JP2018146301A - Nuclear medicine diagnosis device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a nuclear medicine diagnosis device which can determine the conditions for an inspection according to a site to be inspected, a method for the inspection, and the type and the arrangement of a collimator.SOLUTION: The nuclear medicine diagnosis device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of collimators provided to a plurality of detectors detecting gamma-rays, respectively; a reception unit for receiving information on an inspection site and a method for an inspection; and a determination unit for determining an inspection protocol on the basis of the inspection site and the method for inspection.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus.

  Nuclear medicine diagnostic devices such as SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) and PET (Positron Emission Tomography) devices have chemicals (blood flow markers, tracers) containing radioisotopes (hereinafter referred to as RI) in vivo. Gamma rays emitted from RI distributed in the living body are detected by a gamma ray detector disposed outside the living body by utilizing the property of being selectively taken into a specific tissue or organ. The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus can provide a functional image of a body organ or the like by generating a nuclear medicine image obtained by imaging a dose distribution of gamma rays detected by a gamma ray detector.

  Recently, a SPECT apparatus including a plurality of gamma ray detectors, which changes the arrangement position of the detector according to the examination site, has been developed. According to this SPECT apparatus, for example, nuclear medicine information of the examination site can be collected in a state where the patient can take a comfortable posture.

  By the way, it is known that a collimator affects spatial resolution and sensitivity depending on the type of aperture shape, aperture arrangement, and the like and the arrangement of the collimator. For this reason, the type and arrangement of the collimators provided in each of the plurality of gamma ray detectors must be changed according to the examination site and the examination method.

JP 2000-214263 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that the type and location of the collimator to be provided in each of a plurality of gamma ray detectors can be determined and the examination site and examination protocol can be set and implemented according to the features of the nuclear medicine examination apparatus The object is to provide a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus capable of performing examination efficiently.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of collimators provided for each of a plurality of detectors that detect gamma rays, and information on an examination site and an examination method. And a determination unit that determines an inspection protocol based on the inspection site and the inspection method.

(A) is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the nuclear-medical-diagnosis apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (b) is sectional drawing which follows the XX 'line | wire of (a). The block diagram which shows schematically the internal structural example of a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus. The schematic block diagram which shows the example of an implementation | achievement function by the processor of a processing circuit. The flowchart which shows the procedure at the time of determining a test condition and performing a test | inspection according to a test | inspection site | part, a test | inspection method, and the kind and arrangement | positioning of a collimator. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the kind and arrangement | positioning of a collimator when a test | inspection site | part is a kidney and a test | inspection protocol is determined as the test | inspection protocol which image | photographs the dynamic planer image and sectional image of a kidney simultaneously. An explanation showing an example of a time activity curve of the kidney. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the kind and arrangement | positioning of a collimator when a test | inspection site | part is a breast and a test | inspection protocol is determined as the test | inspection protocol which image | photographs a front static image and a cross-sectional image of a breast separately. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the kind and arrangement | positioning of a collimator when a test | inspection site | part is a heart and a test | inspection protocol is determined with the test | inspection protocol which image | photographs the cross-sectional image of the heart.

  Embodiments of a nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment described below can be applied to a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus such as a SPECT apparatus including a plurality of gamma ray detectors. In the following description, an example in which a three-detector gamma-ray detector rotating SPECT apparatus is used as the nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention will be described. Note that the gamma ray detector rotating SPECT apparatus as the nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention may include two or four or more gamma ray detectors.

(1) Notification of Collimator Type and Arrangement FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a configuration example of a nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows a X 'line. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the internal configuration of the nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 1 includes a gantry device 10, a bed device 20, and a console 30.

  The gantry device 10 includes a gantry body 11 that forms a cylindrical imaging space therein, and a gamma ray detector group 12. The gamma ray detector group 12 according to the present embodiment includes three gamma ray detectors 12a, 12b, and 12c. The gantry device 10 further includes three collimators 13a, 13b, and 13c that are detachably provided on the three gamma ray detectors 12a, 12b, and 12c, respectively, and a rotation driving device 14.

  The gantry main body 11 includes a base, a fixed gantry constituted by a casing fixed to the base, and a rotary gantry including a rotating plate that is rotatably supported by the fixed gantry. The fixed frame and the rotary frame are covered with, for example, a frame cover. An opening that includes the imaging region is provided in the central portion of the fixed frame, the rotary frame, and the frame cover that covers them.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (b), the nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a three-detector type gamma ray detector rotation including three gamma ray detectors 12a, 12b and 12c arranged in a triangular shape. This is a type of SPECT device.

  The three gamma ray detectors 12a, 12b, and 12c are held on a rotating mount. By rotating the rotating gantry around the rotation axis (around the z axis) via the rotation driving device 14, the three gamma ray detectors 12a, 12b and 12c rotate around the rotation axis as a unit.

  The gamma ray detector 12a detects gamma rays emitted from a radioisotope (RI) such as technesium administered to a subject (for example, a patient). Since the gamma ray detectors 12b and 12c have the same configuration and operation as the gamma ray detector 12a, the description thereof is omitted.

  The gamma ray detector 12a may be a scintillator type detector or a semiconductor type detector.

  When the gamma ray detector 12a is a scintillator type detector, the gamma ray detector 12a includes a collimator 13a for defining an incident angle of the gamma ray and a scintillator that emits an instantaneous flash when the gamma ray collimated by the collimator 13a is incident. And a light guide, a plurality of photomultiplier tubes arranged in a two-dimensional manner for detecting light emitted from the scintillator, an electronic circuit for scintillator, and the like. The scintillator is made of, for example, thallium activated sodium iodide NaI (Tl).

  The scintillator electronic circuit has information on the incident position of gamma rays in a detection plane constituted by a plurality of photomultiplier tubes based on the output of the plurality of photomultiplier tubes every time an event in which gamma rays are incident occurs. (Position information), incident intensity information, and incident time information are generated and output to the processing circuit 35 of the console 30. This position information may be information of two-dimensional coordinates in the detection surface, or the detection surface is virtually divided into a plurality of divided regions (primary cells) in advance (for example, divided into 1024 × 1024 pieces). In other words, it may be information indicating which primary cell is incident.

  On the other hand, when the gamma ray detector 12a is a semiconductor detector, the gamma ray detector 12a has a collimator 13a and a plurality of gamma ray detection semiconductors arranged in two dimensions for detecting the gamma rays collimated by the collimator 13a. It includes an element (hereinafter referred to as a semiconductor element), a semiconductor electronic circuit, and the like. The semiconductor element is made of, for example, CdTe or CdZnTe (CZT).

  The semiconductor electronic circuit generates incident position information, incident intensity information, and incident time information based on the output of the semiconductor element and outputs them to the processing circuit 35 every time an event in which gamma rays are incident occurs. This position information is information indicating which semiconductor element is incident among a plurality of semiconductor elements (for example, 1024 × 1024).

  That is, the gamma ray detector 12a outputs incident position information, incident intensity information, and incident time information for each event. The position information is at least one of information indicating which position of the primary cell the gamma ray is incident on and information on the two-dimensional coordinates in the detection surface.

  The gamma ray detectors 12a, 12b and 12c operate under the control of the processing circuit 35.

  Each of the collimators 13a, 13b, and 13c is made of a material that does not easily transmit radiation, such as lead or tungsten, and has an opening for restricting the direction in which the photons fly. As for the collimators 13a, 13b, and 13c, the spatial resolution and sensitivity of the nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus 1 change according to the type.

  Here, the type of the collimator is different depending on the shape of the opening, the arrangement of the openings, the thickness of the collimator, the partition wall thickness, and the like. Various types of collimators are known, such as a parallel hole collimator, a pinhole collimator, a fan beam collimator, a diverging collimator, a converging collimator, and a slant hole collimator.

  The rotation drive device 14 transmits a rotation means such as a motor for rotating the rotation base around the rotation axis (z axis), an electronic component for controlling the rotation of the rotation means, and the rotation of the rotation means to the rotation base. And a transmission means such as a roller. The rotation driving device 14 is controlled by the processing circuit 35 to rotate the rotating mount around the rotation axis (z axis). For example, the processing circuit 35 collects the projection data of the subject from a plurality of directions by rotating the gamma ray detectors 12a, 12b, and 12c continuously or stepwise around the subject via the rotating gantry.

  The couch device 20 includes a couchtop 21, a couch body 22 that moves the couchtop 21 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and a couchtop drive device 23 that moves the couchtop 21.

  The top plate 21 is configured by a plate-like member having a longitudinal direction in the z-axis direction and a short direction in the x-axis direction. The subject is placed on the top board 21.

  The bed body 22 is installed on the floor and supports the top plate 21 so as to be movable up and down. For example, the bed main body 22 has two support members that are elongated and arranged in an X shape, and a connecting pin that pivotally supports the central part of the two support members, and the upper ends of the two support members. The top plate 21 is supported. In this case, the top plate 21 rises, for example, by narrowing the interval between the lower end portions of the two support members, and descends by widening the interval between the lower end portions.

  The top plate driving device 23 includes a motor as a drive source for moving the top plate 21 in the horizontal direction, electronic components for controlling the motor, and the like. In addition, the top plate driving device 23 includes a motor as a drive source for raising and lowering the top plate 21 via the bed body 22 and electronic components for controlling the motor. The top board driving device 23 is controlled by the processing circuit 35 to move the top board 21.

  On the other hand, the console 30 of the nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus 1 is constituted by, for example, a general personal computer or a workstation, and includes an input circuit 31, a display 32, a storage circuit 33, a network connection circuit 34, and a processing circuit 35. The console 30 may not be provided independently. For example, a part of the configuration 31-35 of the console 30 may be distributed in the gantry device 10.

  The input circuit 31 includes a general input device such as a trackball, a switch button, a mouse, a keyboard, and a numeric keypad, and outputs an operation input signal corresponding to a user operation to the processing circuit 35. For example, the user can set an examination part and an examination protocol via the input circuit 31.

  The display 32 is configured by a general display output device such as a liquid crystal display or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display.

  The storage circuit 33 includes a recording medium readable by a processor, such as a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory. The storage circuit 33 is controlled by the processing circuit 35 and stores a count value and a nuclear medicine image for each display pixel. The storage circuit 33 may store in advance information such as a lookup table or a database that associates, for example, the inspection site and inspection protocol with the combination and arrangement of the three collimator types. Some or all of the programs and data in these recording media may be downloaded by communication via an electronic network.

  The network connection circuit 34 is constituted by, for example, a network card having a predetermined printed circuit board, and implements various information communication protocols according to the network form. The network connection circuit 34 connects the nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus 1 and other devices according to these various protocols. For this connection, an electrical connection via an electronic network can be applied. Here, the electronic network means an entire information communication network using telecommunications technology. In addition to a wireless / wired hospital backbone local area network (LAN) and the Internet network, a telephone communication network, an optical fiber communication network, a cable. Includes communication networks and satellite communication networks.

  The processing circuit 35 reads out and executes the program stored in the storage circuit 33, so that the inspection site and the inspection method and the collimator installed in each of the plurality of gamma ray detectors according to the inspection site and the inspection method are processed. The processor executes processing for setting inspection conditions including a series of inspection processing procedures (protocols, etc.) according to the type and arrangement. In the present embodiment, the processing circuit 35 performs a processing procedure according to the type and arrangement of the collimators 13a, 13b, and 13c provided in each of the three gamma ray detectors 12a, 12b, and 12c according to the inspection site and the inspection method. An example in the case of setting an inspection condition including “” will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the term “processor” means, for example, a dedicated or general-purpose CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). It shall mean a circuit such as a programmable logic device (for example, a simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and an FPGA). The processor implements various functions by reading and executing a program stored in the storage medium.

  In this embodiment, an example in which a single processor of a processing circuit realizes each function has been described. However, a processing circuit is configured by combining a plurality of independent processors, and each processor realizes each function. Also good. Further, when a plurality of processors are provided, the storage medium for storing the program may be provided for each processor individually, or one storage medium stores the programs corresponding to the functions of all the processors in a lump. Also good.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of functions realized by the processor of the processing circuit 35. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the processor of the processing circuit 35 realizes a reception function 41, a protocol determination function 42, a notification function 43, and an inspection control function 44. Each of these functions is stored in the storage circuit 33 in the form of a program.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining the inspection conditions and executing the inspection according to the inspection site and inspection method, and the type and arrangement of the collimator. In FIG. 4, reference numerals with numbers added to S indicate steps in the flowchart.

  First, in step S <b> 1, the reception function 41 receives information on the examination site and the examination method from the user via the input circuit 31.

  Next, in step S2, the user installs a collimator on each of the plurality of gamma ray detectors in the type and arrangement according to the examination site and the examination method, and the subject placed on the top plate 21 is placed on the examination site and Position it at a position according to the inspection method.

  Next, in step S3, the protocol determination function 42 uniquely determines an inspection protocol based on the inspection site and the inspection method. At this time, the protocol determination function 42 may display the determined inspection protocol on the display 32 and receive a confirmation instruction from the user via the input circuit 31. Further, at this time, the setting of various inspection conditions may be received by the user via the input circuit 31. The protocol determination function 42 gives information on inspection conditions including information on the determined inspection protocol to the notification function 43 and the inspection control function 44.

  Note that the processing circuit 35 may not implement the notification function 43. When the processing circuit 35 implements the notification function 43, next, in step S4, the notification function 43 notifies each type and arrangement of the plurality of collimators based on the inspection protocol. As a notification method, for example, a method for displaying an image showing information on the type and arrangement of each of the plurality of collimators on the display 32, or a voice output means such as a speaker for displaying the information on the type and arrangement of the plurality of collimators. For example.

  Further, for example, when the nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 1 is a three-detector type, an identification number, an identification name, etc. in advance for each type and arrangement of the three collimators, that is, for each combination (set) of the three collimators. In this case, the notification function 43 may notify the identification information. For example, when assigning identification numbers, all three collimators are the first set of parallel hall collimators, two collimators are the parallel hall collimators and one is the second set of multi-pin hole collimators, and one collimator is the parallel hall collimator. In the storage circuit 33, the information that the two are assigned to the multi-pinhole collimator set No. 3, the one collimator is the parallel hall collimator, the second is the fan beam collimator set No. 4, etc. is stored in advance and notified. The function 43 may use this identification number.

  When the processing circuit 35 implements the notification function 43, the user confirms whether the type and arrangement of collimators notified in step S4 are correctly provided in the plurality of gamma ray detectors.

  In step S5, the test control function 44 controls the nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus 1 so as to support the execution of the test according to the test condition including the test protocol. For example, the inspection control function 44 collects the output of each of the gamma ray detectors 12a, 12b, and 12c along the inspection protocol, for example, in a frame mode or a list mode.

  According to the above procedure, the inspection protocol can be determined and the inspection can be executed according to the inspection site and inspection method, and the type and arrangement of the collimator.

  As described above, the spatial resolution and sensitivity of the nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 1 change according to the type of collimator. For this reason, it is preferable that the type of collimator is appropriately used according to the inspection site, the nuclide (energy) to be detected, the purpose of the inspection, and the inspection protocol.

  The nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment takes advantage of the three-detector type, so that it differs from the case where all conventional collimators are of the same type according to the examination site and the examination method. A collimator is installed in each detector in a combination of type and arrangement. Then, it is possible to determine an inspection protocol according to the inspection site and the inspection method, and the type and arrangement of the collimator, and to execute the inspection along the inspection protocol. For this reason, according to the nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 1, a suitable collimator according to the examination part and the examination method can be used, and the examination can be executed by an examination protocol using the preferred collimator. Therefore, for example, even if the nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 1 is a three-detector SPECT apparatus with a small visual field, the nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 1 can be applied to various examination sites.

  Therefore, for example, even when the two-detector SPECT apparatus fails, the three-detector nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can be used depending on the examination site and examination protocol.

  Next, a specific example of the examination by the three-detector nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

(2) First test example (kidney)
The first examination example is an example where the examination site is the kidney.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the type and arrangement of collimators when the examination site is the kidney and the examination protocol is determined to be an examination protocol for simultaneously capturing a kidney dynamic planar image and a cross-sectional image.

  In the three-detector type nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, since the three gamma ray detectors 12a, 12b, and 12c are arranged in a triangular shape, the entire image is captured by one detector, and the other two The inspection which images each inspection object with one detector is possible. Examination sites where this type of examination is effective are sites that are line-symmetric with respect to the body axis, such as the kidney and breast. In addition, it is important to examine the kidneys and breasts simultaneously on the left and right. This is also one of the reasons why it is effective to take an image of the whole with one of the three gamma ray detectors of the nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 1 and to image individual examination objects with the other two detectors. One.

  When the examination site is the kidney, the examination control function 44 of the three-detector-type nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment performs an examination protocol that performs tomographic imaging by normal rotational imaging (hereinafter referred to as a normal kidney protocol). In addition, for example, an inspection protocol (hereinafter referred to as a parallel sectional kidney protocol) including a step of simultaneously capturing a dynamic planar image and a sectional image of the kidney can be executed. The parallel section kidney protocol is an examination protocol including a step of simultaneously capturing a dynamic planar image and a section image.

  For example, when the protocol determination function 42 determines the examination protocol to be executed as the parallel section kidney protocol, the notification function 43 indicates that the three collimators 13a, 13b and 13c used in the parallel section kidney protocol are two multi-pinholes. Since the information indicating that the collimator or two fan beam collimators and one parallel hole collimator are notified, the user confirms. As a fan beam collimator used in the parallel section kidney protocol, for example, a short focus fan beam collimator can be used.

  The dynamic planar image is obtained by dynamic collection by a gamma ray detector provided with a parallel Hall collimator arranged at a position facing the upper surface of the subject placed on the top plate 21, and the whole including the right and left kidneys is It is the whole image acquired continuously in series.

  Cross-sectional images are obtained by simultaneous serial SPECT acquisition of the left kidney and the right kidney by two gamma ray detectors provided with two multi-pinhole collimators or two fan beam collimators placed at the lower left and lower right of the subject. It is acquired by a reconstruction process based on the above. That is, this cross-sectional image is a tomographic image continuous in time series of the left kidney and the right kidney. The inspection control function 44 generates a dynamic planar image and a cross-sectional image simultaneously.

  In SPECT collection using a multi-pinhole or fan beam collimator, the inspection control function 44 collects the outputs of the gamma ray detectors 12a, 12b and 12c in the frame mode or the list mode. In the list mode, gamma ray detection position information, intensity information, information indicating the relative positions of the gamma ray detectors 12a, 12b and 12c and the subject (positions and angles of the gamma ray detectors 12a, 12b and 12c, etc.), and gamma ray detection The detection time is collected for each incident event of gamma rays.

  When performing continuous SPECT acquisition for generating a cross-sectional image using a fan beam collimator (for example, a short-focus fan beam collimator), the inspection control function 44 may rotate the entire rotation frame in a stepwise manner, for example, to the left and right. Thus, for example, projection data is collected from a plurality of locations such as three locations, and a tomographic image is generated by tomosynthesis based on the projection data of these plurality of locations.

  On the other hand, when performing continuous SPECT acquisition for generating a cross-sectional image using a multi-pinhole, the inspection control function 44 generates tomographic images based on a plurality of pinhole images even for projection data acquired at one location. Therefore, it is not necessary to rotate the rotating gantry, and it is possible to collect projection data from a plurality of locations by rotating the entire rotating gantry in a stepwise manner to the left and right to increase the number of projection data.

  The inspection control function 44 performs dynamic acquisition in parallel as described above during continuous SPECT acquisition for tomographic image generation.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a time activity curve of the kidney. The method of dividing each phase shown in FIG. 6 is an example and is not limited to this. For example, the excretory phase may be divided into two.

  The examination control function 44 creates a time activity curve of each region of interest of the left kidney and the right kidney based on the dynamic planer image. Information on the respective regions of interest of the left kidney and the right kidney is set by the user via the input circuit 31 and given to the examination control function 44.

  Even if the rotating base rotates slightly to the left and right, if the region of interest is set larger, the effect of this rotation on the creation of the time activity curve can be reduced. For this reason, the inspection control function 44, when rotating the rotating pedestal slightly to the left and right, automatically sets a region of interest set by the user by a predetermined ratio or a predetermined width for creating a time activity curve. It may be used as a region of interest, or comment display or voice guidance that prompts the user to take a larger area when setting the region of interest may be performed.

  The examination control function 44 reconstructs tomographic images of the left kidney and the right kidney for each phase of the kidney time activity curve (see FIG. 6). Specifically, the examination control function 44 creates time activity curves for the left kidney and the right kidney, and sets a time range for reconstructing a tomographic image. The inspection control function 44 may set a plurality of time zones for reconfiguration. The examination control function 44 takes out projection data of the right and left kidneys in each set time range, and reconstructs the left and right respectively to generate a tomographic image. When collecting output data of the gamma ray detector provided with two multi-pinhole collimators or two fan beam collimators in the list mode, the inspection control function 44 uses the list mode data belonging to the time zone for reconfiguration. Is taken out, formatted into frame data, and then reconstructed.

  According to this first examination example, the examination control function 44 of the nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 1 generates a time activity curve based on a dynamic planer image, and generates a fault for each time range set based on the time activity curve. The image can be reconstructed. Further, at this time, the examination control function 44 can simultaneously collect projection data of the left kidney and the right kidney. For this reason, the user can compare the respective activity curves of the left kidney and the right kidney with the tomograms of the respective phases very easily, so that a highly accurate kidney examination can be performed.

  In addition, since the kidney is a relatively small organ, a three-detector small-field can be obtained without using a large-field gamma-ray detector such as 500-600 mm like a general two-detector gamma-ray detector. Even a gamma ray detector can collect data sufficient for inspection.

  In addition, the kidney can be examined by a normal kidney protocol in which all of the three collimators 13a, 13b, and 13c are parallel hall collimators. According to this first examination example, the nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 1 uses gamma rays. By utilizing the fact that there are three detectors, it is possible to simultaneously obtain an entire image and tomographic images of the right and left kidneys in a short time. Even if the inspection control function 44 rotates the rotating platform slightly to the left and right, the rotating platform only needs to rotate by a small angle necessary for tomographic reconstruction by tomosynthesis, so projection data can be collected in a short time. It is. Therefore, the first examination example is suitable for examination of a dynamic image of the kidney.

(3) Second examination example (breast)
The second examination example is an example where the examination site is the breast.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the types and arrangement of collimators when the examination site is the breast and the examination protocol is determined to be an examination protocol for separately capturing a front static image and a cross-sectional image of the breast.

  When the examination site is a breast, the examination control function 44 of the three-detector-type nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment performs an examination protocol (hereinafter referred to as a normal breast protocol) that performs tomographic imaging by normal rotational imaging. In addition, for example, an inspection protocol (hereinafter referred to as a parallel cross-section breast protocol) including a step of separately capturing a front static image and a cross-sectional image of a breast can be executed. The parallel cross-sectional breast protocol is an examination protocol including a step of separately capturing a frontal static image and a cross-sectional image.

  For example, when the protocol determination function 42 determines the examination protocol to be executed as the parallel section breast protocol, the notification function 43 indicates that the three collimators 13a, 13b and 13c used in the parallel section breast protocol have two multi-pinholes. Since the information indicating that the collimator or two fan beam collimators and one parallel hole collimator are notified, the user confirms. As a fan beam collimator used in the parallel section breast protocol, for example, a short focus fan beam collimator can be used.

  The front static image is obtained by static collection by a gamma ray detector (see the upper side of FIG. 7) provided with a parallel hole collimator arranged at a position facing the upper surface of the subject placed on the top plate 21. It is the still whole picture which picturized the whole containing.

  On the other hand, the cross-sectional image is obtained by two gamma ray detectors (see the lower side of FIG. 7) provided with two multi-pinhole collimators or two fan beam collimators arranged on the upper left and upper right of the subject. Acquired by a reconstruction process based on each simultaneous SPECT acquisition of the right breast.

  Two multi-pinhole collimators or two fan beam collimators are positioned at suitable positions for imaging the left and right breasts after the rotating platform has been rotated 180 degrees from the position during static acquisition, Arranged at the upper left and upper right of the subject. Therefore, the inspection control function 44 does not generate the dynamic planar image and the cross-sectional image at the same time, but generates them separately.

  Further, the cross-sectional image of the left breast is obtained by using all the time-axis projection data acquired by the gamma ray detector corresponding to the left breast (for example, using the sum of all projection data or the averaged data). Based on the above) and reconstructed into one tomographic image. The same applies to the cross-sectional image of the right breast. Note that the description related to frame mode data or list mode data in SPECT acquisition and the description related to tomogram generation by tomosynthesis using a slight rotation of the rotating gantry are the same as the description of the first examination example, and are therefore omitted. To do.

  The user can examine a tumor examination, lymph node metastasis, and the like of the entire breast using the static image of the entire breast and the tomograms of the left breast and the right breast.

  According to the second examination example, the nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 1 performs projection data collection for front static image generation and projection data collection for cross-sectional image generation at different timings, but replaces three collimators. Therefore, the front static image and the cross-sectional image can be collected while maintaining the positional relationship between the subject and the gamma ray detector. For this reason, the nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 1 can very easily and accurately generate a front static image and a cross-sectional image at the same position of the subject. Further, at this time, the examination control function 44 can simultaneously collect projection data of the left breast and the right breast.

  In addition, since the breast is a relatively small organ, a three-detector small-field can be obtained without using a large-field gamma-ray detector such as 500-600 mm like a general two-detector gamma-ray detector. Even a gamma ray detector can collect data sufficient for inspection.

  In addition, the breast can be inspected by a normal breast protocol in which all of the three collimators 13a, 13b and 13c are parallel hole collimators, but according to the second inspection example, as in the first inspection example, The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 1 can obtain the whole image and the tomographic images of the left and right breasts simultaneously in a short time by utilizing the three gamma ray detectors.

(4) Third examination example (heart)
The third examination example is an example where the examination site is the heart.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the type and arrangement of collimators when the examination site is the heart and the examination protocol is determined as an examination protocol for taking a cross-sectional image of the heart.

  For example, when the examination site is the heart and the examination protocol for taking a cross-sectional image of the heart as the examination protocol to be executed by the protocol decision function 42 is determined, the notification function 43 may, for example, at least one of the three collimators 13a, 13b and 13c. The user confirms the information indicating that one of them is a multi-pinhole collimator or a fan beam collimator (for example, a short focus fan beam collimator). At this time, since the other two collimator types may be any type, the other two collimator types may not be notified.

  Then, the examination control function 44 performs reconstruction processing based on SPECT collection data by a gamma ray detector provided with one multi-pinhole collimator or a fan beam collimator arranged on the upper left of the subject (see FIG. 8). Generate a tomogram of the heart. Note that the description related to frame mode data or list mode data in SPECT acquisition and the description related to tomogram generation by tomosynthesis using a slight rotation of the rotating gantry are the same as the description of the first examination example, and are therefore omitted. To do.

  The nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is suitable for examination of a site that is line-symmetric with respect to the body axis, such as the kidney and breast shown in the first examination example and the second examination example, respectively. Of course, as shown in the third examination example, the present invention can also be applied to imaging of examination sites to which a three-detector type SPECT apparatus such as the head and heart is generally applied.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, an inspection protocol can be determined and an inspection can be executed according to the inspection site and inspection method, and the type and arrangement of the collimator.

  Note that the reception function 41, the protocol determination function 42, and the notification function 43 of the processing circuit 35 in this embodiment are examples of a reception unit, a determination unit, and a notification unit in the claims, respectively.

  In addition, although some embodiment of this invention was described, these embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, 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 ... Nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 12a, 12b, 12c ... Gamma ray detector 13a, 13b, 13c ... Collimator 21 ... Top plate 35 ... Processing circuit 41 ... Reception function 42 ... Protocol decision function 43 ... Notification function 44 ... Examination control function

Claims (10)

A plurality of collimators provided for each of a plurality of detectors for detecting gamma rays,
A reception unit for receiving information on an examination site and an examination method;
A determination unit that determines an inspection protocol based on the inspection site and the inspection method;
A nuclear medicine diagnostic device. The plurality of detectors are three detectors;
The three collimators provided in each of the three detectors include two or more types.
The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. The three collimators are
If the inspection part is a part symmetrical with respect to the body axis, two of the three detectors are provided with the same type of collimator, and the remaining one detector has a different type of collimator. Is provided,
The determination unit is
In accordance with the part symmetrical with respect to the body axis and the inspection method of the part, an inspection protocol using the two collimators of the same type and the one collimator of the different types is determined.
The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2. The three collimators used in the inspection protocol are:
Two multi-pinhole collimators or two fan beam collimators and one parallel hall collimator,
The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3. The examination site that is axisymmetric with respect to the body axis is the kidney;
The inspection protocol is:
Dynamic collection for generating a whole image including left and right kidneys in time series by a gamma ray detector provided with the parallel Hall collimator arranged at a position facing the upper surface of the subject placed on the top board; Time-sequential tomographic image generation of left kidney and right kidney by two gamma ray detectors provided with two multi-pinhole collimators or two fan beam collimators arranged at the lower left and lower right of the subject Including simultaneous execution of simultaneous SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) collection for left and right
The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4. The examination site that is line symmetric with respect to the body axis is a breast,
The inspection protocol is:
Static collection for generating an entire image including left and right breasts by a gamma ray detector provided with the parallel hole collimator disposed at a position facing the upper surface of the subject placed on the top, and the parallel hall Two multi-pinhole collimators or two fan beam collimators arranged at the upper left and upper right of the subject are provided by rotating a gamma ray detector provided with a collimator 180 degrees from the position at the time of static acquisition. Including separately performing left and right simultaneous SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) acquisition for generating tomographic images of the left and right breasts by two gamma ray detectors,
The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4. When the examination site is a heart, at least one of the three collimators used in the examination protocol is a multi-pinhole collimator or a fan beam collimator.
The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6. The inspection protocol is:
When a fan beam collimator is used as the collimator, including a step of generating a tomographic image by tomosynthesis,
The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7. The plurality of detectors are small-field detectors;
The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A notification unit for notifying each type and arrangement of the plurality of collimators to be provided in each of the plurality of detectors based on the inspection site and the inspection method and the determined inspection protocol;
The nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising:

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