JPH05344968A - Scan photographing device by x-ray ct scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the X-ray exposure in the scan photographing by an X-ray CT scanner. CONSTITUTION:A top plate 2b which is installed in slidable manner in the body axis direction of a body P to be is installed over the bed of an X-ray CT scanner. Two guide layers 10L and 10R which arm filled with water are installed so as to communicate between the obverse and reverse surfaces of the top plate 2b. The guide layers 10L and 10R are set in a prescribed length from the head side to top of foot, arranged in parallel to the body axis direction of the top plate 2b, and the obverse and reverse surfaces are covered by flexible member. On the reverse surfaces of the guide layers 10L and 10R, ultrasonic wave probes 12L and 12R are installed, directing the ultrasonic wave radiation surface towards the obverse surface direction, so as to be shiftable in the body axis direction and to be tiltable in the body axis direction and lateral direction. The probes 12L and 12R are driven through the guide layers 10L and 10F so that ultrasonic waves are transmitted and sent out between the body P on the top plate 2b.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an X-ray CT scanner for medical use, and more particularly to a scanographing apparatus capable of performing scanographing prior to actual scan photographing using ultrasonic waves.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to carry out X-ray CT imaging, scan imaging based on X-rays is carried out prior to the imaging for the purpose of scan planning such as scan positioning.

[0003]

However, even with such scanographing, there is X-ray exposure,
There was a demand to reduce this X-ray exposure as much as possible.

The present invention has been made in view of the problem in the scanogram imaging of the conventional X-ray CT scanner, and an object thereof is to eliminate X-ray exposure during scanogram imaging.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a scanographing apparatus for an X-ray CT scanner according to the present invention has an ultrasonic radiation direction on the back side of the top plate of the X-ray CT scanner. An ultrasonic probe arranged from the back side to the front side, a probe moving mechanism that holds the ultrasonic probe movably in the longitudinal direction of the top plate, and a probe position that gives a probe movement command to the probe moving mechanism. Control means, image reconstructing means for driving the ultrasonic probe to obtain an ultrasonic image of the subject on the top, and a monitor for displaying the ultrasonic image obtained by the image reconstructing means Is the main part.

[0006]

[Operation] By operating the probe position control means,
The position of the ultrasonic probe on the back surface of the top plate in the longitudinal direction of the top plate can be changed. At the desired probe position, the ultrasonic probe is driven by the image reconstruction means to obtain a tomographic image or the like.
Since this ultrasonic image is displayed on the monitor, the operator can make a scan plan such as positioning of the X-ray scan based on the image. If necessary, while changing the position of the ultrasonic probe, such an ultrasonic scan imaging can be performed.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a stand (gantry) of an X-ray CT scanner in which a scanning device using ultrasonic waves is integrally incorporated.
1 and the couch 2 are shown.

The bed 2 is provided with a bed base 2a having a mechanism such as height adjustment, and a top plate 2b which is above the bed base 2a and slidable in the longitudinal direction thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, the top plate 2a was filled with water as a liquid in two rows in its longitudinal direction (hereinafter referred to as the body axis direction. The direction orthogonal to this body axis direction is referred to as the lateral direction). Groove-shaped guide layers 10L and 10R are provided.
The distance and length between the guide layers 10L and 10R are determined by the top plate 2
The size is appropriate considering the size of the subject P placed on a. Further, the guide layers 10L and 10R are
As shown in FIG. 3, the top plate 2a has a cross-sectional shape that opens in a fan shape from the back surface to the front surface. Further, the back surface and the surface are formed of flexible members, each containing water. ing.

On the back surface of the guide layers 10L and 10R,
The probe covers 11L and 11R are the guide layers 10L and 10
It is attached so as to be movable along R. Inside the probe covers 11L and 11R, ultrasonic probes 12L and 12R are attached so as to be tiltable in the body axis direction and the lateral direction, respectively. At this time, the ultrasonic probe 12
The ultrasonic probes 12L and 12R are pressed to the extent that the ultrasonic wave emitting surfaces of L and 12R are in close contact with the back surfaces of the guide layers 10L and 10R.

A probe moving mechanism 14 for changing the position and inclination of the ultrasonic probes 12L, 12R is provided. This probe moving mechanism 14 is shown by either one of the ultrasonic probes. As shown in FIG. 4, the probe moving mechanism 14 has a belt 15, one end of which is fixed to the ultrasonic probe 12R (12L) and which can pull the probe 12R (12L) in the body axis direction, and the belt 15 which supports the belt 15b. Winding motor 1 that winds on both walls in the body axis direction
6, 16 and the ultrasonic probe 12R (1
2L) A horizontal pipe 1 that is hung in the body axis direction
7 and joints 18 and 1 at both ends of the horizontal pipe 17.
Vertical pipes 19 and 19 vertically descending via 8
And probe movable motors 20, 20 rigidly connected to the vertical pipes 19, 19. Above horizontal pipe 17
Is, as shown in FIG.
Ultrasonic probe 12R (1
2L) is penetrated.

Therefore, by rotating one of the winding motors 16 and 16, the belt 15 is conveyed,
The probe 12R (12L) can be moved in the body axis direction as shown by the arrow A or A'in FIG. Further, when the axes of the probe movable motors 20 and 20 are rotated in the B or C direction in FIG. 6 (however, the motors 20 and 20 are opposite to each other), the ultrasonic wave emitting surface of the probe 12R (12L) is guided by the guide layer. In the state of being in contact with 10R (10L), for example, it is tilted by an arbitrary angle from the vertical direction of FIG. 7A to the diagonal direction in the horizontal direction of the top plate of FIG. 7B. Further, when the shafts of the probe movable motors 20 and 20 are moved forward or backward in the D or E directions in FIG. 8 (however, the motors 20 and 20 are in mutually opposite directions), the ultrasonic wave emitting surface of the probe 12R (12L) is changed. While being in contact with the guide layer 10R (10L), the guide layer 10R (10L) is tilted in an oblique direction in the body axis direction by an arbitrary angle. Moreover, when the probe is tilted in the body axis direction, the horizontal pipe 17 is always held horizontally by the spheres 21 in the probe.

Subsequently, the electrical system of the scano apparatus using the ultrasonic waves of this embodiment, that is, the ultrasonic probe 12 described above.
An electric system for driving the R, 12L and the probe moving mechanism 14 will be described with reference to FIG.

The image reconstructing section 3 is transmitted to the ultrasonic probes 12R and 12L via a transmitting / receiving section 30 for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves.
1 is connected, and an image such as an ultrasonic tomographic image reconstructed by the image reconstructing unit 31 is stored in the memory 3 as necessary.
2 is also stored in the monitor 33 of the CT scanner body side.
It is designed to be rented and displayed independently. 16 and 20 ... 20 of the probe moving mechanism 14 include
The probe position control unit 35 that receives a command from the console 34 gives a drive signal. The console 34 is for remote operation, and in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the local console 36 is placed on the bed 2 side so that the probe position and angle can be locally operated. Here, the transmitting / receiving unit 30 and the image reconstructing unit 31 form the image reconstructing means of the present invention, and the console 3
4 and the probe position control unit 35 constitute probe position control means.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the CT scanner is also provided with a control circuit and the like so that a normal X-ray scan can be performed. That is, it has a central control unit 41 that inputs information from the console 40 and controls the entire system, and the couch control unit 42, the gantry control unit 43, and the X-ray control unit 4 placed under the control of the central control unit 41.
Have four. The X-ray controller 44 controls the high voltage generator 45. The electric signal relating to the X-ray transmission, which is output from the data collecting unit in the gantry, is reconstructed into image data by the image reconstructing unit 46, displayed on the monitor 33, and stored in the memory 47.

Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described together with an operation example.

For scan imaging, the following operation is performed, for example. A patient (subject P) is placed on the bed 2. At this time, since the water is present between the body surface of the subject P and the ultrasonic probes 12L, 12R by the guide layers 10L, 10R with almost no space, the ultrasonic beams from the probes 12L, 12R enter later. Will get better.

Next, console 34 (or local
Information regarding the positions and angles of the ultrasonic probes 12L and 12R is commanded from the console 36). As a result, the probe position control unit 35 drives the hoisting motors 16 and 16 to convey the belt 15, so that the probe 12L,
Either or both of the 12Rs are moved in the body axis direction and set at the site of interest of the subject P. Further, since the probe position control unit 35 controls the movable motors 20, 20, the tilts of the probes 12L, 12R in the body axis direction or the lateral direction are adjusted to desired values as described above.

As a result, even a probe having a small ultrasonic radiation range can inject ultrasonic waves over a wide range of the inside of the subject P, and the imaging area is greatly expanded as compared with the case where the tilt of the probe is not adjusted. In addition, in this embodiment, the ultrasonic probes 12L,
By arranging 12R and adjusting the inclination of the probe as described above, it is possible to avoid obstacles such as bones from at least one of the probes 12L and 12R and enter ultrasonic waves into the body. This makes it possible to scan almost all parts of the subject.

An ultrasonic image resulting from the positioning and angle determination performed in this manner is displayed in real time on the monitor 33 on the console side. By using the monitor in this way, the system can be downsized.

The operator observes the monitor image,
A scan start position and a scan end position are determined. This decision value may be read from the screen by the operator and stored, or may be marked with a mark such as ROI and the decision value may be stored in the memory 32. Further, when an image effective for a later diagnosis is obtained at the time of such scanography, it may be similarly stored in the memory 32.

Next, the operator inputs the start position and the end position of the scan from the console 40 of the X-ray CT scanner main body, or stores those positions of the scan in the memory 3.
If they are stored in 2, the instructions for reading them are given.
As a result, the bed control unit 42 moves the position of the table 2b to the commanded scan start position, for example, as shown in FIG. Next, the X-ray control unit 44 and the gantry control unit 43 start control to execute a desired scan. By executing this scan, the CT image is independently displayed on the monitor 33, and the data is stored in the memory 47.

The positions of the ultrasonic probes 12L and 12R are controlled so as to be retracted to the foot side of the subject P on the top plate 2b during the scan photographing.

As described above, since an image for making a plan for X-ray CT imaging is obtained by ultrasonic scan imaging,
Unlike conventional X-ray scanography, there is no X-ray exposure,
The X-ray exposure amount of the entire X-ray CT examination can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the monitor for ultrasonic scan imaging and the monitor for X-ray scanning are used in common, but a dedicated monitor for scanning may be prepared. Further, the remote operation console for ultrasonic scan imaging in the above-described embodiment may be integrated with that for X-ray scanning imaging.

Further, as another usage of the ultrasonic scanograph, by designating an image obtained by an X-ray CT scan, the ultrasonic probe for the scanograph is moved to the designated position, and at the designated position. It is also possible to obtain an ultrasonic image of the above and compare the X-ray CT image with the ultrasonic image for use in diagnosis. X-ray C at this time
FIG. 11 shows an example of inset display of the T image and the ultrasonic image.
Shown in (a) and (b). In the figure (a), an ultrasonic image is inset-displayed on a part thereof based on the X-ray CT image, and in the figure (b), the opposite inset-display is carried out. The size and display position of the inset display can be arbitrarily changed.

[0027]

As described above, the X according to the present invention
The scanography apparatus of the X-ray CT scanner includes an ultrasonic probe arranged on the back side of the top plate of the X-ray CT scanner in a state in which the ultrasonic radiation direction is from the back side of the top plate to the front side, and the ultrasonic probe. A probe moving mechanism that holds the top plate so that it can move in the longitudinal direction, a probe position control unit that gives a probe movement command to the probe moving mechanism, and an ultrasonic wave of the subject on the top plate that drives the ultrasonic probe. An image reconstructing unit for obtaining an image and a monitor for displaying an ultrasonic image obtained by the image reconstructing unit are provided, and an image for a scan plan can be obtained by ultrasonic waves.
Unlike conventional X-ray scanography,
The scanograph itself does not expose the patient to X-rays, and it is possible to reduce the amount of X-ray exposure even in a total CT examination.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gantry and a bed of a scano photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a guide layer formed on a top plate.

FIG. 3 is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view of a guide layer formed on a top plate.

FIG. 4 is a layout view showing a probe moving mechanism of the ultrasonic probe as seen from a lateral direction.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view for explaining attachment of the ultrasonic probe to a belt and a pipe.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the movement of the motor when the ultrasonic probe is tilted in the lateral direction.

7 (a) and 7 (b) are explanatory views for explaining the inclination of the ultrasonic probe in the lateral direction.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the movement of the motor when the ultrasonic probe is tilted in the body axis direction.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an electric system of the entire scanner.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing movement of the top plate to a scan start position during CT imaging.

11A and 11B are explanatory views showing inset display examples of an ultrasonic image and a CT image, respectively.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Bed 2a Bed base 2b Top plate 10L, 10R Guide layer 12L, 12R Ultrasonic probe 14 Probe moving mechanism 30 Transmitter / receiver unit 31 Image reconstruction unit 33 Monitor 34 Console 35 Probe position control unit 36 Local console

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic probe arranged on the back side of a top plate of an X-ray CT scanner with its ultrasonic radiation direction directed from the back side of the top plate to the front side, and the ultrasonic probe of the top plate of the top plate. An image that obtains an ultrasonic image of the subject on the top by driving the ultrasonic probe and a probe movable mechanism that holds the movable probe in the longitudinal direction, a probe position control unit that gives a probe movement command to the probe movable mechanism. A scanography apparatus for an X-ray CT scanner, comprising reconstructing means and a monitor for displaying an ultrasonic image obtained by the image reconstructing means. 2. A guide layer is formed on the top plate in two rows in the longitudinal direction of the top plate so that the front surface and the back surface of the top plate communicate with each other through a liquid, and the ultrasonic probes are arranged in the two rows. The ultrasonic wave emitting surface is closely attached to the back surface of the guide layer and is separately arranged, and the probe moving mechanism holds the two ultrasonic probes movably along the two rows of the guide layers. Scano device. 3. The probe moving mechanism includes a mechanism capable of inclining the ultrasonic probe in a longitudinal direction of the top plate and a lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and the probe position control means is provided in the probe moving mechanism. 3. The scanning device according to claim 2, further comprising means for commanding the inclination of the probe.