JP2023043215A - Angle meter for radiography - Google Patents

Abstract

To solve the problem with a conventional angle meter configured so that a ball-like movable body that does not transmit an X-ray passes through a curved passage that a substantial material of the ball is limited to ceramics or metal from a viewpoint of durability since the ball involves a rolling movement, and if the ball is enlarged to enhance a discrimination performance, artifacts are generated.SOLUTION: An angle meter for radiography includes a container formed of an X-ray transmission material and an X-ray blocking agent put into the container. The container is formed with a scale of the X-ray blocking agent at a position corresponding to a horizontal plane that changes in the container if the container is tilted. The angle meter for radiography achieves high visibility and hardly causes artifacts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a goniometer capable of confirming the patient's supine angle during imaging with an X-ray apparatus and displaying the angle on the radiographed X-ray image.

For example, a mobile X-ray device (portable X-ray device) uses support lines and tubes and is often used to take X-ray pictures of critically ill patients in hospital rooms. In the mobile X-ray apparatus, the patient to be imaged is in a nearly supine position on the bed, so there are some differences from normal examination room imaging.

One is the difference in the X-ray irradiation direction, and the other is the difference in posture during imaging. In laboratory imaging, the patient stands in front of the cassette in a standing position and is exposed to X-rays from behind. On the other hand, when using a portable X-ray apparatus, the patient is imaged in a semi-sitting position with the upper body raised from the supine position. Therefore, X is irradiated from the chest side. As a result, the size of the heart appears to change.

In addition, since the angle of the upper half of the body at the time of photographing is within a certain width (0° to 90°), the appearance of the photograph also varies accordingly. In other words, in a mobile X-ray imaging apparatus, the angle of the upper body at the time of imaging is an important consideration when interpreting images later.

Current mobile x-ray equipment can electronically manage the x-ray images using a flat panel detector (FPD) as a cassette. Therefore, there is no particular problem in recording the angle of the upper body for each photograph. However, even so, if the angle of the upper body can be recorded in the X-ray photograph, misunderstandings can be avoided later.

In response to such a request, Patent Document 1 discloses a housing attached to the front surface of a cassette, in which a first moving body moves in relation to the angle at which the cassette is currently arranged. a housing having a first passage;
a plurality of markers protruding from the inner surface of the passage through which the first moving body passes;
A current position of the first moving body with respect to the plurality of markers in the passage represents an angle at which the first moving body is positioned when the X-ray image is taken, the first moving body and A goniometer is disclosed wherein the plurality of markers are visible on the x-ray image produced by the x-ray device.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0112454

The goniometer disclosed in Patent Document 1 can indicate the angle of the housing by moving the ball-shaped moving body to the lowest position of the curved first path when the housing is tilted. However, since the ball body is accompanied by a motion of rotation, considering the durability, the actual material is limited to metal or ceramics. However, there is a problem that if the moving body is enlarged to improve visibility, unnecessary artifacts will appear.

The present invention has been conceived in order to solve the above problems. To provide a goniometer for radiography that can be left.

More specifically, the radiographic goniometer according to the present invention comprises:
a container formed of an X-ray transparent material;
having an X-ray shielding agent contained in the container;
The container has
A scale is formed by an X-ray shielding material at a position corresponding to a horizontal plane that changes in the container when the container is tilted.

Since the goniometer for X-ray imaging according to the present invention uses a liquid X-ray shielding agent, the thickness of the goniometer may be small. Therefore, the tilt angle at the time of imaging can be imprinted on the X-ray image without generating unnecessary artifacts. If the tilt angle at the time of imaging can be recorded in the X-ray image, the reproducibility of the radiography will be high when the same patient is repeatedly photographed (the angle visually recognized during the examination and the angle recorded in the image match). (because it is possible to As a result, it is possible to make comparisons with past photographs with peace of mind when interpreting radiograms.

3 is a trihedral view of the goniometer for X-ray imaging; FIG. (a) is a front view. (b) is a right side view. (c) is a plan view from above. FIG. 2 is an assembly diagram of the goniometer for X-ray imaging; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which an X-ray imaging goniometer is used in a portable X-ray imaging apparatus; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how the tilt and shadow of an X-ray imaging goniometer appear. (a) is a side view when the inclination angle is 90°. (b) is a front view when the tilt angle is 90°. (c) is a side view when the tilt angle is 75°. (d) is a front view when the tilt angle is 75°. (e) is a side view when the inclination angle is 60°. (f) is a front view when the tilt angle is 60°. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how the tilt and shadow of an X-ray imaging goniometer appear. (a) is a side view when the inclination angle is 45°. (b) is a front view when the inclination angle is 45°. (c) is a side view when the tilt angle is 30°. (d) is a front view when the tilt angle is 30°. (e) is a side view when the tilt angle is 15°. (f) is a front view when the tilt angle is 15°. It is an enlarged view of the scale portion of the goniometer for radiography. (a) is obtained when the tilt angle is 75°. (b) is when the tilt angle is between 30° and 45°. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing where to apply the scale; (a) is the case where it is provided on the front surface of the rear panel. (b) is the case where it is provided on the wall surface of the concave portion of the main body. (c) is the case where it is provided on the front surface of the main body. (d) is the case where it is provided on the rear surface of the rear plate.

An X-ray imaging goniometer according to the present invention will be described below with reference to drawings and embodiments. In addition, the following description illustrates one embodiment and one example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following description. The following description can be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Also, in the following description, the side facing the X-ray irradiation device 50 (see FIG. 3) is referred to as "front", and the opposite side is referred to as "rear". Moreover, the upper and lower sides when placed so that the scale 24, which will be described later, can be read correctly are referred to as "top" and "bottom".

FIG. 1 shows a trihedral view of an X-ray imaging goniometer 1 according to the present invention. 1(a) is a front view, FIG. 1(b) is a right side view, and FIG. 1(c) is a plan view from above. An X-ray imaging goniometer 1 comprises a container 10 and an X-ray shielding agent 12 sealed in the container 10 . Further, a solution having a lighter specific gravity than the X-ray shielding agent 12 and transmitting X-rays and visible light may be sealed at the same time. This is called sealing liquid 14 .

FIG. 2 shows an assembly drawing of the container 10. As shown in FIG. The container 10 is composed of a back plate 16 , a partition plate 18 , a main body 20 and a lid 22 . The rear plate 16 is adhered to the main body 20 provided with the recessed portion 20c corresponding to the groove (the partition plate 18 may be inserted) from the rear side, and the upper portion is closed with the lid body 22, so that the enclosed space is formed inside the container 10. 26 (see FIG. 1) is provided. The X-ray shielding agent 12 and sealing liquid 14 are enclosed in this enclosed space 26 .

A scale 24 is provided on the front surface 16a of the rear plate 16 (in FIG. 2, the numeral portion 24f (see FIG. 6) of the scale 24 is omitted). The scale 24 is drawn with a material that shields X-rays. Alternatively, the scale 24 may be formed by engraving characters and lines on the front surface 16a of the back plate 16 and embedding an X-ray shielding material there.

A rear surface 16b of the back plate 16 is formed parallel to the front surface 16a on which the scale 24 is formed. As will be described later, the rear surface 16b is attached parallel to the surface of the cassette C (see FIG. 3). This is because it cannot be measured.

The partition plate 18 separates the front surface 16 a of the rear plate 16 and the main body 20 . The thinner the thickness of the partition plate 18, the more accurately the tilt angle of the goniometer 1 for X-ray photography can be read. Therefore, the partition plate 18 may not only be a thin plate-like member, but may also be made of a film or a film applied to the front surface 16 a of the rear plate 16 .

The partition plate 18 separates the X-ray shielding agent 12 filled in the main body 20 and the scale 24 provided on the front surface 16 a of the rear plate 16 . It also serves to prevent the formation of a gap between the main body 20 and the back plate 16 . It also serves to prevent the X-ray shielding agent 12 from adhering to the scale 24 and solidifying. Therefore, even if the scale 24 comes into direct contact with the X-ray shielding agent 12, no problem occurs, and if measures are taken to prevent the X-ray shielding agent 12 from leaking into the gap between the main body 20 and the rear panel 16, The partition plate 18 may be omitted.

The main body 20 is provided with a concave portion 20c that forms, together with the back plate 16 and the lid 22, an enclosed space 26 (see FIG. 1) filled with the X-ray shielding agent 12 on the back surface 20b. The lid body 22 hermetically seals the upper surface 20u of the main body 20 and the upper surface 16u of the rear plate 16 . Here, the bottom surface 20cb of the recess 20c is built into the main body 20, but the recess 20c is formed in a groove state so as to penetrate from the upper surface 20u to the lower surface 20d, and the bottom surface (not shown) is joined to the lower surface 20d. Thus, the recess 20c may be formed.

Of the main body 20, the partition plate 18, the rear plate 16, and the lid 22, at least the main body 20, the rear plate 16, and the partition plate 18 are preferably made of a material that transmits X-rays and also visible light. be. Images of the X-ray shielding agent 12 and the scale 24 are not projected on the cassette C (see FIG. 3) unless the X-rays pass through. It is also for the purpose of suppressing the occurrence of unnecessary artifacts. Moreover, the angle at the time of installation cannot be confirmed unless visible light is transmitted. For example, a transparent plastic such as acrylic can be suitably used. Of course, it is more preferable if the lid 22 is also made of a material that transmits X-rays and also visible light. A material that transmits X-rays is called an X-ray permeable material.

The X-ray shielding agent 12 is preferably liquid and shields X-rays. Here, shielding X-rays means shielding X-rays to such an extent that they can be identified as shadows on the image when X-ray imaging is performed. Also, materials that are safe for the human body are preferred in case of leakage. For example, since barium sulfate is used as a contrast medium for X-ray imaging of the stomach, it can be suitably used in terms of safety and X-ray shielding properties.

In addition, sodium meglumine amidotrizoate, iodinated poppy oil fatty acid ethyl ester, iodixanol, iotrolan, iopromide, iohexol, ioversol, ioxirane, iomeprol, iopamidol, meglumine iotoroxate, ioxaglic acid, meglumine iothalamate, sodium iothalamate and the like can also be used.

A solid substance is used for the X-ray shielding material used for the scale 24 . Fine metal powder can be used, but dry powder of barium sulfate and pigments using minerals can also be used. Alternatively, the partition plate 18 may be formed of a film, and the scale 24 may be printed on the film with an X-ray shielding material.

The sealing liquid 14 exists on the upper surface of the X-ray shielding agent 12 and always covers the liquid surface of the X-ray shielding agent 12 according to the movement of the X-ray shielding agent 12 . This prevents the X-ray shielding agent 12 from adhering to the walls of the enclosed space 26 . Since the sealing liquid 14 exists above the X-ray shielding agent 12, it always contacts the wall surface of the enclosed space 26 before the X-ray shielding agent 12 when the container 10 is tilted. Therefore, a buffer layer is provided between the X-ray shielding agent 12 and the wall surface of the enclosed space 26 to prevent the X-ray shielding agent 12 from adhering to the wall surface of the enclosed space 26 and solidifying.

In addition, when the tilted container 10 is returned to its original position, the sealing liquid 14 is always in contact with the wall surface of the enclosed space 26 with which the X-ray shielding agent 12 was in contact. Even if there is, wash it off. As described above, if the sealing liquid 14 is present, the adhesion of the X-ray shielding agent 12 to the walls of the enclosed space 26 can be suppressed.

An oil-based substance can be suitably used as the sealing liquid 14 . Specifically, mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum, etc. can be suitably used. Also, the sealing liquid 14 may be filled so as to fill the enclosed space 26 .

FIG. 3 shows how to use the goniometer 1 for radiography. In the bed A, the backrest portion is raised at a predetermined angle θ when X-ray imaging is performed. Patient G is therefore in a semi-supine position. A cassette C is placed between the bed A and the patient G. The X-ray irradiation device 50 is arranged so that the cassette C is irradiated with X-rays at right angles. The X-ray imaging goniometer 1 is arranged so that the rear surface 16b of the back plate 16 is aligned with the surface of the cassette C. As shown in FIG.

When the backrest portion of the bed A is tilted at an angle θ, the liquid level of the X-ray shielding agent 12 in the X-ray imaging goniometer 1 becomes horizontal. As a result, the height of the X-ray shielding material 12 on the cassette C is higher than when the goniometer 1 for X-ray imaging is placed vertically.

4 and 5 show how the X-ray imaging goniometer 1 is tilted. FIG. 4(a) is a side view of the goniometer 1 for X-ray imaging, which is set up at right angles (θ=90°). The direction of X-ray irradiation is indicated by an arrow. FIG. 4B is a front view of this. The view viewed from the front may be said to be a state in which an observer views an image captured by the cassette C (see FIG. 3).

FIGS. 4(c) and 4(d) show the state in which the X-ray imaging goniometer 1 is tilted 15° with respect to the vertical direction (the tilt angle θ is 75°). FIGS. 4(e) and 4(f) show the state in which the X-ray imaging goniometer 1 is tilted 30° with respect to the vertical direction (the tilt angle θ is 60°).

5(a) and 5(b) show the state in which the X-ray imaging goniometer 1 is tilted at 45° with respect to the vertical direction (the tilt angle θ is 45°). FIGS. 5(c) and 5(d) show the state in which the X-ray imaging goniometer 1 is tilted by 60° with respect to the vertical direction (the tilt angle θ is 30°). FIGS. 5(e) and 5(f) show the state in which the X-ray imaging goniometer 1 is tilted by 75° with respect to the vertical direction (the tilt angle θ is 15°).

Looking at the front view on the right side of each figure, it can be seen that the height of the X-ray shielding agent 12 from the bottom surface 20cb increases as the X-ray imaging goniometer 1 tilts, and the angle can be read. Therefore, when performing X-ray imaging of the patient G in the hospital room using the X-ray irradiator 50, simply by placing the X-ray imaging goniometer 1 in the cassette C, a The angle can be recorded.

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of the scale 24 of the goniometer 1 for radiography. The scale 24 has a number portion 24f representing an angle and a line portion 24L. A tip 24La of the line portion 24L on the enclosed space 26 side preferably extends into the enclosed space 26 when viewed from the front.

This is because the position of the X-ray shielding agent 12 can be easily read when the leading end 24La of the line portion 24L is present within the enclosed space 26 . FIG. 6(a) shows a case where the inclination angle is 75°, but since the line portion 24L of 60° is in the enclosed space 26, it can be clearly read that the angle is not 60°.

On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 6B, the tip 24La of the 30° line portion 24L is visible, and the tip 24La of the 40° line portion is hidden by the X-ray shielding material 12, so the tilt angle is still 30°. It can be read that it is not enough for °.

FIG. 7 shows the positions where the scale 24 is formed. As already mentioned, the scale 24 is preferably provided on the front surface 16a (FIG. 7(a)) of the back plate 16, but the rear surface 16b (FIG. 7(d)) of the back plate 16, the front surface 20a (FIG. 7(d)) of the main body 20 7(c)) and the wall surface 20cg (FIG. 7(b)) of the recess 20c are not excluded. In particular, the wall surface 20cg (FIG. 7(b)) of the concave portion 20c, which is almost in contact with the X-ray shielding agent 12, has little reading error, and the front surface 20a (FIG. 7(c)) of the main body 20 and the rear surface 16b (FIG. 7(d)) is preferred.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The radiographic goniometer according to the present invention can be suitably used when using a portable radiographic apparatus. Moreover, it can be suitably used for X-ray photography performed in an X-ray room.

1 X-ray imaging goniometer 10 Container 12 X-ray shielding agent 14 Sealing liquid 16 Rear plate 16a Front face 16b (of rear plate) Rear face 16u (of rear plate) Upper face 18 Partition plate 20 Main body 20a (Main body ) front surface 20b (main body) rear surface 20c (main body) recess 20cb (recess) bottom surface 20d (main body) lower surface 20cg (main body) wall surface 20u (main body) upper surface 22 lid 26 enclosed space 24 scale 24f (scale scale ) Number part 24L (scale) line part 24La (line part) tip 50 X-ray irradiation device A Bed C Cassette G Patient

Claims (3)

a container formed of an X-ray transparent material;
having an X-ray shielding agent contained in the container;
The container has
An X-ray imaging goniometer having a scale formed by an X-ray shielding material at a position corresponding to a horizontal plane that changes within the container when the container is tilted. 2. The goniometer for X-ray imaging according to claim 1, wherein sealing liquid having a lower specific gravity than said X-ray shielding agent is filled together with said X-ray shielding agent. 3. The goniometer for X-ray imaging according to claim 1, wherein said scale is provided behind said container from said X-ray shielding agent.

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