JP2005334233A - Ct scanning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a CT scanning apparatus capable of securely specifying a position where an abnormality is generated. <P>SOLUTION: The CT scanning apparatus comprises a rotary part with a plurality of processing units for exposing a subject with radiation, a fixed part for supporting the rotary part rotatable around the subject, an information transmitting means for transmitting the information on the rotary part to the fixed part via a communication line, and a console part operated by an operator for obtaining the information via the information transmitting means. Each processing unit of the CT scanning apparatus comprises a detecting means for detecting the abnormality in the unit itself, and a warning means for warning the operator about the generation of the abnormality via a different path from the communication line. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a CT scan apparatus used for taking a tomographic image of a subject in the medical field or the like.

  In a medical site such as a hospital, a CT scan apparatus is often installed to take a tomographic image of a subject. The CT scanning apparatus includes a rotating unit that exposes the subject to X-rays, a fixed unit that receives X-rays that have passed through the subject, and a console unit that processes various types of information. Among these, an optical communication unit is provided between the rotating part and the fixed part, and various information can be transmitted through a non-contact type information communication path.

  Incidentally, each of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the optical communication unit includes a photodiode and an analog circuit that drives the photodiode. Further, it is difficult to properly ground (rotate) the rotating part as compared to the fixed part, and the grounding of the rotating part is often shared with the high voltage generator 15. For these reasons, the optical communication unit is cited as one of the units that are easily affected by noise.

  Therefore, the optical communication unit may be adversely affected by troubles occurring in the rotating part. That is, when a malfunction occurs in any of the units provided in the rotating unit, there is a possibility that the influence of the generated noise affects the optical communication unit and a malfunction of the data communication system is induced. Even if an abnormal part is specified in the rotating part by the self-diagnosis function, if the information cannot be notified to the fixed part, the operator cannot specify the fault part after all. In such a case, only the abnormality of the optical communication unit is displayed on the console monitor, and it becomes extremely difficult to identify the essential abnormality part.

Related techniques are disclosed in the following Patent Documents 1 to 3. Patent Document 1 discloses an X-ray diagnostic apparatus that monitors system deterioration such as an X-ray tube and a generator, and automatically notifies the maintenance staff of the results to prevent system abnormality. The Patent Document 2 discloses a CT apparatus and an error processing method for a CT apparatus in which an error log recording memory is mounted on a substrate in a gantry so that an error can be easily identified when an error occurs in a plurality of constituent units. Is done. This document also discloses a technique for displaying error information and a processing method on a console. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-133867 describes that a maintenance person who has a self-diagnosis function and detects a disconnection in addition to ensuring a reliable transmission path by duplicating the transmission path of image data acquired in a rotating unit. An X-ray digital imaging apparatus which is automatically notified of is disclosed. With any of the techniques described in any of the documents, it is difficult to immediately notify the maintenance staff of a failure that has occurred in the rotating unit together with the location.
JP 2002-1000049 A JP 2001-120538 A JP 2003-19127 A

  As described above, in the existing CT scanning apparatus, the data communication unit between the rotating unit and the fixed unit is easily affected by noise, which is a defect of the data communication unit itself or a defect of other parts. It is difficult to distinguish between the two. That is, it is difficult to isolate a fault location, and it takes a lot of trouble and time to identify a fault location, so some solution is desired.

  The present invention has been made under the circumstances described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a CT scanning apparatus capable of reliably specifying a location where an abnormality has occurred.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a rotating unit that includes a plurality of processing units and that exposes a subject to radiation, and a fixing unit that rotatably supports the rotating unit around the subject. A CT scanning apparatus comprising: an information transmission unit that transmits information related to the rotating unit to the fixed unit via a communication line; and a console unit that is operated by an operator and acquires the information through the information transmission unit In each of the processing units, detection means for detecting an abnormality of the own unit, and when an abnormality of the own unit is detected by the detection means, the occurrence of the abnormality is transmitted via a path different from the communication line. There is provided a CT scanning device comprising warning means for warning the operator.

  By taking such means, if an abnormality occurs in any of the processing units, the fact is notified to the operator via a line different from the information transmission means. Of course, the occurrence of an abnormality is also notified to the console via the information transmission means. In other words, since the error signal transmission paths are multiplexed, it is possible to accurately transmit the location where the abnormality has occurred, so that it is possible to expect a quick restoration by the maintenance staff.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a CT scanning apparatus capable of reliably specifying a location where an abnormality has occurred.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a CT scanning apparatus according to the present invention. The CT scanning apparatus of FIG. 1 includes a gantry 1 having a fixed part and a rotating part, a bed 2 on which a subject is boarded, and a console 3 for processing various information. The console 3 acquires information related to the rotating unit and the fixed unit via the data communication line L.

Among these, the rotation unit includes an X-ray tube 11, an X-ray control unit 12, a slit / wedge 13, an oil cooler 14, a high voltage generator 15, a rotation unit power supply 16, a rotation unit communication unit 17, and a data collection device 18. A plurality of processing units.
The X-ray tube 11 exposes the subject to X-rays. The X-ray control unit 12 controls the high voltage generator 15 and the slit wedge 13. The slit wedge 13 includes an X-ray absorber and adjusts the exposure amount by absorbing X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 11. The oil cooler 14 radiates heat generated from the X-ray tube 11 to the outside. The high voltage generator 15 is controlled by the X-ray controller 12 and supplies energy to the X-ray tube 11. The rotation unit communication unit 17 realizes an optical communication environment between the rotation unit and the fixed unit, and exchanges image data, control data, and the like with the fixed unit via the optical communication line. The data collection device 18 converts the amount of X-ray transmitted through the subject into digital data. The rotating unit power supply 16 supplies power to the units 11 to 18 constituting the rotating unit.

  The fixed unit includes a gantry bed control unit 21 and a fixed unit communication unit 22. The gantry couch controller 21 performs operation control of the gantry 1, movement control of the couch 2, and the like. The fixed unit communication unit 22 realizes an optical communication environment between the rotating unit and the fixed unit, and exchanges X-ray projection data, control data, and the like with the rotating unit via the optical communication line.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a more detailed embodiment of the CT scanning apparatus of FIG. In FIG. 2, the console 3 includes an image generation device 31, an image data storage device 32, and a shooting control device 33. When the console 3 is operated by a radiologist or doctor, a scan signal is sent from the imaging control device 33 to the gantry 1. The scan signal is transmitted from the fixed unit communication unit 22 to the rotation unit by optical communication via the rotation unit communication unit 17.

  Further, the scan signal is transmitted from the rotation unit communication unit 17 to the rotation unit control unit 19. Based on the scan signal, the rotation unit control unit 19 performs X-ray output adjustment, control of the rotation speed of the rotation unit, and the like. The X-ray output is adjusted by controlling the amount of energy supplied to the X-ray tube 11 of the high voltage generator 15 and the X-ray absorption amount of the slit wedge 13.

  X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 11 are exposed to the subject P through the slit / wedge 13. X-rays transmitted through the subject P are irradiated to the X-ray detector 41 of the data acquisition device 18. The X-ray detector 41 is a two-dimensional arrangement of a plurality of detection elements that convert X-rays into electrical signals. As a result, the X-ray transmitted through the subject P is converted into an analog electric signal by the X-ray detector 41, further converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter, and collected as projection data in the data collection device 18. As the X-ray tube 11 and the X-ray detector 41 rotate, projection data corresponding to multiple directions is collected. This projection data is called raw data.

  This raw data is transmitted from the rotating unit communication unit 17 to the console 3 by optical communication via the fixed unit communication unit 22. The image generation device 31 of the console 3 processes the raw data and generates a tomographic image. This tomographic image data is recorded in the image data storage device 32 together with the raw data. By the series of operations described above, a tomographic image of the subject P is taken.

  By the way, when an abnormality occurs in at least one of the plurality of processing units of the rotating unit in the above configuration, an error signal is generated. A communication path for transmitting the error signal to the fixed unit or the console is an optical communication path between the rotating unit communication unit 17 and the fixed unit communication unit 22. In this embodiment, in addition to this, an independent communication system is provided for each processing unit.

  That is, in FIG. 2, an X-ray tube 11, a slit / wedge 13, a data collection device 18, a high voltage generation device 15, and a rotation unit control unit 19 are each a radio wave transmission unit that transmits radio waves A to E when an abnormality occurs. Is provided. The transmission frequencies of the radio waves A to E are preferably different from each other so as to avoid interference when abnormality occurs in a plurality of processing units.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing details of the data collection device 18 of FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 3, when X-rays transmitted through the subject P are irradiated to the X-ray detector 41, a signal detected by the X-ray detector 41 is converted into raw data by the A / D converter 42.

  On the other hand, the data collection device 18 is controlled at a constant temperature by a fan, a heater, or the like (not shown) in order to minimize the influence of temperature changes. The abnormality detector 43 monitors the operating state of the fan, heater, etc., and immediately generates an error signal when an abnormality is detected. This error signal is notified to the console 3 via optical communication, and is also notified to the radio wave transmission unit 44, the sound generation unit 45, and the light emitting unit 46 inside the data collection device 18.

  The radio wave transmitting unit 44 generates a radio wave C when receiving the error signal. For example, the radio wave C is received by a portable terminal held by the operator, and the occurrence of an error is recognized by the operator. Thereby, the occurrence of an error can be notified through a route different from that of optical communication. In response to the error signal, the sound generation unit 45 generates an audible sound by sounding a buzzer and the like, and the light emitting unit 46 lights a light emitting diode or the like to generate visible light.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when an abnormality occurs in the CT scanning apparatus according to the present invention. This flowchart shows a case where a malfunction occurs in the high voltage generator 15, for example. In FIG. 5, the output voltage to the X-ray tube 11 of the high voltage generator 15 itself is monitored by the high voltage generator 15 (step S1). If the output current is a predetermined value (No in step S2), the monitoring continues.

  When the output current deviates from the predetermined value (Yes in step S2), an error signal is immediately transmitted (step S3). This error signal is transmitted to the fixed part by optical communication between the rotating part and the fixed part (step S4), and is received by the receiver 34 of the console 3 via the radio wave (radio wave D). In response to this, the console 3 detects an abnormality in each part of the gantry, and based on this abnormality detection, for example, a display section (not shown) of the console 3 indicates that an error has occurred and its location. The operation of the gantry is automatically stopped by the operation of the operator according to the display content (step S5).

  As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the optical communication path between the rotating unit and the fixed unit, an independent error communication path is formed for each processing unit of the rotating unit. As a result, the error signal transmission path is duplicated, so that even when an abnormality occurs in the optical communication path, it is possible to accurately and quickly transmit the location where the error has occurred to the operator. Of course, it is possible to easily detect an abnormality in the optical communication path itself, and this can further improve the reliability of the abnormality notification. Therefore, it is possible to reliably identify the location where the abnormality has occurred, and to expect a quick recovery response from the maintenance staff.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the frequency of the radio waves A to E may be the same, and the abnormality occurrence location may be specified by changing the modulation method. Further, a common sound generation unit may be provided for each processing unit so that the location where an abnormality has occurred can be specified by changing a voice message or a pitch. Further, a common light emitting unit may be provided for each processing unit, and the unit having an abnormality may be identified by changing the blinking pattern.

  In addition, the case where the projection data is transmitted between the rotating unit and the fixed unit by optical communication has been described. However, the projection data may be transmitted using electrostatic induction instead of the optical communication.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment.

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a CT scan apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a more detailed embodiment of the CT scan apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing details of the data collection device 18 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The flowchart which shows the process sequence at the time of abnormality generation | occurrence | production in CT scan apparatus concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  L ... Data communication line, P ... Subject, A to E ... Radio wave, 1 ... Stand, 2 ... Sleeper, 3 ... Console, 11 ... X-ray tube, 12 ... X-ray controller, 13 ... Slit wedge, 14 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Oil cooler, 15 ... High voltage generator, 16 ... Rotation part power supply, 17 ... Rotation part communication part, 18 ... Data collection device, 19 ... Rotation part control part, 21 ... Base bed control part, 22 ... Fixed part communication part 31 ... Image generation device, 32 ... Image data storage device, 33 ... Imaging control device, 34 ... Receiver, 41 ... X-ray detector, 42 ... A / D converter, 43 ... Abnormality detector, 44 ... Radio wave transmission unit 45 ... sounding part 46 ... light emitting part

Claims (12)

A rotating unit that includes a plurality of processing units and that exposes the subject to radiation, a fixing unit that rotatably supports the rotating unit around the subject, and information related to the rotating unit is fixed through a communication line. In a CT scanning apparatus comprising an information transmission means for transmitting to a section and a console section that is operated by an operator and acquires the information via the information transmission means,
Each of the processing units is
Detection means for detecting an abnormality of the own unit;
A CT scanning apparatus comprising: a warning unit that warns the operator of the occurrence of an abnormality through a path different from the communication line when an abnormality of the own unit is detected by the detection unit. A rotating unit that includes a plurality of processing units and that exposes the subject to radiation, a fixing unit that rotatably supports the rotating unit around the subject, and information related to the rotating unit is fixed through a communication line. In a CT scanning apparatus comprising an information transmission means for transmitting to a section and a console section that is operated by an operator and acquires the information via the information transmission means,
Each of the processing units is
Detection means for detecting an abnormality of the own unit;
A warning unit that warns the operator of the occurrence of the abnormality through both the communication line and a communication path different from the communication line when an abnormality of the own unit is detected by the detection unit; A CT scanning apparatus comprising: The CT scanning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information transmission unit is an optical communication unit that transmits information via an optical communication line. The CT scanning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information transmission unit is a communication unit that transmits information via a communication line using electrostatic induction. The CT scanning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information transmission unit is a slip ring contact communication unit that transmits information via an electric communication line. The CT scanning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information transmission unit is a wireless communication unit that transmits information via a radio wave line. Furthermore, a communication abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality of the information transmission means,
3. The CT scanning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify the operator of the occurrence of the abnormality when the abnormality of the information transmission unit is detected by the communication abnormality detection unit. . The console unit includes a wireless receiver,
The CT scanning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning unit transmits the occurrence of the abnormality to the wireless receiver via a radio wave line. When the operator holds a wireless terminal,
The CT scanning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning unit transmits the occurrence of the abnormality to the wireless terminal via a radio wave line. The CT scanning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning unit includes a light emitting unit that generates visible light when the abnormality is detected by the detection unit. The CT scanning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning unit includes a sound generation unit that generates an audible sound when the abnormality is detected by the detection unit. The warning means is
Obtaining means for obtaining detailed information on the abnormality detected by the detecting means;
The CT scanning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores the detailed information acquired by the acquisition unit.

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