JP2006075387A - X-ray ct apparatus, and remote service system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To find failure early or reduce the down time of an X-ray CT apparatus set in a hospital by monitoring the apparatus from a remote place. <P>SOLUTION: Output data from an X-ray detector 303 at the time of X-ray irradiation, collected in the warm-up time of an X-ray tube when the X-ray CT apparatus is actuated almost everyday, are stored as maintenance data in a maintenance data storage device 310 in a maintenance computer 314 inside the X-ray CT apparatus or connected to the outside, and the result of monitoring on the presence of abnormality by a self-diagnostic program for remotely monitoring the X-ray CT apparatus or the maintenance data themselves are transmitted regularly to a service center from a communication device 312 via a communication network 313. The maintenance data comprise information on the state of a measuring system such as the X-ray tube 300, a collimator 302, a multi-channel type X-ray detector 303 and a data collection circuit 304, and therefore, if the maintenance data are monitored in a remote place, the premonition or the state of the trouble in the measuring system can be grasped there. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to maintenance, inspection, and maintenance of an X-ray CT apparatus, and in particular, by connecting an installed X-ray CT apparatus and a service center that manages the X-ray CT apparatus via a communication network from a remote location. This is related to a remote service system for X-ray CT equipment that can monitor and support local service personnel.

  Conventionally, when an X-ray CT apparatus breaks down, the hospital staff contacts a service center that maintains and manages this. The service center dispatches service personnel to the hospital in response to the failure notification. The service staff will identify the cause of the failure of the X-ray CT system, identify, arrange, and prepare replacement parts, etc. as necessary. In this method, the X-ray CT apparatus from failure to repair completion cannot be used. The time during which the device cannot be used due to a failure or the like is called downtime.

  As a method for reducing the downtime in the diagnosis of a medical image diagnostic apparatus, (Patent Document 1) discloses execution of remote service by data transmission / reception between a hospital site and a service center. This enables service staff to send information from the hospital site to the service center via the web without diagnosing fault diagnosis equipment or software, and to diagnose faults quickly, objectively and accurately. Diagnosis of a diagnostic device can be performed.

As the contents of the remote service (Patent Document 1), as a result of executing a self-diagnosis program for diagnosing the state of the image processing board and the inside of the apparatus, an error log or an arbitrary image obtained by imaging the subject is transmitted / received Is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-16212

  According to the conventional technique described in (Patent Document 1), after a service person has been dispatched to a hospital, he / she checks the actual machine and uses the remote service to identify the necessary repair contents. However, in the conventional method, after fixing the repair contents, the service staff must obtain the necessary parts and bring them back for repairs, and the downtime during that period often takes several days. .

  In remote maintenance performed in (Patent Document 1), diagnosis is performed using the result of the self-diagnosis program for diagnosing the state of the image processing board and the apparatus, the error log, or any image obtained by imaging the subject. However, from this information, the X-ray tube that is the X-ray generation source, the collimator that narrows the width of the X-ray irradiated from the X-ray, the X-ray detector that detects the X-ray transmitted through the subject, It is difficult to grasp the state of measurement system parts including consumable parts such as a data collection circuit board that collects data from an X-ray detector.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and provides an X-ray CT apparatus capable of periodically monitoring the state of a measurement system of the X-ray CT apparatus and a remote service system thereof.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention
An X-ray tube that emits X-rays;
A collimator that limits the irradiation range of X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube;
High voltage generating means for supplying power to the X-ray tube;
An X-ray detector for detecting the irradiated X-ray;
The X-ray tube and the X-ray detector are mounted, a subject is sandwiched between the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector, and a rotating disk that rotates around the subject,
A bed that can be moved by loading the subject;
A data acquisition circuit for collecting signals detected by the X-ray detector;
In an X-ray CT apparatus comprising: an image processing means for imaging data collected by the data collection circuit; and a control device for controlling the high voltage generation means, the turntable, and the bed.
A maintenance data storage device that acquires and stores maintenance data from at least one of the units when activating at least one of the units of the X-ray CT apparatus;
And a communication device capable of transmitting at least a part of the maintenance data in the maintenance data storage device to the outside.

Also according to the invention,
A self-diagnosis means for analyzing and diagnosing the stored maintenance data;
The communication device is capable of transmitting at least part of the maintenance data in the maintenance data storage device and information obtained from the self-diagnosis means to the outside.

Also according to the invention,
The maintenance data is data obtained from the data acquisition circuit during X-ray tube warm-up, X-ray OFF data obtained when X-rays are not exposed, and X-rays are irradiated but the collimator 302 is closed and the X-rays are closed. X-ray cutoff data obtained when the X-ray detector is not incident on the X-ray detector, and air correction data obtained by irradiating the X-ray with nothing placed between the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector, At least one is included.

Also according to the invention,
The maintenance data includes at least a power supply line current and voltage confirmation means for the X-ray tube, a current and voltage confirmation means for the heater circuit of the X-ray tube, and the number of revolutions when the X-ray tube is a rotary anode type. Detection means, X-ray tube temperature detection means, collimator drive circuit current and voltage confirmation means, collimator position detection means, collimator operating speed confirmation means, means for confirming output of high voltage generation means, X-ray detector Output confirmation means, input current and voltage confirmation means to the rotation drive mechanism of the turntable, rotation speed confirmation means of the turntable, input current and voltage confirmation means to the bed movement mechanism, bed movement speed confirmation means It is characterized by including the signal from.

Also according to the invention,
The self-diagnosis means is characterized by determining the presence or absence of an abnormality by comparing maintenance data collected in the past with the latest maintenance data.
Also according to the invention,
The information leakage prevention means for restricting access from the outside is further provided.

Also according to the invention,
X-ray CT equipment,
Maintenance data storage means for acquiring and storing maintenance data from at least one of the units when activating at least one of the units of the X-ray CT apparatus;
Communication means capable of transmitting at least part of the maintenance data in the maintenance data storage device to service means;
There is provided a remote service system for an X-ray CT apparatus, including service means for monitoring at least a part of the maintenance data and determining a failure, a sign of failure, or a possibility of failure.

Also according to the invention,
A self-diagnosis means for analyzing and diagnosing the maintenance data;
The communication means is capable of transmitting at least a part of the maintenance data in the maintenance data storage device and information obtained from the self-diagnosis means to the outside.
Also according to the invention,
The information leakage prevention means for restricting access from the outside is further provided.

Also according to the invention,
It is a method of remotely monitoring the X-ray CT apparatus from a remote location by a plurality of separately programmed computers,
Activating at least one of each part of the X-ray CT apparatus by a first computer;
Acquiring and storing maintenance data from at least one of the parts after the startup by a computer programmed by a second computer;
Analyzing and diagnosing the maintenance data by a third computer;
Sending at least a part of the maintenance data in the maintenance data storage device to a service means by a fourth computer;
A fifth computer monitors at least a portion of the maintenance data to determine the possibility of occurrence of an abnormality or abnormality, and if it is determined that there is a possibility of occurrence of the abnormality or abnormality, service personnel need to be dispatched And providing a remote service method for the X-ray CT apparatus.

Also according to the invention,
The first computer to the fourth computer are the same computer.
Also according to the invention,
A step of analyzing and diagnosing the maintenance data by a sixth computer;
In the step of transmitting to the service means, the maintenance data in the maintenance data storage device and at least a part of the information obtained from the self-diagnosis means are transmitted,
In the step of notifying the necessity of dispatching the service staff, at least a part of the maintenance data and the information obtained from the self-diagnosis means is monitored to determine a failure, a precursor of failure, or a possibility of failure, A service staff is dispatched when it is determined that there is a failure, a sign of failure, or a possibility of failure.

Also according to the invention,
The first to fourth computers and the sixth computer are the same computer.
Also according to the invention,
The seventh computer further includes an information leakage prevention step for restricting access from outside.
Also according to the invention,
The first to fourth computers, the sixth computer, and the seventh computer are the same computer.

  According to the X-ray CT apparatus and the remote service system thereof according to the present invention, by periodically monitoring the state of the measurement system of the X-ray CT apparatus, downtime can be prevented before a failure of the X-ray CT apparatus occurs. The downtime can be shortened by avoiding the failure or making the service available at the same time as the failure occurs.

  Embodiments of an X-ray CT apparatus and its remote service system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a remote service system using an X-ray CT apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the remote service system is installed at an X-ray CT apparatus 102 installed at a customer site 100 such as a hospital, a maintenance computer 101, and a remote service center site 110 different from the X-ray CT apparatus 102. It consists of a support computer 111.

  The maintenance computer 101 is connected to the X-ray CT apparatus 102, and the support computer is connected to the maintenance data computer via the communication network 120. With this configuration, information is transmitted and received between the devices. The functions of the maintenance computer and the communication interface may be integrated into the X-ray CT apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the X-ray CT apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an X-ray tube 200 that irradiates X-rays, a collimator 202 that limits the X-ray irradiation range, and a multi-detector that detects X-rays and converts them into electrical signals. A channel X-ray detector 203, a data acquisition circuit 204 for collecting projection data from the multi-channel X-ray detector 203, an X-ray tube 200 and a collimator 202, a multi-channel X-ray detector 203 and a data acquisition circuit 204 Mounted turntable 201, image processing storage device 205 that stores signals (projection data) from the data acquisition circuit 204, image processing device 206 that performs image reconstruction, display device 207 that displays the results of image processing, and imaging start And an input device 208 for setting and inputting parameters, a control device 209 for controlling the X-ray tube 200 and the multi-channel X-ray detector 203, a bed 210 that can be moved with the subject mounted thereon, and power to the X-ray tube It comprises high voltage generation means 211 to be supplied.

  In order to understand the present embodiment, first, general imaging of the X-ray CT apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. When the start of imaging is input from the input device 208, X-rays are emitted from the X-ray tube 200 toward the subject 219 placed on the bed top 210. The X-ray passes through the subject 219 and is then converted into an electrical signal by the multi-channel X-ray detector 203 as a transmitted X-ray. This electrical signal undergoes analog-digital conversion in the data acquisition circuit 204 to become projection data. At the time of imaging, the turntable 201 on which the X-ray tube 200 and the multi-channel X-ray detector 203 are mounted rotates and acquires projection data from around the subject 219. In addition to the projection data, correction data for image correction is also stored in the image processing storage device 205 together with the projection data, and the image processing unit 206 performs image correction processing and reconstruction calculation. As a result, a tomographic image of the subject 219 is obtained and displayed on the display device 207. Up to this point, the configuration is the same as that of a conventional X-ray CT apparatus.

In this embodiment, a maintenance computer 220 is further provided in FIG.
The maintenance computer 220 is connected to the X-ray CT apparatus, and enables data transfer from the X-ray CT apparatus to the outside. Note that the processing performed by the maintenance computer 220 may be realized by an apparatus in the X-ray CT apparatus. Specifically, the control device 209 may run a program that causes the image processing device 206 to execute processing performed by the maintenance computer.

  In this embodiment, maintenance data is collected, self-diagnosis is performed, and the data and diagnosis results are transmitted to an external service computer. However, the maintenance data used here is data collected during routine maintenance. It is an item. For example, it is data obtained at the time of X-ray tube warm-up performed almost every day. X-ray tube warm-up is performed in order to stabilize the amount of X-ray exposure from the X-ray tube by gradually applying a load to the X-ray tube 200 when the X-ray CT apparatus is activated. At the same time, maintenance data is also collected.

  The maintenance data collection procedure during X-ray tube warm-up will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows an example of an X-ray tube warm-up flow. First, in step 301, X-ray tube warm-up is started. In step 302, X-rays are not exposed. At this time, X-ray OFF data 401 that is output data of the multi-channel X-ray detector 203 is collected. The data obtained here is the offset output of the X-ray detector 203 and the data acquisition circuit 204. That is, some output is observed as dark current from the X-ray detector 203 and the data acquisition circuit 204 even in the absence of X-ray incidence, but the value can be monitored. If the offset output changes, it can be determined that the secular change is progressing.

  In step 303, X-rays are exposed, but by closing the collimator 302, the X-ray cutoff data 402 in a state where no X-rays are incident on the multi-channel X-ray detector 303 can be collected. According to this, it is possible to measure the influence of external noise on the multi-channel X-ray detector 303 and the data acquisition circuit 304 due to the influence of the magnetic field generated during the operation of the X-ray tube 300 and the surrounding X-ray generation system. If external noise increases, it is suspected that the magnetic shield has deteriorated or the circuit has leaked.

In step 304, air correction (air calibration) data 403 for exposing X-rays is collected with no subject placed between the X-ray tube 200 and the multi-channel X-ray detector 303. From the air correction data 403, the state of the multi-channel X-ray detector 203 and the data acquisition circuit 204 at the time of X-ray exposure can be determined. Here, normal X-ray output is monitored, but it is possible to determine the detector channel abnormality and the whole detector abnormality.
The maintenance data collected during the warm-up can be used to determine an abnormality in the state of the measurement system.

  The collected maintenance data 401, 402, 403 is temporarily stored in the image processing storage device 205, and then transferred and stored in the maintenance data storage device 221. Among them, the air correction data 403 is also stored in the image processing storage device 205 to correct the sensitivity of the multi-channel X-ray detector 203, and is also used for correcting separately collected projection data. It is rewritten when data is collected. The maintenance data 401, 402, 403 stored in the maintenance data storage device 221 is processed by the self-diagnosis means 222, and the diagnosis result and the maintenance data itself are serviced by the communication device 223 via the communication network 230. Sent to outside. The communication network 230 is the Internet or a dedicated line such as WWW, and at least one of an intranet, the Internet, or a dedicated line may be routed along the way. Note that in the present specification, the term “communication means” includes at least the communication device and may further include the communication network.

  At this time, it is necessary to pay sufficient attention to the leakage of personal data of the subject. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, an information leakage prevention filter 240 is installed in the middle of the line between the maintenance data storage device 221 and the image processing device 206 or the image processing storage device 205. By providing a flag for each of the maintenance data and the image data of the subject, it is possible to prevent leakage of personal data or unauthorized access. For example, the data collected during the warm-up shown above, when collecting air correction data collected several times a day, during the scan mode for maintenance, etc. should have a flag of 1, while normal The image data of the subject collected in the scan mode is provided with a 0 flag. If the information leak prevention filter 240 shown above allows only data having a flag of 1 to pass, personal information such as image data of the subject has a flag of 0, thus preventing information leakage. It cannot pass through the filter 240. In this way, even when maintenance data is constantly monitored from the service center, it is possible to set so that it is not possible to reach an area where personal data such as image data of the subject exists from the outside. Thus, unauthorized access can be prevented and leakage of personal information can be prevented.

  Furthermore, it is possible to restrict access to the X-ray CT apparatus itself. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, an information leakage prevention filter 241 may be provided between the communication device 223 and the outside, or the function may be given to the communication device itself. The position of the information leakage prevention filter 241 is not limited to the above position, and may be anywhere in the X-ray CT apparatus as long as it can effectively prevent access from the outside. The information leakage prevention filter may be hardware or software. For example, it may be installed in the image processing apparatus 206 or the maintenance data computer 220, or may be separately arranged outside the X-ray CT apparatus.

  Hereinafter, the self-diagnosis unit 222 will be described with reference to FIG. The self-diagnosis means can be realized by a self-diagnosis program, for example. The content of the self-diagnosis program as self-diagnosis means will be described by taking the air correction data 403 as an example of the maintenance data 401, 402, 403. FIG. 4 shows an example of collected air correction data. The horizontal axis indicates the channel n of the multi-channel X-ray detector 203, and the vertical axis indicates the output P (n) of the X-ray detector of each channel. There are two ways to determine if there is an abnormality. In the first determination method, it is determined whether the output of each channel has changed significantly compared to the output of each past channel stored in the maintenance data storage device.

For example, an output of an i channel is P (i), and an output of an i channel of past data is P (i) _old . If S ₁ (i) is the difference between the collected data and the accumulated past data,
S ₁ (i) = P (i) −P (i) _old
If the threshold of the difference between collected data and past data is T1,
| S ₁ (i) |> T ₁
In case of, it is judged as abnormal.
On the other hand, | S ₁ (i) | <T ₁
If it is, it is determined to be normal.
This process is performed for all channels.

となり、P_ave(i)とiチャンネルの出力の差分をS₂(i)とすると、
Ｓ₂(ｉ)＝Ｐ(ｉ)−Ｐ(ｉ)_ave
となり、S₂(i)の閾値をT₂とすると、
｜Ｓ₂(ｉ)｜＞Ｔ₂
の場合、異常と判断する。
一方、｜Ｓ₂(ｉ)｜＜Ｔ₂
の場合には、正常と判定する。
この処理をすべてのチャンネルで行う。 The second determination method determines whether there is a large difference by comparing the output of each channel of collected data with the average output of several channels before and after. Explaining with the data of FIG. 4, the average output P _ave (i) between the i channel and the ± j channels before and after it is

If the difference between the output of P _ave (i) and i channel is S ₂ (i),
S ₂ (i) = P (i) −P (i) _ave
When the threshold value of S ₂ (i) is T ₂ ,
| S ₂ (i) |> T ₂
In case of, it is judged as abnormal.
On the other hand, | S ₂ (i) | <T ₂
In this case, it is determined as normal.
This process is performed for all channels.

  FIG. 5 shows the processing after collecting the maintenance data 401, 402, 403 shown in FIG. The maintenance data collected during the warm-up process is divided into two main processes. The first flow is Yes when an abnormality is found in the self-diagnostic program in Step 603 of FIG. 5, that is, Yes. The second flow is when no abnormality is found and the process proceeds to No. In the following description, the maintenance data collected during the X-ray tube warm-up that is performed when the X-ray CT apparatus is started every day will be described.

  As described above, in the first flow, the maintenance data stored in the maintenance data storage device is applied to the self-diagnosis program 222 described above, and the self-diagnosis step 603 is performed. That is, in the self-diagnosis program, for example, the maintenance data collected on the previous day is compared with that on the current day. If it is determined that there is an abnormality, the self-diagnostic program immediately transmits abnormal data 604 to the service center, and the service center makes a dispatch request 612 to the service staff at the service base. Upon receiving the request, the service staff grasps the details of the failure of the X-ray CT system based on the abnormal data, sets the necessary equipment and replacement parts, carries it, and repairs it promptly. The first flow can cope with short-term changes in the state of the X-ray CT apparatus, that is, sudden failure.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no abnormality, maintenance data is continuously collected from the next day as the second flow. Then, the maintenance data stored in the maintenance storage device is periodically transmitted to the service center (abbreviated as SC in FIG. 5) in step 602. In the service center, the received maintenance data is accumulated in step 610, and the presence or absence of an abnormal change is monitored in comparison with the maintenance data transmitted in the past. (Step 611) This comparison can be performed in the same manner as in the first flow of the self-diagnosis program shown above.

For example, the maintenance day data collected at the hospital is sent to the service center once a week, and compared with several different types of past data such as one week ago, one month ago, and three months ago. By doing so, it is possible to follow the long-term changes in the state of the X-ray CT apparatus, and to grasp the signs and possibilities of failure. If it is determined that there is a warning or possibility of a failure, a service staff is requested to be sent to the hospital in step 612. Take measures before. If there is no abnormal change, the maintenance data received periodically is continuously monitored.
Note that the first flow and the second flow should not be applied continuously, and a failure, a sign of failure, or a possibility of failure may be determined according to only one flow as necessary.

By configuring as described above, the service center can grasp the occurrence of an abnormality and the prediction of the occurrence of the abnormality, and can promptly dispatch a service person from the service base. As a result, it is possible to carry out and carry out repairs and countermeasures as soon as possible by carrying a guideline of equipment and replacement parts necessary for repair, and it is possible to eliminate or shorten downtime.
In addition, collection of maintenance data during X-ray tube warm-up is a series of operations that must be performed on the day when the X-ray CT device is used, so failure can be avoided while avoiding the trouble of acquiring maintenance data again. And monitor aging.

In the present embodiment, a form of maintenance data processing other than that described in the first embodiment will be described.
The apparatus configuration and processing flow used in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified. Accordingly, the drawings and reference numerals are the same unless otherwise specified.

  In this embodiment, attention is paid to the timing of X-ray tube warm-up. X-ray tube warm-up is not limited to starting up the first X-ray CT system once a day in the morning. Even if the device is not used for a while, the X-ray tube cools down and warms up again to stabilize the X-ray tube.

  Of the maintenance data, air correction data may be collected several times a day because of the need for image correction other than during X-ray tube warm-up. As described above, maintenance data is collected a plurality of times a day, and if all of them are accumulated, the capacity of the maintenance data storage device on the hospital side may be limited. Therefore, a calculation function for averaging maintenance data collected in one day may be added. The averaged maintenance data is monitored by judging abnormality by a self-diagnostic program or transmitting it to a service center. Each maintenance data after averaging may be deleted.

In addition, considering the reduction of capacity burden, averaged maintenance data is sent to the service center every day, and the service center has the function of the above self-diagnosis program to perform short-term monitoring and long-term monitoring at the service center. It is also possible.
Further, the frequency of transmitting maintenance data to the service center and the past data used for diagnosis are not limited to the above, but can be used in various other types and frequencies as necessary.

  In the first embodiment, maintenance data is data obtained from the data acquisition circuit at the time of X-ray tube warm-up, X-ray OFF data obtained when X-rays are not exposed, and X-rays are irradiated but collimator 302 is set. X-ray cutoff data obtained when closed X-rays are not incident on the X-ray detector, and air correction data obtained by irradiating X-rays with nothing placed between the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector The case of at least one of the above was described.

  In the third embodiment, the maintenance data is not limited to the data that can be collected from the data collecting circuit, but the means for checking the current and voltage of the power supply line to the X-ray tube and the current and voltage of the heater circuit of the X-ray tube. Confirmation means, revolution number detection means when the X-ray tube is a rotating anode type, temperature detection means for the X-ray tube, confirmation means for the number of exposures of the X-ray tube, confirmation means for fluctuations in the power supply voltage supplied from the installed facility , Collimator drive circuit current and voltage confirmation means, collimator position detection means, collimator operating speed confirmation means, high voltage generation means output confirmation means, X-ray detector output confirmation means, rotary disk rotation drive Means for confirming the input current and voltage to the mechanism, means for confirming the rotational speed of the turntable, means for confirming data transfer from the turntable to the stationary part (stationary side), means for confirming the input current and voltage to the bed moving mechanism , Means to check the moving speed of the bed The various signals from each unit constituting the throat X-ray CT apparatus can be a maintenance data saved at the start of each section. These are stored in the maintenance data storage device 221 via a transmission path (not shown).

Further, diagnosis is made by the self-diagnosis means 222 as necessary.
The stored maintenance data is transmitted to the outside of the service center or the like by the communication device 223 via the communication network 230 together with the self-diagnosis result as necessary.
As maintenance data, the maintenance data described in the first embodiment and the types of maintenance data described in the present embodiment may be used in combination.

Maintenance data and self-diagnosis results transmitted to the outside of a service center or the like are processed in, for example, two flows as described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG. The first flow is Yes when an abnormality is found in the self-diagnostic program in Step 603 of FIG. 5, that is, Yes.
The second flow is when no abnormality is found and the process proceeds to No.
If it is determined that there is an abnormality in the first flow, the self-diagnostic program immediately sends abnormal data 604 to the service center, and the service center makes a dispatch request 612 to the service staff at the service base. Upon receiving the request, the service staff grasps the details of the failure of the X-ray CT system based on the abnormality data, sets the necessary equipment and replacement parts, carries it, and repairs it promptly.

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no abnormality, maintenance data is continuously collected from the next day as the second flow.
Then, the maintenance data stored in the maintenance storage device is periodically transmitted to the service center (abbreviated as SC in FIG. 5) in step 602.
In the service center, the received maintenance data is accumulated in step 610, and the presence or absence of an abnormal change is monitored in comparison with the maintenance data transmitted in the past (step 611). This comparison method can be performed in the same manner as the first flow of the self-diagnosis program described above.
In addition, as in the first embodiment, the first flow and the second flow should not be applied continuously, and if necessary, according to only one flow, a failure, a sign of failure, or the possibility of failure is indicated. You may judge.

  By configuring as described above, the service center can grasp the occurrence of an abnormality and the prediction of the occurrence of the abnormality, and can promptly dispatch a service person from the service base. As a result, it is possible to carry out and carry out repairs and countermeasures as soon as possible by carrying a guideline of equipment and replacement parts necessary for repair, and it is possible to eliminate or shorten downtime.

  Further, since the maintenance data collection at the time of starting each part is an operation performed at the start of use, it is possible to monitor a failure or a secular change while avoiding the complexity of acquiring maintenance data again.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a remote service system according to an embodiment of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Schematic which showed the basic structure of the X-ray CT apparatus by one Example of this invention. The flowchart of the remote maintenance data acquisition at the time of X-ray tube warm-up by one Example of this invention. The figure which shows an example of maintenance data (air correction data). 5 is a flowchart of maintenance data processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  100 Customer site, 101 Computer for maintenance data, 102 X-ray CT system, 110 Service center site, 111 Support computer, 230 Communication network, 200 X-ray tube, 201 Turntable, 202 Collimator, 203 Multi-channel X-ray detector , 204 Data collection circuit, 205 Image processing storage device, 206 Image processing device, 207 Display device, 208 input, Device 209 Control device, 210 Bunk, 211 High voltage generating means, 219 Subject, 220 Computer for maintenance data, 221 Maintenance data storage device, 222 Self-diagnosis means, 223 Communication device, 230 Communication network, 240 Information leakage prevention filter, 241 Information leakage prevention filter, 302 1st step, 303 2nd step, 304 3rd step, 401 X-ray OFF Data collection, 402 X-ray intercept data collection, 403 Air correction data collection

Claims (15)

An X-ray tube that emits X-rays;
A collimator that limits the irradiation range of X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube;
High voltage generating means for supplying power to the X-ray tube;
An X-ray detector for detecting the irradiated X-ray;
A rotating disk that mounts the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector, sandwiches the subject between the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector, and rotates around the subject;
A bed that can be moved by loading the subject;
A data collection circuit for collecting signals detected by the X-ray detector;
In an X-ray CT apparatus comprising: an image processing means for imaging data collected by the data collection circuit; and a control device for controlling the high voltage generation means, the turntable, and the bed.
A maintenance data storage device for acquiring and storing maintenance data from at least one of the units when starting at least one of the units of the X-ray CT apparatus;
An X-ray CT apparatus comprising: a communication device capable of transmitting at least a part of the maintenance data in the maintenance data storage device to the outside. A self-diagnosis means for analyzing and diagnosing the stored maintenance data;
2. The X-ray CT according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is capable of transmitting at least a part of the maintenance data in the maintenance data storage device and information obtained from the self-diagnosis means to the outside. apparatus.   The maintenance data is data obtained from the data acquisition circuit during X-ray tube warm-up, X-ray OFF data obtained when X-rays are not exposed, X-rays are irradiated, collimators are closed, and X-rays are At least one of X-ray cutoff data obtained without entering the X-ray detector and air correction data obtained by irradiating X-rays with nothing placed between the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one is included.   Means for confirming the current and voltage of the power supply line to the X-ray tube, means for confirming the current and voltage of the heater circuit of the X-ray tube, means for detecting the number of revolutions when the X-ray tube is a rotary anode type, Temperature detection means, collimator drive circuit current and voltage confirmation means, collimator position detection means, collimator operating speed confirmation means, means for confirming output of high voltage generation means, output confirmation means for X-ray detector, turntable A means for confirming the input current and voltage to the rotary drive mechanism, a means for confirming the rotational speed of the turntable, a means for confirming the input current and voltage to the mechanism for moving the bed, and a means for confirming the moving speed of the bed. 4. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data includes at least a signal from one of these means.   The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the self-diagnosis unit determines whether there is an abnormality by comparing maintenance data collected in the past with the latest maintenance data.   6. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising information leakage prevention means for restricting access from outside. An X-ray CT apparatus;
Maintenance data storage means for acquiring and storing maintenance data from at least one of the units when activating at least one of the units of the X-ray CT apparatus;
Communication means capable of transmitting at least part of the maintenance data in the maintenance data storage device to service means;
A remote service system for an X-ray CT apparatus, comprising: service means for monitoring at least a part of the maintenance data to determine a failure, a precursor of failure, or a possibility of failure. A self-diagnosis means for analyzing and diagnosing the maintenance data;
8. The X-ray according to claim 7, wherein the communication unit can transmit at least a part of the maintenance data in the maintenance data storage device and information obtained from the self-diagnosis unit to the outside. Remote service system for CT equipment.   9. The remote service system for an X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising information leakage prevention means for restricting access from outside. A method for remotely monitoring an X-ray CT apparatus from a remote location by using a plurality of separately programmed computers,
Activating at least one of each part of the X-ray CT apparatus by a first computer;
Obtaining and storing maintenance data from at least one of the parts after the activation by a programmed computer by a second computer;
Analyzing and diagnosing the maintenance data by a third computer;
Sending at least a part of the maintenance data in the maintenance data storage device to a service means by a fourth computer;
A fifth computer monitors at least a part of the maintenance data to determine the possibility of occurrence of an abnormality or abnormality, and if it is determined that there is a possibility of occurrence of the abnormality or abnormality, service personnel need to be dispatched A remote service method for an X-ray CT apparatus, comprising:   11. The X-ray CT apparatus remote service method according to claim 10, wherein the first computer to the fourth computer are the same computer. A step of analyzing and diagnosing the maintenance data by a sixth computer;
In the step of transmitting to the service means, the maintenance data in the maintenance data storage device and at least a part of the information obtained from the self-diagnosis means are transmitted,
In the step of notifying the necessity of dispatching the service staff, at least a part of the maintenance data and the information obtained from the self-diagnosis means is monitored to determine a failure, a precursor of failure, or a possibility of failure, The remote service method for an X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a service person is dispatched when it is determined that there is a failure, a sign of failure, or a possibility of failure.   13. The X-ray CT apparatus remote service method according to claim 12, wherein the first to fourth computers and the sixth computer are the same computer.   The remote service method for an X-ray CT apparatus according to any one of claims 0 to 13, further comprising an information leakage prevention step of restricting access from outside by a seventh computer.   15. The X-ray CT apparatus remote service method according to claim 14, wherein the first to fourth computers, the sixth computer, and the seventh computer are the same computer.

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