JP6081145B2 - X-ray imaging system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an X-ray detector, and more particularly to a flat panel X-ray detector that detects a two-dimensional intensity distribution of incident X-rays.

  A flat panel X-ray detector is used in a digital X-ray imaging apparatus. The flat panel X-ray detector includes a detection unit that detects a two-dimensional intensity distribution of incident X-rays, that is, a flat panel, and an interface unit that relays a detection signal to a signal utilization device such as an imaging device body (for example, Patent Document 1).

  There is an analog X-ray imaging apparatus as a countermeasure against the digital X-ray imaging apparatus. The analog X-ray imaging apparatus has historically preceded it, and thus has a larger number of operating units and a lower price than the digital system.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-178816

  In order to aim for advanced medical care, digitization of X-ray imaging is inevitable, and users of analog X-ray imaging apparatuses are required to equip digital X-ray imaging apparatuses. However, it is a considerable economic burden for the user to equip a digital X-ray imaging apparatus.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to realize an X-ray detector that enables digitization of an existing X-ray imaging apparatus. Another object is to realize an X-ray detector having excellent versatility.

  The present invention for solving the above-described problems is an X-ray detector having a flat panel type detection unit for detecting a two-dimensional intensity distribution of incident X-rays and an interface unit for a detection signal utilization device, wherein the interface unit Is an X-ray detector characterized by conforming to an open standard for medical images and communication.

  The interface unit includes a first node on the detection unit side, a second node on the detection signal utilization device side, and a network connecting them, so that conformance to an open standard related to medical images and communication is facilitated. This is preferable.

The network is preferably Ethernet (registered trademark of Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.) because of its versatility.
It is preferable in terms of versatility that the first node and the second node perform communication conforming to TCP / IP.

The first node is preferably integrated with the detection unit in terms of easy handling.
The open standard is preferably a DICOM standard because of its versatility.

  According to the present invention, the X-ray detector is an X-ray detector having a flat panel type detection unit that detects a two-dimensional intensity distribution of incident X-rays, and an interface unit for a detection signal utilization device, Since the interface unit conforms to an open standard for medical images and communication, an X-ray detector that enables digitization of an existing X-ray imaging apparatus can be realized. Moreover, the X-ray detector excellent in versatility is realizable.

It is a figure which shows the structure of an X-ray imaging apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structure of the X-ray detector of an example of the best form for implementing this invention.

The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the best mode for carrying out the invention. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an X-ray imaging apparatus. This apparatus is an X-ray imaging apparatus using an X-ray detector as an example of the best mode for carrying out the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, this apparatus includes an X-ray irradiation apparatus 200 and an X-ray detection apparatus 400.
The X-ray irradiation apparatus 200 is configured by attaching an X-ray source 220 to the tip of a column 210 that hangs from a ceiling. The X-ray source 220 can change the direction of X-ray irradiation by changing the direction. The column 210 that supports the X-ray source 220 can extend and contract in the longitudinal direction, and can move in the horizontal direction along the ceiling.

  The X-ray detection apparatus 400 is attached to a column 410 standing upright from a floor so that the carriage 420 can be moved up and down, an arm 430 is horizontally attached to the carriage 420, and an X A line detector 440 is attached.

The X-ray detector 440 is a flat structure, and the inclination can be changed so that the light receiving surface is horizontal or vertical depending on the incident direction of the X-ray.
A detection signal of the X-ray detector 440 is input to an operator console 600. The operator console 600 reconstructs a fluoroscopic image to be imaged based on an input signal from the X-ray detector 440 and displays it on a display 610.

  The operator console 600 controls the X-ray irradiation apparatus 200 and the X-ray detection apparatus 400 under the operation of the operator. The X-ray irradiation apparatus 200 controls the horizontal and vertical positions and the X-ray irradiation direction of the X-ray source 220, and controls the X-ray intensity and irradiation timing (timing). The X-ray detection apparatus 400 controls the height of the X-ray detector 440 according to the X-ray source 220, and controls the inclination of the light receiving surface to be horizontal or vertical according to the X-ray incident direction.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows the configuration of the X-ray detector 440. The X-ray detector 440 is an X-ray detector as an example of the best mode for carrying out the invention. The configuration of the X-ray detector 440 shows an example of the best mode for carrying out the invention relating to the X-ray detector.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the X-ray detector 440 includes a panel 500. The panel 500 has a detection unit 502. The detection unit 502 is a flat panel type detection unit, and includes a large number of detection cells arranged in a two-dimensional manner. Each detection cell is composed of, for example, a combination of a scintillator and a photodiode. The detection unit 502 is an example of the detection unit in the present invention.

  The panel 500 also has a signal processing unit 504 and a communication unit 506. The signal processing unit 504 performs predetermined processing such as data collection and buffering on the X-ray detection signal of the detection unit 502. The signal processing unit 504 is configured by a microprocessor or the like. The signal processing unit 504 can be expanded in function.

  The communication unit 506 performs communication with the outside. The communication unit 506 transmits the data collected by the signal processing unit 504 to the outside. The communication unit 506 also receives various commands from the outside and transmits them to the signal processing unit 504. As a communication protocol, for example, TCP / IP (transmission control protocol / internet protocol) is used. The communication unit 506 is configured by a microprocessor or the like. Note that the communication unit 506 may be integrated with the signal processing unit 504.

  The communication unit 506 is connected to an adapter 520 by a communication line 510. The adapter 520 is an adapter for an apparatus that uses an X-ray detection signal, that is, an imaging apparatus body, and is configured by a microprocessor or the like. As the communication line 510, for example, Ethernet is used. In addition, you may use not only Ethernet but another appropriate network (network). On the communication line 510, the communication unit 506 becomes one node, and the adapter 520 becomes another node.

  A portion including the signal processing unit 504, the communication unit 506, the communication line 510, and the adapter 520 is an example of an interface in the present invention. Communication line 510 is an example of a network in the present invention. The communication unit 506 is an example of a first node in the present invention. The adapter 520 is an example of a second node in the present invention.

  The adapter 520 has a function of performing data processing and communication complying with an open standard related to medical images and communication. As an open standard related to medical images and communication, for example, DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) standard is adopted. In addition, you may employ | adopt other appropriate open standards not only in DICOM standard.

  Accordingly, the adapter 520 operates as an SCP (Service Class Provider) and an SCU (Service Class User), and processes a predetermined SOP class (Service-Object Pair Classes) related to processing of an X-ray detection signal.

  As described above, the interface unit includes the first node on the detection unit side, the second node on the detection signal utilization device side, and the network connecting them, so that it is easy to conform to the open standards related to medical images and communication. Can be.

  Also, since the network is Ethernet, it can be versatile. Further, since the first node and the second node perform communication conforming to TCP / IP, versatility can be provided. Further, since the first node is integrated with the detection unit, it is easy to handle. Furthermore, since the open standard for medical images and communication is the DICOM standard, versatility can be provided.

  Since the adapter 520 conforms to the DICOM standard, the signal utilization device side such as the photographing apparatus main body can satisfy other conditions such as a maker, specification, configuration, etc. as long as it conforms to the DICOM standard. Regardless, the X-ray detector 440 can be utilized.

  That is, the X-ray detector 440 has excellent versatility that enables so-called plug and play. Thus, the X-ray detector 440 becomes a versatile replacement part that can be sold independently.

  Due to such versatility, even if the main body of the imaging apparatus is an analog type, it can be substantially digitized by retrofitting the X-ray detector 440. In that case, a software interface 530 and an analog control module 540 are provided between the photographing apparatus main body and the adapter 520.

  The software interface 530 is for enabling communication with the photographing apparatus main body, and the analog control module 540 is for enabling control of the photographing apparatus main body. The software interface 530 and the analog control module 540 are manufactured for each photographing apparatus main body. However, the software interface 530 and the analog control module 540 need only satisfy a simple communication protocol and basic control functions, so that the manufacture is easy and low cost.

  Note that the retrofitting partner is not limited to the analog photographing apparatus main body, but may be a digital photographing apparatus main body. In that case, the software interface 530 and the analog control module 540 are not required if the photographing apparatus main body side is compatible with the DICOM standard.

  The X-ray detector 440 is not limited to a medical X-ray imaging apparatus, but can be used as it is in an industrial X-ray imaging apparatus for performing nondestructive inspection and the like. X-ray detectors are also within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

200: X-ray irradiation device 210: Column 220: X-ray source 400: X-ray detection device 410: Column 420: Carriage 430: Arm 440: X-ray detector 600: Operator console 500: Panel 502: Detection unit 504: Signal processing Unit 506: Communication unit 510: Communication line 520: Adapter 530: Software interface 540: Analog control module

Claims (3)

An X-ray detector having a panel,
The panel is
A flat panel type detection unit for detecting a two-dimensional intensity distribution of incident X-rays;
A signal processing unit;
A communication unit serving as a first node for transmitting X-ray detection signal data based on the two-dimensional intensity distribution detected by the detection unit in a format compliant with an open standard for medical images and communication;
Have
The X-ray detector can be retrofitted to the analog X-ray imaging apparatus so that the detection signal is reconstructed and displayed on the display of the analog X-ray imaging apparatus. An X-ray detector;
An analog control module for controlling the analog X-ray imaging apparatus, which is a second node having a function of performing data processing conforming to the open standard, and is an adapter that directly communicates with the first node only contains the analog control module if the X-ray imaging apparatus is long in correspondence with the open standard can be eliminated, and the said adapter,
With
The first node and the second node perform communication conforming to TCP / IP,
The open standard is the DICOM standard,
The adapter operates as a service class provider (SCP) and a service class user (SCU) and processes a service object pair (SOP) class related to processing of X-ray detection signals.
X-ray imaging system. The X-ray imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the X-ray detector includes the adapter. Before SL, characterized in that it comprises a software interface that allows communication with the analog-type X-ray imaging apparatus, X-rays imaging system according to claim 1 or 2.

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