JPH0975331A - Medical image photographing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable photographing while following up the speed of blood flow by providing an under-photographing variable parameter input means for varying a photographic parameter at the position of a time chart under photographing corresponding to marking display. SOLUTION: A photograph parameter varying switch 7d of a console 7 varies the photographic parameter at the position of the time chart under photographing, a photographic sequence change part 9 changes and displays the time chart based on this varied photographic parameter and, based on this time chart, a system control part 1b controls X-ray radiation, image pickup and the storage of a memory. When there is one monitor at the time of displaying the time chart on an image display monitor 6a, the time chart and the image can be alternately displayed as well. When there are plural monitors, the time chart and the image can be respectively separately displayed as well. Besides, the time chart can be displayed while being superimposed on the image as well.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention allows a user to view a photographed image according to a procedure of a photographing sequence set in advance, according to a procedure of a desired photographing sequence adapted to the speed of blood flow which varies among individuals. However, it is a technology relating to a medical image capturing system that can be easily changed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of a conventional medical image capturing system,
The digital subtraction angiography system (hereinafter referred to as the DSA system) is a Japanese Patent Application No. 4-
It had a structure as described in No. 332149. This structure and steps based on the structure will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional DSA system, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a time chart on a display monitor of the image display device of FIG. 6 or a photographing condition display monitor provided on an operation console.

In the conventional DSA system, as shown in FIG. 6, an image processing apparatus 1, an X-ray control apparatus 2, an X-ray generation apparatus 3, an image pickup apparatus 5, an image display apparatus 6, an operation console 7, and an imaging sequence management unit 8 are provided. And a contrast agent injector 10. When displaying image data of an X-ray fluoroscopic image, which will be described later, on the image display device 6, the image processing device 1 uses a negative / positive inversion calculation or a filter for the image data to facilitate diagnosis of the affected part of the subject 4. The image processing unit 1a for performing so-called image processing calculation such as calculation, the image processing unit 1a, the X-ray control device 2, the imaging device 5, the image display device 6, the imaging sequence management unit 8, and the contrast agent injector 10 are controlled. The X-ray control device 2 controls the supply and adjustment of power for generating X-rays to the X-ray generation device 3, and the X-ray generation device 3 is an X-ray generation device. The X-ray tube and the imaging device 5 that generate the X-rays are arranged so as to face the X-ray generator 3 with the subject 4 interposed therebetween, and detect X-rays transmitted from the X-ray generator 3 through the subject 4. Convert it into an optical image, and then use this optical image in a TV camera A device for shooting and outputting a video signal and converting the video signal into image data by an A / D converter. The image display device 6 performs image processing calculation on the image data by the image processing unit 1a, and outputs the image data. Is converted into a video signal by a D / A converter, and this video signal is displayed and output as an X-ray fluoroscopic image on the display monitor 6a.
A person who operates the system or a person who diagnoses the X-ray fluoroscopic image (hereinafter referred to as a user) is the system control unit 1b.
Imaging modes and various imaging conditions described later (for example, numerical values of voltage and current applied to the X-ray generator 3 and the part of the subject)
And various image display conditions (for example, what kind of image processing is to be calculated by the image processing unit 1a) are set, and the shooting sequence management unit 8 creates a time chart 20 of the shooting sequence as shown in FIG. The display on the image display monitor 6a or the imaging parameter display monitor 7a, and the contrast agent injector 10 is to inject the contrast agent into the subject 4.

[0006] When photographing with such a DSA system, the following steps were performed. <Creating a time chart> First, the user has a console 7
Select the shooting mode above and enter the data corresponding to this shooting mode. This imaging mode is a mode in which a subject is imaged by intermittently irradiating it with pulsed X-rays (hereinafter referred to as SI
Mode) and a mode of irradiating continuous X-rays to image the subject (hereinafter referred to as DI mode). When the user selects a shooting mode and inputs numerical values for various shooting conditions and various display conditions, the shooting sequence management unit 8 displays
As described above, the time chart 20 corresponding to these inputs is displayed on the image display monitor 6a or the photographing parameter display monitor 7a.
To be displayed. Here, MASK of the time chart 20 indicates an imaging scale of an X-ray fluoroscopic image (hereinafter referred to as a mask image) before the injection of the contrast agent, INJ indicates a point of the injection of the contrast agent, and LIVE indicates an X-ray after the injection of the contrast agent. Radiographic image capturing scale (hereinafter referred to as live image), RAT
E indicates a rate indicating how many frames are shot per second, that is, a shooting rate, and TIME indicates a shooting time at this rate. Then, it is shown that one image is photographed for each quadrangle in the figure, and the lateral length of the quadrangle indicates the photographing rate, and the shorter the length, the faster the rate. . Since the photographing at this time is performed from the left side to the right side of the drawing of the time chart 20, for example, if the setting is as shown in FIG. 7, one mask image is photographed and then a live image is photographed one second after the injection of the contrast agent. We started at 5 frames per second for 2 seconds, then 2 frames per second for 3 seconds, and finally 1 frame per second for 2 seconds. There is. As described above, the time chart 20 shows changes in shooting parameters for various shooting conditions, various display conditions, and shooting modes with respect to the elapsed time from the start of shooting. While looking at the time chart 20, the user can change the shooting parameters such as the shooting rate and the shooting time before shooting by the numerical input from the input keyboard 7c of the console 7, and then press the shooting switch 7b. I turned it on and started shooting.

<Photographing according to time chart> Next, photographing according to the time chart 20 of FIG. 7 will be described. First, take a mask image by M in the time chart 20.
Perform according to the ASK display part. At that time, a photographing start signal generated based on the ON state of the photographing switch 7b of the console 7 is transmitted to the system control unit 1b. The system controller 1b transmits an X-ray exposure command control signal for the mask image shooting to the X-ray controller 2 based on the shooting start signal. The X-ray controller 2 irradiates the subject 4 with X-rays based on the X-ray emission command control signal. The imaging device 5 is the subject 4
X-rays that have passed through are detected and converted into a visible light image, this visible light image is captured by a TV camera and converted into a video signal, and this video signal is converted into image data (digital data) by an A / D converter. Convert. The image processing unit 1a stores it in its own memory. A mask image is obtained by such a procedure. Then, when the time indicated by MASK in the time chart 20 elapses, the collection of mask images ends. Next, a live image is captured according to the LIVE display portion of the time chart 20. First, at the INJ display portion, the system control unit 1b controls the contrast agent injector 10 to inject the contrast agent into the subject 4. The system control unit 1b transmits an X-ray exposure command control signal for capturing a live image after the injection of the contrast agent to the X-ray controller 2. The X-ray exposure, the imaging, and the memory storage are performed in the same manner as the mask image. Then, when the time indicated by LIVE in the time chart 20 elapses, the collection of live images ends. The image processing unit 1a subtracts the image data of the mask image from the live image obtained in this way, and displays the image of a tube such as a blood vessel (hereinafter referred to as a DSA image) on the display monitor 6a of the image display device 6. . In this way, in the DSA system, shooting was sequentially performed according to the time chart 20.

[0006]

[0004] The conventional medical image system has been photographed according to a time chart created by the photographing parameters set by the user before photographing. This imaging parameter was set to a higher imaging rate when targeting an arterial region with fast blood flow. or,
When targeting the veins with slow blood flow, the imaging rate was set slow. However, the blood flow speed is not uniform due to the shape of the blood vessel of the subject (patient), the stenosis state, and the increase in the average blood pressure due to the age of the patient. At this time, there is a problem that an appropriate DSA image cannot be obtained because the contrast agent is flowed by the blood flow that is unexpectedly fast or slow when actually shooting with only the shooting parameters set before the shooting. In addition, if it is unexpectedly late, the patient may be given more X-ray exposure than necessary, and the user must predict that it is slow and try to reduce the X-ray exposure as much as possible. There was a problem that it was messy.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a medical image photographing system for photographing in accordance with the speed of blood flow.

[0008]

The above object is to provide an image capturing control means for capturing an image in a desired procedure within a preset range, and a numerical value input means for inputting various parameters set at the time of image capturing, Display means for displaying various images, characters, and numerical values, and a real scale for displaying on the display means or the imaging parameter display means a time chart of a scale corresponding to an actual imaging sequence corresponding to the parameters set by the numerical value input means. Time chart display control means, image display time chart display control means for displaying a time chart at the time of image shooting on the display means or shooting parameter display means while the shot image is displayed by the display means, and shooting by the display means The time chart display means for displaying the position of the image currently displayed during the image display. In the medical image capturing system including a display image position marking unit that displays a marking on the displayed time chart, the numerical value input unit changes the capturing parameter at the position of the time chart during capturing corresponding to the marking display. This is achieved by providing a variable parameter inputting device during shooting and shooting an image based on the variable shooting parameter.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An example of the DSA system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, in particular, a case where the user selects the shooting mode as the SI mode will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a DSA system of the present invention. 2 is a schematic enlarged view of the console of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a marking 30 currently being photographed on the time chart.
4 shows an example in which the time chart of FIG. 3 is displayed by being superimposed on the display monitor 6a of the image processing device 6, and FIG. 5 shows the time chart of FIG. 3 before and after the change. Is.

First, the configuration of the DSA system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the imaging parameter variable switch 7d and the imaging sequence changing unit 9, which are the features of the present invention, will be mainly described. The photographing parameter variable switch 7d is provided on the console 7, and is used to change and input a photographing parameter of a portion having the marking portion 30 on the time chart 20 indicating that photographing is in progress, particularly a photographing rate and a photographing time. The shooting sequence changing unit 9 stores the changed and input shooting parameters.
Then, the system control unit 1b reads out the changed shooting parameter and performs control according to this change.

Next, the photographing process of the DSA apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. The user sets and inputs the shooting parameters before shooting, the shooting sequence management unit 8 creates a time chart according to these inputs, and the system control unit 1b displays this time chart on the display monitor 6a or the shooting parameter display monitor 7a. To display. The user changes the shooting parameters before shooting if necessary while viewing this time chart. After setting the photographing parameters desired by the user, the user turns on the photographing start switch 7b to start photographing the mask image. The system control unit 1b has a shooting start switch 7
The X-ray exposure command control signal is transmitted to the X-ray controller 2 based on the ON state of b. The X-ray controller 2 irradiates the subject 4 with X-rays based on the X-ray emission command control signal. Imaging,
The memory is stored in the same manner as the procedure described in the related art.
Also, the collection of live images is performed in the same manner as the procedure described in the related art.

Next, the process of changing the shooting parameters during shooting will be described. The user compares the image displayed on the display monitor 6a during the shooting of the live image with the display of the marking 30 of the time chart 20 shown in FIG. As a result of this comparison, for example, it is found that the blood flow is slower than expected and the contrast agent does not move. The user operates the shooting parameter variable switch 7d. When the photographing parameter variable length switch 7d is pressed, the photographing time is extended and when pulled, the photographing time is shortened. The pushing or pulling operation may be reversed. In this case, the user pushes the shooting parameter variable switch 7d to extend the shooting time. Then, the photographing sequence changing unit 9 changes the time chart based on the extended photographing time as shown in FIG. The system controller 1b outputs an X-ray exposure command control signal to the X-ray controller 2 based on this changed time chart. The X-ray controller 2 irradiates the subject 4 with X-rays based on the X-ray emission command signal. The imaging device 5 detects the X-rays that have passed through the subject 4 and converts it into a visible light image. The visible light image is captured by a TV camera and converted into a video signal. The video signal A / D converter converts the image into an image. Convert to. The image processing 1a is stored in the memory owned by the image processing 1a. With such a procedure, a live image with an appropriate shooting time can be obtained.
Then, the DSA image is obtained by subtracting the image data of the previously captured mask image from the image data of the live image thus obtained.

Further, in the above embodiment, the extension of the photographing time is described, but the photographing time can be shortened by pulling the photographing parameter variable switch 7d.

In the present invention, the photographing parameter variable switch 7 is used.
d is a variable shooting parameter at the position of the time chart during shooting, the shooting sequence changing unit 9 changes and displays the time chart based on the changed shooting parameter, and the system control unit 1b is based on this time chart. Then, the object can be achieved by controlling X-ray exposure, imaging, and memory storage.

Further, a time chart is displayed on the image display monitor 6
When displayed on a, if the number of monitors is one, the time chart and the images may be displayed alternately. When there are a plurality of monitors, they may be displayed separately.

Further, in the present invention, the time chart is displayed by the photographing parameter display monitor 7a or the image display monitor 6a.
However, as shown in FIG. 4, even if the image and the time chart are superimposed and displayed, the user's line of sight can be switched in one screen as compared with the above-described single display. Therefore, it is more convenient and the object of the present invention can be achieved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a schematic configuration example of a medical image capturing system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a schematic configuration example of the console shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a time chart used in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the time chart of FIG. 3 is superimposed and displayed on an image.

5 is a diagram showing before and after changing a shooting parameter in the time chart of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a schematic configuration example of a conventional medical image capturing system.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a time chart used in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1b System control unit 2 X-ray control device 6a Image display monitor 7a Imaging parameter display monitor 7b Imaging start switch 7d Imaging parameter variable switch

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image photographing control means for photographing an image in a desired procedure within a preset range, a numerical value input means for inputting various parameters set at the time of image photographing, and displaying various images, characters and numerical values. Display means, a real scale time chart display control means for causing the display means or the shooting parameter display means to display a time chart of a scale corresponding to an actual shooting sequence corresponding to the parameters set by the numerical value input means, While displaying the photographed image by the display means, the time chart at the time of photographing the image is displayed on the display means or the photographing parameter display means. The time chart display control means and the photographed image displayed by the display means are being currently displayed. The position of the image is displayed on the time chart displayed by the time chart display means during the image display. In medical imaging system provided with a display in the image position marking means for Kingu display,
The numerical value input means includes a during-photographing parameter variable input means for varying the photographing parameter at the position of the time chart during photographing corresponding to the marking display, and the image is photographed based on the variable photographing parameter. Characteristic medical imaging system.