JPH0477576B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (b) Industrial application fields The present invention relates to a radiation tomography apparatus.

(b) Prior art As radiation tomography devices, X-ray CT devices (X-ray computer tomography devices) and
ECT devices (emission type computer tomography devices) are known. Both of these are used to diagnose various parts of a patient's body, especially the brain. Incidentally, the X-ray CT apparatus is not used to analyze physiological functions of the body, but is used to obtain analysis images regarding static morphology. On the other hand, although ECT devices can determine the physiological functions of body organs, their ability to analyze morphology is insufficient. For example, let's say you have a cerebral infarction. At this time, immediately after that, X-ray
No abnormalities were detected by the CT machine. This is because no abnormality has occurred morphologically. On the other hand, since physiological functions change, it is possible to detect abnormalities with an ECT device. However, this
The information obtained from the ECT device alone is insufficient, and in order to obtain more precise and accurate information, we also use an X-ray CT device, and use the information obtained from this X-ray CT device to perform gamma ray absorption correction. X-ray CT device and
It is effective for diagnosis to create images of the same cross section with the ECT device and compare and examine the two.

(c) Purpose This invention enables inspections using an X-ray CT device and an ECT device to be performed with minimal time and spatial lag, thereby providing more accurate information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiation tomography apparatus that enables effective diagnosis.

(D) Configuration In the radiation tomography apparatus of the present invention, an X-ray CT gantry is configured by housing an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector across a tunnel portion that passes through the device,
On the other hand, an ECT gantry is constructed by housing a radiation detector around the cavity, and this ECT gantry is removably fitted into the tunnel section at the rear of the X-ray CT gantry.
The present invention is characterized in that the hollow part of the ECT gantry is formed to be connected to the tunnel part of the X-ray CT gantry, and the ECT gantry is held movably.

(E) Example In the figure, 1 is a gantry for X-ray CT,
A tunnel section 10 penetrating through the center is formed, and an X-ray tube 2 and an X-ray detector 3, which are arranged opposite to each other so as to sandwich this tunnel section 10, are housed in this X-ray CT gantry 1. There is. and,
Patient 4 is lying on bed 5;
The patient 4 is introduced into the tunnel section 10 by moving horizontally.

On the other hand, the ECT gantry 11 is provided with a cavity 12, and a large number of radiation detectors 7 are arranged in a ring shape around the cavity 12. A collimator 6 is rotatably arranged, and the collimator 6 and radiation detector 7 are housed in an ECT gantry 11. This ECT gantry 11 is held by a stand 8, and this stand 8 has wheels 9.
is provided so that the ECT gantry 11 can be moved along a rail provided on the floor. And this ECT gantry 1
1 is adapted to fit into the tunnel part 10 at the rear of the X-ray CT gantry 1, and when fitted in this way, the hollow part 12 is fitted into the tunnel part 10.
They are connected so that their central axes coincide with each other.

Therefore, when both the gantries 1 and 11 are connected in this way, X-ray CT imaging is first performed with the patient 4 at the position shown in the solid line, and then the bed 5 is moved and the patient 4 is placed at the position 4 shown in the dotted line. ′, and ECT imaging can be performed in this state.
In this case, it is sufficient to move the bed 5 by a few centimeters or tens of centimeters, so that the displacement of the tomographic planes of both objects to be imaged can be reduced. Moreover, the time required to perform both imaging is short overall, since almost no time is required for movement, and there is less burden on the patient. And X-ray
Of course, the information obtained from CT imaging is used to reconstruct the image, but in addition, information such as the contours of the body or the distribution of bones and soft tissues obtained from X-ray CT imaging is also used by ECT. Since it is used for gamma ray absorption correction when reconstructing an image, both computers may use the same computer in common, or they may be separate computers, and data can be transferred online or offline to perform calculations.
In this way, an X-ray CT image and an ECT image whose accuracy has been quantitatively improved by taking X-ray CT information into account can be obtained for the same tomographic plane with almost no positional deviation, so it is necessary to compare and examine them. This allows for more effective diagnosis.

When examining the abdomen of the patient 4, the ECT gantry 11 is retracted to the position indicated by the dotted line, and the
The entire tunnel section 10 of the X-ray CT gantry 1 is made available, and the patient 4 is placed in this tunnel section 1.
Insert the tube sufficiently into the tube to enable X-ray CT imaging of the abdomen.

In the above, the third generation X-ray CT device is a type in which one X-ray tube and a row of X-ray detectors that form part of an arc rotate together, and the ECT device is a type that detects multiple radiations. Although we have assumed a type in which the collimator rotates inside a ring-shaped arrangement of vessels, it is of course possible to use other types.

(F) Effect According to this invention, inspection using an X-ray CT device and
Inspections using an ECT device can be performed closely in time and alternately while minimizing the spatial deviation of the inspection surfaces. Therefore, more accurate information can be obtained and effective diagnosis can be made. Furthermore, even if both types of tomography are performed, only a short amount of time is required as a whole, so there is less burden on the patient. Furthermore, when ECT imaging is not required, the ECT gantry can be moved back and used as an X-ray CT device to take images of the patient's abdomen.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The figure is a schematic side view of one embodiment of the present invention. 1... Gantry for X-ray CT, 2... X-ray tube, 3
...X-ray detector, 4...Patient, 5...Bed, 6
... Collimator, 7 ... Radiation detector, 8 ... Stand, 9 ... Wheels, 10 ... Tunnel section, 11
...Gantry for ECT, 12...Cavity part.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An X-ray CT gantry that houses an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector across a penetrating tunnel,
It has a hollow part and a radiation detector is housed around this hollow part, and is removably fitted into the tunnel part at the rear of the X-ray CT gantry, and this hollow part is connected to the X-ray CT gantry. A radiation tomography apparatus comprising: an ECT gantry formed to be connected to a tunnel portion of the ECT and movably held;