JP2006149542A - Diagnostic radiographic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide diagnostic radiographic equipment capable of quickly executing radiography under a similar radiographing condition to an X-ray image radiographed in the past by automating the movement of an X-ray irradiation means. <P>SOLUTION: A control part 111 automatically actuates respective parts to take positions corresponding to positional information of an intended X-ray image based on accumulated information of an accumulation part 117 to reproduce the positional relationship between an X-ray tube 12 and a flat panel detector 7 when the X-ray image is radiographed. This radiographic equipment can quickly execute the radiography under the similar radiographing condition with that of the X-ray image radiographed in the past to improve the efficiency in the X-ray imaging. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a diagnostic X-ray imaging apparatus for imaging an X-ray image of a subject.

Conventionally, as this type of apparatus, an apparatus in which an X-ray tube is suspended and supported so as to be movable along a ceiling and the direction of the X-ray tube can be adjusted (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this apparatus, a photographer manually moves an X-ray tube appropriately and performs imaging by irradiating X-rays at a desired position.
JP-A-6-165773

However, the conventional example having such a configuration has the following problems.
That is, since the conventional apparatus manually determines the position of the X-ray tube, it is necessary to perform positioning while viewing the X-ray image in order to perform imaging under the same conditions as the X-ray images captured in the past. . Therefore, for example, in order to see the progress of the affected part of the subject, it is common to perform imaging under the same conditions every fixed period, but there is a problem that it takes a long time to set the same conditions.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and by rapidly moving the X-ray irradiation means, imaging can be performed quickly under the same imaging conditions as those of X-ray images captured in the past. An object of the present invention is to provide a diagnostic X-ray imaging apparatus that can perform medical examination.

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention has the following configuration.
That is, the invention described in claim 1 is a diagnostic X-ray imaging apparatus that detects X-rays irradiated from an X-ray irradiation unit and transmitted through a subject with an imaging unit, and displays an X-ray image on a display unit. Holding means for holding the X-ray irradiation means movably; drive means for moving the X-ray irradiation means; detection means for detecting the position of the X-ray irradiation means; input means for inputting subject information; In addition, when the imaging unit similar to the imaging performed previously is performed again, the storage unit that stores the subject information, the X-ray image information, and the position information in association with each other, the desired unit input by the input unit is used. When an X-ray image corresponding to object information is displayed on the display means and imaging is performed under the same conditions as the X-ray image, the driving means is operated until position information corresponding to the X-ray image is output from the detection means. Control means for controlling It is characterized by.

  [Operation / Effect] According to the invention described in claim 1, X-ray image information corresponding to the inputted desired subject information is read from the storage means, and the X-ray image is displayed on the display means. If this X-ray image is desired, the control means automatically drives the drive means so that the corresponding position information is output from the detection means, so the X-ray at the time when the X-ray image was taken The positional relationship between the irradiation means and the imaging means can be reproduced. Therefore, it is possible to quickly perform imaging under imaging conditions similar to those of X-ray images captured in the past.

  In this invention, it is preferable that the storage means further stores the exposure conditions of the X-ray irradiation means in association with each other, and the control means sets the X-ray irradiation means under the corresponding exposure conditions. . By storing the exposure conditions in the storage means at the time of imaging, not only the position but also the exposure conditions can be made the same as in the X-ray image captured in the past.

  In the present invention, the display means and the input means are preferably attached to the X-ray irradiation means. The photographer can input and confirm information at hand, and can perform efficient operations.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that the subject information includes the imaging date and time. When many X-ray images are taken, it is possible to find a desired one relatively easily based on the photographing date and time.

  According to the diagnostic X-ray imaging apparatus of the present invention, the control means automatically drives the drive means so that the position information corresponding to the desired X-ray image is output from the detection means. It is possible to reproduce the positional relationship between the X-ray irradiation means and the imaging means when the image is taken. Therefore, it is possible to quickly perform imaging under the same imaging conditions as those of X-ray images captured in the past, and to improve the efficiency in X-ray imaging.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a diagnostic X-ray imaging apparatus (ceiling traveling suspended X-ray tube holding apparatus) according to an embodiment.

  The subject M to be imaged is placed on the bed 1 installed on the floor. The bed 1 includes a top plate 3 made of an X-ray transmitting material and a base 5 that supports the top plate 3. A flat panel detector 7 (FPD) for detecting a transmitted X-ray image is embedded in the base 5.

  The flat panel detector 7 corresponds to the photographing means of the present invention.

A horizontal movement mechanism 11 is disposed on the ceiling surface.
The horizontal movement mechanism 11 is attached with an upper end of a suspension holding mechanism 13 that holds the X-ray tube 12 up and down in the vertical direction. An X-ray tube 12 is attached to the lower end of the suspension holding mechanism 13. The suspension holding mechanism 13 holds the X-ray tube 12 so as to be movable up and down, and can be moved in the horizontal direction X and the paper surface direction Y of FIG. The X-ray tube 12 is moved in the Z direction by raising and lowering, and the height of the X-ray focal point 12a can be adjusted from the imaging surface 7a. The X-ray tube 12 is also rotatable in the θ1 direction and in the θ2 direction around the Z axis.

  The X-ray tube 12 corresponds to the X-ray irradiation means in the present invention.

  Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view in a direction orthogonal to FIG.

  The horizontal movement mechanism 11 includes a fixed rail 15 fixed to the ceiling. A roller 19 supported by the movable rail support member 17 is attached to the near side of the U-shaped guide surfaces of the pair of fixed rails 15. Further, a rack 21 is laid on the back side of one guide surface of the pair of fixed rails 15, and a pinion 23 is engaged with the rack 21. The pinion 23 is connected to the motor 27 via the drive shaft 25. The motor 27 has a built-in clutch mechanism (not shown) for switching the rotation of the drive shaft 25 between transmission and non-transmission, and a position detecting potentiometer 29.

  Further, on the front side of the U-shaped guide surface of the moving rail 31 arranged so as to be orthogonal to the fixed rail 15, it is disposed on a suspension portion support member 35 erected on the suspension portion 33. A roller 37 is arranged. Further, a rack 39 is laid on the back side of one guide surface of the moving rail 31, and a pinion 41 is engaged with the rack 39. The pinion 41 is connected to the motor 45 via the drive shaft 43. The motor 45 has a built-in clutch mechanism (not shown) for switching the rotation of the drive shaft 43 between transmission and non-transmission, and a position detecting potentiometer 47. Therefore, the suspension portion 33 is supported so as to be movable in the X and Y directions together with the X-ray tube 12.

  The fixed rail 15 and the moving rail 31 described above correspond to the holding means in the present invention. The motors 27 and 45 correspond to the driving means in the present invention.

  Reference is now made to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the braking mechanism. Since the X-direction and Y-direction braking mechanisms have the same configuration, the X-direction braking mechanism will be described as an example here.

  The X-direction braking mechanism 49 is provided in the moving rail support member 17. Specifically, one end side of a lever 55 that swings around a swing fulcrum 53 is connected to the tip of a rod 51 that expands and contracts in response to ON / OFF of the solenoid SOL1, and the other end side of the lever 55 A brake shaft 59 having a brake member 57 having a large friction coefficient such as rubber attached to the tip is attached. Further, the tip of the rod 51 is urged in the extending direction by the tension coil spring 61.

  When the solenoid SOL1 is turned on, the rod 41 contracts, the lever 45 is swung, and the braking shaft 49 is moved to the opposite side of the fixed rail 15, so that the braking member 47 pressed against the fixed rail 15 is Move away from the fixed rail 15. That is, the braking by the braking member 47 is released. Further, when the solenoid SOL1 is turned off, the rod 41 is pulled by the tension coil spring 51, the lever 45 is swung, and the braking shaft 49 is pushed out to the fixed rail 15 side, whereby the braking member 49 is pressed against the fixed rail 15. Braking.

  Please refer to FIG. FIG. 5 shows the internal structure of the suspension part.

  One end side is supported by the rope support member 63, wound around the pulley 68 via the pulleys 64 to 67, hooked on the hook 69 at the tip of the suspension portion 33, wound around the pulley 70, and the pulleys 71 to 74 are The suspension part 33 is suspended and supported by a rope 76 whose other end is supported by the rope support member 75. When the suspension portion 33 is expanded and contracted, that is, when the X-ray tube 12 is moved up and down in the Z direction, the pulleys 66, 68, 70, and 72 rotate, and the pulleys 65, 67, 71, and 73 move back and forth (the directions a and b in the figure). Move to). At this time, the pulleys 65, 67, 71, 73 are urged in the direction a by a spring member (not shown). This spring member is designed to urge the pulleys 65, 67, 71, 73 in the a direction in proportion to the gravity regardless of the height of the X-ray tube 12 supported by the suspension 33 at the lower end. ing. Further, a drum 77 that rotates in conjunction with the pulleys 66, 68, 70, 72 is provided.

  In the above configuration, when the solenoid SOL3 is turned on, the contact between the brake member 78 and the drum 77 is released, the pulleys 66, 68, 70 and 72 can be rotated, and the telescopic brake of the suspension part 33 is released. It will be. Further, when the solenoid SOL3 is turned off, the brake member 78 is pressed against the drum 77, whereby the rotation of the pulleys 66, 68, 70, 72 is suppressed and the brake is applied.

  A main driving pulley 79 is disposed between the pulley 68 and the hook 69 described above, and a rope 76 is wound thereon. A rotation shaft of a motor 81 is linked to the main driving pulley 79. When the motor 81 is driven, the main pulley 79 is rotated, the rope 76 is wound, and the X-ray tube 12 is moved up and down. The motor 81 has a built-in clutch mechanism (not shown) that switches the rotational force between transmission and non-transmission. Further, a hook 83 is provided at the tip of the suspension part 33, and one end side of the rope 85 is hooked on the hook 83. The other end is wound between pulleys 70 and 72 and is wound around a pulley 87 provided in the middle. A potentiometer 89 is connected to the pulley 87, and position information in the Z direction is output from the potentiometer 89 through the rotation of the pulley 87 when the hanging portion 33 moves up and down.

  Please refer to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a rotation drive unit in the suspension unit.

  The cylinder 93 that is directly above the lower end shaft 91 of the suspension part 33 includes a bearing 95 on the inner peripheral surface. A lower end shaft 91 is rotatably held by the bearing 95. A gear 97 is formed over the entire circumference of the inner peripheral surface, and is engaged with the drive gear 99. The drive gear 99 is rotationally driven by the motor 101. The motor 101 includes a clutch mechanism (not shown) that switches between transmission / non-transmission of rotational force and a potentiometer (not shown), and outputs position information of θ2 corresponding to the rotation. Further, the lower end shaft 91 is provided with an electromagnetic lock 103. When this is actuated, the cylinder 93 is attracted to the lower end shaft 91 by electromagnetic force, and the rotation in the θ2 direction is restricted and a braking operation is performed. The

  In addition, although description is abbreviate | omitted, the rotation mechanism to the (theta) 1 direction is also equipped with the structure similar to the rotation drive part in said suspension part 33. FIG.

  Please refer to FIG. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing a circuit configuration of the braking mechanism.

  The operation unit 105 provided in the vicinity of the X-ray tube 12 is provided with switches SW1 to SW5 that can be operated by the photographer, input keys, and the like. These switches SW1 to SW5 are momentary switches that are kept on only while being pressed. The switch SW1 is connected in series with the relay R1 to release the movement restriction in the X direction. The switch SW2 is connected in series with the relay R2, and releases the movement restriction in the Y direction. The switch SW3 is connected in series with the relay R3, and releases the movement restriction in the Z direction. The switch SW4 is connected in series with the relay R4 to release the rotation restriction in the θ1 direction, the switch SW5 is connected in series with the normally closed relay R5, and the relay R5 is turned off by turning on the switch SW5. The electromagnetic lock 103 is released and the rotation restriction in the θ2 direction is released. The operation unit 105 is also operated by the photographer when inputting information about the subject M or the like.

  The switches SW1 to SW5 are provided with sub switches SW1a to SW5a in parallel. The sub switches SW1a to SW5a are automatically opened and closed by a control unit 111 described later, and the solenoids SOL1 to SOL4 and the electromagnetic lock 103 are controlled.

  The X-ray tube 12 described above includes a display unit 107 at the top of the operation unit 105 as shown in FIG. As the display unit 107, for example, it is preferable to reduce the weight of the X-ray tube 12 by using a liquid crystal display device. The operation unit 105 corresponds to the input unit in the present invention.

  Position information from the above-described potentiometers 47, 89 and the like is given to the position detection unit 109. The position detection unit 109 gives position information of X, Y, Z, θ1, and θ2 to the control unit 111. The control unit 111 corresponding to the control means in the present invention controls the high voltage device 115 for applying a high voltage to the X-ray tube 12, the flat panel detector 7, etc. Are collected and output to the display unit 107 as an X-ray image. An instruction to apply a high voltage to the X-ray tube 12 is given by, for example, a foot switch 116 operated by a photographer with his / her foot. The X-ray images collected via the flat panel detector 7 are digitized by a digital processing unit (not shown) in the control unit 111 and stored in the storage unit 117 in association with each other as described below.

  The storage unit 117 corresponding to the storage means in the present invention is composed of, for example, a hard disk device or the like, and stores storage information as shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of accumulated information.

  The accumulated information includes, for example, subject information, imaging date and time, position information (X direction, Y direction, Z direction, θ1 direction, θ2 direction), exposure conditions (tube voltage, tube current, imaging time), X-ray image information. X-ray image information is associated and stored for each subject information and imaging date and time. However, as long as the subject information, the position information, and the X-ray image information are associated with each other, the above-described form is not necessary.

  For example, when the photographer selects certain stored information in response to an input from the operation unit 105, the control unit 111 adjusts the position of the X-ray tube 12 according to the position information included in the information. . Specifically, the restriction operation in the direction in which the alignment is performed is first released, and then the motor or the like is operated to match the position stored in the accumulated information. For example, to adjust the position in the X direction, the sub switch SW1a is closed, the relay R1 is operated, and the solenoid SOL1 is operated. As a result, the braking operation is released. Then, the motor 27 is driven until the position information in the X direction output from the potentiometer 29 and the position detection unit 109 matches that of the stored information. If they match, the switch SW1a is opened again to perform a braking operation to fix the position in the X direction.

  Next, the operation of the diagnostic X-ray imaging apparatus having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing X-ray imaging, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart when imaging under the same imaging conditions.

  First, a procedure for performing first shooting and then shooting under the same shooting conditions as those conditions will be described.

Step S1
Prior to imaging, the photographer inputs the name of the subject corresponding to the subject information of the accumulated information via the operation unit 105.

Step S2
A photographer sets shooting conditions via the operation unit 105. Specifically, the exposure conditions for tube voltage, tube current, and imaging time are set, and each position in the X direction, Y direction, Z direction, θ1 direction, and θ2 direction is set by operating the switches SW1 to SW5. Move manually to position.

Step S3
For example, the foot switch 116 is operated to perform shooting under the set shooting conditions. The captured X-ray image is once displayed on the display unit 107.

Step S4
The photographer looks at the displayed X-ray image to determine whether or not a desired X-ray image has been taken. If the photographer determines that the desired X-ray image has been taken, the process proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if it is determined that the image is not a desired X-ray image, the process returns to step S2, and imaging is performed again with the imaging conditions (position and / or exposure conditions) changed.

Step S5
When the photographer determines that a desired X-ray image has been obtained, the operation unit 105 is operated to instruct accumulation. Then, together with the subject information input in step S1, the imaging date and time, position information, and exposure conditions are stored in the storage unit 117 in association with the X-ray image information. If necessary, shooting is repeated and stored together with shooting dates and times at different times.

Reference is now made to FIG.
Here, a case where imaging of the same part as the above-described imaging is performed for examination will be described as an example.

Step S11
When the name of the subject M to be imaged is input, the control unit 11 displays, on the display unit 107, an X-ray image of the information including the subject information out of the accumulation information accumulated in the accumulation unit 117. Therefore, an X-ray image corresponding to the subject information is displayed (step S12). In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, the stored information is also stored in association with the shooting date and time, so that even if X-ray images are frequently shot, what is desired depending on the shooting date and time is stored. It can be found relatively easily.

Step S13
The photographer selects a desired X-ray image. Since the display unit 107 is attached to the X-ray tube 12, the photographer can input and confirm information at hand, and can perform an efficient operation.

Step S14
The control unit 111 drives the motor 27 and the like described above according to the position information corresponding to the selected X-ray image, and adjusts the X direction, Y direction, Z direction, θ1 direction, and θ2 direction. Further, a control signal is sent to the high voltage device 115 to automatically set the exposure conditions.

Step S15
The photographer determines whether or not the automatically set shooting conditions are desired. If it is desired, the operation unit 105 is operated and the process proceeds to step S16. If it is not desired or if it is desired to adjust the conditions appropriately, the process proceeds to step S17 and adjustment is performed via the operation unit 105.

Step S16
The photographer operates the foot switch 116 to perform X-ray exposure. This photographing condition is the same as the photographing performed in the past when appropriate adjustment is not performed in step S17.

  As described above, since the control unit 111 automatically drives each unit so as to obtain position information corresponding to a desired X-ray image based on the storage information of the storage unit 117, the X-ray at the time when the X-ray image was captured is acquired. The positional relationship between the tube 12 and the flat panel detector 7 can be reproduced. Therefore, it is possible to quickly perform imaging under the same imaging conditions as those of X-ray images captured in the past, and to improve the efficiency in X-ray imaging. Further, since the exposure condition is also stored in the storage unit 117 at the time of imaging, not only the position but also the exposure condition can be made the same as in the X-ray image captured in the past. As a result, imaging useful for diagnosis can be performed efficiently.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be appropriately modified as follows.

  (1) In each embodiment described above, a configuration in which the display unit 107 is attached to the X-ray tube 12 is employed. However, a configuration including a display device separate from the X-ray tube 12 may be employed.

  (2) Instead of the flat panel detector 7 (FPD), an image intensifier may be employed.

  (3) For example, a non-ceiling traveling type apparatus that can select only the Z direction, the θ1 direction, and the θ2 direction instead of the positional information over the five directions of the X direction, the Y direction, the Z direction, the θ1 direction, and the θ2 direction. Can be applied.

  (4) A rotary encoder may be employed instead of the potentiometer for position detection.

  (5) The stored information is not limited to the form shown in FIG. 8, and for example, the shooting date and time may be omitted. Further, the exposure condition may be omitted, and only the subject information and the position information may be accumulated.

  (6) A horizontally movable cassette is provided at the bottom of the top plate 3, and the cassette is moved over a standby position corresponding to the side of the flat panel detector 7 and an imaging position corresponding to the upper side of the flat panel detector 7. You may comprise. Thereby, after fluoroscopic imaging | photography with the flat panel detector flat 7, imaging | photography with an X-ray film can be performed. In this case, an image intensifier may be employed instead of the flat panel detector 7.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the diagnostic X-ray imaging apparatus which concerns on an Example. It is AA arrow sectional drawing of FIG. It is arrow sectional drawing of the direction orthogonal to FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of a braking mechanism. It is a figure which shows the internal mechanism of a suspension part. It is a figure which shows the rotational drive part in a suspension part. (A), (b) is a figure which shows the circuit structure of a braking mechanism. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of accumulation | storage information. It is a flowchart which shows X-ray imaging. It is a flowchart at the time of image | photographing on the same imaging conditions.

Explanation of symbols

M ... Subject 1 ... Bed 3 ... Top plate 7 ... Flat panel detector 11 ... Horizontal movement mechanism 12 ... X-ray tube 13 ... Suspension holding mechanism 15 ... Fixed rail 17 ... Moving rail support member 27 ... Motor 29 ... Potentiometer 31 ... Moving rail 33 ... Suspension part 35 ... Suspension support member 45 ... Motor 49 ... Braking mechanism 81 ... Motor 89 ... Potentiometer 101 ... Motor 103 ... Electromagnetic lock 105 ... Operation part SW1-5 ... Switch 107 ... Display part 109 ... Position detection part 111 ... Control part 117 ... Accumulation part

Claims (4)

  In a diagnostic X-ray imaging apparatus that detects X-rays irradiated from an X-ray irradiation unit and transmitted through a subject with an imaging unit and displays an X-ray image on a display unit, the X-ray irradiation unit is held movably. Holding means; drive means for moving the X-ray irradiation means; detection means for detecting the position of the X-ray irradiation means; input means for inputting subject information; subject information; X-ray image information; When the imaging unit that stores the positional information in association with the imaging unit is performed again, the X-ray image corresponding to the desired subject information input by the input unit is stored in the X-ray image. Control means for controlling the drive means until the corresponding position information is output from the detection means when the image is displayed on the display means and imaged under the same conditions as the X-ray image. Diagnostic X-ray imaging apparatus   2. The diagnostic X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit further stores the exposure conditions of the X-ray irradiation unit in association with each other, and the control unit stores the X-rays under the corresponding exposure conditions. An examination X-ray imaging apparatus characterized by setting an irradiation means.   The diagnostic X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit and the input unit are attached to the X-ray irradiation unit. 4. The diagnostic X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the subject information includes an imaging date and time.

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