JP2015208618A - Radiographic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an easy-to-operate configuration in a radiographic apparatus related to long-length photographing.SOLUTION: According to the present invention, a configuration is adopted in which the setting operation at an end position has been changed. That is, according to the present invention, the operation is performed such that when rephotographing is instructed after end of long-length photographing, the positions of imaging systems 3, 4 at the end of the consecutive photographing is recognized to be the end position of the consecutive photographing at rephotographing. In other words, end of long-length photographing also operates to determine the end position of the long-length photographing. This configuration allows once executed long-length photographing to be reliably repeated. Thus the operation to determine the end position of long-length photographing which has been needed in conventional configuration now can be omitted.

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiation imaging apparatus that images radiation that has passed through a subject, and more particularly to a radiation imaging apparatus that performs long imaging by arranging horizontally long strip images vertically.

  A medical institution is equipped with a radiation imaging apparatus that irradiates a subject with radiation and images the transmitted radiation. According to such an imaging apparatus, the internal structure of the subject can be imaged.

  In such an imaging apparatus, there is a problem that the scattered radiation component generated in the subject deteriorates the image quality. The scattered radiation component of radiation refers to radiation that has passed through the subject whose direction has changed within the subject. The scattered radiation component appears on the image as a blurred cloud-like image and is superimposed on the subject image. Then, the subject image on the image becomes difficult to see due to the image derived from the scattered radiation component. It is difficult to prevent the generation of such scattered radiation components.

  In view of this, in the conventional configuration, a configuration has been devised in which the visibility of an image is improved by preventing the scattered radiation component from being detected as much as possible. That is, imaging is performed in a state where the spread of the irradiated radiation is limited. When radiation is irradiated to a narrow range of the subject, the radiation range of the subject is narrowed, and the generation of scattered radiation components is suppressed accordingly. Furthermore, in this way, the range in which the transmitted radiation has to be detected is narrowed, and the number of events in which the scattered radiation component enters this range is reduced. In such a photographing method, a strip image that is elongated in one direction is acquired.

  Such a strip image has the problem that the influence of the scattered radiation component is small, the subject is clearly reflected, and the imaging range is too narrow. Therefore, in the conventional configuration, strip images are photographed many times while changing the photographing position on the subject, and the obtained strip images are joined together to photograph one long image. Such a photographing method is called long photographing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  As shown in FIG. 14, the radiation imaging apparatus 51 includes a top plate 52 on which the subject is placed, a radiation source 53 that irradiates radiation provided on the top plate 52, and a lower side of the top plate 52. And an FPD 54 for detecting radiation. When taking a long image, the entire surface of the FPD 54 is not used for image generation. For capturing each strip image, only a range in which direct radiation (radiation that does not change the traveling direction until it reaches the FPD 54 from the radiation source 53) in the FPD 54 is used. Each strip image is an image extending in the body side direction of the subject.

  The radiation source 53 and the FPD 54 can be moved in the body axis direction of the subject while maintaining a relative position. When taking a long image, strip images are continuously shot while the radiation source 53 and the FPD 54 are moved in the body axis direction with respect to the subject.

  The position at which the continuous image of each strip image starts and ends at which position varies depending on the physique of the subject and the imaging purpose. Therefore, in the apparatus having the conventional configuration, the continuous shooting start position and the end position are pre-registered before the continuous shooting of strip images. Specifically, first, the subject placed on the top 52 is continuously irradiated with weak radiation. Then, a moving image is displayed on the monitor while the perspective image of the subject is not so clear. Since this moving image has the same field of view as the strip image acquired from now on, the moving image becomes an elongated moving image in the body axis direction.

  The surgeon moves the radiation source 53 and the FPD 54 (imaging systems 53 and 54) with respect to the subject while viewing this moving image, and aligns the imaging systems 53 and 54 with the imaging start position of the subject. The surgeon then registers the start position for the device. Since the moving image that the surgeon is viewing has the same field of view as the strip image that will be captured, the surgeon can recognize the start position without difficulty. Similarly, the surgeon moves the imaging systems 53 and 54 to the shooting end position while viewing the moving image, and registers the shooting end position.

  After the registration of the start position and end position is completed, when the surgeon gives an instruction to start shooting, the imaging systems 53 and 54 are moved to the shooting start position, and the first strip image is shot. Thereafter, the movement of the imaging systems 53 and 54 and the shooting of the strip image are alternately repeated, and the shooting at the registered end position is finally completed, and the shooting of the strip image is ended. When these strip images are connected, a long image can be generated.

  In addition, after shooting of the strip image is started, the surgeon can stop shooting before the imaging systems 53 and 54 reach the end position. That is, the radiation imaging apparatus 51 is provided with a stop button for inputting an instruction to stop imaging by the operator, and the apparatus is configured to stop continuous shooting of strip images when the stop button is pressed. Yes.

US Pat. No. 7,555,100

  However, the conventional apparatus has the following problems. In other words, according to the conventional apparatus, the setting registration of the shooting range is complicated.

  According to the conventional configuration, when setting and registering the shooting range, the imaging systems 53 and 54 are once moved to the start position to register the start position, and then the imaging systems 53 and 54 are moved to the end position. The end position must be registered. Such a method of setting and registering the shooting range cannot be ruled out. In addition, the conventional configuration has to capture a moving image until the end position setting registration is completed, which is not desirable from the viewpoint of reducing the exposure dose of the subject.

  Therefore, if the continuous shooting of strip images is performed from the beginning without setting and registering the shooting range, the operator's work flow may be greatly simplified. However, if shooting range setting registration is not performed before continuous shooting, it is not possible to retry long shooting (re-shooting). Since long imaging takes time, it is necessary to perform imaging again if the subject moves during the imaging. Such re-shooting needs to be performed by re-creating the shooting range in the previous long shooting and continuously shooting strip images. Therefore, long shooting cannot be reproduced unless the start position and end position are designated prior to long shooting. Therefore, the setting registration of the shooting range is an operation necessary for long shooting, and cannot be omitted.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-operate configuration in a radiographic apparatus related to long imaging.

The present invention has the following configuration in order to solve the above-described problems.
That is, the radiation imaging apparatus according to the present invention irradiates a subject with a radiation beam that is narrow in the vertical direction and wide in the horizontal direction, and detects radiation that has passed through the subject, and an imaging system. X-ray image based on the irradiation control means for controlling the irradiation of the radiation beam, the moving means for moving the imaging system in the longitudinal direction with respect to the subject, the movement control means for controlling the moving means, and the output of the imaging system X-ray image generation means for generating image data and splicing means for generating a long image by arranging and joining X-ray images continuously shot while moving the imaging system in the vertical direction with respect to the subject Registration means for registering an operator with a continuous shooting start position, which is the position of the imaging system when starting continuous shooting, and continuous shooting instruction input means for allowing the operator to input instructions for starting and stopping continuous shooting; After the continuous shooting is stopped, the operator takes a long image again. A re-shooting execution input means for inputting the instruction of the image, and when the re-shooting instruction is given, the movement control means sets the position of the imaging system at the start time of the stopped continuous shooting as the continuous shooting start position in the re-shooting. The image capturing system is moved so that re-shooting is performed so that the position of the image capturing system at the time when the instruction to stop continuous shooting is input becomes the continuous shooting end position in re-shooting.

[Operation and Effect] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a radiation imaging apparatus that is easy to operate. That is, the configuration of the present invention allows the operator to register the continuous shooting start position, which is the position of the imaging system when starting continuous shooting of X-ray images, and after starting continuous shooting, the operator cancels continuous shooting. Let the surgeon input instructions. By configuring in this way, long shooting can be executed immediately if the continuous shooting start position is determined in advance.
In addition, according to the present invention, when reshooting is instructed after the end of long shooting, the position of the imaging system at the start of continuous shooting is recognized as the registered continuous shooting start position, Re-shooting is performed by recognizing that the position of the imaging system at the end of continuous shooting is the position of the imaging system at the time when an instruction to stop continuous shooting is input. In this way, it is possible to reliably reproduce the long shooting performed once. Thus, according to the present invention, the end of the long shooting also serves as the determination operation of the continuous shooting end position. Therefore, it is possible to omit the operation for determining the continuous shooting end position, which is necessary in the conventional configuration.

  In the above-described radiation imaging apparatus, it is more desirable to include storage means for storing the position of the imaging system at the start time of continuous shooting and the position of the imaging system at the end time of continuous shooting, which are referred to by the movement control means.

  [Operation / Effect] The above-described configuration represents a specific configuration of the present invention. If the storage unit stores the position of the imaging system at the start time of continuous shooting and the position of the imaging system at the end time of continuous shooting, which are referred to by the moving unit, the apparatus can more reliably realize the operation.

  In the above-described radiation imaging apparatus, it is more desirable to have display means for displaying a long image.

  [Operation / Effect] The above-described configuration represents a specific configuration of the present invention. If a display means for displaying a long image is provided, the long image can be confirmed.

  In the above-described radiation imaging apparatus, it is more preferable that the display unit updates the display of the long image so that the newly captured X-ray image is reflected as the X-ray images are continuously shot.

  [Operation / Effect] The above-described configuration represents a specific configuration of the present invention. If the display means updates the display of the long image so that the newly taken X-ray image is reflected as the X-ray image is continuously shot, the long-time shooting is performed while checking how far the shooting has progressed. It can be performed. That is, with this configuration, it is possible to reliably stop the long image at a desired position even though the end position of continuous shooting is not set in advance. This is because the surgeon can accurately grasp the progress of the long photographing by visually recognizing the actually photographed long image.

  According to the present invention, the long position shooting start position is set in advance as before, and the end position setting operation is changed. That is, according to the present invention, when reshooting is instructed after the end of long shooting, the position of the imaging system at the end of continuous shooting is recognized as the continuous shooting end position at the time of reshooting. It works. In other words, according to the present invention, the end of the long shooting also serves as the determination operation of the long shooting end position. In this way, it is possible to reliably reproduce the long shooting performed once. Therefore, it is possible to omit the operation of determining the long photographing end position, which is necessary in the conventional configuration.

1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a functional block diagram explaining the collimator concerning Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining long shooting according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining long shooting according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining long shooting according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1. It is a schematic diagram explaining the X-ray imaging apparatus which concerns on a conventional structure.

  Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an X-ray imaging apparatus that images an X-ray image of a subject M. X-rays in the examples correspond to the radiation of the present invention. FPD is an abbreviation for flat panel detector.

<Overall configuration of X-ray imaging apparatus>
First, the configuration of the X-ray imaging apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray imaging apparatus 1 includes a top plate 2 on which a subject M in a supine position is placed, and an X-ray tube 3 that emits X-rays provided on the upper side (one surface side) of the top plate 2. And an FPD 4 for detecting X-rays provided on the lower side (other surface side) of the top plate 2. The FPD 4 is a rectangle having four sides along either the body axis direction A or the body side direction S of the subject M. The X-ray tube 3 irradiates the quadrangular pyramid-shaped X-rays toward the FPD 4. The FPD 4 receives X-rays on the entire surface. The support column 5 extends from the lower side (other surface side) of the top plate 2 toward the upper side (one surface side) of the top plate 2 and supports the X-ray tube 3 and the FPD 4.

  For convenience of explanation, the X-ray tube 3 and the FPD 4 are called imaging systems 3 and 4. The imaging systems 3 and 4 irradiate the subject with a radiation beam that is narrow in the longitudinal direction (body axis direction A of the subject) and wide in the lateral direction (body side direction S of the subject), and In this configuration, the transmitted radiation is detected.

  The X-ray tube controller 6 (see FIG. 1) is provided for the purpose of controlling the X-ray tube 3 with a predetermined tube current, tube voltage, and pulse width. When X-rays are emitted from the X-ray tube 3 under the control of the X-ray tube control unit 6, the X-rays pass through the subject M and enter the detection surface 4 a of the FPD 4. The FPD 4 includes a phosphor that is sensitive to X-rays. When the X-rays strike the phosphor, a fluoroscopic image of the subject M is printed on the phosphor, and the phosphor light is converted into an electrical signal. Converted to a digital image.

<About the collimator 3a>
The X-ray tube 3 is provided with a collimator 3a that limits the X-ray irradiation range. The collimator 3a can adjust the opening degree. As shown in FIG. 2, the collimator 3a has a pair of shielding blades 3b that move mirror-symmetrically with respect to the axis C, and another pair of shielding blades 3b that similarly move mirror-symmetrically with respect to the axis C. I have. If this collimator 3a can irradiate the entire surface of the detection surface 4a of the FPD 4 with cone-shaped X-rays B by moving the shielding blade 3b, for example, only the central portion of the detection surface 4a has a fan-shaped X-ray. The line B can also be irradiated. The axis C is an axis indicating the center of the X-ray B. One of the two pairs of shielding blades 3b adjusts the spread of the X-ray B in the body axis direction A in the shape of a quadrangular pyramid, and the other pair of shielding blades 3b is an X-ray. The spread of B in the body side direction S is adjusted. When the X-ray tube 3 is moved, the collimator 3 a is also moved along with the X-ray tube 3. The pair of shielding blades 3b blocks X-rays and visible light.

  Such opening and closing of the shielding blade 3b is realized by a collimator driving mechanism 7 as shown in FIG. Specifically, the collimator driving mechanism 7 can be configured by a stepping motor or the like. The collimator driving mechanism 7 operates under the control of the collimator controller 8.

  The long photographing according to the present invention is executed by continuously shooting a long and narrow strip image PS in the body side direction of the subject. During continuous shooting of the strip image PS, the opening of the collimator 3a is set so as to be narrowed in the body axis direction of the subject M. At this time, the opening of the collimator 3a in the body side direction of the subject need not be narrowed and may be fully open. The strip image PS corresponds to the X-ray image of the present invention.

  In this way, by setting the collimator 3a and performing imaging, a clear X-ray image can be obtained. This principle will be briefly described. The left side of FIG. 3 shows a state where spot imaging is performed with a fully open collimator 3a in the body axis direction of the subject. According to such an imaging method, a wide range of projected images can be obtained, but more scattered X-rays are captured. That is, the scattered X-rays are generated in a wide range as indicated by the shaded portion on the left side of FIG. 3, and the generated scattered X-rays are increased accordingly. Although not all of the scattered X-rays reach the FPD 4, in the case of the left side in FIG. 3, the scattered X-rays are detected on the entire surface of the FPD 4 because of the necessity of widening the field of view. Then, the scattered X-rays are detected by the FPD 4 as long as the scattered X-rays enter somewhere within the full width WA of the FPD 4. Detection of scattered X-rays should be avoided to obtain a clear X-ray image.

  The right side of FIG. 3 shows a state in which the strip image PS is captured by the collimator 3a narrowed in the body axis direction of the subject. According to such an imaging method, although the range of the obtained projection image is narrow, there is little capture of scattered X-rays. That is, scattered X-rays are generated in a narrow range as indicated by the shaded portion on the right side of FIG. The amount of scattered X-rays generated accordingly is smaller than in the case of the left side of FIG. Further, in the case of the right side of FIG. 3, since the field of view is narrow, X-ray detection is performed only on a part of the FPD 4. Then, the scattered X-rays are not detected by the FPD 4 unless they enter the specific region R on the FPD 4. Therefore, only a few scattered X-rays are reflected in the strip image PS obtained under the imaging conditions on the right side of FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the strip image PS is captured using an elongated region extending in the body side direction of the subject as an imaging range. The strip image PS obtained by this imaging is an image that is narrow in the body axis direction of the subject and extends in the body side direction. Generation of such an image is executed by the strip image generation unit 11 that has received the detection signal of the FPD 4. The strip image generation unit 11 generates a strip image PS that is narrow in the body axis direction A and wide in the body side direction S based on the outputs of the imaging systems 3 and 4.

  The strip image PS is unsuitable for diagnosis because the field of view is too narrow. Therefore, the apparatus of the present invention generates a plurality of strip images PS by continuously shooting the strip images PS while moving the X-ray tube 3 and the FPD 4 with respect to the subject in the body axis direction A of the subject. As shown in FIG. 5, one long image L is generated by arranging and connecting them in the body axis direction A. The joining unit 12 executes joining of the strip images PS. The joining unit 12 generates a long image L by arranging and joining the strip images PS continuously shot while moving the imaging systems 3 and 4 in the body axis direction A with respect to the subject.

  Therefore, long imaging must be performed while moving the imaging systems 3 and 4 with respect to the subject. The movement of the imaging systems 3 and 4 at the time of long photographing is realized by the column moving mechanism 17 that moves the column 5 in the body axis direction A. At this time, the column 5 moves relative to the subject while maintaining the relative positions of the X-ray tube 3 and the FPD 4. The column moving mechanism 17 is configured to move the imaging systems 3 and 4 in the body axis direction A with respect to the subject. The column movement control unit 18 is configured to control movement of the column movement mechanism 17.

  During long shooting, the column movement control unit 18 adjusts the speed of the column 5 so that the shooting fields of the strip images PS overlap each other. Then, the joining unit 12 joins the strip images PS by aligning the strip images PS so as to partially overlap each other so that the positional relationship of the photographing field of view is maintained.

  During the strip image PS continuous shooting, the X-ray tube control unit 6 sends an X-ray irradiation instruction to the X-ray tube 3 in accordance with the movement of the column 5. The X-ray tube 3 emits X-rays only when the strip image PS is captured in response to this instruction. Therefore, the X-ray tube 3 emits pulsed X-rays. Furthermore, X-ray irradiation at this time is performed at a relatively high dose for the purpose of obtaining a clear image. A control mode of the X-ray tube 3 at the time of continuous strip image shooting will be referred to as a high-dose pulse mode.

  The X-ray tube control unit 6 can also control the X-ray tube 3 in the low-dose continuous irradiation mode that is used for moving image shooting in addition to the above-described modes. This mode is a mode in which a relatively low dose of X-rays is continuously irradiated, and is used when a projected image of a subject is to be observed as a moving image. Such image generation is performed by converting the detection signal sequentially output by the FPD 4 that continuously detects X-rays into frames each time the moving image generating unit 13 receives the moving image, and the moving image generating unit 13 combines them with time. It is realized by doing. The moving image V photographed at this time is also called a live image.

<Other configuration of the apparatus according to the present invention>
The console 26 (see FIG. 1) is provided for the purpose of inputting an instruction such as start of X-ray irradiation by the operator. The console 26 includes a registration button 26a used when registering a start position described later, a re-shoot execution button 26b for instructing execution of re-shoot described later, and a re-shoot execution button 26b. The console 26 is provided with a hand switch 26c held by the operator, and includes an exposure switch 26c1 for instructing execution of X-ray irradiation and a stop button 26c2 for instructing to stop X-ray irradiation. . The hand switch 26c is configured to allow the operator to input instructions for starting and stopping continuous shooting of strip images, and corresponds to continuous shooting instruction input means of the present invention.

  The main control unit 27 (see FIG. 1) is provided for the purpose of comprehensively controlling each control unit. The main control unit 27 is constituted by a CPU, and realizes the X-ray tube control unit 6 and the units 8, 11, 12, 13, and 18 by executing various programs. Further, each of the above-described units may be divided and executed by an arithmetic device that takes charge of them. The storage unit 28 (see FIG. 1) stores the positions of the imaging systems 3 and 4 at the start time of continuous shooting and the positions of the imaging systems 3 and 4 at the end time of continuous shooting that are referred to by the support column movement control unit 18. The storage unit 28 stores all other parameters related to device control. The display unit 29 is provided for the purpose of displaying the long image L and the moving image V.

<Operation of the apparatus according to the present invention>
Next, the operation of the apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In order to perform long imaging with the radiation imaging apparatus according to the present invention, first, a subject is placed on the top 2 (subject placement step S1). At this time, the collimator 3a is adjusted in opening degree so that each strip image PS constituting the long image can be photographed. The opening degree of the collimator 3a is not changed until the long photographing is finished.

  When the surgeon gives an instruction to shoot a moving image through the console 26 (moving image capturing start step S2), the X-ray tube 3 starts X-ray irradiation. At this time, since the X-ray tube control unit 6 controls the X-ray tube 3 in the low-dose continuous irradiation mode that is used for moving image shooting, a low-dose X-ray is emitted from the X-ray tube 3. Become. X-rays pass through the subject and enter a strip-shaped region in the center of the FPD 4. The FPD 4 generates the moving image V by detecting X-rays only in the strip-shaped region. The moving image V is a live image related to the subject fluoroscopy and is displayed by the display unit 29. On the display unit 29, the current fluoroscopic state is sequentially displayed. The moving image V has the same field of view as the strip image PS to be shot from now on, and is a horizontally long image in the body axis direction S. Since the moving image V is captured at a low dose with a small exposure dose, the moving image V does not show the subject image very clearly as shown on the right side of FIG.

  The surgeon moves the imaging systems 3 and 4 with respect to the subject while grasping the positional relationship between the imaging systems 3 and 4 and the subject using the moving image V (imaging system moving step S3). The movement of the imaging systems 3 and 4 is realized by the support movement control unit 18 controlling the support movement mechanism 17 in accordance with an instruction given by the operator through the console 26. Since the surgeon can actually confirm the field of view of the imaging systems 3 and 4 by the moving image V, the operator can accurately grasp the positional relationship between the imaging systems 3 and 4 and the subject. The surgeon moves the imaging systems 3 and 4 with respect to the subject to a position where long imaging is desired to start while visually recognizing the video V. The left side of FIG. 7 represents a state in which the imaging systems 3 and 4 move in the body axis direction in accordance with the operator's instructions.

<Start position registration step S4>
When the surgeon confirms that the imaging systems 3 and 4 have moved to a position where he wants to start long imaging, the surgeon stops the imaging systems 3 and 4 and presses a registration button 26 a attached to the console 26. Then, the console 26 transmits a signal indicating that the registration button 26 a has been pressed to the support column movement control unit 18. The strut movement control unit 18 sends data indicating the positional relationship between the subject and the imaging systems 3 and 4 at the time of signal reception to the storage unit 28. Nevertheless, the actual column movement control unit 18 sends data indicating the relative position between the top 2 and the imaging systems 3 and 4 to the storage unit 28 instead of the positional relationship between the subject and the imaging systems 3 and 4. It will be. The storage unit 28 stores the data as the start position of the long shooting. In this way, registration of the start position of the long shooting is completed. FIG. 8 illustrates how the start position is registered. Thus, the registration button 26a is provided for the purpose of allowing the operator to register the continuous shooting start position, which is the position of the imaging systems 3 and 4 when starting the continuous shooting of the strip image PS.

<Long shooting start step S5>
When the operator gives an instruction to start long imaging through the exposure switch 26c1 attached to the hand switch 26c, a signal indicating that is sent to the X-ray tube control unit 6 and the column movement control unit 18. The X-ray tube control unit 6 and the column movement control unit 18 start continuous shooting of the strip images PS while changing the position of the subject in cooperation. Such a configuration in which the long shooting is started before the end position of the long shooting is determined is unique to the present invention. With the conventional configuration, long imaging should not be performed until the surgeon registers the end position of long imaging. Incidentally, the X-ray tube control unit 6 at this time controls the X-ray tube 3 in the high-dose pulse mode.

  In the apparatus according to the present invention, it is assumed that the imaging systems 3 and 4 are set in advance so as to move toward the toes of the subject when performing long imaging. By setting in this way, continuous shooting of the strip images PS does not proceed in the direction opposite to the direction intended by the operator. Instead of such a configuration, it is also possible to set in advance which side the imaging systems 3 and 4 are advanced with respect to the subject prior to the start of long imaging. Such setting is performed by the operator through the console 26.

  FIG. 9 shows a state at the time when the first strip image PS1 is taken. Since the strip image PS1 is shot at the start position of the long shooting, the imaging systems 3 and 4 remain at the position where the registration button 26a is pressed. The strip image PS1 photographed at this time has the same visual field range as the moving image V when the registration button 26a is pressed, and is obtained by photographing the same place of the subject. Therefore, the strip image PS1 includes the same subject image that is reflected in the moving image V. However, since the strip image PS1 is taken in the high-dose pulse mode, the subject is captured more clearly than the moving image V.

  The strip image PS1 generated by the strip image generation unit 11 is displayed on the display unit 29 before the imaging systems 3 and 4 are moved. The right side of FIG. 9 shows the situation.

<Long Image Generation Start Step S6>
After the strip image PS1 is displayed on the display unit 29, the strut movement control unit 18 moves the imaging systems 3 and 4 to the subject to the imaging position related to the second strip image PS2, as shown on the left side of FIG. To move. Thereafter, the X-ray tube control unit 6 controls the X-ray tube 3 so as to emit X-rays, and imaging of the strip image PS2 is started. The strip image PS2 generated in this way is joined with the strip image PS1 to generate a long image L2. The long image L2 is displayed on the display unit 29 before the imaging systems 3 and 4 are moved. That is, the imaging systems 3 and 4 remain in the shooting position related to the strip image PS2 for a while after the long image L2 is displayed. The right side of FIG. 10 represents this state.

  The long image L2 is an image having an imaging field of view equivalent to about two strip images PS. However, since the imaging range of the long image that is the basis is considerably narrow, the imaging field of view of the long image L2 is not usually sufficient for imaging diagnosis. Therefore, it is necessary to continue continuous shooting of strip images.

  According to the present invention, the latest strip image PS generated with continuous shooting of strip images is reflected on the long image. That is, the X-ray imaging apparatus 1 of the present invention sends out a newly captured strip image PS to the stitching unit 12 every time the strip image PS is generated. Each time the joining unit 12 receives a new strip image PS, the joining unit 12 joins all the strip images PS photographed in the long photographing being performed, and regenerates the long image L. The regenerated long image L is sent to the display unit 29 and displayed there.

  Therefore, the display unit 29 of the present invention is configured to update the display of the long image L so that the newly taken strip image PS is reflected as the strip images PS are continuously shot. The surgeon can know how far continuous shooting of the strip images has progressed by visually recognizing the displayed long image. Such a configuration is also a unique configuration of the present invention. In the conventional configuration, a long image is not generated during continuous strip image shooting.

<Shooting stop step S7>
Thereafter, the long image capturing is executed while the strip image capturing and the updating of the display of the long image L are alternately repeated. As a result of repeating such an operation, it is assumed that the long image L5 generated with the generation of the strip image PS5 is displayed on the display unit 29 as shown in FIG.

  At this time, the surgeon recognizes that the long image L5 has a photographing field sufficient for image diagnosis, and presses the stop button 26c2 of the hand switch 26c. The console 26 sends a signal indicating that to the X-ray tube control unit 6 and the column movement control unit 18. Upon receiving this signal, the X-ray tube control unit 6 controls the X-ray tube 3 so as not to perform X-ray irradiation any more. Then, the column movement control unit 18 receives this signal and controls the column movement mechanism 17 so as not to move the column 5 any more. Thus, the long photographing is finished. Thus, the stop button 26c2 is provided for the purpose of allowing the operator to input an instruction to stop continuous shooting after the start of continuous shooting.

<End position automatic registration step S8>
Here, the configuration of the end position automatic registration step S8, which is the most characteristic configuration of the present invention, will be described. According to the configuration of the present invention, when the operator presses the stop button 26c2 of the hand switch 26c, the position of the imaging systems 3 and 4 with respect to the subject at the time of pressing is automatically registered as the end position of the long imaging. It is. This is a configuration that the conventional apparatus does not have.

  The operation at this time will be specifically described. The strut movement control unit 18 that has received a signal indicating that the stop button 26c2 has been pressed sends data indicating the positional relationship between the subject and the imaging systems 3 and 4 at the time of reception to the storage unit 28. Nevertheless, the actual column movement control unit 18 sends data indicating the relative position between the top 2 and the imaging systems 3 and 4 to the storage unit 28 instead of the positional relationship between the subject and the imaging systems 3 and 4. It will be. The storage unit 28 stores the data as the end position of the long shooting. Thus, the automatic registration of the end position of the long shooting is completed.

  Note that the imaging systems 3 and 4 remain at the shooting position related to the strip image PS5 for a while after the long image L5 is displayed on the display unit 29. Even when the surgeon presses the stop button 26c2 of the hand switch 26c, the imaging systems 3 and 4 do not move, so the apparatus can reliably recognize that the continuous shooting end position is the shooting position related to the strip image PS5. It is. As long as the stop button 26c2 is pressed before the next strip image PS6 is shot, the imaging systems 3 and 4 have already started moving toward the next strip image PS6. Even after, the apparatus recognizes that the shooting position related to the strip image PS5 is the continuous shooting end position. That is, the continuous shooting end position means a shooting position related to the latest strip image PS at the time when the stop button 26c2 is pressed.

  You may be wondering what it means to automatically register the end position of shooting, even though long shooting has already ended. This automatic registration of the end position is significant in that long shooting can be reproduced. Hereinafter, an operation for reproducing the long shooting will be described.

<Re-shooting start step S9>
When the surgeon presses the re-shooting execution button 26b of the console 26, the above-described long shooting is reproduced as shown in FIG. The re-shooting execution button 26b is a button provided for the purpose of allowing the operator to input a re-shooting instruction for the long image L after continuous shooting is stopped.

  The operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus related to re-imaging will be specifically described. The console 26 sends a signal indicating that the re-shooting execution button 26 b has been pressed to the support column movement control unit 18. Then, the strut movement control unit 18 reads data indicating the continuous shooting start position from the storage unit 28 and moves the imaging systems 3 and 4 to the continuous shooting start position. The continuous shooting start position at this time is a long shooting start position manually registered by the operator in the start position registration step S4, as shown on the left side of FIG. 13, and is relative to the imaging systems 3 and 4 with respect to the top board 2. Shown in position.

  Similarly, the strut movement control unit 18 reads data indicating the continuous shooting end position from the storage unit 28. The continuous shooting end position at this time is the long shooting end position automatically registered in the end position automatic registration step S8 as shown on the right side of FIG. 13, and is the relative position of the imaging systems 3 and 4 with respect to the top board 2. It is shown.

  As described above, in the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention, when an instruction for re-imaging is given, the continuous shooting start position in which the position of the imaging systems 3 and 4 at the start point of the continuous shooting is registered by the column movement control unit 18 is registered. The position of the imaging systems 3 and 4 at the end of the continuous shooting is recognized as the position of the imaging systems 3 and 4 at the time when the instruction to stop the continuous shooting is input, and re-shooting is performed. It is configured to execute. In the column movement control unit 18, the position of the imaging systems 3 and 4 at the start time of the continuous shooting that has been canceled becomes the continuous shooting start position in the re-shooting, and the position of the imaging system at the time when the instruction to stop the continuous shooting is input. Re-photographing is performed by moving the imaging system so that the continuous shooting end position in re-photographing is reached.

  Thereafter, the strip image continuous shooting is started while the X-ray tube control unit 6 and the column movement control unit 18 cooperate to change the imaging position. When the imaging systems 3 and 4 are moved to the continuous shooting end position, the column movement control unit 18 controls the column movement mechanism 17 so as not to move the imaging systems 3 and 4 any more. At the same time, the column movement control unit 18 gives an instruction to end the X-ray irradiation to the X-ray tube control unit 6. Then, the X-ray tube control unit 6 controls the X-ray tube 3 so as not to irradiate X-rays lastly at the continuous shooting end position. The long image L in which the continuous strip images PS are joined together is displayed on the display unit 29, and the operation of the apparatus according to the present invention ends.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an X-ray imaging apparatus 1 that is easy to operate. That is, the configuration of the present invention allows the operator to register the continuous shooting start position, which is the position of the imaging systems 3 and 4 when starting the continuous shooting of the strip image, and after the continuous shooting starts, Have the surgeon enter a stop instruction. By configuring in this way, long shooting can be executed immediately if the continuous shooting start position is determined in advance. When a reshooting instruction is given after the end of the long shooting, the position of the imaging systems 3 and 4 at the start of continuous shooting is recognized as the registered continuous shooting start position, and Re-photographing is executed by recognizing that the positions of the imaging systems 3 and 4 at the end time are the positions of the imaging systems 3 and 4 at the time when an instruction to stop continuous shooting is input. In this way, it is possible to reliably reproduce the long shooting performed once. Thus, according to the present invention, the end of the long shooting also serves as the determination operation of the continuous shooting end position. Therefore, it is possible to omit the operation for determining the continuous shooting end position, which is necessary in the conventional configuration.

  Further, according to the configuration of the present invention, the display unit 29 updates the display of the long image L so that the newly captured strip image is reflected as the strip images are continuously shot. You can take a long picture while confirming how far it has progressed. That is, with this configuration, the long image L can be surely stopped at a desired position even if the end position of continuous shooting is not set in advance. This is because the surgeon can accurately grasp the progress of the long photographing by visually recognizing the actually photographed long image L.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, and can be modified as follows.

  (1) In the above configuration, the shooting is stopped by pressing the stop button 26c2 of the hand switch 26c. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Instead of the operator pressing the stop button 26c2, the imaging may be stopped by releasing the hand from the exposure switch 26c1. According to this configuration, the operator continues to press the exposure switch 26c1 during the execution of imaging.

  (2) According to the above-described configuration, immediately after the start position registration step S4 ends, the process proceeds to the long image capturing start step S5. However, after the start position registration step S4, the process proceeds to the long image capturing start step S5. Before the transition, an end position registration step for registering the end position of photographing may be provided. The actual registration of the end position is the same as the operation of the start position registration step S4.

3, 4 Imaging system 6 X-ray tube control unit (irradiation control means)
17 Prop moving mechanism (moving means)
18 Prop movement control unit (movement control means)
11 Strip image generator (Strip image generator)
12 Joining part (joining means)
26a Registration button (registration means)
26b Re-shooting execution button (re-shooting execution input means)
26c Hand switch (continuous shooting instruction input means)
28 storage unit (storage means)
29 Display section (display means)

Claims (4)

An imaging system that irradiates a radiation beam that is narrow in the vertical direction and wide in the horizontal direction toward the subject, and that detects the radiation that has passed through the subject;
Irradiation control means for controlling irradiation of the radiation beam of the imaging system;
Moving means for moving the imaging system in the vertical direction with respect to the subject;
Movement control means for controlling the movement means;
X-ray image generation means for generating an X-ray image based on the output of the imaging system;
Splicing means for generating a long image by arranging and joining the X-ray images continuously shot while moving the imaging system in the vertical direction with respect to the subject;
Registration means for registering an operator with a continuous shooting start position that is a position of the imaging system when starting the continuous shooting;
Continuous shooting instruction input means for allowing an operator to input instructions to start and stop the continuous shooting;
Re-shooting execution input means for allowing the operator to input an instruction to re-shoot a long image after continuous shooting is stopped,
When an instruction for re-shooting is given, the movement control means is configured such that the position of the imaging system at the start time of the stopped continuous shooting becomes the continuous shooting start position in the re-shooting and the instruction to stop the continuous shooting is input. A radiation imaging apparatus for performing re-imaging by moving the imaging system so that the position of the imaging system in the above becomes a continuous shooting end position in re-imaging. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 1,
A radiation imaging apparatus comprising: storage means for storing the position of the imaging system at the start time of continuous shooting referred to by the movement control means and the position of the imaging system at the end time of continuous shooting. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A radiation imaging apparatus comprising display means for displaying the long image. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 3,
The display unit updates the display of the long image so that the newly captured X-ray image is reflected as the X-ray image is continuously shot.

Images