JP6109553B2 - X-ray imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an X-ray imaging apparatus.

  It is important for a user such as an operator to reduce the running cost of one X-ray imaging apparatus such as an X-ray diagnostic apparatus or an X-ray computed tomography apparatus. As a technique for reducing the running cost, a battery assist technique has been proposed in which a power storage facility such as a battery is provided in the X-ray diagnostic apparatus, and the running cost is reduced by peak cutting of the power source or night charging.

  In the case of a system with a peak cut function, it is connected to a power supply with a capacity smaller than that output from the X-ray diagnostic device, so if the imaging continues and the residual charge of the battery decreases, the battery is charged. X-ray imaging cannot be executed until it is done. As a result, patient waiting time has become longer.

  An object is to realize an improvement in inspection throughput in an X-ray imaging apparatus equipped with a power storage facility.

The X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment generates a power storage unit that stores electric power from a power supply facility, an X-ray tube that generates X-rays, and a high voltage for generating X-rays from the X-ray tube. The high voltage generation unit, a storage unit that stores a plurality of X-ray imaging conditions, the plurality of X-ray imaging conditions, and the residual charge amount of the power storage unit are used to select the plurality of X-ray imaging conditions. An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines an X-ray imaging condition that can be imaged with a residual charge amount; and a display unit that displays the determined X-ray imaging condition , wherein the determination unit includes: Based on a residual charge amount, a voltage of the power supply facility, and a charge amount necessary for imaging under a user-specified X-ray imaging condition other than the determined X-ray imaging condition among the plurality of X-ray imaging conditions. The amount of charge reaches the amount of charge necessary for imaging under the user-specified X-ray imaging conditions. Calculate the time until the the display unit displays the calculated time.

The figure which shows the structure of the X-ray diagnostic apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the X-ray imaging condition table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of FIG. The figure which shows the typical flow of the test | inspection sequence performed under control of the system control part of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display of the imaging | photography possible condition displayed by the display part in step S3 of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display of the waiting time displayed by a display part in the application example of this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the performance table utilized by the imaging | photography possible condition determination part in the application example of this embodiment.

  The X-ray imaging apparatus according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment can be applied to an X-ray diagnostic apparatus and an X-ray computed tomography apparatus. Hereinafter, in order to explain specifically, it is assumed that the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment is an X-ray diagnostic apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment may be any of a type installed in a hospital examination room, a vehicle-mounted type, or a portable type. Hereinafter, in order to explain concretely, suppose that the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment is a type installed in the laboratory of a hospital.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 has a power storage facility 11, a high voltage generator 13, a support mechanism 15, an X-ray tube 17, an X-ray detector 19, a bed 21, The image generation unit 23, the storage unit 25, the residual charge amount measurement unit 27, the image capturing condition determination unit 29, the display unit 31, and the operation unit 33 are included.

  The battery 11 is a battery or a capacitor that stores electric power from the power supply facility 100. The power supply equipment 100 is installed in a facility such as an examination room. The battery 11 is connected to the high voltage generator 13 via a cable or the like. The power supply facility 100 and the high voltage generator 13 are provided so as to be connectable via a cable or the like. When the battery 11 and the power supply facility 100 are connected by a cable or the like, the battery 11 stores electric power from the power supply facility 100. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the battery 11 and the power supply facility 100 are always connected.

  The high voltage generator 13 receives a power supply from at least one of the power supply facility 100 and the battery 11 and generates a high voltage. Specifically, the high voltage generator 13 includes an X-ray controller 131 and a high voltage generator 133. The X-ray control unit 131 controls the high voltage generation unit 133 to perform X-ray imaging of the subject P according to the X-ray imaging conditions specified by the user via the operation unit 33. The high voltage generation unit 133 applies a high voltage to the X-ray tube 17 in accordance with control from the X-ray control unit 131 and supplies a filament current to the X-ray tube 17.

  In the present embodiment, “X-ray imaging” refers not only to an imaging mode that generates X-rays of relatively high tube voltage in a single shot, but also X-rays of relatively low tube voltage, generally referred to as fluoroscopy. It also includes imaging modes that occur continuously.

  The support mechanism 15 is equipped with an X-ray tube 17 and an X-ray detector 19 facing each other. For example, the support mechanism 15 rotatably supports the X-ray tube 17 and the X-ray detector 19. The support mechanism 15 includes a drive unit 151 such as a servo motor. The drive unit 151 rotates to a desired position in accordance with an instruction from the user via the operation unit 33. The support mechanism 15 may be a floor-standing type or a ceiling-suspended type.

  A subject (patient) P is placed on the bed 21. The bed 21 is positioned so that the imaging region of the patient P is included in the imaging region.

  The X-ray tube 17 generates X-rays in response to application of a high voltage from the high voltage generation unit 133 and supply of a filament current.

  The X-ray detector 19 detects X-rays generated from the X-ray tube 17 and transmitted through the patient P. For example, the X-ray detector 19 is realized by a flat panel display (FPD). The X-ray detector 19 has a plurality of detection elements arranged in two dimensions. Each detection element detects X-rays generated from the X-ray tube 17 and generates an electrical signal corresponding to the detected X-ray intensity. The generated electrical signal is supplied to the image generator 23.

  The image generation unit 23 generates X-ray image data related to the subject P based on the electrical signal from the X-ray detector 19. X-ray image data is supplied to the storage unit 25 and the display unit 31 via the system control unit 10.

  The storage unit 25 stores X-ray image data from the image generation unit 23. The storage unit 25 stores a plurality of X-ray imaging conditions. X-ray imaging conditions are defined by a combination of tube voltage [kV], tube current [mA], and X-ray duration [ms]. In the present embodiment, the X-ray imaging conditions are stored in the form of an anatomical program. In this case, each X-ray imaging condition is stored in a table format in association with a combination of the type and size of the imaging region. Hereinafter, this table is referred to as an X-ray imaging condition table.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an X-ray imaging condition table stored in the storage unit 25. As shown in FIG. 3, in the X-ray imaging condition table, X-ray imaging conditions are associated with combinations of types (part names) and sizes (sizes) of imaging parts. Examples of the type of imaging region include the chest, abdomen, hands, and feet. The size of the imaging region is classified into, for example, large, medium, small, and infant. In the X-ray imaging condition table, for example, when the type of imaging region is “foot” and the size of the imaging region is “medium”, the X-ray imaging conditions are tube voltage 70 kV, tube current 50 mA, and X-ray duration 50 ms. . The type and size of the imaging region and the X-ray imaging conditions can be set to arbitrary values by the user via the operation unit 33.

  The residual charge amount measuring unit 27 measures a charge amount charged in the battery 11 (hereinafter referred to as a residual charge amount). The existing method should just be used for the measuring method. The data of the measured residual charge amount is supplied to the shootable condition determining unit 29.

  The imaging condition determination unit 29 uses the plurality of X-ray imaging conditions and the residual charge amount of the battery 11 stored in the storage unit 25, and the residual charge of the battery 11 from the plurality of X-ray imaging conditions. X-ray imaging conditions (hereinafter, referred to as imaging enable conditions) that allow imaging with a quantity are determined. The data of the imageable conditions is supplied to the display unit 31 via the system control unit 10.

  The display unit 31 displays various information on a display device. For example, the display unit 31 displays the shootable condition determined by the shootable condition determining unit 29. The display unit 31 can also display an X-ray image from the image generation unit 81, an X-ray imaging condition table, and the like. As the display device, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a plasma display, or the like can be used as appropriate.

  The operation unit 33 receives various commands and information inputs from the user via the input device, and supplies operation signals corresponding to the received commands and information to the system control unit 10. As the input device, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a button, a switch, a touch key panel, or the like is applicable.

  The system control unit 10 functions as the center of the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. Specifically, the system control unit 10 executes the operation program according to the present embodiment, and executes an inspection sequence that can improve the inspection throughput.

  Next, an operation example of the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 executed under the control of the system control unit 10 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a typical flow of an inspection sequence performed under the control of the system control unit 10. It is assumed that the battery is not fully charged during the execution of this inspection sequence and is being charged.

  As shown in FIG. 3, first, the system control unit 10 causes the residual charge amount measurement unit 27 to perform measurement processing (step S1). In step S <b> 1, the residual charge amount measuring unit 27 measures the residual charge amount of the battery 11. The data of the measured residual charge amount is supplied to the shootable condition determining unit 29.

  When step S1 is performed, the system control unit 10 causes the photographing condition determination unit 29 to perform determination processing (step S2). In step S2, the radiographable condition determining unit 29 determines the radiographable condition using the residual charge amount measured in step S1 and a plurality of X-ray radiographing conditions defined in the X-ray radiographing condition table. As described above, the X-ray imaging conditions are defined by the tube voltage, the tube current, and the X-ray duration. The radiographable condition determining unit 29 calculates the amount of charge consumed when X-ray imaging is performed under the X-ray imaging conditions based on a combination of the tube voltage, the tube current, and the X-ray duration.

  When the battery assist function is used, the high voltage generator 13 operates using the charge charged in the battery 11 and the charge from the power supply facility 100. In this case, the shootable condition determining unit 29 determines the shootable condition by comparing the consumed charge amount with the remaining charge amount of the battery 11 and the total charge amount supplied from the power supply facility 100. Specifically, the radiographable condition determination unit 29 compares the total charge amount of the residual charge amount measured in step S1 and the charge amount supplied from the power supply facility 100 with the consumed charge amount of each X-ray imaging condition. Then, an X-ray imaging condition in which the total charge amount exceeds the consumed charge amount is specified, and the specified X-ray imaging condition is set as an imaging enable condition.

  When the high voltage generator 13 uses only the residual charge of the battery 11 such as when the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 is portable, the radiographable condition determining unit 29 compares the consumed charge amount with the residual charge amount of the battery 11. An imaging condition is determined from a plurality of X-ray imaging conditions defined in the X-ray imaging table. Specifically, the radiographable condition determining unit 29 compares the residual charge amount measured in step S1 with the consumed charge amount of each X-ray imaging condition, and sets the X-ray imaging condition in which the residual charge amount exceeds the consumed charge amount. The specified X-ray imaging conditions are set as imaging conditions.

  Note that the charge consumption amount may be calculated in advance or may be calculated based on the X-ray imaging conditions for each step S2. In the case of calculating the charge consumption amount in advance, the charge consumption amount may be stored in the storage unit 25 in association with the X-ray imaging conditions. Further, the photographing possible condition may be one or plural, and may be zero depending on the residual charge amount.

  As described above, the X-ray imaging conditions are associated with the type and size of the imaging region. Therefore, it can be said that in step S2, the imaging condition determination unit 29 determines the type and size of the imaging region that can be imaged from the types and sizes of the plurality of imaging regions.

  When step S2 is performed, the system control unit 10 causes the display unit 31 to perform display processing (step S3). In step 3, the display unit 31 displays on the display device the imageable condition determined in step S <b> 2.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the photographing condition on the display unit 31. As shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 31 displays a plurality of X-ray imaging conditions in the form of an X-ray imaging condition table. The display unit 31 displays the imageable conditions among the plurality of X-ray imaging conditions visually distinguished from other X-ray imaging conditions (hereinafter referred to as “imaging impossible conditions”). As a method of visually distinguishing and displaying, for example, a method of displaying the shooting enabled condition and the shooting disabled condition in different colors such as displaying the shooting enabled condition in blue and displaying the shooting disabled condition in red. is there. As another display method, for example, the highlight display may be limited to the photographing enabled conditions. In other words, the display unit 31 displays the type and size of the imaging region corresponding to the imaging condition so as to be visually distinguished from the type and size of the imaging site corresponding to other X-ray imaging conditions.

  Further, the display unit 31 may display only the photographing possible condition. By displaying the imaging conditions in this way, the user can clearly grasp the X-ray imaging conditions that can be imaged with the current residual charge amount of the battery 11 at a glance. The display unit 31 may display the residual charge amount together with the X-ray imaging condition table. For example, the display unit 31 may display a mark Ma indicating the residual charge amount in a plurality of stages. The residual charge amount may be displayed as a number instead of the mark Ma. By displaying the residual charge amount, the user can improve the credibility of the imageable condition.

  When step S3 is performed, the system control unit 10 waits for the user to select a photographing condition via the operation unit 33 (step S4). When there is an X-ray imaging condition to be executed in the imaging available conditions displayed on the display unit 31, the user selects the X-ray imaging conditions (imagingable conditions) via the operation unit 33. In other words, the user selects the type and size of the imaging region corresponding to the imaging possible condition. Data on the selected imaging condition (in other words, the type and size of the imaging region) is supplied to the system control unit 10.

  When step S4 is performed, the system control unit 10 causes the high voltage generator 13 to perform X-ray imaging (step S5). In step S5, the X-ray controller 131 of the high voltage generator 13 controls the high voltage generator 133 in accordance with the radiographable conditions selected in step S4. Specifically, the X-ray control unit 131 maintains the tube voltage value and the tube current value of the imaging enabling condition (in other words, the type and size of the imaging region) selected in step S4 for the X-ray duration. The high voltage generator 13 is controlled. The high voltage generator 133 applies a high voltage to the X-ray tube 17 and supplies a filament current to the X-ray tube 17 in accordance with control by the X-ray controller 131. The high voltage generator 133 applies a high voltage to the X-ray tube 17 for the X-ray duration of the radiographable condition selected in step S4. As a result, the X-ray tube can output X-rays according to the radiographable conditions selected in step S4. The output X-ray is detected by the X-ray detector 19. The image generator 23 reads out an electrical signal from the X-ray detector 19 and generates X-ray image data regarding the patient P. The generated X-ray image is displayed on the display unit 31.

  When step S4 is performed, the system control unit 10 ends the inspection sequence according to the present embodiment.

  When the imaging condition is zero in step S2, the display unit 31 may display a plurality of X-ray imaging conditions defined by the X-ray imaging condition table as imaging disabled conditions. It may be displayed that the photographing condition such as “There was no possible condition” is zero. If the photographing enabling condition is zero in step S2, the system control unit 10 returns to step S1 again after executing step S3.

  Further, in the above operation example, the residual charge amount of the battery 11 is measured by the residual charge amount measuring unit 27 in response to an instruction to start searching for a shootable condition. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the residual charge amount measuring unit 27 may measure the residual charge amount every predetermined time regardless of whether or not there is an instruction to start searching for a shootable condition. In this case, the shootable condition determining unit 29 may determine the shootable condition using the latest residual charge amount in step S2.

  As described above, the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the battery 11, the storage unit 25, the imaging condition determination unit 29, and the display unit 31. The storage unit 25 stores a plurality of X-ray imaging conditions. The imaging condition determination unit 29 uses a plurality of X-ray imaging conditions and the residual charge amount of the battery 11 to obtain an X-ray imaging condition that allows imaging with a residual charge amount from among a plurality of X-ray imaging conditions (imaging is possible). Condition). The display unit 31 displays the determined photographing possible condition.

  With the above configuration, the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 sets the imaging conditions among the plurality of X-ray imaging conditions defined by the X-ray imaging condition table even when the battery 11 is not fully charged. Can be specified. When the user designates an X-ray imaging condition to be imaged from among the explicit imaging enable conditions, the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 can perform the specified X-ray even when the battery 11 is not fully charged. X-ray imaging can be executed under the radiographic conditions. As described above, the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment performs X-ray imaging under X-ray imaging conditions that allow imaging with the residual charge amount at that time, without waiting until the charging of the battery 11 is completed. be able to. Therefore, patient waiting time can be greatly reduced.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the inspection throughput is improved in the X-ray imaging apparatus equipped with the power storage facility.

[Application example]
In the above embodiment, there may be no X-ray imaging condition to be executed among the imaging conditions. In this case, the user or patient waits until the X-ray imaging conditions can be executed. However, since the user or patient does not know the waiting time, the waiting time cannot be used effectively. The X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the application example displays such a waiting time for each X-ray imaging condition. Hereinafter, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to an application example will be described. In the following description, components having substantially the same functions as those of the present embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be given only when necessary.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an X-ray imaging condition table according to an application example. As shown in FIG. 5, the user selects an execution candidate non-shooting condition via the operation unit 33 in step S <b> 3 of FIG. 3. Hereinafter, the selected imaging impossible condition is referred to as a selection condition. The display unit 31 visually displays the selection conditions separately from the other imaging disabled conditions and the imaging enabled conditions. For example, the display unit 31 displays the selection condition, the non-shootable condition, and the shootable condition in different colors such that the selection condition is orange, the other non-shootable condition is red, and the shootable condition is blue. In addition, as described above, the method of visually distinguishing and displaying may be highlighted or displayed with different visual effects in addition to distinguishing by color. As shown in FIG. 5, the display unit 31 displays the waiting time of the selection condition.

  The waiting time is calculated by the shootable condition determining unit 29. Based on the residual charge amount of the battery 11, the voltage of the power supply facility 100, and the consumption charge amount of the selection condition, the shootable condition determination unit 29 determines that the remaining charge amount of the battery 11 reaches the consumption charge amount of the selection condition. Calculate the forecast time repeatedly. The display unit 31 repeatedly displays the calculated predicted time together with the selection condition.

  When the waiting time reaches zero, that is, when the residual charge amount reaches the consumption charge amount of the selection condition, the selection condition is set by the photographing condition determination unit 29 as the photographing condition.

  The battery 11 deteriorates every time charging / discharging is repeated. The charging speed may be delayed as the deterioration of the battery 11 increases. The photographing enabling condition determining unit 29 may calculate the predicted time in consideration of deterioration of the battery 11 due to repeated charge / discharge. In this case, the photographing condition determination unit 29 uses a performance table.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the performance table. As shown in FIG. 6, the performance table is a graph in which the vertical axis is defined by performance [%] and the horizontal axis is defined by the number of charge / discharge cycles. As shown in FIG. 6, the performance of the battery 11 gradually deteriorates when charging and discharging are repeated many times. The number of times of charging / discharging is measured by the photographable condition determining unit 29 and stored in the storage unit 25. The performance table is created in advance for each battery and stored in the storage unit 25.

  When calculating the predicted time using the performance table, the shootable condition determining unit 29 first reads the performance table corresponding to the battery 11 in use from the storage unit 15. The shootable condition determination unit 29 identifies the performance corresponding to the current number of charge / discharge cycles from the performance table, and multiplies the identified performance by the voltage of the power supply facility 100. Based on the multiplied voltage, the remaining charge amount of the battery 11, and the consumed charge amount under the selection condition, the shootable condition determining unit 29 predicts until the remaining charge amount of the battery 11 reaches the consumed charge amount under the selection condition. Calculate time repeatedly. The display unit 31 repeatedly displays the calculated predicted time together with the selection condition. Thus, by considering the deterioration of the battery 11 due to repeated charge and discharge, a more accurate predicted time can be provided to the user.

  As described above, the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the application example of the present embodiment calculates and displays the waiting time until the imaging impossible condition becomes executable. As a result, the user can know the time until the selection condition can be photographed, so that the waiting time can be used, for example, the photographing position can be determined, and the waiting time can be used effectively. . Thereby, the inspection throughput is further improved. In addition, when the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 is a portable type, the high voltage generator 13 and the power supply equipment 100 cannot be connected structurally. Accordingly, the portable type X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the application example is excluded.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... X-ray diagnostic apparatus, 11 ... Battery, 13 ... High voltage generator, 15 ... Support mechanism, 17 ... X-ray tube, 19 ... X-ray detector, 21 ... Bed, 23 ... Image generation part, 25 ... Memory | storage part , 27: Residual charge amount measurement unit, 29: Imaging condition determination unit, 31: Display unit, 33: Operation unit, 100: Power supply equipment, 131: X-ray control unit, 133: High voltage generation unit, 151: Drive unit

Claims (7)

A power storage unit that stores power from the power supply facility;
An X-ray tube that generates X-rays;
A high voltage generator for generating a high voltage for generating X-rays from the X-ray tube;
A storage unit for storing a plurality of X-ray imaging conditions;
A determination unit that determines an X-ray imaging condition that can be imaged with the residual charge amount from the plurality of X-ray imaging conditions using the plurality of X-ray imaging conditions and the residual charge amount of the power storage unit;
A display unit for displaying the determined X-ray imaging conditions, and an X-ray imaging apparatus comprising:
The determination unit includes an amount of electric charge necessary for imaging under a user-specified X-ray imaging condition other than the determined X-ray imaging condition among the residual charge amount, the voltage of the power supply facility, and the plurality of X-ray imaging conditions. Based on the above, the time until the residual charge amount reaches the charge amount necessary for imaging under the user-specified X-ray imaging conditions is calculated,
The display unit displays the calculated time.
X- ray imaging device.   The determination unit calculates a charge amount necessary for imaging under the X-ray imaging conditions for each of the plurality of X-ray imaging conditions, and sets the X-ray imaging conditions under which the calculated charge amount is lower than the residual charge amount. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the X-ray imaging apparatus is determined from a plurality of X-ray imaging conditions. The storage unit stores, in association with each of the plurality of X-ray imaging conditions, a charge amount necessary for imaging under the X-ray imaging conditions,
The determining unit determines an X-ray imaging condition associated with a charge amount lower than the residual charge amount from the plurality of X-ray imaging conditions;
The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1.   The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit emphasizes and displays the determined X-ray imaging conditions as compared with other X-ray imaging conditions. The display unit displays an X-ray imaging condition and the other X-ray imaging conditions of said user specified X-ray imaging condition the determined visually distinguishable, X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1. The display unit displays side by side and X-ray imaging condition of the calculated time and the user specified, X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1. The determination unit is configured to calculate the time taking into account the degradation in performance due to repeated charging and discharging of the charging section, X-rays imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

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