit 24 one by one. Abnormal candidate detection unit 2
4 receives the image data and executes a lung cancer candidate detection process. The algorithm of this processing is described in, for example, “Lung cancer screening support system using helical CT images for mass screening” by Toshioka et al. (JAMIT Fron, Medical Imaging Engineering Research Society)
tier '97 lecture papers 111-116 pages,
(January 1997). Then, when the lung cancer candidate detection processing for one image is completed, the image supplementary information, the coordinates of the detected lung cancer candidate, and the data on the calculated morphological feature are sent to the detection result storage unit 25 and stored. You. Examples of the morphological features include the diameter (effective diameter) of a circle having the same area as the abnormal shadow area of the lung cancer candidate, the area of the abnormal shadow area of the lung cancer candidate, the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the abnormal shadow area of the lung cancer candidate, and the lung cancer. The area of the circumscribed rectangle of the abnormal shadow region of the candidate, the circularity of the abnormal shadow region of the lung cancer candidate, the degree of unevenness of the edge of the abnormal shadow region of the lung cancer candidate, and the like are expressed in “mm” and “mm ² ” units. Is calculated. When the image accompanying information, the coordinates of the lung cancer candidate, and the data of the characteristic amount are supplied from the abnormal candidate detecting unit 24 to the detection result storage unit 25, the subject name, the examination identification number, and the image number are extracted from the image accompanying information. Are registered and stored in the abnormal candidate information table together with the coordinates and feature amounts of each lung cancer candidate.

Next, a procedure for interpreting a CT image performed by an interpreting doctor using the CAD system 143a will be described. Under the control of a control unit (not shown), the interpreting doctor requests display of the lung cancer candidate detection result via the instruction input unit 26, and the abnormal candidate information table stored in the detection result storage unit 25 is controlled by the control unit. And the subject name, the examination identification number, and the like are displayed on the display unit 23 as a list. Further, a screen for changing the initial value of the display determination criterion information and the value of each display determination criterion information stored in the display determination information storage unit 27 is displayed on the touch panel. The value can be set or changed arbitrarily. Then, when the reference value of the display determination is changed, according to the instruction of the control unit,
The display determination reference information is read from the display determination information storage unit 27 to the detection result display determination unit 28. That is, the display determination reference information is sent to the detection result display determination unit 28 each time it is changed. Subsequently, the interpreting doctor designates and inputs a predetermined subject name and its examination identification number from the list displayed on the display unit 23. Then, the control unit instructs the detection result storage unit 25 to read out the image of the corresponding examination number, reads out the specified image from the abnormality candidate information table, and sends it to the detection result display determination unit 28. Upon receiving the abnormal candidate information of the image sent from the detection result storage unit 25 and the display judgment criterion information sent from the display judgment information storage unit 27, the detection result display judgment unit 28 Each time, the display determination criterion is compared with the feature amount included in the abnormal candidate information. Therefore, the abnormal candidates included in the display criteria are selected as display targets, and those not included in the display criteria are excluded from the display targets.

In this determination, only those having an effective diameter of, for example, 5 mm to 30 mm are selected as display targets, and when the determination regarding all abnormal candidates in the image is completed, the detection result display determination unit 28 The control unit is notified of the numbers of all CT images containing the lung cancer candidate selected as the display target. Also, the detection result display determination unit 2
8 sends to the display unit 23 the coordinate values of the lung cancer candidate selected as the display target. Upon receiving the notification from the detection result display determination unit 28, the control unit instructs the image storage unit 22 to read out a CT image having the same image number including a lung cancer candidate to be displayed. Therefore, the data of the designated image number among the examination identification numbers is sent from the image storage unit 22 to the display unit 23. If there is no lung cancer candidate to be displayed, the procedure returns to the operation of the initial selection processing of the next subject name or examination identification number. When the display unit 23 receives the coordinate values of the abnormal candidate transmitted from the detection result display determination unit 28 and the corresponding image transmitted from the image storage unit 22, the display unit 23 forms a circular shape having a predetermined radius around the coordinate values. Is superimposed and displayed on the image. This image is displayed on the display unit 23 one by one. Therefore, the radiologist performs an operation of confirming whether or not the marked portion of the image displayed on the display unit 23 is an abnormality recognized as a lung cancer candidate. In this case, the image may be displayed on a high-definition monitor or an image burned on an X-ray film may be observed.

As described above, by setting the criterion of abnormality, the radiologist can leave the operation of detecting an abnormal shadow and the operation of extracting a candidate considered to have a high probability of being abnormal to the abnormal shadow to the computer. Since it is sufficient to determine whether or not the marked portion of the extracted image of the abnormal candidate is a lung cancer candidate, it is possible to reduce the burden on the interpreting doctor's interpretation work. In particular, in a group screening for early detection of lung cancer, a large number of chest CT images of a large number of subjects can be interpreted and read after the images are taken, so that the subjects know the results within the day. be able to. In addition, in the vehicle 100 equipped with an X-ray CT apparatus, the power supply capacity cannot be sufficiently secured, so that the optimum exposure condition of the X-ray may not be set in some cases. However, the CT image data acquired under such conditions may not be set. However, the CAD system can also prevent a delicate contrast abnormality that is hard to be discerned by the human eyes from being overlooked, and effectively coexist with the doctor and the computer.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the console 141 of the X-ray CT apparatus installed in the staff room 140. The console 141 is connected to the table 1
41a, control unit 141 placed under table 141a
b, keyboard 141 placed on table 141a
c, mouse 141d. Table 14
A monitor 142 and a monitor of another device 143 are also placed on 1a. Then, various setting operations of the X-ray CT apparatus, for example, setting of a tube voltage and a tube current for setting conditions of X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube in the gantry 121, and positioning an imaging region in the imaging opening 121a. Bed top 1 for
The medical staff sets the slide stroke of 22a, the setting of the number of images, etc.
This is performed by inputting an instruction to the control unit 141b using 1d. At this time, the control unit 141b determines whether the load is within the range of the capacity of the power supply device 131 based on the input tube voltage and tube current, and when it is determined that the load exceeds the power supply capacity, An X-ray exposure is suspended by issuing an alarm. In this case, when the medical staff changes the setting, if it is determined that the X-ray irradiation condition is within the range of the power supply capacity, the X-ray is normally irradiated and CT data is collected.

That is, as described above, the vehicle 100 equipped with the X-ray CT apparatus is equipped with a power supply 1 such as a generator.
31 supplies the power of the related equipment including the X-ray CT apparatus, and its capacity is limited. For example,
When the power supply capacity of the power supply device 131 is only 75 KVA, the air conditioner 123 and other related equipment mounted on the vehicle 100 equipped with the X-ray CT device require about 15 KVA, so the capacity that can be supplied to the X-ray CT device is 60 KVA. Becomes
However, about 75 KVA is desired only for the X-ray CT device, but since it cannot be secured, the tube voltage of the X-ray tube at the time of X-ray irradiation, which requires the most power among the X-ray CT devices, or By limiting the tube current, the power supply capacity is not exceeded. This control is
When the irradiation conditions (tube voltage, tube current) of the line are set, the required electric energy is calculated from the set values, and the calculated amount of power is calculated.
This is compared with a power supply capacity of 1 (correctly, an allowable power amount obtained by subtracting electric power required for related facilities and the like). Therefore, when X-rays are irradiated under the maximum output condition of a normal X-ray CT apparatus, an overload state may occur, and if this state is repeated, it may cause a failure of the power supply device 131 or the power supply may be stopped. There is a possibility that the operation of the computer may be abnormal or the collected valuable image data may be lost. However, by performing the above-described control, such inconvenience can be solved.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 5, the monitor 142 is integrated with a swing part 144 fixed on a table 141a so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction by two bands 144a and 144b. It is fixed to be. Therefore, the monitor 142 can freely change its orientation together with the swing part 144 in the horizontal direction on the table 141a within a predetermined range. Therefore, operability during use can be improved while protecting the device from vibration and the like during traveling. Also, a microphone 141e for communicating between the subject who is taking a picture in the CT room 120 and the medical staff in the staff room 140 side is provided.
It is fixed on the table 141a. Mouse 14
When not in use, 1d is housed in a mouse pocket 141f fixed to the side surface of the monitor 142 as shown. Further, FIG.
The state where 41c is fixed by a fixing band 144c interposed between the swing part 144 and the table 141a is shown. This shows a state in which the vehicle 100 equipped with the X-ray CT apparatus travels, and the fixed band 144c is removed when the X-ray CT apparatus operates. The fixed band 144c has a substantially V-shaped elasticity, and when the vehicle 100 equipped with the X-ray CT apparatus travels, not only the keyboard 141c but also the monitor 142 is fixed together with the swinging part 144 to travel. It can be protected so that it can withstand the vibration at the time. Conventionally, a vehicle 100 equipped with an X-ray CT device
When traveling, the keyboard 141c and the mouse 141d were detached from the connector and stored in a protective case or the like, and were reconnected when the X-ray CT apparatus was operated. The storage in the mouse pocket 141f frees the user from this troublesomeness, and also eliminates the need for a place for placing the protective case, thereby making it possible to effectively utilize the space. The illustrated monitor 142 and keyboard 141
Not only c, but also a monitor for other equipment 143 such as a CAD system 143a is similarly attached to a swing part placed on the table 141a, and its keyboard is also fixed by a fixing band. 5 is not shown.

The control section 141b placed under the table 141a is fixed so that its bottom is fitted to two guide plates 145 fixed to the floor of the staff room 140 via rubber cushions. You. Although illustration is omitted, a roller is provided on the upper surface of the guide plate 145. When a base plate with a slope attached to the bottom of the control unit 141b is slid on the roller and moved in the direction of the arrow. , Are fitted and fixed at predetermined positions. At the time of maintenance or the like, the control unit 141
If one side of b is lifted and pulled out to the left side of FIG. 5 (opposite side of the arrow), the caster is provided at the bottom of the control unit 141b, so that it can be easily moved to the left space of the table 141a. . As described above, since the guide plate 145 can fix the control unit 141b without protruding from the bottom of the control unit 141b, it can contribute to space saving in the staff room 140. Also,
As shown in FIG. 1, a space 146 for changing clothes is formed on the side wall opposite to the surface on which various devices 143 are arranged, including the console 141 and the CAD system 143a of the staff room 140. I have. The changing space 146 and the devices 14 arranged along the wall surface
To be able to partition between 3 and if necessary,
A movable shield such as a curtain 147 is provided, and a fixed chair 146a is installed in a space 146 for changing clothes.

As described above, in the staff room 140, the console 141, the monitor 142, and the CA
Various devices 143 including the D system 143a are arranged in a line, and the medical staff can work while looking at the screen of the monitor 142 and the various devices 143 facing the wall surface side. Can be used. Therefore, the staff room 140 can also be used as the dressing room 146 as needed. At this time, the dressing room 146 and the monitor 142 and the various devices 143 are blocked by the curtain 147, so that there is no possibility that the diagnostic image will be seen by another subject, and the privacy of the subject can be protected. The entrance 150 is formed in the rear wall of the self-propelled vehicle so as to communicate with the center of the staff room 140, and the entrance 150 is provided with a step 151 that is stored in the vehicle body when not in use. .

Next, a pit as a laying means such as a cable connecting the gantry 121 and the bed 122 of the X-ray CT apparatus to the console 141 and a power supply cable will be described. FIG. 6 is a layout diagram of pits installed below the floor of the CT room 120 and the staff room 140, and the hatched portion is the pit 160. The pit 160 is formed from the power supply room 130 to the CT room 120, under the partition wall 120a, along the partition wall 120a, and bends under the gantry 121 to set the rear wheel position of the self-propelled vehicle. The vehicle goes straight along the bed 122 so as to avoid it, and further bends to reach the installation position of the switchboard 124. Further, the CT room 12
It is formed so as to bend under the partition wall 120b between the zero and the staff room 140, bend, and reach the console 141 along the partition wall 120b on the staff room 140 side. The pit 160 is partitioned into a signal cable and a power cable, and the pedestal 121, the bed 122,
A signal cable for transmitting and receiving signals between the consoles 141 is housed on the signal cable side in the pit 160. The power cable from the power supply 131 is once passed through the power cable side in the pit 160 to the switchboard 124.
Then, power is supplied from the switchboard 124 to the gantry 121, the bed 122, the air conditioner 123, the console 141, various devices 143, and the like again through the power cable side of the pit 160. As described above, the pit is installed under the floor of the self-propelled vehicle, and the signal cable and the power cable are housed in the pit, so that the devices constituting the X-ray CT apparatus and various devices 143 are mutually connected. By
Since a portion protruding from a floor or a wall can be eliminated, workability, livability, operability, serviceability, and the like can be improved. Therefore, as in the case of the conventional X-ray CT apparatus-equipped vehicle 1, the wiring pits are protrudingly mounted on the floor or the wall, thereby restricting the spatial spread and hindering the work of the medical staff, and various devices. The problem of restricting the installation of the device can be eliminated.

[0026]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, collection of CT image data and screening for extracting abnormal shadow candidates in a group examination can be performed as a series of operations. Therefore, in a round trip or a group checkup in a depopulated area such as a mountain area, a diagnosis result can be provided to a subject in a short time. And
The task of detecting abnormal shadows and extracting candidates that appear to be abnormal from them is left to the computer, and the doctor only has to interpret the images of the extracted abnormal candidates, thus reducing the burden on the doctor in performing the interpretation work. Can be. Further, it is possible to provide a vehicle equipped with an X-ray CT apparatus, which can prevent a delicate contrast abnormality that is difficult to be discerned by human eyes from being overlooked, and can effectively coexist with a doctor and a computer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an overall layout for describing an embodiment of a vehicle equipped with an X-ray CT apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the same.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of a gantry and a bed provided in a CT room of a vehicle equipped with an X-ray CT apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a system diagram showing an embodiment of a CAD system provided in a staff room of a vehicle equipped with an X-ray CT apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a console portion installed in a staff room of a vehicle equipped with an X-ray CT apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a layout diagram of pits installed below a floor of a vehicle equipped with an X-ray CT apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a plan view for explaining a conventional vehicle equipped with an X-ray CT apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 X-ray CT-equipped vehicle 110 Driver's seat 120 CT room 121 Cradle 122 Sleeper 130 Power supply room 131 Power supply device 140 Staff room 141 Console 142 Monitor 143a CAD system 143b Communication system 143c Analysis device 160 Pit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A CT room in which a gantry and a bed of an X-ray CT apparatus are installed substantially in the middle of a self-propelled vehicle having a driver's seat at the front, and a CT room is formed between the CT room and the driver's seat. A power supply room in which a power supply device is installed, and a console for operating a gantry and a bed of the X-ray CT device formed behind the CT room and processing data, and a device including a monitor for displaying a CT image are installed. A screening system for extracting a candidate for an abnormal shadow with the aid of a computer based on image data obtained by the X-ray CT apparatus in a vehicle equipped with an X-ray CT apparatus having A vehicle equipped with an X-ray CT apparatus. 2. The screening system according to claim 2, wherein
Image storage means for sequentially storing the image data obtained by the line CT apparatus, and sequentially reading out the image data stored in the image storage means to extract abnormal shadow candidates therefrom. An abnormal shadow candidate detecting means for selecting a specific candidate from among them based on the morphological characteristic amount thereof, and a display means for displaying an image having a specific abnormal shadow detected by the abnormal shadow candidate detecting means. The vehicle equipped with the X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The X-ray CT apparatus has a helical scanning type X-ray.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the screening system is a computer-aided diagnosis system for detecting a lung cancer candidate.
The vehicle equipped with the X-ray CT apparatus according to the item. 4. The screening system is arranged along one side wall surface of the staff room together with the equipment installed in the staff room, and a space for changing clothes formed on the other wall surface side of the staff room. The vehicle equipped with an X-ray CT apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the space between the two is separated by a movable shield.