JPH06114048A - X-ray ct device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an X-ray CT device capable of automatically setting imaging conditions on the basis of the body data of an examinee. CONSTITUTION:An X-ray CT device is equipped with a bed 2 capable of moving an examinee 1 in an up-and-down direction, an X-ray tube 3 irradiating the examinee 1 with X-rays, the stand 13 having the Xray tube 3 attached thereto and a main control unit 11 controlling the X-ray tube 3, the bed 2 and the stand 13. The main control unit 11 determines imaging conditions on the basis of the predetermined body data related to the examinee l and controls at least either one of the X-ray tube 3, the bed 2 and the stand 13 according to the imaging conditions.

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 apparatus,
In particular, it relates to a technique for determining various imaging conditions when imaging with an X-ray CT apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An X-ray CT apparatus is an apparatus capable of obtaining a tomographic image of an inside of a subject, and recently, it has come to be used also in mass examination.

In order to perform imaging with an X-ray CT apparatus, the X-ray dose is determined in advance according to the size of the subject's body before scanning, and the desired imaging region of the subject is exactly determined. It is necessary to adjust the vertical position of the bed so that the bed is positioned at a predetermined position in the gantry.

Conventionally, these imaging conditions have been set empirically by the operator based on the physical constitution of the subject.

[0005]

However, in the case of group medical examination, for example, it is complicated and difficult for the operator to judge the imaging conditions for each of a large number of examinees.

Further, if the set photographing condition is inappropriate, the condition setting is repeated, so that the whole photographing time becomes long, the examination efficiency is lowered, and the subject is kept on a bed for a long time. It will also restrain you and give you emotional pain.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray CT apparatus capable of automatically setting imaging conditions based on body data of a subject. To do.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the X-ray CT apparatus of the present invention, as set forth in claim 1, has a bed on which the subject can be moved in the vertical direction and an X-ray on the subject.
In an X-ray CT apparatus provided with an X-ray tube for irradiating X-rays, a gantry to which the X-ray tube is attached, and a main controller for controlling the X-ray tube, the bed and the gantry, the main controller is The imaging condition is determined based on predetermined body data regarding the subject, and at least one of the X-ray tube, the bed, and the gantry is controlled according to the imaging condition.

[0009]

According to the X-ray CT apparatus of the present invention, the main controller determines the imaging conditions such as the X-ray dose and the vertical position of the bed based on the predetermined body data concerning the subject, and the determined imaging conditions are set. Therefore, scanning is performed while controlling at least one of the X-ray tube, the bed, and the gantry.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned body data, for example weight data and height data, are
Measurement is performed using the measuring device provided on the bed.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention,
For example, the couch can be transformed into a chair shape, the couch is transformed into a chair shape, the subject sits down, and the pressure fluctuation value before and after getting in and out is measured with a pressure sensor as data for the weight of the subject. The position sensor measures the size of a predetermined portion of the body, for example, the body length as height data.

After the measurement is completed, the bed is transformed into a normal bed shape and sent into the gantry so that it can be scanned.

On the other hand, the weight and height are calculated from these data using a predetermined constant, and the calculated weight and height are used to calculate the cross-sectional area and the weight of the unit cross section of the subject.

Then, the size of the imaging region is determined using the calculated cross-sectional area to adjust the vertical position of the bed, and the calculated weight of the unit cross section is used to determine the X-ray irradiation conditions and the rotation of the gantry. Set the speed.

Finally, scanning is performed under these photographing conditions.

[0016]

Embodiments of the X-ray CT apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the X-ray CT apparatus of this embodiment.

The X-ray CT apparatus according to the present embodiment comprises a bed 2 which is capable of moving a subject, eg, a patient 1, horizontally and vertically, an X-ray tube 3 for irradiating the patient 1 with X-rays, and an irradiated X-ray. And an X-ray detector 4 for detecting.

The X-ray tube 3 and the X-ray detector 4 are attached to a pedestal 13 which is rotatable around a predetermined rotation axis.

Further, the X-ray CT apparatus of this embodiment comprises a high voltage generator 5 for generating a high voltage to the X-ray tube 3 and a high voltage controller 6 for controlling the high voltage generator 5. The bed driving device 7 that drives the bed 2 and the bed controller 8 that controls the bed driving device 7 are provided.

Further, in the X-ray CT apparatus of this embodiment, the gantry driving device 9 for rotating the gantry 13 around a predetermined rotation axis.
And a gantry control device 10 for controlling the gantry drive device 9.

Further, the X-ray CT apparatus according to the present embodiment has a high voltage controller 6, a bed controller 8 and a gantry controller 10.
The main controller 11 for controlling

That is, in the main controller 11, the X-ray tube 3 emits a predetermined X-ray, the bed 2 moves to a predetermined position or at a predetermined speed, and the gantry 13 rotates at a predetermined rotation speed. The X-ray 3, the bed 2, and the gantry 13 are indirectly controlled so as to be tilted at a predetermined tilt angle.

The bed 2 is equipped with a measuring device 12 for measuring weight data and height data as body data concerning the patient 1.

FIG. 2 shows the bed 2 in detail.

As can be seen from the figure, the bed 2 is constructed so that it can be transformed into a chair shape.

That is, the bed 2 is provided with a stool 21 and a backrest 22 rotatably attached to the stool 21, and the patient 1 is in a position where the backrest 22 is horizontally rotated.
Is able to lie down.

The backrest 22 is preferably configured to be rotationally driven by a built-in motor 30, for example.

The bed 2 is provided with a slide mechanism 23 and an elevating mechanism 24 arranged between the slide mechanism 23 and the stool 21 so that the patient 1 can move horizontally and vertically. is there.

The slide mechanism 23 is constructed such that the belt 26 attached to the slide table 25 is driven by a motor 27 so that the slide table 25 can be moved in the horizontal direction. A pressure sensor 31 that can measure a variation value as weight data is provided.

The lifting mechanism 24 includes a pair of actuators 2.
8 and these actuators 28 are
Is attached to a bottom plate 29 provided on the lower surface of the pressure sensor 31 and the upper surface of the pressure sensor 31.

On the backrest 22, a shoulder pad 32 that can be placed on the shoulder of the patient 1 and a position of the shoulder pad 32 are detected, and a dimension from this position to the upper end of the stool 21, that is, a torso length is measured as height data. A possible position sensor 33 is provided.

The shoulder pad 32 is movable along a guide groove 34 provided in the backrest 22.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the main controller 11 is
Imaging conditions such as the X-ray dose of the X-ray tube 3, the vertical position of the bed 2 and the rotation speed of the gantry 13 are determined based on the weight data and the height data output from the measuring device 12. .

Next, the operation of the X-ray CT apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a procedure for setting imaging conditions using the X-ray CT apparatus of this embodiment.

First, the bed 2 is transformed into a chair shape and the patient 1
Sit on the stool 21.

Next, the pressure fluctuation values before and after getting on and off the vehicle are measured by the pressure sensor 31 as weight data, and the main controller 11
Send to.

Also, by putting the shoulder rest 32 on the shoulder of the patient 1,
The position of the shoulder of the patient 1 is measured by the position sensor 33 and the torso length is sent to the main controller 11 as height data.

After the measurement, the backrest 22 is tilted horizontally and the slide mechanism 23 is operated to move the bed 2 to a predetermined position in the gantry.

On the other hand, the main controller 11 includes a pressure sensor 31.
By multiplying the weight data from
Calculate the weight of patient 1.

Here, it is preferable to set constants corresponding to various pressure fluctuation values in advance, and further store these constants in the memory of the main controller 11, for example.

Next, the height of the patient 1 is calculated by multiplying the height data, that is, the body length, by a predetermined constant.

Here, constants corresponding to various body lengths are
It is preferable to determine in advance using physical examination data and the like, and further store these constants in the memory as well.

Next, the cross-sectional area and the weight of the unit cross section of the patient 1 are calculated using the calculated weight and height.

The cross-sectional area is obtained by dividing the weight by the height and then multiplying it by a predetermined constant.

The predetermined constant should also be stored in the memory.

The weight of the unit cross section is obtained by dividing the weight by the height.

Then, the size of the imaging region is determined using the calculated cross-sectional area, and the vertical position of the patient 1 is adjusted.

FIG. 4 shows how the vertical position of the patient is adjusted.

When photographing, it is necessary to adjust the vertical direction so that the desired photographing region of the patient is at a predetermined position with respect to the gantry.

For example, when the child patient 1b is laid on the bed 2a adjusted to fit the adult patient 1a, the patient is not positioned in the center of the photographing area and is slightly shifted downward.

Therefore, in the case of a child patient 1b, it is necessary to perform imaging at the bed position 2b which is raised by Δh from the bed position 2a.

As described above, it is preferable that the vertical position according to the size of the photographing area is obtained in advance by using experimental data or the like and stored in the memory.

Next, the vertical position calculated by the main controller 11 is sent to the bed controller 8.

The couch controller 8 drives the couch driving device 7 so that the patient 1 is in this vertical position.

On the other hand, the calculated weight of the unit cross section is used to set the X-ray irradiation conditions such as the voltage value, the current value, and the rotation speed of the gantry 13 to the X-ray tube 3.

Next, scanning is performed under the set X-ray irradiation conditions.

During scanning, the voltage value and current value set by the main controller 11 are sent to the high voltage controller 6, and the high voltage device 6 supplies these voltage and current to the X-ray tube 3. Then, the high voltage generator 5 is controlled.

Further, the rotation speed set by the main control device 11 is sent to the gantry control device 10, and the gantry control device 10 causes the gantry 13 to rotate at this rotation speed.
To control.

As described above, the X-ray CT of this embodiment
Since the apparatus can automatically set the imaging conditions, the inspection time can be shortened and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently cope with group medical examinations and the like.

Further, since the bed is constructed so that it can be transformed into a chair, the patient can easily get in and out of the bed.

In the above-described embodiment, the backrest of the bed is configured to be rotatable so that it can be deformed into a chair shape. However, the X-ray CT apparatus of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the subject to be inspected is not limited thereto. Any form may be used as long as the bed can be equipped with a measuring device for measuring the body data of the person, particularly the weight data and the height data.

For example, a normal bed which cannot be transformed into a chair shape may be used.

In this case, the top plate of the bed is supported by the pressure sensor, the fixed plate is provided at one end of the bed so that the foot of the subject comes into contact, and the movable plate is provided at the other end. By providing a position sensor on the plate, the height of the subject may be directly measured.

In the above embodiment, the X-ray dose of the X-ray tube, the vertical position of the bed and the rotation speed of the gantry are controlled according to the set imaging conditions. It may be configured to control only.

Although the body weight data and the height data are measured as the body data, other body data, for example, the circumference of the diagnosis site may be measured.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the bed is equipped with the measuring device, the body data measured by the measuring device is sent to the main controller, and then the main controller determines the photographing condition. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and pre-measured body data is input to the main control device so that the main control device automatically determines the imaging conditions based on the input body data. You may comprise.

[0070]

As described above, the X-ray CT apparatus of the present invention includes a bed which can move the subject vertically, an X-ray tube for irradiating the subject with X-rays, and the X-ray tube. In an X-ray CT apparatus including a mounted gantry, and a main controller that controls the X-ray tube, the bed, and the gantry, the main controller sets an imaging condition based on predetermined body data regarding a subject. Since the determination is made and at least one of the X-ray tube, the bed and the gantry is controlled according to the imaging condition, the imaging condition setting is automated, the inspection time is shortened and the operator's burden is lightened. be able to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an X-ray CT apparatus according to this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a bed provided in the X-ray CT apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting imaging conditions using the X-ray CT apparatus according to this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a manner of adjusting the vertical position of a patient.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 subject (patient) 2 bed 3 X-ray tube 4 X-ray detector 5 high-voltage generator 6 high-voltage controller 7 bed driver 8 bed controller 9 gantry controller 10 gantry controller 11 main controller 12 measuring instrument 21 Stool 22 Backrest 23 Slide mechanism 24 Lifting mechanism 31 Pressure sensor 33 Position sensor

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A bed for moving a subject vertically.
An X-ray CT apparatus comprising: an X-ray tube for irradiating a subject with X-rays, a gantry to which the X-ray tube is attached, and a main controller that controls the X-ray tube, the bed, and the gantry, The main controller determines an imaging condition based on predetermined body data regarding the subject, and controls at least one of the X-ray tube, the bed, and the gantry according to the imaging condition. X-ray CT
apparatus. 2. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bed is provided with a measuring device for measuring the physical data. 3. The body data is weight data and height data, and the measuring device includes a pressure sensor capable of measuring a pressure fluctuation value associated with getting on and off the subject as the weight data, and a predetermined subject. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a position sensor capable of measuring a size of a portion as the height data.