JP2015006264A - Imaging apparatus and imaging method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus which improves quality of an acquired image, which increases inspection efficiency, and which can lessen burdens on an operator and a subject.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus of an embodiment includes a displacement amount calculation part and notification means. The displacement amount calculation part determines a displacement amount when a positioned subject is displaced by an imaging request time. The notification means provides notification that a first allowable range is exceeded in a predetermined period of time from the imaging request time to an actual imaging time, when the determined displacement amount exceeds the predetermined first allowable range.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a photographing apparatus and a photographing method.

  For example, the imaging apparatus includes a chest X-ray imaging apparatus used for chest group examination. The chest X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray source, an X-ray detector, and a console. The X-ray source and the X-ray detector are arranged in the imaging room, and the console is arranged in the operation room. In a chest mass examination, a routine examination is performed on a large number of subjects by repeating the same examination procedure determined anatomically.

  In the inspection procedure, first, the subject is positioned in front of the X-ray detector by the operator in the imaging room (positioning). At this time, the subject is in close contact with the X-ray detector. Thereafter, the operator returns to the operation room and issues a photographing request using the console. In response to the imaging request, X-rays are emitted from the X-ray source, X-rays transmitted through the subject are detected by the X-ray detector, and an image of the subject is acquired. In addition, the part (whole or part) of the subject to be imaged may be referred to as “subject”.

  If the subject is not photographed in close contact with the X-ray detector, a clear image may not be obtained. Therefore, it is determined whether the subject is in close contact with the X-ray detector and in an appropriate state. There is a photographing apparatus that performs photographing (for example, Patent Document 1).

  There is a case where the positioned subject is displaced before the photographing is requested. Generally, if the amount of deviation is small, there is no problem in shooting. Here, “at the time of photographing request” includes the time from when the photographing request is made until the position of the subject is measured. Further, here, the “deviation amount” refers to an amount representing a positional and temporal change of the subject with respect to the X-ray detector.

JP 2009-172242 A

  However, if the amount of deviation is large, for example, artifacts occur and the quality of the acquired image is degraded, so that correct diagnosis based on the image cannot be performed (imaging error). Also, if the amount of deviation is large, even if the subject is in close contact with the X-ray detector, there is a risk of causing an imaging error.

  A re-shoot may occur due to a shooting mistake. The re-photographing has a problem in that the burden on the operator and the subject arises in addition to reducing the inspection efficiency.

  This embodiment solves the above-described problem, and provides an imaging device capable of improving the quality of an acquired image, increasing the efficiency of inspection, and further reducing the burden on an operator and a subject. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment includes a deviation amount calculation unit and a notification unit. The deviation amount calculation unit obtains a deviation amount when the positioned subject is displaced before the photographing request. The notifying means notifies that the first allowable range is exceeded during a predetermined time from the time when the photographing is requested until the time when the actual photographing is performed when the obtained deviation amount exceeds the predetermined first allowable range. .

1 is a configuration block diagram of a photographing apparatus according to an embodiment. The figure of a contact point when a touch panel is touched by a subject. The perspective view of the touch panel arrange | positioned in the front surface of a X-ray detector. The front view of a touch panel. The figure which shows XY coordinate of the detected contact point. The figure of the to-be-photographed object positioned in front of an X-ray detector. The figure which shows XY coordinate of the detected contact point. The figure which shows the to-be-positioned subject. The figure which shows XY coordinate of the contact point at the time of positioning. The figure which shows the to-be-photographed object at the time of a photography request | requirement. The figure which shows the XY coordinate of the contact point at the time of imaging | photography request | requirement. The time chart which shows how control of the switch by a control means advances. The figure of the display part on which the information of "photographing cancellation" was displayed. The figure which shows the XY coordinate of the contact point at the time of the positioning simultaneously displayed (comparison display), and the XY coordinate of the contact point at the time of a photography request | requirement. The flowchart which shows a series of operation | movement when image | photographing with an imaging device. The figure which shows the temperature information of the subject stood in front of the X-ray detector. The figure which shows the temperature information of the positioned subject. The figure which shows the temperature information of the subject at the time of an imaging | photography request | requirement. The figure which shows the registration screen of the tolerance | permissible_range (parameter) set for every kind of to-be-photographed object and every kind of position detection part.

  There is a case where the positioned subject is displaced before the photographing is requested. When the amount of deviation is small, no shooting mistake occurs, so shooting should be continued. However, when the amount of deviation is large, shooting mistakes occur, so shooting should be stopped.

  For this purpose, the position of the subject is detected at at least two points in time from the time when the subject is positioned to the time when the imaging is requested, and the amount of deviation is obtained based on the detected position of the subject. In addition, an allowable range may be provided for the deviation amount, and the imaging may be continued if the detected deviation amount is within the allowable range, and the imaging may be stopped if the deviation amount is outside the allowable range. Note that the allowable range of the deviation amount may be provided according to the type of deviation amount, the type of means for detecting the deviation amount, and the type of subject.

  Further, the time point at which the position of the subject is detected is determined depending on the type of shift amount. For example, when obtaining the positional deviation of the subject with respect to the X-ray detector as the positional deviation amount, the time point when the subject position is detected is at the time of positioning and at the time of imaging request. As described above, the configuration is such that the position of the subject is detected at the time of positioning and at the time of photographing request, the amount of deviation is obtained from the detected position of the subject, and whether to continue photographing is determined based on the obtained amount of deviation. Will be described in the first embodiment below.

  On the other hand, for example, when obtaining the positional deviation per unit time from the positional deviation of the subject with respect to the X-ray detector in a predetermined time from when the imaging is requested until when the imaging is actually performed, The time of detection is the time when a photographing request is made and when a predetermined time has elapsed from that time. In this way, the position of the subject is detected at the time of shooting request and when a predetermined time has elapsed, the amount of deviation is determined from the detected position of the subject, and it is determined whether or not to continue shooting based on the obtained amount of deviation. The configuration will be described in the second embodiment below.

<First Embodiment>
A first embodiment of a photographing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, a basic configuration of the photographing apparatus will be briefly described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of the photographing apparatus. On the plane, one direction orthogonal to each other may be referred to as the X direction, and the other direction may be referred to as the Y direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging apparatus 1 includes an X-ray source 2, an X-ray detector 3, a touch panel 4, and a console (not shown). The X-ray source 2, the X-ray detector 3, and the touch panel 4 are provided in the imaging room. An operation unit 7 is provided in both the photographing room and the console (operation room).

  The console is provided in the operation room. The console includes a position detection unit 5, a display unit 6, an operation unit 7, an image processing unit 8, a storage unit 9, and a control unit 10. The control unit 10 includes a deviation amount calculation unit 11, a determination unit 12, an allowable range storage unit 13, and a permission / prohibition control unit 14.

(X-ray source 2, X-ray detector 3)
The X-ray source 2 is disposed on a support base (not shown). The X-ray source 2 emits X-rays in response to the imaging instruction signal being output by the permission / prohibition control unit 14. Note that even if an imaging request is received through an operation by the operation unit 7, when the determination unit 12 determines that the amount of deviation is large (outside the first allowable range), an imaging instruction signal is not output. X-rays are not emitted from the source 2.

  The X-ray detector 3 is disposed on a support base. A subject is positioned in front of the X-ray detector 3 via a touch panel 4 described later. The X-ray detector 3 detects X-rays irradiated from the X-ray source 2 and transmitted through the subject and the touch panel 4 (acquisition of projection data).

(Image processing unit 8)
The image processing unit 8 receives an instruction from the control unit 10 and creates an X-ray image of the subject based on the acquired projection data. A display control unit (not shown) causes the display unit 6 to display an X-ray image.

(Position detector 5)
The position detection unit 5 detects the position and presence of the subject. There are various types, and the position detection unit 5 is selectively used depending on the application.

Hereinafter, various examples of the position detection unit 5 will be described.
There are a contact type and a non-contact type in which the position detection unit 5 detects the position and presence of the subject. Examples of the contact type include a capacitance type, a pressure sensitive type, and a mechanical switch type.

  The capacitance method is a method in which a touch panel is used as an example, capacitors formed by the touch panel and a subject are arranged in the X direction and the Y direction, and a gap (displacement) is measured from the capacitance of the capacitor. From the measured gap, the contact location where the touch panel is touched by the subject can be known. Further, the contact location can be acquired as the XY coordinates of the contact point. The contact point may be referred to as “dot”.

  The pressure-sensitive method uses piezoelectric elements, and the piezoelectric elements are arranged in a matrix in the X direction and the Y direction. When the piezoelectric element receives pressure, a charge is generated on the surface (piezoelectric effect). Based on the generated charges, the XY coordinates of the point (contact point) that receives the pressure can be acquired.

  The mechanical switch system includes a switch and a contact. For example, there is a proximity switch that turns on when the switch is pressed by a subject and turns off when the switch is not pressed.

  Non-contact methods include, for example, an ultrasonic detection method, an infrared detection method, and a magnetic field detection method.

  The ultrasonic detection method is a method of detecting the presence or absence of a subject and the distance to the subject by transmitting ultrasonic waves to the subject with a transmitter and receiving the reflected wave with a receiver.

  The infrared detection method is a method that has an infrared sensor and can measure the temperature of the subject by receiving light in the infrared region (infrared rays), converting it into an electrical signal, and extracting necessary information.

  The magnetic field detection method is a method of measuring a distance from an object by using an electromagnetic wave, measuring a change in the return time of a reflected wave, or measuring interference of the reflected wave.

(Touch panel 4)
FIG. 2 is a diagram of contact points when the touch panel is touched by a subject, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the touch panel arranged on the front surface of the X-ray detector.

  In the first embodiment, a position detection unit 5 having a touch panel 4 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the touch panel 4 is disposed on the front surface of the X-ray detector 3. The touch panel is made of a material that can transmit X-rays. When all or part of the touch panel 4 is configured to absorb X-rays, the image processing unit 8 adds the X dose absorbed by the touch panel 4 to the acquired projection data, An X-ray image may be created.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the touch panel, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing XY coordinates of the detected contact point.
As shown in FIG. 4, the touch panel 4 forms a capacitor with a subject. The capacitors are arranged in a matrix in the X direction and the Y direction, and according to a gap (gap) between the subject, The capacity is configured to change. Based on the change in capacitance, the position detection unit 5 is configured to detect (acquire) XY coordinates of a point (contact point) where the touch panel 4 is touched by a subject. FIG. 5 shows XY coordinates of the detected contact point.

  FIG. 6 is a view of a subject positioned in front of the X-ray detector, and FIG. 7 is a view showing XY coordinates of detected contact points. As shown in FIG. 6, the subject stands in front of the X-ray detector 3 and is positioned. The touch panel 4 is brought into contact with the positioned subject. FIG. 7 shows the XY coordinates of the contact point where the touch panel 4 is touched by the subject.

  Hereinafter, a configuration for obtaining the shift amount based on the XY coordinates of the contact points acquired at the time of positioning and at the time of photographing request will be described. In the first embodiment, the “deviation amount” refers to a positional deviation amount and is represented by “δ”.

(Switches SW1 to SW4, display control unit, allowable range storage unit 13, control means 10)
Semiconductor switches are used for the switches SW1 to SW4. Note that mechanical switches including mechanical relays may be used as the switches SW1 to SW4.

  A display control unit (not shown) displays the X-ray image of the subject created by the image processing unit on the display unit 6, displays the XY coordinates of the contact point, and displays information related to imaging on the display unit 6. The display unit 6 is an example of “notification means”.

  The allowable range storage unit 13 stores a first allowable range that is compared with the shift amount δ by the determination unit 12.

  The control unit 10 includes switches SW1 to SW4, a storage unit 9, a deviation amount calculation unit 11, a determination unit 12, and an allowable range storage at each time point during the lapse of time from when the subject is positioned to when the photographing is requested. The unit 13 and the permission / prohibition control unit 14 are configured to be controlled.

  The control means 10 receives the contact point acquisition request at the time of positioning by the operation unit 7 and the photographing request, and outputs the XY coordinates of the contact point to the display unit 6, the storage unit 9, and the deviation amount calculation unit 11. Thus, the switches SW1 to SW4 are controlled. It should be noted that only when the permission / prohibition control unit 14 receives an imaging request from the operation unit 7, the permission / prohibition control unit 14 does not output an imaging instruction signal to the imaging unit (including the X-ray source 2). Further, when the permission / prohibition control unit 14 receives a determination result that the shift amount δ is within the first allowable range by the determination unit 12 (described later), a shooting instruction signal is output for the first time. X-rays are irradiated.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram of a positioned subject, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing XY coordinates of a contact point at the time of positioning, FIG. 10 is a diagram of a subject at the time of shooting request, and FIG. 11 is an XY coordinate of the contact point at the time of shooting request. FIG. FIG. 8 shows a hand when opened as an example of a positioned subject, and FIG. 10 shows a hand when closed as an example of a subject at the time of photographing request. 8 and 10 intentionally increase the amount of displacement when the positioned subject is displaced before the photographing is requested in order to make the explanation easy to understand. The XY coordinates of the contact points shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 are also XY coordinates displayed on the display unit 6.

  FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing how the control of the switches SW1 to SW4 by the control means 10 proceeds, FIG. 13 is a diagram of a display unit on which “shooting stop” information is displayed, and FIG. It is the figure of the XY coordinate of the contact point at the time of the displayed positioning (comparison display) and the XY coordinate of the contact point at the time of imaging | photography request | requirement. In FIG. 12, “T0” indicates the positioning, “T1” indicates the photographing request, “T3” indicates that a predetermined time has elapsed from the photographing request, and “T5” indicates the actual photographing. .

  The position detection unit 5 is connected to the display unit 6 via the switch SW1. The control means 10 controls the switch SW1 to be always on and to turn off after the photographing request time T1. Thereby, the display control unit (not shown) causes the display unit 6 to display the XY coordinates of the contact point acquired in real time from the positioning time T0 to the photographing request time T1. The contact points displayed in real time are indicated by “white circles”.

  Further, the position detection unit 5 is connected to the storage unit 9 via the switch SW2. The control means 10 controls the switch SW2 to be always turned off and turned on at the time of positioning T0. Thereby, the XY coordinates of the contact point at the time of positioning T0 are stored in the storage unit 9.

  Further, the position detection unit 5 is connected to the deviation amount calculation unit 11 via the switch SW3. The control means 10 performs control so that the switch SW3 is always turned off and turned on at the time of photographing request T1. As a result, the XY coordinates of the contact point at the photographing request time T1 are stored in the storage unit 9.

  Further, the storage unit 9 is connected to the display unit 6 via the switch SW4. The control means 10 performs control so that the switch SW4 is always turned off, and is turned on at the time of positioning T0 and the time of photographing request T1. The display control unit causes the display unit 6 to display the XY coordinates of the contact point at the positioning time T0 and the imaging request time T1. Thereby, the XY coordinates of the contact point at the time of positioning T0 and the time of photographing request T1 are simultaneously displayed (comparison display).

  Further, the control means 10 receives the determination result that the deviation amount is outside the first allowable range, and outputs the determination result to the display unit 6. The display control unit causes the display unit 6 to display information indicating that “shooting has been stopped because of a positioning problem” (hereinafter referred to as “shooting stop”) (see FIG. 13). The timing for displaying this “shooting stop” information is indicated by “T2” in FIG. The timing T2 is within a predetermined time (T1 to T3) from the photographing request time T1 to the actual photographing time T5.

  The XY coordinates of the contact point displayed on the display unit 6 at the time of positioning T0 are indicated by “black circles” in FIG. The XY coordinates of the contact point displayed on the display unit 6 at the time of photographing request T1 are indicated by “white circles” in FIG. Furthermore, FIG. 14 shows XY coordinates of the contact points that are simultaneously displayed (comparison display).

(Operation unit 7)
The operation unit 7 is provided in both the photographing room and the operation room (console) (described above). Thereby, in both cases, the operator can use the operation unit 7 to output a contact point acquisition request and a photographing request at the time of positioning.

(Storage unit 9)
The storage unit 9 stores the XY coordinates of the contact points acquired at the time of positioning and when shooting is requested.

(Deviation amount calculation unit 11, center of gravity calculation unit)
Here, the function of the center of gravity calculation unit is described as being provided in the deviation amount calculation unit 11, but it goes without saying that it may be provided separately from the deviation amount calculation unit 11. The deviation amount calculation unit 11 obtains a deviation amount when the positioned subject is displaced before the photographing is requested.

  Here, it is assumed that the position of the subject is detected by the capacitive position detector 5, and the detected position of the subject is the XY coordinates of the contact point where the touch panel is touched by the subject.

  The deviation amount calculation unit 11 is the magnitude of the change in the XY coordinates of the contact point at two different time points (here, at the time of positioning and at the time of photographing request) in the time lapse from when the subject is positioned to when the photographing is requested. (Deviation amount).

  As an example of a method by which the deviation amount calculation unit 11 calculates the deviation amount δ, there are the following methods (1) to (4).

Method (1) When the XY coordinates of the contact point change between the positioning time and the photographing request, the number v of the changed contact points is obtained as the shift amount δ (δ = v).

  It should be noted that when the number of contact points at the time of photographing request is absent or extremely small, it can be said that the subject is in a non-contact state away from the touch panel 4. Therefore, a first allowable range may be provided, and when the number of contact points at the time of a shooting request is out of the first allowable range, shooting may be stopped and “shooting stop” may be notified.

Method (2) The degree of similarity between the XY coordinates of the contact point at the time of positioning and the XY coordinates of the contact point at the time of photographing request is obtained. The obtained value is set as the deviation amount δ.

  At this time, the shift amount δ can be obtained by the following equation.

  Here, in the XY coordinates of the contact point at the time of photographing request, the number that coincides with the XY coordinate of the contact point at the time of positioning is Q, and the number that does not coincide is R. At this time, the first allowable range of the deviation amount δ that is the coincidence rate may be set as a percentage (for example, 80% or more).

  On the other hand, the mismatch rate (= R / Q + R) may be used as the shift amount δ. At this time, the first allowable range may be set to less than 20%.

Method (3) When a plurality of contact points are distributed on the XY coordinates, the center of gravity of the region where the contact points are distributed can be seen as an example of a contact place where the touch panel 4 is touched by the subject. Therefore, the center-of-gravity calculation unit obtains the XY coordinates of the center of gravity of the distributed area at the time of positioning and the XY coordinates of the center of gravity of the distributed area at the time of photographing request, and the amount of change in the XY coordinates of the center of gravity of the obtained distribution area is calculated as follows: Obtained as the deviation δ.

  Next, an example of the method (3) will be described. Note that a plurality of n contact points are distributed on the XY coordinates. Here, assuming that one contact point has a certain area s, the XY coordinates of the center of gravity of the distribution region can be obtained by the same method as the method for obtaining the centroid of the planar figure.

The X coordinate x _g and Y coordinate y _g of the center of gravity of the distribution area can be obtained by the following equations.

ここで、ｘ_iを接触点のＸ座標とし、ｙ_iを接触点のＹ座標とする。

Here, x _i is the X coordinate of the contact point, and y _i is the Y coordinate of the contact point.

  The deviation amount δ of the XY coordinates of the center of gravity is obtained by the following equation.

ここで、ｘ_ｇ１を撮影要求時のＸ座標、ｘ_ｇ０を位置決め時のｘ座標、ｙ_ｇ１を撮影要求時のＹ座標、ｙ_ｇ０を位置決め時のＹ座標とする。

Here, x _g1 is the X coordinate at the time of imaging request, x _g0 is the x coordinate at the time of positioning, y _g1 is the Y coordinate at the time of imaging request, and y _g0 is the Y coordinate at the time of positioning.

  In the method (3), it is possible to detect the subject not as a contact point but as a region (contact surface) where the contact point is distributed.

Method (4) When a plurality of contact points are distributed on the XY coordinates, the outer shape of the distributed area at the time of positioning and the outer shape of the distributed area at the time of shooting request are obtained, and the outer shape is determined at the time of positioning and at the time of shooting request. The amount of change in the area surrounded by is obtained. In this method, the obtained change amount is the shift amount δ.

  Next, an example of the method (4) will be described. Here, the origin in the XY coordinates where a plurality of contact points are distributed is, for example, the center of gravity of the distribution area obtained by the method (3) described above.

  The following steps are performed based on the contact point at the time of positioning and the contact point at the time of photographing request.

  (1) First, straight lines that pass through the origin and draw an integer multiple of 20 ° such as 20 °, 40 °, 60 °,... 340 °, 360 ° with respect to the X axis of the XY coordinates are adjacent to each other. Is made into one range, and XY coordinates are divided into 18 divisions.

(2) Next, a plurality of m contact points P _j included in the divided range are numbered (1, 2,..., J,... M), and the contact point P _{j is} the most from the origin. Find the contact point at a distance.
For example, in the range of 0 ° to 20 °, five contact points are included, and when the distance from the origin is 5, 6, 9, 5, 3, The maximum distance is “9”. Therefore, the contact point having the maximum distance “9” can be obtained.

  (3) Similarly, a contact point having the maximum distance is obtained in each range.

  (4) Next, the obtained contact point is set as a point on the outer shape of the region, and is connected by a straight line (or may be a predetermined curve) to obtain the outer shape of the region.

(5) Next, the area of the region surrounded by the outer shape is obtained.
Since the region surrounded by the outer shape can be said to be a collection of triangular regions, the area of the triangular region is obtained, and the area is calculated by summing the areas. Can do.

  The area S of the triangular region can be obtained by the following equation.

ここで、三角形の頂点のＸＹ座標を、（ａ，ｂ）、（ｃ，ｄ）、（ｅ，ｆ）とする。

Here, it is assumed that the XY coordinates of the vertices of the triangle are (a, b), (c, d), (e, f).

  By such a procedure, the amount of change between the area at the time of positioning and the area at the time of imaging request is obtained as the deviation amount δ.

  Here, an area S0 surrounded by the outer shape at the time of positioning and an area S1 surrounded by the outer shape at the time of photographing request are assumed.

(Judgment unit 12)
The determination unit 12 compares the deviation amount δ with the first tolerance range stored in the tolerance range storage unit 13, and when the deviation amount δ is within the first tolerance range, the signal within the first tolerance range is determined. When the deviation amount δ is outside the first allowable range, a signal outside the first allowable range is output.

  When detecting the XY coordinates of the contact point, if a certain area cannot be detected, it is determined that the X-ray detector 3 is not in contact with the subject. As the first allowable range (parameter), a minimum detection area for each part of the subject is set.

  In response to the signal that the shift amount δ is outside the first allowable range, the display control unit causes the display unit 6 to display “shooting stop” information.

(Permit / Prohibit Control Unit 14)
The permission / prohibition control unit 14 receives the signal that the shift amount δ is within the first allowable range, and maintains the photographing apparatus 1 in the photographing permission state. That is, only when the permission / prohibition control unit 14 receives an imaging request from the operation unit 7, an imaging instruction signal is not output from the permission / prohibition control unit 14 to the imaging unit (including the X-ray source 2). Further, when the permission / prohibition control unit 14 receives the determination result that the shift amount δ is within the first allowable range by the determination unit 12, the imaging permission state is maintained, and the imaging instruction signal is transmitted to the X-ray source. 2, thereby irradiating with X-rays. On the other hand, the permission / prohibition control unit 14 receives the signal that the shift amount δ is outside the first allowable range, and controls the photographing apparatus 1 from the photographing permission state to the photographing prohibition state. Thereby, since photographing is prohibited, it is possible to prevent photographing mistakes. At this time, the display control unit displays “shooting stop” information on the display unit 6, so that it is possible to prevent double shooting errors.

[Operation]
The configuration of the imaging device 1 according to the first embodiment has been briefly described above.
Next, a series of operations of the photographing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a series of operations when photographing is performed by the photographing apparatus.

  Note that, as a method of obtaining the deviation amount by the deviation amount calculation unit 11, the similarity between the XY coordinate of the contact point at the time of positioning and the XY coordinate of the contact point at the time of imaging request is obtained as the deviation amount δ. The method shall be used.

(Pre-shooting stage)
At the start of the inspection, information on the position detection unit 5 (information to be noted in the routine inspection) corresponding to the selected inspection name is displayed on the display unit 6. The operator registers the inspection information in the apparatus. At that time, incidental information such as the examination site is also registered. Hereinafter, the examination purpose will be described as chest X-ray imaging.

(S1: Subject positioning)
The operator guides the subject (subject) to the imaging room and gives an instruction for positioning along the inspection purpose. The subject is placed in front of the X-ray detector 3 and the chest is brought into contact with the touch panel 4.

(S2: Acquire the coordinates of the contact point)
When the positioning is confirmed, the operator performs a positioning confirmation operation using the operation unit 7 on the photographing room side. In order to avoid exposure of the operator, the operator takes an image in the imaging room away from the subject.

(S3: Store and display the coordinates of the contact point during positioning)
The control means 10 receives the operation by the operation unit 7 and controls to turn on the switch SW1. Thereby, the XY coordinates of the contact point at the time of positioning are stored in the storage unit 9. Furthermore, the control means 10 receives the operation by the operation unit 7 and controls to turn on the switch SW4. Accordingly, the display control unit causes the display unit 6 to display the XY coordinates of the contact point at the time of positioning.

(S4: Display the coordinates of the contact point in real time)
The control means 10 performs control so that the switch SW1 is always turned on. Thereby, the display control unit causes the display unit 6 to display the XY coordinates of the contact point acquired in real time after the positioning.

(S5: Judgment of presence / absence of photographing request)
The operator uses the operation unit 7 on the photographing room side to perform a photographing request operation. The control means 10 receives an operation from the operation unit 7 and determines whether or not there is an operation request.

(S6: Stores and displays the coordinates of the contact point at the time of shooting request)
The control means 10 controls the switch SW3 to be turned on in response to the photographing request operation by the operation unit 7. Thereby, the XY coordinates of the contact point at the time of the photographing request are stored in the storage unit 9. Further, the control means 10 controls the switch SW4 to be turned on in response to an operation of the photographing request by the operation unit 7. The display control unit causes the display unit 6 to display the XY coordinates of the contact point at the time of shooting request.

(S7: Calculation of deviation amount)
The deviation amount calculation unit 11 obtains the similarity between the XY coordinate of the contact point at the time of positioning and the XY coordinate of the contact point at the time of photographing request as the deviation amount. As described above, the similarity is the number (matching rate) that matches the XY coordinates of the contact point at the time of positioning in the XY coordinates of the contact point at the time of the imaging request.

(S8: Comparison between deviation amount and first allowable range)
The determination unit 12 determines whether or not the deviation amount is within the first allowable range (80% or more), and outputs the determination result to the display unit 6 and the permission / prohibition control unit 14.

(S9: Maintaining photographing permission state)
When it is determined that the deviation amount is within the first allowable range (S8: Yes), the permission / prohibition control unit 14 maintains the photographing apparatus 1 in the photographing permission state.

(S10: Control to photographing prohibited state)
When it is determined that the deviation amount is outside the first allowable range (S8: No), the permission / prohibition control unit 14 controls the photographing apparatus 1 from the photographing permission state to the photographing prohibition state. By controlling to the photographing prohibited state, the photographing apparatus 1 stops the photographing operation.

  Further, the display control unit causes the display unit 6 to display that the deviation amount exceeds the first allowable range. Thereby, the operator is notified that the photographing operation has been stopped. Further, since the XY coordinates of the contact point at the time of positioning and photographing are displayed on the display unit 6, it is possible to determine at which XY coordinate the positional deviation has occurred.

(S11: Judgment of cancellation of photographing prohibition)
Next, the control unit 10 receives an operation from the operation unit 7 and determines whether or not an instruction to cancel the photographing prohibition is instructed.

(S12: Control to allow photographing)
When it is determined that an instruction to cancel the photographing prohibition is given (S11: Yes), the control unit 10 controls the photographing apparatus 1 from the photographing prohibited state to the photographing ready state. The operator may continue shooting, or may continue shooting by giving a positioning instruction again.

  When it is determined that an instruction to cancel photographing prohibition is not given (S11: Yes), the process returns to step S1 for positioning the subject.

  In the first embodiment, when the deviation amount δ is outside the first allowable range, (1) the display control unit causes the display unit 6 to display “shooting stop” information, and (2) permission / prohibition control. Although the configuration in which the unit 14 controls the photographing apparatus 1 from the photographing permission state to the photographing prohibition state has been described, it may be configured to perform either (1) or (2). It is possible to prevent mistakes in shooting by just doing one. The same applies to the following various embodiments.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the photographing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
Note that in the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and different components are mainly described.

  Even if the positional deviation amount δ is within the first allowable range, if the deviation amount per unit time (temporal deviation amount) within a predetermined time from the time when the photographing is requested until the time when the photographing is actually performed is large ( If it is out of the second allowable range), it is a cause of a shooting error, so shooting should be stopped.

  In the first embodiment, the XY coordinates of the contact point at the time of positioning are acquired, the XY coordinates of the contact point at the time of requesting photographing are acquired, and the XY coordinates of the contact point at the time of positioning and the XY of the contact point at the time of requesting photographing. Based on the coordinates, a configuration is shown in which the shift amount calculation unit 11 obtains the shift amount δ and controls the photographing apparatus 1 and the display unit 6 based on the determination result of whether the shift amount δ is within the first allowable range. . On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the XY coordinates of the contact point when a predetermined time elapses from when the photographing is requested until when the actual photographing is performed are acquired, and the acquired XY coordinates and the contact at the time when the previous photographing is requested. Based on the XY coordinates of the points, the deviation amount calculation unit 11 obtains a deviation amount per unit time within a predetermined time, and photographing is performed based on a determination result of whether or not the deviation amount per unit time is within the second allowable range. It is comprised so that the apparatus 1 and the display part 6 may be controlled.

  The deviation amount (dδ / dt) per unit time is expressed by the following equation.

  Here, δ is the difference between the XY coordinates at the time of imaging request and the XY coordinates when a predetermined time has elapsed, T1 is the time of imaging request (see FIG. 12), and T3 is the time when a predetermined time has elapsed from the time of imaging request. (See FIG. 12).

  In the second embodiment, the imaging apparatus 1 and the like may be controlled independently of the control of the first embodiment.

(Allowable range storage unit 13)
Further, the allowable range storage unit 13 stores a second allowable range that is compared with the deviation amount by the determination unit 12.

(Control means 10, switches SW1 to SW4)
Next, the control means 10 and the like will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 12, “T0” indicates the positioning, “T1” indicates the photographing request, “T3” indicates that a predetermined time has elapsed from the photographing request, and “T5” indicates the actual photographing. .

  The control means 10 performs control so that the switch SW2 is always turned off and turned on at the time of photographing request T1. Further, the control means 10 controls the switch SW3 to be always turned off and to be turned on at T3 when a predetermined time has elapsed from the photographing request time T1. The control means 10 always controls the switch SW4 to be turned off and to be turned on when the photographing request time T1 and a unit time (1 second) have elapsed since that time. The control means 10 controls the switch SW1 to be always on and to be turned off after the photographing request time T1.

  The control means 10 turns on the switch SW2, and causes the storage unit 9 to store the XY coordinates of the contact point at the time T1 when photographing is requested. The control means 10 causes the deviation amount calculation unit 11 to output the stored XY coordinates of the contact point at the time of photographing request T1. The control means 10 turns on the switch SW3 and causes the deviation amount calculation unit 11 to output the XY coordinates of the contact point at T3 when a predetermined time has elapsed from the photographing request time T1.

Thereby, the deviation amount calculation unit 11 obtains the deviation amount per unit time based on the XY coordinates of the contact point at the time T1 when photographing is requested and the XY coordinates of the contact point at the time T3 when a predetermined time has elapsed.
As a method for obtaining the deviation amount per unit time, for example, the change amount of the XY coordinates of the center of gravity of the distribution area is obtained as the deviation amount δ at the photographing request time T1 and when the predetermined time has elapsed from that time T3 (3 )

  The determination unit 12 determines whether the shift amount per unit time obtained by the shift amount calculation unit 11 is within the second allowable range, and determines that the shift amount is outside the second allowable range. The result is output to the display unit 6 and the permission / prohibition control unit 14. In response to the determination result that the amount of deviation is outside the second allowable range, the display control unit causes the display unit 6 to display information that “photographing will be stopped because the subject has moved”. The timing for displaying this “shooting stop” information is indicated by “T4” in FIG. Timing T4 is between T3 when a predetermined time has elapsed and T5 when actually shooting. In response to the determination result, the permission / prohibition control unit 14 controls the photographing apparatus 1 from the photographing permitted state to the photographing prohibited state. Thereby, the shooting of the subject is stopped. Therefore, artifacts due to body movement of the subject can be prevented. In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it is only detected whether or not the subject is separated from the contact surface (detection surface) of the position detection unit. However, in the present embodiment, not only is it detected whether or not the subject is separated from the contact surface. Since a change in the position of the subject per unit time relative to the contact surface is detected, a sudden change in the subject relative to the contact surface can be detected. Therefore, there is an effect that the stationary state of the subject can be detected.

  In response to the determination result that the deviation amount is within the second allowable range, the permission / prohibition control unit 14 maintains the photographing apparatus 1 in the photographing permission state. Thereby, X-rays are emitted from the X-ray source 2 and the subject is photographed.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the photographing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16, 17, and 18. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the temperature information of the subject standing in front of the X-ray detector, FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the temperature information of the positioned subject, and FIG. 18 is the temperature information of the subject at the time of imaging request. FIG.

  Note that in the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and different configurations are mainly described.

  In the first embodiment, the position detection unit 5 that detects the position of the subject has a touch panel 4 and is an electrostatic capacitance type that detects the XY coordinates of the contact point where the touch panel 4 is touched by the subject. However, the position detector 5 is not limited to this. For example, the position detection unit 5 may be an infrared detection method that can measure the temperature of a subject in a non-contact manner using infrared rays. Such a position detection unit 5 is referred to as a temperature distribution sensor.

  Also in the infrared detection method, the position detection unit 5 detects (acquires) XY coordinates of the acquired temperature information of the subject. FIG. 16 shows the distribution of the temperature information of the subject on the XY coordinates.

  The deviation amount calculation unit 11 obtains the area of the distribution region at each time point (at the time of positioning and at the time of photographing request) from the XY coordinates of the temperature information. FIG. 17 shows the temperature information of the positioned subject. FIG. 18 shows temperature information of the subject at the time of imaging request. Further, the deviation amount calculation unit 11 obtains, as a deviation amount, a matching rate between the area at the time of photographing request and the area at the time of positioning. The determination unit 12 determines whether the deviation amount is within an allowable range. The acceptable range of 60% is shown in FIG. The control means 10 causes the display unit 6 and the permission / prohibition control unit 14 to output the determination result by the determination unit 12.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the photographing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an allowable range (parameter) registration screen set for each type of subject and for each type of position detection unit. In the fourth embodiment, the simple term “allowable range” means the first allowable range and / or the second allowable range.

  As shown in FIG. 19, an allowable range (parameter) corresponding to each part of the subject is registered in order to determine the movement of the subject. Registration of the allowable range is performed by storing the allowable range in association with the portion of the subject and storing it in the allowable range storage unit 13 for each part of the subject to be imaged. When photographing a part of a subject, all of the allowable range associated with it may be used, or only a part of the allowable range may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the position of the subject is detected by one position detection unit 5, the amount of deviation is obtained from the detected subject position, and the obtained amount of deviation is compared with the allowable range. Indicated. On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, two or more position detection units 5 are combined, the position of each part of the subject is detected by each position detection unit 5, the amount of deviation of each part is obtained, and the amount of deviation in the amount of deviation of each part is calculated. And its tolerance range. The comparison result in the deviation amount of each part is comprehensively determined, and the photographing apparatus 1 is controlled based on the comprehensive determination result.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a registration screen for an allowable range (parameter) of the deviation amount set for each type of subject and for each type of X-ray detector 3. The allowable range of the deviation amount is stored in the allowable range storage unit 13 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 19, as types of position detection units, an jaw mount sensor in which a mechanical switch is arranged on the jaw mount, a table-mounted X-ray detector 3 configured to be able to transmit and receive data wirelessly, and wireless There is a floor-mounted X-ray detector 3 configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving data, and a hand-held X-ray detector 3 configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving data wirelessly.

  When the subject is a chest, the same position detection unit 5 having the touch panel 4 as the first embodiment and an jaw mounting sensor in which a mechanical switch is arranged on the jaw mounting are combined. In addition, it is the tolerance | permissible_range of deviation | shift amount that a mechanical switch is ON. When the mechanical switch is off, it can be determined that the X-ray detector 3 is not in contact with the subject.

  In this configuration, when the mechanical switch is turned off or the deviation amount obtained from the difference in the XY coordinates of the contact point at each detection time is at least one outside the allowable range, the control means 10 brings the imaging device 1 from the imaging permitted state. Control to the shooting prohibited state.

  Further, when the subject is a finger, the table-mounted X-ray detector 3 and the temperature distribution sensor are combined. In addition, the 60% coincidence ratio of the area indicating the predetermined temperature or higher detected by the temperature distribution sensor is an allowable range.

  In this configuration, when the amount of deviation obtained from the difference in area at each detection time point is outside the allowable range, the control unit 10 controls the photographing apparatus 1 from the photographing permitted state to the photographing prohibited state.

  Further, when the subject is a knee, the floor-standing X-ray detector 3 and the position detector are combined. A position matching rate of 20% is an allowable range.

  In this configuration, when the deviation amount obtained from the difference in position at each detection time is outside the allowable range, the control unit 10 controls the photographing apparatus 1 from the photographing permitted state to the photographing prohibited state.

  Further, when the subject is a knee, the hand-held X-ray detector 3 and the position detection unit 5 having the touch panel 4 as in the first embodiment are combined. Note that the duration of the stationary state of 5 [sec] is an allowable range. For example, when a state where the matching rate is not within the allowable range (outside the allowable range) occurs 5 seconds before the imaging request, the imaging device 1 is controlled to the imaging prohibited state.

  In this configuration, when the deviation amount obtained from the difference in the XY coordinates of the contact point at each detection time is outside the allowable range, the control unit 10 controls the photographing apparatus 1 from the photographing permitted state to the photographing prohibited state.

  Although not shown in FIG. 19, the various position detection units 5 described above may be used in combination. By detecting the position shift of various parts of the subject by the various position detection units 5, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the position shift and further prevent a photographing error.

  As an example of a combination of a plurality of types of position detection units 5, there is a combination of a capacitance type position detection unit 5 and an infrared detection type position detection unit 5. In this configuration, according to the XY coordinates of the contact point acquired by the capacitance type position detection unit 5, the subject acquired by the infrared detection type position detection unit 5 even if the deviation amount is outside the allowable range. If the deviation amount is within the allowable range, it is possible to enable photographing without controlling the photographing apparatus 1 from the photographing permitted state to the photographing prohibited state.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, rewrites, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging device 2 X-ray source 3 X-ray detector 4 Touch panel 5 Position detection part 6 Display part 7 Operation part 8 Image processing part 9 Storage part 10 Control means 11 Deviation amount calculation part 12 Judgment part 13 Permissible range storage part 14 Permit / Prohibition control unit

Claims (9)

In a photographing device for photographing a positioned subject,
A displacement amount calculation unit for obtaining a displacement amount when the positioned subject is displaced before the photographing request;
When the determined amount of deviation exceeds a predetermined first allowable range, a notification for notifying that the first allowable range has been exceeded for a predetermined time from the time when the photographing is requested until when the actual photographing is performed Means,
Having
An imaging device characterized by the above. Further, the deviation amount calculation unit obtains the deviation amount per unit time in the predetermined time when the deviation amount is within the first allowable range,
Furthermore, when the deviation amount per unit time obtained exceeds a predetermined second allowable range, the notification means has exceeded the second allowable range by the time of actual shooting. Announcing
The imaging device according to claim 1. An X-ray detector for detecting X-rays transmitted through the subject;
A position detection unit that includes a touch panel disposed in front of the X-ray detector, and detects a contact location where the touch panel is touched by a subject as the position of the subject;
Further comprising
The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deviation amount calculation unit obtains a positional deviation of the contact location as the deviation amount. The position detection unit detects a position of a contact point where the touch panel is touched,
The deviation amount calculation unit obtains a positional deviation of the contact point as the deviation amount;
The imaging device according to claim 3. The position detection unit detects a position of a contact point where the touch panel is touched,
Furthermore, it has a center of gravity calculation unit for obtaining the position of the center of gravity of the area where the position of the detected contact point is distributed,
The photographing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the deviation amount calculation unit obtains a position deviation of the center of gravity as the deviation amount. The display device further includes a display unit that displays the position of the contact point detected when the subject is positioned and the position of the contact point detected when the photographing is requested in a comparable manner. Item 5. The photographing device according to Item 4. The photographing according to claim 3, further comprising an allowable range storage unit that stores the first allowable range and the second allowable range in association with each type of subject and the position detection unit. apparatus. In a photographing method for photographing a positioned subject with a photographing device,
A step in which the position detection unit detects the position of the contact point where the touch panel is touched by the subject;
A step of causing the storage unit to store the position of the detected contact point at the time of positioning where the subject is positioned, and causing the display unit to continue displaying the stored position of the contact point at the time of positioning; When,
The control means displaying the position of the detected contact point after positioning on the display unit in real time;
The control means stores the position of the detected contact point at the time of photographing request in the storage unit, stops displaying the position of the contact point on the display unit in real time, and stores the stored Displaying the position of the contact point at the time of photographing request on the display unit;
A step of calculating a deviation amount when a position of the contact point detected at the time of the photographing request is deviated from a position of the contact point detected at the time of positioning;
The control means determines whether or not the obtained deviation amount exceeds a first allowable range, and when it is determined that the deviation exceeds the first allowable range, causes the display unit to display the exceeded value. And a step of changing the photographing apparatus from a photographing permission state to a photographing prohibition state;
A photographing method characterized by comprising: Further, upon receiving an instruction to cancel the photographing prohibition, the control means displays only the position of the contact point at the time of positioning on the display unit, and the photographing apparatus is moved from the photographing prohibited state to the photographing. Further comprising the step of controlling to a permission state;
The imaging method according to claim 8, wherein:

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