JP2013244146A - X-ray imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately move an imaging object region up and down without changing the angle of a jaw and the body attitude of a patient, and to prevent an increase in the scale of an apparatus.SOLUTION: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes: a turning arm 5 having an X-ray irradiation part 52 and an X-ray detection part 53 arranged while facing each other with respect to the head of a subject O; a holding frame 4 for holding the turning arm 5; an elevating/lowering body 3 for supporting the holding frame 4; and a column 2 for freely vertically movably supporting the elevating/lowering body 3. A patient frame 6 is attached to the elevating/lowering body 3, a subject holding device 7 for fixing the head of the subject is attached to the distal end of the patient frame 6 freely vertically movably independent of the patient frame 6.

Description

  The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging apparatus that is suitably used in dentistry, otolaryngology, and the like and can easily move an imaging region.

  Some X-ray imaging apparatuses used in dentistry, otolaryngology, etc. can position and hold a patient's head and share plane tomography and curved tomography. In such a device, it is necessary to position a portion separated vertically in the center of the irradiation field, such as a temporomandibular joint located above and a lower jaw tip located below.

  As a device for positioning the patient's head, for example, a chin rest on which the patient's lower jaw is placed, a forehead pressing member that contacts the frontal surface of the patient's head, and both heads of the patient And a pair of temporal head pressing members.

  After moving the patient frame etc. holding the chin rest up and down according to the patient's height, etc., the chin rest is displaced in the patient's front-rear direction, and the frontal face surface of the patient's head is placed on the front head pressing member. Imaging is performed after the patient is positioned so that the patient's imaging region coincides with the X-ray irradiation surface by pressing the both sides with the temporal pressing member.

  In the above X-ray imaging apparatus, when the elevating mechanism is provided on the chin rest, the chin rest is moved up and down to change the position of the patient and move the imaging region up and down. However, changing the position of the patient changes the tilt of the patient's jaw and the position of the arm, and it is necessary to readjust the tilt of the patient again. For this reason, positioning time becomes long and gives a patient discomfort.

  There has been proposed an X-ray imaging apparatus that moves the imaging region up and down corresponding to the imaging region and enables the X-ray generator to be positioned with high accuracy (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This apparatus supports a lifting body that supports a swivel arm including an X-ray generator and a film cassette so as to be movable up and down with respect to a support column, and a patient frame including a head holding device that holds and fixes a patient's head. Is supported to be movable up and down with respect to the lifting body.

JP 7-275240 A

  In the above-described apparatus, in order to support the patient frame so as to be movable up and down with respect to the lifting body, the patient frame can be supported on the support column and moved up and down along the support column independently of the lifting body. It is composed.

  However, in the above structure, since there is a distance between the patient frame integrated with the head fixing device and the support column, a weight load is applied to the support column that supports the patient frame. Further, in order to move the patient frame up and down, the weight of the patient frame itself and the weight of the patient frame lifting mechanism with respect to the support column are moved, and the weight imposes a burden on the motor. For this reason, it becomes necessary to use a large motor, which causes a cost increase. Moreover, there is a difficulty that fine adjustment is difficult due to the increase in size of the motor.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an accurate vertical movement of an imaging target region without changing the angle and posture of a patient's jaw and preventing an increase in size of the apparatus.

  The present invention provides a swivel arm having an X-ray irradiation unit and an X-ray detection unit arranged to face each other with respect to the head of a subject, a holding frame for holding the swivel arm, and supporting the holding frame An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising a lifting main body and a support column that supports the lifting main body so as to be movable up and down. A patient frame is attached to the lifting main body, and a patient's frame is attached to the distal end of the patient frame. A subject holding device for fixing the head is attached to the patient frame so as to be movable up and down independently.

  Further, the present invention includes an elevating body moving means for moving the elevating body up and down with respect to the support, and a fixing mechanism moving means for moving the subject holding device up and down with respect to the patient frame, When the elevating body moves in one direction by driving the elevating body moving means, the fixing mechanism moving means is driven, and the subject holding device can move in the other direction.

  The fixing mechanism moving means is driven in synchronism with the driving of the elevating body moving means so that the distance from the base on which the column is erected is kept constant. What is necessary is just to comprise a holding | maintenance apparatus so that it may move up and down with respect to the said patient frame.

  In addition, the X-ray imaging method of the present invention includes a revolving arm having an X-ray irradiating unit and an X-ray detecting unit arranged to face each other with respect to the subject's head, and a holding frame that holds the revolving arm. And an elevating body that supports the holding frame, and a support column that supports the elevating body so as to be movable up and down. A patient frame is attached to the elevating body, and the head of the subject is attached to the distal end of the patient frame. The patient holding device for fixing the portion has an X-ray imaging apparatus attached to the patient frame so as to be movable up and down independently. After holding the subject on the subject holding device, the subject holding device The elevating body is moved in one direction so that the distance from the base on which the support column is erected is kept constant, and the subject holding apparatus is moved in the other direction so as to take an image. Move the target area up or down to Site is moved up or down and performing X-ray photography.

  The present invention further includes an elevating body moving means for moving the elevating body up and down with respect to the support column, and a fixing mechanism moving means for moving the subject holding device up and down with respect to the patient frame. When the examiner is introduced into the subject holding device, the raising / lowering body moving means is driven, the raising / lowering body is moved up and down to a predetermined position, and the subject is held on the subject holding device. In the case of moving up and down, the fixing mechanism moving means can be driven in synchronism with the driving of the elevating body moving means.

  In the present invention, the fixing mechanism moving means is driven by the lifting / lowering operation of the lifting / lowering body, and the subject holding device moves with respect to the patient frame. As a result, it is possible to adjust and change the imaging region without changing the angle and posture of the subject's jaw. Moreover, since it is only necessary to move the portion of the subject holding device with respect to the patient frame, the rigidity is reduced, and the lifting thrust or holding force can also be reduced. For this reason, the mechanism which moves these can also respond with a small drive mechanism.

It is a block diagram explaining the basic composition of the X-ray imaging apparatus by this invention. 1 is a front view of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a side view of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a top view of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention, partly cut away to illustrate the lifting body moving means portion. It is a front view which shows the engagement state of the raising / lowering main body and support | pillar of the X-ray imaging apparatus by this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the engagement state of the raising / lowering main body and support | pillar of the X-ray imaging apparatus by this invention. It is a top view which shows the patient frame and subject holding device of the X-ray imaging apparatus by this invention. It is a front view which shows the patient frame and subject holding device of the X-ray imaging apparatus by this invention. It is a side view which shows the patient frame and subject holding device of the X-ray imaging apparatus by this invention. It is a top view which shows the patient frame of the X-ray imaging apparatus by this invention, and the raising / lowering mechanism of a subject holding device. It is a front view which shows the patient frame of the X-ray imaging apparatus by this invention, and the raising / lowering mechanism of a subject holding device. It is a side view which shows the patient frame of the X-ray imaging apparatus by this invention, and the raising / lowering mechanism of a subject holding device. It is a side view which shows the state which introduce | transduces and image | photographs a subject to the X-ray imaging apparatus by this invention. It is a side view which shows the state which introduce | transduces and image | photographs a subject to the X-ray imaging apparatus by this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the beam irradiated to a subject, (a) has shown the beam at the time of panoramic tomography, (b) has each shown the beam at the time of CT tomography.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an X-ray imaging apparatus that performs X-ray imaging of the maxillofacial surface of a subject (patient) O will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated in order to avoid duplication of description.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the basic configuration of the X-ray imaging apparatus. The X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray irradiation unit 52 that irradiates a subject (patient) O with X-rays, an X-ray detection unit 53 that detects X-rays transmitted through the subject O, and an X-ray irradiation unit. 52 and the X-ray detection part 53 are provided with the revolving arm 5 arranged to face each other.

  The X-ray imaging apparatus basically has a panoramic tomography mode and a CT tomography mode. Further, a cephalometric mode (not shown) is added as necessary. The panoramic tomography includes the following modes: adult panoramic photography, pediatric panoramic photography, direct panoramic photography, temporomandibular joint lateral photography (TMJ4), temporomandibular joint front photography (TMJ2), and maxillary sinus photography. In the panoramic tomography, the X-ray irradiation unit 52 and the X-ray detection unit 53 perform tomography while horizontally moving and turning the revolving arm 5 so that a predetermined locus along the shape of the dental arch is drawn. Also, using the principle of tomosynthesis, it is possible to reconstruct an arbitrary focal plane image by acquiring a wide range of tomographic data in the jawbone from panoramic imaging.

  CT tomography is a maximum of dental imaging mode (D mode), implant imaging mode (I mode), upper and lower jaw imaging mode (A mode), panoramic mode (P mode), whole head imaging mode (F mode), etc. There are various shooting modes according to the effective field of view. CT tomography allows CT tomography of the head and neck region. Usually, a part or all of the tooth and jaw regions are mainly set as a plurality of target imaging regions (image reconstruction ranges) and are set alternatively. The photographing target region (image reconstruction range) is photographed while rotating the turning arm 5 around the photographing target region (image reconstruction range).

  Further, the cephalometric imaging includes a side imaging (LA) mode and a frontal imaging (PA) mode, and the cephalometric imaging is performed in a necessary mode.

  The X-ray imaging apparatus includes a subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 that holds the maxillofacial surface of the subject O, a swing arm 5, a lifting body 3 that supports the swing arm 5, and a subject holding device ( A driving unit 160 for driving the head fixing unit 7) and a photographing apparatus main body control unit 170.

  The X-ray irradiation unit 52 includes an X-ray generator 52a including an X-ray tube or the like that irradiates X-rays, and a collimator 52b including a slit or the like that controls the spread of the X-ray beam. 53 is constituted by a cassette 53b provided with an X-ray detector 53a composed of a CCD sensor spread in two dimensions, an X-ray indirect conversion method (FPD: flat panel detector) sensor or the like. The cassette 53b is detachable from the X-ray detection unit 53, but the X-ray detector 53a may be fixedly provided on the X-ray detection unit 53 without using the cassette 53b.

  The drive unit 160 includes a turning axis position setting unit 161 that moves the turning axis 5c in the XY direction (horizontal direction) in order to move the turning axis 5c of the turning arm 5 to a position corresponding to the shooting mode at the time of shooting. The swing axis moving means 161 may be anything that moves in the X direction and the Y direction. For example, a configuration including an XY table that moves in the XY direction (horizontal direction), a configuration that includes a rotating shaft and a crank, and is movable in the X direction and the Y direction can be applied. When an XY table that moves in the XY direction (horizontal direction) is provided, the turning axis moving means 161 rotates the X axis motor, the Y axis motor that horizontally moves the turning axis 5 c of the turning arm 5, and the turning arm 5. And a turning motor of the turning shaft rotating means 162 provided on the XY table.

  First, the turning shaft 5c is set to coincide with the midline of the subject O. For example, during panoramic tomography, the turning shaft 5c of the turning arm 5 moves horizontally and rotates so as to draw a predetermined locus along the shape of the dental arch. During CT tomography, the turning shaft 5c of the turning arm 5 is moved to a predetermined position so that the turning arm 5 is turned around the target imaging region (image reconstruction range), and the turning shaft 5c is moved to that position. Rotates in a fixed state.

  The subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 is not shown in FIG. 1 and the head fixing portion 70 for fixing the head of the subject O, but the subject O holds the grip. A pair of handles.

  The head fixing unit 70 includes a chin rest 73 for placing the jaw of the subject O and a side head holder 72 that opens and closes symmetrically for fixing the temporal region. If necessary, an ear rod (not shown) for fixing the outer ear can be provided on the head fixing portion 70.

  As will be described later, the X-ray imaging apparatus is configured to move the swivel arm 5 and the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 to a predetermined height in accordance with the subject O, as shown in FIG. 2) (see FIG. 3, etc.) and has a lifting body moving means 163 for moving the lifting body 3 up and down.

  Further, as will be described later, the X-ray imaging apparatus holds the subject O in a predetermined position by the subject holding device (head fixing unit) 7 and then the imaging target region (image reconstruction range) rr. Can be set. Furthermore, the imaging region can be moved up and down as in the case where the imaging region is changed from the lower jaw region to the upper jaw region. At this time, in order to move the elevating body 3 up and down, the elevating body driving means 163 moves. The drive unit 160 includes a fixing mechanism moving unit 164 that moves the subject holding device (head fixing unit) 7. The fixing mechanism moving unit 164 synchronizes with the movement of the lifting body moving unit 163. It moves so as to keep the position of the subject holding device (head fixing part) 7 at a fixed position with respect to the position of the base 1 (see FIG. 2, FIG. 3, etc.).

  At the time of imaging, the pair of the X-ray irradiation unit 52 and the X-ray detection unit 53 are positioned so as to face each other with the oral cavity of the subject O interposed therebetween, and rotate around the oral cavity as a unit. Driven.

  The imaging apparatus main body control unit 170 includes a control device 171 that executes various control programs including a control program that controls the drive unit unit 160, an X-ray generation unit control unit 172 that controls the X-ray irradiation unit 52, and an X-ray. X-ray detection unit control means 173 for controlling the detection unit 53 is provided. The operation panel 8 includes a small liquid crystal panel and a plurality of operation buttons. In addition to the operation buttons, input means such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel can also be used. In addition, the operation panel 8 may include display means including a display such as a liquid crystal monitor.

  The control device 171 controls the elevating / lowering body moving unit 163 and the fixing mechanism moving unit 164 in accordance with a command from the operation panel 8. That is, when the subject O is introduced into the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7, the lifting body moving means 163 is driven to move the lifting body 3 up and down to a predetermined position. Further, after the subject O is held at a predetermined position by the subject holding device (head fixing unit) 7, when the imaging region is moved up and down, the lifting / lowering body moving means 163 is driven and driven. The fixing mechanism moving means 164 is driven in synchronism with the above.

  The X-ray imaging apparatus is connected to an image display apparatus (not shown) via a communication cable or the like, sends data captured by the X-ray imaging apparatus to the image display apparatus, performs processing such as reconstruction on the image display apparatus, panorama image, CT Images etc. are displayed. The image display device is configured by, for example, a personal computer or a workstation. The shooting mode can be set by a personal computer or workstation constituting the image display apparatus.

  2 is a more specific front view of the X-ray imaging apparatus, FIG. 3 is a side view, and FIG. 4 is a top view.

  In this X-ray imaging apparatus, a column 2 is erected on a base 1 installed on a floor surface. The elevating body 3 is supported on the column 2 so as to be movable up and down. A holding frame 4 is supported on the upper part of the elevating body 3, and a turning means 51 for holding the turning arm 5 is attached to the distal end side of the holding frame 4. A drive unit is provided in the holding frame 4.

  A swivel arm 5 formed in a substantially U-shape is supported at the lower portion of the swivel means 51 so as to be swivelable. An X-ray detection unit 53 and an X-ray irradiation unit 52 are provided on both sides of the swivel arm 5. Yes. A lifting body moving means 163 is provided at a connection portion of the holding frame 4 with the lifting body 3. In this embodiment, as described later, an electric actuator 163a (see FIG. 5) is used as the elevating / lowering body moving unit 163, and the elevating / lowering body 3 moves up and down with respect to the column 2 by the operation of the electric actuator 163a. The lifting / lowering body moving means 163 may be any means as long as it moves the lifting / lowering body 3 up and down with respect to the support column 2, and can be configured by a motor and a ball screw in addition to the electric actuator.

  A patient frame 6 is fixed to the elevating body 3, and the swing arm 5 and the patient frame 6 integrally move up and down as the elevating body 3 moves up and down.

  A subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 is attached to the distal end portion of the patient frame 6 so as to be movable up and down independently of the patient frame 6.

  The subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 includes a head fixing portion 70 for fixing the head of the subject O and a pair of handles 71 for the subject O to grip.

  The head fixing unit 70 is symmetrical to a chin rest 73 for placing the chin of the subject O and a lateral head for fixing the temporal region in order to stably fix the head of the subject O during imaging. The three-point fixing method is basically composed of a side head press 72 that opens and closes and a front head press (not shown) for supporting the frontal head. The temporal head holder 72 of the head fixing portion 70 is opened and closed by turning the dial 74, and the width of the temporal head holder 72 is adjusted by the dial 74 according to the subject O. The chin rest 73 shown in FIG. 2 is for panoramic tomography and is provided with a bite block 73a. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, which will be described later, in the case of CT tomography, the chin rest 73 for CT tomography is replaced. If necessary, an ear rod (not shown) for fixing the outer ear can be provided in the head fixing portion 70 instead of the temporal head presser 72.

  An operation panel 8 is attached to the patient frame 6, and the operation panel 8 is used to instruct the movement of the elevating body 3 and the movement of the subject holding device (head fixing unit) 7. The operation panel 8 is composed of, for example, a touch panel, icons for instructing various operations of the X-ray imaging apparatus are displayed, and the operation is selected by touching the corresponding icon. In addition, the turning arm 5 is provided with a positioning beam generator 54 for determining the front and back positions during panoramic tomography, and the positioning beam L24 emitted from the positioning beam generator 54 allows the subject O to move. Adjust the front / rear position. The patient frame 6 is provided with a median beam generator 61, and the midline of the subject O is positioned by the median beam L21 emitted from the median beam generator 61.

  The elevating body 3 is provided with a beam generating device 100 indicating an imaging target area (image reconstruction range) and the like, and an area to be imaged by the patient O from the beam emitting units 111 and 112 by CT tomography or the like. Is irradiated. The beam emitting unit 111 emits a beam indicating a lower limit in CT tomography. In this embodiment, the beam emitting unit 112 is configured to be movable up and down, and moves to a position indicating an upper limit in accordance with the size of the shooting target area (image reconstruction range) of the selected shooting mode. Irradiate the indicated beam. Furthermore, the beam emitting unit 112 also emits a beam indicating the Frankfurt plane in the case of panoramic tomography. In accordance with the beam, the elevating body 3 is moved up and down for alignment. That is, when a shooting mode is selected by a personal computer or the like that constitutes the above-described image display device (not shown), the beam emitting unit 112 moves to a predetermined position. Then, the beam generation apparatus 100 irradiates the subject O with the beam to determine the range of the imaging target region (image reconstruction range) in the selected mode, and positions the subject O within the range. The operation of the lifting / lowering body moving means 163 and the fixing mechanism moving means 164 of the drive unit 160 can be controlled by an instruction from the operation panel 8.

  The drive unit 160 includes a drive device that includes a turning axis position setting unit 161 and a turning shaft rotation unit 162 and includes a motor having a highly accurate positioning function. The turning shaft 5c is rotated by the rotational drive of the motor.

  The turning axis position setting means 161 moves the turning axis 5c in the X direction and the Y direction, for example, constituted by a Y table that moves in the Y direction and an X table that moves in the X direction on the Y table. Moreover, you may apply the structure which is equipped with a rotating shaft and a crank and can move to a X direction and a Y direction.

  The turning arm 5 includes turning arm position setting means 51. The turning arm position setting means 51 includes a turning table that can turn and a slide table that can move directly on the turning table.

  As described above, the drive unit 160 includes the lifting body moving means 163 and the fixing mechanism moving means 164. The lifting body moving means 163 has an electric actuator 163a, and the lifting body 3 moves up and down by the operation of the electric actuator 163a. The fixing mechanism moving means 164 includes a motor, a sprocket, and a chain, and moves the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 up and down with respect to the patient frame 6 by the rotation of the motor. After the subject O is fixed to the head fixing portion 70 and positioned, the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 is positioned relative to the position from the base 1 even if the elevating body 3 moves up and down. The fixing mechanism moving means 164 operates so that the height position does not change. That is, when the elevating body 3 is moved upward by driving the elevating body moving means 163, the fixing mechanism moving means 164 is driven, and the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 is moved downward. Conversely, when the lifting / lowering body 3 is moved downward by driving the lifting / lowering body moving means 163, the fixing mechanism moving means 164 is driven and the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 is moved upward. . In this way, the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 operates with respect to the patient frame 6 as the fixing mechanism moving means 164 operates in synchronization with the movement of the elevating body 3 so that the height position does not change. Move. For example, when the elevating body 3 moves upward, the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 moves in synchronization with the patient frame 6 in the downward direction, and is moved relative to the position from the base 1. The examiner holding device (head fixing portion) 7 is configured to maintain its height position.

  In the X-ray irradiator 52, a collimator 52b provided in front of the X-ray irradiator 52a is composed of a mask in which a plurality of slits having different shapes are formed. Any one is selected, and the spread of the X-ray beam irradiated from the X-ray generator 52a is limited by the selected slit. In panoramic tomography, a panoramic aperture is selected, and an X-ray slit beam corresponding to the shape is irradiated toward the X-ray detector 53 a of the X-ray detector 53. Then, the swivel arm 5 is swung in that state, and the transmitted image projected on the detection surface of the X-ray detector 53b is accumulated as panoramic image data while scanning the maxillofacial surface with the X-ray slit beam. Shooting is executed.

  In CT tomography, when an imaging mode is selected, a CT aperture corresponding to the imaging mode is selected from a plurality of CT apertures, and an X-ray beam corresponding to the shape is detected by an X-ray detector 53a of the X-ray detector 53a. Irradiated towards. Then, the swivel arm 5 is swung in this state, and the CT image is acquired by accumulating transmission images projected on the detection surface of the X-ray detector 53b as CT image data while scanning the maxillofacial surface with the X-ray beam. Executed.

  As described above, the swivel arm 5 can be swung in accordance with the imaging mode of the subject O, so that tomographic imaging such as panoramic imaging can be performed, and tomographic imaging at any cross section of the teeth and craniomaxilla. Can be done.

  Next, a mode in which the elevating body 3 is attached to the support column 2 so as to be movable up and down will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a front view showing a part of the lifting / lowering main body moving means with a part cut away, FIG. 6 is a front view showing an engagement state between the lifting / lowering main body and the column, and FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view thereof. .

  A pair of linear guides 21 are attached to the column 2. The linear guide 21 is provided with a recess 21 a in the center, and sliders 35 respectively fitted to the upper and lower portions of the elevating body 3 are fitted in the recess 21 a so that the elevating body 3 can move up and down with respect to the column 2. Supported by

  An electric actuator 163a that constitutes the lifting body moving means 163 is inserted into the column 2 and the distal end portion of the telescopic rod 163c of the electric actuator 163a is engaged with and attached to the locking portion 163d attached to the column 3. A main body 163 b of the electric actuator 163 a is inserted into the elevating body 3, and a base of the main body 163 b is fixed to the holding frame 4 attached to the elevating body 3.

  As the telescopic rod 163b of the electric actuator 163a expands and contracts, the elevating body 3 moves up and down along the linear guide 21.

  Next, the patient frame 6 and the subject holding device (head fixing part) 7 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The patient frame 6 is attached to the lifting body 3 and moves up and down integrally with the lifting body 3. A subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 is attached to the distal end portion of the patient frame 6 so as to be movable up and down independently of the patient frame 6.

  The subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 includes a head fixing portion 70 for fixing the head of the subject O and a pair of handles 71 for the subject O to grip. A chin rest 73 shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 is a chin rest for CT tomography.

  The head fixing unit 70 includes a chin rest 73 for placing the chin of the subject O, a side head holder 72 that opens and closes symmetrically for fixing the temporal region, and a front for supporting the frontal region. And a head press 75. As shown in FIG. 11, the temporal head holder 72 of the head fixing portion 70 is inserted and attached to a pair of bases 72 a. When the ear rod is used, the ear rod is inserted into the base 72a and fixed. By turning the dial 74, the base 72a approaches or separates from each other, and the temporal head retainers 72 inserted into the base 72a approach or separate from each other. Then, the width of the temporal presser 72 is adjusted with the dial 74 according to the subject O.

  The chin rest 73 shown in FIG. 2 is for panoramic tomography and is provided with a bite block 73a. When replacing the chin rest 73 for CT imaging shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the base of the chin rest 73 used for the chin rest attaching portion 73 b is inserted and the chin rest 73 is fixed to the head fixing portion 70.

  The forehead presser 75 is attached to a frame 75b attached to the base of the head fixing part 70 using an adjustment bolt 75a. The adjustment bolt 75a is adjusted so that the forehead presser 75 abuts the forehead of the subject O.

  A plate 68 is provided at the distal end portion of the patient frame 6, and a slider 65 is attached to a collar portion 68 b in the vicinity of both ends of the plate 68. A front block 69 is attached to the slider 65. A ball screw 64a is attached to the central portion of the plate 68 via a bearing 68a. A ball bush 67 that meshes with the ball screw 64 a is attached to the center of the front block 69.

  A pair of plates 66 provided on the front block 69 are attached to the chin rest base 7a, and the chin rest base 7a is attached to the patient frame 6 via the front block 69. A sprocket 64 is attached to the tip of the ball screw 64a. On the other hand, a motor 60 is attached to the patient frame 6, and a sprocket 61 is fixed to the motor shaft. A chain 62 is hung between the sprockets 61 and 64. In this embodiment, the gear ratio between the sprockets 61 and 64 is 1: 1.

  In this embodiment, it is only necessary to move the portion of the head fixing portion 70 with respect to the patient frame 6, so that the rigidity is reduced and the lifting thrust or holding force can also be reduced. Therefore, the motor 60 can be handled by a small motor.

  By driving the motor 60 and driving the sprockets 61 and 64 and the chain 62, the ball screw 68a is rotated. By this rotation, the ball bush 67 moves up and down. By this movement, the front block 69 moves up and down along the slider 65. As a result, the chin rest base 7a attached to the front block 69 via the plate 65 moves up and down.

  Synchronizing with the raising / lowering operation of the raising / lowering main body 3, the head 60 is rotated with respect to the patient frame 6 as shown by the broken lines in FIGS. As indicated by the broken line, the patient frame 6 is raised, but the head fixing portion 70 is moved downward with respect to the patient frame 6 so as to keep the position as it is.

    FIGS. 16A and 16B show beams irradiated to the subject O. FIG. Using the beams emitted from the beam generator 100, the positioning beam generator 54, and the median beam generator 61, the subject O is positioned and the lift body 3 is positioned. As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the midline beam L21 emitted from the midline beam generator 61 is used for positioning the subject O with the midline.

When performing panoramic tomography, as shown in FIG. 16A, the mid-beam L21, the beam L22 ₁ indicating the Frankfurt plane, and the positioning beam L24 are emitted. Beam generator 100, the panoramic tomography is selected as the shooting mode, to increase the beam irradiation portion 112 located on the upper side to the predetermined position, it emits a beam L22 ₁ showing the Frankfort horizontal plane.

The subject O places the lower jaw on the chin rest 73 of the head fixing portion 70 so that the position of the subject O is determined so that the median beam L21 and the median line of the subject O coincide. Then, move the beam irradiation portion 112 of the beam generator 100 to align the eye ear of a subject of O, irradiating a beam L22 ₁ showing the Frankfort horizontal plane to the subject O.

When performing CT tomography, as shown in FIG. 16 (b), beam generator 100, the D-mode beam L22 ₃ or CT tomography showing the upper region of the I-mode or the A mode in the CT tomography A beam L22 ₂ indicating the upper limit region and a beam L23 indicating the lower limit region of CT tomography are irradiated. When CT mode tomography in the I mode or A mode is selected as the imaging mode, the beam moving unit 165 operates to raise the beam irradiation unit 112 located on the upper side, and the beam L22 indicating the upper limit region of the I mode or A mode. ₃ is stopped at the position where it exits. The beam irradiation unit 112 emits a beam L22 ₃ indicating the upper limit region of the I mode or A mode, and the beam irradiation unit 111 emits a beam L23 indicating the lower limit region. When D-mode tomography is selected as the shooting mode, it operates the beam moving means 165 raises the beam generator 102 located above, stopped at the position for emitting the beam L22 ₂ showing the upper region of the D-mode Let Then, a beam L22 ₂ indicating the upper limit region of the D mode is emitted from the beam generator 102, and a beam L23 indicating the lower limit region is emitted from the beam generator 101. When F mode CT tomography is selected as the shooting mode, to increase the beam irradiation portion 112 located on the upper side, and stops at the position for emitting the beam L22 ₄ showing the upper region of the F-mode. Then, a beam L22 ₄ indicating the upper limit region of the F mode is emitted from the beam generator 102, and a beam L23 indicating the lower limit region is emitted from the beam irradiation unit 111.

As described above, when the imaging mode is selected, the beams L21, L24, L22 ₁ , L22 ₂ , L22 ₃ and L22 ₄ are irradiated with the beam corresponding to the mode. That is, a beam corresponding to an imaging target region corresponding to panoramic tomography and CT tomography is irradiated.

  The elevating body 3 is moved by the beam irradiated to the subject O, and the imaging target area is positioned.

  Next, the use operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described. First, a case where panoramic tomography is performed will be described. A panoramic tomography mode is selected using a personal computer (not shown) and various settings are made. Then, the subject O is introduced into the X-ray imaging apparatus. First, the operation panel 8 is operated so that the chin rest 73 is adjusted to the height of the lower jaw of the subject O, and the elevating body 3 is moved up and down. When this lifting / lowering is instructed, the lifting / lowering body moving means 163 operates to move the lifting / lowering body 3 up and down. At this time, the subject holding device 7 moves up and down together with the lifting body 3 together with the patient frame 6. The position of the chin rest 73 is a reference for the lower limit position at the time of CT imaging.

  When the bite block 73a is used, the elevating body 3 is stopped in a state where the chin rest 73 is set to the height of the lower jaw of the subject O, and the subject O is bitten by the tip of the bite block 73a. Alternatively, the elevating body 3 may be stopped with the subject O biting the tip of the bite block 73a first and the chin rest 73 being adjusted to the height of the lower jaw of the subject O.

When the positioning beam switch on the operation panel 8 is pressed, a beam L12 indicating the Frankfurt plane is emitted from the beam generator 102 of the beam generator 100 as shown in FIG. Is emitted, and the positioning beam L24 is emitted from the positioning beam generator 54. Median beam L21 and the subject O midline, combined with beam L22 ₁ showing the Frankfort horizontal plane subject O eye ear plane, the position of the canine and positioning beam L24 subject O. The beam generator 102 is moved up and down in accordance with the subject O and aligned. Then, in order to press the head of the subject O with the temporal presser 72, the width of the temporal presser 72 is adjusted with the dial 74 according to the subject O.

  Further, when the forehead presser 75 is attached, the forehead presser 75 and the forehead of the subject O are brought into contact with each other. In this way, the subject O is fixed to the head fixing portion 70 of the subject holding device 7. In addition, the subject O can maintain the stability of the body by grasping the grip 71 with both hands.

  As the collimator 52b, an opening for panoramic photography is selected. By pushing the X-ray irradiation switch, the turning arm 5 rotates around the fixed subject O at a designated speed. Data from the X-ray detection unit 53 is read at an appropriate reading interval linked to the movement, and a panoramic image of a desired tomographic area can be obtained.

  In this apparatus, after fixing the subject O to the head fixing portion 70, the imaging mode is changed, and the height of the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 from the base 1 is not changed. In order to move the swivel arm 5 up and down, the elevating body 3 can be moved up and down. For example, it is possible to image the temporomandibular joint of the subject O after aligning the subject O for panoramic tomography.

  A personal computer or the like is used to instruct to change the shooting mode to TMJ4 or TMJ2. By this instruction, the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 can move with respect to the patient frame 6.

By designating TMJ4 or TMJ2, pressing the positioning beam switch of the operation panel 8, the beam L22 ₁ and positioning beam L24 showing the Frankfort horizontal plane is emitted. The elevating body 3 is moved by the operation panel 8 so that both beams are aligned with the temporomandibular joint of the subject O. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when the elevating body 3 is moved upward, the elevating body 3 is moved upward by the operation of the electric actuator 163a of the elevating body moving means 163. The fixing mechanism moving means 164 is driven by a motor in synchronization with the movement of the elevating body 3 to move the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 downward with respect to the patient frame 6. After the subject O is fixed to the head fixing portion 70 and positioned, the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 is positioned relative to the position from the base 1 even if the elevating body 3 moves up and down. The fixing mechanism moving means 164 operates and moves relative to the patient frame 6 in synchronization with the movement of the elevating body 3 so that the height position does not change. As shown in FIG. 15, for example, when the elevating body 3 moves upward, the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 moves in synchronization with the patient frame 6, and the base 1 The subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 maintains its height position with respect to the position from the side.

  Thus, the motor is driven in synchronization with the lifting operation of the lifting body 3, and the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 moves with respect to the patient frame 6. As a result, the imaging region can be adjusted and changed without changing the angle and posture of the subject O's chin.

  Next, after aligning the subject O for panoramic imaging of the subject O, it is also possible to perform CT imaging of the upper jaw portion of the subject O.

  An imaging mode for CT tomography is selected by a personal computer. The imaging target area of the selected imaging mode is set, and the corresponding CT opening of the collimator 52b is selected. By this instruction, the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 can move with respect to the patient frame 6. For example, the elevating body 3 can be moved from the state shown in FIG. 14 to the state shown in FIG.

  When the elevating body 3 is moved upward as shown in FIG. 15 by the operation panel 8, the elevating body 3 is moved upward by the operation of the electric actuator 163 a of the elevating body moving means 163. The fixing mechanism moving means 164 is driven by a motor in synchronization with the movement of the elevating body 3 to move the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 downward with respect to the patient frame 6. After the subject O is fixed to the head fixing portion 70 and positioned, the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 is positioned relative to the position from the base 1 even if the elevating body 3 moves up and down. The fixing mechanism moving means 164 operates and moves relative to the patient frame 6 in synchronization with the movement of the elevating body 3 so that the height position does not change. As shown in FIG. 15, for example, when the elevating body 3 moves upward, the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 moves in synchronization with the patient frame 6, and the base 1 The subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 maintains its height position with respect to the position from the side.

  Thus, the motor is driven in synchronization with the lifting operation of the lifting body 3, and the subject holding device 7 moves relative to the patient frame 6. As a result, the imaging region can be adjusted and changed without changing the angle and posture of the subject O's chin.

  Next, the CT tomography operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described. Using a personal computer or the like, the CT tomography mode is selected and various settings are made. The imaging target area of the selected imaging mode is set, and the corresponding CT opening of the collimator 52b is selected. Then, the subject O is introduced into the X-ray imaging apparatus. First, the operation panel 8 is operated so that the chin rest 73 is adjusted to the height of the lower jaw of the subject O, and the elevating body 3 is moved up and down. When this raising / lowering is instructed, the electric actuator 163 is driven, and the raising / lowering body 3 moves up and down. At this time, the subject holding device 7 moves up and down together with the lifting body 3 together with the patient frame 6. The elevating body 3 is stopped in a state where the chin rest 73 is adjusted to the height of the lower jaw of the subject O.

  When the positioning beam switch on the operation panel 8 is pressed, for example, the beam emitting unit 112 of the beam generation apparatus 100 moves to a predetermined position to the upper limit position of the beam corresponding to the selected mode, and corresponds to the selected mode. A beam is emitted. Then, a beam L23 indicating the lower limit region of CT tomography is emitted. Then, the mid beam L21 is emitted from the mid beam generator 61. The median beam L21 and the midline of the subject O are aligned, and the beam L16 and the lower jaw of the subject O are aligned. Then, in order to press the head of the subject O with the temporal presser 72, the width of the temporal presser 72 is adjusted with the dial 74 according to the subject O.

  Further, when the forehead presser 75 is attached, the forehead presser 75 and the forehead of the subject O are brought into contact with each other. In this way, the subject O is fixed to the head fixing portion 70 of the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7. In addition, the subject O can maintain the stability of the body by grasping the grip 71 with both hands. Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, it is positioned in the imaging target area with the lower jaw as a reference.

  In the collimator 52b, an opening corresponding to the imaging mode is selected from a plurality of CT imaging openings. By pushing the X-ray irradiation switch, the turning arm 5 rotates around the fixed subject O at a designated speed. Data from the X-ray detection unit 53 is read at an appropriate reading interval linked to the movement, and a CT image of a desired tomographic region can be obtained.

  In this apparatus, after the subject O is fixed to the head fixing portion 70, the height from the base of the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 is not changed in order to move the imaging region. In addition, the elevating body 3 can be moved up and down to move the swivel arm 5 up and down. For example, it is possible to perform CT imaging of the upper jaw portion of the subject O after the subject O is positioned and photographed in the state shown in FIG.

  The operation panel 8 is used to designate a shooting target area and instruct to change the shooting target area. By this instruction, the subject holding device 7 can move with respect to the patient frame 6. For example, the elevating body 3 can be moved from the state shown in FIG. 14 to the state shown in FIG.

  When the elevating body 3 is moved upward as shown in FIG. 15 by the operation panel 8, the elevating body 3 is moved upward by the operation of the electric actuator 163 a of the elevating body moving means 163. The fixing mechanism moving means 164 is driven by a motor in synchronization with the movement of the elevating body 3 to move the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 downward with respect to the patient frame 6. After the subject O is fixed to the head fixing portion 70 and positioned, the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 is positioned relative to the position from the base 1 even if the elevating body 3 moves up and down. The fixing mechanism moving means 164 operates and moves relative to the patient frame 6 in synchronization with the movement of the elevating body 3 so that the height position does not change. As shown in FIG. 15, for example, when the elevating body 3 moves upward, the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 moves in synchronization with the patient frame 6, and the base 1 The subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 maintains its height position with respect to the position from the side.

  Thus, the motor is driven in synchronization with the lifting operation of the lifting body 3, and the subject holding device (head fixing portion) 7 moves with respect to the patient frame 6. As a result, the imaging region can be adjusted and changed without changing the angle and posture of the subject O's chin.

  As described above, the head fixing portion 70 has a temporal head press, a front head press, and a back head pad, and moves up and down in synchronization with the up and down movement of the chin rest 73. In addition, the handle 71 that the subject O holds with both hands is also provided between the head fixing portion 70 and the lifting body 3 and is moved up and down in synchronism with the lifting and lowering of the head fixing portion 70. The imaging target region can be changed without changing the positioning posture and the positional relationship between the jaw and the hand.

  In addition, instead of having the lifting mechanism of the head fixing device 70 in the vicinity of the lifting body 3, only the minimum mechanism portion including the handle 71 is lifted in the vicinity of the patient frame 6, thereby The rigidity of the part fixing part) 7 can be reduced, and the lifting thrust or holding force can also be reduced.

  This X-ray imaging apparatus can be applied to an X-ray imaging apparatus in which the elevating body 3 is attached to the support column 2 so as to be movable up and down regardless of standing or sitting.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base 2 Support | pillar 3 Elevating / lowering body 4 Holding frame 5 Turning arm 51 Turning arm position setting means 52 X-ray irradiation part 53 X-ray detection part 6 Patient frame 7 Subject holding device 70 Head fixing part 71 Grip 8 Operation panel

Claims (6)

A revolving arm having an X-ray irradiating unit and an X-ray detecting unit arranged opposite to each other with respect to the head of the subject, a holding frame that holds the revolving arm, and a lifting body that supports the holding frame; An X-ray imaging apparatus including a support column that supports the lifting body so as to be movable up and down,
A patient frame is attached to the elevating body, and a subject holding device for fixing the subject's head to the distal end of the patient frame is attached to the patient frame independently of the patient frame. A featured X-ray imaging apparatus.   Elevating body moving means for moving the raising / lowering body up and down with respect to the column, and a fixing mechanism moving means for moving the subject holding device up and down with respect to the patient frame, and driving the lifting body moving means 2. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the lifting main body moves in one direction, the fixing mechanism moving unit is driven, and the subject holding device moves in the other direction.   The fixing mechanism moving means is driven in synchronism with the driving of the elevating body moving means so that the distance from the base on which the column is erected is kept constant, and the subject holding apparatus The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the X-ray imaging apparatus moves up and down with respect to the patient frame.   4. The X according to claim 1, wherein the subject holding device includes a head fixing portion and a handle for fixing the subject's head. 5. X-ray equipment. A revolving arm having an X-ray irradiating unit and an X-ray detecting unit arranged opposite to each other with respect to the head of the subject, a holding frame that holds the revolving arm, and a lifting body that supports the holding frame; A support frame that supports the lifting body so as to be movable up and down, a patient frame is attached to the lifting body, and a patient holding device that fixes the patient's head to the distal end of the patient frame is a patient It has an X-ray imaging device that can be moved up and down independently of the frame,
After holding the subject on the subject holding device, the elevating body is moved in one direction so that the distance from the base on which the column is erected is kept constant. In both cases, X-ray imaging is performed by moving the subject holding device in the other direction, moving the imaging target region up or down, and moving the imaging region up or down. Shooting method.   Elevating body moving means for moving the raising / lowering body up and down with respect to the support column; and a fixing mechanism moving means for moving the subject holding device up and down with respect to the patient frame. In case of introduction to the person holding device, when the lifting body moving means is driven, the lifting body is moved up and down to a predetermined position, the subject is held in the patient holding device, and then the imaging part is moved up and down 6. The X-ray imaging method according to claim 5, wherein the fixing mechanism moving means is driven in synchronism with driving of the elevating body moving means.

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