JP2002093595A - X-ray high-voltage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a high-safety X-ray high-voltage device which prevents diagnosis from being suspended even when an emergency electric power source is operated upon service interruption and can prevent a serious influence on a system in a hospital due to stop of the output from the emergency electric power source. SOLUTION: The X-ray high-voltage device is equipped with a service interruption detecting circuit for outputting a detection signal d to the effect that a power source is changed over from an AC power source (ordinary power source) 1 to an emergency electric power source, and is in a state of an emergency operation, an output limit setting device 12 upon service interruption for presetting an output limit of X-rays upon the emergency operation, and a control circuit 11 for controlling X-ray output upon the emergency operation on the basis of the output limit in reply to the input of the detection signal d. A power source monitor circuit for detecting voltage drop of the AC power source 1 exceeding a certain limit may also be provided in place of the service interruption detecting circuit to confirm the changeover to the emergency electric power source.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a diagnostic X-ray apparatus, and more particularly to a diagnostic X-ray apparatus for applying a high voltage between an anode and a cathode provided in an X-ray tube for generating X-rays. X-ray high-voltage apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional diagnostic X-ray devices include "for gastrointestinal tract diagnosis", "for thoracic diagnosis" used for imaging of lungs and the like, and "general diagnosis" used for imaging of fractures and the like. In addition, "for circulatory diagnosis" used for angiography and the like are provided. There is also provided an X-ray diagnostic apparatus configured as a single system capable of performing the above-described various types of imaging without limiting these applications.

Meanwhile, the diagnostic X-ray apparatus is equipped with an X-ray high-voltage apparatus having a configuration as shown in FIG. 6, for example, to generate X-rays for irradiating a subject.
6, an AC voltage supplied from an AC power supply 1 or the like is converted into DC by a rectifying and smoothing circuit 2, and then input to an inverter circuit 3. The inverter circuit 3 starts operating in response to the signal a of the power control circuit 4, and the rectifying / smoothing circuit 2
The DC voltage input from is converted to an AC voltage. This AC voltage is input to the primary winding of the high-voltage transformer 5.

[0004] The AC voltage boosted by the high-voltage transformer 5 is output from the secondary winding and supplied to the high-voltage rectifier circuits 6a and 6b.
Rectified to a high DC voltage. At this time, a positive high voltage is obtained on the high voltage rectifier circuit 6a side, and a negative high voltage is obtained on the high voltage rectifier circuit 6b side. The DC voltage is smoothed by the stray capacitances 7a and 7b of the high voltage cable, and the anode 8A and the cathode 8 of the X-ray tube 8 are
C is applied.

On the other hand, when the filament heating circuit 9 is operated by the signal b of the power control circuit 4, the circuit 9 generates an AC voltage to excite the primary winding of the filament transformer 10. When a current flows through the filament transformer 10, the filament emits thermoelectrons. When a high voltage is applied between the anode 8A and the cathode 8C of the X-ray tube 8 in a state where the filament is heated, thermions emitted from the filament are accelerated by the high voltage between the anode 8A and the cathode 8C. When this collides with the anode 8A, a braking X-ray is generated.

[0006]

However, the above-mentioned conventional X-ray high voltage apparatus has a problem in that no special consideration is given to the case where a power failure occurs.
That is, a power outage occurs, for example, a private power generation facility driven by a diesel engine or a CVCF (Con
start Volt Constant Constant Fr
(Equency) When an X-ray high-voltage device is operated by an emergency power supply such as a power supply, the output of the X-ray is output under a condition exceeding the capacity of the emergency power supply because there has been no particular limitation on the output in the past. In such a case, the voltage of the emergency power supply may drop abnormally, or the emergency power supply may stop in some cases, so that important systems in the hospital, such as ICUs, life support devices, and lighting during surgery, etc. Could have a significant effect.

[0007] Such a problem is particularly encountered in the X-ray apparatus for "circulatory organ diagnosis" or the X-ray apparatus usable for the purpose (the "system" mentioned above) among the various X-ray apparatuses for diagnosis described above. It becomes a serious problem. Because
This is because a subject undergoing a circulatory diagnosis is usually under general anesthesia, so that the diagnosis cannot be stopped halfway. Further, the output of the X-ray apparatus for circulatory organ diagnosis is set to be relatively large as compared with other diagnostic apparatuses. Because, when performing angiography, it is necessary to reduce the time in the so-called “tube current / time product” defined in the X-ray tube 8 in order to accurately capture the blood “flow”. This is because the output must be increased.

After all, the X-ray high-voltage device used for circulatory organ diagnosis cannot be stopped due to a power failure during operation, but the X-ray device for circulatory organ diagnosis having a large output is operated. Continuing is more likely to affect other systems in the hospital.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a method for interrupting diagnosis even when an emergency power supply is operating at the time of a power failure without interrupting diagnosis. It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly safe X-ray high-voltage device capable of preventing a serious influence on a system in a hospital due to abnormally decreasing or stopping of X-ray.

[0010]

The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above problems.

That is, in the X-ray high-voltage device according to the first aspect, in the X-ray high-voltage device for applying a high voltage between the anode and the cathode provided in the X-ray tube, the normal power supply is switched to the emergency power supply and the emergency operation is performed. Emergency detection means for issuing a detection signal indicating that the apparatus is in a state, setting means for presetting an output limit of X-rays during an emergency operation, and an emergency operation based on the output limit in response to the input of the detection signal. And a control means for controlling the X-ray output.

Further, the X-ray high-voltage device according to claim 2 is
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit compares an output of the X-ray emitted from the X-ray tube with an output limit of the X-ray. The output of the emitted X-rays is matched with the output limit of the X-rays.

Further, the X-ray high-voltage device according to claim 3 is the same device as in claim 1 or 2, further comprising display means for displaying the emergency operation state to a user of the device. It is characterized by the following.

On the other hand, the X-ray high voltage device according to claim 4 is
In an X-ray high-voltage device provided in the X-ray tube for applying a high voltage between an anode and a cathode, the power supply voltage is monitored, and when it is detected that the power supply voltage has decreased by a certain amount or more, the X-ray tube A power supply voltage monitoring means for limiting the output of X-rays generated is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an X-ray high-voltage apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein a display means for displaying to the user of the apparatus that the fact that the power supply voltage has dropped by a certain amount or more is detected. It is characterized by having.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of the X-ray high-voltage device according to the first embodiment. In addition, in the drawings referred to in the following description including FIG. 1, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 6 are used when indicating the same target as the target shown in FIG. 6.

In FIG. 1, the X-ray high-voltage device includes an AC power supply (normal power supply) 1, a rectifying and smoothing circuit 2, an inverter circuit 3, a power control circuit 4, a high-voltage transformer 5, and high-voltage rectification circuits 6a and 6b. , Stray capacitance 7a of high voltage cable
And 7b are assumed. Further, an X-ray tube 8 including an anode 8A and a cathode 8C is provided. On the other hand, a filament heating circuit 9, a filament transformer 10, and a filament are also provided. The configuration described above and the operation of this circuit based on the configuration are the same as those described in the section of the related art.

The first embodiment differs from the prior art in that an emergency operation control circuit (control means) 11, an output limit setting device (setting means) 12 at the time of power failure, and an emergency operation display (display means) 13 are added. It is in.

An emergency operation control circuit (hereinafter simply referred to as a “control circuit”) 11 includes a condition signal x for determining the output of the X-ray emitted from the X-ray tube 8 and a restriction from a power failure output limiter 12 described later. Receives signal s. And the control circuit 1
1 operates in response to a power failure detection signal d output from a power failure detection circuit attached to the AC power supply 1. That is, depending on whether or not the power failure detection signal d has been input, the control circuit 11 determines whether or not the power failure detection signal d has been input by using the condition signal x.
Confirming the X-ray output of the tube 8,
In addition, the X-ray output to be protected at the time of a power failure is confirmed by the limit signal s, and the X-ray output is controlled based on these.

Incidentally, the power failure detection circuit (emergency detection means) can adopt, for example, a configuration as shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, a power failure detection circuit 100
Is switched between the output from the AC power supply 1 and the output from the emergency power supply 101 by a relay R1 driven by the AC power supply (= normal power supply) 1 via the coil C1. Here, as described above, the emergency power supply 101 may specifically include a private power generation facility driven by a diesel engine, a CVCF power supply driven by a battery, and the like. The power failure detection signal d is generated at a contact point of the relay R2 which is turned on at the same time as the switching between the AC power supply 1 and the emergency power supply 101. In the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, basically any configuration may be adopted as the power failure detection unit. In other words, what is essential is that the configuration be such that it is clear that the power supply has been switched from the normal power supply to the emergency power supply.

The power failure output limit setting unit 12 controls the X-ray to be output from the X-ray tube 8 by the device user at the time of power failure.
A line output, in other words, an X-ray output limit is set in advance. In addition, X-ray output at the time of a power failure according to this setting (limit)
Can be appropriately determined in consideration of various circumstances including the above-described capability of the emergency power supply 101 and the like. The limit signal s is transmitted to the control circuit 11 based on this setting.

The emergency operation indicator 13 is connected to the control circuit 11
When the X-ray apparatus is in the operating state, it receives a signal to that effect and informs the apparatus user that the X-ray apparatus is in the emergency operating state. As a specific configuration, for example, another display device such as a known display may be adopted. Further, depending on the case, a configuration may be adopted in which the user is notified by voice. In the present invention, it is not always necessary to provide the emergency operation indicator 13.

Next, the operation and effect of the X-ray high-voltage device according to the first embodiment, which is the above configuration example, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, an X-ray device (or an X-ray high-voltage device)
During normal operation, the control circuit 11 monitors whether or not a power failure has occurred, that is, whether or not the power failure detection signal d from the power failure detection circuit 10 has been received, as in step S2 in FIG. ing. The normal operation is continued while the power failure detection signal d is not received from the power failure detection circuit 10, and when the power failure detection signal d is received, the state shifts to the emergency operation state (FIG. 3).
Steps S1 and S2).

When the power failure occurs, the power failure detection circuit 10 closes the contact on the emergency power supply 101 side of the relay R1 because the coil C1 shown in FIG. Supply to voltage device. Further, the power failure detection signal d is created by the action of the relay R2 that operates together with the switching of the relay R1, and is transmitted to the control circuit 11.

In the emergency operation state, the control circuit 11
Is the output of the X-rays to be emitted from the X-ray tube 8 from now on,
Alternatively, while confirming the output of the X-rays that are currently being output by the condition signal x, and confirming the limit signal s output from the power-failure-time output limit setter 12, as shown in step S3 in FIG. Are compared.

Then, the control circuit 11 obtains
When it is determined that the condition signal x is smaller than the limit signal s, a control signal is sent to the power control circuit 4 so that an X-ray output grasped from the condition signal x is realized (from step S4 in FIG. 3). Step S51). On the other hand, when it is determined that the condition signal x is larger than the limit signal s, the limit signal s
A control signal is sent to the power control circuit 4 so as to realize an X-ray output based on (Steps S3 to S5 in FIG. 3).
2). That is, in other words, the control circuit 11 continues the operation as it is when the X-ray output smaller than this is performed on the basis of the limit signal s. Control is performed with the X-ray output based on s as the upper limit.

At the same time as or concurrently with the above-described series of operations, the control circuit 11 receives the power failure detection signal d and displays a signal indicating that the power failure detection signal d has been received, in an emergency operation display. To the vessel 13. Emergency operation indicator 1
In response to this, the device 3 externally displays that the device is operating on the emergency power supply (step SS in FIG. 3).

As described above, according to the X-ray high-voltage device of the first embodiment, during the power failure, the control of the X-ray output is appropriately performed, so that no excessive load is applied to the emergency power supply 101. Thus, it does not significantly affect other important systems in the hospital, such as the ICU, life support, lighting during surgery, and the like.

Incidentally, such an effect can be particularly remarkably enjoyed when the X-ray high-voltage device of the first embodiment is mounted on an X-ray device for "circulatory organ diagnosis". . This is because, as described in the section “Problems to be Solved by the Invention” above, the subject to be diagnosed by the X-ray apparatus undergoes general anesthesia, so that the diagnosis cannot be stopped halfway. Therefore, the operation by the emergency power supply 101 is effectively forced, but nevertheless, the output of the X-ray apparatus for circulatory organ diagnosis is set to be larger than that of the same apparatus for other diagnosis. is there. Therefore, when the X-ray high-voltage device is applied to a "circulatory organ diagnosis" X-ray device, the effect is extremely large.

In the first embodiment, when the power failure detection circuit 100 is attached to the AC power supply 1, that is, in general, the power failure detection circuit 100 supplies power to various devices and the like in the hospital. Although the case where it is installed for "equipment" has been described, the present invention is not limited to such a form. That is, there is no problem even if the power failure detection circuit 100 is provided on the X-ray high voltage device side. In this case, the power failure detection circuit 100 will be provided at the power intake of the X-ray high voltage device.

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a power supply monitoring circuit (power supply voltage monitoring means) 14 and a power supply abnormality indicator (display means) 15 are provided as compared with FIG. 6 shown as a conventional example. Is different. In addition, the remaining configuration, its operation, and the like are, as in the first embodiment, basically, as described in the section of the prior art. Therefore, except for the points slightly different from FIG. 6 and FIG. 1 described below, the description thereof is omitted.

The power supply monitoring circuit 14, as shown in FIG.
The output voltage of the AC power supply 1 is constantly monitored. As a result, it is confirmed whether the X-ray high-voltage device at any given time is operating with the AC power supply (= normal power supply) 1 or with the emergency power supply (not shown). In FIG. 4, it is assumed that the illustrated AC power supply 1 includes an emergency power supply). This is because when the X-ray high-voltage device operates on the emergency power supply at the time of a power failure, it is possible to confirm a voltage drop of the AC power supply 1. This is particularly remarkable when X-ray imaging involves a large X-ray output or when the capacity of the emergency power supply is small.

When the power supply monitoring circuit 14 confirms that the output voltage of the AC power supply 1 has decreased by a certain amount or more, the power supply monitoring circuit 14 stops the operation of the power control circuit 4. Here, "drop over a certain amount"
May basically be arbitrarily determined, but its specific meaning is generally a meaning of "a decrease in the power supply voltage at which it is not desirable to continue the operation of the X-ray high-voltage device". Nothing else. This also means that "abnormal voltage drops"
It is also possible to rephrase it.

Further, the power supply monitoring circuit 14 sends to the power supply abnormality indicator 15 a signal indicating that the voltage drop of a certain level or more has been confirmed, as a power supply voltage abnormality signal z. The power supply abnormality indicator 15 receives the power supply voltage abnormality signal z, displays that the power supply voltage has dropped abnormally, and notifies the outside. The specific configuration of the power failure indicator 15 may be the same as that of the power failure output limit setter 12 described in the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the condition signal x is input to the control circuit 11, but in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. Is to be entered directly.

The operation and effect of the X-ray high-voltage device of the second embodiment having such a configuration example are as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, as can be generally understood from the above description.

That is, while the X-ray high-voltage device (or X-ray device) is operating normally, the power supply monitoring circuit 14
As shown in steps T1 and T2 in FIG. 5, the output voltage of the AC power supply 1 is constantly monitored, and normal operation is continued unless an abnormal voltage drop is confirmed.

On the other hand, when the X-ray high-voltage device is switched to the operation using the emergency power supply due to the occurrence of the power failure, that is, when it is confirmed that the voltage is abnormally reduced, the power supply monitoring circuit 14, as shown in step T3 in FIG. The operation of the power control circuit 4 is stopped. That is, the X-ray output from the X-ray tube 8 is stopped. At the same time or concurrently, as shown in step T4 in FIG.
The power supply abnormality indicator 15 which has received the power supply voltage abnormality signal z sent from the device displays the fact and notifies the outside.

As described above, according to the X-ray high-voltage device of the second embodiment, substantially the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. That is, at the time of a power failure, it is possible to prevent the influence on the system in the hospital without imposing an excessive load on the emergency power supply.

In addition, according to the second embodiment, especially when it is not possible to directly know that the apparatus is operating with the emergency power supply, as in the case of the power failure detection circuit 100 of the first embodiment, the power failure detection circuit 100 is also used. It can be pointed out that a special effect can be taken as a special effect.

According to the second embodiment, the power control circuit 4 is directly "stopped" in order to prevent an unreasonable load from being applied to the emergency power supply. In step T1 in FIG. 5, when an abnormal decrease in the power supply voltage is confirmed,
The configuration for controlling the X-ray output as described in the first embodiment may be adopted.

That is, the configuration is such that the control circuit 11 and the power failure output limit setting unit 12 described in the first embodiment and the power supply monitoring circuit 14 described in the second embodiment are provided. When the power supply monitoring circuit 14 confirms an abnormal voltage drop, the control circuit 11 sends a signal to that effect to the control circuit 11, and upon receiving the signal, the control circuit 11 transmits the signal from the X-ray tube 8. The output of the line (condition signal x) is compared with the output limit of the X-ray (limit signal s) set by the output limit setting unit 12 at the time of power failure, so that appropriate control is performed.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even if the emergency power supply is operating during a power outage, serious effects on other systems, such as hospital systems, due to abnormally reduced or stopped output of the emergency power supply without interrupting diagnosis. X-ray high-voltage device with high safety, which can prevent the occurrence of the problem, can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of an X-ray high voltage device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a power failure detection circuit attached to the AC power supply shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a state of X-ray output control in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an X-ray high-voltage device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a state of X-ray output control in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional X-ray high voltage device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 AC power supply (normal power supply) 2 Rectifier smoothing circuit 3 Inverter circuit 4 Power control circuit 5 High voltage transformer 6a, 6b High voltage rectifier circuit 7a, 7b Floating capacity of high voltage cable 8 X-ray tube 8A Anode 8C Cathode 9 Filament heating circuit 10 Filament Transformer 11 Emergency operation control circuit (control means) 12 Output limit setting device at power failure (setting means) 13 Emergency operation display (display means) 14 Power supply monitoring circuit (power supply voltage monitoring means) 15 Power supply abnormality display (display means) 100 Power failure detection circuit (emergency detection means) 101 Emergency power supply C1 Coil R1, R2 Relay

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An X-ray high-voltage device for applying a high voltage between an anode and a cathode provided in an X-ray tube, wherein an emergency power supply is switched from a normal power supply to an emergency power supply and issues a detection signal indicating that the apparatus is in an emergency operation state. Means, setting means for presetting the output limit of X-rays during emergency operation, and control means for controlling X-ray output during emergency operation based on the output limit in response to the input of the detection signal. An X-ray high-voltage device comprising: 2. The control means compares the output of X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube with the output limit of the X-rays, and when the former is larger than the latter, the control of the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube is performed. The X-ray high-voltage device according to claim 1, wherein an output is made to match an output limit of the X-ray. 3. The X-ray high-voltage device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit for displaying to the user the state of the emergency operation. 4. An X-ray high-voltage device for applying a high voltage between an anode and a cathode provided in an X-ray tube, wherein the power supply voltage is monitored and when it is detected that the power supply voltage has decreased by a certain amount or more. Is X emitted from the X-ray tube
An X-ray high-voltage device comprising a power supply voltage monitoring means for limiting a line output. 5. The X-ray high voltage apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising display means for displaying to a user of the apparatus that the power supply voltage has been reduced by a certain amount or more.