JP2017164426A - Radiography apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radiography apparatus which can execute imaging considering imaging conditions for tomosynthesis imaging during per-shot imaging and which can immediately execute tomosynthesis imaging without re-positioning a radiation irradiation unit during tomosynthesis imaging.SOLUTION: In a case where pre-shot imaging and tomosynthesis imaging are executed, a protocol for pre-shot imaging is read out. For reading out the protocol, an operator operates an operation unit 12 on a console unit 1, which causes the console unit 1 to reads out patient information and the protocol for pre-shot imaging from a radiation department information system 103. Here, in the X-ray imaging apparatus, imaging conditions according to a protocol for tomosynthesis imaging to be subsequently executed is read out in a state of being linked with the protocol for pre-shot.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiation imaging apparatus that performs tomosynthesis imaging.

  In an X-ray imaging apparatus that performs tomosynthesis imaging for imaging a tomographic image of a subject, the X-ray tube moves intermittently toward the X-ray detector while moving in the body axis direction of the subject. Irradiate the line. At this time, the X-ray detector moves in the opposite direction to the X-ray tube every time the irradiation of one X-ray is completed. By repeating such an operation, for example, 74 X-ray images are acquired, and by applying a filtered back projection method (FBP) to the X-ray images, the X-ray images are obtained. Reconstructed into a tomographic image. This tomographic image is an image in which a tomographic image when the subject is cut at a certain cut surface is reflected.

  Before this tomosynthesis imaging, pre-shot imaging is executed. At the time of this pre-shot imaging, one X-ray image is taken with the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector stationary. By this pre-shot imaging, the positioning of the subject is confirmed, and X-ray conditions such as the tube current applied to the X-ray tube and the X-ray imaging time during tomosynthesis imaging are determined.

  In Patent Document 1, the shooting position in pre-shooting and the shooting position in actual tomosynthesis shooting do not always match, so the shooting position cannot be confirmed with high accuracy, and the person who becomes the subject only for the pre-shooting. In order to solve the problem of increasing the exposure dose received by the patient, instead of performing pre-imaging, at least one of the plurality of radiation images photographed by the radiation detection means is displayed on the display device, thereby There has been disclosed a radiographic image capturing apparatus capable of accurately confirming an imaging position without increasing an exposure dose when radiographic images are continuously captured.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a radiation source that irradiates a subject with radiation, a radiation detection unit that detects radiation transmitted through the subject, and a radiation source moving unit that moves the radiation source in the body axis direction of the subject. , While the radiation source moving means moves the radiation source, a radiation irradiation control means for controlling the radiation source to repeat radiation irradiation, and a detection signal output by the radiation detection means for each radiation irradiation by the radiation source Image generating means for generating a radiation image, tomographic image acquiring means for reconstructing a plurality of radiation images generated by the image generating means to acquire a radiation tomographic image, and from a focal point of the radiation source to a detection surface of the radiation detecting means Imaging distance that is the distance of the radiation source, irradiation swing angle that is the swing angle of the radiation source while the radiation irradiation control means repeats radiation irradiation to the radiation source, and Based on the parameter group consisting of the movable range, the radiation detection unit's imageable range, which is the range of the position of the radiation detection unit that can acquire the radiation tomographic image without deviating from the movable range of the radiation source, is calculated. A radiation tomography apparatus including a photographing range calculation means for performing the photographing is disclosed. According to the radiation tomography apparatus described in Patent Document 2, it is possible to avoid in advance that a radiation source such as an X-ray tube moves out of a movable range and interferes with a floor surface or the like.

JP 2009-240435 A WO2015 / 166575 A1

  When performing pre-shot imaging, as described above, pre-shot imaging and tomosynthesis imaging are executed in succession. At this time, conventionally, when performing pre-shot shooting, generally the shooting distance at the time of tomosynthesis shooting that is subsequently executed is not recognized. That is, during pre-shot shooting, a pre-shot shooting protocol is selected, and shooting conditions for pre-shot shooting are displayed. Further, at the time of tomosynthesis photographing, a protocol for tomosynthesis photographing is selected, and photographing conditions for tomosynthesis photographing are displayed. For this reason, conventionally, the operator has not been able to recognize the imaging conditions for tomosynthesis imaging when performing pre-shot imaging. On the other hand, it is necessary to match the shooting distance between pre-shot shooting and tomosynthesis shooting. Therefore, it is necessary to select a shooting protocol for pre-shot shooting again after selecting a shooting protocol for tomosynthesis shooting and confirming the shooting distance in the operation unit.

  Further, when tomosynthesis imaging is performed, the range in which the X-ray tube can move is mechanically limited. When tomosynthesis imaging is performed, the X-ray tube moves so as to irradiate X-rays at an angle with respect to the X-ray detector. Therefore, depending on the angle of the X-ray tube and the position of the X-ray detector, In some cases, the tube may be positioned beyond the movable range. In particular, when the imaging distance is increased so as to suppress the enlargement ratio of the X-ray imaging image, when a large tomographic angle is set in order to reduce the thickness of the tomography, or when the X-ray detector moves, the tomographic center position is set. In the case where the X-ray detector is set close to the X-ray detector and the like, the movement distance of the X-ray tube is increased, so that the possibility of exceeding the movable range of the X-ray tube is increased. Furthermore, when the imaging time in tomosynthesis imaging is shortened, the moving speed of the X-ray tube increases, so the run distance for accelerating the X-ray tube increases, and the X-ray tube moves as described above. The possibility of exceeding the possible range increases. Therefore, depending on the arrangement of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector at the time of executing the pre-shot imaging, the X-ray tube arrangement required for imaging can be moved within the X-ray tube at the time of subsequent tomosynthesis imaging. In some cases, it may be necessary to change the arrangement of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and can perform imaging in consideration of imaging conditions during tomosynthesis imaging during pre-shot imaging, and re-execute positioning of the radiation irradiation unit during tomosynthesis imaging. It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiographic apparatus capable of immediately performing tomosynthesis imaging.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a radiation irradiator, a radiation detector that detects radiation irradiated from the radiation irradiator and passed through the subject, and the radiation irradiator in the body axis direction of the subject. A radiation irradiation unit moving mechanism for moving the radiation irradiation unit to move the radiation irradiation unit in a direction opposite to the radiation detection unit as the radiation irradiation unit moves. Radiation imaging for performing tomosynthesis imaging for performing imaging for the subject a plurality of times while moving the radiation irradiating unit after performing pre-shot imaging for imaging the subject with the part stopped In the apparatus, a protocol storage unit for storing a plurality of protocols corresponding to shooting, and a shooting condition corresponding to a currently selected protocol among the plurality of protocols are displayed. The pre-shot photographing protocol is selected when the pre-shot photographing and the tomosynthesis photographing are registered in a temporally continuous protocol among a plurality of protocols stored in the protocol storage unit. And a controller that displays the tomosynthesis imaging conditions on the display unit together with the pre-shot imaging conditions.

  The invention according to claim 2 is a radiation irradiation unit, a radiation detection unit that detects radiation irradiated from the radiation irradiation unit and passed through the subject, and the radiation irradiation unit in the body axis direction of the subject. A radiation irradiation unit moving mechanism for moving the radiation irradiation unit to move the radiation irradiation unit in a direction opposite to the radiation detection unit as the radiation irradiation unit moves. Radiation imaging for performing tomosynthesis imaging for performing imaging for the subject a plurality of times while moving the radiation irradiating unit after performing pre-shot imaging for imaging the subject with the part stopped In the apparatus, a protocol storage unit that stores a plurality of protocols corresponding to shooting, and a protocol that continues in time among the plurality of protocols stored in the protocol storage unit. If the pre-shot shooting protocol is selected when the pre-shot shooting and the tomosynthesis shooting are registered, the pre-shot shooting shooting conditions are read together with the pre-shot shooting shooting conditions. A control unit that determines whether or not the tomosynthesis imaging can be executed according to imaging conditions at the time of a shot.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the imaging conditions for the tomosynthesis imaging include an imaging distance and a tomographic angle.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the photographing condition for the tomosynthesis photographing includes photographing time.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the imaging condition for the tomosynthesis imaging includes a tomographic center.

  According to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, when the shooting conditions for pre-shot shooting are read prior to the pre-shot shooting, shooting conditions for tomosynthesis shooting to be executed next are read and displayed, or Because it is determined whether or not to shoot, it is possible to shoot in consideration of shooting conditions during tomosynthesis shooting during pre-shot shooting, and tomosynthesis immediately without re-execution positioning of the radiation irradiation section during tomosynthesis shooting. Shooting can be executed. For this reason, it is possible to efficiently perform tomosynthesis imaging.

1 is a schematic diagram of an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main control systems of the X-ray imaging apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which performs tomosynthesis imaging | photography with an X-ray imaging apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an X-ray imaging apparatus as a radiation imaging apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main control system of the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

  An X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention is used for imaging a console unit 1 and a high-voltage apparatus 2 installed in an operation room 101 for an operator to perform an X-ray imaging operation, and a subject M. A standing position photographing stand 3 and a photographing unit 4 installed in the photographing room 100 are provided. The imaging room 100 and the operation room 101 are blocked by a partition wall 102.

  The console unit 1 includes a display unit 11 including a liquid crystal display and an operation unit 12 including a keyboard and a mouse for performing various operations. An X-ray image is displayed on the display unit 11. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the console unit 1 includes a control unit 13 that controls the entire apparatus. Furthermore, the console unit 1 includes a protocol storage unit 15 that stores a protocol that will be described later, and an imaging condition storage unit 14 that stores imaging conditions. As shown in FIG. 2, the console unit 1 is connected to a radiology information system (RIS) 103 which is in-hospital communication of a subject management system in a hospital, and stores various information for X-ray imaging. The configuration can be read from the radiology information system 103.

  Note that a plurality of protocols used in a series of examinations are registered and stored in the protocol storage unit 15 in the order in which they are used. The shooting condition storage unit 14 stores shooting conditions corresponding to each protocol. Instead of storing a plurality of protocols in the protocol storage unit 15 in the console unit 1, a plurality of protocols used in a series of examinations are stored in another storage unit connected via the radiology information system 103. It may be. The imaging conditions may be read out together with patient information from the radiology information system 103 every time a protocol is selected. Here, the protocol means information in which conditions such as tube voltage, current, time, focal spot size, necessity of grid, measurement site, etc. for a single imaging are collected together.

  The high voltage device 2 is disposed on the partition wall 102 in the operation chamber 101. As shown in FIG. 2, the high voltage device 2 includes an operation panel 22 having a display unit, an input button, and the like that are configured by a touch panel type liquid crystal display and the like, and a switch 23 for starting X-ray imaging. Prepare. This high voltage apparatus 2 is for setting X-ray irradiation conditions such as the tube voltage and tube current of the X-ray tube 42 or the X-ray irradiation time.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the standing position imaging stand 3 includes an elevating unit 34 that supports the X-ray detection unit 33 so that it can be raised and lowered, and a partition 35. The X-ray detector 33 is also referred to as a bucky unit, and includes an X-ray detector such as a flat panel detector (FPD) therein. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the standing imaging stand 3 includes an elevation drive unit 32 that changes the height position of the X-ray detection unit 33 by raising and lowering the X-ray detection unit 33. The X-ray tube 42 and the collimator 43 constitute a radiation irradiation unit according to the present invention, and the X-ray detection unit 33 constitutes a radiation detection unit according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging unit 4 includes a base 46 that can move in directions orthogonal to the ceiling of the imaging room 100, a support 45 that extends downward from the base 46, and the support 45. And a moving unit 44 that moves up and down and rotates. An X-ray tube 42 and a collimator 43 are supported on the moving unit 44. For this reason, the X-ray tube 42 and the collimator 43 are movable as a unit. Further, the X-ray tube 42 and the collimator 43 can swing integrally with the moving unit 44. The imaging unit 4 includes an X-ray tube moving unit 47 as shown in FIG. The X-ray tube moving unit 47 drives and controls a motor (not shown) to move the X-ray detector 33 and the collimator 43 as a unit, and drives and controls a motor (not shown). A swing drive unit 49 for swinging the X-ray tube 42 and the collimator 43 is configured.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which tomosynthesis imaging is executed by the X-ray imaging apparatus described above.

  When tomosynthesis imaging is performed on the subject M standing on the front of the screen 35 in the standing imaging stand 3, the X-ray tube 42 and the collimator 43 are driven by the movement drive unit 48 in the imaging unit 4 shown in FIG. 3 is lowered from the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 to the position indicated by the solid line through the position indicated by the one-dot chain line, and the X-ray detection unit is driven by the elevation drive unit 32 in the standing imaging stand 3 shown in FIG. 33 is raised from the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 to the position indicated by the solid line via the position indicated by the one-dot chain line. At the same time as the moving operation, the center axis of the X-ray irradiated from the X-ray tube 42 always faces the center direction of the X-ray detection unit 33 by driving the swing driving unit 49 in the imaging unit 4 shown in FIG. As described above, the X-ray tube 42 and the collimator 43 are swung.

  In FIG. 3, the symbol L <b> 1 indicates the movement region of the X-ray tube 42, and the symbol L <b> 2 indicates the movement region of the X-ray detection unit 33. A symbol D indicates a shooting distance. The photographing distance D corresponds to a distance between the focus and the image receiving surface (Source Image Distance: SID). Further, the symbol θ indicates a tomographic angle that is an irradiation swing angle for swinging the X-ray tube 42 and the collimator 43, and a symbol C indicates the position of the center of the tomography. Furthermore, the hatched area in FIG. 3 is an area where all X-ray images for reconstructing an X-ray tomographic image can be formed.

  The magnification of the X-ray tomographic image obtained by tomosynthesis imaging is affected by the imaging distance D. In order to reduce the magnification of the X-ray tomographic image, it is necessary to increase the imaging distance D, and in order to increase the magnification of the X-ray tomographic image, it is necessary to reduce the imaging distance D. The tomographic thickness of the X-ray tomographic image is affected by the tomographic angle θ. In order to reduce the tomographic thickness of the X-ray tomographic image, it is necessary to increase the tomographic angle θ, and in order to increase the tomographic thickness of the X-ray tomographic image, it is necessary to decrease the tomographic angle θ.

  When performing pre-shot imaging and tomosynthesis imaging using the X-ray imaging apparatus as described above, the pre-shot imaging protocol is read from the protocol storage unit 15. Reading of this protocol is executed when the operator operates the operation unit 12 in the console unit 1. At this time, in this X-ray imaging apparatus, the imaging condition in the tomosynthesis imaging protocol to be continuously executed is read out by the control unit 13 in a state linked to the pre-shot protocol. Further, the read shooting conditions are displayed on the display unit 11 by the control unit 13.

  That is, in the conventional X-ray imaging apparatus, even if the pre-shot protocol and the tomosynthesis imaging protocol are registered in a temporally continuous state, the pre-shot protocol is selected when the pre-shot protocol is selected. Only the shooting conditions were read and displayed. On the other hand, in this X-ray imaging apparatus, when the pre-shot protocol is selected, not only the imaging conditions based on the pre-shot protocol but also the imaging conditions based on the tomosynthesis imaging protocol to be continuously executed are combined. These image capturing conditions are displayed on the display unit 11.

  The readout imaging conditions are the imaging distance D and the tomographic angle θ. In addition to the imaging distance D and the tomographic angle θ, the position of the tomographic center C and the imaging time for tomosynthesis imaging are also read. The read shooting conditions are stored in the shooting condition storage unit 14 in the console unit 1 and displayed on the display unit 11. The operator confirms the photographing conditions at the time of tomosynthesis photographing displayed on the display unit 11, and sets the photographing conditions at the time of pre-shot photographing so as to match it. In an X-ray imaging apparatus having an auto-positioning function, the X-ray tube 42, the collimator 43, and the X-ray detection unit 33 may be automatically moved to a necessary place.

  In this way, when the shooting conditions for pre-shot shooting are read prior to pre-shot shooting, the shooting conditions for tomosynthesis shooting to be executed next are read and displayed. Based on the above, it is possible to set shooting conditions for pre-shot shooting. For this reason, when tomosynthesis imaging is performed, it is not necessary to perform positioning of the X-ray tube 42 again, and it is possible to immediately execute tomosynthesis imaging.

  For example, when the shooting distance D at the time of tomosynthesis shooting is 120 cm, the shooting distance D at the time of pre-shot shooting is also set to 120 cm. Further, if necessary, imaging conditions for pre-shot imaging are set in consideration of other conditions such as the tomographic angle θ in tomosynthesis imaging, the position of the tomographic center C, and the imaging time for tomosynthesis imaging.

  Further, based on the readout imaging conditions at the time of tomosynthesis imaging, the range to which the X-ray tube 42 should move is the movement of the X-ray tube 42 etc. when the pre-shot imaging protocol is selected by the control unit 13. It is determined whether or not the possible range is exceeded. That is, the control unit 13 determines whether tomosynthesis imaging can be executed in this state. This determination is made in the control unit 13 as described in Patent Document 2 described above, the imaging distance that is the distance from the focal point of the X-ray tube 42 to the detection surface of the X-ray detection unit 33, and the X-ray tube 42 X The X-ray tube 42 and the like are X-rays based on an irradiation swing angle (tomographic angle) that is a swing angle of the X-ray tube 42 and repeating parameters including the movable range of the X-ray tube 42 and the like during repeated X-ray irradiation. This is executed by an imaging range calculating means for calculating an imaging range of the X-ray detection unit 33, which is a range of positions of the X-ray detection unit 33 that can acquire an X-ray tomographic image without departing from the movable range of the tube 42 and the like. The

  When the range in which the X-ray tube 42 or the like should move exceeds the movable range of the X-ray tube 42 or the like, a warning display or the like indicating that imaging is impossible is performed on the display unit 11. Therefore, the operator can recognize that the range in which the X-ray tube 42 and the like should move exceeds the movable range, and the operator can change the position of the X-ray tube 42 and other imaging conditions. Is possible.

  As described above, according to the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to perform imaging positioning for tomosynthesis imaging at the time of pre-shot imaging. After the pre-shot imaging is performed, the operator again It is possible to continuously perform tomosynthesis imaging without entering the imaging room 100. Thereby, the examination time can be shortened, and the burden on the subject M and the operator can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to an X-ray imaging apparatus in which the X-ray detection unit 33 moves in the vertical direction, but the X-ray detection unit 33 may be fixed. In this case, the position of the tomographic center C is arranged on the X-ray detection unit 33 side, but the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to an X-ray imaging apparatus that performs X-ray imaging on a subject M in a standing position using the standing imaging stand 3. The present invention may be applied to an X-ray imaging apparatus that performs X-ray imaging on a subject M in a state.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Console part 2 High voltage apparatus 3 Standing imaging | photography stand 4 Imaging | photography part 11 Display part 12 Operation part 13 Control part 14 Imaging condition memory | storage part 15 Protocol memory | storage part 22 Operation panel 23 Switch 32 Elevating drive part 33 X-ray detection part 42 X-ray | X_line Tube 43 Collimator 47 X-ray tube moving unit 48 Movement drive unit 49 Oscillation drive unit 100 Imaging room 101 Operation room 103 Radiology information system M Subject D Imaging distance θ Tomographic angle

Claims (5)

A radiation irradiation unit, a radiation detection unit that detects radiation irradiated from the radiation irradiation unit and passed through the subject, and moves the radiation irradiation unit in the body axis direction of the subject, and A radiation irradiation unit moving mechanism for swinging the radiation irradiation unit so that the irradiation direction of the radiation is opposite to the radiation detection unit in accordance with the movement; In the radiation imaging apparatus for performing tomosynthesis imaging for performing imaging for the subject multiple times while moving the radiation irradiation unit after performing pre-shot imaging for imaging
A protocol storage unit for storing a plurality of protocols corresponding to shooting;
A display unit for displaying photographing conditions corresponding to a currently selected protocol among the plurality of protocols;
When the pre-shot imaging and the tomosynthesis imaging are registered in a temporally continuous protocol among a plurality of protocols stored in the protocol storage unit, when the pre-shot imaging protocol is selected, A control unit that displays the tomosynthesis imaging conditions on the display unit together with the pre-shot imaging conditions;
A radiation imaging apparatus comprising: A radiation irradiation unit, a radiation detection unit that detects radiation irradiated from the radiation irradiation unit and passed through the subject, and moves the radiation irradiation unit in the body axis direction of the subject, and A radiation irradiation unit moving mechanism for swinging the radiation irradiation unit so that the irradiation direction of the radiation is opposite to the radiation detection unit in accordance with the movement; In the radiation imaging apparatus for performing tomosynthesis imaging for performing imaging for the subject multiple times while moving the radiation irradiation unit after performing pre-shot imaging for imaging
A protocol storage unit for storing a plurality of protocols corresponding to shooting;
When the pre-shot imaging and the tomosynthesis imaging are registered in a temporally continuous protocol among a plurality of protocols stored in the protocol storage unit, when the pre-shot imaging protocol is selected, A controller that reads out the shooting conditions of the tomosynthesis shooting together with the shooting conditions of the pre-shot shooting, and determines whether the tomosynthesis shooting can be executed according to the shooting conditions at the time of the pre-shot, and
A radiation imaging apparatus comprising: The radiographic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The radiographic apparatus in which the imaging conditions of the tomosynthesis imaging include an imaging distance and a tomographic angle. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The radiographic apparatus in which the imaging conditions of the tomosynthesis imaging include imaging time. The radiographic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
An imaging condition for the tomosynthesis imaging is a radiation imaging apparatus including a tomographic center.

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