JP2011000158A - X-ray ct apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an X-ray CT apparatus configured to reconstruct an image in a required cardiac phase zone and to dissolve the useless exposure dose of a subject.SOLUTION: In the X-ray CT apparatus having an electrocardiographic synchronous scan function for acquiring the tomographic image of a subject in the required cardiac phase zone on the basis of pulsation data acquired from the subject, the X-ray CT apparatus includes a control unit for specifying or predicting the cardiac phase of the subject during electrocardiographic synchronous scanning on the basis of the pulsation data acquired beforehand prior to the electrocardiographic synchronous scanning and controlling the timing of the start and stop of the scanning so as to obtain the tomographic image in the required cardiac phase zone.

Description

  The present invention relates to an X-ray CT technique for reconstructing an image of a body tissue using intensity information of transmitted X-rays that have passed through a subject, and more particularly to an X-ray CT apparatus having an electrocardiogram synchronous scan function.

  X-ray CT apparatuses provide useful information for diagnosis and treatment of diseases and play an important role in today's medical care.

  In recent years, it is possible to perform an ECG-synchronous scanning method based on retrospective gating, which can reconstruct tissue images in the required cardiac phase interval, targeting tissues that are displaced by pulsation, such as the heart and arteries. A line CT apparatus has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In the retrospective method, pulsation data (electrocardiographic waveform, etc.) of a subject and image data are collected at the same time, and image data acquired later in a specific cardiac phase section is optionally extracted and extracted image Image reconstruction is performed using the data.

JP 2003-164446 A

  In the conventional X-ray CT apparatus, the exposure dose other than the exposure dose in the cardiac phase section that is selected after the retrospective method among the exposure doses of the subject becomes a useless exposure dose.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray CT apparatus capable of reconstructing an image in a required cardiac phase section and eliminating a useless dose of the subject.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the X-ray CT apparatus according to the present invention has an electrocardiogram-synchronized scan function for acquiring a tomographic image of a subject in a required cardiac phase section based on pulsation data acquired from the subject. In the X-ray CT apparatus provided, the cardiac phase of the subject at the time of the ECG-synchronized scan is specified or predicted based on the pulsation data acquired in advance prior to the ECG-synchronized scan, and the tomogram is obtained in the required cardiac phase section It is characterized by comprising a control unit that controls the start and stop timing of scanning so that an image can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform image reconstruction in a required cardiac phase section, and it is possible to eliminate a useless dose of the subject.

1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an X-ray CT apparatus according to the present invention. The figure which shows the pulsation data of a subject. The timing chart of the electrocardiogram synchronous scan performed in the scan control part of FIG. The timing chart of the electrocardiogram synchronous scan (RR interval scan) performed in the scan control part of FIG. FIG. 2 is a timing chart of an electrocardiogram-synchronized scan (one heart rate limited scan) executed by the scan control unit of FIG. 1 (R wave extension case). FIG. 2 is a timing chart (an R-wave early arrival case) of an electrocardiogram-synchronized scan (one heart rate limited scan) executed by the scan control unit of FIG.

  An embodiment of an X-ray CT apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an X-ray CT apparatus according to the present invention.

  The X-ray CT apparatus of the present embodiment is an X-ray CT apparatus 1 having an electrocardiographic synchronization scan function that acquires a tomographic image of a subject in a required cardiac phase section based on pulsation data acquired from the subject. is there. The X-ray CT apparatus 1 includes a bed 2, a gantry (rotary mount) 3 and a console 4.

  The bed 2 is configured by using a top 5 on which the subject P is placed and a top drive 6 that moves the top 5 toward the gantry 3.

  The gantry 3 includes, in addition to the gantry driving device 8, an X-ray generation tube 9, an X-ray detector 10, in a rotating frame 7 configured to allow insertion of the subject P placed on the top 5. It has a high voltage generator 11 and a data collector 12.

  The X-ray generation tube 9 and the X-ray detector 10 are arranged to face each other with the subject P placed on the bed 2 therebetween, and rotate 360 ° along a channel direction D1 orthogonal to the body axis direction of the subject P. It is configured to rotate integrally with the gantry 3. The X-ray generation tube 9 is supplied with a required tube voltage from the high voltage generation device 11 and directs a fan beam X-ray with energy corresponding to the tube voltage from an arbitrary rotation position in the 360 ° rotation direction toward the subject P. Radiate. On the other hand, the X-ray detector 10 is configured by an X-ray detection element array in which a plurality of X-ray detection elements are two-dimensionally arranged in each of the channel direction D1 and the slice direction D2.

  The data acquisition device 12 reads the accumulated charge that is stored in each X-ray detection element of the X-ray detection element array by helical scan or the like and holds the intensity information of the transmitted X-rays that have passed through the subject P as an X-ray detection signal, It is converted into digital data and sent to the console 4.

  The console 4 includes a preprocessing unit 13, a reconstruction processing unit 14, an image storage unit 15, an image processing unit 16, an input device 17, a display device 18, and a scan control unit 19. The preprocessing unit 13 performs processing such as sensitivity correction on the digital data sent from the data collection device 12 to obtain projection data. The projection data is sent to the reconstruction processing unit 14.

  The reconstruction processing unit 14 generates image data by reconstruction processing using the projection data collected from the preprocessing unit 13 and stores the image data in the image storage unit 15. The image processing unit 16 generates an image (a tomographic image or a still image or a moving image of a three-dimensional image) based on the image data stored in the image storage unit 15.

  The input device 17 can set various display conditions such as image contrast, still image / moving image switching, and a region of interest. The display device 18 displays the image generated by the image processing unit 16 according to display conditions.

  The scan control unit 19 controls each system configuration such as the top plate driving device 6, the gantry driving device 8, the high voltage generation device 11, and the data collection device 12 based on user settings, and executes an electrocardiographic scan.

  The ECG-synchronized scan performed by the scan control unit 19 is pulsation data (hereinafter referred to as reference pulsation data (see FIG. 2)) indicating an ECG waveform and a cardiac phase acquired in advance from the subject P prior to the ECG-synchronized scan. ) To specify or predict the cardiac phase of the subject P at the time of the ECG-gated scan, and to control the timing of the start and stop of the scan so that a tomographic image is obtained in the required cardiac phase section. The reference pulsation data is acquired using a known electrocardiograph (electrocardiograph) Q (see FIG. 1). For example, the subject P is placed on the top 5 of the bed 2 and then scanned. What was acquired before starting or acquired in the past cardiac function test is used.

  Hereinafter, the electrocardiogram-synchronized scan executed by the scan control unit 19 will be described based on an example in which the scan is synchronized in the cardiac phase interval (RR interval) of two adjacent R wave peaks.

(Step 101)
The scan control unit 19 receives the reference pulsation data from the electrocardiograph Q directly or via a storage medium, and stores it in the internal memory. Then, the scan control unit 19 calculates the time (T _RR ) between the R wave peak and the R wave peak of the electrocardiographic waveform indicated in the received reference pulsation data (see FIG. 2).

(Step 102)
The scan control unit 19 reads in real time the pulsation data acquired by using the electrocardiograph Q from the subject P placed on the top 5 in preparation for the electrocardiogram synchronous scan.

(Step 103)
FIG. 3 is a timing chart of an electrocardiogram synchronous scan executed by the scan control unit 19.
The scan control unit 19 refers to the real-time pulsation data read in step 102, and generates a tomographic image for the cardiac phase interval (RR interval) of the R wave peak (R2) and the R wave peak (R3). The arrival time of the cardiac phase at the start of the scan necessary for this is predicted.

The arrival time of the cardiac phase at the start of scanning is, for example, from “arrival time of the latest R wave peak (R1) before the start of scanning” to “time of RR interval calculated in step 101 (T _RR ) −exposure time (T _P / 2) "is calculated as the elapsed time. The exposure time (T _P ) is a scan time for obtaining projection data mainly necessary for generating a tomographic image of one point of the cardiac phase (for example, R wave peak (R2)). This is the time required until an X-ray detection signal (charge) is sufficiently accumulated in a line detection element (for example, a photodiode). Therefore, the cardiac phase interval (scan interval) from the start to the stop of the scan is wider than the cardiac phase interval (reconstruction interval) that is the target of image reconstruction (see FIG. 3).

(Step 104)
The scan control unit 19 predicts the arrival time of the cardiac phase at which scanning is stopped based on the real-time pulsation data read in step 102.

The arrival time of the cardiac phase of the scan stop is, for example, “the time of the RR interval calculated in Step 101 (T _RR ) + exposure time (T _P / 2) "is calculated as the elapsed time. In this way, the scan control unit 19 executes an electrocardiographic scan that synchronizes the reconstruction interval with the RR interval.

  By the way, heartbeat fluctuations such as arrhythmia and abnormal heartbeat due to extrasystole may occur during the electrocardiogram synchronous scan. When the heart rate variability occurs, the arrival of the R wave peak (R2) is delayed or accelerated, contrary to the prediction based on the reference pulsation data.

  When the R wave peak (R2) is delayed against prediction, the scan control unit 19 may start scanning from a cardiac phase long before the first R wave peak (R2) arrives, as shown in FIG. is there. In this case, the scan control unit 19 performs scan timing control so that the reconstruction interval includes the RR interval, based on the scan stop cardiac phase prediction process in steps 101 to 104. That is, the scan control unit 19 extends the scan (enlarges the scan section) without being limited to the cardiac phase section for one heartbeat until a tomographic image targeting the RR section is obtained.

  On the other hand, when a heartbeat abnormality occurs and the arrival of the R wave peak (R2) is accelerated contrary to the prediction based on the reference pulsation data, the scan control unit 19 cannot reconstruct the image of the first R wave peak (R2). Scanning starts from the cardiac phase.

  In this case, the scan control unit 19 uses the cardiac phase prediction process of the scan stop in Step 101 to Step 104 to reconstruct the cardiac phase interval of the R wave peak (R3) and the subsequent R wave peak (not shown). Scan timing control is performed so as to include (RR interval). That is, the scan control unit 19 scans without limiting to a cardiac phase interval for one heartbeat until a tomographic image targeting the RR interval is obtained as in the case where the arrival of the R wave peak (R2) is delayed. Extend (enlarge scan section).

(Change scan plan)
When the arrival of the R wave peak (R2) is delayed or advanced contrary to prediction, the scan control unit 19 has a scan plan change function that limits the cardiac phase interval for one heartbeat without expanding the scan interval.

  FIG. 5 is a timing chart (R wave extension case) of an electrocardiogram synchronous scan (one heart rate limited scan) executed by the scan control unit 19.

  For example, when the R wave peak (R2) is delayed against prediction, the scan control unit 19 does not wait for the arrival of the R wave peak (R3) following the R wave peak (R2) (an RR interval is included in the scan interval). If not, the scan is forcibly stopped when the cardiac phase at which a tomographic image for one heartbeat is obtained with reference to the cardiac phase at the scan start time.

  The cardiac phase interval for one heartbeat is determined, for example, by pattern matching between the electrocardiogram waveform indicated in the reference pulsation data received in step 101 and the electrocardiogram waveform indicated in the pulsation data read in step S102.

  FIG. 6 is a timing chart (R-wave early arrival case) of an electrocardiogram-synchronized scan (one heart rate limited scan) executed by the scan control unit 19.

  When the arrival of the R wave peak (R2) is accelerated against the prediction, the scan control unit 19 starts scanning from a cardiac phase at which image reconstruction of the R wave peak (R2) becomes impossible. In this case, the scan control unit 19 does not wait for the arrival of two R wave peaks (R3 and subsequent R wave peaks) (even if the scan interval does not include the RR interval), and the cardiac phase at the scan start time. The scan is forcibly stopped when a cardiac phase at which a tomographic image for one heartbeat is obtained with reference to.

  The cardiac phase interval for one heartbeat is determined, for example, by pattern matching between the electrocardiogram waveform indicated in the reference pulsation data received in step 101 and the electrocardiogram waveform indicated in the pulsation data read in step S102.

  Next, the effect will be described.

In the X-ray CT apparatus 1,
(1) Based on the reference pulsation data acquired in advance prior to the ECG synchronous scan, the cardiac phase of the subject P during the ECG synchronous scan is specified or predicted, and a tomographic image is obtained in a required cardiac phase section. As shown in the figure, a scan control unit 19 that controls the start and stop timings of the scan is provided. For this reason, it is possible to perform scanning limited to a specific cardiac phase interval intended by the user. As a result, image reconstruction can be performed in a required cardiac phase interval, and a useless exposure dose of the subject can be eliminated unlike the retrospective method.

  (2) The scan control unit 19 starts and stops the scan so that a tomographic image limited to one heartbeat with an interval between two adjacent R wave peaks (R2, R3) as an object can be obtained. For this reason, the part where the relatively gentle cardiac phase interval continues in the cardiac phase interval for one heartbeat becomes the maximum. Therefore, high-accuracy image reconstruction is possible over a cardiac phase interval for one heartbeat (a precise tomographic image can be obtained).

  (3) When the arrival of the R wave peak (R2) is delayed against the prediction based on the pulsation data, the scan control unit 19 waits for the arrival of two adjacent R wave peaks (R2, R3), The scan is forcibly stopped so that a tomographic image limited to one heartbeat is obtained with the cardiac phase at the scan start time as a reference. For this reason, even when heart rate variability occurs, the same effect as (1) can be obtained.

  (4) When the arrival of the R wave peak (R2) is delayed against the prediction based on the pulsation data, the scan control unit 19 targets the interval between two adjacent R wave peaks (R2, R3) 1 Extend the can so that a tomographic image of the heart rate is obtained. For this reason, even when heart rate variability occurs, the same effect as (1) can be obtained.

  (5) When the arrival of the R wave peak (R2) becomes earlier against the prediction based on the pulsation data, the scan control unit 19 detects the two adjacent R wave peaks (R3 and the R wave peaks thereafter). Without waiting for arrival, the scan is forcibly stopped so that a tomographic image limited to one heartbeat can be obtained based on the cardiac phase at the scan start time. For this reason, even when heart rate variability occurs, the same effect as (1) can be obtained.

  (6) When the arrival of the R wave peak (R2) becomes earlier against the prediction based on the pulsation data, the scan control unit 19 detects the two adjacent R wave peaks (R3 and the R wave peaks thereafter). The scan is extended so that a tomographic image for one heartbeat can be obtained for the interval. For this reason, even when heart rate variability occurs, the same effect as (1) can be obtained.

  As described above, the X-ray CT apparatus according to the present invention has been described based on one embodiment, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and the gist of the invention described in the scope of claims is described. Design changes and additions are allowed without departing.

  For example, the scan control unit has shown an example in which the arrival time of the R wave peak is predicted using the time of the RR interval or the like, but the electrocardiogram waveform and the heart shown in the reference pulsation data acquired before the electrocardiogram synchronous scan The arrival time of the R wave peak may be predicted by pattern matching with the electrocardiogram waveform indicated in the pulsation data read at the time of the electric synchronization scan.

  In addition, the scan control unit has shown an example in which the arrival time of the R wave peak is predicted using the R wave peak of the electrocardiographic waveform as an index, but the peak of the electrocardiographic waveform such as the P wave, T wave, U wave, and other phases. The arrival time of the focused cardiac phase may be predicted using as an index.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... X-ray CT apparatus, 2 ... Sleeper, 3 ... Gantry (rotary mount), 4 ... Console, 5 ... Top plate, 6 ... Top plate drive device, 7 ... Rotating frame, 8 ... Gantry drive unit, 9 ... X-ray generator tube, 10 ... X-ray detector, 11 ... High voltage generator, 12 ... Data collection device, 13 ... Pre-processing unit, 14 ... Reconstruction processing unit, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Image memory | storage part, 16 ... Image processing part, 17 ... Input device, 18 ... Display apparatus, 19 ... Scan control part, P ... Subject, Q ... Electrocardiograph, D1 ... Channel Direction, D2 ... Slice direction.

Claims (7)

In an X-ray CT apparatus having an electrocardiogram synchronous scan function for acquiring a tomographic image of a subject in a required cardiac phase section based on pulsation data acquired from the subject,
Based on the pulsation data acquired in advance prior to the ECG-synchronous scan, the cardiac phase of the subject at the time of the ECG-synchronous scan is specified or predicted, and scanning is performed so that a tomographic image is obtained in a required cardiac phase interval An X-ray CT apparatus comprising a control unit that controls the start and stop timings.   The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stops scanning so that a tomographic image limited to one heartbeat is obtained with reference to a cardiac phase at a scan start time.   The said control part performs a start and a stop of a scan so that the tomographic image limited to one heart rate for the space | interval of two adjacent R wave peaks may be obtained. X-ray CT system.   When the arrival of the R wave peak is delayed contrary to the prediction based on the pulsation data, the control unit waits for the arrival of two adjacent R wave peaks, and does not wait for the arrival of two adjacent R wave peaks. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the scan is forcibly stopped so that a tomographic image limited to a tomographic image can be obtained.   When the arrival of the R wave peak is delayed against the prediction based on the pulsation data, the control unit cancels so as to obtain a tomographic image for one heartbeat covering the interval between two adjacent R wave peaks. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the X-ray CT apparatus is extended.   When the arrival of the R wave peak is earlier than the prediction based on the pulsation data, the control unit does not wait for the arrival of two adjacent R wave peaks and uses one heartbeat based on the cardiac phase at the scan start time. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the scan is forcibly stopped so that a tomographic image limited to a minute is obtained.   The controller scans so as to obtain a tomographic image for one heartbeat that covers the interval between two adjacent R wave peaks when the arrival of an R wave peak becomes earlier, contrary to prediction based on beat data. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:

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