JP2019088769A - X-ray image photographing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an X-ray image photographing device capable of making an X-ray image clear and accurate and hence improving image precision by allowing X rays to vertically enter all places of an X-ray detection part.SOLUTION: An X-ray image photographing device 10 includes: a photographing stand 11 for placing an object P; and an X-ray bulb 12 that is provided in an upper part of the photographing stand 11 and radiates X rays toward the photographing stand 11. An X-ray detection part 13 for detecting X rays that are radiated from the X-ray bulb 12 and are transmitted through the object P is provided on an upper surface of the photographing stand 11, and the X-ray detection part 13 is curved in a spherical shape with distance to the X-ray bulb 12 being a radius of curvature R.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for improving the accuracy of an X-ray image captured by an X-ray imaging apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art An X-ray imaging apparatus for imaging a state of a bone or the like using X-rays has conventionally been used at medical sites for treating humans or animals. In an X-ray imaging apparatus, X-rays are emitted radially from an X-ray tube. Therefore, when the X-ray detection unit (X-ray film and imaging table) is planarized, X-rays may be obliquely incident on the X-ray detection unit from the X-ray tube. In addition, the distance to the X-ray detector from the point where the distance to the X-ray tube is shortest in the X-ray detector (the intersection between the X-ray detector and the perpendicular from the X-ray tube to the X-ray detector) The incident angle of the X-ray was large. When X-rays are obliquely incident on the X-ray detection unit, distortion occurs in the X-ray image and the X-ray image becomes unclear, which causes a decrease in image accuracy.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a technique for reducing the incident angle of the X-ray to the X-ray detection unit (for causing the X-ray to be incident at an angle close to perpendicular to the X-ray detection unit) , Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes an X-ray imaging apparatus in which an X-ray film and an imaging table are curved in a concave shape such that the distance to the X-ray tube has a radius of curvature. By configuring in this manner, X-rays can be made incident perpendicularly from the center point of the arc in the cross section obtained by cutting the X-ray film in a plane parallel to the bending direction of the X-ray film and passing through the X-ray tube. It is possible.

JP-A-7-328046

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 above, X-rays are incident obliquely at a location away from the cross section. Moreover, the incident angle of the X-ray was large, so that it was separated from the said cross section in the direction (direction which the X-ray film is not curving) orthogonal to the bending direction.

  The present invention has been made to solve the problems as described above, and X-rays are made clear by making X-rays perpendicularly incident on all the locations of the X-ray detection unit, and the image accuracy is improved. An object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray imaging apparatus which can be improved.

  Below, the means for solving the said subject are demonstrated.

  An X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an imaging table on which an object is placed; and an X-ray tube provided above the imaging table and emitting X-rays toward the imaging table. The imaging apparatus is provided with an X-ray detection unit for detecting an X-ray emitted from the X-ray tube and transmitted through the subject on the upper surface of the imaging table, and the X-ray detection unit It is curved in a spherical shape whose radius of curvature is the distance to the X-ray tube.

  According to this configuration, X-rays can be perpendicularly incident on all parts of the X-ray detection unit, so that the X-ray image can be made clear and accurate, and the image accuracy can be improved.

  Preferably, in the X-ray imaging apparatus, the X-ray detection unit is configured by arranging the X-ray detection elements in a spherical shape.

  According to this configuration, an X-ray image can be easily taken even if the X-ray detection unit is three-dimensionally configured.

  The X-ray imaging apparatus further includes an image processing unit that generates, processes, and stores image data based on the X-rays detected by the X-ray detection unit, and the image processing unit performs the image data processing. It is preferable that the parts can be divided and stored.

  This configuration makes it possible to utilize three-dimensional X-ray image data.

  According to the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention, X-rays can be perpendicularly incident on all parts of the X-ray detection unit. Can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of an X-ray imaging apparatus. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an imaging table and an X-ray tube in the X-ray imaging apparatus. 2. XX sectional drawing in FIG. The YY sectional view taken on the line in FIG.

  An X-ray imaging apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below using FIGS. 1 to 4. The X-ray imaging apparatus 10 emits X-rays from the X-ray tube 12 toward the subject P, detects the transmitted X-rays by the X-ray detection unit 13, and visualizes the X-ray image.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray imaging apparatus 10 is provided above the imaging table 11 on which the subject P is placed and the imaging table 11, and emits X-rays toward the imaging table 11 (FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) an X-ray tube 12, a control unit 100 for controlling the operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus 10, and a display unit 102 for displaying an X-ray image. In the present embodiment, the subject P is described as being a human, but it is also possible to use an animal as the subject in the X-ray imaging apparatus 10.

  The photographing table 11 is formed of a synthetic resin, a light metal or the like in a cylindrical shape whose bottom face is vertically oriented. As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging stand 11 is used by being placed on a floor surface. A disk-shaped X-ray detection unit 13 is provided on the top surface of the imaging table 11 for detecting X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 12 and transmitted through the subject P. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the X-ray detection unit 13 is curved in a spherical shape with a radius of curvature R as a distance to the X-ray tube 12. The X-ray detection unit 13 is disposed with the curved concave surface facing upward.

  The flat panel detector technology is applied to the X-ray detection unit 13 in the present embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the X-ray detection unit 13 is configured by arranging the X-ray detection elements 13a, 13a, ... in a spherical shape. The X-ray detection elements 13a, 13a,... Detect incident X-rays and convert the detected X-ray signals into electrical signals. The X-ray detection unit 13 outputs, to the control unit 100, an electrical signal corresponding to the X-ray dose detected by the X-ray detection elements 13a, 13a,. In addition, it is also possible to employ | adopt the cassette which inserted the X-ray film, or an imaging plate as an X-ray detection part.

  The imaging stand 11 is formed in a size that allows the whole body of the subject P to lie down. That is, when the subject P is a human being, the X-ray detection unit 13 is formed to have a diameter of about 2 m. On the other hand, when the subject is an animal such as a dog or a cat, the X-ray detection unit 13 is formed to have a diameter of about 1 m.

  The control unit 100 is constructed as a computer system including a CPU (central processing unit), a memory, and the like, and controls the operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus 10. A program or the like for controlling the operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus 10 is executed by the CPU loading it into the memory. As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 100 is electrically connected to the X-ray tube 12, the X-ray detection unit 13, and the display unit 102 in a wired or wireless manner.

  The control unit 100 includes an image processing unit 101. The image processing unit 101 generates image data based on the electric signal output from the X-ray detection unit 13, performs necessary image processing such as plane correction on the image data, and temporarily stores the image data. The image processing unit 101 can divide the image data into parts (for example, a head, a torso, both arms, both legs, and the like) and store them. The image data generated or stored by the image processing unit 101 is transmitted to and displayed on the display unit 102 configured by a monitor or the like.

  When an X-ray film is employed as the X-ray detection unit, an X-ray image is directly displayed on the X-ray film. For this reason, an X-ray image can be viewed without using the display unit 102 by attaching the X-ray film to a spherically shaped light box (light box) or the like.

  In addition, if an X-ray image taken with a spherical surface is processed into a plane and viewed on a monitor for diagnosis, distortion occurs at that time. Therefore, ideally, it is preferable to project a spherically captured image on a spherical monitor. The diagnostician can grasp the whole body at once by looking at the monitor. Moreover, when viewing the monitor from the same distance as the height of the X-ray tube 12 set at the time of imaging, all parts of the monitor are positioned vertically to the eyes of the diagnostician. Thus there is no distortion in the viewed image. The diagnostic person can first grasp the whole area, then grasp the area of concern with a mouse, move it to the center of the monitor, and expand and examine it.

  In addition, it is also possible to give the X-ray tube 12 a function of automatically measuring the distance to each part of the body. This makes it possible to know the approximate thickness at each site and to adjust the radiation dose emitted for each site accordingly. For example, a large radiation dose is suitable for the abdomen and a small radiation dose for the fingers, since the thickness differs considerably between the abdomen and the fingers. Thus, it is preferable to apply the radiation dose according to the thickness to two parts from which thickness differs. That is, the thickness of each part is measured by measuring the distance from the X-ray tube 12 to the surface of the part of the body, and the radiation dose is automatically adjusted and emitted according to the thickness of each part. Thus, it becomes possible to irradiate a radiation dose corresponding to the thickness of each part.

  As described above, in the X-ray imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the X-ray detection unit 13 is formed in a spherical shape whose distance from the X-ray tube 12 is the curvature radius R. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, X-rays radiated radially from the X-ray tube 12 can be perpendicularly incident on all the places in the X-ray detection unit 13. As a result, when the image processing unit 101 generates image data, the X-ray image can be made clear and the image accuracy can be improved. Further, in the X-ray imaging apparatus 10, since X-rays can be emitted almost perpendicularly to the entire body such as the tip and the toes of the subject P, it is possible to accurately capture an X-ray image with less distortion. It becomes possible.

  In addition, when performing diagnostic imaging on patients whose body parts are damaged due to traffic accidents, etc., it is necessary to take a picture of the entire body because it is not possible to know in detail which parts of the body are damaged. You must. In addition, it is necessary to take a picture in a very short time and shift to medical treatment such as hemostasis. Or I want to shoot in a very short time between medical procedures. If the X-ray detection unit is a flat X-ray imaging apparatus, imaging has to be performed many times for each part, so a long time is required for image diagnosis. Moreover, when the imaging was performed many times like this, the radiation exposure amount was also large. However, in the X-ray imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, an image of each part of the whole body can be rapidly acquired at once by one imaging. In addition, the radiation exposure dose at the time of imaging can be small, and since radiation is vertically incident on all parts of the whole body, accurate imaging can be performed.

  Further, in the X-ray imaging apparatus 10, the X-ray detection unit 13 is configured by a flat panel detector in which the X-ray detection elements 13a, 13a,. Thereby, even when the X-ray detection unit 13 is configured in a three-dimensional manner, an X-ray image can be easily taken. In detail, for example, when the X-ray detection unit is configured by an X-ray film or an imaging plate, it is difficult to spherically bend the X-ray film or the imaging plate. However, in the present embodiment, the three-dimensional X-ray detection unit 13 can be configured by arranging the X-ray detection elements 13a, 13a, ... in a spherical shape. That is, in the present embodiment, it is possible to easily capture an X-ray image as compared with the case where the X-ray detection unit is configured by an X-ray film or an imaging plate.

  Further, in the X-ray imaging apparatus 10, the image processing unit 101 can divide the image data into parts and store them. As a result, by dividing the three-dimensional image data locally, it is possible to reduce distortion when correcting into two-dimensional data. That is, utilization of three-dimensional image data is facilitated. In addition, since the X-ray imaging apparatus 10 can capture the entire body of the subject P at one time, it is possible to suppress the radiation exposure amount of the subject P, the time taken for imaging, and the cost.

10 X-ray imaging apparatus 11 imaging stand
12 X-ray tube 13 X-ray detector
13a X-ray detection element 100 control unit
101 image processing unit 102 display unit
102 Display P subject
R radius of curvature R1 to R4 arrow

Claims (3)

An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging table on which an object is placed; and an X-ray tube provided above the imaging table and emitting X-rays toward the imaging table.
The upper surface of the imaging table is provided with an X-ray detection unit that detects an X-ray emitted from the X-ray tube and transmitted through the subject.
The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the X-ray detection unit is curved in a spherical shape whose radius of curvature is a distance to the X-ray tube.   The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the X-ray detection unit is configured by arranging X-ray detection elements in a spherical shape. An image processing unit that generates, processes, and stores image data based on the X-rays detected by the X-ray detection unit;
The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit is capable of dividing the image data into parts and storing the image data.

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