JP2009291336A - Radiographic imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a radiation image for improving diagnosis correctness and early diagnosis by imaging an appropriately positioned object. <P>SOLUTION: An object support part 30 for supporting the object includes a display part 31 which displays the radiation image including internal information of the object which is imaged before actually imaging the radiation image of the object. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiographic image capturing apparatus that detects radiation that has passed through a subject positioned on a subject support unit and captures a radiographic image.

  Conventionally, in the medical field, a radiographic image of a subject is acquired as image data, the radiographic image is displayed on a display device such as a CRT based on the image data, and the displayed display image is interpreted to detect a lesioned part. It is discovered and the state of the lesion is observed to diagnose the presence or progression of the disease.

  For example, X-ray mammography for breast cancer screening has been proposed. X-ray mammography irradiates the breast with X-rays, detects X-rays transmitted through the breast with a cassette containing a film, a storage phosphor sheet, a flat panel detector, and the like, and the detected radiation image is used as radiation image data. Generated by reading.

  The radiographic image of the breast using the X-ray mammography is performed by positioning the breast, which is a subject, at an appropriate position on the imaging table and pressing it with a compression plate. Specifically, a series of operations such as pulling outside the breast, raising the breast, determining the side edge of the breast chest wall, creating a complete shape on the palm, confirming breast compression and shadow, and extending the submammary soft tissue It is.

Then, in order to perform more appropriate breast positioning, the applicant of the present application performs preliminary irradiation on the breast before actual imaging of a radiation image of the breast in Patent Document 1, and preliminary irradiation obtained by the preliminary irradiation. Based on the radiation image data, it has been proposed to display the outline of the breast on the display unit provided on the imaging stand. Since the operator can position the breast while looking at the outline of the breast displayed by the display unit, the operator can perform more appropriate positioning.
JP 2008-086389 A JP 2007-236805 A

  Here, in the interpretation of the radiation image of the breast, it is confirmed whether there is a tumor or calcification while following the way the mammary gland enters. Unnatural mammary folds and cypresses are clues that reveal the presence of breast cancer.

  Therefore, in taking a radiographic image of the breast, it is necessary for accurate diagnosis that the mammary gland tissue is sufficiently stretched and depicted to the maximum in the radiographic image. If the mammary gland is not stretched sufficiently, it can lead to oversight of the mass or calcification that is sandwiched between the mammary glands. In the case of calcification, benign / malignant is determined based on the shape and distribution of lime, but if the mammary gland is not sufficiently stretched, calcification overlaps, making it difficult to determine benign / malignant.

  Therefore, the operator needs to perform positioning so that the mammary gland is sufficiently extended. However, even if the operator intends to perform positioning appropriately, there is a problem that a radiographic image that is still difficult to diagnose is acquired. In addition, when performing magnified imaging of a specific part of the breast, there is a problem that a part to be magnified cannot be properly specified, and an effective magnified image cannot be acquired.

  In the method described in Patent Document 1, since only the outline of the breast is displayed, the operator cannot grasp the state of the mammary gland, and the above problem cannot be solved.

  In Patent Document 2, a radiographic image taken in the past with respect to the same subject as the subject to be imaged in the main imaging, or a radiographic image of the breast on the opposite side to the breast to be imaged in the main imaging is compressed. It is proposed that an operator performs positioning based on the displayed radiation image.

  However, the radiographic images taken in the past and the breast image on the opposite side of the breast do not represent the current state of the breast to be imaged in the main imaging, so that proper positioning cannot be performed. There is.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a radiographic imaging apparatus capable of appropriately positioning a subject and acquiring a radiographic image capable of improving diagnostic accuracy and early diagnosis. The purpose is to do.

  A radiographic imaging device of the present invention includes a radiation irradiation unit that irradiates a subject with radiation, and a radiation image detection that detects a radiation image of the subject by receiving radiation irradiated by the radiation irradiation unit and transmitted through the subject. And a subject support unit that is disposed between the radiation irradiating unit and the radiation image detector and supports the subject, and the subject support unit is located inside the subject photographed before the main photographing of the radiographic image of the subject. It has the display part which displays the radiographic image containing information, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In the radiographic imaging device of the present invention, the radiation irradiating unit performs preliminary irradiation before the main imaging, and the display unit includes a pre-irradiated radiation image including internal information of the subject imaged by the preliminary irradiation. Can be displayed.

  A feature amount calculation unit that calculates a feature amount of a pre-irradiation radiation image captured by the pre-irradiation; an image determination unit that determines suitability of the pre-irradiation radiation image based on the feature amount calculated by the feature amount calculation unit; A warning unit that issues a warning based on the result determined by the image determination unit can be further provided.

  In addition, a past radiation image of the same subject as the preliminary irradiation radiographic image is compared with the preliminary irradiation radiographic image, and the preliminary determination radiological image is determined based on the comparison result. A warning unit that issues a warning based on the result obtained can be further provided.

  According to the radiographic image capturing apparatus of the present invention, a display unit is provided in the subject support unit, and the display unit displays a radiographic image including internal information of the subject captured before the main radiographing of the subject. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately position the subject while confirming the internal information of the subject, and it is possible to obtain a radiographic image that can improve the accuracy of diagnosis and early diagnosis. For example, when the subject is a breast, it is easy to specify the most desired part of the breast to be stretched and the direction in which the breast is stretched. Also, when creating a complete breast shape in the hand, it is possible to focus on stretching the portion with the highest breast density. Also, when compressing the breast, the breast can be stretched by the operator's hand so that the high density of the mammary gland spreads while being compressed with the compression plate, so that a good compression state in which the mammary gland is well stretched can be created. it can.

  In the radiographic imaging device of the present invention, when preliminary irradiation is performed before the main imaging, and a preliminary irradiation radiation image including internal information of the subject imaged by preliminary irradiation is displayed on the display unit, Since the state of the subject immediately before the actual photographing can be grasped, more appropriate positioning can be performed.

  In addition, when the feature amount of the pre-irradiation radiation image taken by the pre-irradiation is calculated, the suitability of the pre-irradiation radiation image is determined based on the calculated feature amount, and a warning is given based on the determination result For example, in the case where an operator who is inexperienced and has an inexperienced technique to determine whether or not the preliminary irradiation radiographic image is appropriate, assists the operator in determining the preliminary irradiation radiographic image. In addition, it is possible to perform the actual photographing after assuring a high probability that the image is properly diagnosed.

  Also, the previous radiation image of the same subject as the preliminary irradiation radiographic image is compared with the preliminary irradiation radiographic image, the suitability of the preliminary irradiation radiographic image is determined based on the comparison result, and a warning is issued based on the determination result. Even in this case, similarly to the above, it is possible to assist the inexperienced operator in determining the preliminary irradiation radiation image.

  Hereinafter, a breast image radiographing display system using an embodiment of a radiographic image radiographing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present mammogram imaging and display system is characterized by a breast image display method. First, a schematic configuration of the entire system will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the breast image photographing display system.

  The breast image capturing and displaying system includes a breast image capturing apparatus 1 that captures a radiation image of a breast, an image capturing control apparatus 50 that controls the breast image capturing apparatus 1, and a radiation image of a breast M acquired by the image capturing control apparatus 50. A monitor device 51 that displays a radiation image based on the data, and a server device 52 that stores the radiation image data acquired by the imaging control device 50 are provided.

  The mammography apparatus 1 includes a radiation source 11 housed therein, and is supported by the radiation irradiation unit 10 that irradiates the subject's breast M with radiation, the imaging table 30 that supports the breast M, and the imaging table 30. A radiation image detector 20 for detecting a radiation image of the breast M upon receiving radiation transmitted through the breast M, and a column 12 on which the radiation irradiation unit 10, the imaging table 30 and the radiation image detector 20 are installed, And a base 13 to which a support 12 is attached.

  Further, a compression plate 40 for compressing the breast M supported on the imaging table 30 is attached to the support column 12 so as to be movable up and down.

  Further, inside the support column 12, an image projection unit 33 that displays a radiographic image including internal information of the breast M based on pre-irradiation radiographic image data, which will be described later, detected by the radiographic image detector 20, and an image projection unit 33. And a lens 34 that projects the radiation image displayed on the mirror toward the mirror, and a mirror 35 that reflects the radiation image projected by the lens 34 toward the imaging table 30 is provided below the imaging table 30. It has been.

  The image projection part 33 is comprised from image display devices, such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and an inorganic EL display, for example. Moreover, you may make it use not only these but LED and a laser light source. When an LED or a laser light source is used, the emitted light may be scanned using a single element or a structure in which elements are linearly arranged in a one-dimensional array, or a structure in which elements are two-dimensionally arrayed is used. It may be. In short, any device capable of displaying a radiation image may be used.

  The mirror 35 reflects the light emitted from the image projection unit 33 and transmits the radiation emitted from the radiation source 11, and has a high reflectance with respect to the light emitted from the image projection unit 33. It is made of a material having a high transmittance for radiation. In the present embodiment, the mirror 35 is installed on the lower side of the imaging table 30. However, the mirror 35 is not fixedly installed, but when a radiographic image is captured, the radiation irradiation range is set. It is good also as a structure which escapes from. In such a configuration, the radiation image detector 20 may be configured to move up in the direction approaching the imaging table 30 after the mirror 35 is retracted. With this configuration, the amount of radiation incident on the radiation image detector 20 can be increased by the distance the radiation image detector 20 is brought closer to the imaging table 30, so that the amount of exposure to the subject can be suppressed. It is more preferable.

  The imaging table 30 is provided on the support plate 32 that transmits the light emitted from the image projection unit 33 and the radiation emitted from the radiation source 11, and receives the light transmitted through the support plate 32 to receive radiation. And a display unit 31 for displaying an image. The display unit 31 is also formed from a material that transmits radiation.

  As the radiation image detector 20, for example, a cassette in which an image recording medium such as a flat panel detector or a storage phosphor sheet is housed in a case can be used. As the flat panel detector, for example, a so-called direct conversion method or indirect conversion method may be used from the viewpoint of the recording method. From the viewpoint of the reading method, either the so-called optical reading method or TFT reading method may be used. In addition, when a cassette containing a stimulable phosphor sheet is used, together with the stimulable phosphor sheet, the stimulable phosphor sheet is irradiated with excitation light and the stimulable phosphor sheet is irradiated with the excitation light. A reading unit provided with a line sensor for detecting the stimulated emission light emitted from as an electrical signal is installed in the cassette.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging control device 50 includes a control unit 100 that controls each part of the breast imaging device 1 and the entire system, and radiation image data that acquires radiation image data output from the radiation image detector 20. The acquisition unit 60, the feature amount calculation unit 70 that calculates the feature amount of the preliminary irradiation radiation image data acquired by the radiation image data acquisition unit 60, and the preliminary irradiation radiation based on the feature amount calculated by the feature amount calculation unit 70 And an image determination unit 80 for determining the suitability of the image.

  It is preferable that the feature amount calculation unit 70 detects a mammary gland in the radiographic image of the breast based on the pre-irradiation radiographic image data and calculates the mammary gland density. The density of the mammary gland in the entire breast can be obtained by calculating the ratio of the area of the radiographic image representing the mammary gland to the area of the radiographic image representing the breast. The range of the radiographic image representing the breast and the range of the radiographic image representing the mammary gland in the entire radiographic image can be specified by detecting, for example, the density distribution or edge of the radiographic image data. Since this method is a known technique, the description thereof is omitted. Further, noise correction may be performed on the preliminary irradiation line image data before detecting the mammary gland.

  Here, the density of the mammary gland in the entire breast is a standard for determining how much the mammary gland extends in the entire breast. However, if only the mammary gland density in the whole breast is used, there is a possibility that a determination result to be described later becomes an error in a breast having a high mammary gland density. Therefore, it is more preferable to acquire information that allows the operator to determine which part of the breast needs to be stretched more strongly, and in order to realize this, the mammary gland density in the breast is determined by the feature amount calculation unit 70. You may make it calculate. The local mammary gland density can be obtained by setting a range of an arbitrary area and calculating a ratio of a radiographic image representing the mammary gland within the range.

  In the present embodiment, the density calculation unit 70 calculates the density of the mammary gland as the characteristic quantity of the radiation image of the breast. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the shape of the mammary gland, the size of the breast, or the breast The shape or the like may be extracted. The shape of the mammary gland can be acquired as a predetermined pattern by specifying the range of the radiographic image representing the mammary gland. Further, the size of the breast can be acquired by calculating the area of the radiation image representing the breast. Further, the shape of the breast can be acquired as a predetermined pattern, for example, by specifying the outline of a radiographic image representing the breast.

  The image determination unit 80 determines the suitability of the pre-irradiation radiation image based on the feature amount calculated by the feature amount calculation unit 70 as described above. For example, when acquiring the density of the mammary gland as the feature amount In this step, it is determined whether or not the density of the mammary gland is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, and the determination result is output to the control unit 100. In the present embodiment, the density of the breast is acquired and the suitability of the pre-irradiation radiation image is determined as described above. However, for example, when acquiring the shape of the mammary gland as the feature amount, it is set in advance. It is only necessary to perform pattern matching with the shape of the mammary gland and determine whether the numerical value indicating the coincidence is larger than a predetermined threshold value. Further, when obtaining the size of the breast as the feature amount, a difference from a preset breast area may be calculated, and it may be determined whether or not the difference is larger than a predetermined threshold. In addition, when acquiring the breast shape as the feature amount, pattern matching is performed with a preset breast shape, and it may be determined whether or not the numerical value indicating the coincidence is larger than a predetermined threshold value. . A known technique can be used as the pattern matching method.

  In addition, when a plurality of types of parameters are acquired as feature quantities, numerical values indicating consistency are calculated for each parameter, and the respective numerical values are weighted and added to obtain a comprehensive evaluation value. What is necessary is just to determine whether the magnitude | size of the comprehensive evaluation value is larger than a predetermined threshold value.

  Further, since the radiographic image is whitened at a portion where the mammary gland density is high, the image density is low and whitening when the mammary gland is not spread. Accordingly, it is possible to determine that the mammary gland is insufficiently stretched at a portion where the image density is low. In addition, when the image contrast is measured in an arbitrary range in the radiographic image, the image contrast in that region is high in a portion where the mammary gland is not spread. Therefore, it is possible to determine that the mammary gland is insufficiently stretched at a portion where the image contrast is high.

  Therefore, the feature amount calculation unit 70 acquires the image density and image contrast of the entire breast image, and based on these pieces of information, the image determination unit 80 determines whether the mammary gland is sufficiently extended in the entire breast or in the breast. May be determined. Specifically, for example, based on the image density or image contrast calculated by the feature amount calculation unit 70, a portion where breast extension is insufficient is identified, and its position (coordinate value) or size (length, area) ), The number of portions where the elongation is insufficient can be obtained, and it can be determined whether the mammary gland is sufficiently elongated in the whole breast or in a local area based on these pieces of information.

  When the determination result output from the image determination unit 80 is a determination result indicating that the density of the mammary gland is smaller than a predetermined threshold, that is, a determination result indicating that the mammary gland is sufficiently stretched. The monitor device 51 displays a signal or message indicating that positioning such as the position of the breast and the degree of compression is appropriate, while the determination result output from the image determination unit 80 indicates that the density of the mammary gland is In the case of a determination result indicating that it is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, that is, a determination result indicating that the mammary gland is not sufficiently stretched, the monitor device 51 is improperly positioned such as the position of the breast and the degree of compression. A signal or message indicating that there is a message is displayed. At this time, the captured breast image may be displayed on the monitor device 51. In particular, when it is determined whether or not the local mammary gland is sufficiently stretched based on the breast density, image density, and image contrast of the local area of the breast, the breast density is high and the image density is low. It is desirable to be able to identify a location or a location with high image contrast by color or mark.

  When the image determination unit 80 performs the determination based on the numerical value indicating the coincidence of the shape of the mammary gland or the breast, the positioning is performed on the monitor device 51 when the numerical value indicating the consistency is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. It is sufficient to display a signal or message indicating that the position is appropriate, and display a signal or message indicating that the positioning is inappropriate when the numerical value indicating coincidence is smaller than a predetermined threshold. Further, when the determination is made based on the difference in the area of the breast, a signal or a message indicating that the positioning is inappropriate is displayed on the monitor device 51 when the difference in the area is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value. If the difference in area is smaller than a predetermined threshold, a signal or message indicating that positioning is appropriate may be displayed.

  The server device 52 stores the radiation image data acquired in the past by the breast imaging apparatus 1 in association with the identification information of the subject.

  Next, the operation of this breast image photographing display system will be described. First, the general flow up to the actual photographing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, after the subject's breast is placed on the imaging table 30 at a predetermined position, the compression plate 40 moves downward, the breast is compressed, and positioning is performed (ST20). When the first positioning is completed, radiation is emitted from the radiation source 11 of the radiation irradiating unit 10 and preliminarily irradiated to the breast (ST12). At this time, it is desirable that the radiation dose irradiated by the preliminary irradiation is lower than the radiation dose in the main imaging described later. Then, the radiation that has passed through the subject's breast is applied to the radiation image detector 20, and a pre-irradiation radiation image of the breast is recorded in the radiation image detector 20.

  Then, the preliminary irradiation radiation image recorded in the radiation image detector 20 is read, and the preliminary irradiation radiation image data is output to the imaging control device 50. Note that the reading density when reading the pre-irradiation radiation image from the radiation image detector 20 may be lower than the reading density when reading the radiographic image of the main imaging. That is, the resolution of the pre-irradiation radiation image data may be lower than that of the radiographic image data of the main imaging.

  The pre-irradiation radiation image data input to the imaging control device 50 is acquired by the radiation image data acquisition unit 60. Then, the control unit 100 outputs a control signal to the image projection unit 33 based on the pre-irradiation radiation image data acquired by the radiation image data acquisition unit 60, and converts the pre-irradiation radiation image including the internal information of the breast into the image projection unit. 33 is displayed. The preliminary irradiation radiation image displayed in the image projection unit 33 passes through the lens 34, is reflected by the mirror 35, and is projected on the display unit 31 of the imaging stand 30 (ST14).

  Here, FIG. 4 shows an example of the pre-irradiation radiation image displayed on the imaging stand 30. Note that the range of the white dotted line in FIG. 4 is the range of the breast M that is the subject.

  Then, the preliminary irradiation radiation image including the internal information of the breast M displayed on the display unit 31 of the imaging table 30 is confirmed by the operator, and is the positioning such as the position of the subject breast and the degree of breast compression appropriate? It is confirmed whether or not. For example, when the mammary gland is not sufficiently stretched or the position of the breast is not appropriate, repositioning is performed by moving the position of the breast or adjusting the degree of compression by the compression plate 40.

  Then, after the repositioning is performed, an instruction signal for instructing to perform the main imaging is input to the imaging control device 50 by the operator, and the imaging control device 50 controls the mammography apparatus 1 according to the instruction signal. The signal is output, and the breast imaging apparatus 1 performs actual imaging (ST16).

  Specifically, radiation is emitted from the radiation source 11 of the radiation irradiating unit 10 and applied to the breast. The radiation image detector 20 is irradiated with radiation that has passed through the breast of the subject, and a radiation image of the breast is recorded in the radiation image detector 20.

  Then, the radiographic image recorded in the radiographic image detector 20 is read, and the radiographic image data is output to the imaging control device 50.

  The radiographic image data of the main imaging input to the imaging control device 50 is acquired by the radiographic image data acquisition unit 60. Then, the control unit 100 outputs a control signal to the monitor device 51 based on the radiographic image data of the main imaging acquired by the radiographic image data acquisition unit 60, and the radiographic image based on the radiographic image data of the main imaging to the monitor device 51. Is displayed. Then, the control unit 100 displays the radiographic image of the main imaging as described above, and stores the radiographic image data of the main imaging in the server device 52 in association with the identification information of the subject. It is assumed that the subject identification information is set and registered in advance in the imaging control device 50. In addition, it is assumed that the identification information includes information for specifying the subject and information on the imaging region.

  In the above description, the operator performs repositioning by confirming the preliminary irradiation radiation image. For example, since an inexperienced operator performs imaging without failure, image determination in the imaging control device 50 is performed. The determination result by the unit 80 may be used. The operation in that case will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the operations (ST20 to ST24) from the initial positioning of the subject to the display of the pre-irradiation radiation image are the same as ST10 to ST14 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Then, the pre-irradiation radiation image data acquired by the pre-irradiation in ST22 is output to the feature amount calculation unit 70. Then, the feature quantity calculation unit 70 identifies the mammary gland in the pre-irradiation radiation image of the breast based on the pre-irradiation radiation image data, and extracts a radiation image representing the mammary gland based on the outline of the mammary gland (ST26). Then, based on the extracted radiation image representing the mammary gland, the mammary gland density is calculated as a feature amount (ST28), and the feature amount is output to the image determination unit 80. At this time, as described above, the feature amount for each local area of the breast may be calculated.

  Then, the image determination unit 80 determines whether or not the input breast density is smaller than a predetermined threshold (ST30), and outputs the determination result to the control unit 100.

  When the determination result output from the image determination unit 80 is a determination result indicating that the density of the mammary gland is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the control unit 100 causes the monitor device 51 to display the position of the breast and the compression. When a signal or message indicating that the degree is appropriate is displayed (ST34), on the other hand, the determination result output from the image determination unit 80 is a determination result indicating that the density of the mammary gland is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value. The warning is issued by displaying a signal or a message indicating that the position of the breast or the degree of compression is inappropriate on the monitor device 51 (ST32).

  Then, a signal or message displayed by the monitor device 51 is confirmed by the operator, and it is confirmed whether or not breast positioning is appropriate. If the signal or message displayed on the monitor device 51 indicates that the positioning is appropriate, an instruction signal instructing to perform the main photographing is input to the photographing control device 50 by the operator. The imaging control device 50 outputs a control signal to the breast image capturing device 1 in response to the instruction signal, and actual imaging is performed in the breast image capturing device 1 (ST36). On the other hand, when the signal or message displayed on the monitor device 51 indicates that the positioning is inappropriate, the signal may be reproduced by moving the breast position or adjusting the degree of compression by the compression plate 40. Positioning is performed.

  Then, after the repositioning is performed, an instruction signal for instructing to perform the main imaging is input to the imaging control device 50 by the operator, and the imaging control device 50 controls the mammography apparatus 1 according to the instruction signal. The signal is output, and the breast imaging apparatus 1 performs the actual imaging. The operation after the main photographing is as described above.

  In the description of the above embodiment, a signal and a message indicating whether or not breast positioning is appropriate are displayed on the monitor device 51. Further, an image for specifying a location where positioning is inappropriate is performed. You may make it display. For example, an image specifying a location where the density of the mammary gland is high may be displayed.

  Further, when preliminary irradiation radiation image data is acquired by performing preliminary irradiation as in the above embodiment, the irradiation conditions in the radiation irradiation unit 10 may be controlled based on the preliminary irradiation radiation image data. . Specifically, the irradiation condition can be controlled by selecting any one of tube voltage, mAs value, target material and filter material, or a combination thereof. When setting the exposure conditions, it is preferable that an automatic exposure control (AEC) is provided.

  First, the thickness of the subject is detected from the height of the compression plate 40, and the tube voltage, the target material, and the filter material so that a good image can be obtained with an appropriate exposure amount based on the detected thickness. To decide. Further, the mAs value in preliminary irradiation is also temporarily set here. Then, preliminary irradiation is performed, and the mAs value can be determined by the AEC detector so that the mammary gland concentration becomes a certain value. Then, after determining the mAs value, actual photographing is performed.

  When a cassette containing a stimulable phosphor sheet is used as the radiation image detector 20, a semiconductor, an ion chamber, a photomultiplier, or the like can be used as the AEC detector. The AEC detectors are arranged at an appropriate number and position under the cassette, and the mAs value is set so that the image density accumulated in the stimulable phosphor sheet is appropriate. When a flat panel detector is used as the radiation image detector 20, the mAs value can be set directly from the image density detected by the flat panel detector without using an AEC detector.

  The method for controlling the irradiation conditions is not limited to the method described above, and for example, the method described in JP-A-2007-236804 can also be preferably used.

  In the above description, the feature amount calculation unit 70 calculates the feature amount of the pre-irradiation radiation image data, and the image determination unit 80 determines whether the pre-irradiation radiation image data is appropriate based on the feature amount. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the preliminary radiation image is compared with the past radiation image of the same subject as the subject to be imaged of the preliminary radiation image, and the suitability of the preliminary radiation image is determined based on the comparison result. May be determined. The operation in that case will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the operation (ST40 to ST44) from the initial positioning of the subject to the display of the pre-irradiation radiation image is the same as ST10 to ST14 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Then, the pre-irradiation radiation image data acquired by the pre-irradiation in ST42 is input to the image determination unit 80, and past radiation image data of the same subject as the subject to be imaged of the pre-irradiation radiation image data is input. It is read from the server device 52 and the past radiation image data is also input to the image determination unit 80. The past radiographic image data may be searched from a large number of past radiographic image data stored in the server device 52 based on the identification information of the subject. The radiographic image data having the same imaging conditions may be searched using not only information but also imaging conditions.

  Then, the image determination unit 80 determines how much the input preliminary irradiation radiation image data matches the past radiation image data read from the server device 52. Specifically, for example, first, a numerical value indicating coincidence is calculated by pattern matching between the shape of the mammary gland in the pre-irradiation radiation image data and the shape of the mammary gland in the past radiation image data (ST46). Then, it is determined whether or not the numerical value indicating the coincidence is larger than a predetermined threshold (ST48), and the determination result is output to the control unit 100.

  When the determination result output from the image determination unit 80 is a determination result indicating that the numerical value indicating the consistency is greater than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 100 causes the monitor device 51 to display the breast position or the like. A signal or message indicating that the degree of compression is appropriate is displayed (ST52). On the other hand, the determination result output from the image determination unit 80 indicates that the numerical value indicating consistency is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. If it is a result, a warning is given by displaying a signal or message indicating that the position of the breast or the degree of compression is inappropriate on the monitor device 51 (ST54).

  Then, a signal or message displayed by the monitor device 51 is confirmed by the operator, and it is confirmed whether or not breast positioning is appropriate. If the signal or message displayed on the monitor device 51 indicates that the positioning is appropriate, an instruction signal instructing to perform the main photographing is input to the photographing control device 50 by the operator. The imaging control device 50 outputs a control signal to the breast image capturing device 1 in response to the instruction signal, and actual imaging is performed in the breast image capturing device 1 (ST54). On the other hand, when the signal or message displayed on the monitor device 51 indicates that the positioning is inappropriate, the signal may be reproduced by moving the breast position or adjusting the degree of compression by the compression plate 40. Positioning is performed.

  Then, after the repositioning is performed, an instruction signal for instructing to perform the main imaging is input to the imaging control device 50 by the operator, and the imaging control device 50 controls the mammography apparatus 1 according to the instruction signal. The signal is output, and the breast imaging apparatus 1 performs the actual imaging. The operation after the main photographing is as described above.

  In the above description, the preliminary irradiation is performed before the main imaging, and the preliminary irradiation radiation image is displayed on the display unit 31 of the imaging table 30 based on the preliminary irradiation radiation image data acquired by the preliminary irradiation. The image displayed on the display unit 31 of the imaging table 30 does not necessarily have to be a preliminary irradiation radiographic image. For example, the same subject as the subject to be imaged in the main imaging was captured in the past as a diagnostic radiographic image. A radiation image including internal information may be displayed on the display unit 31. Then, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the past radiation image is displayed on the display unit 31 (ST60), and the subject is positioned while the operator confirms the displayed past radiation image (ST62). Further, actual photographing may be performed (ST64). By displaying past radiation images in this way, the operator can be notified of the characteristics of the mammary gland of the subject. In addition, when enlarging and photographing mammary gland density, fat density, and a part thereof, the operator can be informed of the location that is the photographing point. The past radiographic image data can be retrieved and retrieved from the past radiographic image data stored in the server device 52 based on the identification information of the subject and the imaging conditions as described above. Good.

  In addition, a radiographic image including internal information of the breast imaged on the breast of the same subject opposite to the left and right of the breast to be imaged in the main imaging is displayed on the display unit 31 on the display unit 31. Also good. Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, first, the right breast of the subject is placed on the imaging table 30 and positioned (ST70), and then the main imaging of the right breast is performed (ST72). ). Then, based on the radiographic image data obtained in the main imaging, the radiographic image of the right breast is displayed on the display unit 31 of the imaging table 30 (ST74). Then, the left breast of the subject is placed on the imaging table 30, and the left breast is positioned while the operator confirms the radiographic image of the right breast displayed on the display unit 31 (ST76). The left breast is photographed (ST78). In general, since the internal state of the left breast and the internal state of the right breast of the same subject are approximate, the radiation image of one breast is displayed as described above to display the other breast. The positioning of the can be optimized. In addition, by displaying the radiation image of one breast as described above, it is possible to acquire a symmetrical radiation image by optimizing the positioning of the other breast, and to acquire a radiation image suitable for interpretation Can do.

  In the mammography apparatus 1 of the above embodiment, the radiographic image displayed in the image projection unit 33 is projected onto the display unit 31 of the imaging table 30 via the lens 34 and the mirror 35. Without being limited thereto, for example, like the breast imaging apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 9, the imaging table 90 includes a transparent contact plate 91 and an image display device 92, and the preliminary irradiation radiation image described above is displayed on the image display device 92. Alternatively, a radiographic image of the breast opposite to the left and right of the main imaging breast may be displayed. As the image display device 92, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, an inorganic EL display, or the like can be used. When such a configuration is adopted, the distance between the radiation image detector 20 and the breast M can be made narrower than the configuration of the mammography apparatus 1 shown in FIG. The image detector surface can be reached. Therefore, the radiation dose to be irradiated can be suppressed, and exposure to the subject can be suppressed, which is more preferable. Further, the breast image capturing apparatus 2 may be configured to retract the image display device 92 from the radiation irradiation range when capturing a radiation image. Further, in such a configuration, it is more preferable that the radiation image detector 20 is moved up in a direction closer to the imaging table 30 after the image display device 92 is retracted.

  In the breast image capturing apparatus 1 of the above embodiment, the radiographic image is displayed on the display unit 31 of the imaging table 30. However, a display unit may be provided on the compression plate 40 for display. Alternatively, the image may be displayed by the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-086389.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment applies the radiographic imaging apparatus of this invention to a mammography imaging display system, the general radiographic imaging display which image | photographs other site | parts, such as not only a breast but a breast and a limb. It is also applicable to the system. When applied to a general radiographic imaging display system, the feature amount extracted from the pre-irradiation radiographic image data is, for example, pre-irradiation radiographic image data representing a radiographic image of the chest. What is necessary is just to extract the shape etc. of a rib. Further, in the case of pre-irradiation radiation image data representing a radiation image of a limb, a bone shape or the like may be extracted as a feature amount. Also, when comparing with past radiographic image data, it is only necessary to compare the feature quantities as described above to calculate a numerical value indicating the coincidence.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a breast image radiographing display system to which an embodiment of a radiographic image radiographing apparatus of the present invention is applied. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the imaging | photography control apparatus in the mammography imaging | photography display system shown in FIG. Flow chart for explaining the operation of the breast image photographing display system The figure which shows an example of the preliminary irradiation radiation image displayed on the imaging stand Flow chart for explaining the operation when warning is performed based on the feature amount of the pre-irradiation radiation image Flowchart for explaining the operation when warning is performed based on the comparison result between the pre-irradiation radiation image and the past radiation image Flow chart for explaining the operation when displaying a past radiation image on the imaging table Flow chart for explaining the operation when displaying the radiation image of the opposite breast on the imaging table The figure which shows other embodiment of a display part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Breast imaging device 2 Breast imaging device 10 Radiation irradiation part 11 Radiation source 12 Strut 13 Base 20 Radiation image detector 30 Imaging stand (Subject support part)
Reference Signs List 31 Display Unit 32 Support Plate 33 Image Projection Unit 34 Lens 35 Mirror 40 Compression Plate 50 Imaging Control Device 51 Monitor Device 52 Server Device 60 Radiation Image Data Acquisition Unit 70 Feature Quantity Calculation Unit 80 Image Determination Unit 90 Imaging Stand 91 Contact Plate 92 Image Display device 100 control unit

Claims (4)

A radiation irradiation unit for irradiating the subject with radiation;
A radiation image detector for detecting a radiation image of the subject by receiving radiation irradiated by the radiation irradiation unit and transmitted through the subject;
A subject support unit disposed between the radiation irradiation unit and the radiation image detector and supporting the subject;
The radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the subject support unit includes a display unit that displays a radiographic image including internal information of the subject captured before the radiographic image of the subject is captured. The radiation irradiating unit performs preliminary irradiation before the main photographing,
The radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a preirradiation radiation image including internal information of the subject imaged by the preliminary irradiation. A feature amount calculation unit that calculates a feature amount of the preliminary irradiation radiographic image captured by the preliminary irradiation;
An image determination unit that determines the suitability of the preliminary irradiation radiation image based on the feature amount calculated by the feature amount calculation unit;
The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a warning unit that issues a warning based on a result determined by the image determination unit. An image determination unit that compares the preliminary radiation image and the past radiation image of the same subject as the preliminary radiation image, and determines the suitability of the preliminary radiation image based on the comparison result;
The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a warning unit that issues a warning based on a result determined by the image determination unit.