JP2011104200A - X-ray fluoroscopy radiographing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a support technique for preventing from making a sudden stop of X-ray irradiation caused by overheat. <P>SOLUTION: After starting up an X-ray fluoroscopy radiographing apparatus, the temperature information is computed from X-ray conditions during fluoroscopic image obtaining and just after obtaining the radiographed images, and possible fluoroscoping time of fluoroscopic images and the possible sheet number of static images are computed based on the computed temperature information. The results are displayed for each computation, the updated processible amount is always suggested to a user. The temperature information is renewed with reflecting the cooling capacity while the X-ray fluoroscopy imaging apparatus is in operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an X-ray fluoroscopic imaging technique for performing fluoroscopy and imaging of a subject, and particularly to an operation support technique for an X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus for performing fluoroscopy and imaging.

  In the X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus, a subject is irradiated with X-rays generated by an X-ray tube, and an X-ray dose transmitted through the subject is detected and imaged. In order to generate X-rays with an X-ray tube, it is necessary to apply a high voltage from an X-ray generator. When a large amount of X-rays is generated for a long time, the heat generated by the X-ray generator increases. In order to prevent thermal destruction due to this heat generation, X-ray irradiation is usually automatically interrupted when overheating of the X-ray generator is detected. When X-ray irradiation is interrupted due to overheating, it is necessary to wait for the X-ray generator to fall to a predetermined temperature, and it takes time to start irradiation again. For this reason, an image may not be acquired at a desired timing.

  In order to avoid overheating, an X-ray generator is provided with a temperature detection sensor, and when the detected temperature becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the number of frames taken per unit time (frame rate) is reduced (for example, see Patent Document 1). .)

JP 2009-178443 A

  Even if the X-ray generator side is controlled as in Patent Document 1, the time until overheating is extended, but when overheating occurs, the point at which X-ray irradiation is interrupted without notice is not improved. Furthermore, if the frame rate is reduced, there is a possibility that it is against the user's will.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus that assists in preventing sudden interruption of X-ray irradiation due to overheating.

  The present invention calculates temperature information from the X-ray condition during the acquisition of the fluoroscopic image and immediately after the acquisition of the radiographic image after the activation of the X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus, and the fluoroscopic time and / or imaging of the fluoroscopic image based on the calculated temperature information The number of images that can be taken is calculated. By displaying the result for each calculation, the latest processable amount is always presented to the user. In addition, while the X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus is activated, the temperature information is updated by reflecting the cooling capacity.

  Specifically, the X-ray generation means, the X-ray detection means disposed opposite to each other with the X-ray tube and the subject interposed therebetween, and the electrical signal read from the X-ray detector are subjected to image processing to perform fluoroscopy. An X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus comprising: an image processing unit that generates an image or a captured image; and a display unit that displays the fluoroscopic image or the captured image, wherein temperature of the X-ray generating unit Provided is an X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus comprising support information generating means for calculating at least one of fluoroscopic time and the number of photographic images that can be captured as a processable amount and displaying the calculated amount on the display means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to assist in preventing sudden interruption of X-ray irradiation due to overheating.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating schematic structure of the X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus of 1st embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the information processing apparatus of 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart of fluoroscopic image acquisition processing of a first embodiment. It is a flowchart of the picked-up image acquisition process of 1st embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the timing and the process by the X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus of 1st embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of an information processor of a second embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process at the time of cooling of 2nd embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the timing of the process and display by the X-ray fluoroscope of 2nd embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the information processing apparatus of 3rd embodiment. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of a display screen of the modification of embodiment of this invention.

<< First Embodiment >>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. Hereinafter, in all the drawings for explaining the embodiments of the present invention, those having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanation thereof is omitted.

  The X-ray irradiation apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment acquires a fluoroscopic image and a captured image. The fluoroscopic image is acquired continuously while irradiating X-rays. For example, the X-ray intensity distribution is expressed as a two-dimensional grayscale image. With the fluoroscopic image, the transmitted image can be observed in real time while changing the posture of the subject. The captured image is acquired with the subject stationary. The captured image is finally stored as the imaging result of the subject.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus according to the present embodiment. The X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus 100 of this embodiment includes an X-ray tube 110 that irradiates X-rays, an X-ray generator 120 that applies a high voltage to the X-ray tube 110, and cooling that cools the X-ray tube 110. To an apparatus 130, an X-ray detector 140 for detecting X-rays, an X-ray detector control apparatus 150 for reading image data from the X-ray detector, an information processing apparatus 160 for performing various data processing, and an information processing apparatus An input device 170 that is an input interface of the information processing device 160 and a display device 180 that displays a processing result of the information processing device 160. Note that the X-ray detector 140 is formed, for example, by arranging X-ray detection elements made of semiconductor in a two-dimensional direction, and is disposed to face the X-ray tube 110.

  Next, details of the information processing apparatus 160 will be described. The information processing device 160 includes a CPU, a memory, and a storage device. Various functions are realized by the CPU loading and executing a program stored in advance in the storage device. Various data necessary for executing the program is also stored in the storage device. Furthermore, data obtained as a result of execution is also stored in the storage device.

  Next, functions realized by the information processing apparatus 160 executing the above program and data stored in the storage device will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the information processing apparatus 160 of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus 160 includes a system control unit 210, an X-ray control unit 220, an image processing unit 230, a support information generation unit 240, and an X-ray condition management unit 250.

  The system control unit 210 controls the operation of the entire X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus 100.

  The X-ray control unit 220 controls the X-ray generator 120 according to the X-ray conditions set by the user and managed by the X-ray condition management unit 250 to generate X-rays. Further, the operations of the X-ray detector 140 and the X-ray detector control device 150 are controlled, the X-rays generated by the X-ray generator 120 are detected, image data is generated, and transferred to the image processing unit 230.

  The image processing unit 230 performs image processing on the image data input from the X-ray detector control device 150 in accordance with an instruction from the system control unit 210 and displays the image data on the display device 180. The processing result is managed by the storage device and displayed on the display device 180.

  The X-ray condition management unit 250 manages X-ray conditions such as tube voltage (kV), tube current (mA), and X-ray timer (irradiation time: t). In the X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the X-ray condition for acquiring a fluoroscopic image and the X-ray condition for acquiring a captured image are input in advance by the user via the input device 170 and held in a storage device. The X-ray control unit 220 uses the X-ray conditions managed by the X-ray condition management unit 250 to control the X-ray generator 120 to generate X-rays, and the image processing unit 230 acquires a fluoroscopic image and a captured image. To do.

  Hereinafter, in this specification, the X-ray condition for obtaining a fluoroscopic image is referred to as a fluoroscopic X-ray condition, and the tube voltage and the tube current held as the fluoroscopic X-ray condition are referred to as a fluoroscopic tube voltage and a fluoroscopic tube current, respectively. Further, the X-ray conditions for acquiring a captured image are called imaging X-ray conditions, and are called imaging tube voltage and imaging tube current, respectively.

  The support information generation unit 240 calculates temperature information of the X-ray generator 120 in accordance with an instruction from the system control unit 210, and calculates information that can be processed later without overheating the X-ray generator 120. Then, the calculation result is displayed on the display device 180 and presented to the user. In order to realize this, the support information generation unit 240 of the present embodiment includes an X-ray condition acquisition unit 310, a heat addition amount calculation unit 320, a temperature information management unit 330, a processable amount calculation unit 340, and display information. A generating unit 350.

  The X-ray condition acquisition unit 310 acquires the fluoroscopic X-ray condition and the imaging X-ray condition managed by the X-ray condition management unit 250.

  The heat addition amount calculation unit 320 calculates the heat addition amount according to an instruction from the system control unit 210. For each calculation, the calculation result is notified to the temperature information management unit 330.

At the time of fluoroscopic image acquisition, according to an instruction from the system control unit 210, the heat addition amount calculation unit 320 calculates the heat addition amount after the previous calculation time according to the following equation (1) at predetermined time intervals. .
Heat addition amount = fluoroscopic tube voltage x fluoroscopic tube current x α (1)
Here, α is a constant determined in advance according to the time interval to be calculated and the apparatus. α is stored in the storage device in advance.

At the time of capturing a captured image, according to an instruction from the system control unit 210, the heat addition amount calculation unit 320 calculates a heat addition amount after capturing the captured image according to the following equation (2) immediately after capturing the captured image.
Heat addition amount = tube voltage x tube current x irradiation time (2)

  The temperature information management unit 330 manages the latest temperature information of the X-ray generator 120. In the present embodiment, the amount of generated heat is used as the temperature information. Each time the temperature information management unit 330 receives the heat addition amount from the heat addition amount calculation unit 320, the temperature information management unit 330 adds the received heat addition amount to the temperature information managed at that time, and updates the temperature information. Further, every time the temperature information is updated, the updated temperature information is notified to the processable amount calculation unit 340. The temperature information management unit 330 stores and manages temperature information in a storage device.

Specifically, when the temperature information managed at that time is Qcur and the heat addition amount received from the heat addition amount calculation unit 320 is Qadd, the temperature information management unit 330 receives the heat addition amount Qadd from the heat addition amount calculation unit 320. Is received, the latest temperature information Qnew is calculated according to the following equation (3). Then, the temperature information is updated by setting the calculated latest temperature information Qnew as temperature information Qcur managed at that time.
Qnew = Qcur + Qadd (3)

Each time the temperature information management unit 330 updates the temperature information, the processable amount calculation unit 340 uses the temperature information and the X-ray condition to calculate at least one of a time during which a fluoroscopic image can be acquired and a number of images that can be captured thereafter. The display result generation unit 350 is notified of the calculation result. The processable amount calculation unit 340 calculates the time during which a fluoroscopic image can be acquired (perspective viewable time: t) and the number of images that can be captured (number of images that can be captured: sheets) according to the following equations (4) and (5). .
Perspective possible time = (Qmax−Qcur) / (fluoroscopic tube voltage × fluoroscopic tube current × α) (4)
Number of storable images = (Qmax−Qcur) / (shooting tube voltage × shooting tube current × irradiation time) (5)
Here, Qcur is the latest temperature information received from the temperature information management unit 330 (temperature information managed at that time), and Qmax is the maximum allowed by the X-ray generator 120 of the X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus 100. The amount of heat (allowable maximum heat amount). Qmax is stored in the storage device in advance.

  When the display information generation unit 350 receives a notification of the fluoroscopic time and / or the number of images that can be photographed from the processable amount calculation unit 340, the display information generation unit 350 generates screen data to be displayed on the display device 180 as display information using them. 180. The screen data may display both the fluoroscopic time and the number of images that can be captured on one screen. Alternatively, either one of the fluoroscopic time and the number of shootable images may be displayed alternately.

  Note that the configuration of the information processing apparatus 160 is not limited to this. For example, the system control unit 210, the X-ray control unit 220, the image processing unit 230, and the support information generation unit 240 may be configured as independent devices. For example, it may be configured by hardware. The X-ray control unit 220 and the X-ray condition management unit 250 may be provided in the X-ray generator 120 independently of the information processing apparatus 160.

  Next, fluoroscopic image acquisition processing at the time of fluoroscopic image acquisition by the X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, when an instruction to acquire a fluoroscopic image is received, the system control unit 210 causes the X-ray control unit 220 and the image processing unit 230 to acquire a fluoroscopic image as before, until an instruction to end the fluoroscopic image acquisition is received. Control. In the present embodiment, during this time, the support information generation unit 240 is further made to calculate the processable amount during fluoroscopy. FIG. 3 is a process flow of the fluoroscopic image acquisition process of the present embodiment. Note that the processable amount at the time of fluoroscopy is performed every predetermined time interval (update time Tupd).

  Upon receiving a fluoroscopic image acquisition instruction from the user via the input device 170, the system control unit 210 causes the X-ray control unit 220 and the image processing unit 210 to start acquiring a fluoroscopic image (step S1101). At this time, the X-ray control unit 220 acquires the fluoroscopic X-ray condition from the X-ray management unit 250, generates X-rays from the X-ray generator 120 according to the acquired fluoroscopic X-ray conditions, and detects the X-ray detector 140. Let Further, the image processing unit 210 performs image processing at the time of obtaining a predetermined fluoroscopic image on the image data transmitted from the X-ray detector control device 150. Further, the timer T for measuring the elapsed time is set to 0 (step S1102).

  The system control unit 210 determines whether an instruction to end fluoroscopic image acquisition has been received (step S1103). Here, when an end instruction is received, the fluoroscopic image acquisition process is stopped (step S1110), and the process ends. On the other hand, if not received, the system control unit 210 determines whether or not the update time has elapsed (step S1104). Here, it is determined whether or not the value of the timer T is equal to or longer than the update time Tupd. If not, the process goes to step S1103 to repeat the process.

  On the other hand, when the update time Tupd has elapsed, the system control unit 210 causes the support information generation unit 240 to perform the following fluoroscopic processable amount calculation processing.

  First, the X-ray condition acquisition unit 310 acquires the X-ray conditions (the fluoroscopic X-ray condition and the imaging X-ray condition) managed by the X-ray condition management unit 250 at that time (step S1105). Next, the heat addition amount calculation unit 320 calculates the heat addition amount using the acquired fluoroscopic X-ray conditions (step S1106). At this time, a value corresponding to the update time Tupd is used as α in the equation (1). In response, the temperature information management unit 330 updates the temperature information using the added heat amount (step S1107).

  Then, using the result and the fluoroscopic X-ray condition and the imaging X-ray condition acquired in step S1105, the processable amount calculation unit 240 calculates the fluoroscopic time and the number of radiographable images, respectively (step S1108). Then, the display information generation unit 350 updates the display information (step S1109). That is, screen data including the fluoroscopic time displayed on the display device 180 and the number of shootable images to be displayed on the display device 180 using the calculation result is generated and displayed on the display device 180.

  When the above fluoroscopic processable amount calculation process is completed, the system control unit 210 returns to step S1102.

  The above is the flow of the fluoroscopic image acquisition process at the time of fluoroscopic image acquisition by the system control unit 210 of the present embodiment.

  Next, a captured image acquisition process at the time of acquiring a captured image by the X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, when an instruction to acquire a captured image is received, the system control unit 210 controls the X-ray control unit 220 and the image processing unit 230 so as to acquire a captured image, as in the past. In this embodiment, immediately after that, the support information generation unit 240 calculates the processable amount after the captured image is acquired. FIG. 4 is a process flow of the captured image acquisition process of the present embodiment.

  Upon receiving a captured image acquisition instruction from the user via the input device 170, the system control unit 210 causes the X-ray control unit 220 and the image processing unit 230 to acquire a captured image (step S1201). At this time, the X-ray control unit 220 acquires the imaging X-ray condition from the X-ray management unit 250, generates X-rays from the X-ray generator 120 according to the acquired imaging X-ray condition, and the X-ray detector 140 Let it be detected. In addition, the image processing unit 210 performs predetermined image processing at the time of capturing a captured image on the received image data, and stores the result in a storage device. Immediately after these instructions, the system control unit 210 causes the support information generation unit 240 to perform the following processing amount calculation process at the time of shooting.

  First, the X-ray condition acquisition unit 310 acquires the fluoroscopic X-ray condition and the imaging X-ray condition managed by the X-ray condition management unit 250 at that time (step S1202). Next, the heat addition amount calculation unit 320 calculates the heat addition amount using the acquired imaging X-ray conditions (step S1203). In response, the temperature information management unit 330 updates the temperature information using the added heat amount (step S1204).

  Then, using the result and the fluoroscopic X-ray condition and the radiographic X-ray condition acquired in step S1202, the processable amount calculation unit 240 calculates the fluoroscopic time and the number of radiographable images, respectively (step S1205). Then, the display information generation unit 350 updates the display information (step S1206). That is, screen data including the fluoroscopic time displayed on the display device 180 and the number of shootable images to be displayed on the display device 180 using the calculation result is generated and displayed on the display device 180.

  The above is the flow of the captured image acquisition process when the captured image is acquired by the system control unit 210 of the present embodiment.

  Next, the timing from the user from the start to the stop of the X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the processing by the system control unit 210, and the update of the display information of the display device 180 will be described. FIG. 5 is a time chart for explaining these flows.

  When the fluoroscopic image acquisition start instruction 510 is received from the user, the system control unit 210 performs the fluoroscopic image acquisition process 610 until a fluoroscopic image acquisition end instruction 520 is received. During this time, the calculation result of the processable amount is updated and displayed on the display device 180 at each update time Tupd.

  Next, upon receiving a captured image acquisition instruction 530 from the user, the system control unit 210 performs the captured image acquisition process 620 to update the calculation result of the processable amount and display it on the display device 180.

  Next, upon receiving a fluoroscopic image acquisition start instruction 540 from the user, the system control unit 210 performs the fluoroscopic image acquisition process 630 until receiving a fluoroscopic image acquisition end instruction 550, and during this time, every update time Tupd, The calculation result of the processable amount is updated and displayed on the display device 180.

  Next, upon receiving a captured image acquisition instruction 560 from the user, the system control unit 210 performs the captured image acquisition process 640 to update the calculation result of the processable amount and display it on the display device 180. Subsequently, upon receiving a captured image acquisition instruction 570 from the user, the system control unit 210 performs a captured image acquisition process 650, updates the calculation result of the processable amount, and displays it on the display device 180.

  As described above, every time an instruction from the user is received, the system control unit 210 performs processing according to the instruction and displays the latest processable amount on the display device 180.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, an amount that can be processed without overheating the X-ray generator 120 from the present time is always displayed on the display device 180 based on the latest temperature information. At this time, the information displayed on the display device 180 is the fluoroscopic image acquisition time and the number of captured images acquired. The user can make a subsequent image acquisition plan or modify an already acquired image acquisition plan by viewing these displays. Thereby, it is possible to prevent sudden interruption of X-ray irradiation due to overheating.

  That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the user with the latest information on the fluoroscopic time and / or the number of radiographs that can be processed without overheating the X-ray generator 120 in real time. Therefore, the X-ray generator 120 can be prevented from overheating and the X-ray irradiation being interrupted without prior notice, and a series of operations and examination efficiency can be improved.

<< Second Embodiment >>
Next, a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. In the first embodiment, only the amount of heat generated by the X-ray generator 120, that is, the amount of added heat is considered as temperature information. In the present embodiment, the subtraction heat amount by the cooling device 130 is also taken into consideration. The configuration of the X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on the configuration different from the first embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the information processing apparatus 160 of this embodiment. In addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the information processing apparatus 160 of the present embodiment is managed by a cooling condition management unit 270 that manages cooling conditions that are conditions related to the cooling capacity of the cooling device 130, and a cooling condition management unit 270. And a cooling device control unit 260 that operates the cooling device 130 under the cooling conditions.

  Further, the support information generation unit 240 of the present embodiment takes into account the cooling effect of the cooling device 130 when calculating the temperature information of the X-ray generator 120. For this reason, the heat subtraction amount calculation part 360 which calculates the heat amount of the X-ray generator 120 reduced by the cooling device 130, that is, the heat subtraction amount, is further provided. The temperature information management unit 330 calculates the current temperature information by taking into account not only the heat addition amount received from the heat addition amount calculation unit 340 but also the heat subtraction amount received from the heat subtraction amount calculation unit 360.

  The cooling conditions are, for example, the number of rotations of the cooling fan, the cooling capacity per unit time for each number of rotations (cooling multiplier: amount of heat), and the information previously instructed by the user via the input device 170 is stored in the storage device. And is managed by the cooling condition management unit 340.

The heat subtraction amount calculation unit 360 calculates the amount of heat cooled by the cooling device 130 in accordance with an instruction from the system control unit 210. Then, the calculation result is notified to the temperature information management unit 330. The heat subtraction amount is calculated according to the following equation (6) using a cooling multiplier β managed by the cooling condition management unit 34 according to the number of rotations of the cooling fan of the cooling device 130.
Heat subtraction amount = β × t (6)
Here, t is an elapsed time from the previous heat subtraction amount calculation time.

Each time the temperature information management unit 330 receives a notification of the heat subtraction amount from the heat subtraction amount calculation unit 360, the temperature information management unit 330 updates the temperature information by subtracting the heat subtraction amount from the latest temperature information managed at that time. Specifically, when the heat subtraction amount received from the heat subtraction amount calculation unit 360 is Qsub, the latest temperature information Qnew is calculated according to the following equation (7). Then, the temperature information is updated by setting the calculated latest temperature information Qnew as temperature information Qcur managed at that time.
Qnew = Qcur-Qsub (7)
Also in the present embodiment, as described above, the temperature information Qcur managed at that time also includes the heat addition amount notification from the heat addition amount calculation unit 320 according to the above equation (3). Updated.

  Next, a processable amount calculation process (cooling process) in consideration of the cooling capacity of the cooling device 130 by the X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, when the X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus 100 is activated, the system control unit 210 cools at predetermined time intervals (second update time Tupd2) until the X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus 100 is stopped. Time processing is performed and the latest processable amount is displayed. The cooling process is executed independently of the fluoroscopic image acquisition process and the captured image acquisition process of the first embodiment. However, the latest temperature information Qcur managed by the temperature information management unit 340 is shared.

  FIG. 7 is a processing flow of the cooling process of the present embodiment. When the X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus 100 is activated, the system control unit 210 acquires a cooling condition from the cooling condition management unit 260 and operates the cooling device under the acquired cooling condition (step S1301). Further, the second timer T2 for measuring the elapsed time for the cooling process is set to 0 (step S1302). And it is discriminate | determined whether the instruction | indication of the stop of the X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus 100 was received (step S1303). If accepted, the cooling device is stopped (step S1310), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if not received, the system control unit 210 determines whether or not the second update time has elapsed (step S1304). Here, it is determined whether or not the value of the timer T2 is equal to or longer than the second update time Tupd2. If not, the process returns to step S1303 to repeat the process.

  On the other hand, when the update time Tupd2 has elapsed, the system control unit 210 causes the support information generation unit to perform the following coolable processable amount calculation process.

  First, the heat subtraction amount calculation unit 360 acquires the cooling condition managed by the cooling condition management unit 270 at that time (step S1305). Next, the heat subtraction amount calculation unit 360 calculates the heat subtraction amount using the acquired cooling condition (step S1306). At this time, the update time Tupd2 is used as t in the above equation (6). In response to the result, the temperature information management unit 330 updates the temperature information using the heat subtraction amount (step S1307).

  Then, using the result, the fluoroscopic X-ray condition and the imaging X-ray condition acquired in step S1301, the processable amount calculation unit 240 calculates the fluoroscopic time and the number of images that can be imaged (step S1308). Then, the display information generation unit 350 updates the display information (step S1309). That is, screen data including the fluoroscopic time displayed on the display device 180 and the number of shootable images to be displayed on the display device 180 using the calculation result is generated and displayed on the display device 180.

  When the above-described cooling time processable amount calculation process is completed, the system control unit 210 sets the value of the timer T2 to 0 (step S1310) and returns to step S1303.

  The above is the flow of the cooling process by the system control unit 210 of the present embodiment.

  Next, the timing of the user's instructions from the start to the stop of the fluoroscopic imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the processing by the system control unit 210, and the update of display information on the display device 180 will be described. FIG. 8 is a time chart for explaining these flows. The process flow basically similar to that in FIG. 5 will be described as an example. The same processes as those in FIG.

  When the X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus 100 is activated, the system control unit performs a cooling process every second update time Tupd2 until receiving an instruction to stop the X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus, and the temperature information management unit 330 The temperature information to be managed is updated, the processable amount is updated, and the updated processable amount is displayed on the display device 180.

  On the other hand, upon receiving instructions 510, 540 for starting fluoroscopic image acquisition from the user, the system control unit 210 performs fluoroscopic image acquisition processing 610 as in the first embodiment until receiving instructions 520, 550 for ending fluoroscopic image acquisition, During this time, the calculation result of the processable amount is updated and displayed on the display device 180 at each update time Tupd.

  In addition, upon receiving the captured image acquisition instructions 530, 560, and 570 from the user, the system control unit 210 performs the captured image acquisition process 620, updates the calculation result of the processable amount, and displays the same as in the first embodiment. Display on device 180.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the temperature information at that time is calculated in consideration of not only the heat addition amount due to the X-ray irradiation but also the cooling effect by the cooling device 130. Therefore, the accuracy of the obtained temperature information is higher. A processable amount calculated based on temperature information with higher accuracy can be presented to the user. Therefore, since the user can make a subsequent imaging plan based on more accurate information, the possibility of preventing sudden interruption of X-ray irradiation due to overheating increases. Therefore, surgery and inspection efficiency are further improved.

  In this embodiment, in the cooling process, every time the heat subtraction amount is calculated at a predetermined time interval Tupd2, the processable amount is calculated and the display information is updated. I can't. For example, in the cooling process, only the temperature information is updated with the calculated heat subtraction amount, and the calculation of the processable amount and the display information are not performed. In this case, the processable amount is displayed at the same timing as in the first embodiment. However, since the latest temperature information used for calculation of the processable amount also considers the cooling capacity, the accuracy of the processable amount obtained is increased as in the present embodiment.

<< Third Embodiment >>
Next, a third embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. The present embodiment further includes a configuration for controlling the cooling capacity. Thereby, the calculated processable amount can be increased. The configuration of the X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is basically the same as that of the second embodiment. Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on the configuration different from the second embodiment.

  FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the information processing apparatus 160 of the present embodiment. In addition to the same configuration as that of the second embodiment, the information processing apparatus 160 of the present embodiment includes a cooling condition change receiving unit 280 that receives an instruction to change the cooling capacity via the input device 170.

  The user looks at the display information related to the processable amount displayed on the display device 180 and determines that he / she wants to acquire a fluoroscopic image for the obtained fluoroscopic time or more, or wants to acquire a photographic image for the shootable number or more. When it is determined, an instruction to increase the cooling capacity is given via the input device 170.

  When receiving the instruction, the cooling condition change accepting unit 280 notifies the cooling device control unit 260. The cooling device control unit 260 causes the cooling condition management unit 270 to manage the cooling conditions received by the cooling condition change receiving unit 280, and operates the cooling device 130 under the cooling conditions to increase the cooling capacity. Specifically, for example, the number of rotations of the cooling fan is increased.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments, the processable amount can be increased by adjusting the cooling capacity. Therefore, there is a higher possibility of avoiding a sudden interruption of X-ray irradiation due to overheating. Therefore, surgery and inspection efficiency are further improved.

  In the above embodiment, a new cooling condition is input via the cooling condition change accepting unit 280, but the present invention is not limited to this. The cooling condition management unit 260 may be configured to manage a plurality of cooling conditions in advance, and may be configured to allow the user to select a cooling condition used for operating the cooling device 130.

  For example, the rotational speed of the cooling fan may be registered in two stages, and an instruction to change to a higher rotational speed may be received from the user. That is, the cooling device control unit 260 normally operates the cooling fan at a smaller rotation speed, and inputs an instruction to change to the higher rotation speed when the user wants to acquire images larger than the calculated number of shootable images. Let

  For example, a special hardware for receiving a cooling capacity instruction such as a switch may be provided for inputting an instruction from the user.

  Similarly, a plurality of cooling conditions may be managed in advance, and the capacity of the cooling device 130 may be increased without waiting for an instruction from the user. For example, when the latest temperature information updated by the temperature information management unit 330 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, or when the number of captured image acquisitions calculated by the processable amount calculation unit 340 is set in advance, In the case where the number is less than the planned number of acquisitions, the cooling device control unit 260 receives an instruction from the system control unit 210 and operates the cooling device 130 under a cooling condition in which the capacity of the cooling device 130 further increases.

  When discriminating by the number of shots, the system control unit 210 manages the remaining scheduled acquisition number Nrem for the shot images. The scheduled acquisition remaining number Nrem is obtained by subtracting 1 from the scheduled captured image acquisition number Nobj for each captured image acquisition. Then, every time the processable amount calculation unit 340 calculates the shootable number Nest according to the above equation (5), the system control unit 210 compares the shootable number Nest with the scheduled acquisition remaining number Nrem, and Determine whether to increase the ability. That is, when the remaining planned acquisition number Nrem is larger than the number of shootable images Nest, the cooling device control unit 260 is instructed to increase the capacity of the cooling device 130.

  In each of the above embodiments, the system control unit 210 may be configured to limit the input value. In this case, the fluoroscopic imaging apparatus 100 includes an imaging number setting unit (not shown) that receives an input of the number of acquired images. The support information generation unit 240 notifies the number of shoots calculated by the processable amount calculation unit 340 to the shoot number setting unit via the system control unit 210. When the number of shots is received from the user via the input device 170, the number of shots setting unit determines whether or not the received number of shots is exceeded, and if so, notifies the user accordingly. Or do not accept.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the amount of heat that is the difference between the allowable maximum heat amount Qmax and the latest temperature information Qcur managed at that time, the time when the fluoroscopic image can be acquired, and the number of images that can be acquired are respectively It is configured to calculate separately and display both. However, the display information of the present embodiment is not limited to this.

For example, when the scheduled number of captured image acquisition Nobj to be acquired thereafter is determined in advance, the amount of heat Qnec required thereby is calculated by the following equation (8), and the fluoroscopic time on that is calculated by the following equation ( You may comprise so that it may calculate according to 9).
Qnec = shooting tube voltage × shooting tube current × irradiation time × Nobj (8)
Perspective possible time = (Qmax−Qcur−Qnec) / (fluoroscopic tube voltage × fluoroscopic tube current) (9)
In this case, as the display information, the obtained fluoroscopic time is displayed on the display device 180 together with the captured image acquisition scheduled number Nobj. A screen display example in this case is shown in FIG. Here, as an example, there is shown a case where the planned number of captured image acquisitions is 60 and the fluoroscopic time obtained by the above equation (9) is 30 minutes. The screen may include an image display area, a patient information display area, and the like.

  Further, in the equation (9) in which the equation (8) is substituted, the captured image acquisition number N may be increased by 1 sequentially from 1, and the fluoroscopic time T may be calculated for each captured image acquisition number N. The calculation is performed by increasing N until the above Qmax-Qcur-Qnec becomes 0 or less. In this case, as the display information, a data table in which the number of shootable images N and the obtained fluoroscopic time T are associated with each other is displayed on the display device 180. A screen display example in this case is shown in FIG.

  Further, the processable amount calculation unit 340 is configured to calculate the processable amount every time the temperature information management unit updates the temperature information, but is not limited thereto. For example, a processable amount may be calculated in response to an instruction from the user. Further, when the X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus 100 is activated and a new X-ray condition is input and changed by the user, a processable amount calculation process is performed using the above formulas (4) and (5). You may comprise so that display information may be updated.

100: X-ray fluoroscope, 110: X-ray tube, 120: X-ray generator, 130: Cooling device, 140: X-ray detector, 150: X-ray detector control device, 160: Information processing device, 170: Input device 180: Display device 210: System control unit 220: X-ray control unit 230: Image processing unit 240: Support information generation unit 250: X-ray condition management unit 260: Cooling device control unit 270 : Cooling condition management unit, 280: cooling condition change acceptance unit, 320: heat addition amount calculation unit, 330: temperature information management unit, 340: processable amount calculation unit, 350: display information generation unit, 360: heat subtraction amount calculation Part

Claims (6)

X-ray generation means, X-ray detection means arranged opposite to each other with the X-ray tube and the subject interposed therebetween, and an electric signal read from the X-ray detector is subjected to image processing to produce a fluoroscopic image or a captured image. An X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus comprising: an image processing unit to generate; and a display unit that displays the fluoroscopic image or the captured image.
A support information generating unit that calculates, from the temperature information of the X-ray generation unit, at least one of the fluoroscopic time of the fluoroscopic image and the number of shootable images of the captured image as a processable amount, and displays the information on the display unit; X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus as a feature. The X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus according to claim 1,
The support information generating means includes
X-ray condition acquisition means for acquiring an X-ray condition for the X-ray generation means to generate X-rays;
Heat addition amount calculation means for calculating, as the heat addition amount, the amount of heat that is increased when the X-ray generation means generates X-rays using the X-ray condition;
A temperature information calculating unit that calculates the temperature information using the heat addition amount each time the heat addition amount calculation unit calculates the heat addition amount;
A processable amount calculating means for calculating a processable amount from the temperature information;
X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus comprising: display information generating means for generating display information to be displayed on the display means from the processable amount. The X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus according to claim 2,
An instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction to acquire either the fluoroscopic image generation data or the captured image generation data;
The X-ray condition includes a fluoroscopic X-ray condition used at the time of fluoroscopic image acquisition and a radiographic X-ray condition used at the time of radiographic image acquisition,
The heat addition amount calculation means calculates the heat addition amount using the fluoroscopic X-ray condition when the instruction reception means receives an instruction to acquire fluoroscopic image generation data, and the support reception means generates a captured image. An X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus characterized by calculating the heat addition amount using the imaging X-ray condition when receiving an instruction to acquire data. The X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus according to claim 3,
It further comprises a photographed image number setting means for accepting an input of a scheduled number of captured images to be acquired,
The X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus, wherein the captured image number setting means accepts only an input less than or equal to the number of images that can be captured calculated by the processable amount calculating means. The X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
Cooling means for lowering the temperature of the X-ray generation means;
A heat subtraction amount calculation means for calculating a heat amount of the X-ray generation means reduced by the cooling means as a heat subtraction amount;
The temperature estimation unit updates the temperature information by subtracting the heat subtraction amount from the estimated latest temperature information every time the heat subtraction amount calculation unit calculates the heat subtraction amount. X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus. The X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus according to claim 5,
A cooling control means for controlling the operation of the cooling means;
The X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus, wherein the cooling control means increases the capacity of the cooling means in accordance with the processable amount.

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