JPH09117449A - X-ray picture diagnostic system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent useless X-ray from irradiating an examinee by providing an area inputting part for inputting a subject area to be displayed on a screen and deciding an area to be irradiated by an X-ray with a collimator based on the subject area. SOLUTION: Radioscopic conditions are inputted in a console 16, as is an area to be displayed on a screen while watching a picture display part 11. Then, a CPU 15, on the basis of the area so inputted on the screen, calculates each setting value corresponding to plural collimator blades and transmits it to a collimator control part 13. In addition, the CPU 15 detects the present position of each collimator blade by means of each detecting part for collimator position, thereby determines the moving amount of each collimator blade from the setting value, and also sets the opening to be formed by each collimator blade. Further, on the basis of this set opening and the radioscopic conditions inputted in the console 16, X-ray generating conditions are set in a part 12 for controlling high voltage generation, so that an X-ray is generated from an X-ray generating part 1.

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 diagnostic apparatus for obtaining and diagnosing an X-ray fluoroscopic image of a subject, and particularly when a part of the X-ray fluoroscopic image is designated and displayed, The present invention relates to a technique for preventing unnecessary X-ray exposure to a subject by setting a minimum required X-ray irradiation area by blocking X-rays in the irradiation area corresponding to the removed portion with a collimator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional X-ray image diagnostic apparatus has an X-ray generator, an X-ray detector, a television camera, an A / D converter, a data processor, a D / A converter, and an image display. It was The X-ray generation unit has an X-ray tube and a collimator that narrows the irradiation area of X-rays from the X-ray tube, and irradiates the subject with X-rays. The X-ray detector is the X-ray generation unit. And an image intensifier (hereinafter, referred to as “II”) that is arranged so as to be opposed to each other with the subject in between and detects one of the X-rays from the X-ray generation unit that has passed through the subject and converts it into an optical image. That is, the television camera converts the optical image into a first video signal, the A / D conversion unit converts the first video signal into digital data, and the data processing unit displays it on the image display unit. Data processing for enlarging or emphasizing the image so that it can be easily seen when diagnosing the image, D / A converter for converting the digital data processed into the second video signal, image display This is the second video message Were those to be displayed on the screen as the display image.

The collimator has a cylindrical collimator and a rectangular collimator. The cylindrical collimator determines the maximum irradiation area of X-rays detected by the X-ray image receiving device, and the shape of the irradiation area is circular or rectangular so that the X-ray shielding member such as lead has a cylindrical shape. A hole having a smaller diameter is arranged in the irradiation direction of X-rays from the X-ray generation unit, and a rectangular collimator is set to an irradiation region smaller than the maximum irradiation region. A rectangular X-ray transmission opening is formed by arranging flat plates of X-ray shielding members such as lead so that the small irradiation area has a rectangular shape so as to be movable in four directions. there were.

In such an X-ray image diagnostic apparatus, X-ray fluoroscopy (hereinafter referred to as "simple fluoroscopy") for diagnosing the presence or absence of a diseased part in a subject is performed.
"), The X-ray fluoroscopy was performed by adjusting the cylindrical collimator to the maximum irradiation area. Further, in the case of X-ray fluoroscopy (hereinafter referred to as “functional fluoroscopy”) in which the fluoroscopic region of the subject is smaller than the maximum irradiation region, for example, when performing dynamic diagnosis of the heart of the subject, a rectangular collimator. The X-ray fluoroscopy was performed by adjusting the collimator so that only the X-rays from the opening of the above are irradiated to the heart part of the subject.

Recently, it has become possible to display an X-ray fluoroscopic image, which has been subjected to image enlargement processing in the data processing section, on the image display section in real time due to the improvement in computer hardware technology. It was expected to be applied to a fluoroscopic diagnostic device.

[0006]

In the above prior art, the diagnosis of simple fluoroscopy was performed in the maximum irradiation area. However, in actuality, as in functional fluoroscopy, an irradiation area slightly smaller than the maximum irradiation area (hereinafter referred to as "effective irradiation"). There is a case where X-ray fluoroscopy is sufficient. This case has a problem that the subject may be irradiated with unnecessary X-rays. Further, since scattered X-rays generated outside the effective irradiation area are mixed, there is a problem that the image quality of the obtained image may deteriorate. Further, when an image such as a functional perspective is obtained, it is displayed small on the screen, which makes it difficult to see the image, which makes it difficult to perform image diagnosis.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an X-ray image diagnostic apparatus which does not irradiate a subject with useless X-rays.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an X-ray image diagnostic apparatus which prevents contamination of scattered X-rays and obtains an X-ray fluoroscopic image of good quality.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an X-ray image diagnostic apparatus which displays an easily visible X-ray fluoroscopic image and facilitates image diagnosis.

[0010]

The above object is to detect an X-ray from an X-ray generator having an X-ray source and a collimator that determines an irradiation area of the X-ray generated from the X-ray source, by an X-ray detector. An X-ray image diagnostic apparatus that detects data as data and displays the detected data as an X-ray fluoroscopic image on a screen includes an area input unit that inputs a target area to be displayed on the screen, and the collimator is based on the display target area. It is achieved by determining the X-ray irradiation area.

The collimator determines the X-ray irradiation area on the basis of the input of the display target area of the area input section by providing a means for enlarging the image of the detection data detected by the X-ray detector. This is achieved by the image enlarging processing means performing an image enlarging process on the X-ray fluoroscopic image obtained corresponding to this irradiation area, and displaying the magnified X-ray fluoroscopic image on the screen.

When the display target area is input to the screen by the area input unit, the collimator determines the X-ray irradiation area based on the display target area. Because X-rays are not emitted,
It is possible to irradiate the subject with unnecessary X-rays.

Further, since the irradiation area is determined, the collimator shields scattered X-rays generated from areas other than the irradiation area, so that the scattered X-rays can be prevented from being mixed into the irradiation area.

Further, when a display target area is input to the screen by the area input section, the collimator determines an X-ray irradiation area based on the display target area, and the image enlargement processing means corresponds to the irradiation area. The X-ray fluoroscopic image thus obtained is subjected to image enlargement processing, and this image is enlarged on the screen.
Since the fluoroscopic image is displayed, an X-ray fluoroscopic image that is easy to see can be displayed on the screen.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of an X-ray image diagnostic apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an X-ray imaging apparatus of the present invention, FIG.
1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of the collimator control unit in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship between a collimator controlled based on a display target area designated on the screen and an I.I. X-ray receiving surface. 4 is a flowchart showing steps from inputting a display target area on the screen to displaying an X-ray fluoroscopic image, FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which X-ray fluoroscopic images before and after performing image enlargement processing are displayed on the screen.

First, the configuration of the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The X-ray image diagnostic apparatus of the present invention includes an X-ray generator (XG) 1, an I.I.2, and a bed (BD) 3.
A supporter (SP) 5, a distributor (DIST) 6, a television camera (TVC) 7, an A / D converter (ADC) 8, a data processor (DP) 9, a D / A converter (DAC) 10 and an image. Display (DISP) 11 and high voltage generation controller (HGC)
12, collimator controller (COC) 13, supporter controller
It has an (SPC) 14, a central processing unit (CPU) 15, an operation console (CON) 16 and a foot switch (FSW) 17. The X-ray generation unit (XG) 1 is an X-ray tube 1a that generates X-rays and a collimator (CO) that determines an irradiation area of the X-rays.
L) 1b, I.I.2 is an X-ray generator (XG)
1 is arranged to face 1 and receives the X-rays of the X-rays determined in the irradiation area that have passed through the object (BO) 4 and converts it into an optical image. The bed (BD) 3 is the object (BO) 4 The bed, the support (SP) 5 is the X-ray generator (XG)
No. 1 and I.I.2 are supported so as to be in a facing relationship, a distributor (DIST) 6 guides the optical image to a TV camera (TVC) 7 in the subsequent stage, and a TV camera (TVC) 7 is A converter for converting the guided optical image into a first video signal, an A / D converter (ADC) 8 for converting the first video signal into digital data, and a data processor (DP) 9 for the digital signal. A so-called image processing for performing data processing on data to obtain an image suitable for diagnosis on an image display (DISP) 11 in a subsequent stage,
For example, an image enlargement process or a process of designating an area of interest and emphasizing only this area, the D / A conversion unit 1
0 is for converting the processed digital data into a second video signal, and image display (DISP) 11 is for displaying the second video signal as an X-ray fluoroscopic image on the screen, high voltage generation control Part (HGC) 12 is an X-ray tube (X
T) supplying power to 1a and controlling the voltage value or current value of this power source according to the X-ray generation condition, the collimator control unit (COC) 13 adjusts the size of the opening of the collimator 1b, A supporter control unit (SPC) 14 that controls the irradiation area of X-rays passing through this opening includes an X-ray generation unit (XG) 1 and an I.I.
Adjustment of the distance of 2 (particularly, the distance from the X-ray tube focus (S) of the X-ray tube which is the X-ray source to the X-ray receiving surface of II, which is referred to as "SID"), A device for controlling the supporter (SP) 5 so that the light receiving surface of the I.I.2 is in the optimum photographing direction. The central processing unit (CPU) 15 includes the I.I.2 and the data processing unit (DP) 9. An image display unit (DISP) 11, a high voltage generation control unit (HGC) 12, and a collimator control unit (CO
C) 13 and the supporter control unit (SPC) 14 together with the console (C
Controlled based on the input of (ON) 16, console (C
ON) 16 is a foot switch (F) in which an operator inputs a fluoroscopic condition or the like to each unit controlled by the central processing unit.
SW) 17 is a switch that the operator steps on to irradiate X-rays after setting the input on the console (CON) 16.

Next, the collimator controller (COC) 13 will be described with reference to FIG. Collimator control unit (CO
C) 13 is four collimator blades 10 of A to D
The collimator position detectors 131a to 131d for detecting the respective positions 1a to 101d, and the detected collimator positions and the respective set values a to d provided from the central processing unit (CPU) 15 are inputted, respectively. The amount of movement of the collimator blades is calculated, the DC motors attached to the respective collimator blades are rotated normally and reversely, and the motors are connected to each other by gears (not shown). To move
The collimator blades A to D are provided with collimator drive control units 132a to 132d for setting the positions of the set values a to d.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, one principle of determining an opening formed by the collimator by inputting a display target area on the screen is shown in FIG.
Will be described using. As shown in FIG. 3A, assume that a rectangular area 31 is input as a display target area in the screen 30. Here, only the collimator blades A and B in the vertical direction (corresponding to FIG. 2) are considered for simplification of description, but the opening formed by the collimator can be determined in the horizontal direction as in the vertical direction. The total length of the rectangular area 31 in the vertical direction is 2h, the vertical distance from the screen center O ₁ to the rectangular area center O ₂ is σ, the vertical distance from the screen center O ₁ to the upper edge of the rectangular area is α, the screen center If the distance from O ₁ to the bottom of the rectangular area is β,

(Equation 1)

## EQU2 ## The projected size of X-rays on the light receiving surface of I.I.2 is proportional to the size of the image size on the screen, and the coefficient of this proportionality is the X-rays received by I.2 defined by SID. It depends on the size of the irradiation area. Here, if the proportional coefficient of the i-th irradiation area is k (i), FIG.
As shown in, the distance a from the center O ₃ of the light receiving surface of I.I.2 to the upper end of the X-ray irradiation area and the distance b from the center O ₃ to the lower end of the X-ray irradiation area are

(Equation 3)

It is expressed by And the collimator blade 1
The arrangement of the light receiving surfaces of 01a, 101b and II is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), if the distance from the X-ray tube focus (S) to the blades 101a and 101b of the collimator is L, and the distance from the X-ray focus (S) to the light receiving surface of I.I.2 is SID. The distance D _A from the center O _{4 of} the plane on which the collimator blade is arranged to the upper end of the opening and the distance D _B from the center O ₄ to the lower end of the opening are:

(Equation 5)

## EQU6 ## Substituting (Equation 1) and (Equation 3) into (Equation 5), substituting (Equation 2) and (Equation 4) into (Equation 6), and summarizing, D _A and D _B are

(Equation 7)

It becomes like [Equation 8]. Thus, the openings formed by the vertical collimator blades 101a to 101b are D _A
It may be set to have a vertical width of + D _B.

Next, after inputting the display target area on the screen,
FIG. 4 shows an example of steps until the X-ray fluoroscopic image is displayed.
I will describe using.Step. 201  The operator inputs perspective conditions on the console (CON) 16.
The screen of the image display unit (DISP) 11
While the display target area is a rectangular area as shown in FIG.
Input as in area 31 (input of display target area).Step. 202 The central processing unit (CPU) 15 is a table input on the screen.
Each collimator blade 101a based on the display target area
Based on the above-mentioned principle, the set values a to d corresponding to
Calculated and transmitted to the collimator controller (COC) 13
Yes (calculation of set value).Step. 203 The central processing unit (CPU) 15 detects the collimator position.
Collimator blades corresponding to the parts 131a to 131d
The current position of 101a to 101d is detected, and the collimator is detected.
The drive control units 132a to 132d are set in the previous step.
Each collimator blur from the detected current position with the set values a to d
When calculating the movement amount of the cards 101a to 101d,
The motor connected to each collimator blade.
Rotate forward and backward to the amount of rotation based on
Setting the openings formed by the blades 101a to 101d
(Setting the opening).Step. 204 The central processing unit (CPU) 15 should be set in the previous step.
Based on the opening conditions and the fluoroscopic conditions entered in the console (CON) 16.
X-ray generation conditions in the high voltage generation control unit (HGC) 12
Let it set. The operator has a foot switch (FSW)
Step 17 to power the high voltage generation controller (HGC) 12
Is turned on to generate X-rays, and the X-ray of the subject (BO) 4
Obtain a fluoroscopic image and display it on the image display unit (DISP) 11.
The X-ray fluoroscopic image is displayed (display of the X-ray fluoroscopic image).

When it is desired to display an X-ray fluoroscopic image as shown in FIG. 5A as the one shown in FIG. 5B, the data processing unit (DP) 9 may perform image enlargement processing.

Further, in the preferred embodiment, the image is enlarged by the data processor (DP) 9 so that the necessary portion on the image display unit (DISP) 5 is displayed as large as possible. This is to control so as to cover the portion excluding the X-ray irradiation area corresponding to the image with the collimator.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the operator inputs the display target area to the console (CON) 16 while looking at the image display (DISP) 11, and the collimator control unit (COC) 13 controls the display target area. Since the opening of the collimator 1b, that is, the irradiation area of the X-ray is determined based on the display target area, the X-ray is not irradiated to the site of the subject outside the irradiation area, and thus the subject is irradiated with unnecessary X-rays. You can do it without doing it.

Since the irradiation area can be determined, the collimator shields scattered X-rays generated from outside the irradiation area, so that the scattered X-rays can be prevented from being mixed into the irradiation area.

Further, the operator inputs a display target area to the console (CON) 16 while looking at the image display (DISP) 11, and the collimator control unit (COC) 13 operates the collimator 1b based on the display target area. The X-ray irradiation area is determined, and the data processing unit (DP) 9 performs image enlargement processing on the X-ray fluoroscopic image obtained corresponding to the irradiation area, and the image display (D
Since the magnified X-ray fluoroscopic image is displayed on the screen of the ISP) 11, an easily viewable X-ray fluoroscopic image can be displayed on this screen.

The driving of the collimator has been described using the DC motor connected to the blades of each collimator. However, the motor of the present invention may be replaced by any motor capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions to achieve the object of the present invention. You can

It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can be achieved by combining any of the above-described embodiments.

[0027]

According to the present invention, since the display target area is input to the screen by the area input unit and the collimator determines the X-ray irradiation area based on the display target area,
Since the X-ray is not irradiated to the region of the subject outside the irradiation area, there is an effect that the subject can be prevented from being irradiated with unnecessary X-rays.

Further, since the collimator shields a portion which is not shielded by the conventional simple perspective, the scattered X-rays mixed from this portion are also shielded, so that the scattered X-ray is irradiated to the irradiation area. Therefore, the effect of being able to obtain an X-ray fluoroscopic image of good image quality without the influence of this scattered X-ray is obtained.

Further, a display target area is input to the screen by the area input unit, the collimator determines an X-ray irradiation area based on the display target area, and the image enlarging means corresponds to the irradiation area. The X-ray fluoroscopic image thus obtained is subjected to image enlargement processing, and the X-ray fluoroscopic image subjected to the image enlargement processing is displayed on the screen, so that an easily viewable X-ray fluoroscopic image can be displayed on the screen. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a collimator control unit in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between an X-ray source, a collimator, and an II.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing steps from inputting a display target area on a screen to displaying an X-ray fluoroscopic image.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which X-ray fluoroscopic images before and after image enlargement processing are displayed on a screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 X-ray generation part 1b Collimator 13 Collimator control part 101a-d Collimator blade 131a-d Collimator position detection part 132a-d Collimator drive control part

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. X from an X-ray generator having an X-ray source and a collimator for determining an irradiation area of X-rays generated by the X-ray source.
An X-ray image diagnostic apparatus which detects a line as detection data with an X-ray detector and displays the detection data as an X-ray fluoroscopic image on a screen, comprises an area input section for inputting a display target area on the screen, and the collimator The X-ray image diagnostic apparatus is characterized in that the X-ray irradiation area is determined based on the display target area. 2. A means for enlarging an image of detection data detected by the X-ray detector, wherein the collimator determines an X-ray irradiation area based on an input of the display target area of the area input section. The image enlargement processing means performs image enlargement processing on the X-ray fluoroscopic image obtained corresponding to the irradiation area, and displays the enlarged X-ray fluoroscopic image on the screen. X-ray diagnostic imaging device.