JP2008253468A - Contrast imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contrast imaging apparatus allowing a person engaged in a contrast imaging to unconsciously recognize precautions on the contrast imaging and to safely perform the contrast imaging. <P>SOLUTION: This contrast imaging apparatus, in response to the setting of contrast conditions, for example, the setting of the type of contrast medium, by an imaging condition setting section 3 in an operating console 8 and an injector 13, reads the precautions expressing noteworthy items from a storage section 2 when an output section 4 performs the contrast imaging, and outputs the precautions by characters and voice using, for example, a display 9 and a speaker 10. The precautions include, for example, information inducing the operator to confirm that a subject 14 has a constitution agreeing with the contrast imaging, to confirm whether the subject approves the contrast imaging, to explain the subject that the injection of the contrast medium may cause an unpleasant sensation, and the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a contrast imaging apparatus that performs imaging by injecting a contrast medium into a subject.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the medical field, so-called contrast imaging is performed in which a contrast medium is injected into a subject to obtain an image in which a specific part or tissue of the subject is emphasized.

  In general, contrast agents have specific side effects. For example, there are various side effects ranging from relatively mild ones such as a body becoming hot and feeling bad to severe ones such as induction of kidney disease and cardiac arrest. It is also conceivable that the subject has a contrast medium allergy that exhibits an allergic reaction to the contrast medium in general or to a specific contrast medium.

  Therefore, when performing contrast imaging, the imaging technician looks at the patient's medical chart information and confirms whether the subject is a subject of contrast imaging or a constitution capable of contrast imaging. is doing. In addition, the radiographer explains to the subject that contrast imaging will be performed from now on, or does he agree that there is a certain risk in contrast imaging (sign on the consent form) To make sure that the subject is not suitable for contrast imaging, such as being allergic to contrast media or suffering from heart disease, or contrasting so that the subject does not panic It explains that a strange feeling that the body becomes hot by the injection of the agent occurs.

In addition, a method has been proposed in which contrast agent allergy information is extracted from patient information read out from a storage device, it is confirmed whether there is a contrast agent exhibiting an allergic reaction, and if there is another contrast agent (if any) is used ( Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-102281 A

  However, when performing contrast imaging, it is conceivable that the imaging engineer mistakes the chart information or inadvertently confirms the chart information. In addition, the explanation and confirmation as described above to be performed on the subject is mainly performed verbally by the imaging technician, and if the imaging technician did not carry out such explanation and confirmation, The subject cannot be sufficiently alerted about contrast imaging. In such a case, contrast imaging is not performed safely, and a case that leads to a medical accident is also conceivable.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a contrast imaging apparatus capable of performing contrast imaging more safely.

  In a first aspect, the present invention provides an imaging means for performing contrast imaging on a subject, a storage means for storing caution information indicating matters to be noted when performing contrast imaging, and a contrast condition. A contrast condition setting means for setting, and an output means for outputting the attention information stored in the storage means in a form that can be recognized by a person in response to the setting of the contrast condition by the contrast condition setting means. A contrast imaging apparatus is provided.

  In a second aspect, the present invention is such that the storage means stores one or more pieces of attention information in association with a predetermined condition included in the contrast condition according to the attention information, and the output means includes the There is provided a contrast imaging apparatus according to the first aspect, which reads out and outputs attention information corresponding to a condition included in a set contrast condition from the storage means.

  In a third aspect, the present invention provides the contrast imaging according to the second aspect, wherein the contrast condition includes a type of contrast agent, and the storage unit stores the attention information in association with the type of contrast agent. Providing equipment.

  In a fourth aspect, the present invention has agreed that the storage means is information for confirming whether the subject has a constitution capable of contrast imaging, and that the subject is contrast-enhanced. There is provided a contrast imaging apparatus according to the third aspect, which stores at least one of information for confirming the above and information indicating that a sense of incongruity may occur due to injection of a contrast agent as the attention information.

  In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides the method according to the first to fourth aspects, wherein the output means outputs the caution information in response to a predetermined operation by an operator related to the setting of the contrast condition. A contrast imaging apparatus according to any one aspect is provided.

  In a sixth aspect, the present invention relates to the fifth aspect to the fifth aspect, further comprising registration means for storing desired information in the storage means as the attention information in response to an input operation by an operator. A contrast imaging apparatus according to any one aspect is provided.

  In a seventh aspect, the present invention provides the contrast imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the output means outputs the attention information in text and / or voice. .

  In an eighth aspect, the present invention provides the imaging according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the output means outputs in at least one language among a plurality of types of languages prepared in advance. A photographing apparatus is provided.

  In a ninth aspect, the present invention provides a chart information acquisition means for acquiring chart information of the subject, an input means for inputting information on the subject for confirming whether or not contrast imaging is possible. A collation unit that collates the input information with the acquired medical record information, and outputs in a form that can be recognized by a person in response to the determination that there is non-match information in the collation by the collation unit A contrast imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, further comprising: a second output unit that performs the above-described operation.

  In a tenth aspect, the present invention is the ninth aspect, further comprising a control unit that performs control to disable injection of a contrast agent in response to determination that there is non-match information in the collation by the collation unit. A contrast imaging apparatus is provided.

  In an eleventh aspect, the present invention provides the contrast imaging apparatus according to the ninth aspect or the tenth aspect, wherein the medical chart information acquisition means can acquire the medical chart information from an external facility via a network.

  In a twelfth aspect, the present invention provides the contrast imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the contrast imaging is radiography or magnetic resonance imaging.

  According to the contrast imaging apparatus of the present invention, the output means reads out the caution information representing the items to be noted when performing contrast imaging in response to the setting of the contrast condition from the storage means, and allows the person to recognize it. In the process of performing normal processing related to contrast imaging, the person involved in contrast imaging can recognize it without being aware of the precautions related to contrast imaging, making it possible to perform contrast imaging more safely. It becomes.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an X-ray CT system (system) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  This X-ray CT system has an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector arranged opposite to each other with a cavity in between, and rotates these around the cavity while emitting X-rays, thereby obtaining X-ray projection data (data). ) For collecting the gantry 11, the table 12 for placing the subject 14 and transporting it to the cavity, the injector 13 for injecting the contrast medium into the subject 14, and the entire system. An operation console 8 is used for control.

  Based on the X-ray projection data collected by the gantry 11, the operation console 8 reconstructs the tomographic image of the subject 14, and attention information indicating matters to be noted when performing contrast imaging. The storage unit 2 to be stored, the imaging condition setting unit 3 for setting at least the contrast condition which is a condition peculiar to contrast imaging, and the attention stored in the storage unit 2 in response to the setting of the contrast condition by the imaging condition setting unit 3 An output unit 4 that outputs information in a form that can be recognized by a person, a registration unit 5 that stores desired information as caution information in the storage unit 2 according to an input operation by an operator, and a keyboard that accepts various input operations ( An input unit 6 such as a keyboard and a mouse, various setting screens and registration screens, a monitor 7 that displays a reconstructed tomographic image, and the like. Note that the storage unit 2, the imaging condition setting unit 3, the output unit 4, and the registration unit 5 in the present embodiment are examples of the storage unit, the contrast condition setting unit, the output unit, and the registration unit in the present invention, respectively.

  The storage unit 2 stores one or more pieces of caution information in association with predetermined conditions included in the contrast condition for each caution information, and the output unit 4 sets the contrast condition set by the imaging condition setting unit 3. Attention information corresponding to the included conditions is read from the storage unit 2 and output.

  Further, the storage unit 2 is information for confirming whether the subject has a constitution capable of contrast imaging, information for confirming that the subject has agreed to be contrast-enhanced, and At least one of information indicating that a sense of incongruity may occur due to the injection of the contrast agent is stored as attention information.

  The imaging condition setting unit 3 sets at least one contrast condition. Here, contrast imaging conditions including a contrast condition and a general imaging condition are set. The contrast conditions include, for example, the type of contrast agent, the total injection amount of the contrast agent, the injection rate of the contrast agent, the injection timing (timing) of the contrast agent, and various modes for contrast imaging. The general imaging conditions include, for example, a scanning method such as tube voltage and tube current of an X-ray tube, imaging start / end positions, and helical / axial.

  The output unit 4 outputs the caution information by voice and characters, and a table 9 for displaying the caution information and a speaker 10 for outputting the caution information by voice are provided in the table 12. Are provided at predetermined positions where the subject 14 can view. Here, as an example, the display 9 is a side surface of the gantry 11 close to the table 12 on the assumption that the subject 14 is placed on the table 12 in a supine state and conveyed to the cavity of the gantry 11. Upper, near the upper part of the cavity, is attached at an angle visible from the subject 14. The speaker 10 is attached to the side surface of the gantry 11 close to the table 12 at a position and orientation where the subject 14 can easily hear.

  The output unit 4 outputs attention information in at least one language among a plurality of types of languages prepared in advance. Examples of the multiple languages include Japanese, Chinese, Korean, English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Russian. Conceivable.

  Here, registration of attention information by the registration unit 5 will be described.

  The registration unit 5 performs a registration process by displaying a registration screen on the monitor 7 in response to an input operation by the operator.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a registration screen displayed on the monitor 7. The registration screen allows selection of a language used for outputting attention information, and a page is switched for each selected language. Note that the registration screen R shown in FIG. 2 represents a page when Japanese is selected as the language. Each page of the registration screen displays a list of registered caution information and various buttons (buttons) used for registration and playback of caution information. The operator can perform registration / confirmation operations using the GUI. . As a list of the caution information, for example, items such as “contrast medium type” corresponding to the information name, “voice recording time”, and “display contents” corresponding to the information name are displayed. Information name and display contents can be updated by overwriting input. As various buttons, for example, “recording start (start)”, “recording stop (stop)”, “playback”, “preview”, “registration”, and the like are displayed, and by pressing these buttons, Audio recording / playback, display content preview, registration content confirmation (registration), and the like can be performed.

  Specific contents of the caution information include, for example, “contrast examination. If you have heart disease, please consult with the staff (photographer).” “If you have heart, liver, or kidney disease, (Consult with a radiographer.) "Or" Contrast examination will be performed. Your body will be hot. "

  Note that the caution information stored in the storage unit 2 is preset with caution information that is assumed to be used empirically so that the registration unit 5 can add or modify the caution information as necessary. However, all the attention information may be registered by the operator, or conversely, registration modification may be disabled and only the attention information prepared in advance may be stored.

  Next, the flow of processing in this X-ray CT system will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in this X-ray CT system. First, the imaging condition setting unit 3 displays a contrast imaging condition setting screen on the monitor 7 in accordance with an input operation by the operator and performs setting processing.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a contrast imaging condition setting screen displayed on the monitor 7. On the setting screen, in addition to a plurality of items for setting general imaging conditions, various buttons related to contrast agents to be pressed when opening a window for setting contrast conditions, and settings for contrast imaging conditions are confirmed. A setting confirmation button B1 or the like to be pressed is displayed, and the operator can perform a setting operation using a GUI (graphic user interface).

  Examples of the plurality of items include tube voltage and tube current of the X-ray tube, scan start / end position, scan type indicating scan / scan scan, scan type indicating scan / main scan, and helical / axial. , The transport direction of the subject 14, the transport body position, and the like are displayed, and the contents of each item can be updated by input via the input unit 6. Various buttons related to the contrast agent include, for example, a button B2 to be pressed to open a window for selecting or registering an intravenous type contrast agent such as an iodine system from the list, and barium (barium). ) Button B3 to be pressed when opening a window for selecting or registering a drinking type contrast medium such as a system from the list, and a button to be pressed when opening a window for making various settings of the injector 13 B4 etc.

  The illustrated setting screen P has a window W1 for the operator to select the injection type contrast medium by pressing the buttons B2 and B4, the total injection amount of the contrast medium, the injection speed of the contrast medium, and the injection of the contrast medium. The window W2 for making various settings of the injector 13 such as the timing, that is, the waiting time from the start of contrast agent injection to the start of imaging is shown.

  The operator inputs the above-described general imaging conditions and contrast conditions including the type of contrast medium on such a setting screen (step S1).

  When these conditions are input and the operator presses the confirm button B1, the imaging condition setting unit 3 determines the input contrast imaging conditions, thereby setting the contrast conditions (step S2). The output unit 4 responds to the pressing of the confirmation button B1, that is, the setting of the contrast condition, and from the storage unit 2, attention information corresponding to the type of the contrast agent, which is one of the conditions included in the set contrast condition. Reading (step S3), the contents are displayed on the display 9, and sound is output from the speaker 10 (step S4). Note that the output language is set in advance, and for example, the language is output only in Japanese or in languages such as Japanese and English.

  The subject 14 recognizes the attention information output via the display 9 and the speaker 10, and determines whether or not to consult with the operator (photographer) (step S5). Here, if the subject 14 determines that the operator should be consulted, he / she consults with the operator. In this case, the operator consults with the subject 14 and determines whether or not contrast imaging can be performed with the setting as it is (step S11). If it is determined that contrast imaging is possible, the contrast imaging is continued (to step S6). If it is determined that contrast imaging is not possible, it is further determined whether or not there is an alternative contrast agent (step S12). Here, when there is a substitutable contrast agent, the contrast imaging conditions are reset (to step S1). When there is no substitutable contrast agent, the imaging is stopped or the normal imaging without using the contrast agent is performed. (Step S13).

  When the operator performs an input operation for starting scanning, scanning is started under the conditions set in response thereto (step S6), and collection of X-ray projection data starts. At this time, the injector 13 starts the injection of the contrast agent at the set timing and speed before or during the scan by the control from the operation console 8 (step S7). Then, the collection of X-ray projection data is completed along with the end of scanning (step S8). The reconstruction unit 1 performs image reconstruction processing based on the collected X-ray projection data to reconstruct a tomographic image of the subject 14 (step S9). The reconstructed tomographic image is displayed on the screen of the monitor 7 (step S10).

  According to the present embodiment described above, in response to the setting of the contrast condition, the output unit 4 reads the caution information indicating the items to be noted when performing contrast imaging from the storage unit 2, and the person recognizes it. Since it is output in a form that can be obtained, in the process of performing normal processing related to contrast imaging, the person involved in contrast imaging can recognize it without being aware of the precautions regarding contrast imaging, making contrast imaging more secure Is possible. For example, when performing contrast imaging, it is possible to prevent a medical accident caused by it even if the operator 14 does not sufficiently explain or confirm the contrast imaging. Become.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the output unit 4 outputs the caution information in characters and sounds, so that even if the subject 14 is a person who has a visual or auditory disorder, be sure to pay attention. Can be aroused.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the output unit 4 outputs in at least one of a plurality of types of languages prepared in advance, so even if the subject 14 is a foreigner who does not understand Japanese Can be aroused.

  In the present embodiment, the operation console 8 and the injector 13 are communicably connected, and the setting and control of the injector 13 are performed on the operation console 8 side. Therefore, the setting of the above-described contrast condition, which is also the setting of the injector 13, is performed by the imaging condition setting unit 3 provided in the operation console 8, and attention information is output in response to this setting. On the other hand, when the operation console 8 and the injector 13 do not communicate with each other, the above-described contrast condition is set on the main body side of the injector 13 and attention information is output in response to this setting. In this case, the caution information may be output from a monitor or speaker included in the injector 13 or may be output from another monitor or speaker connected to the injector 13 by wire or wirelessly.

  In the present embodiment, the imaging condition setting unit 3 sets the imaging conditions according to the operation of the operator, but automatically sets the imaging conditions by reading the electronic medical record and imaging schedule of the subject 14 from a server or the like. May be.

  In the present embodiment, the output unit 4 outputs the caution information via the display 9 or the speaker 10 provided at a predetermined position on the gantry 11, but of course, the present invention is not limited to these forms. For example, the display 9 and the speaker 10 may be provided on the injector 13 or a dedicated stand, or may be provided on the wall or ceiling of the photographing room using a projector or the like without using these output devices. You may make it project the image which shows attention information.

  In the present embodiment, attention information is output only to the subject 14, but similar attention information is output only to the operator or to both the operator and the subject 14. Alternatively, it may be output. For example, the caution information may be output only to the monitor 7 of the operation console 8, the caution information may be output via the display 9 or the speaker 10, and the same caution information may be output to the monitor 7 of the operation console 8. It may be. By confirming the output caution information, the operator can prevent the user 14 from forgetting the explanation to the subject 14, and can make the subject 14 more aware of the contrast imaging. It becomes possible.

  In the present embodiment, the conditions included in the contrast conditions, in particular, the caution information corresponding to the type of the contrast medium is read from the storage unit 2 and output. However, for example, it does not change depending on the type of the contrast medium. If there is common attention information, the common attention information is output in response to settings such as selecting a contrast agent or confirming contrast imaging regardless of the type of contrast agent. May be.

  In the present embodiment, the attention information includes information indicating that a sense of incongruity may occur due to the injection of the contrast medium, for example, information such as “the body becomes hot”. When the speed is included, information indicating the abruptness of the occurrence of the uncomfortable feeling according to the set level of the contrast medium injection speed is included as the caution information indicating that the unnatural feeling may be caused by the injection of the contrast medium. You may do it. For example, when the injection speed is relatively high, the body of the subject 14 tends to suddenly become hot when injecting the contrast agent. Therefore, as caution information, “the body suddenly becomes hot” May be included.

  Further, in the present embodiment, only the attention information is output according to the set contrast condition, but further information may be output by the following configuration. That is, as another embodiment, a chart information acquisition unit that acquires chart information of the subject 14, an input unit that inputs information about the subject 14 for confirming whether contrast imaging is possible, and an input A collation unit that collates the acquired information with the acquired medical record information, and a second output that is output in a form that can be recognized by a person in response to the determination that there is non-match information in the collation by the collation unit And a configuration further comprising a unit. As information to be input here, for example, the name, sex, age, presence / absence of kidney disease or heart disease, presence / absence of contrast medium allergy, information indicating whether or not consent to contrast imaging has been agreed, etc. Can do. According to such an embodiment, by inputting the information heard from the subject 14, it can be confirmed whether the subject 14 is a true person to be contrast-enhanced or who can perform contrast-enhanced imaging. It is possible to confirm whether or not contrast imaging is performed more safely. In addition, in the said embodiment, it is good also as a structure further provided with the control part which performs control which makes injection | pouring of contrast medium impossible according to determination with the non-matching information in the collation by the collation part. For example, control is performed so that a control signal for supporting the injection of contrast medium is not sent from the operation console 8 to the injector 13, or locking is performed so that an operation related to contrast imaging cannot be performed. In this way, it is possible to prevent a situation where the contrast agent is erroneously injected into the subject 14. In addition, the chart information acquisition unit may acquire the chart information from an external facility, for example, another hospital or medical facility different from the facility where contrast imaging is performed on the subject 14 via a network. Good. In this way, even if the subject himself / herself does not know whether or not he / she is capable of photographing, if there is a past diagnostic record in another facility, the record is read and confirmed. It becomes possible to do.

  Moreover, although this embodiment demonstrated as an example which applied this invention to the X-ray CT system, this invention is applicable to all imaging systems in which contrast imaging is possible, for example, includes an X-ray direct imaging system. The present invention can also be applied to other radiation imaging systems, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, ultrasound imaging systems, and the like.

  The present embodiment is an example of the best mode for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. That is, the present invention can be changed, added, or combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  A program for causing a computer to function as the contrast imaging apparatus of the present invention or each means thereof is also an example of an embodiment of the present invention. This program may be supplied by downloading, distributing, etc. via a network such as the Internet, or the program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and supplied. May be.

The figure which shows the structure of the X-ray CT system by one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which showed an example of the registration screen displayed on the monitor of the operation console The flowchart which showed the flow of the process in the X-ray CT system by one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which showed an example of the setting screen of the contrast imaging condition displayed on the monitor of the operation console

Explanation of symbols

1 Reconstruction unit 2 Storage unit (storage unit)
3 Imaging condition setting unit (contrast condition setting means)
4 Output section (output means)
5 Registration Department (registration means)
6 Input unit 7 Monitor 8 Operation console 9 Display 10 Speaker 11 Gantry 12 Table 13 Injector 14 Subject

Claims (12)

Imaging means for performing contrast imaging on the subject;
Storage means for storing attention information indicating matters to be noted when performing contrast imaging;
A contrast condition setting means for setting the contrast condition;
An imaging apparatus comprising: output means for outputting attention information stored in the storage means in a form in which a person can recognize in response to setting of the contrast conditions by the contrast condition setting means. The storage means stores one or more pieces of attention information in association with a predetermined condition included in the contrast condition according to the attention information,
The contrast imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit reads out and outputs attention information corresponding to a condition included in the set contrast condition from the storage unit. The contrast conditions include the type of contrast agent,
The contrast imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the storage unit stores the attention information in association with a type of the contrast agent.   The storage means is information for confirming whether the subject has a constitution capable of contrast imaging, information for confirming that the subject has agreed to be contrast-enhanced, and The contrast imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein at least one of information indicating that a sense of incongruity may occur due to injection of a contrast agent is stored as the attention information.   5. The contrast imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs the caution information in response to a predetermined operation by an operator related to the setting of the contrast condition. 6.   6. The contrast imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a registration unit configured to store desired information as the attention information in the storage unit in response to an input operation performed by an operator.   The contrast imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the output means outputs the caution information in text and / or voice.   The contrast imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs in at least one language among a plurality of types of languages prepared in advance. Medical chart information acquisition means for acquiring medical chart information of the subject;
Input means for inputting information about the subject for confirming whether or not contrast imaging is possible;
Collation means for collating the input information with the acquired medical record information;
Any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: a second output unit that outputs in a form in which a person can recognize the fact that there is non-match information in the collation by the collation unit. The contrast imaging apparatus of Claim 1.   The contrast imaging apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a control unit that performs control to disable injection of a contrast agent in response to determination that there is non-match information in the collation by the collation unit.   The contrast imaging apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the medical chart information acquisition unit is capable of acquiring the medical chart information from an external facility via a network.   The contrast imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contrast imaging is radiography or magnetic resonance imaging.

Images