JP6632211B2 - Radiation imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiation imaging apparatus applied to a medical image diagnostic apparatus using radiation, a nondestructive inspection apparatus, an analyzer, and the like.

  In recent years, in the medical field, in addition to simple imaging of the chest, abdomen, etc., imaging of the subject has been performed with a long observation area, such as imaging the entire spine or all lower limbs in order to grasp the distortion and abnormalities of the skeleton. There is a demand for "shake shooting." In order to meet such demands, the observation area is divided into a plurality of sections, and a method of obtaining a diagnostic image by combining divided images obtained by irradiating each section with radiation, a large-area radiation imaging apparatus or There is a method of arranging a plurality of radiation imaging apparatuses and obtaining a diagnostic image by a single radiation exposure.

  However, in any of the imaging methods, many of the radiation imaging apparatuses are specialized in imaging an examinee in a standing or lying posture. In a radiation imaging apparatus that can only image a subject in a standing posture, performing radiography on a subject who is difficult to stand up places a heavy burden on the subject. In addition, with a radiographic apparatus that can only image a subject in a recumbent position, it is difficult to respond to the request of a doctor who diagnoses with a captured image in a standing position.

  Patent Literature 1 proposes a radiation imaging system capable of supporting both a standing radiation imaging device and a lying radiation imaging device by rotating the imaging direction of a radiation generation source. Patent Literature 2 proposes a radiation imaging apparatus capable of coping with both a standing position and a lying position by rotating a bed on which a subject lies.

JP 2013-132408 A JP 2014-68986 A

  However, in the structure of Patent Literature 1, it is necessary to install two types of radiation imaging apparatuses, one for a standing position and the other for a lying position, in the imaging room. Requires an installation area. In the system of Patent Document 2, it is possible to cope with the installation area of one unit, but the bed to be rotated is larger than the radiation imaging unit having an area sufficient to lie down on the subject. is there. Because such a large couch is rotated about the center of the couch, extra space in the couch should be secured both horizontally and vertically even when the radiation imaging system is not in use. Is required. Furthermore, when such a large bed is raised as it is for standing, it is difficult for the subject to face the bed and hold the standing posture because the bed is standing up so as to cover the face, and it is difficult. is there.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention makes it possible to install a radiation imaging apparatus having an imaging area capable of long imaging without providing an extra space, and both a standing position and a lying position without placing a burden on a subject. It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiation imaging apparatus capable of capturing an image in a posture.

A radiation imaging apparatus according to the present invention is a radiation imaging apparatus including a long gantry having a plurality of imaging units in a longitudinal direction, and a column supporting the gantry, wherein the gantry is a horizontal parallel to a floor surface. A form and an upright form perpendicular to the floor surface, connected to the gantry and the column, and having an auxiliary plate for extending a mounting area in the longitudinal direction in the horizontal form, the auxiliary plate is In the process of changing the gantry from the upright configuration to the horizontal configuration, the connecting portion with the column moves toward the floor surface along the column, and the connecting portion with the gantry moves away from the column. while moving toward the floor, by rotating to a horizontal state from the vertical state to the floor, in the horizontal form, it disposed along the longitudinal direction of the frame, characterized in Rukoto .

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in the radiation imaging apparatus for long imaging | photography, it becomes possible to respond to imaging | photography of both a standing position and a recumbent position with one stand.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a radiation imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a radiation imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a radiation imaging apparatus according to a third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a radiation imaging apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a radiation imaging apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a radiation imaging apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a radiation imaging apparatus according to a seventh embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the same components are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the embodiments.

(1st Embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 1, a configuration of a radiation imaging apparatus for long radiography according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1A illustrates an example of an imaging device that photographs a subject in an upright position. In the present embodiment, three photographing units 2 are housed side by side in the longitudinal direction of the long gantry 1. A plurality of imaging units 2 are arranged inside the gantry 1 so as to be compatible with long imaging so that the entire spine or all lower limbs of the subject 3 can be imaged by one exposure. The subject 3 in the standing posture stands upright so as to face and contact the gantry 1 in an upright form perpendicular to the floor surface. The radiation source 4 is installed such that the direction of exposure from the direction in which the subject 3 stands is opposite to the imaging unit 2 from the front. The auxiliary plate 5 connected to the gantry 1 is folded so as not to block the eyes of the subject 3. In addition, since the auxiliary plate 5 is also connected to the holding column 6 standing substantially vertically, the gantry 1 is supported upright along the holding column 6 so as to be substantially vertical. With this configuration, radiation is emitted from the radiation source 4 toward the subject 3 standing in a standing posture, and image information of the subject 3 in the standing photographing is acquired in the standing photographing. can do.

  FIG. 1B shows a switching operation for changing the gantry 1 from an upright configuration to a horizontal configuration. In the course of this change, the wheel 11 slides the lower end of the gantry 1 on the floor in a substantially horizontal direction so as to be separated from the holding column 6. The joint shaft 51 connects the gantry 1 and the auxiliary plate 5, and folds and expands the auxiliary plate 5. The slide mechanism 61 moves the auxiliary plate 5 in a substantially vertical direction while rotating along the holding column 5. In order to deform the gantry 1 in a substantially horizontal direction for the prone photographing, the lower part of the gantry 1 is pulled out to the front of the holding column 6 while rotating the wheels 11. At this time, the auxiliary plate 5 is unfolded from the gantry 1 by the joint shaft 51 while sliding below the holding column 5 by the slide mechanism 61.

  FIG. 1C illustrates an example of an imaging device that captures a subject in a supine position. When the gantry 1 is in a horizontal form parallel to the floor, the auxiliary plate 5 is connected to the gantry 1 in a state of being spread horizontally in a substantially uniform plane. With this configuration, the mounting area of the gantry 1 in the longitudinal direction is expanded, and the subject 3 lies on the gantry 1 to which the auxiliary plate 5 is connected so as to be mountable from the head to the legs. Can do things. The radiation source 4 is installed above the subject 3 with the subject 3 lying on the gantry 1, and the radiation is exposed toward the subject 3, so that the subject 3 It is possible to acquire image information of long-time shooting.

  By adopting a structure in which the gantry 1 is pulled out to the front of the holding column 6, it becomes possible to install the imaging device with the wall of the imaging room on the back side of the holding column 6. Further, when performing the upright position photographing after the recumbent position photographing is completed, the procedure of FIGS. 1A to 1C may be reversed, and the auxiliary plate 5 may be folded with respect to the gantry 1 while the auxiliary plate 5 is folded. What is necessary is just to pull up 5 along the holding support | pillar 6. The gantry 1 rises while being slid toward the holding column 6 by the wheels 11 while being lifted up by the auxiliary plate 5, and stands up in a substantially vertical direction. By such an operation, it is possible to change from the recumbent shooting mode to the upright shooting mode.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a radiation imaging apparatus for long radiography that deforms into an optimal form that does not put a burden on the subject 3 in the standing radiography and the recumbent radiography. In addition, since the imaging device can be installed near the wall of the imaging room, the installation area in the imaging room can be reduced in space.

(2nd Embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of a long imaging radiation imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 2A shows an example in which a spring mechanism as a force adjusting unit for controlling a force for changing the gantry 1 from an upright configuration to a horizontal configuration is added. When the gantry 1 is pulled out toward the front of the holding column 6 for the supine position imaging, the auxiliary plate 5 rotates around the joint 51 and is deployed from the gantry 1. During this unfolding operation, a load Fm acts on the gantry 1 and the auxiliary plate 5 in a vertically downward direction due to gravity, and the worker performs the operation while holding this load Fm. However, performing the unfolding operation while maintaining the load Fm not only places a burden on the operator, but also causes the gantry 1 to drop at a speed not intended by the operator, and the unfolding operation may be performed rapidly. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2A, the auxiliary plate 5 is connected to the gantry 1 via the joint 51, but may be connected via a tension spring 52 in addition thereto. By connecting the auxiliary plate 5 and the gantry 1 via the tension spring 52, a tensile force Fk acts in a direction in which the auxiliary plate 5 is folded during the unfolding operation. A tension spring 52 is mounted so that the moment acting in the direction in which the gantry 1 and the auxiliary plate 5 are unfolded by the load Fm and the moment acting in the direction in which the gantry 1 and the auxiliary plate 5 are folded by the tensile force Fk are balanced about the joint 51. Adjust the spring constant and connection. By performing such adjustment, the worker can work without burden without holding the load Fm during the unfolding work. Further, the extension spring 52 acts when the photographing is changed from the supine photograph to the standing photograph. Even when the gantry 1 is pulled up for the vertical shooting while folding the gantry 1 with the auxiliary plate 5, the operator works while holding the load Fm due to gravity. However, when the tension spring 52 folds the gantry 1 and the auxiliary plate 5 in the same manner as in the unfolding operation, the tensile force Fk acts, and if the moment due to the tensile force Fk is balanced with the unfolding moment due to the load Fm, the worker will not load. The gantry 1 can be folded without holding Fm.

  FIG. 2B shows an example in which a counterweight is added as a force adjustment unit. The weight 64 may be connected to the auxiliary plate 5 or the slide mechanism 61 via a wire 62. A pulley 63 is provided near the top of the holding column 6, and a wire 62 connected to the auxiliary plate 5 or the slide mechanism 61 is connected to a weight 64 via the pulley 63. The weight 64 is structured to be suspended from near the top of the holding column 6 by the wire 62, and is slidable up and down along the holding column 6. When the operator performs the unfolding operation, a load Fm due to gravity acts on the gantry 1 and the auxiliary plate 5 to place a burden on the worker. However, a load Fg due to gravity acts on the weight 64, and the gantry 1 is connected via the wire 62. A force acts in the direction in which 1 and the auxiliary plate 5 are lifted. By adjusting the lifting force due to the weight load Fg so as to be balanced with the load Fm of the gantry 1 and the auxiliary plate 5, the worker can work without any load without holding the load Fm during the unfolding operation. The lifting force due to the load Fg also acts when the photographing is changed from the supine photograph to the standing photograph. Even when the gantry 1 is pulled up for the vertical shooting while folding the gantry 1 with the auxiliary plate 5, the operator works while holding the load Fm due to gravity. However, as in the case of the unfolding operation, the lifting force due to the weight load Fg acts to lift the gantry 1 and the auxiliary plate 5, and if the load Fm is balanced, the operator folds the gantry 1 without holding the load Fm. Things become possible.

  FIG. 2C shows an example in which an actuator 65 is added as a force adjustment unit. One of the wires 62 is connected to the gantry 1 via the auxiliary plate 5 or the slide mechanism 61, and the other is connected to the actuator 65 and wound. The actuator 65 can communicate with the controller 66 by wire or wirelessly, and rotates by a signal transmitted from the controller 66. When no signal is transmitted from the controller, the actuator does not rotate and a braking force is applied. The wire 62 is always subjected to the load Fm by the gravity from the gantry 1 and the auxiliary plate 5, but the braking force of the actuator 65 is balanced with the load Fm, so that the position of the gantry 1 and the auxiliary plate 5 is maintained. ing. Here, in order for the worker to take a supine position, the controller may be operated to rotate the actuator. The actuator is rotated counterclockwise to operate to pull out the wire 62. Since the load Fm is constantly acting in the vertically downward direction due to the gravity acting on the gantry 1 and the auxiliary plate 5, the gantry 1 and the auxiliary plate 5 perform the unfolding operation by an amount corresponding to the rotation of the actuator. It can be deformed. On the other hand, when performing the upright shooting, the controller 66 is operated so that the actuator 65 turns clockwise. The actuator is rotated clockwise to operate to wind the wire 62. By increasing the force of the actuator so that the force Fa for winding the wire 62 is greater than the load Fm acting on the gantry 1 and the auxiliary plate 5, the gantry 1 and the auxiliary plate 5 are pulled up while performing a folding operation. By this operation, it is possible to transform the camera into a standing photographing mode without burdening the operator.

  According to the present embodiment, it is characterized in that an auxiliary force is applied to reduce the burden on the operator for unfolding and folding work. Further, each structure of the present embodiment may be used alone, or two or all of the structures may be used in combination.

(Third embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 3, a configuration of a radiation imaging apparatus for long imaging according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 3A shows an example of an imaging apparatus having a handle in upright shooting. A state in which the subject 3 is imaged in a standing posture is shown, and a handle 7 is provided on both sides of the side of the gantry 1. The subject 3 can assist in maintaining the standing posture by holding the handle 7 and holding his or her own weight with both arms.

  FIG. 3B shows an example of an imaging apparatus having a fence in the supine position. In imaging in the supine position, the handle 7 may be arranged on both sides of the subject 3. In imaging in a long recumbent position, the subject 3 lies on the gantry 1 and the auxiliary plate 5. However, when the subject 3 changes his or her posture or moves to adjust the position of the imaging unit 2, the subject 3 may protrude from the mounting surface of the gantry 1 or the auxiliary plate 5. Therefore, by arranging the handle 7 on both sides of the subject 3, it becomes possible to form a fence for preventing the subject 3 from protruding. Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, when the subject 3 is placed on the gantry 1 before performing the supine position photographing, the handle 7 does not hinder the boarding operation of the subject 3. Alternatively, a structure that can be folded may be used. With such a structure, the subject 3 can easily get on the gantry 1.

  FIG. 3D shows a state of an operator who uses a handle in the deformation work. The worker 31 may carry out the deformation work while holding the handle 7. When the worker 31 transforms from the standing position to the lying position or from the lying position to the standing position, a load Fm due to gravity always acts on the gantry 1 and the auxiliary plate 5, and the worker 31 holds the load Fm. You need to work while. Therefore, the handle 7 is disposed at a place where the worker 31 can grip it, and is made of a material that maintains sufficient strength to catch the load Fm, for example, a metal material such as iron, stainless steel, or aluminum. A shape that is easy to grasp, for example, a bent shape of a pipe or a rod. By configuring the handle 7 as described above, the operator 31 can perform the deformation operation while holding the handle 7, thereby improving workability.

(Fourth embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 4, a configuration of a radiation imaging apparatus for long radiography according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIGS. 4A and 4B show an example of an imaging device in a supine position having a vertical movement mechanism. The vertical movement support unit 8 supports the gantry 1 in a form in which the subject 3 is imaged in a supine position. In this example, a vertical movement mechanism using a pantograph mechanism is shown, but a telescopic pick-up mechanism may be used. When the subject 3 rides on the gantry 1 in the recumbent position, if the subject 3 is an elderly person with weak legs or has a disease or injury on his / her legs, as shown in FIG. The lower the height, the lower the burden of boarding. However, the height of the gantry 1 having the built-in imaging unit 2 must be maintained at a constant distance from the radiation source 1 during imaging, and therefore, as shown in FIG. It is necessary to adjust the distance from the radiation source 4 by raising the height after boarding.

  4C and 4D show examples of the vertical movement mechanism A. A slide mechanism 81 is provided on one of the vertical movement mechanisms 8. The slide mechanism 81 has a structure in which one end of the vertical movement mechanism is slidable by limiting the one end to the gantry in a substantially horizontal direction. The slide mechanism 81 is provided with a female thread, into which one end of the spindle 82 is inserted. The other end of the spindle 82 is connected to an actuator 83, which rotates the spindle 82. In response to the rotation of the spindle 82, the slide mechanism 81 moves in a substantially horizontal direction along the gantry, so that the vertical movement mechanism 8 can move the gantry 1 up and down. Therefore, the operator can raise and lower the gantry 1 by operating the controller 84 that operates the actuator. Alternatively, a hydraulic jack 83 may be connected to the slide mechanism 81 as shown in FIG. By moving the lever of the hydraulic jack 83 up and down, the operator can move the vertical movement mechanism 8 and move the gantry 1 up and down. In any case, although not shown, it is preferable that the vertical movement mechanism 8 includes a stopper that determines the lower limit of the gantry 1. It is possible to prevent the gantry 1 and the vertical movement mechanism 8 from interfering with a step with the floor of the building and from interfering with the feet of the worker.

(Fifth embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 5, the configuration of a long imaging radiation imaging apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 5A shows an example of a photographing unit position adjustment mechanism in standing photographing. The slide unit 21 slides the photographing unit 2 in the longitudinal direction along the slider rail 12 provided on the gantry 1. By moving the slide unit 21 along the slider rail 12 in the upright position photographing mode, the operator can move the position of the photographing unit 2 in a substantially vertical direction. Further, although the photographing unit 2 and the slide unit 21 receive a load due to gravity, the slide unit can be stopped at an arbitrary position by engaging the stopper 22 with the slider rail 21. Note that the stopper 22 may be stopped by a spring by pressing against the slider rail 12 by a spring, or the stopper 22 may be stopped by a magnetic force with the slider rail 12 made of a magnetic material using the stopper 22 as a magnet. With the above structure, when the imaging part necessary for the subject 3 in the upright position does not coincide with the vertical position of the imaging unit 2, the position of the subject 3 is moved up and down. By simply moving the position of the photographing unit 2 without any trouble, the position can be easily adjusted.

  FIG. 5B shows an example of a photographing unit position adjusting mechanism in the supine position photographing. The slide unit 21 having the built-in imaging unit 2 can be moved along the slider rail 12 provided on the gantry 1. In the supine position mode, the image capturing unit 2 can be moved in a substantially horizontal direction. As in the case of FIG. 5A, the position of the slide portion 21 can be stopped by the stopper 22. With the above-described structure, if the horizontal position of the imaging unit 2 does not coincide with the imaging part required for imaging the subject 3 in the supine position, the position of the subject 3 is not moved. By simply moving the position of the photographing unit 2, the position can be easily adjusted. Further, by providing the slider rail 53 also on the auxiliary plate 5, it is possible to extend the moving range of the slide section 21, and accordingly, the position adjustment range of the photographing section 2 is expanded. Further, in the supine position imaging, by separating the gantry 1 on which the subject 3 lies down from the imaging unit 2, it is possible to prevent the weight of the subject 3 from being applied to the imaging unit 2.

(Sixth embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 6, the configuration of the radiation imaging apparatus for long imaging according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 6A shows an example of a photographing device that performs standing photographing. The gantry 1 stands upright in a substantially vertical direction by supporting legs 9 formed of a link mechanism having a plurality of joints. The subject 3 stands up so as to face and contact the gantry 1. The radiation source 4 is installed such that the radiation exposure direction faces the gantry 1 from the front from the direction in which the subject 3 stands. The auxiliary plate 5 is connected to the gantry 1 and the support legs 9 and has a structure slidable along a slide rail 54 arranged on the back of the gantry 1. With this configuration, radiation is emitted from the radiation source 4 toward the subject 3 standing in the standing posture, and image information of the subject 3 in the standing photography is acquired in the standing photographing. can do.

  FIG. 6B shows a switching operation for changing the gantry 1 from the upright configuration to the horizontal configuration. In order to deform the gantry 1 in a substantially horizontal direction for imaging in the lying position, the link mechanism of the support leg 9 is operated to rotate the gantry 1 so as to push the lower portion of the gantry 1 forward. At this time, the auxiliary plate 5 is pushed upward while sliding along the slide rail 54 by the link mechanism of the support leg 9. Then, as shown in FIG. 6C, when the gantry 1 is installed in a substantially horizontal direction, the auxiliary plate 5 is connected to the gantry 1 in a state of being spread horizontally in a substantially uniform plane. With this configuration, the mounting area of the gantry 1 in the longitudinal direction is expanded, and the subject 3 lies on the gantry 1 to which the auxiliary plate 5 is connected so as to be able to be mounted from the head to the legs. Things become possible. The radiation source 4 is installed above the subject 3 with the subject 3 lying on the gantry 1, and the radiation is exposed toward the subject 3, so that the subject 3 Acquires image information of long shooting.

  Note that the auxiliary plate 5 does not necessarily need to be connected to the link mechanism 9. The structure which an operator pulls out manually and connects with the gantry 1 may be sufficient.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6D, a structure may be employed in which an insertion protrusion 55 is provided on the auxiliary plate 5 and inserted into an attachment hole 13 provided at an end of the gantry 1 to connect the gantry 1 to the auxiliary plate 5. . In this fitting structure, the relationship between the insertion protrusions and holes of the gantry 1 and the auxiliary plate 5 may be reversed. Further, the attachment structure is not limited to the fitting type, but may be a fastening structure using screws.

(Seventh embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 7, the configuration of the radiation imaging apparatus for long radiography according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 7A illustrates an example of an imaging device that performs imaging in a supine position. The structure which can pull out the auxiliary plate 14 from the foot side of the gantry 1 may be sufficient. When the physique of the subject 3 is too large than the area of the gantry 1 or depending on the positional relationship between a necessary imaging region and the imaging unit 2, the mounting area is increased from the top of the gantry 1 by connection with the auxiliary plate 5. In addition, there is a possibility that a part of the body may protrude, which causes a burden on the subject 3. Therefore, by pulling out the auxiliary plate 14 from the foot of the gantry 1, the mounting area can be further increased and the whole body of the subject 3 can be mounted, so that the burden on the subject 3 can be reduced. The auxiliary plate 14 has a structure in which the auxiliary plate 14 slides out from the inside of the gantry 1, but may have a structure in which the auxiliary plate 14 can be pulled out from the outside of the gantry 1 instead of the inside.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the auxiliary plate 14 may have a folding structure having an articulated portion, and may have a structure in which the auxiliary plate 14 is deployed.

  With the above configuration, the whole body of the subject 3 can be mounted on the gantry, regardless of the physique or the imaging region of the subject 3.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Stand 2 Imaging part 4 Radiation source 5 Auxiliary plate 6 Holding column

Claims (4)

A long frame having a plurality of imaging units in the longitudinal direction,
A support for supporting the gantry, and a radiation imaging apparatus comprising:
The gantry has a horizontal form parallel to the floor and an upright form perpendicular to the floor,
An auxiliary plate connected to the gantry and the column and extending a mounting area in the longitudinal direction in the horizontal form ,
The auxiliary plate, in the process of changing the gantry from the upright configuration to the horizontal configuration, the connecting portion with the support moves toward the floor along the support, and the connecting portion with the gantry is By moving from a state perpendicular to the floor surface to a horizontal state while moving toward the floor surface in a direction away from the support, the horizontal configuration is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the gantry. A radiation imaging apparatus characterized in that: The frame, by the lower end of the frame is moved in a direction away from the post, the radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the change from the upright configuration to the horizontal form. The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a force adjustment unit that controls a force that changes the gantry from the upright configuration to the horizontal configuration.   The handle according to claim 1, wherein when the gantry is in the upright configuration, a handle is provided on a side of the gantry so that a subject can maintain a standing posture along the gantry. Radiation imaging device.

Images