JPWO2014119001A1 - Protective device for X-ray equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a protective device capable of effectively protecting an operator's exposure due to radiation scattered from an opening of an X-ray apparatus such as a gantry when performing an operation such as a biopsy using an X-ray apparatus such as an X-ray CT apparatus. To provide. An upwardly convex arcuate protective frame that fits into an upper portion of an opening provided in an X-ray apparatus, such as a gantry of an X-ray CT apparatus, and the protective frame applied to an opening of the gantry or the like A flexible protective sheet that covers the opening of the gantry is suspended inside the arc-shaped protective frame, and the protective sheet includes a human body from the front side to the back side. A protective device for an X-ray CT apparatus in which an incision into which an arm can be inserted is formed. As the support means, it is convenient to use an arm having a plurality of joints.

Description

  The present invention relates to a protective device for protecting radiation scattered outside from an opening such as a gantry in an X-ray apparatus, such as a medical X-ray CT apparatus.

  An X-ray CT apparatus is arranged with an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector facing each other about the body axis of a subject lying on a bed, and X-rays are emitted from the X-ray tube while rotating both in the circumferential direction. It is an apparatus that obtains a desired cross-sectional image by image processing by a computer by detecting X-rays that are radiated and transmitted through a human body with a plurality of X-ray detectors arranged in the circumferential direction. This type of X-ray CT apparatus can display images in real time almost simultaneously with scanning by increasing the image processing speed.

  Conventionally, as a means for obtaining a tomographic image of an affected area, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has been used in many cases. However, in a place where bones or bubbles are present, ultrasonic waves are reflected by these layers, so that the tissue is accurately observed. There was a drawback that it was not possible. On the other hand, the X-ray CT apparatus can display an image in real time almost simultaneously with the scan by increasing the image processing speed, and can accurately hide the tissue hidden in the place where there are bubbles and bones. Since it can be observed, techniques such as puncture biopsy, cauterization, and drainage have come to be used.

  On the other hand, there is a risk of exposure to radiation as the X-ray CT apparatus. In particular, since an operator who performs puncture or the like must frequently enter a position where X-rays are scattered, consideration for protection is extremely important. For this reason, various protective means for X-ray CT apparatuses have been conventionally devised. For example, protective screens, protective clothing, protective gloves, etc. using lead-containing glass, lead-containing resin, lead-containing cloth, etc. having a function of blocking radiation have been put into practical use.

  When performing puncture or the like by X-ray CT fluoroscopy, the holder holding the puncture needle must be manually operated and operated, so the operator needs to perform an operation as close to the opening of the gantry as possible. In this case, even if the surgeon is protecting with gloves or the like, there is a risk of being exposed to X-rays emitted from the gantry opening.

  Conventionally, as a means for preventing exposure due to X-ray scattering from the gantry opening, a protection plate P as shown in FIG. 9 is supported by an arm A so as to be movable three-dimensionally. When the gantry is self-propelled, the arm A that supports the protective plate is attached to a rail provided on the ceiling, and can move in the front-rear direction of the gantry. In the case of the table slide type, such movement of the arm itself in the front-rear direction is not necessary. In addition, this guard plate P is notched in a bay shape, and the operator inserts the arm into the gantry opening in a state where this part is held along the gantry opening. .

  However, since the protective plate P is a rectangular flat plate as a whole except for the notch, it cannot interfere with the surface of the gantry and cannot be brought close to the inside of the opening. Since the distance to the puncture needle could not be shortened, it was difficult to operate the puncture needle. In addition, there is a problem that X-rays leak out from a gap other than the notch.

  Examples of the X-ray CT apparatus include those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below, and a holder for holding the puncture needle is described in Patent Document 3.

JP 2000-325336 A

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-33525

JP-A-9-140716

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a protection device that allows an operator to approach the puncture site in the gantry more effectively and can effectively protect the patient in an operation such as puncture by X-ray CT fluoroscopy. It is said.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configuration. That is, the protective device for an X-ray device according to the first aspect of the present invention is an upwardly convex arcuate shape that fits into an upper portion of an opening provided in the X-ray device, such as a gantry of the X-ray CT device. A protective frame and supporting means for supporting the protective frame by applying it to an opening such as a gantry. A flexible protective sheet covering the opening of the gantry is hung inside the arc-shaped protective frame. The protective sheet is characterized in that a cut is formed in the protective sheet so that a human arm can be inserted from the front side to the back side.

  The protective device for an X-ray apparatus according to claim 2 is the protective device according to claim 1, wherein the protective frame is partially fitted into an opening of a gantry or the like on the back side in the thickness direction. The near side portion is formed so as not to be fitted into the opening. Furthermore, the protective device for an X-ray apparatus according to claim 3 is the protective device according to claim 1, wherein the arc-shaped outer periphery of the protective frame is substantially free from an inner periphery of an opening of a gantry or the like. (Some gaps may be present).

  Next, an X-ray apparatus protective device according to a fourth aspect is the protective device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the support means supports the protective frame so as to be movable in three axial directions. It is a multi-joint arm (which has a plurality of joints). An X-ray apparatus protective device according to claim 5 is the protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the base of the articulated arm as a support means is a side portion of a gantry or the like. It is attached to the support | pillar which is provided in 1 and moves integrally with a gantry etc.

  Furthermore, the protective device for an X-ray apparatus according to claim 6 is the protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the protective sheet hangs down below the lower end of the frame. It is what.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the protective device for an X-ray apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein a human arm can be inserted into the upper and lower intermediate portions of the protective sheet. The hole is formed by a slit.

  The protective device for an X-ray apparatus according to the present invention includes an upward arc-shaped protective frame along the upper peripheral edge of an opening provided in a gantry or the like of the X-ray CT apparatus. Is covered with a protective sheet, and is supported by the support means in a state where it is applied to the opening of the gantry, etc., so that X-ray scattering from the opening of the gantry and the like can be effectively suppressed. Can do.

  Further, as described in claim 2 or 3, the protective frame is partially or wholly fitted into an opening of the gantry or the like, and in this fitted state, a flexible protective sheet is used for the gantry or the like. Covers the opening, and this protective sheet has a cut, from which the operator can insert the arm into the opening, so that the body can be brought closer to the opening without fear of exposure. The arm can be inserted deeper into the opening. As a result, the operator can operate the instrument such as a puncture needle more accurately and easily. Even if some radiation leaks from the gap, the surgeon is on the side of the gap, so there is little risk of exposure.

  According to the protection device of the fourth aspect, since the frame is supported by the multi-joint arm which can be moved three-dimensionally, the frame can be arranged at an optimum position, and effective protection can be performed. . Further, as described in claim 5, if this multi-joint arm is attached to a column that moves integrally with the gantry or the like, the protective frame can be attached to the gantry or the like without providing a special rail on the ceiling or the like. It can be supported so as to be movable together, and is structurally simple.

  Furthermore, as described in claim 6, it is preferable that the protective sheet is suspended below the lower end portion of the protective frame because radiation leaking from the gap between the frame and the bed can be effectively blocked.

  Further, as described in claim 7, if a hole into which the arm can be inserted is provided in the middle part of the protective sheet, the arm can be inserted through this hole, so that radiation leakage can be reduced. In addition, it is preferable that the hole is covered with a hanging lid with the upper part fixed.

It is a front view showing embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the principal part, (a) is an example in which concave roundness is attached to the outer peripheral part, (b) is an example in which the outer peripheral part is an inclined surface, (c) is the entire protective frame Each represents an example along the gantry. It is a perspective view showing the state at the time of use. It is sectional drawing of the principal part. It is a front view showing usage. FIG. It is the front view (a) and sectional drawing (b) showing different embodiment. It is the side view (a) and front view (b) of an X-ray CT apparatus. It is an external view of the conventional protective device.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described. The present invention is a protective device used as an accessory of an X-ray CT apparatus, for example, an X-ray CT apparatus. In the following embodiment, an example used for an X-ray CT apparatus will be described. It is also suitable as a protective device for X-ray devices. FIG. 8 shows an outline of a known X-ray CT apparatus. This X-ray CT apparatus includes a gantry 1 and a bed 2. The bed 2 can be adjusted in height, and a top plate 3 that can be moved back and forth is provided on the upper surface. A subject can be placed on the top plate 3 and fed into the opening 5 of the gantry 1.

  The gantry 1 is provided with a cylindrical opening 5 in which an X-ray tube 6 that emits an X-ray beam and a detector 7 having an X-ray detection element are connected to the body axis of the subject M. Oppositely arranged so as to sandwich. The X-ray tube 6 and the detector are attached so as to face a rotating frame (not shown), and X-ray emission and detection are performed while rotating at a predetermined speed by a control device. An image is displayed on the attached display. The rotation frame to which the X-ray tube 6 and the detector 7 are attached can be tilted in the direction of arrow Z in FIG.

  1 and 2 show a protective device according to the present invention. The protective device 10 includes a protective frame 11, a protective sheet 12, and a support means 13.

  The protective frame 11 is made of a material having a function of blocking radiation, for example, a material such as lead-containing resin (acrylic), and has an arcuate shape that protrudes upward along the periphery of the opening 5 of the gantry 1. It is a curved shape, and the width W and the thickness t may be such a size that the necessary strength can be obtained and the area of the opening can be maintained to the extent that there is no problem in work. For example, W may be about 100 to 120 mm, and t may be about 10 to 15 mm. In addition, D of FIG. 1 should just be about 120-130 mm, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cross-sectional shape of the protective frame 11 is such that the diameter on the back side is smaller than the diameter on the front side and is partially fitted into the opening of the gantry. The peripheral edge of the opening of the gantry 1 has a rounded cross-sectional shape so that the diameter on the front side is large and the diameter on the back side gradually decreases, so that the cross-sectional shape of the protective frame 11 is adapted to this, What is necessary is just to set it as the shape where a back side becomes small gradually. In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 (a), a concave shape having a rounded radius R that matches the roundness of the gantry 1 is formed, but an inclined surface C having a linear cross section as shown in FIG. 2 (b) is used. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2C, the cross-sectional shape of the entire thin protective frame 11 may be a shape that follows the opening of the gantry 1.

  The protective sheet 12 is formed of a flexible sheet material having a function of blocking radiation, for example, a lead-containing cloth. The protective sheet 12 is held in a suspended state with its upper end fixed to the protective frame 11, and its lower end is suspended slightly above the lower end of the opening 5 of the gantry 1. The protective sheet 12 has a vertical cut 15 and is divided into four in the illustrated example. Depending on the case, it may be divided into two with only one cut at the center of the left and right.

  As the support means 13 of the protection frame 11, any means can be used as long as the protection frame 11 can be supported along the upper edge of the opening 5 of the gantry 1. In the illustrated example, the support means 13 is an arm having a plurality of joints 14, and the base of the arm 13 is attached to the structure so that the protective frame 11 can be disposed at a desired position together with the protective sheet 12. ing.

  FIG. 3 shows a state in which the protective device 10 is attached to a self-propelled X-ray CT apparatus. In the illustrated self-propelled X-ray CT apparatus, the gantry 1 is attached to the support frame 4 in the direction of arrow Z. The column 8 is supported so as to be tiltable, and a column 8 is erected on its side, and the column 8 and the support frame 4 are connected and integrated by a bottom plate 9. The bottom plate 9 is movable in the arrow Y direction on the rail 9a while supporting the gantry 1 and the support column 8.

  The base portion of the arm 13 that is a support means of the protective device 10 is attached to the shelf plate 8a of the support column 8 erected on the side of the gantry 1, and the protective device 10 is brought to a desired position by a plurality of joints 14. It can be supported. In practice, as shown in FIG. 4, the protective frame 11 is supported so as to be partially or entirely fitted into the opening 5 of the gantry 1. In this state, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower end portion of the protection sheet 12 is suspended to the vicinity of the lower end portion of the opening 5. It is convenient if a similar arm for supporting an instrument such as an injector for injecting the iodine contrast medium into the blood vessel is separately provided and attached to the shelf board 8a in the same manner as the arm 13.

  When performing an operation such as puncture using this X-ray CT apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the subject M is placed on the top plate 3 of the bed, and the affected area (or examination site) of the subject is examined. ) Is fed into the gantry so that it is located between the X-ray tube and the detector. In this state, the lower part of the protective sheet 12 is partially covered on the subject. Thereafter, the operator scrapes the arm with the holder 22 holding a necessary instrument such as the puncture needle 20 into the opening 5 by scraping the protective sheet 12 of the protective device 10 at the cut 15, and X-rays enter the affected area. Perform necessary surgery while irradiating. At this time, since an image of the affected area is displayed in real time on the attached display (not shown), an operation may be performed while viewing the image.

  During X-ray irradiation, radiation is scattered from the gantry opening 5 to the outside. If the protective device 10 is attached as described above, most of the scattering is prevented. In the illustrated example, the arm 15 is inserted by scraping the cuts 15 of the protective sheet 12. When the arm is inserted, the arm is inserted slightly below the lower end of the protective sheet 12. However, the exposure of the surgeon standing near the side of the gantry 1 is still greatly suppressed.

  Further, in the illustrated example, since the protective sheet hangs down to a position above the lower edge of the opening 5 (substantially the upper surface position of the bed top 3), when the subject on the bed is sent into the opening 5 Although not disturbing so much, depending on circumstances, it may be just up to the vicinity of the lower end of the protective frame 11, and conversely, it may be suspended to the lower edge of the opening 5.

  Next, FIG. 7 shows an embodiment different from the above. In this embodiment, the protective sheet is not provided with a vertical cut, and a substantially circular hole 18 into which an arm can be inserted is formed by the cut 15. ing. Since it is necessary to insert the puncture needle 20 and an instrument (holder or holder) for holding the puncture needle 20, the hole 18 may be sized so as not to hinder the insertion thereof. The hole 18 is preferably provided with a flip-up type lid 18a as shown in FIG.

  As is clear from the above description, the protective device according to the present invention can effectively prevent the scattering of X-rays to the outside during a puncture operation using the X-ray CT apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gantry 2 Bed 3 Top plate 4 Support frame 5 Opening part 6 X-ray tube 7 Detector 8 Support column 8a Shelf 9 Bottom plate 9a Rail 10 Protection device 11 Protection frame 12 Protection sheet 13 Support means (arm)
14 joint 15 cut

Claims (7)

  An upwardly convex arc-shaped protective frame that fits into the upper part of an opening of a gantry or the like provided in the X-ray apparatus, such as an X-ray CT apparatus, and a support that can support the protective frame by applying the protective frame to the opening A flexible protective sheet that covers the opening is suspended inside the arc-shaped protective frame, and the protective sheet has a notch through which a human arm can be inserted from the front side to the back side. A protective device for an X-ray apparatus, characterized in that is formed.   The protective device for an X-ray device according to claim 1, wherein the back side in the thickness direction of the protective frame is partially fitted into an opening such as a gantry and the front side portion is not fitted into the opening.   The X-ray apparatus protection device according to claim 1, wherein the protection frame is formed such that an arc-shaped outer periphery is fitted to an inner periphery of the opening with almost no gap.   The protection device for an X-ray apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support means is an articulated arm that supports the protection frame so as to be movable in three axial directions.   The protective device for an X-ray apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a base portion of a multi-joint arm that is a support means is attached to a support column that is provided on a side portion of a gantry or the like and moves integrally with the gantry or the like.   The protective device for an X-ray apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the protective sheet hangs down below the lower end of the frame.   The protective device for an X-ray apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a hole through which a human arm can be inserted is formed by a slit in an upper and lower intermediate portion of the protective sheet.

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