JPH07148162A - X-ray image display unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an X ray image display unit capable of speeding up the understanding of a patient by displaying a mirror image which is produced by reversing the original image. CONSTITUTION:An X-ray image display unit 4 comprises a CPU 31, a main memory 33 storing image data, image processing parameters, and the like, and an image memory 34 storing image data for displaying images on a monitor 5. When image data are transferred, whether the reversed display switch 44a indicates normal display or reversed display is checked. If normal display is indicated, the CPU 31 transfers the image data to the image memory 34 in the same order as arranged in the main memory 33. If reversed display is indicated, the CPU 31 transfers the image data to the image memory 34 in the inverse order so as to reverse the arrangement of the image data in the main memory 33 and make a mirror image. Then the image data transferred to the image memory 34 is displayed on the monitor 5 or the like through a DA converter 35.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an X-ray image display device for detecting an X-ray image of a subject such as an intraoral region as an electric signal and displaying the image on a CRT (cathode ray tube) or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to obtain an X-ray image of an intraoral region, a film system has been widely used in which a photosensitive recording material such as a silver salt film is used for X-ray photography and then development and fixing processes are carried out. Has been done.

However, this film system requires 1) about 2 minutes or more from the time of X-ray photography to the observation.
2) A developing device and a processing solution for developing and fixing are indispensable. 3) The X-ray sensitivity of silver salts is limited, and a constant X-ray dose is required to obtain a desired image density.
4) The image once fixed cannot be corrected. There are problems such as.

In order to solve such a problem, CCD
There has been proposed an X-ray image capturing apparatus which displays an image on a CRT (cathode ray tube) or the like after converting the X-ray image into an electric signal by using an image sensor such as (charge-coupled device). This X-ray image capturing apparatus is a so-called filmless system that does not use a photosensitive recording material such as a silver salt film, and can be observed in real time from 1) X-ray capturing. 2) No developing device or processing liquid is required. 3) Since the X-ray sensitivity characteristic of the image sensor is linear, the X-ray irradiation amount can be reduced. 4) It becomes easy to perform various kinds of image processing on the detected X-ray image and to copy and store the image. It has features such as.

[0005]

In general dental X-ray photography, a film is set in the oral cavity of a patient and X-rays are emitted from the face side of the patient to take an image, so that the operator views the patient. An X-ray image of a tooth or the like is recorded on the film in such a positional relationship. It is convenient for the operator to observe the X-ray image recorded on the film because it is possible to observe it so as to face the patient, but from the patient's perspective, the right hand side of the patient is reflected on the left side of the film, so the left-right reversal You will observe the image. Therefore, it is difficult for a patient who is not accustomed to observing an X-ray image to observe it.

[0006] In conventional film photographing, since mirror image inversion can be easily realized by turning over the film, it is not a serious problem.

However, since the conventional X-ray image radiographing apparatus in which an X-ray image is displayed on a CRT or the like does not have the function of mirror-inverting the image and displaying the image, when explaining a medical condition using the X-ray image, There is a lack of understanding and an increase in explanation time.

The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems by displaying a mirror image inversion image of an X-ray image,
An object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray image display device capable of promoting understanding of a patient.

[0009]

According to the present invention, first storage means and second storage means for storing X-ray image data of an object, and X-ray image data stored in the first storage means are provided. An X-ray image display device comprising: a data transfer unit for transferring data to two storage units; and an image display unit for displaying the X-ray image data stored in the second storage unit on a screen or a recording medium. The data transfer means transfers the data to the second storage means so that the array of the X-ray image data in the first storage means is mirror-inverted, and the data transfer means inverts the mirror image to display the data transfer. An X-ray image display device is provided with a transfer mode display means for performing the above.

In the present invention, the data transfer means is first.
A normal mode in which data is transferred to the second storage means according to the arrangement of the X-ray image data in the storage means, or to the second storage means so that the data transfer means mirror-inverts the arrangement of the X-ray image data in the first storage means. It is characterized by further comprising a transfer mode selection means for selecting one of transfer modes of the data transfer inversion mode.

[0011]

According to the present invention, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and D
A data transfer means such as an MA (direct memory access) controller is a RAM (random access memory).
The data of the X-ray image data stored in the second storage means is transferred to the second storage means such as the RAM so as to invert the array of the X-ray image data in the first storage means such as When displayed on the medium, the right hand side of the patient is displayed as it is on the right side of the film, so that an X-ray image that is easy for the patient to understand can be obtained. Further, by displaying on the screen, the recording medium, or another display device that the data transfer means mirror-inverts the data transfer, it is currently displayed to an observer such as an operator or a patient. Since it is possible to call attention to the fact that the X-ray image is a mirror-inverted image, it is possible to prevent the observer from erroneously recognizing the left and right of the X-ray image.

Further, the normal mode in which the data transfer means transfers the data to the second storage means according to the arrangement of the X-ray image data in the first storage means, or the data transfer means changes the arrangement of the X-ray image data in the first storage means. By providing the transfer mode selecting means for selecting one of the transfer modes of the inversion mode for transferring the data to the second storage means so as to perform the mirror image inversion, the normal mode or the inversion mode can be easily performed according to the operation of the transfer mode selecting means. Since they can be switched, it is possible to freely switch between the normal display of the X-ray image and the mirror image inversion display. Therefore, it is possible to promote the understanding of the operator and the patient regarding the displayed X-ray image.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the state of use of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention, showing an example in which the subject is an intraoral site.
The X-ray generator 10 is attached to the swivel arm 12 so as to be vertically swingable and horizontally rotatable, and the X-ray irradiation tube 11 is oriented so that X-rays are irradiated toward the intraoral site of the patient 1. Adjusted.

On the other hand, the X-ray irradiation cylinder 11 with the intraoral region sandwiched therebetween.
The image pickup device 2 for detecting the X-ray intensity distribution that has passed through the intraoral site, that is, the X-ray image, is positioned at a position opposed to. In FIG. 1, the patient himself holds the positioning member 2a fixed to the image sensor 2 with his / her finger so that the image plane of the image sensor 2 faces the X-ray irradiation direction.

The image pickup device 2 includes a scintillator plate made of a rare earth element compound for converting X-ray photons into visible light, and visible light emitted from the scintillator plate.
An optical fiber array that transmits the dimensional distribution as it is, a CCD array sensor that receives the visible light distribution transmitted by the optical fiber array, accumulates the charges generated, and sequentially reads the charges accumulated for a predetermined time and converts them into electrical signals. A lead plate for preventing the incidence of scattered X-rays is provided on the back surface of the CCD array sensor, and these are housed in a housing made of synthetic resin or the like. The X-ray image detected by the image sensor 2 is converted into an electric signal by the CCD array sensor, and is input to the X-ray image display device 4 through the signal cable 3.

The X-ray image display device 4 digitizes the signal from the image pickup device 2 and stores it in a memory, and then performs a predetermined image processing to monitor a device 5 such as a CRT (cathode ray tube).
Display on or print on recording paper to get a hard copy.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical construction of the X-ray image display device 4 which is an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1
The X-ray imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is an X-ray generator 10 for irradiating the subject 1a with X-rays, and an X-ray generator 10
X-ray control device 20 for controlling the operation of the
image pickup element 2 for detecting the X-ray image of a, and image pickup element 2
The X-ray image display device 4 for reading the X-ray image detected in step S1 and performing predetermined image processing, and the X-ray image display device 4
The monitor device 5 and the video printer 6 for displaying and recording the image data processed in 1.

The X-ray image display device 4 has a CPU (central processing unit) 31 for controlling the entire operation, and a ROM (random access memory) 32 for storing programs and data necessary for the CPU 31 to operate. A main memory 33 for storing image data and parameters necessary for arithmetic processing such as image processing; and an image memory 34 for storing image data to be displayed on the monitor device 5.
A DA conversion circuit 35 for converting the image data stored in the image memory 34 into an analog video signal VD and outputting it to the external monitor device 5 or the video printer 6, and a CP.
A DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller 36 for controlling data transfer between each circuit without involvement of U31, and a clock signal for generating a clock signal CK necessary for operating the image sensor 2 such as a CCD sensor. Image signal S output from the generation circuit 38 and the image sensor 2
A preamplifier 39 for taking in and amplifying G, an AD conversion circuit 40 for converting the output from the preamplifier 39 from an analog signal to a digital signal, and an input / output circuit 41 for supplying data to an external printer 42. An input / output circuit 43 having a reverse display switch 44a for instructing mirror image inversion and a redisplay switch 44b for instructing redisplay, and inputting data from a keyboard 44 for inputting data, and an external X-ray controller. It is composed of an input / output circuit 45 for issuing a busy signal BUSY to 20 and receiving an exposure signal EXP from the X-ray controller 20, and a bus 37 for connecting these circuits to each other.

In the image pickup device 2, the charge accumulated for a certain period of time is periodically read out as a dark current on the basis of the clock signal CK from the clock generation circuit 38, and thermal excitation or scattering X is performed.
It is kept so that extra charges due to lines and the like do not remain.

The X-ray controller 20 outputs an activation signal TG to the X-ray generator 10 according to an instruction from the exposure switch 21, and further outputs an exposure signal EXP indicating the generation of X-rays to the X-ray image display device 4. . The X-ray generator 10 has a start signal TG.
Based on the tube voltage, tube current, exposure time, etc.
X-rays are generated by applying a high voltage to the X-ray tube 13 under the radiation exposure condition.

Next, the overall operation will be described. When the exposure switch 21 of the X-ray controller 20 is pressed, the X-ray generator 10 emits X-rays for a predetermined time. X-ray is the subject 1
When reaching the image sensor 2 through a, charges corresponding to the X-ray image irradiated on the image sensor 2 are accumulated, and are output in time series as an image signal SG after the end of X-ray exposure. The image signal SG from the image sensor 2 is input to the preamplifier 39, amplified to a predetermined level, and input to the AD conversion circuit 40 at the next stage to be converted into a digital value. At this time, the DMA controller 37 occupies the bus 37, and the AD conversion circuit 40
The image data output in 1 is sequentially stored in a part of the main memory 33 via the bus 37.

On the other hand, even when there is no X-ray exposure, the image sensor 2
The dark current of the AD conversion circuit 40 is read regularly.
Are converted into digital values by and are stored in a part of the main memory 33 as dark current data.

The image data and the dark current data stored in the main memory 33 are arithmetically processed by the CPU 31, for example, the dark current data is subtracted from the image data and stored again in a part of the main memory 33. By
Background noise can be eliminated from the image data, and high-quality image data can be obtained. In addition,
If the dark current noise can be ignored, the subtraction process may be omitted to shorten the entire processing time.

The image data stored in the main memory 33 is transferred to the image memory 34 by the DMA controller 37. The contents stored in the image memory 34 are DA
The DA converter circuit 35 reads out the digital value image data into an analog video signal VD and outputs the analog video signal VD to the monitor device 5 and the video printer 6, which are read out in time series by the conversion circuit 35. The X-ray image detected by the image sensor 2 is
A hard copy is displayed on the screen of the monitor device 5 or by the video printer 6. If necessary, the video signal VD can be recorded by a recording device such as a video tape recorder.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of the X-ray image radiographing apparatus shown in FIG. First, starting from step a1, in step a2, the keyboard 4
The CPU 31 determines whether or not 4 has been operated to input a command instructing a specific process, and if there is no keyboard operation, the process proceeds to step a6. If there is a keyboard operation, the process proceeds to step a3, where the CPU 31 sets a busy signal BUSY and sets it to a high level. Busy signal B
USY is input to the X-ray controller 20, and when the busy signal BUSY is high level, the X-ray controller 20
Determines that the X-ray image display device 4 is not ready, and operates so as not to generate the activation signal TG to the X-ray generation device 10. Even if the exposure switch 21 is pressed in this state, the activation signal TG is not output, so the X-ray generator 10 does not operate. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent erroneous X-ray exposure during the processing of the X-ray image display device 4.

Next, at step a4, the CPU 31 or the DMA controller 36 executes the process corresponding to the command input by the keyboard operation. When this process ends, next, in step a5, the CPU 3
1 lowers the busy signal BUSY and sets it to the low level, and then proceeds to step a6. When the busy signal BUSY is at the low level, the X-ray controller 20 determines that the X-ray image display device 4 is ready, and the start signal TG is generated.
When the exposure switch 21 is pressed in this state, a start signal TG is output and the X-ray tube 13 of the X-ray generator 10 is generated.
Then, X-rays are generated under predetermined X-ray exposure conditions.

At step a6, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the exposure signal EXP is input from the X-ray controller 20 to the X-ray image display device 4. The exposure signal EXP is
X when the X-ray exposure starts and when the X-ray exposure ends
The line image display device 4 is informed, for example, that the high level is maintained from the start of the exposure to the end of the exposure, and the low level is maintained for the rest of the period. If the exposure signal EXP is not input in step a6, the process returns to step a2. On the other hand, if the exposure signal EXP is input and is at a high level, for example, the X-ray generator 10 is performing the X-ray exposure operation, the read operation of the image sensor 2 is stopped, and the charge Accumulation is performed, and the process proceeds to the next step a7,
It waits until the exposure signal EXP is inverted to, for example, a low level after the end of the X-ray exposure.

When the exposure signal EXP is inverted to a low level, for example, the process proceeds to the next step a8, where the CPU 31 raises a busy signal BUSY and sets it to a high level as in the case of the above step a3. 20 operates so as not to generate the activation signal TG to inhibit X-ray exposure.

At the next step a9, the reading operation of the image pickup device 2 is started, and the image signal SG of the subject 1a outputted from the image pickup device 2 is supplied to the preamplifier 39 and the AD conversion circuit 4.
0, after being taken into the main storage memory 33 via the bus 37, the CPU 31 executes image processing such as subtraction processing of dark current data, negative / positive inversion, enlargement, up / down conversion, density conversion, and color display as required. Then, the image data for display is created. In the next step a10, an image data transfer routine for transferring data from the main memory 33 to the image memory 34 and displaying an image is executed.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the image data transfer routine in step a10 of FIG. First, in step b1, the reverse display switch 44 of FIG.
It is determined whether the instruction a is normal display or reverse display. If it is a normal display, move to step b2
U31 transfers to the image memory 34 in the normal order according to the arrangement of the image data in the main memory 33. On the other hand, if reverse display is instructed in step b1, step b
3, the CPU 31 causes the image memory 34 to mirror-invert the image data array in the main memory 33.
To reverse order. After that, in step b4, the image data transferred to the image memory 34 is converted into the DA conversion circuit 35.
Is converted into a video signal VD via the display and displayed on the monitor device 5 or the like.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a procedure of data transfer from the main memory 33 to the image memory 34.
FIG. 5A shows an example of forward transfer, and FIG. 5B shows an example of reverse transfer. Note that general image data is composed of a two-dimensional matrix of several hundred horizontal pixels × several hundred vertical pixels, but for the sake of easy understanding, the description will be simplified to four horizontal pixels × three vertical pixels.

First, in FIG. 5A, the image data is 2
It is composed of data a11 to a34 arranged in a dimensional matrix and is stored in the main memory 33. CPU3
1 performs the forward transfer, data a stored in the first pixel from the top and the first pixel from the left in the main storage memory 33.
11 is transferred to the first pixel from the top and the first pixel from the left in the image memory 34. Next, the data a12 stored in the first pixel from the top and the second pixel from the left in the main memory 33 is transferred to the first pixel from the top and the second pixel from the left in the image memory 34. Similarly, the data a13 and a14 in the main memory 33 are stored in the image memory 3
4 is transferred to the first pixel from the top, the third pixel from the left, and the fourth pixel from the left.

Similarly for the second row, the data a21, a22, a23, a24 in the main memory 33 are transferred to the second pixel from the top of the image memory 34 and the first to fourth pixels from the left, respectively. . Similarly for the third line,
Data a31, a32, a33, a in the main memory 33
34 is transferred to the third pixel from the top of the image memory 34 and the first to fourth pixels from the left.

In this way, when the image data in the main memory 33 is transferred to the image memory 34 in the normal order according to the arrangement, and the images are displayed according to the arrangement in the image memory 34,
An X-ray image viewed from the operator side is displayed on the monitor device 5.

Next, referring to FIG. 5B, when the CPU 31 performs the reverse transfer, the main memory 1 is read from the top 1
The data a11 stored in the first pixel from the left
Are transferred to the first pixel from the top and the first pixel from the right in the image memory 34. Next, the data a12 stored in the first memory from the top and the second pixel from the left in the main memory 33 is transferred to the first pixel from the top and the second pixel from the right in the image memory 34. Similarly, the data a13 and a14 of the main memory 33 are transferred to the first pixel from the top of the image memory 34, the third pixel from the right, and the fourth pixel from the right.

Similarly for the second row, the data a21, a22, a23, a24 in the main memory 33 are transferred to the second pixel from the top of the image memory 34 and the first to fourth pixels from the right, respectively. . Similarly for the third line,
Data a31, a32, a33, a in the main memory 33
34 is transferred to the third pixel from the top of the image memory 34 and the first to fourth pixels from the right.

In this way, the image data in the main memory 33 is mirror-inverted so that the image data in the image memory 34 is reversed.
When the images are transferred in reverse order to and the images are displayed according to the arrangement of the image memory 34, the X-ray image viewed from the patient side is displayed on the monitor device 5.

Returning to FIG. 4, in step b5, it is judged whether or not there is an instruction of the redisplay switch 44b of FIG. If there is a redisplay instruction, the process proceeds to step b1, waits for an instruction of the reverse display switch 44a, and then the data transfer and display processing is repeated. If there is no indication of redisplay,
After returning, the process proceeds to step a11 in FIG. At the next step a11, the CPU 31 causes the busy signal BUS
After lowering Y and setting it to low level, the process returns to step a2 to continue the presence / absence of keyboard operation and the exposure signal E.
The presence or absence of XP input is determined.

FIG. 6 shows an example of X-ray image display.
6A shows an example of normal display, and FIG. 6B shows an example of mirror image inversion display. An X-ray image of the subject 1a such as a tooth is displayed on the monitor device 5, and the root 5 of the tooth roots 51 and 52 is displayed.
The state that the tip of the reamer 53 has reached the apical hole 1 is shown. FIG. 6A corresponds to the X-ray image viewed from the operator side, and FIG. 6B corresponds to the X-ray image viewed from the patient side, and the current display mode is mirror image inversion display. In order to pay attention to the observer, the mode display unit 60 indicating that the rectangular image is inverted by blinking the rectangular area in the upper left corner of the screen.
Is provided. The mode display unit 60 on the screen is formed by the CPU 31 of FIG. 2 writing predetermined data stored in the ROM 32 in a region of the image memory 34 corresponding to the mode display unit 60 at a predetermined cycle. .

FIG. 7 shows another example of X-ray image display.
7A shows an example of normal display, and FIG. 7B shows an example of mirror image inversion display. As in FIG. 6, the apical hole of the root 51 and the reamer 53
7 (a) corresponds to the X-ray image viewed from the operator side, and FIG. 7 (b) corresponds to the X-ray image viewed from the patient side. The difference from FIG. 6 is that the current display mode informs the observer that the character “R” 61 is displayed in the lower left corner of the screen and the character 62 “L” is displayed in the lower right corner of the screen in FIG. 7A. Each of them is displayed to indicate that it is in the normal mode. On the other hand, in FIG. 7B, the mirror image reverse character 63 of “L” is displayed in the lower left corner of the screen, and the mirror image reverse character 64 of “R” is displayed in the lower right corner of the screen. Is displayed to indicate that the image is a mirror image inversion. The characters 61 and 62 on the screen and the mirror-inverted characters 63 and 64 are formed by the CPU 31 of FIG. 2 writing predetermined character pattern data stored in the ROM 32 into respective predetermined areas of the image memory 34. .

FIG. 8 shows another example of X-ray image display, which is so-called multi-display in the main screen area 70 and the four divided screen areas 71. In the main screen area 70, the X-ray image obtained by the immediately previous X-ray imaging is displayed, while in the split screen area 71, the X-ray image obtained by the previous X-ray imaging is displayed, and the upper left corner of the screen displayed by mirror image inversion is displayed. As shown in FIG. 6, a mode display portion 60 in which a rectangular area blinks is formed in the display area.

FIG. 9 is another example of the X-ray image display, in which the X-ray image of the subject 1a is displayed on the screen of the monitor device 5, and a normal display lamp installed on the operation panel of the monitor device 5 is shown. Of the 65 and the reverse display lamp 66, the reverse display lamp 66 blinks to call attention to the observer.

6 to 9 show an example in which an X-ray image is displayed on the screen of the monitor device 5, the same image is displayed on the recording paper by using the video printer 6 in FIG. can do.

In this way, by displaying that the CPU 31 mirror-inverted the data transfer and performed the data transfer, on the screen of the monitor device 5, on the recording medium by the video printer 6, or on the lamps 65 and 66 of the operation panel, The present display mode can be surely notified to the observer.

[0045]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, X
Since it is possible to display a mirror image inversion image of the line image, it is possible to promote understanding of the patient and shorten the explanation time when explaining the medical condition using the X-ray image. Furthermore, since the observer can be alerted that the currently displayed X-ray image is a mirror-inverted image, it is possible to prevent the observer from erroneously recognizing the left and right of the X-ray image.

Further, since it is possible to freely switch the normal display or the mirror image inversion display of the X-ray image, it is possible to promote the understanding of both the operator and the patient.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a use state diagram of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an X-ray image display device 4 which is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the X-ray imaging apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an image data transfer routine in step a10 of FIG.

5A and 5B are conceptual diagrams showing a procedure of data transfer from the main memory 33 to the image memory 34. FIG. 5A shows an example of forward transfer and FIG. 5B shows an example of reverse transfer.

FIG. 6 is an example of an X-ray image display, FIG. 6A is an example of normal display, and FIG. 6B is an example of mirror image inversion display.

FIG. 7 is another example of X-ray image display, FIG. 7A is an example of normal display, and FIG. 7B is an example of mirror image inversion display.

FIG. 8 is another example of X-ray image display.

FIG. 9 is another example of X-ray image display.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 patient 1a subject 2 image sensor 2a positioning member 4 X-ray image display device 5 monitor device 6 video printer 10 X-ray generation device 11 X-ray irradiation cylinder 12 universal arm 13 X-ray tube 20 X-ray control device 21 exposure switch 31 CPU 33 Main memory 34 Image memory 35 DA conversion circuit 36 DMA controller 37 Bus 38 Clock signal generation circuit 39 Preamplifier 40 AD conversion circuit 44 Keyboard 44a Inverted display switch 44b Redisplay switch 51, 52 Root 53 Reamer 60 Mode display section 61, 62 characters 63, 64 mirror image reverse character 65 normal display lamp 66 reverse display lamp 70 main screen area 71 split screen area

Front page continued (72) Inventor Takao Makino 680 Higashihamanancho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Inside Morita Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A first storage unit and a second storage unit for storing X-ray image data of a subject, and data transfer of the X-ray image data stored in the first storage unit to the second storage unit. In the X-ray image display device for displaying the X-ray image data stored in the second storage means on the screen or on the recording medium. A transfer mode display means for transferring the data to the second storage means so that the array of the X-ray image data in the storage means is mirror-inverted, and for displaying that the data transfer means has mirror-inverted the data. An X-ray image display device characterized by: 2. A normal mode in which the data transfer means transfers data to the second storage means according to the arrangement of the X-ray image data in the first storage means, or the data transfer means transfers the X-ray image data in the first storage means. The X-ray image display device according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer mode selection unit that selects one of transfer modes of an inversion mode in which data is transferred to the second storage unit so that the array is mirror-inverted.