JP5152076B2 - X-ray imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes an X-ray tube that irradiates X-rays, and an X-ray detector that is disposed opposite to the X-ray tube, and performs X-ray imaging by detecting X-rays that have passed through the subject. Relates to the device.

  Such an X-ray imaging apparatus is required to have as low exposure as possible since X-rays are irradiated to a patient. For this reason, when imaging an important part, high-quality imaging with a high X-ray dose and high pulse rate is required. However, for example, when a catheter is guided to a target part, not much image quality is required. From the viewpoint of low exposure, it is important to select a low exposure fluoroscopy and a photographing mode with low image quality. Such imaging conditions using X-rays are changed by an operator's operation.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an X-ray diagnostic apparatus that changes an imaging condition by X-rays by operating an operation lever provided on a console before performing imaging by X-rays. Patent Document 2 discloses an X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus that emits X-rays while the foot switch is depressed. Patent Document 3 starts imaging by pressing a hand switch. A digital angiography apparatus is disclosed.

JP-A-10-191166 JP 2006-271766 A JP-A-4-38082

  At the time of X-ray imaging, as described in Patent Document 1, when the operation lever is arranged at a position separated from the imaging apparatus, it is impossible for the operator to operate the operation lever. In addition, when the operator is performing a catheter treatment or the like with a doctor, both hands are occupied, so the operation lever or the like cannot be operated.

  As described above, in the conventional apparatus, since the operation of the operation lever or the like is complicated, there is a problem that a mode with a high dose and a high image quality is selected even when a high image quality is not required. .

  Although the use of foot switches and hand switches is effective, the foot switches and hand switches described in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 are merely for starting shooting.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray imaging apparatus capable of easily changing X-ray imaging conditions by an operator even during X-ray imaging. To do.

The invention described in claim 1 includes an X-ray tube that irradiates X-rays, and an X-ray detector that is arranged to face the X-ray tube, and detects X-rays that have passed through the subject to detect X-rays. An X-ray imaging apparatus that performs imaging, and is configured by a foot switch or a hand switch that detects a change in pressing force or pressing amount by an operator. Based on the detection means for detecting continuously and the detection result of the detection means, the X-ray dose irradiated to the subject is changed in a multi-stage or continuously, or the tube voltage of the X-ray tube, the X-ray tube Control means for changing X-ray imaging conditions for changing at least one of a tube current, an X-ray pulse rate, and an X-ray pulse width in a multistage or continuous manner, the control means further comprising: , Based on the detection result of the detection means A plurality of soft line removal filters are selectively used.

The invention described in claim 2 includes an X-ray tube that irradiates X-rays, and an X-ray detector that is arranged to face the X-ray tube, and detects X-rays that have passed through the subject. An X-ray imaging apparatus that performs imaging, and is configured by a foot switch or a hand switch that detects a change in pressing force or pressing amount by an operator. Based on the detection means for detecting continuously and the detection result of the detection means, the X-ray dose irradiated to the subject is changed in a multi-stage or continuously, or the tube voltage of the X-ray tube, the X-ray tube Control means for changing at least one of tube current, X-ray pulse rate, and X-ray pulse width in a multistage or continuous manner, an image display unit, and X-rays detected by the X-ray detector The image display unit using a video signal based on An image processing unit that displays an X-ray fluoroscopic image, and the control unit further changes an image processing condition by the image processing unit based on a detection result of the detection unit.

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the X-ray imaging condition can be changed based on the detection result of the detection means that detects the change in the operation amount by the operator in multiple steps or continuously. Even during X-ray imaging, the operator can easily change the X-ray imaging conditions. For this reason, when high image quality is not required, a mode with a low exposure dose can be easily selected, and a reduction in exposure dose can be realized.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to selectively use a plurality of soft wire removal filters.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the operator can change the image processing condition of the image processing unit for displaying the X-ray fluoroscopic image on the image display unit by operating the foot switch or the hand switch. It becomes possible.

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, since the foot switch or the hand switch that detects a change in the pressing force or the pressing amount by the operator is used, the operator switches the foot switch or the hand switch. By operating, the X-ray imaging conditions can be easily changed.

1 is a perspective view of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a filter selection unit 60 built in an X-ray irradiation unit 3 together with an X-ray tube 67. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a foot switch 14. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main electrical configuration of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention. It is a graph which shows the amount of pressing of foot switch 14, 15 or 16, and the relation of tube voltage and tube current. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the pressing amount of the foot switch 14, 15 or 16, and the pulse rate of the X-ray irradiated from an X-ray tube. It is a schematic diagram of the hand switch used for the X-ray imaging device concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

  The X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray tube 67 to be described later, an X-ray irradiation unit 3 that irradiates a subject 2 as a subject on the examination table 1 with X-rays, and a subject. 2 and an X-ray detector 4 for detecting X-rays that have passed. The X-ray irradiation unit 3 and the X-ray detector 4 are supported by a substantially U-shaped arm 5. The arm 5 is supported by a carriage 6 that moves in one direction by being guided by a guide member 7 fixed to the ceiling 9. An image display unit 8 including a plurality of monitors 11 and a guard member 12 is suspended from the ceiling 9. The image display unit 8 is suspended via a suspension mechanism 30 and is movable by being guided by a rail 20 disposed on the ceiling 9. Further, a plurality of foot switches 14, 15, 16 for performing the operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus with the feet of the operator are placed on the floor near the support portion 13 of the examination table 1.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the filter selection unit 60 built in the X-ray irradiation unit 3 together with the X-ray tube 67.

  The filter selection unit 60 includes a rotating plate 62 having openings 63, 64, and 65 having a plurality of different soft wire removal filters and an opening 66 without a filter. The rotating plate 62 rotates around the shaft 61 by driving a motor (not shown). As the filters disposed in the openings 63, 64, and 65, filters having different materials and different thicknesses such as copper and aluminum are used. The rotation angle position of the rotating plate 62 is determined by a filter control unit 74 described later.

  For this reason, the rotation angle position of the rotating plate 62 is controlled by the filter control unit 74 and the X-ray tube 67 and the openings 63, 64, 65 are arranged to face each other, so Is irradiated to the subject 2 through different filters. In addition, when the rotational angle position of the rotating plate 62 is controlled and the X-ray tube 67 and the opening 66 are disposed to face each other, the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 67 are not covered by a filter. The examiner 2 is irradiated.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the foot switch 14 described above. The other foot switches 15 and 16 have the same configuration as the foot switch 14.

  The foot switch 14 includes a pedal portion 42 that swings about a shaft 43 disposed in the main body 41. The pedal portion 42 is biased in a direction to be released from the main body 41 by the action of a torsion spring 48 disposed between the pedal portion 42 and the main body 41, and one end of the pedal portion 42 is engaged with the main body 41. Stops at the position shown in. A rack portion 44 is erected on the lower surface of the pedal portion 42 so as to face downward. A pinion 45 is engaged with the rack portion 44. The pinion 45 is disposed on the detection shaft 47 of the potentiometer 46.

  When the operator depresses the pedal portion 42 of the foot switch 14, the amount of pressing by the depressing is detected by the potentiometer 46 as the amount of movement of the rack 44, that is, the amount of rotation of the pinion 45. This detection value is transmitted to the control unit 70 described later via the cable 49.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main electrical configuration of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

  The X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a control unit 70 that controls the entire apparatus. The control unit 70 is connected to the X-ray detector 4 and the foot switches 14, 15, 16 described above. The control unit 70 is connected to each monitor 11 of the image display unit 8 shown in FIG. The image processing unit 72 displays an X-ray fluoroscopic image on the image display unit 8 using a video signal based on the X-rays detected by the X-ray detector 4. The control unit 70 is connected to an X-ray tube 67 (see FIG. 2) disposed in the X-ray irradiation unit 3 shown in FIG. Further, the control unit 70 is connected to the filter selection unit 60 shown in FIG.

  The control unit 70 is also connected to a table 71. In this table 71, a plurality of X-ray imaging conditions are stored. That is, the table 71 includes information on the X-ray dose irradiated to the subject, tube voltage of the X-ray tube, tube current of the X-ray tube, information on the pulse rate of the X-ray, information on the pulse width of the X-ray, and removal of a plurality of soft rays. Information such as filter information and image processing conditions by the image processing unit 72 is stored in relation to the pressing amount of the foot switches 14, 15, and 16.

  Next, an imaging operation by the above-described X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described. First, an embodiment will be described in which the X-ray dose to the subject is changed by changing the tube voltage or tube current of the X-ray tube 67 according to the type of the subject or diagnosis. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the pressing amount of the foot switch 14, 15 or 16 and the relationship between the tube voltage and the tube current.

  As shown in this graph, when the pressing amount of the foot switch 14, 15 or 16 is increased, the tube current and tube voltage of the X-ray tube 67 are sequentially increased from 2 mA-50 kV under the control of the X-ray tube control unit 73. In addition, the X-ray dose per unit time irradiated on the subject also increases. The relationship between the tube current and tube voltage of the X-ray tube 67 at this time is stored in the table 71. If the tube current is about 20 mA, the tube current decreases even if the pressing amount of the foot switch 14, 15 or 16 is increased, but the X-ray dose is also increased by increasing the tube voltage at this time. On the contrary, when the pressing amount of the foot switch 14, 15 or 16 is decreased, the X-ray dose per unit time irradiated to the subject is decreased.

  For this reason, when performing diagnosis or treatment that requires high image quality, the operator operates the foot switch 14, 15 or 16 with his / her foot to increase the amount of pressing of the foot switch 14, 15 or 16. Thereby, the X-ray dose per unit time irradiated to the subject increases, and a high-quality captured image or fluoroscopic image can be obtained. On the other hand, for example, when the catheter is guided to the target portion, the operator operates the foot switch 14, 15 or 16 with his / her foot to decrease the pressing amount of the foot switch 14, 15 or 16. As a result, the X-ray dose per unit time irradiated on the subject decreases, and the exposure dose to the subject 2 can be reduced.

  In addition, when the pressing amount of the foot switch 14, 15 or 16 by the operator is continuously changed, instead of continuously changing the X-ray dose according to the graph shown in FIG. The pressing amount of the switch 14, 15 or 16 may be divided into several steps, and the X-ray dose may be changed in multiple steps according to the pressing amount.

  By the way, as described above, when the X-ray dose irradiated to the subject is changed, the image displayed on the monitor 11 of the image display unit 8 becomes dark. For this reason, in the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the image processing condition by the image processing unit 72 is changed according to the pressing amount of the foot switch 14, 15 or 16. That is, when the pressing amount of the foot switch 14, 15 or 16 is small and the image displayed on the monitor 11 of the image display unit 8 becomes dark, the image processing condition in the image processing unit 72 is changed and the display parameter is monitored. 11 is changed so that the image on 11 is brightened. Thereby, although noise increases slightly, a sufficient display image can be obtained when high image quality is not required.

  Next, a case where the pulse rate of the X-ray tube 67 is changed according to the subject and the type of diagnosis will be described. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the pressing amount of the foot switch 14, 15 or 16 and the pulse rate of X-rays irradiated from the X-ray tube.

  As shown in this graph, when the pressing amount of the foot switch 14, 15 or 16 is increased, the pulse rate of the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 67 is changed stepwise by the control of the X-ray tube control unit 73. Is done. That is, as the pressing amount of the foot switch 14, 15 or 16 sequentially increases, the pulse rate of the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 67 increases stepwise to 7.5 fps, 15.0 fps, and 30.0 fps. . Information on the pulse rate is stored in the table 71 in relation to the pressing amount of the foot switches 14, 15, 16.

  For this reason, for example, when seeing through a fast-moving part such as the heart, seeing is performed using a high-speed pulse rate such as 15.0 fps or 30.0 fps as necessary. On the other hand, when the catheter is guided to the heart, the pulse rate is changed to 7.5 fps. Thereby, it becomes possible to reduce the exposure amount with respect to the subject 2. FIG.

  In FIG. 6, the X-ray pulse rate is changed stepwise, but the X-ray pulse rate may be changed continuously. Similarly, the tube current time product may be changed by changing the X-ray pulse width in accordance with the pressing amount of the foot switch 14, 15 or 16.

  Next, a case where the soft line removal filter is selectively used according to the subject and the type of diagnosis will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the filter selection unit 60 includes a rotating plate 62 having openings 63, 64, 65 provided with a plurality of different soft wire removal filters and an opening 66 without a filter. The rotating plate 62 is rotated by a signal from the filter control unit 74 based on the pressing amount of the foot switch 14, 15 or 16. For this reason, the operator can change the pressing amount of the foot switch 14, 15, or 16 to use the most appropriate soft line removal filter according to the thickness and part of the subject or the type of diagnosis, or these X-ray imaging can be executed without using the soft line removal filter. For this reason, it is possible to execute appropriate X-ray imaging while controlling the exposure dose to the subject.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a hand switch 50 used in the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the first embodiment described above, the operation amount by the operator is detected by the foot switches 14, 15, and 16. In this second embodiment, the operation amount by the operator is detected by the hand switch 50. Yes. Further, in the first embodiment described above, the operation amount by the operator is detected by the pressing amount of the foot switches 14, 15, 16. In this second embodiment, the operation amount by the operator is detected by the hand switch. Detection is performed with a pressing force of 50.

  The hand switch 50 includes a gripping portion 51 that an operator grips with a hand, and a start switch 52 and a main switch 53 that are arranged in two stages. When the operator presses the start switch 52, preparation for X-ray imaging is made. And if an operator further presses and the main switch 53 is pressed, X-ray imaging will be started. At this time, the pressing force of the main switch 53 by the operator is detected by the pressure gauge 54. This detection value is transmitted to the control unit 70 described above via the cable 55.

  Also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment described above, by detecting the pressing force on the hand switch 50, the X-ray is operated according to the subject and the type of diagnosis by the same operation as the first embodiment. The X-ray dose to the subject is changed by changing the tube voltage or tube current of the tube 67, or the pulse rate or pulse width of the X-ray irradiated from the X-ray tube 67 is changed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Examination table 2 Subject 3 X-ray irradiation part 4 X-ray detector 5 Arm 6 Carriage 7 Guide member 8 Image display part 9 Ceiling 11 Monitor 12 Guard member 14 Foot switch 15 Foot switch 16 Foot switch 20 Rail 30 Suspension mechanism 41 Main body 42 Pedal part 43 Axis 44 Rack part 45 Pinion 46 Potentiometer 47 Detection axis 50 Hand switch 51 Grip part 52 Start switch 53 Main switch 54 Pressure gauge 60 Filter selection part 61 Axis 62 Rotary plate 67 X-ray tube 70 Control part 71 Table 72 Image processing unit 73 X-ray tube control unit 74 Filter control unit

Claims (2)

An X-ray imaging apparatus that includes an X-ray tube that irradiates X-rays and an X-ray detector that is disposed opposite to the X-ray tube and that performs X-ray imaging by detecting X-rays that have passed through a subject. And
It constructed a change in pressing force or a pressing amount by the operator from the foot switch or hand switch for detecting, at the time of X-ray imaging, detecting means for detecting an operation amount of the change by the operator in multiple stages or continuously,
Based on the detection result of the detection means, the X-ray dose irradiated to the subject is changed in a multistage or continuous manner, or the tube voltage of the X-ray tube, the tube current of the X-ray tube, the pulse rate of the X-ray, Control means for changing X-ray imaging conditions for changing at least one of the X-ray pulse widths in a multistage or continuously manner,
The control means further includes an X-ray imaging apparatus that selectively uses a plurality of soft line removal filters based on a detection result of the detection means. An X-ray imaging apparatus that includes an X-ray tube that irradiates X-rays and an X-ray detector that is disposed opposite to the X-ray tube and that performs X-ray imaging by detecting X-rays that have passed through a subject. And
It constructed a change in pressing force or a pressing amount by the operator from the foot switch or hand switch for detecting, at the time of X-ray imaging, detecting means for detecting an operation amount of the change by the operator in multiple stages or continuously,
Based on the detection result of the detection means, the X-ray dose irradiated to the subject is changed in a multistage or continuous manner, or the tube voltage of the X-ray tube, the tube current of the X-ray tube, the pulse rate of the X-ray, Utilizing a video signal based on X-rays detected by the X-ray detector, a control means for changing at least one of the X-ray pulse widths in a multistage or continuous manner, an image display unit, An image processing unit for displaying an X-ray fluoroscopic image on the image display unit,
The control unit is an X-ray imaging apparatus that further changes an image processing condition by the image processing unit based on a detection result of the detection unit.