JP2013034621A - X-ray imaging control apparatus, control method of the same, and x-ray imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an X-ray imaging apparatus for simplifying an operation of transferring the photographed X-ray images to an external apparatus while improving operability during the X-ray imaging.SOLUTION: When the X-ray imaging apparatus receives the instruction of starting X-ray imaging by an operator, X-ray imaging is performed in response to receiving the instruction to acquire new X-ray images. At this time, the X-ray imaging apparatus transfers predetermined numbers of the X-ray images obtained by past X-ray imaging compared to the new X-ray images taken to the external apparatus in response to the instruction received or acquisition of the new X-ray images.

Description

  The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging control apparatus, a control method thereof, and an X-ray imaging apparatus for imaging medical X-ray images.

  In recent years, X-ray sensors such as flat panel detectors that convert an X-ray signal into a digital image and output the digital image are becoming widespread. Image data collected by an X-ray imaging apparatus using these sensors is directly transferred as digital data from the imaging apparatus to an external PACS or the like, and an image is confirmed by a doctor or an engineer (see Patent Document 1). . PACS is an abbreviation for Picture Archiving and Communication System.

JP 2002-140687 A

  In examinations where multiple images are collected, such as gastric fluoroscopy, if all images are transferred from the X-ray imaging device to an external device after completion of the examination, the images cannot be immediately confirmed in the reading room. . Therefore, a method for transferring an image from an X-ray imaging apparatus to an external apparatus immediately after imaging has been proposed. However, such a transfer method has a problem that the photographer cannot adjust the image quality even when the image quality of the captured image is not sufficient, and the captured image is transferred without adjusting the image quality. . In addition, if an image is automatically transferred immediately after shooting, there is a problem that even if the image has failed to be transferred, it is transferred even though it is an unnecessary image that should be re-taken. To do. On the other hand, in the method of starting image transfer by issuing a transfer instruction manually, even if image quality adjustment is not necessary, it is necessary to manually instruct transfer, which increases the operation number for the operator. There is a problem that it ends up.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. In the X-ray imaging apparatus, the operation for transferring an X-ray imaging image that has been completed to the external apparatus is simplified, and the operability in X-ray imaging is improved. The purpose is to improve.

In order to achieve the above object, an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention has the following arrangement. That is,
An X-ray imaging apparatus,
Receiving means for receiving an instruction to start X-ray imaging from an operator;
Control means for performing X-ray imaging in response to receiving the instruction by the receiving means and acquiring a new X-ray image;
X-rays obtained by X-ray imaging in the past a predetermined number of times from X-ray imaging of the new X-ray image in response to receiving the instruction or in response to acquisition of the new X-ray image Transfer means for transferring an image to an external device.

  According to the present invention, an operation for transferring a completed image from an X-ray imaging apparatus to an external apparatus is simplified, and operability in X-ray imaging is improved.

1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the embodiment. 6 is a timing chart of data transfer by the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the present invention, and not all combinations of features described in the present embodiment are essential to the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. The control unit 101 includes a RAM 1010, a ROM 1011, a LAN / IF 1012, a DISK / IF 1013, a CPU 1014, and a nonvolatile storage device 1015 such as a hard disk, which are connected to each other via a system bus 1016. The control unit 101 can be a general general-purpose computer. The control unit 101 drives the sensor unit 102 and controls the X-ray generation unit 103 based on an input by the operator. The control unit 101 manages correction data, X-ray imaging conditions, image data, and the like using a database or the like.

  The operation unit 105 includes input devices such as a mouse, a keyboard, and an irradiation switch, and is used by an operator to input various commands and data to the control unit 101. The display unit 104 is configured by a general monitor such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display, and displays image data, a graphical user interface (hereinafter, GUI (Graphical User Interface)) and the like on a screen. The X-ray generation unit 103 has an X-ray generation source and emits X-rays based on instructions from the control unit 101. The sensor unit 102 is a sensor unit that images an X-ray signal transmitted through the subject, and the collected image is transferred to the control unit 101 and held in the nonvolatile storage device 1015. The external device 106 is an external system for storing and displaying an image transferred from the X-ray imaging apparatus, and is more generally realized as a PACS. The control unit 101, the display unit 104, and the operation unit 105 constitute an X-ray imaging control apparatus that controls X-ray imaging using the X-ray generation unit 103 and the sensor unit 102.

  Next, the functional configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 executes the program stored in the ROM 1011 or loaded from the nonvolatile storage device 1015 to the RAM 1010 by the CPU 1014 of the control unit 101 shown in FIG. It is realized by collaborating with.

  The operation instruction input unit 201 receives various inputs associated with X-ray imaging via the operation unit 105 and the like. The operation instruction input unit 201 receives input of patient information, examination information, and the like by an input device such as a mouse and a keyboard of the operation unit 105, and receives an X-ray imaging start instruction by an input device such as a foot switch and a hand switch. The image display unit 202 displays a captured image on the display unit 104 and controls to display a GUI for various operations. The control function unit 203 organically links various functional blocks such as control of the X-ray generation unit 103, drive control of the sensor unit 102, and control of image output to the external device 106 associated with X-ray imaging. It has a function to perform shooting. Further, the control function unit 203 has a function for performing various image processing on the captured image data.

  The X-ray imaging unit 204 uses the sensor unit 102 and the X-ray generation unit 103 to perform X-ray irradiation and image data collection in accordance with instructions from the control function unit 203. The data storage unit 205 stores the image data collected by the X-ray imaging unit 204 in the nonvolatile storage device 1015 and stores various data necessary for the X-ray imaging system, such as image processing parameters and sensor calibration data. , Have the ability to manage. The image transfer unit 206 has a function of transferring image data to the external device 106 in accordance with an instruction from the control function unit 203.

  Next, image transfer processing by the X-ray imaging apparatus of the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Note that the flowchart in FIG. 3 shows a typical processing procedure in a case where a plurality of X-ray images are taken between the start of inspection and the end of inspection, and a plurality of pieces of X-ray image data are transferred. Each process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is executed by each functional unit shown in FIG.

  First, the operation instruction input unit 201 accepts an instruction to start an inspection to the operation unit 105. The period from when the start instruction is received by the operation instruction input unit 201 to when the end instruction is received is defined as an inspection period, and a plurality of X-ray imaging is performed within one inspection period. The flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is disclosed when the operation instruction input unit 201 receives an instruction to start an examination.

  In step S301, the control function unit 203 collects X-ray image data by the X-ray imaging unit 204 in response to an instruction to start imaging by the operator. As described above, in general, this process is to start an inspection by pressing an inspection start button or the like displayed on a GUI, and then select a necessary imaging technique and press an exposure button or a foot switch. This process is executed in response to a series of shooting start instructions. When the control function unit 203 receives the X-ray image data collected by the X-ray imaging unit 204, the data storage unit 205 stores the X-ray image data in the nonvolatile storage device 1015. In step S <b> 302, the control function unit 203 determines a transfer condition, and determines an image to be transferred to the external device 106. More specifically, when a previous captured image within the same examination period is collected, the image transfer unit 206 determines that image as a transfer image. Therefore, when the first shooting is performed after the start of the inspection, there is no captured image before that, so the image to be transferred is not determined in step S302.

  In step S <b> 303, if the image data determined in step S <b> 302 exists, the image transfer unit 206 transfers this to the external device 106. Note that the collected X-ray image can be subjected to arbitrary image processing including image processing for image adjustment before the transfer is started. It is also possible to change the image processing applied to the collected X-ray image and re-execute the image processing. In step S304, the control function unit 203 determines whether the operator has pressed the examination end button 505 (FIG. 5A) displayed on the GUI. If the inspection end button has not been pressed, that is, if the end of inspection has not been instructed, the processing returns to step S301, and the above-described processing is repeated. On the other hand, if the end of inspection is instructed, in step S305, the control function unit 203 transfers untransferred image data within the inspection period to the external device 106 via the image transfer unit 206. And a series of imaging | photography (inspection) is complete | finished.

  Next, the timing of X-ray imaging and image transfer by the X-ray imaging apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the timing of X-ray imaging and image transfer. 401 indicates the timing of X-ray imaging, and expresses how X-ray imaging is performed a total of four times. Reference numeral 402 denotes an image transfer timing, and represents a state in which four transfers are performed in order to transfer four X-ray images. As shown in FIG. 4, the transfer of the first image is started immediately after the second image is taken. The transfer of the second image is started immediately after the third image is taken. Similarly, the N-th transfer start timing is started immediately after the (N + 1) -th shooting is performed. Further, the last imaging within the same examination is transferred at the timing of the completion of the examination (instruction to end the examination), and is processed so that the image does not remain in the untransferred state.

  Next, an example of a GUI in the X-ray imaging apparatus of this embodiment will be described using FIG. FIG. 5A shows the GUI of the display unit 104 during the inspection. In FIG. 5A, reference numeral 501 denotes a GUI window displayed on the display unit 104 by the image display unit 202 during examination. A collected X-ray image is displayed in an image display area 502 provided in the window 501. Reference numeral 503 denotes a patient information display area for displaying patient information to be examined in a currently ongoing examination. The patient information display area 503 displays patient information such as patient ID, patient name, sex, date of birth. An imaging technique display area 504 displays the imaging technique included in the examination with a thumbnail in a button format or an icon.

  An imaging technique button corresponding to the technique to be executed next is selected manually or automatically by the operator from the imaging technique buttons presented in the imaging principle display area 504, and is handled by the operator's X-ray imaging instruction. X-ray imaging is performed. X-ray imaging conditions and image processing conditions are associated with each imaging technique button in advance. When an X-ray imaging instruction is given, X-ray imaging is performed under the X-ray imaging conditions associated with the selected imaging technique button, and processing is performed using the image processing conditions associated with the imaging technique button. An image is displayed in the image display area 502. Since the thumbnail is displayed on the button of the shooting technique button for which the image has been collected, the operator can check at a glance whether the shooting has been completed. In FIG. 5A, the thumbnail image is not displayed in the photographing technique button “front of abdomen”, indicating that the technique is an unexecuted photographing technique. Reference numeral 505 denotes an inspection end button, which is instructed to the control function unit 203 by the operator to click the mouse with the mouse. As described above, all the untransferred images that need to be transferred in the inspection are transferred when the inspection is completed.

  FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the thumbnail image displayed in the shooting technique button. Reference numeral 506 denotes a thumbnail image, and a reduced image of an image acquired by executing the photographing technique is used. Reference numeral 507 denotes a mark indicating that the image has been transferred. In this way, it is possible to check at a glance which image in the examination has been transferred to the external device 106 by adding a mark indicating whether or not the image has been transferred to the external device 106 on the thumbnail. I can do it. In FIG. 5 (b), an example of displaying an icon with a mark indicating the transferred state is shown. However, by providing a mark (not shown) indicating that the transfer is in progress, the transfer-in-progress state is grasped. Needless to say, you can do it.

  Note that by re-selecting an imaging technique button that has already been captured by the current imaging and performing X-ray imaging, re-imaging can be performed with the corresponding imaging technique. In this case, image transfer due to re-photographing does not occur, and the acquired image is overwritten with the image obtained by re-photographing.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, since the transfer of the image obtained by the previous X shooting is started with the next shooting as a trigger, the operator does not have to perform transfer instructions one by one. Furthermore, even if adjustment of the image is necessary, the image is not automatically transferred unless the next shooting is performed, so the operator can adjust the image as necessary. is there. Therefore, it is possible to realize image transfer at an appropriate timing without an operation of a transfer instruction by the operator, and the number of operations by the operator is reduced. Therefore, convenience for the operator and improvement in inspection throughput are expected. .

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, the process of transferring the (N-1) -th shot image when the N-th shot is performed has been described. However, the process is not limited to the previous shot image, but any predetermined number of times is traced back. It is also possible to use a captured image as a transfer image. In this case, after the N-th shooting is performed in step S301, the NM-th shooting images are transferred in steps S302 and S303. M can be specified any number of times by the operator. For example, if M = 3 is set, the first captured image is transferred when the fourth image is collected after the start of a certain examination. In this way, the margin of the number of times of shooting until the start of transfer can be set freely, so that the image can be adjusted until the set number of times of shooting is performed, and the next shooting is completed before the image adjustment processing is completed. Even if it is implemented, inappropriate images can be prevented from being transferred.

  A GUI example according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of shooting technique buttons in the second embodiment. Reference numeral 601 denotes a thumbnail displayed on an imaging technique button (icon) indicating that the X-ray imaging of the image has been completed and transfer has not been performed. Reference numeral 602 denotes an icon display example indicating that transfer is started when three more shootings are executed. Each time shooting is performed, the numerical value on this icon decreases by one, and when the third shooting is completed, the image data collected by this shooting technique is transferred. By performing such display, it is possible to easily grasp at which timing an image is transferred.

  Note that the control function unit 203 may hold at least the past M captured images in the nonvolatile storage device 1015 and delete the captured images that have been transferred to the external device 106 from the nonvolatile storage device 1015. .

<Third Embodiment>
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the timing of image transfer in steps S302 and S303 is set when new X-ray imaging is completed. This timing will be described more specifically. That is, the image transfer timing is, for example,
Timing when the control function unit 203 receives an image and stores it in the nonvolatile storage device 1015 (for example, a hard disk) by the data storage unit 205;
When the image displayed on the image display unit 202 is switched to an image collected by a new shooting,
・ When image processing is completed.

Further, without waiting for completion of imaging, image transfer may be triggered by an imaging start instruction such as pressing of an exposure button by an operator, or the timing at which X-ray irradiation is completed may be used. Moreover,
The stage where an image with a predetermined resolution is displayed in a case where a high-definition image display is performed step by step at a plurality of resolutions after the X-ray imaging, or
It may be the timing at which an image subjected to predetermined image processing is displayed when the collected image is processed in stages by a plurality of image processing after X-ray imaging.

  Also, these timings are not fixed, and arbitrary timings may be set by making them changeable according to operator settings. That is, any timing may be used as long as image transfer is started when an event related to shooting occurs.

  As described above, according to each of the above-described embodiments, an operation for instructing transfer start for transferring an image whose imaging has been completed and whose image quality has been confirmed is unnecessary. Therefore, the effect of improving operability is expected. In addition, since the image can be transferred without waiting for the completion of the examination, it is possible to shorten the time for the doctor or engineer to wait for the completion of the image transfer for the confirmation of the image, so that the examination efficiency can be improved.

  The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (11)

An X-ray imaging control apparatus,
Receiving means for receiving an instruction to start X-ray imaging from an operator;
Control means for performing X-ray imaging in response to receiving the instruction by the receiving means and acquiring a new X-ray image;
X-rays obtained by X-ray imaging in the past a predetermined number of times from X-ray imaging of the new X-ray image in response to receiving the instruction or in response to acquisition of the new X-ray image An X-ray imaging control apparatus comprising: transfer means for transferring an image to an external apparatus.   The X-ray image transferred by the transfer means is an X-ray image obtained by X-ray imaging within an inspection period from the start of inspection to the end of inspection. Item 2. The X-ray imaging control device according to Item 1.   The X-ray imaging control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an X-ray image not transferred to the external apparatus is transferred to the external apparatus in response to an instruction to end the examination. The transfer means includes
When the new X-ray image is displayed in the image display means for displaying the X-ray image obtained by the X-ray imaging,
When the new X-ray image is stored in a storage device,
When predetermined image processing on the new X-ray image is completed, or
When X-ray imaging for the new X-ray image is started,
4. The X-ray imaging control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the past X-ray image is transferred to the external apparatus at any one of the timings described above.   The X-ray imaging control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising setting means for allowing an operator to set the predetermined number of times. It further comprises display means for displaying an icon indicating a photographing technique to be executed in the inspection period,
The X-ray imaging control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display unit adds a mark indicating whether or not an X-ray image captured by a corresponding procedure has been transferred to the external apparatus to the icon. . It further comprises display means for displaying an icon indicating a photographing technique to be executed in the inspection period,
3. The X-ray according to claim 2, wherein the display unit adds a display indicating the number of X-ray imaging required until an X-ray image captured by a corresponding procedure is transferred to the external apparatus. Shooting control device.   The X-ray imaging control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for switching image processing to be performed on an X-ray image that has not yet been transferred to the external apparatus. An X-ray generator for acquiring an X-ray image, a sensor unit, and
An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising the X-ray imaging control apparatus according to claim 1. A control method for an X-ray imaging control apparatus, comprising:
A step of receiving an instruction to start X-ray imaging from an operator;
A step of obtaining a new X-ray image by performing X-ray imaging in response to receiving the instruction in the receiving step;
In response to the reception of the instruction or acquisition of the new X-ray image, the transfer unit obtains the X-ray image of the past a predetermined number of times from the X-ray image of the new X-ray image. And a step of transferring the obtained X-ray image to an external device.   The program for making a computer perform each process of the control method of the X-ray imaging control apparatus described in Claim 10.

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