JPH01181846A - X-ray diagnosing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To display X-ray picture information as a roadmap image by adding the position information of a specimen and an X-ray picture information collecting system to the X-ray picture information in units of a collected frame, preserving it, and automatically calling the picture at the time of surgery. CONSTITUTION:The contrast agent photographing of a concerned area is carried out for plural times in a photographing mode from a certain direction gamma of a C arm system, pictures are sent through an A/D converting part 10 to a picture selector part 12, and a picture F, in which an aimed blood vessel most clearly emerges, is selected, and sent to a synthesizing part 13. In a stage when the photographing picture F is sent to the synthesizing part 13, photographing angle data gamma is also sent, the photographing angle data gamma at such a time are added to the photographed picture F, the picture is synthesized, and preserved in a picture filing part 16. Next, the photographing angle data of the synthesized picture are called from the picture filing part 16, and the roadmap image necessary at every photographing direction at the time of the surgery is automatically displayed without labor with the angle information as an index.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an X-ray diagnostic apparatus that can manipulate the positional relationship between a subject and an X-ray image information collection system, and in particular, The present invention relates to an X-ray diagnostic apparatus that is suitable for, for example, ascertaining a thrombus site by observing a photographed image and subsequently performing a treatment on the thrombus site.

(Prior Art) As a method of treating a thrombus, there is a method in which the site of the thrombus is identified using an image and a treatment is performed on the site of the thrombus to loosen the thrombus using a balloon or the like. Thrombograph imaging using an X-ray diagnostic device is effective in carrying out this method. That is, the X-ray diagnostic apparatus used here is capable of controlling the positional relationship between the subject and the X-ray image information collection system, and the configuration of an example thereof will be explained with reference to FIG.

That is, the base 1 is installed on the floor F, and this base 1
The support column 1a has a rotating shaft 1b parallel to the floor F, and this rotating shaft 1b is rotatable by a drive device IC. A C-shaped arm 2 is attached to one end of this rotating shaft 1b, and a balance weight 3 is provided to the other end.

Movable members 4a, 4b and an X-ray source 5 are provided at one end of the C-shaped arm 2, and movable members 6a, 6b and an image collection system 7 are provided at the other end.

The image collection system 7 is composed of an image intensifier, an optical system, a TV camera, etc., and is generally capable of collecting an X-ray image in a fluoroscopic mode using a TV signal.

The bed 8 is installed on the floor F, and the top plate 8a of this bed 8 is
With the subject P placed thereon, it can be moved or fixed to a desired position in the space facing the X-ray source 5 and the image acquisition system 7.

Here, the movable members 4a, 4b and the X-ray source 5 on the X-ray source side can be moved or rotated as shown in the figure, and the movable members 6a, 6b and the image acquisition system 7 on the image acquisition system side are not shown in the figure. Each can be moved or rotated as shown in the figure. here,
Since the X-ray source 5 and the image acquisition system 7 are six units facing each other, the amount of rotation α of the X-ray source 5 and the amount of rotation β of the image acquisition system 7 are relatively the same amount. Here, explanation will be given assuming that only the direction of the C-arm system is moved by the rotation (rotation amount γ) of the rotating shaft 1a.

With the configuration of the imaging unit as described above, the procedures for diagnosis and treatment are performed as follows. That is, the subject P is placed on the top plate 8a, and in this case, the subject P is assumed to be in a substantially stationary state due to anesthesia or the like. X-rays are continuously emitted from the X-ray source 5 in a fluoroscopic mode, and the operator inserts a catheter into the blood vessel of the subject P and injects a contrast medium into the blood vessel as needed. Images of blood vessels that are not imaged are collected in a fluoroscopic mode, and while the images are observed on a tBl monitor (monitor for real-time images during X-ray exposure), a region of interest, such as a coronary artery of the heart, is reached. Here, contrast agent imaging of the region of interest is performed in imaging mode.

That is, contrast agent imaging of the region of interest is performed multiple times in imaging mode from a certain direction of the C-arm system. While changing the direction of the C-arm system by rotating the rotation axis 1b, contrast agent imaging of the region of interest is performed multiple times in the imaging mode for each direction, and the target blood vessel is most clearly identified from the resulting imaging images. The images appearing in the image are selected one by one in each direction and saved sequentially.

These saved images in each direction are called road map images because they are used as a guide for introducing a balloon catheter in the next treatment.

The operator observes the images taken from multiple directions obtained through the above procedure to ascertain the location of the thrombus site, and then performs a procedure in which the balloon catheter is brought to the thrombus site. That is, a road map image corresponding to or almost close to the direction of the C-arm system at the initial stage of the treatment is displayed on the second monitor (monitor dedicated to the road map image) by the operation of the surgeon or another person. The operator inserts the balloon catheter into the blood vessel of the subject P with reference to the displayed road map image. At this time, the X-ray source 5 emits X-rays in the fluoroscopic mode.
The line is continuously irradiated, and the actual position of the balloon catheter is confirmed by viewing the fluoroscopic image on the first monitor.

If the thrombus site does not appear accurately in this confirmation, change the direction of the C-arm system and display another road map image on the second monitor that corresponds to or is almost close to the current direction of the C-arm system. indicate. The operator then continues to insert the balloon catheter into the blood vessel of the subject P by referring to the displayed road map image, and at the same time checks the position of the balloon catheter by looking at the fluoroscopic image on the first monitor. confirm. By performing this procedure appropriately, the balloon catheter reaches the site of the thrombus, inflates the balloon, loosens the thrombus, and completes the treatment.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) In the above description, a large number of road map images are sequentially stored for each direction of the C-arm system at the time of image acquisition. In order to select a road map image in a desired direction during treatment, the road map images stored sequentially for each direction of the C-arm system are sequentially displayed on a second monitor manually by the surgeon or another person. This is done by displaying the information and confirming whether it is appropriate or not.

Therefore, during a treatment, it is necessary to select a road map image each time the direction of the C-arm system is changed, but this selection is a manual operation by the surgeon or another person, which poses a problem in that it takes time. Furthermore, since X-ray irradiation in the fluoroscopic mode is performed even during the period when this selection takes time, unnecessary exposure is occurring, which is a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray diagnostic apparatus that does not require time to select a road map image and can suppress unnecessary X-ray exposure.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention is characterized by taking the following measures in order to solve the above problems and achieve the objects. That is, the X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes an image storage means for adding and storing positional information of the subject and the X-ray image information collection system at the time of collection to the collected X-ray image information in units of frames; The present invention is characterized by comprising image calling means for reading frame images from the image storage means using the position information as an index and displaying them. (Function) According to such a configuration, the position information given from the X-ray image information collection system itself can be automatically added to the image and saved at the time of diagnosis; The image can be automatically called up at the time of treatment using positional information given from the X-ray image information collection system itself, and can be displayed as a road map image at the time of treatment.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the rotation of the rotating shaft 1a (
A case will be described in which only the direction of the C-arm system is moved by the amount of rotation γ). That is, when the operator operates a console (not shown), the rotation shaft 1a rotates, and the C-arm system rotates by an amount γ (γ1.γ2.γ3.
...) and change the direction with respect to the subject P to perform X-ray exposure in fluoroscopy mode or imaging mode and to collect fluoroscopic images or photographed images thereof. Further, a sensor 9 is provided on the rotating shaft 1a, and the rotation amount γ (γl) of the rotating shaft 1a.

γ2. γ3. ...) can be detected.

Here, the subject P is placed on the top plate 8a, and in this case, the subject P is assumed to be in a substantially stationary state due to anesthesia or the like. X-rays are continuously emitted from the X-ray source 5 in a fluoroscopic mode, and the operator inserts a catheter into the blood vessel of the subject P and injects a contrast medium into the blood vessel as needed. Images of blood vessels that are difficult to visualize are collected in fluoroscopic mode, and A
The image is passed through the /D conversion unit 10 and is directed to, for example, the coronary artery of the heart, which is the region of interest, while being observed on a first monitor (monitor for real-time images during X-ray exposure) 11.

Here, contrast agent imaging of the region of interest is performed in imaging mode.

That is, contrast agent imaging of the region of interest is performed multiple times in the imaging mode from a certain direction γ (γl) of the C-arm system, and is sent to the image selection unit 12 through the A/D conversion unit 10. Image selection section 1
In 2, images taken multiple times in the direction γ (γl) are sent to the first monitor 11 and displayed, and among these images, the image F (fl) in which the target blood vessel appears most clearly is not shown. One image is selected by operating the console and sent to the composition section 15.

On the other hand, the amount of rotation γ (γl) indicating the direction of the C-arm system from the sensor 9 during the above-mentioned photographing is created as data in a predetermined format through the photographing angle data creating section 14, and is kept on standby in the buffer memory 15. Then, the selected one in the direction γ (γ1) is selected from the image selection unit 12.
At the stage when the photographed images F (fl) are sent to the combining unit 13, the photographing angle data γ (γl) is also sent, and the combining unit 13 uses the selected photographic image F (fl) at that time. Synthesis is performed by adding the photographing angle data γ (γ1) of
is stored in the image file unit 16 to be used as a road map image during treatment. In addition, the shooting angle data γ
is used as an index for calling up a photographed image, that is, a road map image, during treatment.

Next, while changing the direction of the C-arm system by rotating the rotation axis 1b (γ2, γ3, etc.), contrast agent imaging of the region of interest is performed multiple times in the imaging mode for each direction. From the obtained photographic images, select one image in each direction in which the target blood vessel appears most clearly f2. f3.・
), this selected one photographed image f2. f3.・
. γ3・
... is added and synthesized, and this synthesized image f2+γ2
．． f3+γ3... is stored in the image file section 16.

The operator observes the images taken from multiple directions obtained through the above procedure to ascertain the location of the thrombus site, and then performs a procedure in which the balloon catheter is brought to the thrombus site. First of all,
If the C-arm system is stopped in a certain direction γ^ at the initial stage of the treatment, an operation is performed to call up a road map image that corresponds to or is approximately close to this direction. That is, data γ from the buffer memory 15 is transferred to the image calling unit 18.
given to. The image retrieval unit 18 then retrieves the photographing angle data of the composite image from the image file unit 16, and performs image retrieval using the photographing angle data as an index. That is, the photographing angle data γ. and the actual angle data γ3 of the C-arm system, and the difference 1γe-
When γB1 is less than a certain value ε, the photographing angle data γB
Select the photographed image of
It is displayed as a road map image. Also, difference 1
When γ and -γB1 exceed a certain value ε, the photographing angle data of another image is called from the image file section 16 and the same comparison operation for image selection as described above is performed.

The operator inserts the balloon catheter into the blood vessel of the subject P with reference to the displayed road map image.

At this time, X-rays are continuously emitted from the X-ray source 5 in fluoroscopic mode, and the actual position of the balloon catheter is
Check by looking at the fluoroscopic image on the monitor 11.

If the thrombus site does not appear accurately in this confirmation, the direction of the C-arm system is changed, and the image calling unit 18 obtains the changed angle γ of the C-arm system from the image file unit 16. A road map image corresponding to or almost close to the road map image is called up and displayed on the second monitor 17. The operator continues the insertion operation of the balloon catheter with reference to this road map image, and at the same time confirms the position of the balloon catheter by looking at the fluoroscopic image on the first monitor. By performing this procedure appropriately, the balloon catheter reaches the site of the thrombus, inflates the balloon, loosens the thrombus, and completes the treatment. In the above, while the C-arm system is operating to change the direction, the second monitor 17 displays the previous road map image or remains blank as necessary.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the road map image required for each imaging direction during treatment can be created manually using information on the angle at which the device (C-arm system) is actually stopped as an index. It becomes possible to display zero dynamically without any trouble.

Therefore, selection of a road map image, which conventionally took time due to manual labor, can be performed in a short time, and this time reduction also reduces exposure to X-rays.

In the above embodiment, the case where the angle of the C-arm system is changed has been explained, but even when changing multiple angles such as α and β shown in the figure, it is possible to change the form added to the photographed image. It is something that can be implemented.

It should be noted that even during anesthesia, the subject P moves, and the body position changes differently depending on the direction. In this case, the above equation 1γ8
−γB1 judgment value ε in all directions (e.g. α, β, γ)
If the image is fixed, depending on the direction, it may take a long time to recall the image, or the corresponding image may not be able to be recalled. To prevent this, the above formula 1γA-γ is used for each direction.
If the determination value ε of B1 is changed, the image to be recalled will have an appropriate range for each direction and is valid. Furthermore, various types of devices such as encoders and potentiometers can be used as means for detecting the photographing direction, and detection of the amount of movement may be taken out from the apparatus itself instead of being taken out from the sensor. Of course, the configuration of the imaging section is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1, and can be applied to all apparatuses that perform diagnosis and treatment that require road map images. In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the present invention provides an image storage means that adds position information of the subject and the X-ray image information collection system at the time of collection to the collected X-ray image information in units of frames, and stores the information. and an image recalling means for recalling a frame image from the image storage means using the positional information as an index and displaying it, so that the positional information given from the X-ray image information collection system itself can be used at the time of diagnosis. can be automatically added to the image and saved, and the image collected and saved at the time of diagnosis can be automatically recalled at the time of treatment using the position information given from the X-ray image information collection system itself. This can be displayed as a road map image during treatment. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an X-ray diagnostic apparatus that does not require time to select a road map image and can suppress unnecessary X-ray exposure.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. 5... X-ray source, 7... Image collection system, 10... A/
D conversion section, 11. 17... Monitor, 12... Image selection section, 13... Composition section, 14... Shooting angle data creation section, 15... Buffer memory section, 16... Image File section, 18... image calling section. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an X-ray diagnostic device that can manipulate the positional relationship between the subject and the X-ray image information collection system, the positional information of the subject and the X-ray image information collection system at the time of collection is added to the collected frame-by-frame X-ray image information. An X-ray diagnosis characterized by comprising an image storage means for adding and storing the image, and an image retrieval means for retrieving a frame image from the image storage means using the position information as an index and displaying the frame image. Device.