JP2009233158A - Radiological diagnostic apparatus and radiography method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radiological diagnostic apparatus and a radiography method for enabling long-length imaging in a supine position in a narrow room and for reducing a burden on a patient. <P>SOLUTION: The radiological diagnostic apparatus includes a bed having a top plate which is used to place a subject in the supine position, moves in the longitudinal direction along an axis of the body, and is positioned at a plurality of stop positions, an imaging part equipped with a solid-state radiation detector which is placed under the top plate, moves in parallel to the top plate, is positioned in a plurality at imaging positions, and acquires image data of short-length images, and a radiation source which is placed above the bed and emits radiation to the solid-state radiation detector fixed in each imaging position by varying a plurality of irradiation positions set corresponding to a plurality of the imaging positions, respectively. The problem is solved by continuously capturing a plurality of short-length images of a long-length imaging region of the subject in the supine position by combining the plurality of stop positions, the plurality of imaging positions, and the plurality of irradiation positions and by acquiring the image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to the field of radiography technology using a bed on which a subject is placed, a radiation solid detector, and a radiation source that emits radiation from the top of the bed. The present invention relates to a possible radiation diagnostic apparatus and a radiographic method.

Conventionally, radiation (X-rays, α-rays, β-rays, γ-rays, electron beams, ultraviolet rays, etc.) transmitted through an object is used as an electrical signal for taking medical diagnostic images and industrial nondestructive inspections. Radiographic image detectors that capture radiographic images by taking them out are used.
As this radiation image detector, a radiation solid state detector that extracts radiation as an electrical image signal (so-called flat panel detector “Flat Panel Detector”, hereinafter also simply referred to as FPD), or X that extracts a radiation image as a visible image. There is a line image tube.

  The FPD collects, for example, electron-hole pairs (e-h pairs) generated by a photoconductive film such as amorphous selenium upon incidence of radiation, and reads out as an electrical signal, so that radiation is directly converted into an electrical signal. And a phosphor layer (scintillator layer) formed of a phosphor that emits light (fluorescence) upon incidence of radiation. The phosphor layer converts radiation into visible light, and converts the visible light into There are two methods, namely, an indirect method of converting radiation into an electric signal as visible light, which is read by a photoelectric conversion element.

In the case of supine imaging using such a radiation solid state detector (FPD) on a general radiographic bed, the operating range of the FPD has been limited or fixed in one place. There was a problem that it was difficult to shoot in a wide range, such as long shooting in the supine position. For this reason, when taking a long image, it is usually limited to photographing with a standing stand, and there is a problem that it is difficult to photograph a patient who is difficult to stand.
However, recently, a long X-ray imaging apparatus in a prone state in which an X-ray source and an X-ray detector can be moved within an imaging range using a bed has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 1). 2 and Patent Document 3).

The X-ray diagnostic apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 has an image processing unit that performs conversion processing so as to match the gradation of overlapping portions in long imaging and synthesizes the long image, but is fixed. An X-ray source and an X-ray detector move across the entire imaging region across the top plate.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the X-ray diagnostic apparatus described in Patent Document 1, in which both the X-ray tube 50 and the X-ray detector 54 are placed on the body axis of the subject P on the top plate 52. A long image of the entire imaging region is obtained by performing imaging while moving along a wide range from the top of the head to the tip of the foot along (to the position indicated by the X-ray tube 50 ′ and the X-ray detector 54 ′). I have to. Accordingly, a plurality of X-rays that are continuously and partially overlapped along the body axis of the subject are repeatedly captured while tracking the contrast agent injected into the subject without moving the subject P. It is possible to acquire images.

  The apparatus described in Patent Document 2 is an X-ray diagnostic apparatus capable of taking a long X-ray image in a lying position using a bed, and positioning an X-ray source and an X-ray detector at predetermined positions. The amount of displacement between the holding device and the bed to be calculated is calculated, and the displacement of the images to be joined is corrected. Similarly to Patent Document 1, both the X-ray source and the detector are in the imaging region. It is configured to move together.

  The device described in Patent Document 3 moves the top plate and the detector relative to each other, enables imaging under optimum conditions following the moving direction of the contrast agent, reduces the burden on the operator, and improves operability. It is an improvement. However, in the X-ray diagnostic apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 3, the C-arm holding mechanism that holds the C-arm to which the X-ray source and the detector are attached so as to sandwich the top plate is slidably held by the holding device body. Thus, the C-arm is moved in the longitudinal direction with respect to the stationary top plate, and the X-ray source and the detector are moved together. In addition, this Patent Document 3 discloses that “the top plate and the detector are relatively moved”, but as is clear from the description of paragraph [0080], “the top plate is stationary, Instead of “moving the C-arm and performing X-ray imaging”, it is merely disclosed that “C-arm is stationary and the top plate is moved to perform X-ray imaging”.

JP 2004-57506 A JP 2003-234958 A JP 2004-209239 A

As described above, in the long X-ray image capturing in the conventional supine position, the long top plate is stationary, the X-ray source and the X-ray detector move, or the X-ray source and the X-ray detection. In either case, the X-ray source and the X-ray detector are connected to the top plate in the entire imaging range. In particular, it is necessary to move relatively over the entire photographing range in the longitudinal direction.
For this reason, for example, it is necessary to move the X-ray source and the X-ray detector from one end to the other end of the long top plate, so that there is a problem that the apparatus becomes large. Although it is conceivable that only the X-ray source is rotated to reduce the moving range of the X-ray source, in order to perform long X-ray imaging over the entire imaging range of the long top plate, a detector Must be provided in the entire shooting range of the long top plate. Therefore, a long detector and a large number of detectors are required, the device configuration becomes complicated, the device becomes expensive, and in some cases, there is a problem that the device becomes large.

  It is also conceivable that the X-ray source and the X-ray detector are stationary and the long top plate is moved from one end to the other end of the entire area. In addition, there is a problem that the load on the patient (discomfort due to acceleration, pain due to instability, etc.) increases when the top plate is moved.

  The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and to make it possible to take a long picture in a lying position even in a narrow room without increasing the cost of the apparatus without complicating and increasing the size of the apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a radiation diagnostic apparatus and a radiography method that can be used.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a subject is placed in a supine position, moved in a longitudinal direction along the body axis of the subject, and positioned at a plurality of stop positions. A couch provided with a couch, and installed below the couch of the couch, moves parallel to the couch, is positioned at a plurality of imaging positions, and acquires radiation data of one short image of a predetermined size An imaging unit including a radiation solid detector, and the radiation arranged above the bed and fixed to each imaging position by changing a plurality of radiation irradiation positions respectively set corresponding to the plurality of imaging positions A radiation source for irradiating the radiation toward a solid state detector, and combining the plurality of stop positions of the top plate and the plurality of imaging positions of the radiation solid state detector, Multiple long shooting ranges in succession Perform imaging of short image, there is provided a radiation diagnostic apparatus and acquires the radiation data of the plurality of short image.

Here, it is preferable that the plurality of imaging positions of the radiation solid state detector of the imaging unit and the plurality of irradiation positions of the radiation source correspond to each other on a one-to-one basis.
In addition, the movement of the imaging unit to the predetermined imaging position of the radiation solid detector and the change to the predetermined irradiation position of the radiation source corresponding to the radiation solid detector are performed in conjunction with each other. preferable.
Further, it is preferable that the radiation source corresponding to the radiation solid detector is changed to a predetermined irradiation position by rotating or translating the radiation source.

  The plurality of stop positions of the top plate of the bed and the plurality of photographing positions of the radiation solid detector partially overlap adjacent photographing ranges of two short images photographed in succession. In addition, the radiation data of each short image is subjected to digital image processing so that overlapping portions of a plurality of short images taken continuously match each other to obtain radiation image data of each short image, It is preferable to have an image processing unit that synthesizes these into a single supine long radiation image.

Further, the radiation diagnostic apparatus of this aspect further includes the plurality of stop positions of the top plate and the radiation solid detection so that the movement of the top plate is reduced according to the size of the long imaging range. Combination setting means for setting a combination of the stop position of the top plate and the imaging position of the radiation solid detector so that the movement of the top plate is reduced among the combinations of the plurality of imaging positions of the device. It is preferable to have.
Moreover, it is preferable that the said bed has a top plate moving means which moves the said top plate in the said longitudinal direction, and positions and stops the said top plate in each of these stop positions.

In addition, the imaging unit further includes detector moving means for moving the radiation solid detector in the longitudinal direction and stopping the radiation solid detector at each of the plurality of imaging positions. preferable.
The radiation source further includes an irradiation position setting unit that sets an irradiation position of the radiation to one of the plurality of irradiation positions, and the radiation solid detection is positioned by the detector moving unit of the imaging unit. It is preferable that the plurality of imaging positions of the device have a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of irradiation positions set by the irradiation position setting means of the radiation source.
Moreover, it is preferable that the irradiation position setting means sets the irradiation position of the radiation by the radiation source by rotating or translating the radiation source.

In addition, the radiation diagnostic apparatus according to this aspect further obtains the plurality of short images by sequentially performing imaging from one end side in the longitudinal direction toward the other end side in the opposite direction along the body axis of the subject. And a control means for controlling the movement of the radiation solid detector and the top plate and the change of the radiation position of the radiation by the radiation source. The top plate on which the specimen is placed is arranged at the first stop position on the one end side in the longitudinal direction, and the radiation solid detector is arranged at the first imaging position on the one end side in the imaging unit. The radiation source is set to a first irradiation position corresponding to the first imaging position, and the radiation is directed from the radiation source toward the subject placed on the top plate. The radiation below the top plate The first detection is performed by irradiating the area detectable by the solid state detector, and then the radiation solid state detector and the radiation source are left as they are, and only the top plate is further moved in the direction toward the one end. Move the stage and position it at the second stop position, perform the second imaging in the same manner as the first imaging, and then leave the top of the radiation solid detector as it is. Move to the second imaging position by moving to the other end side by one step, and change the irradiation position of the radiation by the radiation source to the other imaging side by one step to the second imaging position. The corresponding second irradiation position is set, the third imaging is performed in the same manner as the first imaging, and the radiation solid detector is then left as it is with the top plate being left as it is. If you move one more step to the end side and place it at the third shooting position In addition, the irradiation position of the radiation by the radiation source is further changed to the other end side by one step, and is set to a third irradiation position corresponding to the third imaging position, so that the first imaging is performed. In the same manner as described above, the fourth imaging is performed. Finally, the radiation solid detector and the radiation source are left as they are, and only the top plate is moved in the direction of the one end side by one more step to perform the third imaging. It is preferable to perform control so that the fifth shooting is performed in the same manner as the first shooting.
Further, the control means performs movement of the radiation solid detector and the top plate and change of the irradiation position of the radiation by the radiation source using the power of a motor, and controls them in conjunction with each other. preferable.

  Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the second aspect of the present invention is directed to directing radiation from a radiation source toward a subject placed in a supine position on the top of the bed and below the top. Irradiating the area that can be detected by the radiation solid detector of the imaging unit to be imaged, the opposite of the longitudinal direction from one end side along the body axis of the subject placed on the top plate A radiation imaging method for acquiring a plurality of short images by sequentially repeating toward the other end side, and first, in the bed, the top plate on which the subject is placed is placed on the one end side in the longitudinal direction. The radiation solid state detector is disposed at the first imaging position on the one end side in the imaging unit, and the radiation source corresponds to the first imaging position. 1 is set at the irradiation position, and the top plate emits radiation from the radiation source. Irradiate a range that can be detected by the radiation solid detector below the top plate toward the subject placed on the top plate, and perform first imaging, and then the radiation solid detector and The radiation source remains as it is, and only the top plate is further moved by one step in the direction of the one end side in the longitudinal direction to be positioned at the second stop position, similarly to the first imaging, The second imaging is performed, and then the top plate is left as it is, and the radiation solid detector is moved to the other end side by one step and arranged at the second imaging position, and the radiation source is used. The radiation irradiation position is changed by one step to the other end side, set to a second irradiation position corresponding to the second imaging position, and the third imaging is performed in the same manner as in the first imaging. Then, the top plate is left as it is, and the radiation solid is taken. The ejector is further moved to the other end side by one step and arranged at the third imaging position, and the irradiation position of the radiation by the radiation source is further changed to the other end side by one step, and the first The third irradiation position corresponding to the third imaging position is set, the fourth imaging is performed in the same manner as the first imaging, and finally, the radiation solid detector and the radiation source are: As it is, only the top plate is moved one step further in the direction of the one end side to be positioned at the third stop position, and the fifth shooting is performed in the same manner as the first shooting, It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiographic method characterized by acquiring image data of five short images.

Here, the movement of the radiation solid detector and the top plate and the change of the irradiation position of the radiation by the radiation source are preferably performed using the power of a motor, and are controlled in conjunction with each other.
The plurality of stop positions of the top plate of the bed and the plurality of photographing positions of the radiation solid detector partially overlap adjacent photographing ranges of two short images photographed in succession. In addition, digital image processing is performed on the radiation data of each short image so that overlapping portions of a plurality of short images taken continuously match each other to obtain radiation image data of each short image, It is preferable to synthesize these into a single supine long radiation image.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to take a whole body long image of a subject such as a patient only by operating the radiation solid detector, the radiation source, and the top plate as much as necessary, so that the apparatus configuration becomes complicated and large. Therefore, it is possible to realize a radiation diagnostic apparatus and a radiation imaging method capable of taking a long image in a supine position even in a narrow room without reducing the cost of the apparatus and reducing the load on the patient.

Hereinafter, a radiation diagnostic apparatus and a radiation imaging method according to the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing an embodiment of a radiation diagnostic apparatus of the present invention for carrying out the radiation imaging method of the present invention.

  A radiological diagnostic apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a diagnostic apparatus) 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a radiographic imaging apparatus that captures a radiographic image (diagnostic image) of a patient (subject or subject) P that is a subject. A photographing unit 20 for partially photographing the person P to obtain a partial radiographic image (hereinafter referred to as a short image or a partial image), a control unit 22 for controlling the photographing operation of the photographing unit 20, and the photographing unit 20. An image processing unit 24 that obtains a long synthetic radiation image (hereinafter referred to as a long image or an entire image) by digital image processing of the short image of the patient P taken by the digital image processing, and a short image or long image that has undergone digital image processing. It has a monitor 26 for displaying an image and a printer 28 for outputting a short image or a long image as a hard copy.

  The imaging unit 20 includes a bed 30 (imaging table) including a movable top plate 12 on which a subject (subject) P is placed in a prone position, an imaging unit 14 that images radiation transmitted through the subject P, and The radiation of the subject P can be moved by receiving radiation that has passed through the imaging range of a part of the body of the subject P and converting this radiation into an electrical signal. A solid-state radiation detector (hereinafter referred to as FPD) 16 that obtains image data and a radiation source 18 that emits radiation toward a part of the imaging range of the subject P are included.

  The top plate 12 is a plate-like member that is disposed on the bed 30 and can place the subject P in a supine position, and moves along the body axis of the placed subject P. Is possible. The bed 30 and its top 12 can be the bed and its top used in a normal radiographic apparatus, but need to be able to translate in the horizontal direction. For this reason, the bed 30 (photographing table) includes a top plate moving mechanism 32 that moves the top plate 12 on which the subject P is placed in the supine position along the body axis of the subject P, that is, horizontally and reciprocally. The top plate moving mechanism 32 can move the top plate 12 in a plurality of stages. After the movement, the top plate moving mechanism 32 has a plurality of stop positions, and in the example shown in FIG. It is possible to stop at one stop position (see FIGS. 2B, 2A and 2E). Although not shown, the top plate moving mechanism 32 is a belt moving means for moving the top plate 12 by a motor and a belt coupled thereto, a motor, a moving means by a drive screw and a traveling nut that are driven to rotate by this, a motor, As a result, a known reciprocating means such as a rotationally driven gear, a moving means using a pinion and a rack, or a known parallel moving means can be used. The top plate moving mechanism 32 may be manually moved without a motor.

  The top plate 12 is fixed so as not to move at each of a plurality of stop positions so as not to move due to the movement of the subject P or the like, in order to prevent shaking during imaging and risk of the subject P. Although not shown, it is preferable to include a releasable fixing mechanism or locking mechanism. Such stop position control by movement control of the top plate 12 is performed by the top plate moving mechanism 32 controlled by the control unit 22, but the subject P is placed on the top plate 12 in a prone position. The parallel movement and stop of the top 12 are preferably controlled so as to be performed slowly and gently so as not to burden the subject P. Furthermore, the couch 30 may include a lifting / lowering means, a tilting means, and the like for the top 12 as necessary, in addition to the top movement mechanism 32 that performs parallel movement of the top 12 in the horizontal direction.

The imaging unit 14 acquires the radiation data of the radiation image of the subject P while moving the FPD 16 and switching the imaging position in a plurality of stages while imaging the body part of the subject P by the FPD 16 one by one. It has FPD16 and the detector moving mechanism 34 of FPD16.
Note that the diagnostic apparatus 10 of the present invention receives the radiation irradiated by the radiation source 18 and transmitted through the subject P in the imaging unit 20 in the imaging unit 20 in the same manner as a normal radiographic imaging apparatus. By receiving the radiation on the surface and converting the received radiation into an electrical signal, the subject P is photographed to obtain a radiation image.
Specifically, the imaging unit 14 of the imaging unit 20 receives radiation transmitted through a part of the body of the subject P by the radiation receiving surface of the FPD 16 and converts the received radiation into an electrical signal, thereby converting the subject. The examiner P is partially photographed to obtain a short image or partial image, which is a partial radiographic image. In the present invention, the examinee P is moved to move the examinee P to be photographed. While the body part of the subject P is changed, the imaging by the FPD 16 is repeated a plurality of times (in the example shown in FIGS. 2A to 2E, a total of 5 times). In the example shown, the radiation data of five partial images are acquired.

In the present invention, the FPD 16 is a normal radiation detector used in a radiographic imaging apparatus, and is a so-called FPD (Flat Panel Detector).
In the present invention, the FPD 16 uses a photoconductive film such as amorphous selenium and a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) to collect electron-hole pairs (e-h pairs) emitted from the photoconductive film upon incidence of radiation. Using a scintillator layer, a photodiode, a TFT, etc., formed of a phosphor that emits light (fluorescence) by the incidence of radiation such as “CsI: Tl”, which is read out as an electrification signal by a TFT, and so on. Any of so-called indirect FPDs in which the light emitted from the scintillator layer upon incidence is photoelectrically converted by a photodiode and read out as an electrical signal by a TFT may be used. The direct FPD is particularly preferable in that the effects of the present invention can be suitably exhibited.

  In addition to the FPD 16, the imaging unit 14 may include various members included in a known radiographic imaging device, such as a grid for shielding scattered radiation incident on the FPD 16, a grid moving unit, and the like. Of course it is good.

Further, the detector moving mechanism 34 of the FPD 16 moves the FPD 16 in parallel with the top plate 12 and thus horizontally in a reciprocating manner along the body axis of the subject P, and moves the FPD 16 in a plurality of stages. After the movement, a plurality of shooting positions (stop positions of the FPD 16 for shooting), in the example shown in FIG. 1, three shooting positions (FIG. 2 (c), (See (a) and (d)). Since the FPD 16 is preferably stopped accurately at each of a plurality of stop positions in order to enable accurate shooting, the FPD 16 may be fixed so as not to move at each stop position, and is not illustrated. A releasable fixing mechanism or locking mechanism may be provided. Such stop position control by movement control of the FPD 16 is performed by the detector moving mechanism 34 controlled by the control unit 22.
The detector moving mechanism 34 can also use a known reciprocating means or a known parallel moving means, similarly to the top plate moving mechanism 32 described above. The detector moving mechanism 34 may also be manually moved without a motor.

  The radiation source 18 can be a normal radiation source installed in various types of radiographic imaging devices, but the radiation irradiation positions are a plurality of irradiation positions, that is, three irradiation positions on the left side, the middle, and the right side in the illustrated example. A radiation source moving mechanism 36 that inclines the radiation source 18 is set. This radiation source moving mechanism 36 changes the irradiation position of the radiation, preferably in conjunction with the movement of the FPD 16 of the imaging unit 14, to change a plurality of imaging positions, three in the illustrated example, left side, middle and right side. In order to irradiate the entire radiation-capable range of the radiation receiving surface of the FPD 16 at each of the imaging positions, the radiation irradiation directions are a plurality of irradiation directions, in the illustrated example, three irradiations of the left side, the middle, and the right side. To change direction.

The radiation source moving mechanism 36 may be anything as long as the radiation source 18 can be tilted, the radiation irradiation direction can be changed, and the radiation irradiation position can be changed. Alternatively, known tilting means such as using a motor, a rack, and a pinion can be used. Further, the radiation source moving mechanism 36 is not limited to the one that inclines the radiation source 18, and similarly to the top plate moving mechanism 32 and the detector moving mechanism 34, according to the movement of the FPD 16 by the detector moving mechanism 34, You may use the parallel movement means which moves horizontally and in parallel. The radiation source moving mechanism 36 may also be manually moved without being provided with a motor.
The photographing unit 20 is basically configured as described above.

  The control unit 22 moves and tilts the top 12, the FPD 16, and the radiation source 18, respectively, that is, the stop position of the top 12 by the top movement mechanism 32, the detector movement mechanism 34, and the radiation source movement mechanism 36 of the imaging unit 20. The control unit controls the change of the photographing position of the FPD 16 and the radiation irradiation position of the radiation source 18 and the photographing operation by the photographing unit 20. In the present invention, the control unit 22 may be configured by a personal computer (PC) or the like.

In the present invention, the top plate 12 is moved by the top plate moving mechanism 32 in a plurality of stages, and the stop position of the top plate 12 is also a plurality of locations, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A to 2E. In the example shown, there are three stages in three stages, the movement of the FPD 16 by the detector moving mechanism 34 is a plurality of stages, and there are also a plurality of photographing positions that are stop positions of the FPD 16 for photographing. In the illustrated example, the radiation source 18 is tilted in three stages, and the radiation source 18 is tilted by the radiation source moving mechanism 36 linked to the movement and stop of the FPD 16 in a plurality of stages. Similarly, there are a plurality of irradiation positions, and in the illustrated example, there are three positions in three stages.
In the present invention, as described above, the imaging position that is the stop position of the FPD 16 for imaging and the irradiation position of the radiation by the radiation source 18 for imaging correspond one-to-one.

  In the present invention, when the imaging target region of the subject P placed on the tabletop 12 in the supine position, that is, the length of the imaging target range is obtained, by inputting the length to the control unit 22, The control unit 22 determines the number of necessary partial images (5 in the illustrated example), that is, the required number of times of photographing (5 in the illustrated example) from the input length of the imaging target range and the size (length in the longitudinal direction) of the FPD 16. And the number of times the top plate 12 is moved by the top plate moving mechanism 32 (three times in the illustrated example) and the number of times the FPD 16 is moved by the detector moving mechanism 34 (in the illustrated example). 3 times) and a combination of both movements can be set. Note that the control unit 22 preferably sets the combination of the movement of the top 12 and the movement of the FPD 16 so that the movement (number of times and amount) of the top 12 is small and more preferably the smallest. The length of the shooting target range, the size of the FPD 16, the calculated number of partial images and the number of shooting times, the set number of times of movement between the top 12 and the FPD 16, and combinations thereof are displayed on the monitor 26. Also good. Note that the calculation of the required number of times of photographing (number of images), the number of times of movement of the top 12 and the FPD 16, and the combination thereof may be set manually without being performed by the control unit 22.

  Thereafter, the control unit 22 controls the top plate moving mechanism 32, the detector moving mechanism 34, and the radiation source moving mechanism 36 according to the set combination of the movement of the top plate 12 and the movement of the FPD 16 of the photographing unit 20. The top plate 12 is moved by the top plate moving mechanism 32, the FPD 16 is moved by the detector moving mechanism 34, and the radiation source 18 is tilted by the radiation source moving mechanism 36, and the top plate 12 is stopped according to each combination. Controlling the setting of the position, the imaging position of the FPD 16 and the radiation position of the radiation source 18, and controlling the imaging of a part of the body of the subject P at the predetermined stop position, imaging position and irradiation position As a result, the imaging unit 20 finally finishes imaging for the required number of imaging in the entire imaging range of the subject P, and the FPD 16 of the imaging unit 14 Radiation data of the necessary number of partial images over the shadow area can obtain the.

Thus, the radiation data (output signal) of the radiation image captured by the imaging unit 20 (FPD 16) is output to the image processing unit 24.
The image processing unit 24 digitally processes the partial image of the patient P imaged by the imaging unit 20 to obtain a long synthetic radiation image, a long image, or an entire image (image data), and finally the monitor 26. The image data corresponding to the display according to the above, the print output by the printer 28, and the image data corresponding to the output of the radiation image (data) using the network or the recording medium.
The image processing unit 24 includes a data processing unit 38 that performs data processing on radiation data (output signals of the FPD 16) of a plurality of short images detected by the FPD 16 of the photographing unit 14 of the photographing unit 20, and a plurality of short images that have been subjected to data processing. An image processing unit 40 that performs digital image processing such as image correction and image synthesis on the image data.

The image processing unit 24 includes, as an example, one or a plurality of computers (including PCs), a workstation, and the like, and performs various operations and instruction inputs in addition to the illustrated examples. Have a keyboard and a mouse. Note that the image processing unit 24 and the control unit 22 may be configured by the same computer such as a PC. It should be noted that various inputs necessary for the shooting operation of the present invention, such as input of parameters and numerical values, selection and instruction using a GUI, etc., may be performed by the keyboard or mouse (not shown) of the image processing unit 24. Of course.
Here, the data processing unit 38 performs processing such as A / D conversion and log conversion on the output signal (radiation data of the radiation image) of the FPD 16 and converts it into image data of a so-called radiation image.

In addition, the image processing unit 40 performs predetermined image processing on the digital image data of the radiographic images (a plurality of partial images, that is, short images) processed by the data processing unit 38 to obtain an entire radiographic image (entire image). Image data of a single long synthetic radiation image (long image) representing the image)), image display on the monitor 26, print (hard copy) output by the printer 28, output to a network or storage medium Is output as image data corresponding to.
In particular, in the present invention, the image processing unit 40 performs when combining image data of a plurality of partial images, so that the overlapping overlapping portions of two adjacent partial images photographed in succession match each other. The digital image data of the partial image is subjected to digital image processing, for example, gradation correction or density correction so that the density and gradation are matched to obtain image data of a partial image where the overlapping parts are matched, Composite to a long-length radiation image.

  In the present invention, the image processing performed by the image processing unit 40 is, for example, a combination of combining two adjacent partial images into one whole image performed when combining image data of a plurality of partial images. In addition to processing, pixel defect correction, offset correction (dark correction), gain correction (shading correction), gradation correction, density correction, and data for monitor display and print output are performed according to calibration. There is no particular limitation such as data conversion for converting data, and all image processing performed in various radiographic imaging apparatuses can be performed.

The monitor 26 constitutes an output unit and displays a partial (short-length) image or an entire (long-length) image digitally processed by the image processing unit 24. The GUI required for the photographing operation of the present invention. Of course, it is also possible to display selections, instructions, and the like based on the above.
The printer 28 outputs the partial image or the entire image as a hard copy. The printer 28 may be for outputting image data of a partial image or an entire image to an output to a network or a storage medium.
The radiation diagnostic apparatus 10 of the present invention is basically configured as described above.

Below, with reference to Fig.2 (a)-(e), the effect | action of the radiation diagnostic apparatus of this invention and the radiography method of this invention are demonstrated.
In the present invention, in the case where long shooting is performed in the lying position shooting using the bed, conventionally, only the FPD operation area of the shooting unit in the bed is the shooting area. The 30 top plates 12 are also moved to the left and right so that the long imaging of the entire imaging area of the subject P can be performed.

FIGS. 2A to 2E show imaging states (arrangement of the top plate, the FPD, and the radiation source) at the time of each partial image capturing of the radiation imaging method of the present invention implemented in the radiation diagnostic apparatus of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing.
Here, in the radiation diagnostic apparatus 10 of the present invention, an embodiment will be described in which imaging is performed by moving the top 12 and the FPD 16 in conjunction with each other. The following description is an example in the case of photographing in order from the head side to the foot side.

The shooting state shown in FIG. 2A is a state in which the FPD 16 is moved to the leftmost position by the detector moving mechanism 34 and the shooting range (A) is shot with the leftmost end of the shooting region as the first image. . At this time, the radiation source 18 is in a state of being rotated to the left position (swinged) by the radiation source moving mechanism 36.
In the imaging state shown in FIG. 2B, the FPD 16 remains in the state shown in FIG. 2A, and the top plate 12 of the bed 30 is moved to the left (first direction) by the top plate moving mechanism 32. In this state, the shooting range (b) is shot as the second image. At this time, the radiation source 18 remains in the rotating (left swing) state of FIG.

In the imaging state shown in FIG. 2C, the detector moving mechanism 34 moves the FPD 16 to the right (second direction) and moves it to the center position, and the top 12 of the bed 30 is moved as shown in FIG. In this state, the shooting range (c) is shot as the third image. At this time, the radiation source 18 is rotated (swinged) to the center position by the radiation source moving mechanism 36 in conjunction with the movement of the FPD 16.
In the imaging state shown in FIG. 4D, the detector moving mechanism 34 moves the FPD 16 to the rightmost position, and the top 12 of the bed 30 is left in the state of (c) above. As shown in FIG. At this time, the radiation source 18 is rotated (swinged) to the right position by the radiation source moving mechanism 36 in conjunction with the movement of the FPD 16.

In the shooting state shown in FIG. 2E, the FPD 16 remains at the rightmost position in FIG. 2D, and the top plate 12 of the bed 30 is further moved to the left by the top plate moving mechanism 32. This is a state in which the shooting range (e) is shot as the fifth image. At this time, the radiation source 18 remains at the right position in FIG.
In the present embodiment, the detector moving mechanism 34 moves the FPD 16 twice (the rest position is three places), and the top board moving mechanism 32 also moves the top board 12 of the bed 30 twice (the rest position is three places). ) The radiation source moving mechanism 36 also moves the radiation source 18 twice (three stationary positions), enabling long-distance imaging of the whole body only by operating each at the minimum necessary.

In addition, when the photographing range of one sheet with the FPD 10 is about 40 cm, the photographing range of about 2 m can be covered by the five times of photographing shown in FIGS. The shooting range is an FPD operating range ± 1 panel.
In the above-described embodiment, the radiation source 18 is configured to rotate (swing) to the left, center, and right three positions. As described above, this rotation is a known rotation. It is possible to use a moving means, for example, a combination of a motor and a gear, and turn the motor by the power of the motor. In addition, the radiation source 18 is configured to translate to the left, center, and right positions in the same manner as the FPD 16 by a belt driving technique in which a known motor and belt are interlocked instead of the rotation as described above. May be.

  It is also possible to automate the movement process of the FPD 16, the top plate 12, and the radiation source 10 shown in FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (e). In that case, the operability is improved by configuring the FPD 16, the top plate 12, and the radiation source 18 so as to be controlled by a belt driving system using a motor and a belt (the radiation source 18 is a motor). And the inclination of rotation (swing) may be controlled using a gear.

  Then, the states of the three stationary positions (stop position, imaging position, irradiation position) of the FPD 16, the couchtop 12 of the bed 30, and the radiation source 18 are stored in advance in a storage device (memory) (not shown) in the control unit 22. The positions of the FPD 16, the top plate 12, and the radiation source 18 are first set to the positions shown in FIG. 2 (a) as the initial state by the control unit 22, and then each is shown in FIG. 2 (b). Control the respective motors of the top plate moving mechanism 32, the detector moving mechanism 34, and the radiation source moving mechanism 36 so as to move to the position shown, and then move to the position shown in FIG. Control each motor of each moving mechanism 32, 34, 36, then control each motor of each moving mechanism 32, 34, 36 to move to the position shown in FIG. Each movement to move to the position shown in Fig. 2 (e) By controlling the motors of the structure 32, 34, 36, it can be automated. Transition of each step of FIG. 2 (a) → FIG. 2 (b) → FIG. 2 (c) → FIG. 2 (d) → FIG. 2 (e) controls the motor of the FPD 16, the top plate 12, and the radiation source 10. The operation may be performed by operating a button on the operation panel. For example, five setting buttons are provided corresponding to each of FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (e), and each button is sequentially pressed or repeatedly pressed by pressing a single button. You can also make transitions between steps.

  Further, by linking the irradiation of the radiation source 18 in accordance with the transition of each step of FIG. 2 (a) → FIG. 2 (b) → FIG. 2 (c) → FIG. 2 (d) → FIG. The shooting can be automated and the operability is further improved.

  In addition, although the said description is a case where radiography is carried out in order from the head side to the foot part side, conversely, radiography may be carried out in order from the foot part side to the head side.

1 is a diagrammatic schematic diagram conceptually showing an embodiment of a radiation diagnostic apparatus of the present invention for carrying out the radiographic method of the present invention. (A)-(e) is explanatory drawing which shows one Example of the imaging | photography state of each partial image of the radiography method of this invention implemented in the radiation diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 1, respectively. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the conventional radiation diagnostic apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Radiation diagnostic apparatus 12 Top plate 14 Imaging | photography part 16 Radiation solid state detector (flat panel detector (FPD))
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 Radiation source 20 Imaging unit 22 Control part 24 Image processing unit 26 Monitor 28 Printer 30 Bed 32 Top plate moving mechanism 34 Detector moving mechanism 36 Radiation source moving mechanism 38 Data processing part 40 Image processing part P Subject (patient)

Claims (15)

A bed with a top plate that is placed in a prone position, moved in a longitudinal direction along the body axis of the subject, and positioned at a plurality of stop positions;
Photographing provided with a radiation solid state detector that is installed under the top plate of the bed, moves parallel to the top plate, is positioned at a plurality of photographing positions, and acquires radiation data of one short image of a predetermined size. And
Irradiating the radiation toward the radiation solid detector fixed at each imaging position by changing a plurality of radiation irradiation positions respectively set corresponding to the plurality of imaging positions and arranged above the bed A radiation source to
By combining the plurality of stop positions of the top plate and the plurality of imaging positions of the radiation solid state detector, imaging a plurality of short images continuously in a long imaging range at the supine position of the subject. And radiation data of the plurality of short images are acquired.   The radiation diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of imaging positions of the radiation solid state detector of the imaging unit and the plurality of irradiation positions of the radiation source correspond to each other one to one.   The movement of the imaging unit to the predetermined imaging position of the radiation solid detector and the change to the predetermined irradiation position of the radiation source corresponding to the radiation solid detector are performed in conjunction with each other. The radiation diagnostic apparatus according to 2.   The radiation diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radiation source corresponding to the radiation solid detector is changed to a predetermined irradiation position by rotating or translating the radiation source. The plurality of stop positions of the couch top of the bed and the plurality of imaging positions of the radiation solid state detector partially overlap the adjacent imaging ranges of two short images taken continuously. Combined with
Further, the radiation data of each short image is digitally processed so that the overlapping portions of a plurality of short images taken continuously match to obtain the radiation image data of each short image. The radiation diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image processing unit configured to synthesize a long-length radiation image.   Further, the combination of the plurality of stop positions of the top plate and the plurality of imaging positions of the radiation solid detector so that the movement of the top plate is reduced according to the size of the long imaging range. In any one of Claims 1-5, it has a combination setting means which sets the combination of the stop position of the said top plate, and the imaging position of the said radiation solid state detector so that the movement of the said top plate decreases. The radiation diagnostic apparatus according to the description.   The couch further includes a couchtop moving means for moving the couchtop in the longitudinal direction and positioning and ceasing the couchtop at each of the plurality of stop positions. The radiation diagnostic apparatus according to the description.   The imaging unit further includes detector moving means for moving the radiation solid detector in the longitudinal direction and positioning and stopping the radiation solid detector at each of the plurality of imaging positions. The radiation diagnostic apparatus according to any one of 7. The radiation source further includes irradiation position setting means for setting the irradiation position of the radiation to one of the plurality of irradiation positions,
The plurality of imaging positions of the radiation solid detector positioned by the detector moving means of the imaging unit are in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of irradiation positions set by the irradiation position setting means of the radiation source. The radiation diagnostic apparatus according to claim 8 corresponding thereto.   The radiation diagnosis apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the irradiation position setting unit sets the irradiation position of the radiation by the radiation source by rotating or translating the radiation source. Further, the radiation solid state detector and the radiation solid state detector so as to acquire the plurality of short images by repeating sequential imaging from one end side in the longitudinal direction toward the other end side opposite to the body axis of the subject Control means for controlling the movement of the top plate and the change of the irradiation position of the radiation by the radiation source,
The control means includes
First, in the bed, the top plate on which the subject is placed is disposed at a first stop position on the one end side in the longitudinal direction, and in the imaging unit, the radiation solid detector is disposed on the one end. The radiation source is placed on the top plate with the radiation source set at a first irradiation position corresponding to the first imaging position. The first imaging is performed by irradiating a range that can be detected by the radiation solid detector below the top plate toward the subject.
Next, the radiation solid state detector and the radiation source are left as they are, and the top plate alone is further moved by one step in the direction toward the one end side to be positioned at the second stop position, and the first imaging is performed. In the same way as above, the second shooting was performed,
Next, while leaving the top plate as it is, the radiation solid state detector is moved to the other end side by one step and arranged at the second imaging position, and the radiation irradiation position by the radiation source is set to the other position. Only one step is changed to the end side, the second irradiation position corresponding to the second imaging position is set, and the third imaging is performed in the same manner as the first imaging.
Next, while the top plate is left as it is, the radiation solid detector is further moved to the other end side by one step and arranged at a third imaging position, and the radiation position of the radiation by the radiation source is Change to the other end only by one step, set the third irradiation position corresponding to the third imaging position, and perform the fourth imaging in the same manner as the first imaging,
Finally, the radiation solid state detector and the radiation source are left as they are, and only the top plate is moved further by one step in the direction toward the one end side to be positioned at the third stop position, and the first imaging is performed. The radiation diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radiation diagnostic apparatus is controlled to perform the fifth imaging in the same manner as described above.   The said control means performs the movement of the said radiation solid state detector and the said top plate, and the change of the irradiation position of the said radiation by the said radiation source using the power of a motor, and controls these in conjunction with these. The radiation diagnostic apparatus according to the description. Radiation from a radiation source is directed to a subject placed in a supine position on the top of the bed and irradiated to a range that can be detected by the radiation solid state detector of the imaging unit placed below the top Radiation imaging for acquiring a plurality of short images by sequentially repeating imaging from one end side in the longitudinal direction toward the other end side in the longitudinal direction along the body axis of the subject placed on the top plate A method,
First, in the bed, the top plate on which the subject is placed is disposed at a first stop position on the one end side in the longitudinal direction, and in the imaging unit, the radiation solid detector is disposed on the one end. Placed at the first imaging position on the side, the radiation source was set to a first irradiation position corresponding to the first imaging position, and radiation from the radiation source was placed on the top plate To the subject, irradiate a range detectable by the radiation solid detector below the top plate, and perform the first imaging,
Next, the radiation solid detector and the radiation source are left as they are, and only the top plate is further moved by one step in the direction of the one end side in the longitudinal direction to be positioned at a second stop position. In the same way as the first shooting, the second shooting is performed,
Next, while leaving the top plate as it is, the radiation solid state detector is moved to the other end side by one step and arranged at the second imaging position, and the radiation irradiation position by the radiation source is set to the other position. Only one step is changed to the end side, the second irradiation position corresponding to the second imaging position is set, and the third imaging is performed in the same manner as the first imaging.
Next, while the top plate is left as it is, the radiation solid detector is further moved to the other end side by one step and arranged at a third imaging position, and the radiation position of the radiation by the radiation source is Change to the other end only by one step, set the third irradiation position corresponding to the third imaging position, and perform the fourth imaging in the same manner as the first imaging,
Finally, the radiation solid state detector and the radiation source are left as they are, and only the top plate is moved further by one step in the direction toward the one end side to be positioned at the third stop position, and the first imaging is performed. In the same manner as described above, the radiation imaging method is characterized in that the fifth imaging is performed to acquire image data of five short images.   The movement of the radiation solid detector and the top plate and the change of the irradiation position of the radiation by the radiation source are performed using the power of a motor, and they are controlled in conjunction with each other. 13. The radiographic method according to 13. The plurality of stop positions of the couch top of the bed and the plurality of imaging positions of the radiation solid state detector partially overlap the adjacent imaging ranges of two short images taken continuously. Combined with
Further, the radiation data of each short image is digitally processed so that the overlapping portions of a plurality of short images taken continuously match to obtain the radiation image data of each short image. The radiation imaging method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the radiation imaging method is combined with a long-length radiation image.

Images