JP5202045B2 - X-ray equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging apparatus, and more particularly to its structure.

  An X-ray imaging apparatus that captures a fluoroscopic image with an X-ray beam that spreads from the focal point of the X-ray generator toward the detector is known. Patent Document 1 listed below describes apparatuses for obtaining a fluoroscopic image of a specimen such as a forearm. In these apparatuses, a specimen placed on a mounting table is irradiated with X-rays from below, and the specimen is placed upward. A fluoroscopic image is acquired by the arranged detector.

JP-A-8-280658 (paragraph 0030, etc.)

  When a beam having a spread is used, the magnification can be changed by changing the position where the specimen is placed, that is, the distance from the focal point of the beam. On the other hand, when the distance from the focal point is changed, the beam irradiation range, that is, the imaging range also changes. It is difficult for the operator to determine which range is captured when the position where the specimen is placed is a position at a certain distance from the focal point.

  An object of the present invention is to make it easy for an operator to understand the relationship between the position (distance from the focal point) where a specimen is placed and the irradiation range of a beam.

  The X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention enables the tray on which the specimen is placed to be supported at a plurality of predetermined positions from the focal point of the X-ray generator. A mark indicating the beam irradiation range for each distance is attached to the tray. The operator places the sample on the tray, sees the relationship between the sample and the mark, and places the tray at a position suitable for the sample and the imaging range.

  More specifically, the X-ray imaging apparatus can include a support unit including a receiving unit that receives the tray at a plurality of predetermined distances from the focal point. The mark is attached corresponding to the receiving portion, and the operator can determine the receiving portion on which the tray is to be mounted with reference to the irradiation range of the beam indicated by the mark.

  Moreover, the tray which each receiving part received can be made to become a step-like position. This step-like arrangement is an arrangement in which a part of the marks attached corresponding to each receiving part shows the same position. For example, when the beam irradiation range is a band-shaped range and the mark indicates the position of the boundary on both sides of the band-shaped range, the mark indicating the boundary on one side is the mark corresponding to which receiving unit. Can be attached to the same position.

  In the X-ray imaging apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention, the position on which the specimen at the position closest to the focal point of the X-ray generator is a mounting table formed as the upper surface of the apparatus main body, and is further away In order to place the specimen at the specified position, a tray is detachably attached to the apparatus main body. This tray is provided with a mark corresponding to the beam irradiation range at the position where the tray is mounted.

  According to the present invention, the relationship between the position where the specimen is placed and the irradiation range of the X-ray beam can be presented to the operator in an easily understandable manner.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of an X-ray imaging apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of a configuration related to X-ray imaging inside the apparatus. The X-ray imaging apparatus 10 includes a main body 12 and a tray 14 that can be attached to and detached from the main body 12. A sample is placed on the tray 14, and in this state, the sample is mounted on the main body 12 to perform imaging. The main body 12 includes a base portion 16, a column portion 18 erected on the base portion 16, and an arm portion 20 that extends from the column portion 18 so as to face the base portion 16. When viewed from the side, the base portion 16, the column portion 18, and the arm portion 20 form a substantially “U” shape, and receive the tray 14 from the open side of the U shape. Further, a receiving portion 22 that receives the tray 14 is disposed at a portion sandwiched between the base portion 16 and the arm portion 20 of the main body 12, and a support frame 24 that supports the received tray 14 is disposed. The support frame 24 is preferably detachably fixed to the main body 12. By removing, it becomes possible to take an image of a sample that does not fit in the tray 14. However, it may be fixed permanently or may be formed integrally with the main body 12. The tray 14 is inserted into the receiving portion 22 of the support frame 24 from the direction of arrow Y in the figure, and is attached to the support frame 24. Although the support frame 24 of this embodiment has the three receiving parts 22, it can change suitably about the number. The tray 14 and the support frame 24 are made of a material that transmits X-rays.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an X-ray generator 26 and a power supply 28 that supplies electric power to the X-ray generator 26 are accommodated in the main body 12. The X-ray generator 26 irradiates a so-called fan beam X-ray that extends in a fan shape from the focal point 30. A detector 32 is housed in the arm portion 20, and X-rays emitted from the X-ray generator 26 are detected by the detector 32. The detector 32 includes a one-dimensional array of detector elements corresponding to the shape of the fan beam. The X-ray generator 26 and the detector 32 are coupled by a bracket 34 and move integrally in the main body 12. The direction of this movement is a direction that penetrates the paper surface of FIG. 2, and is a direction that intersects the plane formed by the fan beam, preferably a direction that is orthogonal. The X-ray generator 26 and the detector 32 are moved together while irradiating the X-ray with the X-ray generator 26 and being detected by the detector 32, thereby scanning the X-ray fan beam and two-dimensional X-rays. Data can be collected. This data is taken into the control unit 36, a predetermined process is executed, and a fluoroscopic image is formed.

  In FIG. 2, the support frame 24 is depicted in a state where most of the support frame 24 is omitted, and the position of the receiving portion 22 is represented by drawing the tray 14 received in the receiving portion. As shown in the figure, three receiving portions 22 are provided, and are denoted by reference numerals 22A, 22B, and 22C in order from the bottom, that is, in order from the focus 30 of the X-ray. The reference numerals 22A to 22C are used when it is necessary to distinguish and explain the three receiving portions, and when there is no need for the description, they are simply described using the reference numeral 22 as before. When the tray 14 is mounted on the lowermost receiving portion 22A, the irradiation area of the fan beam on the tray 14 is narrow, and the entire large specimen cannot be imaged. However, the enlargement ratio is increased and the resolution is improved. On the other hand, when the tray 14 is mounted on the uppermost receiving portion 22C, the irradiation area of the fan beam is wide and a large specimen can be photographed, but the resolution is deteriorated. When attached to the intermediate receiving portion 22B, intermediate values such as an irradiation range and an enlargement ratio are obtained.

  The tray 14 can be inserted into and removed from the support frame 24 like a desk or the like. In the X-ray imaging apparatus 10, three openings are formed on the open surface of the box-shaped support frame 24 that is open on one side, and the tray 14 is inserted therein. The tray 14 may be configured to have the receiving portion 22 so that all of the tray 14 can be accommodated in the support frame 24 like a desk drawer. However, in this X-ray imaging apparatus 10, only a part of the back side of the tray 14 is configured. It is configured to receive and now cantilever the tray 14. Further, the tray 14 can be supported by rail-shaped guides provided on the left and right with respect to the insertion direction (the direction of the arrow Y).

  A stopper 38 is provided behind the support frame 24 in the insertion direction of the tray 14. The stopper 38 has a staircase shape, and each step thereof corresponds to the receiving portions 22A to 22C on a one-to-one basis. The stages corresponding to the receiving units 22A, 22B, and 22C are denoted by reference numerals 38A, 38B. This is indicated by 38C. Due to the staircase shape of the stopper 38, the trays 14 received by the receiving portions 22 are arranged in a staircase shape by contacting the stoppers 38. However, a plurality of trays 14 are not attached to the support frame 24 at the same time, but one tray 14 is used by being replaced with each receiving portion. Therefore, the step-like arrangement here means that when the trays 14 are attached to the respective receiving portions 22, the trays 14 are stepped. In FIG. 2, the case where the tray 14 is mounted on the middle receiving portion 22B is shown, and the tray 14 when the tray 14 is mounted virtually is indicated by a one-dot chain line in the receiving portions 22A and 22C. The inclination of the staircase of the stopper 38 is along the inclination of the boundary 40A on the back side (right side in FIG. 2) of the fan beam 40. Thereby, when the tray 14 is attached to each of the receiving portions 22A to 22C, the position through which the boundary 40A passes is constant.

  As described above, the X-ray irradiation range on the tray 14 is different for each receiving unit 22, but when the operator attaches the tray 14 to any of the receiving units, It is difficult to grasp whether the range is the irradiation range. Therefore, the tray 14 of the X-ray imaging apparatus 10 is provided with marks 42 indicating the irradiation ranges corresponding to the receiving portions 22A to 22C, respectively.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the mark 42 attached to the tray 14. In the X-ray imaging apparatus 10, the marks 42 are four lines drawn on the bottom surface of the tray 14. In the case where it is necessary to distinguish individual lines, description will be made by adding the subscripts P and A to C to the reference numeral 42. The direction of arrow Y shown in FIG. 3 is the direction in which the tray 14 is inserted into the receiving portion 22. As described above, the fan beam 40 is scanned, and the irradiation range becomes a band-like range. In this apparatus, it is a strip-shaped range extending in a direction intersecting with the insertion direction of the tray 14, preferably in a direction orthogonal thereto.

  When the tray 14 is mounted on the lower receiving portion 22A, the boundary 40A on the far side of the fan beam passes the position of the mark 42P, and the boundary 40B on the front side passes through the position of the mark 42A, so that the irradiation range is the mark 42P and the mark 42A. The range is between. When the tray 14 is mounted on the middle receiving portion 22B, the irradiation range is between the mark 42P and the mark 42B. Further, in the upper receiving portion 22C, the irradiation range is between 42P and the mark 42C. The irradiation range corresponding to each receiving portion 22 has a common end 42, that is, a mark 42P on the back side. This is due to the inclination of the stopper 38 having the staircase shape described above.

  When the sample is placed on the tray 14, the receiving unit 22 to be mounted can be determined by matching the mark 42P on the back side and observing in which irradiation range the sample falls. For example, when it is desired to photograph the entire specimen, one end of the specimen is placed on the tray 14 with the mark 42P on the back side, and if the front end of the specimen is between the mark 42A and the mark 42B, the middle stage It is appropriate to mount the tray 14 on the receiving portion 22B. When it is desired to photograph a specific part of the specimen, the receiving unit 22 to be mounted is selected from a range in which the part fits.

  The mark 42 may be, for example, a groove or a strip provided on the bottom surface instead of the one drawn on the bottom surface, or may be provided on a portion other than the bottom surface, for example, a side surface. Further, instead of the staircase-shaped stopper 38, protrusions or ridges and holes or grooves to be engaged when the tray 14 is inserted to a predetermined position are provided in the tray 14 and the support frame 24. The operator may be notified of the position of the tray 14 by a response. In this case, the tray 14 may be inserted further into the back than the position determined by the protrusion or the like.

  Further, the tray may be supported so as to overlap the same position instead of being supported in a stepped manner. In this case, the mark indicating the irradiation range is arranged symmetrically about the position directly above the focal point 30. Furthermore, the X-ray beam may be a cone beam. In this case, the irradiation range can be indicated by a mark corresponding to a circle or a rectangle. When the tray is supported in a staircase shape and circular marks are used, the circular marks corresponding to the receiving portions are arranged so as to contact each other at a common point. Further, when the tray is supported in a staircase shape and square marks are used, they are arranged so that one side is common.

  Further, when placing the specimen at a position closest to the focal point of the X-ray generator 26, the specimen may be placed directly on the upper surface of the base portion 16. At this time, a mark indicating an X-ray irradiation range may be attached to the upper surface of the substrate 16 which is a mounting table on which the specimen is placed.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the X-ray imaging apparatus of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the internal structure of the X-ray imaging apparatus of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the tray in which a sample is mounted.

Explanation of symbols

  10 X-ray imaging apparatus, 12 body, 14 tray, 22 receiving section, 24 support frame, 30 focus, 32 detector, 38 stopper, 42 mark.

Claims (5)

An X-ray imaging apparatus that captures a fluoroscopic image with a beam that has a fixed distance between a focal point of an X-ray generator and a detector and spreads from the focal point toward the detector,
A tray on which the specimen is placed;
In order to support the tray at a plurality of predetermined distance positions from the focal point, a support portion provided for each of the distances and having a receiving portion for removably receiving the tray;
Have
The tray is marked with a mark indicating an irradiation range of the beam when supported by the receiving unit, and before the tray is supported by the receiving unit. The receiving portion to which the tray is to be supported is indicated from the positional relationship between the sample placed on the mark and the mark.
X-ray imaging device. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1,
The support portion supports each tray so that the tray received by each receiving portion of the support portion is in a stepped position,
Each mark indicating the irradiation range given corresponding to each of the receiving portions, partly indicates the same position,
X-ray imaging device. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1,
The beam is a fan beam, which is scanned in a direction intersecting with a plane formed by the fan beam to perform photographing.
The support portion supports the tray so that the mark corresponding to one boundary of the fan beam is a common mark with respect to each receiving portion,
X-ray imaging device. An X-ray imaging apparatus for capturing a fluoroscopic image by irradiating a fan beam from a focal point of an X-ray generator toward a detector,
An apparatus main body for supporting the focal point and the detector so that the distance between them is constant;
A scanning mechanism for scanning the fan beam by moving the focal point in a direction crossing a plane formed by the fan beam;
A tray on which the specimen is placed;
The apparatus body is provided with a fan beam irradiation range, and the tray is supported at a plurality of predetermined positions from the focal point, so that the tray provided for each distance can be removed. An accepting department to accept,
Have
The tray has marks indicating both ends of the irradiation width of the fan beam to be scanned when received in the receiving unit, corresponding to each of the receiving units,
The plurality of receiving portions are arranged in a staircase shape so that a mark corresponding to one end of the irradiation width among the marks is a common mark in each receiving portion,
Before the tray is supported by the receiving portion, the receiving portion to which the tray is to be supported is indicated from the positional relationship between the specimen placed on the tray and the mark.
X-ray imaging device. An X-ray imaging apparatus that captures a fluoroscopic image with a beam having a spread from a focal point of an X-ray generator toward a detector,
An apparatus body that supports the focal point and the detector so that these distances are constant;
A part of the main body of the apparatus, and a mounting table on which the specimen is mounted;
A tray between the mounting table and the detector, which is detachably mounted on the apparatus main body at a plurality of positions at predetermined distances from the focal point, and on which the specimen is placed;
Have
A mark indicating the beam irradiation range at the position where the tray is mounted is attached to the tray. The position where the tray should be installed is shown.
X-ray imaging device.

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