JP2010167112A - Radiographic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radiographic apparatus with a plurality of pairs of X-ray tubes and X-ray detectors, in which a radiographer can be easily in visual contact with the directions of rotary axes and directions of rotation of the respective pairs of X-ray tubes and X-ray detectors during photographing. <P>SOLUTION: An operation part 11 includes a plurality of memory switches 12a-12i which are arrayed to indicate the directions of the rotary axes and directions of rotation of the pairs of the X-ray tubes and X-ray detectors 5, 6 and 7, 8. The data groups for designating the directions of the corresponding rotary axes, directions of rotation, and rotary angles for each pair of X-ray tube and X-ray detector are registered in the corresponding memory switches. The memory switches are operated by depression in prescribed order, thereby transmitting an operation instruction, which includes the registered groups of data of the respective pairs of X-ray tubes and X-ray detectors, to a control part 14. The memory switches include display means for displaying which one of the pairs of X-ray tubes and X-ray detectors is operated in response to the depressing operation when the memory switches are operated by depression. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a plurality of imaging systems each consisting of a pair of an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector, which are arranged to face each other with a subject interposed therebetween, and the optical axis of each imaging system is around the body axis of the subject. Further, the present invention relates to an X-ray imaging apparatus that rotates about an axis intersecting with a body axis to move the imaging system to a target position and images a subject from multiple directions at once.

  A biplane X-ray imaging apparatus exists as an X-ray imaging apparatus that images a subject from multiple directions at once. The biplane X-ray imaging apparatus includes a top plate that supports a subject in a supine position, two C arms, and an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector that are attached to both ends of each C arm and arranged to face each other. With a pair. The subject is sandwiched between the C arms, and the pair of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector is arranged to face each other with the subject interposed therebetween. By moving, each pair of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector is rotated around a rotation axis passing through the center of the pair and moved to a specified target position, and then the target position X-ray imaging is performed at.

  In this case, the X-ray engineer operates the two C-arms by operating the operation buttons of the biplane X-ray imaging apparatus every imaging operation according to the imaging menu received from the doctor. However, in the conventional configuration, the X-ray engineer visually sees how the X-ray tube and X-ray detector pair of each C-arm rotates with respect to the subject on the top plate to the target position. Recognition was not easy.

  On the other hand, in an X-ray imaging apparatus having a single C-arm, how the C-arm, that is, the pair of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector, rotates with respect to the subject on the top to the target position. A plurality of memory switches are provided in the operation unit so that it can be easily visually confirmed whether the operation is performed, the direction of the rotation axis of the C arm and the direction of rotation are displayed by the arrangement of the memory switches, A data set designating the direction of the rotation axis, the direction of rotation, and the rotation angle is registered, and the registered data set is transmitted to the drive unit of the C arm by pressing each memory switch. There is something like that (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Therefore, it is conceivable to apply this memory switch to a biplane X-ray imaging apparatus. In this case, each memory switch basically corresponds to the movement of only one of the two C arms. For this reason, it has not been possible to cope with the case where the directions of the rotation axes or the rotation directions of the two C arms are different at the time of photographing.

JP-A-8-150137

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray imaging apparatus having a plurality of imaging systems each consisting of a pair of an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector. The purpose is to make it easy to recognize the direction of the rotation axis of the pair and the direction of rotation.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an X-ray imaging apparatus that images a subject from multiple directions, and is arranged to face the top plate that supports the subject in a supine position with the subject interposed therebetween. A plurality of pairs of X-ray tubes and X-ray detectors, a plurality of supports that respectively support the plurality of pairs, a drive unit that independently moves the plurality of supports, the X-ray tube and the X-rays An operation unit that issues an operation command for rotating each of a plurality of pairs of line detectors around a rotation axis passing through the center of the pair in a predetermined order to move to a target position; and A control unit that, when received, transmits a control signal to the drive unit and moves each pair of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector to the target position; The direction of the rotation axis of the pair of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector And a plurality of memory switches arranged to indicate the direction of rotation, and by operating the memory switches in the predetermined order, the X-ray tubes registered in the memory switches and the memory switches The operation command including the data set of each pair of X-ray detectors is transmitted to the control unit, and the plurality of memory switches are arranged radially around a central memory switch. Which of the plurality of pairs of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector operates in response to the operation of the memory switch at or near the memory switch. The X-ray imaging apparatus is characterized in that a display means for displaying is provided.

  In the above configuration, it is preferable that the central memory switch has a mark for displaying the subject lying on the top board, and the plurality of memory switches include the central memory switch and the central memory switch. Two memory switches opposed to each other in the diameter direction corresponding to the body axis of the mark of the memory switch, two memory switches opposed to each other in a diameter direction perpendicular to the body axis, and the body axis direction of the mark It is preferable that each of the two memory switches be opposed to each other in two diametrical directions having an angle of 45 °. The display means includes a plurality of LEDs corresponding to a plurality of pairs of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector, and the plurality of LEDs are arranged in a radial direction for each memory switch. Preferably they are arranged.

  Preferably, the X-ray imaging apparatus includes two pairs of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector, and the plurality of support bodies include two C arms, and the X arms are disposed at both ends of the C arms. A tube and the X-ray detector are attached.

  According to the present invention, in an X-ray imaging apparatus provided with a plurality of pairs of X-ray tubes and X-ray detectors, the direction and rotation of the rotation axis of the pair of X-ray tubes and X-ray detectors are provided in the operation unit. A plurality of memory switches arranged so as to indicate the orientations of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector are provided to specify the direction of the corresponding rotation axis, the direction of rotation, and the rotation angle for each pair of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector. The data set is registered in the corresponding memory switch, and the memory switch is pushed down according to the moving order of each pair of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector, whereby the X-ray tube and the X-ray registered in the memory switch When an operation command including a data set for each pair of detectors is transmitted to the control unit, and when the memory switch is pushed down at or near the memory switch, the X-ray tube and Which of the multiple pairs of X-ray detectors operates Display means for displaying whether provided. Thus, the arrangement of the memory switches and the display means of each memory switch allow the operator to determine the direction of the rotation axis and the direction of rotation when moving the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector to the target positions of each pair. Can be easily visually recognized.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the X-ray imaging apparatus by one Example of this invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a memory switch of the X-ray imaging apparatus of FIG. 1, (A) is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the memory switch, and (B) is a description of the lighting state of the LED during the operation of the frontal C arm. It is a figure and (C) is a figure explaining the lighting state of LED at the time of operation | movement of a lateral C arm. It is a table | surface which shows an example of the data set of the direction of the rotational axis of the frontal C arm registered into the memory switch, the direction of rotation, and the rotation angle. It is a figure which shows an example of the target position which the data set of the direction of the rotation axis of the frontal C arm registered in the memory switch, the direction of rotation, and the rotation angle designates. It is a figure which shows an example of the target position which the data set of the direction of the rotation axis of the frontal C arm registered in the memory switch, the direction of rotation, and the rotation angle designates.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a top plate 1 that supports a subject M in a supine position, a top plate drive device 2 that horizontally moves the top plate 1 in the longitudinal direction, and moves it up and down. The two pairs of X-ray tubes and X-ray detectors 5; 6, 7; 8 and the two pairs 5; 6, 7; 8 which are opposed to each other with the subject M interposed therebetween are supported. Two supports 3 and 4 are provided. In this embodiment, the support bodies 3 and 4 are formed of C-arms, and X-ray tubes 5 and 7 and X-ray detectors 6 and 8 are attached to both ends of the C-arms 3 and 4. In this embodiment, the X-ray detectors 6 and 8 comprise an image intensifier tube (II) and a TV camera, or a flat panel detector (FPD).

  The X-ray imaging apparatus also includes driving units 9 and 10 that move the two C arms 3 and 4 independently. The 1st drive part 9 is comprised from the base 9a installed in the floor surface, and the support | pillar part 9b fixed to the base 9a, and the 1st C arm 3 is attached to the support | pillar part 9b. Then, the first C-arm 3 passes through the center of the arc formed by the first C-arm 3 and rotates around the body axis of the subject M located on the plane including the arc, Rotation movement about an axis passing through the center of the arc of the C-arm 3 and perpendicular to the plane including the arc is possible. The first C arm 3 is generally called a frontal C arm.

  On the other hand, the second drive unit 10 is suspended from the ceiling, extends in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the top plate 1, and moves attached to the rails 10a and 10a so as to be slidable. The second C-arm 4 is attached to the moving body 10b. The second C arm 4 moves horizontally along the longitudinal direction of the top plate 1 and moves around the vertical axis passing through the center of the arc formed by the second C arm 4 and on a plane including this arc. And a rotational motion around an axis that passes through the center of the arc formed by the second C-arm 4 and is perpendicular to the plane including the arc. The second C arm 4 is generally called a lateral C arm.

  Further, the X-ray imaging apparatus detects the direction of the rotation axis, the direction of rotation, and the rotation angle of each of the frontal C arm 3 and the lateral C arm 4, thereby related X-ray tube and X-ray detector. Position detectors (not shown) for detecting the positions of each pair 5; 6, 7; 8 and front and lateral C-arms 3, 4 and thus each pair 5 of X-ray tubes and X-ray detectors; 6, 7 Operation unit 11 for issuing an operation command for rotating each of 8 in a predetermined order around a rotation axis passing through the center of the pair 5; 6, 7; 8 to a target position; , While monitoring the detection signal from the position detector, it transmits a control signal to the drive units 9, 10 to target each pair 5; 6, 7; 8 of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector. A control unit 14 for moving to a position is provided. The control unit 14 has a CPU 16.

  The operation unit 11 is arranged so as to indicate the direction of the rotational axis and the direction of rotation of the frontal and lateral C arms 3 and 4, and thus the X-ray tube and X-ray detector pair 5; 6, 7; Target a plurality of memory switches 12 and front and lateral C-arms 3 and 4 respectively, and thus each X-ray tube and X-ray detector pair 5; 6, 7; A set of data for designating the direction of the rotation axis, the direction of rotation and the rotation angle for moving to the position is received, and the frontal and lateral C arms 3 and 4, respectively, thus the X-ray tube and X For each pair of line detectors 5; 6, 7; 8, a data registration unit 13 for registering a data set in the corresponding memory switches 12 a to 12 i is provided.

  Then, when the memory switches 12a to 12i are pushed down in a predetermined order, the X-ray tube and X-ray detector pairs 5; 6, 7; 8 registered in the memory switches 12a to 12i An operation command including the set is transmitted to the control unit 14.

FIG. 2A is a plan view showing the arrangement of memory switches. As shown in FIG. 2A, the memory switches 12a to 12i are radially arranged around a central memory switch 12a having a mark 15 for displaying the subject M lying on the top board. That is, in this embodiment, the memory switches 12a to 12i include a central memory switch 12a and two memory switches 12b and 12f that are opposed to each other in the diametrical direction that coincides with the body axis of the mark 15 of the central memory switch 12a. The two memory switches 12d and 12h facing each other in the diametrical direction perpendicular to the body axis of the mark 15 and the two diametrical directions inclined at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the body axis direction of the mark 15 Each of the two memory switches 12c, 12g and 12e, 12i.
In this case, without providing the mark 15 in the central memory switch 12a, the memory switches 12b to 12i may be arranged radially at an angle of 45 ° with the central memory switch 12a as the center.

The correspondence relationship between the direction of the rotation axis and the direction of rotation of the frontal and lateral C arms 3 and 4 and the arrangement of the memory switches 12a to 12i is set as follows.
In general, regarding the C-arm, with respect to the direction of the rotation axis and the direction of rotation, the C-arm is viewed from the head side of the subject M around the body axis of the subject M (or an axis parallel to the body axis). Turning counterclockwise is referred to as “LAO” (left front tilt), and conversely turning clockwise is referred to as “RAO” (right front tilt). Further, turning the C-arm around the axis perpendicular to the body axis of the subject M to the head side of the subject M is referred to as “CRAN” (CRANIAL) and conversely turning to the foot side. It is called “CAUD” (CAUDIAL).

  For the frontal C arm 3, the memory switch 12b is disposed at a position indicating only “CRAN”, the memory switch 12c is disposed at a position indicating “CRAN” and “LAO”, and the memory switch 12i is disposed at “CRAN” and “CRAN”. It is arranged at a position indicating “RAO”. Further, the memory switch 12d is arranged at a position indicating only “LAO”, the memory switch 12a is arranged at a position indicating that the rotation angle is 0 ° with respect to any rotation direction, and the memory switch 12h is “ It is arranged at a position indicating only “RAO”. Similarly, the memory switches 12e, 12f, and 12g are arranged at positions indicating “CAUD” and “LAO”, positions indicating only “CAUD”, and positions indicating “CAUD” and “RAO”, respectively.

  Similarly to the frontal C arm 3, the lateral C arm 4 also has the memory switch 12b disposed at a position indicating “CRAN”, and the memory switch 12c is disposed at a position indicating “CRAN” and “LAO”. The memory switch 12i is arranged at a position indicating “CRAN” and “RAO”. Further, the memory switch 12d is arranged at a position indicating only “LAO”, the memory switch 12a is arranged at a position indicating that the rotation angle is 0 ° with respect to any rotation direction, and the memory switch 12h is “ It is arranged at a position indicating only “RAO”. Similarly, the memory switches 12e, 12f, and 12g are arranged at positions indicating “CAUD” and “LAO”, positions indicating only “CAUD”, and positions indicating “CAUD” and “RAO”, respectively.

  Referring to FIG. 1 again, the data registration unit 13 includes a C-arm selection key for inputting types of frontal and lateral C-arms, rotation axis direction and rotation direction data (LAO, RAO, CRAN, CAUD), a key array 13a including data input keys for inputting rotation angle data, a data registration key 13b for registering data input from the key array 13a, and a display 13c for displaying the operation state of these keys. have.

  Then, the registration of the data set to each of the memory switches 12a to 12i is executed as follows. For example, for the frontal C arm 3, first, after the frontal C arm is selected by the C arm selection key of the key array 13a, a data set (the direction of the rotation axis and the direction of the rotation axis) is specified. The rotation direction data and the rotation angle data) are input by a data input key. Thereafter, the memory switch to which the data is to be registered is depressed. At this time, the identifier of the pressed memory switch and a set of data specifying the input target position are displayed on the display 13c. When the information is confirmed, the data registration key 13b is pressed. As a result, the data set is associated with the memory switch and stored in the memory 15 via the CPU 16 of the control unit 14. Similar operations are performed on the other memory switches, so that in this embodiment, different data sets can be registered in up to nine memory switches.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a data set registered in each of the memory switches 12a to 12i for the frontal C arm. The target positions designated by the data sets registered in the memory switches 12a to 12i are as shown in FIGS.
Similarly to the frontal C arm 3, the lateral C arm 4 is registered with a data set for designating a corresponding target position for each of the memory switches 12a to 12i.
Thus, in this embodiment, 9 × 9 = 81 kinds of frontal and lateral C arm 3 and 4 target position combinations can be registered in the memory switch.

  Further, each of the memory switches 12a to 12i has a corresponding one of the frontal and lateral C arms 3 and 4 in response to the depression of the memory switches 12a to 12i. And a display means is provided for indicating which of the two pairs 5; 6, 7; 8 of the X-ray detector operates. In this embodiment, the display means is composed of LEDs 13a to 13i and 14a to 14i corresponding to the number of C-arms, and hence the number of pairs of X-ray tubes and X-ray detectors (two in this embodiment). Yes. And two LED13a-13i and 14a-14i are arrange | positioned along with the radial direction for every memory switch 12a-12i. In this case, it is preferable that the two LEDs 13a to 13i and 14a to 14i can be easily visually distinguished from each other by having different shapes and / or different colors.

  When the frontal C arm 3 is operable and the memory switches 12a to 12i are pushed down, the first LEDs 13a to 13i of the memory switches 12a to 12i are turned on, while the lateral C arm 4 is operable. In this case, when the memory switches 12a to 12i are pushed down, the second LEDs 14a to 14i of the memory switches 12a to 12i are lit.

  Thus, when data registration is performed for each of the memory switches 12a to 12i as shown in FIG. 3, for example, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the frontal C arm 3 is operable, the memory switch When the 12c is pushed down, the first LED 13c is turned on, whereby the X-ray technician turns the frontal C arm 3 with respect to the subject M in the direction indicated by the memory switch 12c. Can be easily recognized. Further, an operation command for rotating the frontal C-arm 3 by “CRAN = 30 °” and “LAO = 30 °” is transmitted to the CPU 16 (control unit 14) by the pressing operation of the memory switch 12c. Then, the CPU 16 transmits a control command to the drive unit 9 of the frontal C arm 3 based on this operation command. The drive unit 9 moves the frontal C arm 3 according to this control command to move it to the target position shown in FIGS. 4C (a) and 4 (b).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2 (C), when the memory switch 12i is pushed down when the lateral C arm 4 is operable, the second LED 14i is turned on, whereby the lateral C arm 4 is Thus, it can be easily recognized that the subject M is rotated in the direction indicated by the memory switch 12i. In addition, as in the case of the frontal C arm 3, the operation command for rotating the lateral C arm 4 based on the data registered in the memory switch 12i is transmitted to the CPU 16 by the pressing operation of the memory switch 12i. . Then, the CPU 16 transmits a control command to the drive unit 10 of the lateral C arm 4 based on this operation command. The drive unit 10 moves the lateral C arm 4 according to this control command to move it to the target position.

Although one preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a data registration unit for registering data in the memory switch is provided, but without the data registration unit, the lateral and frontal C arms are respectively set in advance at the target position by an operation lever or the like provided in the operation unit. The data can be registered in the memory switch by long-pressing the corresponding memory switch.
In the above-described embodiment, a position detector that detects the position of each pair of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector is provided, and the control unit monitors the detection signal from the position detector, Although the X-ray detector pair is moved, if the control unit is configured to control each pair of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector in an open loop, the position detector becomes unnecessary.
In the above-described embodiment, the memory switch is a push-down operation type switch, but these switches can be provided on the touch screen type display. Further, a joystick may be provided in the operation unit 11 and a memory switch may be incorporated in the joystick.

In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of memory switches are composed of a central memory switch and a total of nine memory switches including eight memory switches arranged radially from the central memory switch. If a plurality of memory switches are arranged at the position where the C arm, and hence the direction of the rotation axis and the direction of rotation of the pair of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector are displayed, the number of memory switches and the arrangement pattern Can be set arbitrarily.
Moreover, although the X-ray imaging apparatus provided with two C arms was illustrated as an X-ray imaging apparatus, the support body which supports the pair of an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector is not limited to a C arm.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Top plate 2 Top plate beating apparatus 3 Frontal C arm 4 Lateral C arm 5, 7 X-ray tube 6, 8 X-ray detector 9 Drive part 9a Base 9b Base 10 Drive part 10a Rail 10b Moving body 11 Operation part 12a- 12i Memory switch 13 Data registration unit 13a Key array 13b Data registration key 13c Display 14 Control unit 15 Memory 16 CPU

Claims (5)

An X-ray imaging apparatus for imaging a subject from multiple directions,
A top plate for supporting the subject in a supine position;
A plurality of pairs of X-ray tubes and X-ray detectors arranged opposite to each other with the subject interposed therebetween;
A plurality of supports that respectively support the plurality of pairs;
A drive unit for independently moving the plurality of supports;
An operation for issuing an operation command for rotating each of the plurality of pairs of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector around a rotation axis passing through the center of the pair to a target position in a predetermined order. And
An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising: a control unit that transmits a control signal to the drive unit when the operation command is received, and moves each pair of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector to the target position In
The operation unit is
A plurality of memory switches arranged to indicate the direction of the rotation axis and the direction of rotation of the pair of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector;
When the memory switch is operated in the predetermined order, the operation command including the data set of each pair of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector registered in the memory switch is sent to the control unit. The plurality of memory switches are arranged radially with a central memory switch as a center, and when the memory switch is operated in the vicinity of the memory switch, An X-ray imaging apparatus, comprising: display means for displaying which of the plurality of pairs of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector operates in response.   The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the central memory switch has a mark for displaying the subject lying on the top board.   The plurality of memory switches include the central memory switch, two memory switches opposed to each other in a diameter direction corresponding to a body axis of a mark of the center memory switch, and a diameter direction perpendicular to the body axis. It is composed of two memory switches arranged opposite to each other and two memory switches arranged opposite to each other in two diametrical directions that form an angle of 45 ° with the body axis direction of the mark. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 2.   The display means includes a plurality of LEDs corresponding to a plurality of pairs of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector, and the plurality of LEDs are arranged in a radial direction for each memory switch. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   Two pairs of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector are provided, and the plurality of supports are composed of two C arms, and the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector are attached to both ends of the C arm. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the X-ray imaging apparatus is characterized.

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