JP4835402B2 - Radiation imaging equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiographic imaging apparatus, and more particularly to a radiographic imaging apparatus for diagnosing joint deformation.

  Conventionally, in radiographic imaging, it is necessary to fix a subject. For example, when imaging a digestive organ, an apparatus that compresses and fixes an abdomen of a subject with an air pillow is known as shown in Patent Document 1. ing. In the case of a mammography apparatus, usually, a subject is photographed while being fixed on a subject table with a compression plate or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in such a mammography apparatus 50, a radiation source 51 that emits radiation toward the subject H and a radiation image detector that detects radiation from the radiation source 51 that has passed through the subject H are provided. A detector holding means 52 for holding, and a subject table 53 for holding the subject H disposed between the radiation source 51 and the detector holding means 52 are provided. These components are provided along the vertical direction, and the subject can take a radiographic image in a standing position.

  In addition, in order to sufficiently improve the contrast of the obtained radiographic image, a radiographic image capturing apparatus that captures a phase contrast image is known (for example, see Patent Document 2). When capturing a phase contrast image, it is necessary to provide a predetermined amount of distance between the radiation source and the subject and between the subject and the radiation image detector. Such phase contrast imaging is one of the enlarged imaging methods.

Here, as one of the diseases appearing on the limbs, rheumatic diseases can be mentioned. In the case of rheumatic diseases, there are symptoms appearing in the bone part such as osteoporosis and symptoms appearing in the cartilage part such as cartilage destruction. Since these symptoms appear the earliest in the cartilage portion of the limb, diagnosis has been conventionally performed using an image obtained by photographing the joint portion of the finger by MRI or the like. However, MRI imaging has a problem that the burden on the subject is large from the viewpoints of cost, time required for examination, and the like, and it is difficult to regularly observe imaging and change in the joints of the fingers.
JP 2005-40505 A JP 2004-173879 A

Therefore, in recent years, by capturing a phase contrast image using an X-ray imaging apparatus, even when the X-ray absorption difference between the cartilage part and its periphery is small, an image of the cartilage part with good visibility can be obtained. The applicant has proposed a technique for photographing. This invention provides the radiographic imaging apparatus which produces | generates the image of the joint part containing a cartilage part with favorable visibility.
According to the radiographic image capturing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to periodically perform imaging of a joint part of a subject's finger, and change with time of the cartilage or the like of the joint part (for example, abrasion of the cartilage part). The presence or absence can be easily observed and diagnosed, and it becomes possible to detect rheumatic diseases at an early stage and to suppress the spread of diseases by early treatment of patients.

  However, the thickness of the subject such as the finger of the subject varies depending on the part. For example, the thicknesses of the tips, such as the wrist, the back of the hand, and the fingertips are different from each other. For this reason, when the X-ray intensity is adjusted in accordance with the thickness of the tip, there is a problem that the X-ray intensity is insufficient on the wrist side and an image suitable for diagnosis cannot be obtained.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a radiographic image capable of obtaining an image suitable for diagnosis by irradiating a subject having a different thickness depending on the part with radiation having an intensity corresponding to the thickness. It aims at providing an imaging device.

In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 1 is:
A radiation source that irradiates a subject that is a part of the subject, a detector holding means that holds a radiation image detector that detects radiation from the radiation source that has passed through the subject, the radiation source, and the radiation source A subject table placed between the detector holding unit and the subject, and a holding unit for holding the radiation source, the subject table, and the detector holding unit so that a phase contrast image can be generated; A radiographic imaging apparatus comprising: fixing means for fixing the subject to the subject table;
The subject table includes a regulation unit that regulates a placement direction of the subject,
The radiation source emits radiation while changing the radiation intensity in accordance with the placement direction of the subject regulated by the regulation means.

The invention according to claim 2 is the radiographic imaging device according to claim 1,
The radiation source, the fixing means, and the detector holding means are arranged so that the end portion close to the subject is positioned substantially on a straight line in the irradiation direction of the radiation emitted from the radiation source. Features.

The invention according to claim 3 is the radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The radiation source includes radiation intensity adjusting means for adjusting the radiation intensity so that the radiation intensity increases from the distal end side to the proximal end side in the placement direction of the subject.

The invention according to claim 4 is the radiographic imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
It is characterized by comprising orientation adjusting means for adjusting the orientation of the radiation intensity adjusting means according to the mounting direction of the subject.

The invention according to claim 5 is the radiographic imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The relative position between the radiation source and the detector holding means is fixed, and the relative position of the subject table with respect to the radiation source and the detector holding means can be changed.

The invention according to claim 6 is the radiographic imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
It is characterized in that left and right discriminating means for discriminating whether the subject held on the subject table is a left hand or a right hand is provided.

The invention according to claim 7 is the radiographic imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An imaging direction determining means for determining the direction of the subject held on the subject table is provided.

The invention according to claim 8 is the radiographic image capturing device according to claim 6 or 7,
An image data generation unit for generating image data of the phase contrast image;
And an information ancillary means for attaching the left / right information by the left / right discriminating means and / or the photographing direction information by the photographing direction discriminating means to the image data.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the intensity of the radiation applied to the subject is adjusted according to the placement direction of the subject, the thickness of the subject depends on the part such as the base end side and the distal end side in the subject placement direction. Even if they are different, it is possible to irradiate the entire subject with radiation having an intensity suitable for photographing.
In addition, since the subject is fixed to the subject table by the fixing means, it is easy for the subject to move without moving the finger, and the cartilage portion of the finger can be imaged with the finger fixed. In addition, the edge contrast of the bone and cartilage is enhanced by phase contrast imaging, and the visibility is greatly improved. Therefore, the presence or absence of deformation of the cartilage portion over time (for example, abrasion of the cartilage portion) can be easily and It can be judged accurately. Furthermore, since it is possible to determine whether or not the cartilage is deformed with time using a radiographic imaging device, it is not necessary to use a special device such as MRI, and rheumatic diseases can be diagnosed without imposing a burden on the subject. And has the effect.

  According to invention of Claim 2, it arrange | positions so that the edge part near a subject of a radiation source, a fixing means, and a detector holding means may be located on a substantially straight line in the irradiation direction of the radiation irradiated from a radiation source. Therefore, by fixing the subject with the fixing means and photographing the subject, the subject is surely arranged on the radiation image detector held by the detector holding means, and the subject can be photographed without causing image loss. There is an effect that you can.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the intensity of radiation applied to a portion where the subject is thick, such as a tip portion of a finger, such as a portion closer to the wrist than a portion where the subject is thin, is made stronger. In addition, since the adjustment is performed by the radiation intensity adjusting means, it is possible to irradiate the entire subject with radiation having an intensity suitable for photographing even when the subject has a different thickness depending on the part.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the orientation adjustment means for adjusting the orientation of the radiation intensity adjustment means according to the placement direction is provided, even when the subject is placed on the subject table in any orientation The effect is that the radiation intensity can be adjusted appropriately.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, since the height of the apparatus can be made constant, it is preferable in terms of a general clinic or radiology building structure. In addition, there is an effect that the enlargement ratio of the phase contrast image can be adjusted according to the size of the radiation image detector or the subject.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the left / right discrimination means discriminates whether the subject placed on the subject table is the left or right hand, and images the finger joint from a predetermined direction. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to easily determine the temporal deformation with the finger photographing angle fixed.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the direction of the subject's hand placed on the subject table is determined by the imaging direction determination unit, and an image is captured by irradiating radiation from the direction corresponding to the direction. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to easily determine the temporal deformation with the finger photographing angle fixed.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, it is possible to associate the image data with the supplementary information by the information supplementary means and the image data generation unit, and compare with a radiographic image captured in the past based on the supplementary information. Observational diagnosis is possible. Therefore, even if it is a radiation image of a finger that is easy to mistake the left-right information or the imaging direction at first glance, it is necessary to accurately compare the related image (radiation image obtained by imaging the same subject in the past) using the accompanying information. There is an effect that is possible.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a radiographic image capturing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

  In FIG. 1, the structural example of the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 in this embodiment is shown. In the radiographic imaging apparatus 1, a support base 3 is provided so as to be movable up and down with respect to the support base 2. A substantially rectangular parallelepiped imaging device main body 4 serving as a base is supported on the support base 3 via a support shaft 5 so as to be rotatable in the CW direction and the CCW direction. The support base 2 is provided with a driving device 6 for moving the support base 3 up and down and rotating the support shaft 5. The drive device 6 includes a known drive motor (not shown). The support base 3 and the imaging device main body 4 are moved up and down according to the position of the subject H. The position of the subject H is a position in the vicinity of the chest of the subject sitting on the chair A, and a position where the subject can put his arm on the subject table 14 (to be described later) and take a posture that is less fatigued. It is adjustable.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the photographing device main body 4 is provided with a holding member 7 along the vertical direction. An X-ray source 8 as a radiation source including an X-ray tube (not shown) that emits radiation (X-rays) to the subject H is attached to the upper portion of the holding member 7. A power supply unit 9 for applying a tube voltage and a tube current is connected to the X-ray source 8 via a support shaft 5, a support base 3, and an imaging apparatus main body unit 4. A diaphragm 10 for adjusting the radiation irradiation field is provided at the radiation emission port of the X-ray source 8 so as to be freely opened and closed.

  The X-ray source 8 is preferably a rotary anode X-ray tube. In this rotary anode X-ray tube, X-rays are generated when an electron beam emitted from the cathode collides with the anode. This is incoherent (incoherent) like natural light, and is not divergent X-rays but divergent light. If the electron beam continues to hit the place where the anode is fixed, the anode is damaged by the generation of heat. Therefore, in an X-ray tube that is usually used, the anode is rotated to prevent the anode from being shortened. An electron beam is made to collide with a surface of a certain size of the anode, and the generated X-rays are emitted toward the subject H from the plane of the certain size of the anode. This plane is called a focus. The focus size D (μm) indicates the length of one side when the focus is a square, the length of the short side when the focus is a rectangle or a polygon, and the diameter when the focus is a circle. As the focal spot size D increases, the amount of radiation applied increases.

  The X-ray source 8 is provided with a filter 81 as a radiation intensity adjusting means for adjusting the intensity of X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube. The filter 81 is formed of a material such as a metal that absorbs X-rays, for example, and adjusts the intensity of X-rays irradiated to the subject by adjusting the X-ray transmission dose.

The filter 81 has a thick wedge on one end side, and has a substantially wedge-shaped cross section so that the thickness gradually decreases from the one end side toward the other end side. In the filter 81, the thicker the portion, the more X-rays are absorbed and the amount of X-ray transmitted through the filter 81 decreases. The thinner the portion, the larger the amount of X-ray transmitted through the filter 81. Therefore, the amount of X-ray transmission can be adjusted by changing the thickness of the filter 81 depending on the portion.
The filter 81 has a base end side (from the distal end side in the placement direction of the subject H whose placement direction is restricted by a triangular magnet 17 as a restricting means described later (that is, the fingertip side when the subject H is a finger). That is, when the subject H is a finger, the end on the subject side is thin and the end on the side facing the holding member 7 so that the radiation intensity gradually increases toward the wrist). It arrange | positions so that the thickness of may become thick.

  One end of a detector holding unit 12 that holds a radiation image detector 11 that detects radiation transmitted through the subject H is attached to the lower part of the holding member 7. Examples of the radiation image detector 11 include a cassette containing a stimulable phosphor sheet, a screen (intensifying screen) / film, and an FPD (flat panel detector). In the present embodiment, a 14 × 17 (inch) radiation image detector 11 is used. The relative position between the X-ray source 8 and the detector holding unit 12 is fixed, and the distance is L.

  Below the holding member 7 and on the lower surface of the detector holding unit 12, a radiation dose detection unit 13 for detecting the irradiated radiation dose is provided.

  Between the X-ray source 8 and the detector holding unit 12, a plate-like subject table 14 that holds the subject's finger as the subject H from below is provided so that one end thereof is attached to the holding member 7. ing. The subject table 14 is connected to a position adjustment device 15 including a motor or the like that changes the position relative to the holding member 7 in order to adjust the shooting magnification (position adjustment in the height direction) during phase contrast shooting.

The subject table 14 is formed so as to protrude from the other end of the detector holding unit 12 toward the subject. Above the subject table 14, a compression plate 21 is provided as a fixing means for pressing and fixing the subject H from above so that one end thereof is attached to the holding member 7. The compression plate 21 is movable along the holding member 7 while maintaining a state parallel to the subject table 14. The movement of the compression plate 21 can be applied either automatically or manually.
The compression plate 21 and the radiation image detector 11 are arranged in a substantially vertical direction from the X-ray source 8 in the X-ray irradiation direction. The X-ray source 8, the compression plate 21 and the radiation image detector 11 are the X-ray source 8. The end opposite to the side facing the holding member 7 (the end closer to the subject), the end face on the subject side of the compression plate 21 (the end opposite to the side facing the holding member 7, That is, the end near the subject) and the effective image end surface on the subject side of the radiation image detector 11 (the end opposite to the side facing the holding member 7, that is, the end near the subject). , Are arranged so as to be located substantially on a straight line. Therefore, it is preferable that the imaging target range (for example, the right hand) of the subject is arranged so as to be positioned closer to the holding member 7 than the compression plate 21 without causing image loss in the region of interest (imaging target range). In addition, it is preferable that the end surface of the subject table 14 has a curved shape so that an elderly subject having an average body shape can sit on the chair A with the upper body on the subject table 14. In this case, the subject can sit at the imaging position without sitting on the detector holder 12 while sitting on the chair A.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the subject table 14 is provided with a hand holding unit 16 that holds the finger of the subject so as to intersect the radiation irradiation path. The size of the hand holding unit 16 is not particularly limited as long as the subject's fingers can be placed thereon. On the upper surface of the hand holding unit 16, the subject is placed between the thumb and the index finger with the finger placed on the hand holding unit 16, and serves as a regulating means for regulating the placement position of the finger of the subject. The triangular magnet 17 is provided. The hand holding unit 16 is provided with photographing direction discriminating means 18 (see FIG. 7) for detecting the place where the triangular magnet 17 is placed and discriminating the position of the subject's thumb as photographing direction information.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an arm holder 19 that holds the arm of the subject is provided at a position closer to the subject than the hand holder 16 of the subject table 14. The arm holding part 19 is provided with a left arm holding part 19a and a right arm holding part 19b, and the subject places one of the left and right arms according to the imaging conditions. Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular in the magnitude | size of the arm holding | maintenance part 19, if the test subject's arm part under an elbow can be mounted, the finger | toe can be fixed sufficiently stably. Depending on whether the left arm holding part 19a or the right arm holding part 19b has the arm part of the subject placed on the left arm holding part 19a and the right arm holding part 19b, the subject's hand is the right hand or the left hand. A weight sensor 20 (see FIG. 7) is provided as a left / right discriminating means for discriminating whether there is (left / right information). A known sensor can be used as the weight sensor 20 without limitation, and the number and installation positions of the weight sensors 20 are not particularly limited.

  The shooting direction information acquired by the shooting direction determination unit 18 and the left and right information acquired by the weight sensor 20 are output to the information supplement unit 26 via the control device 22 described later. The information supplementary means 26 may associate the photographing direction information and / or the left and right information as supplementary information with the image data of the generated phase contrast image. The incidental information is not limited to these, and the ID information of the subject may be incidental.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the photographing apparatus main body 4 includes a control device 22 including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). A radiation dose detector 13, a power supply unit 9, a drive device 6, a position adjustment device 15, a weight sensor 20, an information supplement device 26, a notification device 27, and an imaging direction determination device 18 are connected to the control device 22 via a bus 23. Has been. The control device 22 includes an input device 24a including a keyboard and a touch panel (not shown) for inputting photographing conditions and the like, a position adjustment switch for adjusting the position of the subject table 14, and a CRT display or a liquid crystal display. An operation device 24 having a display device 24b is connected. The ROM of the control device 22 stores a control program and various processing programs for controlling each part of the radiographic imaging device 1, and the CPU cooperates with the control program and the various processing programs in each part of the imaging device 1. Is controlled as a whole, performs phase contrast imaging, and functions as an image data generation unit that generates image data of a phase contrast image.

  For example, the CPU controls the driving device 6 based on the determination result by the weight sensor 20 and the imaging direction determination means 18, the imaging condition of the subject, and the like so that the imaging device body 4 is set to the height of the subject. While raising and lowering to the combined height, the support shaft 5 is rotated to adjust the radiation irradiation angle. Then, the position of the subject table 14 is adjusted by the position adjusting device 15 to adjust the magnification of phase contrast imaging.

  Further, the CPU determines whether the hand that is the subject H is inserted in the X direction toward the holding member 7 based on the determination result by the weight sensor 20 and / or the shooting direction determination means 18, and the hand is held by the holding member 7. If it is not inserted in the X direction, the notification means 27 is controlled to notify the user of the error. The notification unit 27 is, for example, a sound output unit that outputs a warning sound or a message, a lamp that lights a warning lamp, or the like. Further, the notification unit 27 may be a monitor for displaying a warning or the like. In this case, for example, the display device 24b may be configured to also serve as the notification unit 27. Note that the notification means 27 is not limited to that exemplified here.

  Thereafter, the imaging apparatus main body unit 4 executes imaging processing, and the power source unit 9 applies a tube voltage and a tube current to the X-ray source 8 to irradiate the subject H with radiation. When the input radiation dose reaches a preset radiation dose, the power supply unit 9 stops radiation from the X-ray source 8.

  Here, the principle of phase contrast imaging will be described with reference to FIG. In phase contrast imaging, an edge-enhanced (refractive contrast-enhanced) image resulting from refraction of radiation as shown in FIG. 8 is obtained by providing a certain distance R2 between the subject H and the radiation image detector 11. It is. As schematically depicted in FIG. 8, radiation is refracted when passing through the object, and the radiation density inside the boundary of the object becomes sparse, and the outside of the object overlaps with radiation that does not pass through the object. To rise. In this way, the edge that is the subject boundary portion is enhanced as an image. This is a phenomenon resulting from the difference in refractive index between the object and air with respect to radiation. This is an edge-enhanced image.

  Further, not only the edge enhancement at the boundary between air and the object shown in principle in FIG. 8, but also the boundary portion of the portion having a different refractive index can be obtained in the object. The subject boundary portion in the present invention can be expressed as a boundary portion with a substance having a different refractive index of radiation.

  When phase contrast imaging is performed, if the distance from the X-ray source 8 to the subject H is R1, and the distance between the subject H and the radiation image detector is R2, the magnification ratio = (R1 + R2) / enlarged imaging at an imaging magnification of R1. Become. As for R1, the starting point is the position of the focal point of the X-ray source 8, and the location is clearly shown in the normal commercially available X-ray source 8. The end point is the center line of the subject H fixed by the subject table 14 that fixes the subject position. Here, the position that is equidistant from the subject table 14 and the compression plate 21 is the center line of the subject H. For R2, the starting point is the center line of the subject H, and the ending point is the uppermost surface of the plane that receives the radiation of the radiation image detector, that is, the uppermost surface of the detector holding unit 12.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
First, based on the imaging order information, the subject places either the left or right arm on the subject table 14 and places the triangular magnet 17 along the thumb and index finger.

  When the attachment of the subject H is completed, the weight sensor 20 determines whether the arm portion of the subject placed on the arm holding portion 19 is the left hand or the right hand. Specifically, the determination result of the presence or absence of weighting of the weight sensor 20 is output to the control device 22, and the control device 22 detects the weight by the weight sensor 20 provided in each of the left arm holding portion 19a and the right arm holding portion 19b. It is determined that the arm of the subject is placed on the person who has the larger number of items. The control device 22 outputs the discrimination result to the shooting direction discrimination means 18.

  After determining whether the subject's placed hand is the left hand or the right hand, the imaging direction discriminating means 18 determines whether the back of the subject's hand placed on the hand holding unit 16 or the palm of the hand is upward. To determine the direction of the hand as the shooting direction. Specifically, the imaging direction determination unit 18 determines the position of the thumb based on the installation position of the triangular magnet 17 and determines the orientation of the subject's hand by combining with the determination result by the weight sensor 20. The discrimination result is output to the control device 22, and an appropriate radiation irradiation angle is calculated.

In addition, the control device 22 determines whether the hand that is the subject H is inserted in the X direction (the insertion direction of the subject H) toward the holding member 7 based on the determination result by the weight sensor 20 and the photographing direction determination unit 18. If the hand is not inserted in the X direction toward the holding member 7, the notification means 27 is controlled to notify the user of the error.
In addition, when there is image data obtained by radiographing the subject's finger in the past, left and right information and / or imaging direction information as supplementary information of the image data is extracted. A warning may be given by the display device 24b or the like. Further, when there is no image data obtained by photographing the subject's finger in the past, incidental information may be set in the control device 22 as one of the photographing order information of the subject.

Thereafter, the drive device 6 and the position adjustment device 15 adjust the position of the subject table 14 and the angle of the imaging device main body 4 in accordance with imaging conditions such as the radiation irradiation angle and irradiation distance. After adjusting the position and angle, the power supply unit 9 applies a predetermined tube voltage and tube current to the X-ray source 8, and the X-ray source 8 irradiates the subject H with radiation and performs imaging. When photographing is performed in this manner, the control device 22 generates image data of a phase contrast image, and the generated image data is associated with supplementary information by the information supplementary means 26. The generated image data is preferably displayed on the display device 24b or the like after being subjected to image processing based on the acquired supplementary information and past supplementary information so as to have a layout that allows comparative interpretation.
The photographing conditions are preferably R1 = 430 to 650 mm, R2 = 490 to 750 mm, focus size D = 100 μm, tube voltage 30 kVp, and tube current 30 mA. The subject is photographed with either the palm or the back of the hand facing the X-ray source 8 side. However, it is preferable to point the palm toward the X-ray source 8 because the visibility is further improved.

As described above, according to the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the X-ray intensity is adjusted by the filter 81, so that the X-ray intensity with the X-ray intensity suitable for imaging can be obtained even when the subject having different thicknesses is captured. Can be irradiated.
In addition, since the subject can take a comfortable posture by placing the hand and the arm part under the elbow on the subject table 14, it is easy for the subject to move without moving his / her fingers, and the fingers are fixed. The cartilage part of the finger can be photographed in a state of being touched.
Further, since the contrast between the finger and the peripheral portion in the obtained radiographic image is improved by the phase contrast imaging, it is possible to easily and accurately determine whether or not the cartilage is deformed with time.
Furthermore, since it is possible to determine whether or not the cartilage is deformed with time by using the radiographic imaging device 1, it is not necessary to use a special device such as MRI, and it is possible to diagnose rheumatic diseases without imposing a burden on the subject. is there.

  Further, the magnification of the phase contrast image is adjusted by changing the position where the subject table 14 is held by the holding member 7.

  Further, by providing the arm holding unit 19 with the weight sensor 20, it is possible to determine whether the hand placed on the subject table 14 by the subject is left or right. Further, the direction of the subject's hand placed on the subject table 14 is discriminated by the photographing direction discriminating means 18 and the image is taken by irradiating radiation from the direction corresponding to the direction, so that the angle of finger photographing can be changed. The deformation with time can be easily determined with a constant value. In addition, when the subject maintains the state in which the thumb and the index finger are matched with the shape of the triangular magnet 17, the degree of opening of the fingers during photographing can be made constant.

When the radiographic image detector 11 reads the CR cassette ID with the imaging device and moves the imaged cassette to the reading device to perform the reading process, the reading device controls the read image data together with the cassette ID. The control device 22 associates the read image data with the accompanying information using the cassette ID as a key.
When the radiation image detector 11 is an FPD, the control device 22 acquires and associates the obtained image data with the determination results by the left / right determination means and the imaging direction determination means 18 and may store them in a memory. In addition, the FPD may acquire the determination result from the control device 22 and store it as supplementary information of the image data, and transmit all data (image data and supplementary information) from the FPD to the image filing device after all the photographing is completed. .

  In addition, the left / right determination is performed using the weight sensor 20, but the left / right determination may be performed using an optical sensor. In this case, the optical sensor irradiates light from the upper surface of the arm holding unit 19 and detects the presence or absence of the arm portion of the subject by detecting the reflection of the light by the subject's arm portion, thereby discriminating left and right. It is supposed to be.

  Moreover, the arm holding part 19 should just be able to mount the arm part under a subject's elbow, and as shown in FIG. 9, only the arm holding part 19 protrudes from the hand holding part 16 to the subject side. It is good to do. In that case, it is good also as moving and accommodating the arm holding | maintenance part 19 which is not used to a horizontal direction (refer FIG.10 and FIG.11) or a vertical direction (refer FIG.12). Furthermore, the arm holding part 19 may be provided with a fixing belt 25 for fixing the arm part under the subject's elbow.

  In addition, a fixing magnet may be placed between the thumb and the finger other than the index finger in the hand holding unit 16 in order to more securely fix the finger of the subject. In this case, since it is possible to fix without covering the finger of the subject, there is no adverse effect of photographing the joint or bone of the finger.

  It should be noted that a right-hand subject table and a left-hand subject table may be detachably provided, and the subject table itself may be replaced and used depending on whether the subject to be photographed is the right hand or the left hand.

  In the present embodiment, the filter 81 is provided as the radiation intensity adjusting means. However, the radiation intensity adjusting means is arranged from the distal end side (for example, fingertip side) to the proximal end side (for example, wrist side) of the subject H. As long as the radiation intensity of the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube of the X-ray source 8 can be adjusted so that the radiation intensity becomes stronger toward (), the filter is not limited to a filter.

  In addition, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified as appropriate.

  Next, a second embodiment of the radiographic image capturing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the method of adjusting the X-ray intensity by the filter 82, and therefore, the following description will particularly focus on differences from the first embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the X-ray source 8 has a filter 82 (radiation intensity) whose cross section is formed in a wedge shape so that the thickness gradually decreases from one end side to the other end side, as in the first embodiment. Adjusting means). The filter 82 is set as a default in a state where the filter 82 is arranged in a direction in which the thickness increases as it approaches the holding member 7 side along the direction orthogonal to the Y direction in FIGS. 13 and 14. The filter 82 can be rotated by a filter rotating means 28 as an orientation adjusting means described later, and the direction of the filter 82 can be adjusted.

  In the present embodiment, the subject table 14 includes a base portion that holds the subject H, and a detection portion that includes a weight sensor 20 (see FIG. 15), a triangular magnet (not shown), and the like. The attachment position of the detection unit is changed by 90 degrees in the CW (or CCW) direction with respect to the attachment position in the X direction with respect to the part, and the change direction is detected by a sensor (not shown).

Then, the filter 82 is rotated by the filter rotating means 28 in accordance with the change of the attachment position of the detection unit, and the direction is adjusted.
That is, for example, when the subject H is inserted from the left side to the right side in the Y direction by the sensor (the weight sensor 20 is placed so that the tip side of the subject H is located on the right side in the Y direction from the position of the triangular magnet. 13), the filter 82 is rotated by the filter rotating means 28 so that the end with the thinner thickness of the filter 82 is on the left side in the Y direction, as shown in FIG. It is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the default position so that its end is on the right side in the Y direction, and the orientation is adjusted so that the thickness gradually increases from the left side to the right side in the Y direction.
In addition, for example, when the subject H is inserted from the right side to the left side in the Y direction (it is determined that the weight sensor 20 is placed so that the tip side of the subject H comes to the left side in the Y direction from the position of the triangular magnet. 14), as shown in FIG. 14, the filter 82 is rotated by the filter rotating means 28 so that the thicker end of the filter 82 is on the left side in the Y direction and the thinner end is The direction is adjusted so that the thickness gradually increases from the right side to the left side in the Y direction by turning about 90 degrees from the default position so as to come to the right side in the Y direction.

Thereby, gradually from the front end side (that is, the fingertip side when the subject H is a finger) to the base end side (that is, the wrist side when the subject H is a finger) in the mounting direction of the subject H. The radiation intensity can be adjusted so that the radiation intensity becomes stronger.
In addition, when the attachment position of a detection part and the direction (rotation direction) of the filter 82 do not match, you may alert | report a user by the alerting | reporting means which is not shown in figure.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the imaging apparatus main body 4 of the radiographic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). A control device 22 is provided. The control device 22 includes a radiation dose detection unit 13, a power supply unit 9, a drive device 6, a position adjustment device 15, a weight sensor 20, an information supplement unit 26, a filter rotation unit 28, and an imaging direction determination unit 18 via a bus 23. Connected. The filter rotating means 28 functions as a direction adjusting means for adjusting the direction of the filter 82 as the radiation intensity adjusting means. The control device 22 includes an input device 24a including a keyboard and a touch panel (not shown) for inputting photographing conditions and the like, a position adjustment switch for adjusting the position of the subject table 14, and a CRT display or a liquid crystal display. An operation device 24 having a display device 24b is connected. The ROM of the control device 22 stores a control program and various processing programs for controlling each part of the radiographic imaging device 1, and the CPU cooperates with the control program and the various processing programs in each part of the imaging device 1. Is controlled as a whole, performs phase contrast imaging, and functions as an image data generation unit that generates image data of a phase contrast image.

Further, the CPU inserts the hand as the subject H in the X direction toward the holding member 7 based on the determination result by the weight sensor 20 and the photographing direction determination means 18 or from the left side to the right side in the Y direction. Whether the subject H is inserted from the right side to the left side in the Y direction, and the placement direction of the subject H placed on the subject table 14 is determined.
Then, the CPU controls the filter rotating means 28 according to the placement direction of the subject regulated by a triangular magnet (not shown) as the regulating means, and adjusts the direction of the filter 82. .

  In addition, since the other structure of the radiographic imaging apparatus 30 is the same as that of what was shown in 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same member and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Next, the operation in this embodiment will be described.

  First, based on the imaging order information, the subject places either the left or right arm on the subject table 14 and places the triangular magnet between the thumb and index finger.

When the subject H is placed, the weight sensor 20 determines whether the arm portion of the subject placed on the arm holding portion 19 is the left hand or the right hand. Further, the photographing direction discriminating means 18 discriminates whether the back of the subject's hand or palm placed on the hand holding unit 16 is facing upward, and discriminates the direction of the hand as the photographing direction.
The discrimination results of the weight sensor 20 and the imaging direction discrimination means 18 are output to the control device 22, and an appropriate radiation irradiation angle is calculated. Further, the control device 22 controls the filter rotating means 28 according to the direction in which the hand that is the subject H is inserted and from which direction, the direction in which the subject H is placed, and rotates the filter 82. Adjust the orientation.

  Thereafter, the drive device 6 and the position adjustment device 15 adjust the position of the subject table 14 and the angle of the imaging device main body 4 in accordance with imaging conditions such as the radiation irradiation angle and irradiation distance. After adjusting the position and angle, the power supply unit 9 applies a predetermined tube voltage and tube current to the X-ray source 8, and the X-ray source 8 irradiates the subject H with radiation and performs imaging.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the subject inserts the finger that is the subject H into the radiation imaging apparatus 30 from any position, and the subject H is placed on the subject table 14 in any mounting direction. It can be determined whether or not the filter 82 is placed, and the direction of the filter 82 can be changed according to the placement direction of the subject H. Thus, the X-ray intensity can be appropriately adjusted by the filter 81 regardless of the direction in which the subject H is inserted and placed in any direction, and even when photographing subjects having different thicknesses depending on the part, X-rays can be irradiated with a suitable X-ray intensity.

  In the present embodiment, the filter 82 is set as a default in a state where the filter 82 is arranged in a direction in which the thickness becomes thicker toward the holding member 7 along the direction orthogonal to the Y direction in FIGS. 13 and 14. Although the description has been given of the case where the orientation is adjusted by 90 degrees left and right from the default position by the filter rotation means 28, the default position and rotation angle of the filter 82 are not limited to those exemplified here. For example, the rotation angle of the filter may be finely adjustable according to the placement direction of the subject H.

  Other than that, the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment.

It is a side view which shows the principal part structure of the radiographic imaging apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of the radiographic imaging apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view at the time of the subject putting the back of the left hand on the hand holding part in the 1st embodiment of the present invention facing up. It is a top view at the time of the subject putting the palm of the left hand facing upwards on the hand holding part in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view when the subject places his left hand on the subject table in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view when a subject puts the right hand on the subject table in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of the radiographic imaging apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the principle of phase contrast imaging. It is a top view which shows the modification of a to-be-photographed object base. It is a top view which shows the modification of a to-be-photographed object base. It is a top view which shows the modification of a to-be-photographed object base. It is a side view which shows the modification of a to-be-photographed object base. It is a front view which shows the principal part structure of the radiographic imaging apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the principal part structure of the radiographic imaging apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of the radiographic imaging apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the principal part structure of the conventional breast image imaging device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Radiographic imaging device 3 Support base 4 Imaging device main-body part 5 Supporting shaft 7 Holding member 8 X-ray source 9 Power supply part 11 Radiation image detector 12 Detector holding part 14 Subject stand 15 Position adjustment apparatus 16 Hand holding part 17 Triangle Magnet 18 Shooting direction discriminating means 19 Arm holding portion 19a Left arm holding portion 19b Right arm holding portion 20 Weight sensor 21 Compression plate 22 Control device 26 Information attaching means 27 Notification means 28 Filter rotating means 81, 82 Filter H Subject A Chair

Claims (8)

A radiation source that irradiates a subject that is a part of the subject, a detector holding means that holds a radiation image detector that detects radiation from the radiation source that has passed through the subject, the radiation source, and the radiation source A subject table placed between the detector holding unit and the subject, and a holding unit for holding the radiation source, the subject table, and the detector holding unit so that a phase contrast image can be generated; A radiographic imaging apparatus comprising: fixing means for fixing the subject to the subject table;
The subject table includes a regulation unit that regulates a placement direction of the subject,
The radiation image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radiation source emits radiation while changing a radiation intensity according to a placement direction of the subject regulated by the regulation unit.   The radiation source, the fixing means, and the detector holding means are arranged so that the end portion close to the subject is positioned substantially on a straight line in the irradiation direction of the radiation emitted from the radiation source. The radiographic imaging device according to claim 1, wherein   The radiation source includes a radiation intensity adjusting unit that adjusts the radiation intensity so that the radiation intensity increases from the distal end side to the proximal end side in the mounting direction of the subject. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 2.   4. The radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a direction adjusting unit that adjusts a direction of the radiation intensity adjusting unit according to a placement direction of the subject. 5. .   2. The relative position between the radiation source and the detector holding means is fixed, and the relative position of the subject table with respect to the radiation source and the detector holding means can be changed. Item 5. The radiographic image capturing device according to any one of Items 4 to 4.   The left-right discrimination means which discriminate | determines whether the to-be-photographed object currently hold | maintained at the said subject stand is a left hand or a right hand is provided, The any one of Claims 1-5 characterized by the above-mentioned. Radiation imaging device.   7. The radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an imaging direction determination unit configured to determine an orientation of the subject held on the subject table. An image data generation unit for generating image data of the phase contrast image;
The radiographic image according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising: information ancillary means for attaching left and right information by the left and right discriminating means and / or imaging direction information by the imaging direction discriminating means to the image data. Shooting device.

Images