JPH10234719A - X-ray diagnosing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the recognition of a X-ray photographing direction. SOLUTION: When a photographing is carried out by an image pickup part 1, a rotational angle detecting part 2 detects the rotational angle of a X-ray tube of the image pickup part 1 at the time of photographing, and the detected output is supplied to a photographing direction detecting part 3. The photographing direction detection part 3 detects the X-ray photographing direction on the basis of the detection output from the rotational angle detecting part 2, and this detection output is supplied to an image processing part 4. The image processing part 4 supplies the photographed image obtained by photographing and also the image showing the detected X-ray photographing direction are supplied to a recording regeneration part 5 and a monitor device 6. Thereby, the photographing image and also the X-ray photographing direction can be displayed on the monitor, or can be recorded. Thus, the X-ray photographing direction can be instantaneously recognized by sight, and the interview support or the like persuading a subject can be enabled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an X-ray diagnostic apparatus suitable for use in an X-ray diagnostic apparatus such as a portable holding apparatus or a stationary holding apparatus. The present invention relates to an X-ray diagnostic apparatus that displays an image such as an arrow indicating the X-ray imaging direction, thereby enabling a user to immediately recognize the positional relationship between an actually obtained X-ray image and the X-ray imaging direction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus is known as one of apparatuses for irradiating a subject with X-rays to obtain an X-ray image.

This X-ray diagnostic apparatus is constituted by providing an X-ray generating section and an X-ray detecting section at both ends of, for example, a C-arm having a C-shape so as to face each other. . As a technique for obtaining an X-ray image by this X-ray diagnostic apparatus, two different X-ray images having different characteristics can be obtained by a “perspective mode” and a “imaging mode”.

[0004] The "perspective mode" is a mode in which an X-ray image (perspective image) is obtained by continuously irradiating a small amount of X-rays to the subject, for example, and the X-ray to be exposed is small. Although the fluoroscopic image obtained lacks clarity, it is an effective mode for reducing the amount of exposure of the subject, and for finding a target portion or timing the imaging. In addition, the mode is a mode in which a moving image can be reproduced by continuously exposing the subject to X-rays.

[0005] The "photographing mode" is a mode in which an X-ray image (photographed image) is obtained by spontaneously exposing a larger amount of X-rays than during the fluoroscopy. In this mode, a clear captured image can be obtained, which can contribute to accurate diagnosis and the like.

When an X-ray diagnostic apparatus is used, an X-ray image is generally obtained by selectively using these two modes.
For example, first, it is common to first find or aim at a target part using a fluoroscopic image obtained in a fluoroscopic mode, and then to perform a diagnosis in a radiographic mode to obtain a clear radiographic image. .

[0007] Among the X-ray images obtained in each of these modes, particularly the photographed images are stored in a database in the order of photographing, read out and displayed on a monitor device. The doctor performs interview support and the like while watching the photographed image displayed on the monitor device together with the subject.

[0008]

However, in the conventional X-ray diagnostic apparatus, when selecting and displaying an image of a subject stored in a database, the X-ray image is displayed in the order of imaging of the X-ray image. I was For this reason, it was not possible to recognize from which direction the currently displayed captured image was captured by the subject.

[0009] When photographing from multiple directions and displaying each photographed image in a desired positional relationship, the operator must:
It is necessary to record the photographing directions in the photographing order, rearrange these images so as to satisfy a desired positional relationship, and redisplay the images, and there is a problem that a complicated operation for this is required.

Further, when the doctor assists the interview with the subject, even if each of the photographed images is shown to the subject in the order of photographing, the photographed image is also taken from any direction of the subject. Since it is not known, each image is only shown to the subject in a fragmentary manner, and there is a problem that it is difficult to provide an interview support that the subject is satisfied with.

In order to solve these problems, it is conceivable to store and display character information together with the photographed image, for example, "diagonally right front", "diagonally rear left", etc. Since it is necessary to understand the meaning represented by the character, it is difficult to immediately recognize the shooting direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and displays an imaging direction of an X-ray image together with an arrow or the like so that the imaging direction can be immediately recognized. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an X-ray diagnostic apparatus capable of contributing to an interview with the user.

[0013]

Here, unlike an X-ray CT apparatus or the like, even if the X-ray diagnostic apparatus displays images in the order of X-ray images, it is difficult to recognize the relevance of each image. It is conceivable to use position information at the time of photographing to associate each photographed image, but it takes time to recognize the X-ray photographing direction from the position information at the time of photographing, and again, it is necessary to arrange each photographed image in a desired order. Reordering is difficult. On the contrary,
If the X-ray photographing direction of the photographed image is displayed together with the photographed image, it is possible to easily rearrange the photographed images according to the X-ray photographing direction.

The X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention has been made from such a viewpoint. In the X-ray diagnostic apparatus, an X-ray image is obtained by irradiating a subject with X-rays. ,
An imaging direction recognizing means for recognizing the X-ray imaging direction, an imaged X-ray image, and an image indicating the X-ray imaging direction recognized by the imaging direction recognizing means are arranged and displayed on the display means. The above problem is solved as a configuration having a control unit.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

The X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to a portable holding device which can be moved by a caster provided on a main body.

The portable holding device according to the first embodiment includes a fluoroscopic mode for continuously irradiating a small amount of X-rays to a subject to obtain a fluoroscopic image, and a single-shot mode for generating a large amount of X-rays. There are two modes: an imaging mode in which the subject is exposed to obtain a clear imaging image.

As a specific configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, an imaging unit 1 having an X-ray generation unit and an X-ray detection unit provided at both ends of a substantially C-shaped C arm, and an X-ray generation unit A rotation angle detection unit 2 for detecting a rotation angle of the camera, an imaging direction detection unit 3 for detecting an X-ray imaging direction based on a detection output from the rotation angle detection unit 2, and an X-ray detected by the imaging direction detection unit 3. An image processing unit 4 that processes the imaging direction as additional information of the image captured by the imaging unit 1, forms an image indicating the X-ray imaging direction, and outputs the image together with the captured image.

The portable holding device includes a recording / reproducing unit 5 for recording / reproducing the photographed image and the attached information from the image processing unit 4 and a recording / reproducing unit 5 for storing the photographed image and the attached information from the image processing unit 4. It has a database 7 and a monitor device 6 that displays an image indicating the X-ray imaging direction together with the captured image from the image processing unit 4.

As the X-ray detector, for example, a so-called image intensifier can be used. The image intensifier converts an X-ray image emitted from the X-ray generation unit and transmitted through the subject into visible light, condenses the visible light with an optical lens, captures the visible light into a TV camera, and obtains a fluoroscopic image and A photographed image is obtained.

Alternatively, an X-ray flat panel detector in which a plurality of solid-state imaging devices are two-dimensionally arranged can be used as the X-ray detector. In this X-ray flat panel detector, a phosphor is provided in front of a pixel, and the phosphor converts X-rays passing through a subject into visible light and irradiates each pixel. Then, a charge corresponding to the amount of visible light corresponding to the X-ray dose is accumulated in each pixel, and the accumulated charge is read out at a predetermined video rate to obtain a fluoroscopic image and a captured image. .

Next, the operation of the portable holding device according to the first embodiment having such a configuration will be described.

When using such a portable holding device,
First, a small amount of X-rays are continuously exposed to the subject in the fluoroscopic mode to obtain a fluoroscopic image. Is generally obtained.

When the description proceeds in this order, first,
The operator specifies the fluoroscopy.

The portable holding apparatus enters a fluoroscopic mode when the fluoroscopic operation is designated, and the imaging unit 1 continuously emits a small amount of X-rays to the subject to form a fluoroscopic image. The fluoroscopic image is subjected to predetermined image processing such as video processing by the image processing unit 4 and supplied to the monitor device 6. As a result, a perspective image as a moving image is displayed on the monitor device 6.

Next, the operator adjusts the X-ray imaging direction while viewing the fluoroscopic image, and designates imaging in a desired X-ray imaging direction and timing. The portable holding device is set to a photographing mode when this photographing is designated, and the imaging unit 1 irradiates a subject with a large amount of X-rays one by one to form a photographed image,
This is supplied to the image processing unit 4.

On the other hand, when the imaging mode is set, the rotation angle detecting section 2 detects the rotation angle of the X-ray generating section adjusted by the operator so as to have a desired X-ray imaging direction, and outputs this detection output in the imaging direction. It is supplied to the detection unit 3. The imaging direction detection unit 3 detects the current X-ray imaging direction based on the rotation angle detection output from the rotation angle detection unit 2, and supplies this detection output to the image processing unit 4.

The image processing section 4 performs video processing and the like on the captured image formed by the imaging section 1 and supplies the processed image to the monitor device 6. Thereby, the captured image obtained by the imaging can be displayed on the monitor device 6.

In the imaging mode, the image processing section 4 converts the captured image formed by the imaging section 1 into, for example, the ACR-NEMA standard (radiation image transmission standard: American).
College of Radiology-National Electrical Manufact
The processing is performed based on the image format of the urers association, and the position information indicating the X-ray imaging direction detected by the imaging direction detection unit 3 and the image number (imaging number) indicating the order of the imaging are formed. It is processed as additional information of the captured image and supplied to the recording / reproducing unit 5 for filing.

The filing of a photographed image can be stored with attached information for each photographed image.
Although filing based on the R-NEMA standard is performed, each captured image and each attached information may be separately stored. In this case, it is preferable that each captured image and each piece of attached information are stored in association with each other, for example, in a table format.

The recording / reproducing unit 5, when supplied with the photographed image and its accompanying information (X-ray photographing direction and photographing number) from the image processing unit 4, stores and controls them in the database 7.
This makes it possible to reproduce the attached information together with the captured image and display the X-ray imaging direction and the imaging number at the time of, for example, assisting the interview with the subject described below.

That is, the doctor specifies the subject by inputting the identification number of the subject, and specifies the reproduction of the photographed image when supporting the interview with the subject. When the identification number is input, the recording / reproduction unit 5 reproduces, from the database 7, each piece of attached information given to each photographed image of the subject indicated by the identification number, and supplies this to the image processing unit 4. .

When the image processing unit 4 is supplied with the respective attached information of the subject from the database 7, for example, as shown in FIG. In addition to the division, based on each of the attached information, the human image when viewed from directly above the head shows the X-ray imaging direction of each captured image obtained by capturing the subject. An image having an arrow in a white display form and a photographing number indicating each photographing order is formed, and the image is displayed and controlled in a lower right display area of the monitor device 6.

Thus, the doctor can know the number of images and the imaging order of the patient's images stored in the database 7 based on the imaging numbers displayed on the monitor. By the arrow,
The X-ray imaging directions of all the captured images of the patient stored in the database 7 can be known.

Next, the doctor determines the desired X based on the photographing number displayed on the monitor and the arrow in a white display form.
A photographed image in the line photographing direction is selected, and its reproduction is designated.

The portable holding device can display, for example, three captured images among the captured images stored and controlled in the database 7 on one display screen, and a doctor can display a desired captured image. When specified, the recording / playback unit 5
Reads out the designated three captured images from the database 7 and supplies them to the image processing unit 4.

When each photographed image is supplied, the image processing section 4 divides the monitor device 6 into four equal parts as shown in FIG.
In the upper left display area, lower left display area, and upper right ideographic area of the display screen, the display control of each photographed image and each photograph number is performed in ascending order of the photograph number. The image processing unit 4
Of the arrows in the white display form displayed in the lower right display area of the monitor device 6 together with the X of each currently displayed captured image (the captured image specified and displayed by the doctor). The display mode of the arrow is changed and controlled, such as displaying the arrow indicating the line imaging direction as a black arrow.

Thus, the doctor can obtain the
At this time, the photographing order of each photographed image currently displayed on the monitor device 6 can be known, and the X-ray photographing direction of the photographed image can be immediately known (at a glance) by changing the display form of the arrow. be able to.

As described above, the portable holding device displays the X-ray imaging direction as picture information, not as character information, but as picture information, so that the X-ray imaging direction can be immediately and visually recognized. The imaging direction can be recognized. Therefore, even when the doctor assists in the interview with the subject, the subject can immediately recognize in which direction the photographed image is taken from his / her own direction. Can provide interview support.

In order to rearrange a large number of captured images in a desired positional relationship, it is possible to perform the rearrangement simply by designating the imaging numbers (and arrows) given to the imaging images in the respective X-ray imaging directions. The operation relating to the change can be simplified.

When examining whether or not an abnormal portion found by reading a certain X-ray image can be seen in another X-ray image, the range to be examined is determined because the X-ray image direction is clear. Can be reduced, and the image reading time can be shortened.

Further, when comparing the current X-ray image and the past X-ray image, the comparison can be performed in the same X-ray imaging direction. It is possible to easily observe a change in the affected part due to the above.

Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of a portable holding apparatus to which the X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

In the portable holding device of the first embodiment described above, the rotation angle detection unit 2 and the imaging direction detection unit 3 automatically detect the X-ray imaging direction, so to speak.
In the portable holding device according to the second embodiment, an operator manually inputs an X-ray imaging direction.

In the description of the portable holding device according to the second embodiment, in order to avoid repetition, the same operation as that of the portable holding device according to the above-described first embodiment will be described. , The same reference numerals are given, and the detailed description is omitted.

That is, the portable holding device of the second embodiment has a configuration in which a photographing direction input unit 3 is provided instead of the rotation angle detecting unit 2 and the photographing direction detecting unit 3 as shown in FIG. Has become.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the photographing direction input unit 3 is a rotary switch 11 having an oblong upper surface and capable of rotating 360 degrees. At one end of the rotary switch 11 in the longitudinal direction, X which the operator is trying to input is set.
A marker 12 is provided so that the radiographic direction can be recognized. The operator rotates the rotary switch 11 to adjust the marker 12 to a desired position and inputs an X-ray radiographic direction. I have.

More specifically, in this example, the X-ray imaging directions that can be input by the operator include forward, obliquely forward, rightward, obliquely backward, backward, obliquely backward, leftward, and obliquely leftward. A total of eight directions, i.e., the direction and the diagonally forward left direction, can be input.

Each of the X-ray imaging directions is determined with reference to the subject's body as shown in FIG. 4 (b). The "right direction" corresponds to a case where imaging is performed from the right side of the subject, and the "left direction" corresponds to a case where imaging is performed from the left side of the subject.

Note that the detection or input of the X-ray imaging direction may be made finer than these eight directions. in this case,
What is necessary is just to detect or input by the angle information which made the front X-ray imaging direction 0 degree.

Next, the operation of the portable holding device according to the second embodiment having such a rotary switch 11 will be described.

The operator performs fluoroscopy as described above, and at the time of photographing, visually confirms the X-ray photographing direction and sets the photographing direction input unit 3 to the input position of the X-ray photographing direction.
The rotation switch 11 is rotated. An input signal in the X-ray imaging direction by the rotation operation of the rotation switch 11 is supplied to the image processing unit 4.

When the input signal in the X-ray imaging direction is supplied, the image processing unit 4 creates a grid in a schematic diagram of a human as viewed from directly above the head according to the X-ray imaging direction. An image in which a cursor in a shape of a circle is superimposed is formed, and the display is controlled on the monitor device 6.

More specifically, the image processing unit 4 includes a plurality of straight lines along the input X-ray imaging direction as shown in FIG.
A grid-like cursor made up of a plurality of straight lines perpendicular to this is formed, and the cursor is superimposed on the schematic diagram of the human being formed so that the input X-ray imaging direction is the front. I do. FIG. 5 shows a display example in the case where the diagonally forward left direction is input as the X-ray imaging direction. As a result, the operator can recognize the X-ray imaging direction input by the operator on the monitor device 6, and can prevent an error in the X-ray imaging direction or the like.

Next, when the input of the X-ray imaging direction is completed, the operator designates the imaging. Thereby, a captured image is formed by the imaging unit 1 and supplied to the image processing unit 4. The image processing unit 4 processes the X-ray imaging direction input by the rotary switch 11 as additional information of the captured image, as described above. Thereby, the attached information is stored in the database together with the photographed image, and the X-ray photographing direction can be displayed together with the photographed image at the time of reproduction, and the same as the portable holding device according to the above-described first embodiment. The effect can be obtained.

In the description of the second embodiment, the marker of the rotary switch 11 is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction.
The marker 22 may be provided at one end in the short direction of the long elliptical rotary switch 11.

At this time, the marker 22 is
Is defined as the front direction of the human, and the characters “R (Right)” indicating the right shoulder of the human and “L (Left)” indicating the left shoulder of the human are written on both sides, respectively. The switch 21 itself can be viewed as a human when viewed from directly above the head, and the operation by the operator can be made easier.

Next, a third embodiment of a portable holding device to which the X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is applied will be described.

In the description of the portable holding device according to the third embodiment, the same operation as that of the portable holding device according to the above-described first and second embodiments will be described to avoid redundant description. The same reference numerals are given to the portions, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the portable holding device according to the second embodiment, the operator directly looks at the subject and inputs the X-ray imaging direction. The portable holding device is configured such that the subject is photographed by the camera device 8 as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 3, and an operator manually inputs an X-ray photographing direction based on the photographed image.

That is, when the operator cannot directly observe the state (posture) of the subject with the naked eye, the subject is photographed by the camera device 8 and this photographing signal is supplied to the image processing unit 4. When the image processing unit 4 is supplied with the photographing signal, the image processing unit 4 performs predetermined video process processing and the like, and supplies the same to the monitor device 6.

Accordingly, even when the operator cannot directly observe the current position of the subject with the naked eye, the operator can indirectly observe the current position of the subject through the monitor device 6. In addition to being able to input an accurate X-ray imaging direction, the same effects as those of the portable holding device according to the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

In the description of each of the above embodiments, X
Although the direction of the radiographing is displayed on the monitor device 6 as the auxiliary information and stored in the database 7, it may be printed on the X-ray film together with the photographed image.

The X-ray imaging directions are forward (front direction), diagonally forward right, rightward, diagonally backward right, rearward, and rightward.
Although it has been described that detection or input in a total of eight directions, that is, a diagonally backward left direction, a left direction, and a diagonally forward left direction, is possible, this may enable detection or input of X-ray imaging directions finer than this. .

Further, the X-ray image and the image of the subject taken by the camera device 8 are displayed on the same monitor device 6, respectively. This is because a monitor device dedicated to each image is provided. You may make it monitor display each separately.

Although the additional information such as the X-ray imaging direction is stored in the database 7 only in the imaging mode, this may be performed also in the fluoroscopy mode.

Although the monitor device 6 is divided into four equal parts and three photographed images are displayed at a time, this can be arbitrarily changed, for example, into nine parts, sixteen parts, or the like.

Finally, the description of each of the above embodiments is an example of the present invention. In addition, various changes may be made according to the design and the like within a range not departing from the technical idea of the present invention. Of course, it is possible.

[0069]

The X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention can immediately recognize the imaging direction of an X-ray image. For this reason, it is possible to easily rearrange a large number of X-ray images in a desired order, and it is possible to perform interview support that the subject is satisfied with.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an arrow indicating an X-ray imaging direction displayed together with a captured image by the X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a rotary switch provided in the X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment for inputting an X-ray imaging direction and X-ray imaging directions that can be input by the rotary switch; is there.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a grid-like cursor displayed on a monitor to facilitate recognition of an X-ray imaging direction input by the rotation switch.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a modification of the rotary switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image pick-up part, 2 ... Rotation angle detection part, 3 ... Photographing direction detection part,
4 ... Image processing unit 5 ... Recording / reproducing unit, 6 ... Monitor device, 7 ... Database,
8 Camera device 11, 21 Rotation switch

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus for irradiating a subject with X-rays to obtain an X-ray image, comprising: an imaging direction recognizing unit for recognizing an X-ray imaging direction; an imaged X-ray image; An X-ray diagnostic apparatus comprising: a control unit for juxtaposing an image indicating an X-ray imaging direction recognized by a direction recognition unit and displaying the image on a display unit. 2. The X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said imaging direction recognition means is an imaging direction input means for inputting an X-ray imaging direction. 3. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said imaging direction recognizing means recognizes the X-ray imaging direction based on a rotation angle of an X-ray generating means for exposing the subject to X-rays. X-ray diagnostic device. 4. It has a position imager for imaging the current position of the subject, and a position display device for displaying an image showing the current position of the subject imaged by the position imager. The X according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
X-ray diagnostic device. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes and controls a display mode of an image indicating an X-ray imaging direction to be displayed and controlled together with the captured X-ray image. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to the item. 6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the display unit to display an image indicating the X-ray imaging direction and an order in which the X-ray images are captured. 2. The X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.