JP2009153589A - X-ray imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it easy to recognize an image by providing a display device near the hand of a doctor without using a large-scale apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A multiple X-ray generation source 21 and a plane detector 23 are fixed at prescribed positions, and a top plate 71 for mounting a subject S is provided between the multiple X-ray generation source 21 and the plane detector 23. Also, above the multiple X-ray generation source 21, a monitor 72 is disposed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention synchronizes a two-dimensionally arranged multi-X-ray generation source and a two-dimensionally arranged flat detector and emits and detects X-rays for each region, thereby obtaining and displaying an image. It relates to the device.

  FIG. 17 shows a configuration of a portable X-ray imaging apparatus which is one of conventional X-ray imaging apparatuses and is mainly used as a surgical IVR (Interventional Radiology) apparatus. A traveling part 2 for enabling movement is attached to the main body 1, and a C arm 4 is attached via a support part 3. At both ends of the C arm 4, an X-ray generator 5 and A detector 6 is provided oppositely. The main body 1 is connected to a main body 1 having a monitor 7 via a cable (not shown) and a monitor cart 8 that can be moved individually. Through this monitor 7, a fluoroscopic image and a photographed image can be observed.

  FIG. 18 shows a configuration diagram of a stationary X-ray imaging apparatus which is one of conventional X-ray imaging apparatuses and is mainly used as an IVR apparatus for a circulatory organ. A movable traveling unit 11 is attached to the ceiling or the like, and a C arm 13 is provided via a support unit 12. An X-ray generator 14 and a detector 15 are provided opposite to both ends of the C arm 13. A monitor 16 for observing a photographed image is suspended from the ceiling.

  As the detectors 6 and 15 used in these X-ray imaging apparatuses, an image intensifier or a flat detector is used. In the case of an image intensifier, the X-ray transmitted through the subject is converted to electronic information and multiplied, then converted to optical information on the output surface, condensed by a lens, and then applied to a TV camera such as a CCD. The image is displayed by capturing.

  In the case of a flat detector, signal charges proportional to the irradiated X-ray dose are accumulated in each of the two-dimensionally arranged detection elements. The accumulated signal charge is sequentially read out via a signal output line via a TFT (thin film transistor) having a switching function. The signal charge is displayed after being converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter via the charge / voltage converter.

  In these apparatuses, since the irradiation field is different between fluoroscopy and radiography, the X-ray shielding mask may be switched to a circle or a rectangle to perform fluoroscopy or radiography.

  These devices have rotating parts as various movable parts in order to approach the subject. For example, the rotating parts of the C arms 4 and 13 in FIGS. A spindle rotation operation B and a column rotation operation C can be performed.

  A doctor uses such a rotating part to perform fluoroscopy in various directions at the same time, and proceeds with surgery while imagining the spatial positional relationship.

JP-A-9-180894 JP 2004-329784 A

  As described above, in a portable or stationary X-ray imaging apparatus, a doctor inserts a catheter into a blood vessel while observing the monitor 7 on the monitor cart or the monitor 16 suspended from the ceiling during surgery. Work like this. For this reason, the doctor's line of sight is directed to the upper monitors 7 and 16, but the operation may be performed in a state where the work is performed at hand.

  Therefore, it may be difficult to imagine which part of the actual patient is being observed. In addition, there are cases where it is difficult to observe the patient's condition due to the concentration of intubation work.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray imaging apparatus that eliminates the above-described problems and includes a display device near the hand of a doctor without using a large-scale device, so that an image can be easily grasped.

  In order to achieve the above object, an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a multi-X-ray generation source including M × N X-ray sources and an X-ray emitted from the multi-X-ray generation source. A flat panel detector having K × L sensors to detect is provided, and X-rays are simultaneously emitted from the X-ray sources to operate the flat panel detector to acquire an image, or the X-ray sources are switched. Image acquisition means for emitting X-rays and acquiring an image only by the sensor corresponding to the emitted region of the flat panel detector in synchronization with the emission.

  According to the X-ray imaging apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the distance between the X-ray source and the flat panel detector in the general imaging apparatus and the fluoroscopic and imaging apparatus used for the purpose of inspection, IVR, etc. It is possible to provide a display device near the hand.

  The present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiment shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. A multi-X-ray generation source 21 that emits X-rays from M × N X-ray sources is provided at one end of a C arm (not shown). A diaphragm 22 included in each of the M × N X-ray sources is attached. Further, the other end of the C arm has K × L sensors and a flat detector 23 for detecting X-ray dose, and M × N X-rays for reducing scattered radiation of the flat detector 23. A directional variable grid 24 that can correspond to the direction of the source is attached.

  The output of the system control unit 25 is connected to the multi-X-ray generation source 21 via the X-ray generation device control unit 26 for controlling the tube voltage, tube current, diaphragm, etc. of the X-ray tube, and controls rotation and imaging. The detector is connected to the flat detector 23 via the detector controller 27. The system control unit 25 is connected to an operation unit 28 including a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a foot pedal, and the like for inputting parameters.

  Furthermore, the output of the flat detector 23 collects the detected transmission data, and performs an image processing unit 30 that performs various image processing via an image generation unit 29 that generates an image, and a memory 31 that temporarily stores the created image. Connected sequentially. Connected to the memory 31 are an image storage unit 32 for storing the obtained image and a display unit 33 having a CRT, a liquid crystal monitor, etc. for displaying the image. Further, the image processing unit 30 is connected to the X-ray generator control unit 26 in order to transmit feedback information to be described later and receive X-ray conditions.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the multi-X-ray generation source 21 to be used. In the vacuum chamber 42 surrounded by the vacuum wall 41, a multi-EB generation unit 43 and a transmission target 44 are provided to face each other. The multi-EB generating unit 43 includes a multi-EB element substrate 45 and a multi-EB element array 47 in which a plurality of multi-EB elements 46 are arranged thereon. The driving of the multi-EB element 46 is controlled by a drive signal unit 48. Has been.

  In order to control the multi-electron beam e generated from the multi-EB element 46, a lens electrode 50 and an anode electrode 51 fixed to an insulator 49 are provided, and a high voltage introducing portion is provided to the lens electrode 50 and the anode electrode 51. A high voltage is supplied via 52 and 53.

  The transmission target 44 that collides the multi electron beam e generated from the multi EB element 46 is discretely arranged corresponding to the multi electron beam e. Further, the transmission target 44 is provided with an X-ray shielding plate 54, an X-ray extraction portion 55 is provided on the X-ray shielding plate 54, and an X-ray including an X-ray transmission film 56 on the vacuum wall 41 in front thereof. An extraction window 57 is provided.

  The multi-electron beam e generated from the multi-EB element 46 is subjected to the lens action by the lens electrode 50 and is accelerated to the final potential height at the transmission target 44 portion of the anode electrode 51. The X-ray beam x generated by the transmission target 44 passes through the X-ray extraction unit 55 and is further extracted from the X-ray extraction window 57 into the atmosphere.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a state in which an X-ray beam is emitted from the multi-X-ray generation source 21. A very thin X-ray beam, so-called pencil beam, is emitted from each X-ray source from the multi-X-ray generation source 21 and reaches one pixel or a plurality of pixels of the flat detector 23, respectively.

  In this case, the multi X-ray generation source 21 and the flat detector 23 are synchronized and only the sensor corresponding to the radiating X-ray source is driven. Using the above-described processing, the X-ray sources of the multi-X-ray generation source 21 are sequentially operated one by one, or the scattered X-ray sources are collectively operated, so that scattering from other adjacent X-ray sources is performed. It is possible to prevent the line from entering.

  FIG. 4 is a detailed configuration diagram of the X-ray generator control unit 26. In the X-ray generator control unit 26, an X-ray source setting control unit 61 to which a signal is input from the system control unit 25 and an X-ray condition are shown. A control unit 62 is provided. The X-ray source setting control unit 61 is connected to X-ray source setting units 63 a to 63 d for setting each X-ray source of the multi-X-ray generation source 21. The X-ray condition control unit 62 is connected to imaging control units 65 a to 65 d that control each X-ray source of the multi-X-ray generation source 21 via a switch 64. An image generation unit 29 is connected to the X-ray condition control unit 62 of the X-ray generation device control unit 26 via the image processing unit 30. In FIG. 4, the number of X-ray sources of the multi-X-ray generation source 21 is four for convenience of explanation, but of course it is not limited to four.

  A focal length, direction, and aperture for each X-ray source are set in the operation unit 28 and transmitted to the X-ray source setting control unit 61 via the system control unit 25, and X-ray source setting units 63a to 63d for each X-ray source. Thus, the focal length, direction, and aperture are reflected for each X-ray source.

  After the above setting, an X-ray condition setting and an exposure command such as whether to perform X-ray source number, radiation quality, dose, pulse X-ray irradiation or automatic dose control are set manually by the operation unit 28. Are transmitted to the X-ray condition control unit 62. The above-mentioned X-ray condition setting and exposure command are distributed by the switch 64 according to the X-ray source number, transmitted to the imaging control units 65a to 65d, and exposure is performed from each X-ray source of the multi-X-ray generation source 21. Is called.

  When automatic dose control is used, the feedback information is transmitted to the X-ray condition control unit 62 by analyzing the ROI in the irradiated image area of the image acquired by the image processing unit 30, and the next X-ray control is performed. Reflect in exposure.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of an embodiment using the X-ray imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and more specifically, the flat detector 23 is used as in general imaging or R / F apparatus in a standing or lying position. A fixed configuration is shown. The multi X-ray generation source 21 and the flat detector 23 are fixed in a predetermined positional relationship, and a top plate 71 for placing the subject S is provided between the multi X-ray generation source 21 and the flat detector 23. ing. A monitor 72 is disposed above the multi-X-ray generation source 21.

  A normal X-ray image is obtained by irradiating the subject S with uniform X-rays and observing a distribution due to a difference in transmittance for each imaging region of the subject S. However, in the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment, the radiation quality and dose can be individually set for each X-ray source of the multi-X-ray generation source 21. For this reason, the image acquired by the image generation unit 29 is suitable for observing each imaging region, but is not likely to be an image suitable for diagnosis in the entire observation region. Furthermore, when the automatic dose control described above is used, the acquired image will approach an image obtained with uniform pixels.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for generating a diagnosable image in the image processing unit 30. First, in step S1, when the image processing unit 30 receives an image from the image generation unit 29, the process proceeds to step S2, and the X-ray condition of each X-ray source is received from the X-ray generation device control unit 26. Subsequently, in step S3, it is determined whether or not the quality of each X-ray source is the same. If it is determined that they are the same, the process proceeds to step S4, and if it is determined that they are different, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S4, an image reflection process based on the X-ray condition for reflecting the X-ray condition on the image is performed to create an image that can be diagnosed. In step S5, the image quality is divided as a separate image for each radiation quality, and then the process proceeds to step S4 to perform image reflection processing of the X-ray condition.

  Then, after performing various types of image processing in step S6, the process proceeds to step S7, is transferred to the memory 31, and the obtained image is displayed, and a series of processing ends.

  In the conventional X-ray imaging apparatus, a space for arranging the X-ray generation source and the detector is necessary. However, in the X-ray imaging apparatus in the present embodiment, the doctor images the subject S. The above-mentioned multi X-ray generation source 21 can be arranged in an easy space. As a result, the monitor 72 can be arranged on the multi-X-ray generation source 21 or the flat detector 23 as shown in FIG.

  7 is a side view of a modification of the first embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a plan view. A touch panel liquid crystal monitor 82 is arranged on the flat detector 23 with a lead layer 81 interposed therebetween. In this case, the image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 82 is an image displayed by being overlaid with the subject S, and the image of the subject S can be easily obtained. In addition, by providing the touch panel liquid crystal monitor 82, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the X-ray source that easily generates X-rays, that is, the irradiation range selection of the irradiation field in which the black portion is X-ray generation off is selected. Is possible.

  For example, when the imaging region as shown in FIG. 9 is narrow, the subject S is partially imaged as shown in FIG. 10, and it is difficult to imagine the entire subject S. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 11, the old photographed image that is the last photographed image for each panel area of the touch panel is combined with the current photographed image when the panel area is last used. It is also possible to do.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, the irradiation field selection information and the final use image information can be displayed together with color information, transmission information, and the like.

  FIG. 13 is a side view of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a plan view. In the second embodiment, a mechanism control unit that supports the multi-X-ray generation source 21 and the flat detector 23 via the arm 91 and controls the rotation of the arm 91 is provided. Further, a movable arm 92 for manually operating is provided, and a monitor 93 is attached to the tip thereof.

  By providing the arm 91 which is a rotation mechanism, a method of arranging a monitor on the flat detector 23 or the multi X-ray generation source 21, or a liquid crystal monitor having a touch panel on the flat detector 23 or the multi X-ray generation source 21. It becomes difficult to provide a method. For this reason, in the second embodiment, a monitor 93 is attached to the tip of the movable arm 92 so as to be pulled to the hand.

  In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 15, it is assumed that the cassette is used so that the multi-X-ray generation source 21 and the flat detector 23 can be used for a portable mobile. Since the image may be diagnosed after the image is acquired and taken home, the display unit is not provided.

  Further, as a modified example, as shown in FIG. 16, a form using the touch panel liquid crystal monitor 82 described in FIG. 13 is conceivable. In FIG. 16, the touch panel liquid crystal monitor 82 is on the opposite side of the X-ray generation direction of the multi-X-ray generation source 21, assuming over-tube imaging in which the multi-X-ray generation source 21 is arranged above the subject S. Is provided. However, in order to support undertube imaging in which the multi-X-ray generation source 21 is arranged below the subject S, display means is provided on the opposite side of the detection direction of the flat detector 23, or both are provided. There is also.

  In addition, when using this mobile, the influence of scattered radiation on the periphery can be considered, so a mechanism for preventing scattered radiation leakage may be required.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an entire X-ray imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram of a multi X-ray generation source. It is explanatory drawing of pencil beam irradiation. It is a block diagram of a X-ray generator control part. It is a side view of a photographing state. It is an operation | movement flowchart figure of an image process part. It is a side view of the imaging state of a modification. It is a top view of the photography state of a modification. It is explanatory drawing of an imaging | photography area | region. It is explanatory drawing of an imaging | photography area | region. It is explanatory drawing of image composition. It is explanatory drawing of image composition. 6 is a side view of a shooting state of Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a top view of an imaging state. 6 is a side view of a shooting state of Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a side view of the imaging state of a modification. It is a block diagram of the conventional portable X-ray imaging apparatus. It is a block diagram of the conventional stationary X-ray imaging apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Multi X-ray generation source 22 Diaphragm 23 Planar detector 24 Direction variable grid 25 System control part 26 X-ray generator control part 27 Detector control part 28 Operation part 29 Image generation part 30 Image processing part 31 Memory 32 Image storage part 33 Display unit 61 X-ray source setting control unit 62 X-ray condition control unit 63a to 63d X-ray source setting unit 64 Switch 65a to 65d Imaging control unit 71 Top plate 72, 93 Monitor 81 Lead layer 82 Touch panel liquid crystal monitor 91 Arm 92 Movable arm S Subject

Claims (10)

  A flat detector having a multi-X-ray source composed of M × N X-ray sources and K × L sensors for detecting X-rays emitted from the multi-X-ray source; X-rays are simultaneously emitted from the respective X-ray sources and the flat detector is operated to acquire an image, or the X-ray sources are switched to emit X-rays, and the flat detectors of the flat detector are synchronized with the radiation. An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising: an image acquisition unit that acquires an image only from the sensor corresponding to the radiated region.   The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching of the X-ray source is performed sequentially or when operated in a lump.   The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an irradiation range selection unit that can individually set X-ray irradiation from the X-ray source based on an imaging region.   4. The image of the area of the X-ray source and the flat panel detector not selected by the irradiation range selection means is displayed in black without displaying anything, or an image taken last is displayed. X-ray imaging apparatus described in 1.   The X-ray condition setting means for enabling the X-ray quality and dose of the X-ray irradiated from the X-ray source to be individually set based on an imaging region is provided. X-ray equipment.   6. The image reflection processing means for creating an diagnosable image from the X-ray condition set by the setting means set individually and the image acquired by the image acquisition means. The X-ray imaging apparatus described.   The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising display means for displaying an image obtained by the image reflection processing means.   8. The X-ray according to claim 7, wherein the display means includes a display device on the opposite side to the X-ray generation direction of the multi-X-ray generation source or is provided on the opposite side to the detection direction of the flat panel detector. Shooting device.   A display device on the opposite side to the X-ray generation direction of the multi-X-ray generation source or a display device on the opposite side to the detection direction of the flat panel detector is used as a touch panel, and the touch panel emits X-rays emitted from the X-ray source. Irradiation range selection means that allows irradiation to be individually set based on an imaging region, or the X-ray condition that allows X-ray quality and dose to be irradiated from the X-ray source to be individually set based on an imaging region The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 8, which also functions as a setting unit.   The X-ray imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising scattered radiation leakage prevention means for preventing scattered radiation from leaking when used.