JP3367969B2 - X-ray imaging apparatus and X-ray grid - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging apparatus and an X-ray grid used for medical diagnosis, for example.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an X-ray photographing apparatus of this type is provided with a supply magazine for supplying X-ray film at the time of photographing and a storage magazine for storing the film after the photographing. Also, when changing the magazine to change the film size, place it on the floor with a cover made of lead, etc. to prevent X-ray fogging as a place for the magazine containing the replacement film. Or it was placed outside the shooting room. There is also known a system in which a dedicated magazine box is used depending on the model, the magazine box is arranged behind the pedestal as seen from the X-ray tube, and the replacement magazine is stored in the magazine box.

Further, conventionally, a film magazine in which a large number of films of the same size are stacked and accommodated is inserted into a film supply section of an apparatus using the films, and the films in the film magazine are sequentially taken out one by one. It is like this.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a conventional example. Since the lower wall surface 2 of the film F housed in the film magazine 1 is in contact with the lower end of the film F, the upper wall surface of the film F is perpendicular to the surface of the film F. No step is generated on the 3 side.

In such a state, the film F is adsorbed and taken out one by one by the suction cup 4 connected to the suction pump (not shown), and when the remaining amount of the film F becomes below the predetermined reference surface, the replenishment of the film F is prompted. Orders will be sent.

The outline of the X-ray grid used in the conventional general X-ray imaging system is shown in FIGS.
Will be described. FIG. 11 shows an outline of an X-ray imaging system using a conventional X-ray grid, 11 is an X-ray tube, and a film changer 12 is arranged in the X-ray irradiation direction with a subject P interposed. ing. Inside the film changer 12, there are built-in a supply magazine 13 for storing the unphotographed film F, a storage magazine 14 for storing the photographed film F ′, and an X-ray grid 15.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the X-ray grid, and FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway front view. The X-ray grid 15 is configured by alternately arranging X-ray opaque members 16 and X-ray permeable members 17 in a stripe shape, and the whole thereof is covered with an X-ray permeable cover 18. The photographic stage 19 located behind the X-ray grid 15 has front and rear sensitizing screens 20 and 2 for sandwiching the unphotographed film F transferred from the supply magazine 13 from the front and back as shown in FIG.
1, and a front side support member 22 and a rear side support member 23 that support them. In addition, in the front corner of the front support member 22, there is an X-ray opacity for preventing the X-ray from hitting a position where incidental information such as a photographing date and a patient number is imprinted on the unphotographed film F. A mask member 24 is arranged.

As the mask member 24, for example, a lead plate having a thickness of about 2 mm is used. The incidental information imprinting means 25 having a function of imprinting incidental information on the X-ray film F has a structure in which, for example, card-shaped information is imaged on the X-ray film F by a lens. In addition,
The rear side intensifying screen 21 and the rear side supporting member 23 are notched at portions corresponding to the portions where the incidental information is imprinted, so that they do not interfere with the imprinting of the incidental information. Also,
An outer cover 26 for accommodating the entire film changer 12
An X-ray introducing port cover member 27 having a light-shielding property and an X-ray transmitting property is attached to the front opening portion of the.

In the case of photographing, unphotographed films F are transferred from the supply magazine 13 to the photographing stage 19 one by one by a film take-out mechanism and a conveying mechanism (not shown). On the photographing stage 19, a rear support member 23 is pushed forward by a mechanism (not shown), and the conveyed unphotographed film F is sandwiched between the front intensifying screen 20 and the rear intensifying screen 21 to be in close contact, In this state, X-ray imaging is performed with X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 11. At that time, the X-ray grid 15 detects the subject P from the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 11.
It plays a role of removing the scattered radiation generated in the step (1) and displaying a clear image on the film (F).

At the same time, the incidental information imprinting means 25 imprints incidental information such as a photographing date and a patient number at a predetermined position on the X-ray film F. Note that these additional information may be imprinted when the X-ray film F is sent to the photographing position or when the X-ray film F is sent from the photographing position. When the photographing is completed, the X-ray film is sent to the storage magazine 14 by a transport mechanism (not shown).

[0011]

However, in the conventional general X-ray imaging system illustrated, the distance between the X-ray film F on the imaging stage 19 and the subject is geometrically short. The effect of blurring is reduced,
It is well known that clear X-ray photographs can be obtained.

In FIG. 14, x is the focus of the X-ray tube, a is the width of the focus x of the X-ray tube in the illustrated direction, and b is the focus X.
And the subject P, and c is the distance between the film F and the subject P, the length δ of the image of the subject P projected on the X-ray film F in the illustrated direction is It is expressed by the following equation. δ = a · c / b

In general, the distance b is made sufficiently longer than the distance c, so that δ has a small value. However,
Particularly when photographing a chest, for example, where a sharp X-ray photograph is required, it is desirable to make the distance c as small as possible. However, a material having good X-ray transparency, such as acrylic resin or aluminum, is used for the front support member 22, but when the rear support member 23 is pushed out and pressed to the front support member 22 side before photographing, It is necessary to have a certain thickness because a sufficient synthesis necessary for sandwiching and closely contacting the X-ray film F is required. Then, there is a problem in that scattered rays generated by the subject P can be removed by the X-ray grid 15 and new scattered rays are generated again by the front support member 22.

In order to improve such a problem, a method of directly attaching the front intensifying screen 20 to the X-ray grid 15 as shown in FIG. 15 can be considered. Alternatively, in consideration of the ease of replacement of the intensifying screen 20 and the X-ray grid 15, a method of attaching via a member such as a polyester film, which is extremely thin and does not cause a substantial scattered ray, may be considered. In these cases, the mask member 24 is the X-ray grid 15
The distance between the subject P and the X-ray film F can be shortened by the thickness of the front support member 12, and scattered rays are generated after passing through the X-ray grid 15. Since the members can be omitted, a clear image can be obtained.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the X-ray grid 1
It is also conceivable to attach 5 directly to the outer cover 26.
In this case, the distance between the subject P and the X-ray film F can be further shortened, and the conventionally used X-ray introducing port cover member 27 can be omitted. Since the mask member 24 having a considerable overlap attached to the outer surface is projected to the outside, not only is the appearance unsightly, but there is a risk that the subject P or the operator may come into contact with the mask member 24. There is also a risk that it will fall out.

An object of the present invention is to provide a highly safe X-ray imaging apparatus and an X-ray that eliminates the protrusion of the mask member to improve the appearance and eliminates the risk of contact with the mask member or falling off. To provide a grid.

[0017]

An X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object is an X-ray apparatus composed of X-ray transparent members and X-ray opaque members arranged alternately in stripes. In an X-ray imaging apparatus using a grid, a portion made of an X-ray opaque material and having a mask member having substantially the same thickness as the X-ray permeable member and the X-ray opaque member, onto which incidental information on an X-ray photograph is copied. In a portion corresponding to the above, the X-ray transparent member and the X-ray opaque member are arranged side by side to form one plate-like body, and the one plate-like body is covered with an X-ray transparent cover. An X-ray grid is provided or made usable.

The X-ray grid for an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an X-ray grid composed of X-ray transmissive members and X-ray non-transmissive members alternately arranged in a stripe pattern. A mask member made of an opaque material and having a thickness substantially the same as that of the X-ray permeable member and the X-ray opaque member,
In the part corresponding to the part where the incidental information on the line photograph is imprinted,
It is characterized in that the X-ray transparent member and the X-ray opaque member are arranged side by side to form a single plate-shaped body, and the single plate-shaped body is covered with an X-ray transparent cover.

[0019]

In the X-ray imaging apparatus and the X-ray grid according to the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, the mask member is incorporated in a part of the X-ray grid and is integrally covered with the cover, so that the mask member is external. It is not exposed to the human body and is prevented from coming into contact with the human body or falling off.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a usage state of the X-ray imaging apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view schematically showing the structure inside the imaging apparatus. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 31 is an X-ray tube attached to a support 32, and an imaging device main body 33 is attached to a frame 34 so as to face the X-ray tube 31. A magazine storage box 35 is removably attached to the rear surface of the photographing apparatus main body 33. In addition, P is a subject standing on the electric elevator 36.

Further, the X-ray tube 31 in the photographing apparatus main body 33
An imaging stage 37 is provided on the side, and an X-ray absorbing lead plate 38 is provided after that, a supply magazine 39 containing an unphotographed X-ray film F, and a storage magazine 40 containing a film F already photographed are arranged in the rear part thereof. Has been done. Furthermore, a magazine 41 for replacement is stored in the magazine storage box 35 at the rear part.

At the time of photographing, X-rays are emitted from the X-ray tube 31, the X-rays pass through the subject P, and an X-ray image is projected on the film F on the photographing stage 37 in the photographing apparatus main body 33. Is well known. The film F is transferred from the supply magazine 39 to the imaging stage 37 by a conveying means such as a roller at the time of photographing, and is stored in the storage magazine 40 by the conveying means after being X-ray photographed.

In this way, the films F in the supply magazine 39 are photographed one by one, but there may arise a case where the size of the film F needs to be changed depending on the physical constitution of the subject P and the like. Come on. In such a case, the magazine storage box 3 on the rear surface of the photographing apparatus main body 33
The exchange magazine 41 in 5 is converted into the supply magazine 39. Since the magazine storage box 35 is disposed on the rear surface of the imaging device main body 33, it is located behind the X-ray absorption lead plate 38 in the imaging device main body 33, and the exchange stored in the magazine storage box 35 is performed. Magazine 41
There is no need to newly take measures against X-ray fogging. In addition, it does not take time and labor to carry the magazine from another room, and the magazine exchange work becomes easy.

Further, since the magazine storage box 35 is inserted between the photographing device main body 33 and the gantry 34, even if the photographing device main body 33 is thinned, the reduction in thickness due to the thinning of the photographing device main body 33 is required. It can be replenished with the thickness of the magazine storage box 35. Therefore, for example, the subject P
Even when the person is seated on a chair or the like for photographing, the problem that the knees of the subject P hit the pedestal 34 is also solved.

Further, when the electric elevator 36 is moved up and down in order to adjust the shift of the photographing position due to the height difference of the subject P, the photographing apparatus main body 33 has been made thinner, so that the old photographing apparatus is used. In the electric elevator 36 made to adapt to the thickness of the main body 33, a gap is created between the subject P and the imaging apparatus main body 33, but in the present embodiment, depending on the thickness of the magazine storage box 35. This gap can be replenished, and the conventional electric elevator 36 can be used as it is.

Further, the magazine storage box 35 does not necessarily mean that the magazine storage box 35 cannot be mounted without the gantry 34. Therefore, the photographing device main body 33 with the magazine storage box 35 can be directly mounted on a wall or the like, and the space is wide. It is also useful when installed in a place where there is no such as an X-ray car.

When it is directly mounted on a wall or the like as described above, the space for the gantry 34 is not required, so that the distance between the X-ray generator and the photographing apparatus main body 33 can be increased correspondingly. , As a result, the X that is imprinted on the film
The geometric blur of the line image can be reduced to improve the image quality. Further, if the magazine storage box 35 is detachably attached to the photographing apparatus main body 33, it can be selected whether to be attached or detached depending on the application.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a first partial modification, in which a lower wall surface 52 of the film magazine 51 is provided with one step portion 52a perpendicular to the surface of the film F.
The film magazine 51 itself is installed so as to be inclined toward the lower layer of the film F. A suction cup 54 is provided at a position at a distance L from the side of the upper wall surface 53 of the film magazine 51 so that the films F are adsorbed and taken out one by one.

When the films F of the same size are stacked and stored in the film magazine 51 in such a state, the lower end portion of the film F contacts the lower wall surface 52 having the step portion 52a by its own weight, and thus the upper wall surface 53 of the film F. A step also occurs on the side. Further, since the film magazine 51 itself is tilted toward the lower layer of the film F, the film F comes into the lower side of the step portion 52a by its own weight without a gap. Further, since the width d on the lower side of the step portion 52a is the same as the thickness of the film F to be detected, that is, the remaining amount, a step is also formed on the upper wall surface 53 side at the thickness of the film F to be detected. It becomes a state.

In order to detect the remaining amount of the film F, a sensor (not shown) is used to measure the length between the center of the suction cup 54 and the upper surface of the film F. By detecting the change, it is possible to know that the remaining amount has reached a certain thickness d.

As shown in FIG. 4, a mirror 55 is installed inside the film magazine 51, and a sensor 56 is installed outside the film magazine 51 so that light having a wavelength that does not expose the film F to light is reflected by the mirror 5.
It is also possible to know the remaining amount of the film F by irradiating 5 and detecting the presence or absence of reflected light by the sensor 56.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a second partial modification, which is different from the first partial modification only in the shape of the lower wall surface 52, and vertical step portions 52b and 52c are provided at several places. Has been.

When the film F is stored and laminated in the film magazine 51, the end portion of the film F has a step portion 52b,
Since the lower wall surface 52 having a different height for each 52c is in contact, the film F is a layer having a different thickness for each of the stepped portions 52b and 52c, and it becomes possible to detect several kinds of thickness.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a third partial modification, which is different from the second partial modification only in the shape of the lower wall surface 52, and the lower wall surface 52 is provided with an inclined step portion 52d. ing.

When the films F are stacked and stored in the film magazine 51, the end portion of the film F contacts the lower wall surface 52 having the step portion 52d, and a smooth step is generated at the step portion. Further, since the slope is provided between the upper tier and the lower tier, it is possible to prevent the film F from being sandwiched between the stepped portions, and facilitate the taking out of the film F.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a fourth partial modification, which is different from the third partial modification only in the shape of the lower wall surface 52, and the lower wall surface 52 is replaced by a stepped step. Therefore, a continuous step portion 52e is provided.

When the films F are stacked and stored in the film magazine 51, the end portions of the films F come into contact with the lower wall surface 52 and a step is generated for each sheet, so that the upper height of each sheet can be measured. Film F made possible and more accurate
The remaining number of sheets can be detected.

In these examples, it is also possible to easily increase the step of the lower wall surface 52 to increase the margin of measurement, or change the width of each step to change the number of sheets to be detected.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the X-ray grid, and FIG. 9 is a front view in which a part of the X-ray grid 61 is cut away. The X-ray grid 61 used here is an X-ray opaque member 62 made of, for example, lead and the X-ray permeable member 6 made of, for example, aluminum or wood, which are alternately arranged in a stripe shape.
3 and an X-ray transmissive cover 64 covering the whole, and the photographing stage 65 located behind the X-ray grid 61 sandwiches the unphotographed film F transferred from the supply magazine 13 in FIG. Front intensifying screen 6
6 and a rear side intensifying screen 67, and a rear side supporting member 68 for supporting them. Further, a mask member 70 made of an X-ray opaque material is provided at a portion corresponding to a position where the incidental information such as the photographing date and the patient number is imprinted.
The mask member 70 has substantially the same thickness as the X-ray opaque member 62 and the X-ray permeable member 63, and is covered together by a cover 64, and is completely a part of one plate-shaped body. , It is not exposed to the outside at all, and it does not project.

In this embodiment, as in the conventional example shown in FIG. 16, since the front intensifying screen 66 is directly attached to the X-ray grid 61 by means such as adhesion, the front intensifying screen 66 is used.
The front side support member 22 shown in FIG.
The distance between the subject P and the X-ray film F can be shortened accordingly. Further, in this embodiment, the X-ray grid 61
Can be directly attached to the outer cover 69 by a method such as adhesion, so that the conventional X-ray introducing port cover member 27 can be omitted. Still, since the mask member 70 is not exposed to the outside at all, the mask member is not exposed at all. There is almost no risk of the 70 falling off or coming into contact with the human body.

However, the X-ray grid 61 may be fixed to the outer cover 69 via the X-ray introducing port cover member 27 without omitting the X-ray introducing port cover member 27 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, with a slight gap provided between the X-ray introducing port cover member 27 and the X-ray grid 61, or with the X-ray introducing port cover member 27 in contact with the X-ray grid 61, The X-ray grid 61 may be fixed by other suitable means.

Even in such a case, since the mask member 70 is not exposed to the outside, there is an advantage that it is possible to eliminate the risk of the X-ray grid 61 coming off and coming into contact with the human body when the X-ray grid 61 is replaced.

[0043]

As described above, according to the X-ray imaging apparatus and the X-ray grid according to the present invention, a highly reliable or safe X-ray imaging apparatus capable of obtaining a clear image, and such an X-ray imaging apparatus. It is possible to provide an X-ray grid suitable for use in an imaging device. For example, since the mask member made of a radiopaque material is inside the X-ray grid and is not exposed to the outside at all, there is no risk of falling off or contacting the human body. The appearance is also good.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a photographing system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main body of a photographing device.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a film magazine of a first partial modification.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a film remaining amount detection state.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a film magazine of a second partial modification.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a film magazine of a third partial modification.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a film magazine of a fourth partial modification.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an X-ray grid and its periphery.

FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway front view.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a conventional film magazine.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional general X-ray imaging system.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional X-ray grid and its periphery.

FIG. 13 is a front view in which a part of a conventional X-ray grid is cut away.

FIG. 14 is a theoretical explanatory diagram of an X-ray photograph.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an improved example of a conventional X-ray grid.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of an improved example of a conventional X-ray grid.

[Explanation of symbols]

31 X-ray tube 32 support 33 Camera body 34 mount 35 magazine storage box 36 Electric elevator 37 Shooting stage 38 Lead plate for X-ray absorption 39 Supply magazine 40 storage magazines 41 replacement magazine 51 film magazine 52 Lower wall 53 Upper wall 54 sucker 55 mirror 56 sensor 61 X-ray grid 62 Radiopaque member 63 X-ray transparent member 64 cover 66 Front intensifying screen 67 Rear intensifying screen 68 Rear support member 69 outer cover 70 Mask member F film

Front page continued (72) Inventor Kenichi Suzuki 53 Imaiue-cho, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Canon Co., Ltd. Kosugi Plant (56) Reference JP-A-57-192540 (JP, A) JP, U) Actual development 63-80543 (JP, U) Actual development 62-95577 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03B 42/02-42/04 A61B 6/00-6/06

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A X-ray imaging apparatus using the X-ray grid configured by X-ray transmissive member and X-ray opaque member arranged in stripes alternately, from X-ray opaque material
It is almost the same as the X-ray transparent member and the X-ray opaque member.
Flip a mask member having a thickness, corresponding to the parts imprint the supplementary information on X-ray photograph, placed side by side with the X-ray transmitting member and the X-ray opaque member as the one plate-like body, The 1
An X comprising the above X-ray grid in which a plate-shaped body is covered with an X-ray transparent cover, or made usable.
X-ray equipment. Wherein the X-ray grid configured by X-ray transmissive member and X-ray opaque member arranged in stripes alternately
In the above X-ray permeable part, which is made of a radiopaque material.
Material and mask member having almost the same thickness as the radiopaque member
Is a part corresponding to the part where the incidental information on the X-ray photograph is imprinted.
In minutes, aligned with the X-ray transmitting member and the X-ray opaque member
Are arranged in a single plate-like body , and the single plate-like body is subjected to X-ray transmission.
X-ray grid for X-ray imaging apparatus characterized by coated with the over of the cover.