JP5173718B2 - X-ray equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging apparatus, and more particularly, to an X-ray imaging apparatus capable of easily specifying a blood vessel bifurcation on image data.

  Medical image diagnostic technology using an X-ray imaging apparatus, an MRI apparatus, an X-ray CT apparatus, or the like has made rapid progress along with the development of computer technology and has become indispensable in today's medical care.

  In recent years, image diagnosis using an X-ray imaging apparatus has progressed mainly in the circulatory field with the development of catheter procedures. An X-ray imaging apparatus for the purpose of cardiovascular diagnosis generally includes an X-ray generator that irradiates a subject with X-rays, an X-ray detector that detects X-rays transmitted through the subject, and an X-ray generator X-ray image data (hereinafter referred to as image data) based on the projection data obtained from the X-ray detection unit, a holding unit that holds the unit and the X-ray detection unit, a bed unit that includes a top plate on which the subject is placed. The image data generation unit or the like for generating The holding unit described above includes an X-ray generation unit and an X-ray detection unit (hereinafter collectively referred to as an imaging system) that can move or rotate in a predetermined direction, such as a C arm or an Ω arm. The X-ray imaging from an arbitrary position and direction is made possible by using together with a top plate that allows the subject to move horizontally and vertically.

  When using such an X-ray imaging apparatus for circulatory organ diagnosis, for example, when examining the state of a spinal vegetative blood vessel supplying nutrients to the spinal cord, a plurality of blood vessel branch portions branching from the abdominal aorta From this, a blood vessel branch portion of a desired nutrient blood vessel is searched, and a contrast medium is injected into the nutrient blood vessel using a catheter having a distal end portion inserted into the blood vessel branch portion. In this case, paying attention to the fact that the distance from the vascular branch of the nutritional blood vessel to the sacrum in a normal adult is relatively small among individuals, and measuring the distance from the sacrum, the blood vessel branch that is the target of catheter insertion ( The desired blood vessel bifurcation is specified.

Specifically, X-ray imaging is performed with a ruler or scale adhesive sheet placed along the subject's spine, and image data is collected, and the distance from the sacrum based on the scale added to the image data There is a way to estimate That is, the operator first moves the distal end of the catheter to a position where a blood vessel is expected to branch while referring to the ruler displayed on the image data or the scale of the adhesive sheet with the scale under observation of the image data, Next, a desired blood vessel bifurcation is specified from the unevenness information of the blood vessel wall obtained by finely moving the tip in contact with the blood vessel wall of the abdominal aorta (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Utility Model Registration No. 3065768

  However, according to the method described in Patent Document 1 described above, skillful skill is required to accurately install a ruler or scaled adhesive sheet based on the sacrum of the subject placed on the top. In addition, information on the distance from the blood vessel bifurcation to the sacrum depends on the memory of the operator, especially if the operator does not have sufficient anatomical knowledge, There is a risk of inserting the catheter.

  If an erroneous selection of the blood vessel branch is found in the X-ray imaging, it is necessary to redo the insertion of the catheter to the desired blood vessel branch, the administration of the contrast medium, and the X-ray imaging. First, there was a problem that the exposure dose to the subject increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray imaging apparatus capable of accurately and easily specifying a blood vessel bifurcation on image data. is there.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention moves or rotates an imaging system having an X-ray generation unit and an X-ray detection unit and a top plate on which a subject is placed. In the X-ray imaging apparatus for performing X-ray imaging on the subject into which the intravascular device is inserted, a reference point setting means for setting a reference point for the reference image data collected from the subject; Support image data generating means for generating support image data having a ruler formed in a predetermined direction based on an enlargement / reduction ratio of the reference image data with respect to the subject and position information of the reference point; and the support image data And display means for adding and displaying the reference image data or image data collected after the reference image data.

  According to the present invention, a blood vessel bifurcation can be accurately and easily specified in image data obtained by X-ray imaging of a subject. For this reason, the frequency of the reexamination accompanying the wrong selection of the blood vessel bifurcation is greatly reduced, and accordingly, it is possible to prevent the examination efficiency from decreasing and the exposure dose to the subject from increasing.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The X-ray imaging apparatus of the present embodiment described below is a sacrum of reference image data obtained by X-ray imaging at the time of generation and display of support image data that supports the operation of a catheter inserted into the abdominal aorta of a subject. A reference point is set at the upper end, and a ruler of a predetermined format is formed in the body axis direction of the subject based on the reference point and the enlargement / reduction ratio of the image data. Further, based on anatomical data stored in advance, a branch mark indicating a blood vessel branching portion such as a spinal cord feeding blood vessel branched from the abdominal aorta and a blood vessel identification information are added to the ruler to generate support image data, and the reference The support image data is added to each of the time-series image data collected subsequent to the image data and displayed on the display unit.

  In the following embodiment, generation of support image data for the purpose of specifying a blood vessel branch from the abdominal aorta to the spinal cord nutritional blood vessel will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Support image data may be generated for the purpose.

(Device configuration)
The configuration of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. However, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of the X-ray imaging apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of an X-ray imaging unit included in the X-ray imaging apparatus.

  An X-ray imaging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes an X-ray imaging unit 1 that irradiates a subject 150 with X-rays and detects X-rays transmitted through the subject 150 to generate projection data. An image data generation unit 6 that generates reference image data and time-series image data subsequent to the reference image data based on the projection data; an X-ray generation unit 2 described later provided in the X-ray imaging unit 1; A holding unit 7 that holds the X-ray detection unit 3 (imaging system) and moves or rotates the subject 150 in a desired direction around the subject 150; a top plate 8 that places the subject 150 and moves the subject 150 in a desired direction; A mechanism drive unit that supplies a drive signal to a moving mechanism unit (not shown) provided in each of the holding unit 7 and the bed unit and further measures movement information of the imaging system and the top plate 8 provided in the holding unit 7. 9 is provided.

  Further, the X-ray imaging apparatus 100 can detect the abdominal aorta based on the movement information of the imaging system and the top plate 8 supplied from the mechanism driving unit 9 and the subject information and projection data generation conditions supplied from the input unit 12 described later. The support image data generation unit 10 that generates support image data for the purpose of specifying the blood vessel branching portions scattered in the blood vessel wall, and the above-described support image data supplied from the support image data generation unit 10 is used as the image data generation unit. Display unit 11 for adding and displaying reference image data and time-series image data supplied from 6, input of object information, setting of projection data generation conditions, setting of image data generation conditions and image data display conditions Setting of reference points for reference image data, selection of support image data, update of ruler direction in support image data, setting of threshold values for movement amounts of the imaging system and the top board 8, and An input unit 12 for inputting of various command signals, and a system control unit 13 for integrally controlling the above respective units of the X-ray imaging apparatus 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray imaging unit 1 includes an X-ray generation unit 2 that irradiates the subject 150 with X-rays, an X-ray detection unit 3 that detects X-rays transmitted through the subject 150, and a detection A projection data generation unit 4 that generates projection data based on the generated X-rays and a high voltage generation unit 5 that supplies a high voltage to the X-ray generation unit 2 are provided.

  Next, specific examples of the above-described units included in the X-ray imaging unit 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

  The X-ray generator 2 shown in FIG. 2 forms an X-ray weight (cone beam) for the X-ray tube 21 that irradiates the subject 150 with X-rays and the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 21. X-ray diaphragm 22 is provided. The X-ray tube 21 is a vacuum tube that generates X-rays, and accelerates electrons emitted from a cathode (filament) by a high voltage to collide with a tungsten anode to generate X-rays. On the other hand, the X-ray diaphragm 22 is located between the X-ray tube 21 and the subject 150 and has a function of narrowing the X-ray beam irradiated from the X-ray tube 21 to a predetermined irradiation field size.

  The X-ray detection unit 3 includes a method of directly converting X-rays into electric charges and a method of converting X-rays into light and then converting them into electric charges. In the present embodiment, the former will be described, but the latter may be used. That is, the X-ray detection unit 3 in the present embodiment converts the X-ray transmitted through the subject 150 into electric charges and accumulates them, and a drive for reading out the electric charges accumulated in the flat detectors 31. A gate driver 32 for generating a pulse is provided.

  The flat detector 31 includes a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged minute detection elements. Each detection element senses X-rays and generates a charge according to an incident X-ray dose. A charge storage capacitor for storing the generated charge and a TFT (thin film transistor) (not shown) for reading out the charge stored in the charge storage capacitor at a predetermined timing are provided. The accumulated charges are sequentially read out by drive pulses supplied by the gate driver 32.

  On the other hand, the projection data generation unit 4 includes a charge / voltage converter 41 that converts charges read in parallel in row units or column units from the plane detector 31 of the X-ray detection unit 3 into voltages, and the charge / voltages. An A / D converter 42 that converts the output of the converter 41 into a digital signal and a parallel / serial converter 43 that converts the digitally converted parallel signal into a time-series serial signal are provided.

  The high voltage generator 5 is supplied from a system controller 13 and a high voltage generator 52 that generates a high voltage to be applied between the anode and the cathode in order to accelerate thermoelectrons generated from the cathode of the X-ray tube 21. An X-ray control unit 51 that controls X-ray irradiation conditions such as tube current, tube voltage, irradiation time, irradiation timing, etc. in the high voltage generator 52 is provided according to the instruction signal.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the image data generation unit 6 includes a projection data storage unit and an image calculation unit (not shown), and the projection data storage unit is a time series supplied from the projection data generation unit 4 of the X-ray imaging unit 1. Two-dimensional projection data is generated by sequentially storing typical projection data. On the other hand, the image calculation unit performs image processing such as filtering processing on the two-dimensional projection data generated in the projection data storage unit to generate image data, and further, for the obtained plurality of image data Synthesis processing, subtraction processing (subtraction), etc. are performed as necessary.

  Next, the mechanism drive unit 9 includes a moving mechanism unit and a rotation unit (not shown) provided in the holding unit 7 for moving or rotating the imaging system including the X-ray generation unit 2 and the X-ray detector 3 in a desired direction. A moving mechanism provided in a bed portion (not shown) provided with the top plate 8 for supplying a driving signal to the moving mechanism portion and further moving the top plate 8 on which the subject 150 is placed in a desired direction. It is attached to a moving mechanism driving unit 91 that supplies a driving signal to the moving unit, a mechanism driving control unit 92 that supplies a control signal to the moving mechanism driving unit 91, and a moving mechanism unit and a rotating mechanism unit of the holding unit 7. The movement information of the imaging system (that is, the movement direction and movement distance and the rotation direction and rotation angle of the imaging system) is measured based on the output signal from the position detector (not shown). From a position detector (not shown) attached to the Movement information of the top plate 8 on the basis of the signal (i.e., moving direction and moving distance of the top plate 8) has a movement information measurement unit 93 that measures a.

  On the other hand, the support image data generation unit 10 includes a ruler formation unit 101, an anatomy data storage unit 102, and a data synthesis unit 103.

  Based on the projection data generation conditions supplied from the input unit 12 and the movement information measuring unit 93 supplied from the movement information measuring unit 93 of the mechanism driving unit 9, the ruler forming unit 101 uses the image data generating unit 6 A ruler (ruler) is formed for the generated reference image data. That is, the ruler forming unit 101 first detects the distance (SID: Source-Image-Distance) from the X-ray tube 21 to the flat detector 31 set by the input unit 12 as the projection data generation condition, the X-ray tube 21 or the flat detection. The enlargement / reduction rate of the reference image data for the subject 150 is calculated based on the distance from the detector 31 to the subject 150 and the size of the imaging region (FOV: Field of View) in the flat detector 31. Next, the shooting direction determined based on the enlargement / reduction ratio and the rotation direction and rotation angle of the imaging system supplied from the movement information measurement unit 93, and the reference image data generated by the image data generation unit 6 A ruler is formed based on the reference point set by the input unit 12 with respect to the upper end of the sacrum.

  On the other hand, the anatomy data storage unit 102 includes a storage unit (not shown) that stores biological anatomy data. The storage unit includes, for example, various types of spinal cord feeding blood vessels that branch from the abdominal aorta to the spinal cord and the abdominal aorta. For example, identification information (blood vessel name) of organ nutritional blood vessels such as intercostal artery, esophageal artery, celiac artery, superior mesenteric artery, inferior mesenteric artery, renal artery, lumbar artery, etc. Anatomical data including a standard distance from the blood vessel bifurcation to the upper end of the sacrum or the common iliac bifurcation is stored in advance as supplementary information such as the age and sex of the living body.

  Then, the data synthesis unit 103 reads the anatomy data corresponding to the gender and age of the subject information supplied from the input unit 12 from the anatomy data storage unit 102, and the ruler forming unit 101 reads out the anatomy data based on the anatomy data. Support image data is generated by adding a branch marker indicating the blood vessel branching portion of the spinal cord nutrition blood vessel and the organ nutrition blood vessel and identification information of the organ nutrition blood vessel to the formed ruler.

  Next, the shooting direction determined by the movement information (rotation direction and rotation angle) of the imaging system measured by the movement information measurement unit 93 of the mechanism drive unit 9 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the holder 7 with the X-ray generator 2 and the X-ray detector 3 mounted on both ends thereof is rotated about the body axis direction (z-axis direction) of the subject 150 as a rotation axis. By moving it, the imaging direction with respect to the subject 150 can be arbitrarily set.

  In FIG. 3, for example, an imaging system including an X-ray generation unit 2 having an X-ray tube 21 and an X-ray detection unit 3 having a flat detector 31 is arranged in the vicinity of the vertical direction (y-axis direction in FIG. 1). FIG. 2 shows front-viewing performed in this manner, and side-viewing performed by arranging the above-described imaging system in the vicinity of the horizontal direction (x-axis direction in FIG. 1). Then, the ruler forming unit 101 of the support image data generating unit 10 determines whether to perform front-side shooting or side-side shooting based on the rotation angle of the imaging system measured by the movement information measuring unit 93 of the mechanism driving unit 9. For example, when the rotation angle θ with respect to the x-axis direction is 45 degrees <| θ | <135 degrees, it is determined that the image is taken from the front direction (front image), and the rotation angle θ is 0 degree ≦ When | θ | ≦ 45 degrees or 135 degrees ≦ | θ | ≦ 180 degrees, it is determined that the image is taken from the side surface direction (side image shooting). However, the range of the rotation angle in front shooting and side shooting is not limited to the above values.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows a specific example of the reference image data collected by the front photographing based on the above determination result and the support image data added to the reference image data. FIG. 4A shows reference image data centered on the abdominal aorta Aa collected by frontal imaging with respect to the subject 150. In the central portion of the reference image data, the vertical direction (z-axis direction) along the spine Vc. The abdominal aorta Aa that travels in the middle and the blood vessel wall of the abdominal aorta Aa has a plurality of blood vessel branching portions that communicate with the spinal cord feeding blood vessels and various organ feeding blood vessels. In addition, the upper end portion of the sacrum Ssb contacting the lower end portion of the spine Vc is located in the vicinity of the branch portion from the abdominal aorta Aa to the two common iliac arteries Ca.

  On the other hand, FIG. 4B is a specific example of support image data added to the reference image data indicated by the thick frame P in FIG. 4A, and is set for the upper end of the sacrum of the reference image data. A ruler Ra and a ruler Rb with respect to the z-axis direction are formed by the ruler forming unit 101 of the support image data generating unit 10 at positions separated from the reference point Qa by a predetermined distance da and db in the left-right direction, and further, the ruler Ra and the ruler Rb. The data synthesizer 103 adds branch markers and blood vessel identification information to each of these.

  In this case, for example, for each of the ruler Ra and the ruler Rb, a branch marker ▼ indicating a blood vessel branching portion to the spinal cord nutritional blood vessel and a branch marker ▽ indicating a blood vessel branching portion to various organ nutritional blood vessels are added. The organ nutrition blood vessel identification information is added in the vicinity of the branch marker ▽.

  Next, a specific example of the support image data added to the reference image data collected by side photographing will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, the ruler forming unit 101 forms a ruler Rc with respect to the z-axis direction at a position away from the reference point Qb set at the upper end of the sacrum of the reference image data, for example, by a predetermined distance dc in the right direction. Further, a branch marker ▼ indicating the blood vessel branching portion to the spinal cord nutritional vessel and a branching marker ▽ indicating the blood vessel branching portion to various organ nutritional blood vessels are added to the ruler Rc, and the identification information of the organ nutritional blood vessel is added to the branch marker ▽ It is shown in the vicinity of.

  Note that the ruler Ra and the ruler Rb for the reference image data for frontal imaging are formed at a distance da and a distance db that do not interfere with observation of the abdominal aorta Aa and various nutritional blood vessels. It is formed at a distance dc that does not hinder the observation of the abdominal aorta Aa and various nutrient blood vessels. However, in frontal imaging, a plurality of blood vessel bifurcations located on the left and right can be easily specified by forming the two rulers Ra and Rb as described above, but the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, any of the rulers Rb may be formed, and branch markers and nutrient vessel identification information may be added to the rulers.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the display unit 11 includes a display data generation unit 111 and a monitor 112. The display data generation unit 111 generates display data by adding the above-described support image data supplied from the support image data generation unit 10 to the reference image data and time-series image data supplied from the image data generation unit 6. Then, the display data is converted into a predetermined display format and displayed on the monitor 112. However, when the movement amount of the imaging system or the top plate 8 measured by the movement information measurement unit 93 of the mechanism driving unit 9 becomes larger than a preset threshold value α, the display data generation unit 111 again sets the movement amount. The addition of the support image data to the image data is interrupted until it becomes smaller than the threshold value α, and only the image data is displayed on the monitor 112. When the operator has sufficient anatomical knowledge about the abdominal aorta and various nutritional blood vessels described above, the display unit 11 displays the ruler forming unit according to the selection signal of support image data supplied from the input unit 12. The support image data of only the ruler directly supplied from 101 may be displayed by adding to the reference image data or time-series image data subsequent to the reference image data.

  Next, the input unit 12 is an interactive interface including input devices such as a display panel, a keyboard, a trackball, a joystick, and a mouse, and a reference point for setting a reference point at the upper end of the sacrum displayed in the reference image data. Support image for selecting support image data based on the setting function 121, the skill level of the operator, etc. (that is, selecting support image data only for the ruler or support image data in which a branch marker or nutritional blood vessel identification information is added to the ruler) A data selection function 122, and a ruler direction update function 123 that updates the direction of the ruler so that they match when the direction of the ruler in the support image data is significantly different from the body axis direction or the blood vessel traveling direction of the subject 150. doing. Also, input of object information, setting of projection data generation conditions, setting of image data generation conditions and image data display conditions, setting of a threshold value α for the moving amount of the imaging system and the top board 8, and input of various command signals Are also performed using the above-described display panel or input device.

  The system control unit 13 includes a CPU and a storage circuit (not shown), and the information input / set / selected by the input unit 12 is temporarily stored in the storage circuit. The CPU performs overall control of each unit included in the X-ray imaging apparatus 100 based on the input information, setting information, and selection information, and generates and stores image data to which support image data is added. .

(Procedure for displaying support image data)
Next, the display procedure of support image data in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Prior to the generation of the support image data, the operator of the X-ray imaging apparatus 100 inputs object information, sets projection data generation conditions, sets image data generation conditions and image data display conditions, inputs the imaging system and the sky. The threshold value α is set for the movement amount of the board 8 and the support image data is selected. These input information and setting information are stored in the storage circuit of the system control unit 13. At this time, the mechanism drive control unit 92 of the mechanism control unit 9 that has received the setting information of the projection data generation condition from the input unit 12 via the system control unit 13 controls the moving mechanism drive unit 91 to control the holding unit 7 and the bed. A drive signal is supplied to the moving mechanism unit of the unit, and the imaging system and the top plate 8 mounted on the holding unit 7 are moved / rotated to desired positions (step S1 in FIG. 4).

  When the above initial setting is completed, the operator inputs an X-ray imaging start command at the input unit 12, and this command signal is supplied to the CPU of the system control unit 13 so that the catheter is inserted. X-ray imaging for the specimen 150 is started (step S2 in FIG. 4).

  That is, the system control unit 13 supplies an instruction signal for executing X-ray imaging to the X-ray control unit 51 of the high voltage generation unit 5. The X-ray control unit 51 that has received this instruction signal controls the high voltage generator 52 based on the already set X-ray irradiation conditions to apply a high voltage to the X-ray tube 21 of the X-ray generation unit 2, The X-ray tube 21 irradiates the subject 150 into which the catheter is inserted via the X-ray restrictor 22 with pulsed X-rays. Then, the X-ray transmitted through the subject 150 is detected by the flat detector 31 of the X-ray detector 3 provided behind the subject 150. That is, the flat panel detector 31 receives X-rays transmitted through the subject 150 and accumulates signal charges proportional to the X-ray irradiation intensity in a charge storage capacitor (not shown). When the X-ray irradiation is finished, the gate driver 32 to which the control signal is supplied from the system control unit 13 supplies a drive pulse to the flat detector 31 and sequentially outputs the signal charges stored in the charge storage capacitor in the column direction. read out.

  The signal charge read at this time is converted into a voltage by the charge / voltage converter 41 in the projection data generation unit 4, and further converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 42, and then the parallel / serial converter 43. To form projection data in time series. Then, the image data generation unit 6 sequentially stores the projection data of the subject 150 supplied from the projection data generation unit 4 of the X-ray imaging unit 1 in its own storage circuit, for example, as shown in FIG. Reference image data is generated and displayed on the monitor 112 of the display unit 11. (Step S3 in FIG. 4).

  Next, the operator who has observed the reference image data displayed on the display unit 11 uses the reference point setting function 121 of the input unit 12 to set a reference point at the upper end of the sacrum displayed in the reference image data. For example, the reference point is set by right-clicking on the upper end of the sacrum on the reference image data using the mouse of the input unit 12 and selecting the ruler display mode from the menu that is newly displayed at this time. (Step S4 in FIG. 4).

  On the other hand, the ruler forming unit 101 of the support image data generating unit 10 includes the projection data generation conditions supplied from the input unit 12 and the movement information of the imaging system and the top board 8 supplied from the movement information measuring unit 93 of the mechanism driving unit 9. Based on the above, a ruler for the reference image data is generated. That is, the ruler forming unit 101 first determines a shooting direction (that is, front shooting or side shooting) based on movement information of the imaging system and the top board 8 supplied from the movement information measuring unit 93, and then, step S1. SID of the projection data generation condition set by the input unit 12 in the initial setting, the distance from the X-ray tube 21 or the flat detector 31 to the subject 150, and the size of the imaging region (FOV) in the flat detector 31 : The field of view) or the like, the enlargement / reduction ratio of the reference image data with respect to the subject 150 is calculated. Then, a ruler of a predetermined format is formed based on the determination result of the enlargement / reduction ratio and the shooting direction, and further, based on the reference point set for the reference image data by the input unit 12 in step S4 described above (step S5 in FIG. 4). ).

  Next, in the selection of support image data in the initial setting of step S1, when support image data with branch markers and nutrient vessel identification information added to the ruler is selected, the data composition unit 103 is supplied from the input unit 12 Anatomical data corresponding to the sex and age of the subject information is read from the anatomical data storage unit 102, and branch markers and nutritional blood vessel identification information indicating the blood vessel branching portions of various nutritional blood vessels with respect to the ruler supplied from the ruler forming unit 101 Is added based on the anatomical data to generate support image data. On the other hand, when the support image data having only the ruler is selected in the selection of the support image data, the data composition unit 103 generates support image data using only the ruler supplied from the ruler forming unit 101 (FIG. 4 step S6).

  When the generation of the support image data for the reference image data is completed, the system control unit 13 controls the X-ray imaging unit 1 and the image data generation unit 6 and controls the time for the subject 150 by the same procedure as in step S3 described above. Series image data is generated (step S7 in FIG. 4), and the movement information measuring unit 93 of the mechanism driving unit 9 measures the movement amount of the imaging system and the top board 8 (step S8 in FIG. 4). When the amount of movement from the reference image data collection position is zero (that is, when the imaging system and the top plate 8 whose initial positions are set in step S1 remain stationary), the display unit 11 The support image data generated in step S6 is added to the image data generated in step S7 and displayed on the monitor 112 of the display unit 11 (step S10 in FIG. 4).

  When the moving amount of the imaging system and the top 8 moved from the initial position is smaller than the predetermined threshold value α, the display unit 11 associates the support image data generated in step S6 with the moving direction and moving amount described above. The position is updated (step S9 in FIG. 4). Then, the updated support image data is added to the image data generated in step S7 and displayed on the monitor 112 (step S10 in FIG. 4). On the other hand, when the movement amount of the imaging system and the top 8 moved from the initial position is larger than the threshold value α, the display unit 11 interrupts the addition of the support image data to the image data and displays only the image data on the monitor 112 (FIG. 4 step S11). Then, by repeating the procedure shown in steps S7 to S11 described above, a catheter operation is performed on the subject 150 under observation of image data and support image data displayed in substantially real time.

  If there is a significant difference between the direction of the ruler in the reference image data or the support image data added to the time-series image data and the body axis direction or blood vessel running direction of the subject 150, the ruler direction of the input 12 By using the update function 123 to move (update) the direction of the ruler in the body axis direction or the blood vessel traveling direction, it is possible to maintain the specific accuracy of the blood vessel branching portion. Specifically, the ruler direction can be easily updated by dragging the ruler displayed on the display unit 11 in a suitable direction using the mouse provided in the input 12.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the blood vessel bifurcation can be specified accurately and easily in the image data obtained by X-ray imaging of the subject. For this reason, the frequency of the reexamination accompanying the wrong selection of the blood vessel bifurcation is greatly reduced, and accordingly, it is possible to prevent the examination efficiency from decreasing and the exposure dose to the subject from increasing.

  In particular, in the above-described embodiment, a ruler formed based on the enlargement / reduction ratio of the reference image data is automatically set based on the reference point on the reference image data, and the support image data having this ruler is the reference image. Since it is added to each of the time-series image data that follows the data, it is possible to prevent erroneous setting of the ruler for the subject as in the past, and the position of the blood vessel branching portion can be accurately and in a short time. It becomes possible to grasp.

  Furthermore, since it is possible to add a branch marker indicating the position of the blood vessel branching portion and the branching blood vessel identification information to the above ruler based on pre-stored anatomy data, the operator can use the abdominal aorta, etc. Even when there is not enough anatomical knowledge about the blood vessel, it is possible to easily identify the blood vessel branching portion to the spinal cord feeding blood vessels and various organ feeding blood vessels.

  On the other hand, according to the above-described embodiment, the position of the support image data added to the time-series image data is automatically updated based on the movement information of the imaging system and the top board. Even if the image data is moved to the position, the image data and the support image data can be observed in a state where they are always matched. In addition, since support image data corresponding to the shooting direction determined based on the movement information (rotation direction and rotation angle) of the imaging system is generated, the support suitable for the image data collected in the shooting direction. A catheter operation for the abdominal aorta or the like can be performed using the image data.

  Furthermore, when the direction of the ruler in the support image data is significantly different from the body axis direction of the subject, the direction of the ruler can be updated in a short time so that these directions coincide.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention has been described, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned Example, It can change and implement. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the support image data for the purpose of specifying the blood vessel branching portion from the abdominal aorta to the spinal cord feeding blood vessel has been described, but the support image for the purpose of specifying another blood vessel branching portion has been described. It may be data generation.

  In the above-described embodiment, generation of support image data for the purpose of supporting operation of a catheter inserted into the abdominal aorta has been described. However, operation support for other intravascular devices such as a guide wire and a small-diameter ultrasonic probe is described. It is also possible to generate support image data for the purpose.

  On the other hand, the movement information measuring unit 93 in the above-described embodiment obtains movement information of the imaging system and the top board 8 based on the output signal of the position detector provided in the holding unit 7 or the movement / turning mechanism unit of the bed unit. Although the case of measurement has been described, movement information of the imaging system and the top plate 8 may be measured based on a control signal output from the mechanism drive control unit 92 or a drive signal output from the movement mechanism drive unit 91. Further, the movement amount may be measured by either the top plate 8 or the imaging system.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the front image and the side image are determined based on the movement information of the imaging system measured by the movement information measuring unit 93, and the support image corresponding to each shooting direction based on the determination result. Although the case of generating data has been described, the shooting direction is not limited to two directions. For example, support image data corresponding to oblique shooting within a predetermined angle range may be generated.

  Further, although the reference point setting function 121 of the input unit 12 has described the case where the reference point is set for the upper end of the sacrum indicated by the reference image data, the present invention is not limited to this. A reference point may be set for the bifurcation of the bone artery.

  Furthermore, although the reference point setting for the reference image data with respect to the upper end of the sacrum has been described with reference point setting function 121 of the input unit 12, A new contour data extraction unit is provided to extract the contour data of the common iliac bifurcation. Based on the contour data obtained by this contour data extraction unit, reference points for the upper end of the sacrum and the common iliac bifurcation are set. It may be set automatically. In addition, the contour of the spine is detected by the above-described image processing instead of the upper end of the sacrum or the common iliac bifurcation, and the relative distance data between the spine and the blood vessel bifurcation stored in the anatomy data storage unit 102 in advance is used. Based on this, a ruler may be formed and a branch marker or the like added to the ruler. According to such a method, the reference point can be set in a short time, and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the specific structure of the X-ray imaging part with which the X-ray imaging apparatus of the Example is provided. The figure for demonstrating the imaging | photography direction determined by the rotation angle of the imaging system in the Example. The figure which shows the specific example of the reference image data collected in the front imaging | photography of the Example, and the support image data added to this reference image data. The figure which shows the specific example of the assistance image data added to the reference | standard image data in the side imaging | photography of the Example. The flowchart which shows the display procedure of the assistance image data in the Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... X-ray imaging part 2 ... X-ray generation part 3 ... X-ray detection part 4 ... Projection data generation part 5 ... High voltage generation part 6 ... Image data generation part 7 ... Holding part 8 ... Top plate 9 ... Mechanism drive part 91 ... Movement mechanism drive unit 92 ... Mechanism drive control unit 93 ... Movement information measurement unit 10 ... Support image data generation unit 101 ... Ruler formation unit 102 ... Anatomy data storage unit 103 ... Data composition unit 11 ... Display unit 111 ... Display data generation Unit 112 ... Monitor 12 ... Input unit 121 ... Reference point setting function 122 ... Support image data selection function 123 ... Ruler direction update function 13 ... System control unit 100 ... X-ray imaging apparatus

Claims (12)

X-ray imaging for X-ray imaging of the subject into which an intravascular device is inserted by moving or rotating an imaging system having an X-ray generation unit and an X-ray detection unit and a top plate on which the subject is placed In the shooting device,
Reference point setting means for setting a reference point for reference image data collected from the subject;
Support image data generating means for generating support image data having a ruler formed in a predetermined direction based on the magnification / reduction ratio of the reference image data with respect to the subject and the position information of the reference point;
An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising: display means for displaying the support image data in addition to the reference image data or image data collected following the reference image data.   The support image data generation means adds at least one of a branch marker indicating a branch portion of a blood vessel into which the intravascular device has been inserted and identification information of a blood vessel branching from the branch portion to the ruler, and adds the support image data. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the support image data generation unit adds the branch marker and the identification information to the ruler based on anatomical data stored in advance.   Anatomical data storage means for storing biological anatomy data, wherein the support image data generation means is based on anatomical data corresponding to the subject information of the subject read from the anatomy data storage means The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the branch marker and the identification information are added to a ruler.   Support image data selection means for selecting support image data based on the skill level of the operator, and the support image data generation means has only the ruler based on selection information supplied from the support image data selection means The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support image data or the support image data in which at least one of a branch marker and blood vessel identification information is added to the ruler is generated.   A movement information measurement unit that measures a rotation angle of the imaging system is provided, and the support image data generation unit determines an imaging direction with respect to the subject based on the measured rotation angle, and is suitable for the imaging direction. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support image data is generated.   The support image data generating unit forms the ruler in the body axis direction of the subject into which the intravascular device is inserted or the running direction of the abdominal aorta, and a branching portion from the abdominal aorta to the spinal cord nutritional blood vessel and The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support image data is generated by adding the branch marker indicating a branch portion from the abdominal aorta to various organ feeding blood vessels to the ruler.   A movement information measurement unit that measures a movement direction and a movement amount of at least one of the imaging system and the top plate is provided, and the display unit updates the position according to the measured movement direction and movement amount. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support image data is added to the image data and displayed.   It includes a movement information measuring unit that measures the position of at least one of the imaging system and the top plate, and the display unit measures the relative distance between the imaging system and the top plate in the horizontal direction of the measured ruler. 2. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the difference from the distance at the time of imaging the reference image data is larger than a predetermined threshold, the addition of the support image data to the image data is interrupted.   Ruler direction updating means is provided, and the ruler direction updating means updates the direction of the ruler set in a direction different from the body axis direction or the blood vessel running direction of the subject to the body axis direction or the blood vessel running direction. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference point setting unit sets the reference point for either the upper end of the sacrum or the bifurcation of the common iliac artery in the reference image data.   The outline data extracting means for extracting outline data of the sacrum or common iliac artery in the reference image data, wherein the reference point setting means sets the reference point based on the outline data. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to 1.

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