JPH045953A - X-ray ct device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To change the reconstitution arithmetic processing condition of a tomography image without interrupting a scan and to obtain an image being suitable for a diagnosis by providing an arithmetic controller which can change the reconstitution arithmetic processing condition used at the time of reconstitution arithmetic processing, in the course of scan. CONSTITUTION:The device is provided with an arithmetic controller 16 which can change a reconstitution arithmetic processing condition used at the time of reconstitution arithmetic processing, in the course of scan, and by allowing it to execute a parallel operation with a scanner controller 15, the reconstitution arithmetic processing condition can be changed even in the course of scan. Also, with regard to measured data 12 obtained by the subsequent scan, the reconstitution arithmetic processing condition. A change of the reconstitution arithmetic processing condition, for instance, a change of an enlarged center position and a change of an enlarged range display a frame-like cursor to an image before change reflected on an image display device 14, and it is executed by operating an instructing device such as a track ball, etc., provided on a console 17. In such a way, the obtained image can position an interest area about in the center of the display screen, and also, the image is displayed within an enlarged ranges being suitable for observation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention is directed to an X
The present invention relates to a line CT device.

[Conventional technology]

Continuous scanning in conventional X-ray CT equipment of this type is
As shown in Fig. 4, first the object is positioned (step 401L, then scan conditions (X-ray conditions, table feed amount, etc.) are set (step 402), reconstruction calculation processing conditions (image center position, enlargement conditions, etc.) (step 403), and then performs the actual scan (
Step 404), immediately after that, the tomographic image obtained by the scan is reconstructed and displayed (step 405).
.

Steps 404 and 405 are performed consecutively a set number of times as long as there is no change in the reconstruction calculation processing conditions.
If there is a change in the reconstruction calculation processing conditions, the scan is interrupted and then the next scan is performed (steps 404 to 408).

By the way, in conventional OCT imaging, for example, when it is desired to observe the vertebrae 52 of the subject 51 shown in the scanogram image of FIG. 5, the necessary area is a portion 54 shown with diagonal lines in the direction of the arrow 53.

In continuous scanning, the top of the bed on which the subject 51 is placed is moved in the direction of the arrow 53 (body axis direction) for each scan, so the A slightly larger area (referred to as an enlarged area) 6 with respect to a necessary area (region of interest) 62 on a tomographic image 61 shown in FIG.
3, and on the scanogram image shown in Fig. 5, area 5 is set.
I was trying to scan with 5.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, parts other than the necessary area (region of interest) 62 are displayed, and the necessary area (region of interest) 6
2 is small (displayed or not in the center of the display screen)
When the setting of the enlarged area 63 is inappropriate, there is a problem that the enlarged area 63 protrudes from the display screen.

Therefore, in setting the reconstruction calculation processing conditions, the necessary area (region of interest) 62 on the tomographic image 61 shown in FIG. It is conceivable to reset a certain enlargement center position 64.

However, with this method, there are various problems with conventional apparatuses, such as the need to interrupt the scan, which takes time to complete the imaging, and increases the amount of radiation exposure.

The purpose of the present invention is to be able to change and set the reconstruction calculation processing conditions without interrupting continuous scanning, and to obtain a tomographic image of a smaller region of interest (the observation point can be displayed larger). An object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray CT device.

[Means to solve the problem]

The above object is to provide an X-ray CT apparatus that is capable of continuous scanning and that immediately after each scan can display an image obtained by performing reconstruction calculation processing based on the measurement data of the scan. This is achieved by providing an arithmetic control device that can change the reconstruction arithmetic processing conditions used during scanning.

[Effect]

The arithmetic control unit can operate in parallel with scanner control,
Reconstruction calculation processing conditions used during reconstruction calculation processing can be changed during scanning.

The above-mentioned reconstruction calculation processing conditions are changed by placing an instruction on the image displayed on the image display device immediately after one scan using a trackball or the like on the operation console. As a result, in the next scan (or one after another), the corrected image, for example, the image where the region of interest set smaller is located approximately in the center of the display screen, and the magnification range (magnification ratio) is suitable for observation. can be obtained.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an X-ray CT apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 11 irradiates a subject (not shown) with X-rays while rotating around the subject. Transmission of sample
13 is a scanner that detects lines; 13 is an image processing device that performs tomographic image reconstruction calculation processing based on measurement data 12 from the scanner 11; and 14 is an image display device that displays the tomographic image processed by the image processing device 13.

Further, 15 controls scan conditions such as X-ray irradiation and the amount of top feed of the bed (not shown) on which the subject is placed, and
A scanner control bag for controlling reconstruction processing conditions when reconstructing a tomographic image, 16 a calculation control device capable of changing the reconstruction processing conditions during scanning, 17 these scanner control devices 15 and This is a console for operating the arithmetic and control device 16.

In this FIG. 1, measurement data 1 from the scanner 11
2 is sent to the image processing device 13 and subjected to arithmetic processing based on the reconstruction processing conditions set in the image processing device 13,
A tomographic image is displayed on the image display device 14. The operator controls scanning and reconstruction calculation processing using the console 17 through the scanner control device 15 and the calculation control device 16 .

The conventional apparatus does not have the arithmetic and control device 16, and once the reconstruction arithmetic processing conditions are set before scanning, they cannot be changed unless the scanning is interrupted. In the present invention,
An arithmetic control device 16 capable of changing the reconstruction arithmetic processing conditions used during the reconstruction arithmetic processing during scanning is provided, and by operating in parallel with the scanner control device 15, the reconstruction arithmetic processing conditions can be changed even during the scanning. It is something.

As shown in FIG. 2, in continuous scanning using the above-mentioned apparatus of the present invention, the subject is first positioned (step 10).
1) Next, scan conditions and reconstruction calculation processing conditions are set (steps 102 and 103). these are,
1st same operation console] 7. Next, a command is issued from the console 17 to the scanner control device 15 and the arithmetic control device E 16 to start scanning under the set conditions, and the scan is performed (step 104), and immediately after that, the tomographic image obtained by the scan is Reconstruction calculation processing and display are performed (step 105).

Steps 104 and 105 are performed a set number of times (steps 104 to 106) continuously as long as there is no change in the reconstruction processing conditions. This is done in parallel (step 107).During the scan, the scanner control device 15 controls the scan, so the operator console can be used to change the reconstruction calculation processing conditions (step 107).Then, the reconstruction calculation When the processing conditions are changed, the measurement data 12 obtained in the subsequent scan is subjected to reconstruction calculation processing and display under the changed reconstruction calculation processing conditions (step 1).
05).

Changing the reconstruction calculation processing conditions in step 107, here changing the enlargement center position and changing the enlargement range, is performed, for example, with respect to the image displayed on the image display device 14 before the change.
A frame-shaped cursor is displayed, and this is done by operating a pointing device such as a track pole on the console 17. As a result, in the image obtained in the next scan, the region of interest can be positioned approximately at the center of the display screen, and the image can be displayed in an enlarged range (enlargement ratio) suitable for observation.

Next, regarding the observation of vertebrae using the device of the present invention, Fig. 3,
This will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

In FIG. 3, when it is desired to obtain tomographic images of multiple locations on the scanogram image for observation of vertebrae 52, the top plate of the bed on which the subject 51 is placed is moved in the direction of arrow 53 (body axis direction).
Continuous scanning is performed while moving the camera. At this time, scanning is normally performed gradually from the left side of the subject 51 in the figure.

At the scan start position, a scan is performed in advance in which all the tomographic portions of the subject 51 are displayed. As a result, a tomographic image 61 as shown in FIG. 6 is obtained. Using this tomographic image 61, the enlargement center position and enlargement range are set, and then continuous scanning is started. Initially, an image with the vertebra 52 in the center of the display screen as shown in FIG. 3 is obtained, but when the vertebra 52 in FIG. ,
The vertebrae 52 in FIG. 3 may gradually shift upwards on the display screen, and a portion of the vertebrae may protrude beyond the display screen. Therefore, during scanning, the operator looks at the image displayed on the display screen and uses a trackball or other pointing device to move the crosshair cursor 31 that indicates the enlargement center position in the direction in which it will shift (upward in this example). Then, in the next scan as well, the vertebrae 52 will be displayed in the center of the display screen, resulting in an image suitable for observation.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the enlargement center position and the enlargement range are described as the reconstruction calculation processing conditions to be changed, but the present invention is not limited to these. For example, calculation processing conditions such as window height, enlargement magnification, and edge enhancement may be used. That is, the reconstruction calculation processing conditions here include conditions for various image processing or image display processing performed by the image processing device 13 until the image is displayed on the image display device 14.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, the reconstruction calculation processing conditions of a tomographic image can be changed without interrupting the scan, and therefore an image suitable for diagnosis can be obtained without prolonging the object processing time.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the device of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a flowchart showing the procedure of continuous scanning by the same device as above, the third part is a diagram showing an example of the displayed image by the same device, the fourth part is a flowchart showing the procedure of continuous scanning by the conventional device, and the fifth part is a flowchart showing the procedure of continuous scanning by the conventional device. The photographed and displayed scanogram 66 of the vertebral part of the subject from the side is a diagram showing an example of a tomographic image of the abdomen and a setting screen for enlargement conditions. 11... Scanner, 13... Image processing device, 14.
...Image display device, 15...Scanner control device, 16
...Arithmetic control unit, 17...Operation console, 31...Cross cursor, 51...Subject, 52...Vertebrae, 56
...is a vertebra curved part, 61... is a tomographic image, 62... is
Necessary area (area of interest), 63... Enlargement area, 64...
・Enlargement center position. Patent applicant Hitachi Medical Co., Ltd. Agent Patent attorney Masami Akimoto and 1 other person No. 2 Figure s3 No. 4 No. 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Used during the reconstruction calculation process in an X-ray CT apparatus that is capable of continuous scanning and that can display an image obtained by performing reconstruction calculation processing based on the measurement data of the scan immediately after each scan. An X-ray CT apparatus comprising an arithmetic control device that can change reconstruction arithmetic processing conditions during scanning.