JPH06296602A - X-ray radiography apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To constitute the X-ray radiography apparatus with an X-ray detector (I.I.)-television camera system, so that X-ray intensity, a diaphragm opening degree and television camera sensitivity are controlled by an operator's selecting operation of a see-through and photographing X-ray condition, and a diagnostic image of a desired picture quality such as a low exposure photographic image and a high picture quality photographic image by a does increase can be obtained. CONSTITUTION:The apparatus is provided with an X-ray console 11 which can operate to select in advance a see-through and photographing X-ray condition for controlling an X-ray source 1, and an X-ray condition setting interface 17 for setting intensity of X rays radiated from the X-ray source 1, an opening degree of a diaphragm 31 of an optical mechanism part 3 and sensitivity of a television camera 4 by combination determined in advance in accordance with the see-through and photographing X-ray condition selected by the X-ray console 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention irradiates a subject with X-rays, converts the transmitted X-ray image into a visible light image and picks it up by a television camera, and A / D converts the signal to record and record it. The present invention relates to a displayable X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus, and more particularly to a low-dose radiographic imaging apparatus capable of reducing exposure, and an X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus capable of high-quality imaging with increased X-ray output.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus of this kind is arranged so as to face an X-ray source, which emits X-rays when a high voltage is applied, and an X-ray source with a subject interposed therebetween. An X-ray detector that converts an X-ray image into a visible light image, a television camera that captures a visible light image from the X-ray detector, and converts the visible light image into an electric signal,
An A / D converter that converts the output signal of the television camera into a digital signal, an arithmetic circuit that arithmetically processes the digital signal from the A / D converter, and the digital signal from the arithmetic circuit is stored as image data. Storage device,
There is known a device including an image display device for converting the image data read from the storage device into an analog signal and displaying the image, and a central processing device for controlling the operation of each of these components.

By the way, in such a conventional X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus, a photographic image is preset with a certain constant X-ray condition or by a method such that an automatic exposure mechanism provides a constant exposure condition. I was getting.

[0004]

As described above, according to the prior art, when obtaining an X-ray image, the irradiation is performed at a substantially constant irradiation dose regardless of the diagnosis target or region, which may cause unnecessary exposure. On the contrary, there was a problem that the image quality for precise diagnosis was insufficient.

The object of the present invention is to control the X-ray intensity, the diaphragm aperture and the television camera sensitivity by the operator's selection of fluoroscopic and radiographic X-ray conditions according to the object to be diagnosed and the site, and from low exposure to high exposure. It is an object of the present invention to provide an X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus capable of obtaining a desired imaging image up to image quality imaging and performing appropriate image diagnosis.

[0006]

The above object is to provide a transmission X-ray image with an X-ray source that emits X-rays when a high voltage is applied, and an X-ray source that is opposed to the X-ray source with a subject interposed therebetween. An X-ray detector that converts it into a visible light image, an optical mechanism section that forms a visible ray from this X-ray detector, and a lens and diaphragm that adjusts the brightness, and an image from this optical mechanism section. And a TV camera for converting the output signal of the TV camera into a digital signal, and an A / D converter for converting the output signal of the TV camera into a digital signal.
An arithmetic circuit for arithmetically processing the digital signal from the D / D converter, a storage device for storing the digital signal from the arithmetic circuit as image data, and image display by converting the image data read from the storage device into an analog signal. In the X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus, which comprises an image display apparatus for controlling the above, and a central processing unit for controlling the operation of each of these components,
An X-ray console capable of preliminarily selecting the fluoroscopic and radiographic X-ray conditions for controlling the X-ray source, the intensity of X-rays emitted from the X-ray source, the aperture of the diaphragm of the optical mechanism section, and the above This is achieved by providing an X-ray condition setting interface for setting the sensitivity of the television camera in a predetermined combination according to the fluoroscopic and radiographic X-ray conditions selected on the X-ray console.

[0007]

According to the X-ray condition setting interface, the intensity of X-rays emitted from the X-ray source, the aperture of the optical mechanism section, and the television camera according to the fluoroscopic and radiographic X-ray conditions selected on the X-ray console. The sensitivity of is set in a predetermined combination. This allows the operator to control the X-ray intensity, diaphragm opening, and TV camera sensitivity by a fluoroscopic operation and a selection operation of radiographic X-ray conditions, and obtain a desired radiographic image from low exposure radiography to high-quality radiography. Image diagnosis is possible.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is an X-ray tube, 2 is an X-ray detector, 3 is an optical mechanism section, and 4 is a television camera. 5, A / D converter, 6 a frame memory, 7 a magnetic disk device, 8 an image display circuit, 9 an image display device,
10 is a central processing unit (CPU), 11 is a control console, 12 is an X-ray controller, 13 is a high voltage generator, 14 is a subject,
Reference numeral 15 is a table (top plate), 16 is a see-through monitor, and 17 is an X-ray condition setting interface. Further, 27 is a photometer, 28 is an AEC (Automatic Expo).
SureControl: Automatic irradiation control) device.

The X-ray tube 1 serves as an X-ray source for irradiating the subject 14 lying on the table 15 with a high voltage with X-rays from below.

On the other hand, the X-ray detector 2 is a transmission X-ray obtained by the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 1 passing through the subject 14.
A line image is incident and converted into a visible light image. The X-ray detector 2 is made of, for example, an image intensifier (II), and is arranged so as to face the X-ray tube 1 with the subject 14 interposed therebetween. This X-ray detector 2
The optical mechanism section 3 is attached to the X-ray detector 2
The visible light image from is given to the television camera 4 via the optical mechanism section 3, where it is picked up and converted into a digital signal.

The A / D converter 5 converts the analog output signal from the television camera 4 into a digital signal. The frame memory 6 records the digital signal converted by the A / D converter 5 as image data.

The image display device 9 is for converting the image data directly output from the image display circuit 8 or the image data read from the frame memory 6 into an analog signal and displaying the image. The CPU 10 controls each of the above components.

In addition, in FIG. 1, an X-ray console 11 is provided.
C via the X-ray condition setting interface 17
The control commands such as X-ray fluoroscopy, imaging, and image processing are input to the PU 10. In addition, the X-ray controller 12
Controls the tube voltage, tube current and voltage application time of the X-ray tube 1, and the high voltage generator 13 controls the X-ray controller 12
Is supplied with a control current to generate a high voltage to be applied to the X-ray tube 1.

Further, the X-ray condition setting interface 17
Is the intensity of the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 1, the opening of the optical diaphragm 32 of the optical mechanism unit 3, and the television camera 4.
The sensitivity is set in a predetermined combination according to the fluoroscopic and radiographic X-ray conditions selected by the X-ray console 11.

The photometer 27 measures the intensity of the visible light image of the X-ray detector 2 and is incorporated in the optical mechanism section 3. The AEC control device 28 sets the fluoroscopic X-ray condition to the optimum condition by the signal from the photometer 27.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of the optical mechanism section 3, the television camera 4, the X-ray controller 12, and the X-ray condition setting interface 17 in FIG.

Next, the fluoroscopic and radiographic operations of the X-ray fluoroscopic radiographing apparatus thus constructed will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

First, an operator such as a doctor uses the X-ray console 1
1 is operated to perform fluoroscopy start operation for the subject 14. As a result, the X-ray controller 12 sends a control power supply, which is a transparent X-ray condition, to the high-voltage generator 13 to generate a high voltage and apply it to the X-ray tube 1 to emit X-rays.

The radiated X-rays are applied to the subject 14 lying on the table 15. Then, the X-rays that have passed through the subject 14 enter the X-ray detector 2, where the transmitted X-ray image of the subject 14 is converted into a visible light image. The converted visible light image is incident on the optical mechanism unit 3, is imaged by the optical lens 33 incorporated therein, and passes through the half mirror 34, the optical diaphragm 32, and the optical lens 35, and the image pickup tube of the television camera 4. An image is formed on 41.

The television camera 4 converts this image into an electric signal, outputs it as a video signal, and displays it on the fluoroscopic monitor 17. This video signal is simultaneously taken into the A / D converter 5 and converted into a digital signal.

As is well known, when the fluoroscopic X-ray condition at this time is set to the optimum condition, AEC (Automati) is used.
c Exposure Control: Automatic irradiation control), ABR (Automatic Brightness)
A device called ss Regulator (automatic brightness adjustment) is added. Here, an AEC device 28 is added, and the intensity of the visible light image of the X-ray detector 2 is measured by the photometer 27 built in the optical mechanism section 3 through the half mirror 34, and this is measured by the AEC controller 28. It is used as an input signal. The AEC controller 28, as shown in FIG.
The X-ray controller 1 sends control signals for the fluoroscope voltage and the fluoroscope current.
2 so that the optimum fluoroscopic X-ray condition is achieved.

Here, in the fluoroscopic observation by the fluoroscopic monitor 17, it is judged whether the operator wants to take the image under the standard X-ray condition, the radiographing with the low exposure dose, or the high image quality, and the operation is selected. I do. X-ray console 11 now
It is assumed that low exposure imaging (low dose imaging) is set with the setting button 21 shown in FIG. As a result, the parameter table 22 built in the X-ray condition setting interface 17 is selected. The parameter table 22 controls the opening of the optical diaphragm 32 and the sensitivity of the television camera 4 according to the selected dose (X-ray output) according to the characteristics shown in FIG. 3 or 4, for example.

Since the low radiation exposure is set here, the X-ray output is controlled to be small, the optical aperture 32 is controlled to have a large opening, and the sensitivity of the television camera 4 is controlled to be large. The X-ray condition setting interface 17, which is shown in detail in FIG. 2, includes a mechanical section that brings about such a control state. That is, the output of the parameter table 171 is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 172, and the aperture drive motor 31 is operated via the servo amplifier 173 to control the opening of the optical aperture 32, and at the same time, the television camera 4 is operated. The gain of the video amplifier 42 is also adjusted. The output of the parameter table 171 is also used as a photographing tube voltage, a photographing current, and an AEC control signal via the decoder 174, and the X-ray controller 12 and the AEC controller via the D / A converters 175, 176 and 177, respectively. Then, the tube voltage, the tube current and the imaging time suitable for the low exposure imaging are set.

Next, when the operator presses a photographing button (not shown) on the X-ray console 11, X-rays are emitted under the above selection conditions, and the X-ray detector 2 and the optical mechanism section 3 are used. The image is output as a video signal from the television camera 4 and recorded in the frame memory 6 via the A / D converter 5.

The digital video signal recorded in the frame memory 6 is sent to the image display circuit 8 to display the level and
It is windowed and D / A converted. The analog-converted video signal is sent to the image display device 9, and the fluoroscopic image of the subject 14 to be observed is displayed as a still image under the low exposure X-ray condition.

If a high image quality is desired, the setting button 21
Is adjusted to a high image quality (large dose), the X-ray output becomes large, the aperture of the optical diaphragm 32 becomes small, and the sensitivity of the TV camera 4 also decreases, so that a good image with little X-ray quantum noise can be obtained. To be

The contents of the parameter table 22 may include those for performing analog control as shown in FIG. 3 and those for performing digital control as shown in FIG.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, the X-ray intensity, the aperture opening, and the television camera sensitivity are controlled by the operator's operation of selecting the fluoroscopic and radiographic X-ray conditions, and from low exposure to high exposure. There is an effect that a desired photographed image can be obtained up to image quality photographing, and appropriate image diagnosis can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of a main part of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a parameter table provided in the X-ray condition setting interface in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the contents of the parameter table.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 X-ray tube 2 X-ray detector 3 Optical mechanism part 4 Television camera 5 A / D converter 6 Frame memory 7 Magnetic disk device 8 Image display circuit 9 Image display device 10 Central processing unit (CPU) 11 X-ray operation console 12 X-ray controller 13 High voltage generator 14 Subject 15 Table 16 Fluoroscopic monitor 17 X-ray condition setting interface 27 Photometer 28 AEC (automatic irradiation control) device 32 Optical aperture 42 Video amplifier

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An X-ray source which emits an X-ray when a high voltage is applied, and an X-ray which is arranged so as to face the X-ray source with a subject interposed therebetween and which converts a transmitted X-ray image into a visible light image. A television, which forms a detector, an optical mechanism that forms an image of visible light from the X-ray detector, and a lens and a diaphragm that adjust the brightness, and an image from the optical mechanism that is captured and converted into an electrical signal. A camera, an A / D converter for converting the output signal of the television camera into a digital signal, an arithmetic circuit for arithmetically processing the digital signal from the A / D converter, and a digital signal from the arithmetic circuit for converting the digital signal into image data. X-rays including a storage device for storing the image data, an image display device for converting the image data read from the storage device into an analog signal for image display, and a central processing unit for controlling the operation of each of these components. For fluoroscopy Then, an X-ray operation console capable of preliminarily selecting and operating the fluoroscopic and radiographic X-ray conditions for controlling the X-ray source, the intensity of X-rays emitted from the X-ray source, and the aperture of the diaphragm of the optical mechanism section. And the sensitivity of the above TV camera to the above X
An X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus comprising: an X-ray condition setting interface for setting a predetermined combination according to the fluoroscopic and radiographic X-ray conditions selected on the X-ray console.