JP2000023964A - X-ray image diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To miniaturize an X-ray image diagnostic device having a flat panel type X-ray detector and a flat display and to place the display in a certain positional relationship to the panel type X-ray detector to achieve optimum layout. SOLUTION: An X-ray image diagnostic device includes a flat panel type X-ray detector 2 opposed to an X-ray bulb 1 radiating X-rays, with a subject 11 therebetween, for detecting the transmitted X-rays radiated from the X-ray bulb 1 to the subject 11 and for outputting the transmitted X-rays as image data, a flat display 3 for displaying on its display portion the image data transmitted from the panel type X-ray detector 2, and a universal joint part 4 coupled to the panel type X-ray detector 2 in such a manner that the display 3 can be placed in a certain positional relationship to the panel type X-ray detector 2. Therefore, the display 3 can be placed in a certain positional relationship to the panel type X-ray detector 2 and optimum layout can be achieved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an X-ray image diagnostic apparatus which emits X-rays to a subject, converts the transmitted X-rays into images, and displays the images to assist diagnosis of a target site. It is miniaturized with a line detector and a flat display,
The present invention relates to an X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus capable of arranging a display in an arbitrary positional relationship with respect to the panel-type X-ray detector and performing optimal arrangement.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an X-ray tube for emitting X-rays and an X-ray film for exposing X-rays transmitted through the subject have been used for imaging a target site of the subject using X-rays for use in diagnosis. The X-ray apparatus was used to perform X-ray imaging on the target site. In particular, when it is necessary to perform X-ray imaging in a hospital room, an operating room, or the like, X-ray film imaging has been performed using a portable X-ray apparatus such as a mobile round-trip car.

[0003] Alternatively, an X-ray tube that emits X-rays, an X-ray image intensifier (hereinafter, referred to as “X-ray II”) that receives transmitted X-rays of the subject and converts them into an optical image,
An X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus including a TV camera that captures an optical image of the fluorescent screen of X-ray II and converts the optical image into an electric signal, and a TV monitor that displays a video signal from the TV camera as an image. An X-ray image was taken of the part and displayed on a TV monitor.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned X-ray apparatus using the X-ray film, the X-ray film is used to expose the subject to X-rays for exposure and to perform imaging. In addition, the photographed image cannot be confirmed, and accurate positioning cannot be performed. Therefore, a large area film is used to photograph a wide range. Therefore, X-ray exposure may increase due to imaging of an unnecessary portion, or X-ray exposure may increase due to re-imaging due to failure to obtain a good image.

In an X-ray image diagnostic apparatus using an X-ray II, a TV camera, and a TV monitor, it is possible to confirm a photographed image and perform accurate positioning by performing fluoroscopy in advance. However, since the fluorescent surface of the X-ray II is spherical, the peripheral image may be distorted. Further, since the field of view of the X-ray II is circular, in order to obtain an effective captured image, it is necessary to take an image of a wider area than the target portion, and the X-ray exposure may increase. Furthermore, since the X-ray II, a TV camera and a TV monitor are required, the device becomes large, and is not suitable for a portable X-ray device such as a mobile trolley, and the relative positions of those components must be freely arranged. Could not be done.

In view of the above, the present invention has been made to address such a problem and to provide a flat panel type X-ray detector and a flat panel display to reduce the size of the panel X-ray detector. It is an object of the present invention to provide an X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus capable of arranging a display in an arbitrary positional relationship and performing optimal arrangement.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention is arranged to face an X-ray source that emits X-rays with a subject interposed therebetween, and receives an X-ray image from the X-ray source. A flat panel-type X-ray detector for detecting transmitted X-rays emitted from a sample and outputting the transmitted X-rays as image data, and a display unit for displaying image data from the panel-type X-ray detector And a universal joint for connecting the display to the panel X-ray detector so that the display can be arranged in an arbitrary positional relationship.

[0008] A part of the display unit includes a panel type X.
Switching means may be provided for switching the display direction of the captured image displayed on the display unit of the display in accordance with the positional relationship between the line detector and the display.

Further, a part of the display unit may be provided with a network connection means for transferring the obtained photographed image data to another device.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows an X according to the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an apparatus schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a line image diagnostic apparatus.
This X-ray image diagnostic apparatus emits X-rays to a subject, converts the transmitted X-rays into images, and displays the images to help diagnose a target site. As shown in FIG. , A display 3 and a universal joint 4.

The example shown in FIG. 1 shows a case where the present invention is applied to a portable X-ray apparatus such as a mobile medical examination car. That is, the base unit 5 is provided with a battery as a power supply, a motor as a drive source, and the like. The base unit 5 is provided with wheels 6 for movement, and can freely move on the installation floor 7. It is possible to move. Base unit 5
A telescopic shaft 8 which can be extended and retracted forward and backward projects from the front surface of the X-ray tube 1. The distal end of the telescopic shaft 8 supports the X-ray tube 1. Further, an arm 9 is provided which can extend from the upper surface of the base unit 5 toward the front at an arbitrary height, position, and angle, and the panel type X-ray detector 2 is supported at the tip of the arm 9. ing. In addition, the example of FIG. 1 shows an arrangement of an undertube in which the X-ray tube 1 is located below the table 10. This arrangement example can be applied not only to a portable X-ray apparatus used in a hospital room or the like but also to a cardiovascular examination apparatus.

In such a state, the X-ray tube 1 emits X-rays toward the subject 11 lying on the table 10 and, for example, expands and contracts below the table 10. It is supported by the tip of the shaft 8. Although not shown, a predetermined tube voltage is supplied to the X-ray tube 1 from a high voltage generator provided inside the base unit 5.

The panel type X-ray detector 2 is connected to the subject 11
An X-ray image transmitted through the X-ray is incident and converted into an optical image, and this optical image is converted into an electric signal using a semiconductor and image data is output. The overall shape is rectangular with a predetermined thickness. It is formed in the shape of a flat plate and is also called a "flat sensor." In recent years, with the advance of semiconductor technology, especially TFT technology, it has been developed as an X-ray detection means using a semiconductor instead of the conventional X-ray film or X-ray II. It has become.

The panel-type X-ray detector 2 converts a fluorescent substance into which an X-ray image is incident and converts it into an optical image, and an electric signal for accumulating electric charge by inputting light of the fluorescent substance for each pixel. It is composed of a combination of a photodiode to be converted and a TFT for switching and reading out the electric signal of the photodiode for each pixel, so that the attenuation of X-rays can be directly output as a digital signal. The field of view for X-ray incidence is, for example, 2000 pixels x
It is a square of 2000 pixels. In this case, unlike the X-ray film, a developing facility is not required, and the detected image data can be taken in and immediately displayed as a photographed image by a board and a personal computer. Such a panel-type X-ray detector is described in, for example, “An Improved Pag.
e-size 127 um Pixel Amorphous Silicon Image S
ensor for X-Ray Diagnostic Medical Imaging Ap
replications "(SPIE Vol. 3032. 0277-786X / 97).

The display 3 receives image data from the panel type X-ray detector 2, processes the image, and displays a captured image on a display unit using a semiconductor. It is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. As shown in FIG. 2, the internal configuration of the display 3 is a data capturing unit 12 for inputting image data from the panel X-ray detector 2.
And an image processing unit 13 which receives image data from the data capturing unit 12 and performs gradation processing, control of a display position and a direction, enlargement processing, and the like as necessary, and the image processing unit 13
And a control unit 15 for controlling the operations of the data acquisition unit 12 and the image processing unit 13.

The panel type X-ray detector 2 and the display 3 are connected by a universal joint 4. The universal joint 4 connects the display 3 to the panel X-ray detector 2 so that the display 3 can be arranged in an arbitrary positional relationship. For example, the universal joint 4 has a predetermined length with an outer peripheral surface formed in a bellows shape. Made of pipe-like material, bent in any direction,
It can be stretched or twisted and fixed in that state. A cable for transmitting the image data detected by the panel X-ray detector 2 to the display 3 is passed through the universal joint 4.

Next, the imaging operation of the X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus thus configured will be described. In FIG. 1, first, the subject 11 is placed on the upper surface of the table 10. The X-ray tube 1 is positioned directly below the subject 11 by extending and retracting the telescopic shaft 8 below the table 10, and the arm 9 is positioned above the table 10 at an arbitrary height, position, The panel X-ray detector 2 is projected at an angle and is positioned at a site of the subject 11 to be imaged. Then, the display 3 connected to the panel type X-ray detector 2 by the universal joint 4 is arranged at various angles and directions,
The display 3 is arranged at a position where the operator can easily view the captured image. In FIG. 1, the display 3 is arranged to be inclined with the cover opened with respect to the panel type X-ray detector 2.

In this state, the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 1
The X-rays pass through the subject 11 on the table 10 and the transmitted X-rays enter the panel X-ray detector 2. Then, the transmitted X-rays are converted into an optical image by the panel X-ray detector 2, and the optical image is converted into an electric signal using a semiconductor and output as image data. As shown in FIG. 3, the image data is transferred to the display 3 via a cable in the universal joint 4, and displayed on the display 14 as a photographed image. In this case, the surgeon can output the weak X-ray while observing the image displayed on the display unit 14, and can accurately position the panel-type X-ray detector 2. Then, the photographed image can be confirmed immediately after the X-ray photographing, so that photographing failure does not occur.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing another example of the arrangement of the display 3 with respect to the panel type X-ray detector 2. In this example,
There is an operator diagonally forward of the panel type X-ray detector 2 and the display 3
In the case of observing, the display 3 is set up substantially vertically, and the display 3 is arranged so as to swing its head diagonally.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing another example of supporting the panel type X-ray detector 2 on the tip of the arm 9. In this example, the opposite side of the panel-type X-ray detector 2 to the example of FIG. 1 is supported by the distal end of an arm 9, and the display 3 is positioned on the side on which the operator stands. is there. In the case of FIG. 5, the lid is opened greatly with respect to the panel-type X-ray detector 2, and the display 3 is hung to the near side, and the screen of the display unit 14 is inclined toward the near side.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing another example of the arrangement of the display 3 with respect to the panel type X-ray detector 2. In this arrangement example, an operator is in front of the panel type X-ray detector 2 and the display 3
Is observed, the display 3 is positioned above the panel X-ray detector 2, and the screen of the display unit 14 is inclined rearward toward the near side.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing still another example of the arrangement of the display unit 3 with respect to the panel type X-ray detector 2. As shown in FIG. In this arrangement example, the display 3 is positioned in the same plane on the near side of the panel-type X-ray detector 2, and the screen of the display unit 14 is horizontal on the near side.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing still another example of the arrangement of the display 3 with respect to the panel type X-ray detector 2. In this arrangement example, the display 3 is superimposed on the upper surface of the panel-type X-ray detector 2 and the screen of the display unit 14 is oriented upward and horizontal.

FIG. 9 shows an X-ray tube 1 and a panel type X-ray detector 2.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of arrangement | positioning. This example shows an arrangement of an overtube in which the X-ray tube 1 is located above the table 10. In this case, the positions of the telescopic shaft 8 and the arm 9 are exchanged in the device shown in FIG. 1 or FIG.
The panel X-ray detector 2 is placed on the upper surface of the table 10, and the subject 11 is placed on the upper surface of the panel X-ray detector 2. In the arrangement of the overtube, various arrangements shown in FIGS. 3 to 7 can be applied to the panel-type X-ray detector 2 as an example of arrangement of the display 3 with respect to the panel X-ray detector 2 as necessary.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing another example of the display 3. In this example, the display direction of the captured image displayed on the display unit 14 of the display 3 according to the positional relationship between the panel X-ray detector 2 and the display 3 A display direction changeover switch 16 is provided as means for switching
Further, a network connection terminal 17 is provided in a part of the display unit 3 as a network connection means for transferring the obtained captured image data to another device.

According to the example shown in FIG. 10, when the positional relationship between the panel type X-ray detector 2 and the display 3 is changed as shown in FIGS. May be upside down, or the display unit 14 may be upside down when the operator is located on the left or right side of the panel X-ray detector 2. In response to this, the display direction changeover switch 16 is operated as necessary to change the left and right of the captured image displayed on the display unit 14 and to reverse the image up and down. For example,
A means for rotating the display of the captured image by 90 degrees each time the display direction switch 16 is pressed may be provided, and the display image may be switched to a desired direction according to the side on which the operator is located.

Also, by connecting the cable connected to the network connection terminal 17 to a network connection terminal provided in, for example, a hospital room, the data of the captured image obtained by the panel X-ray detector 2 and the display 3 can be obtained. Can be digitally transferred to another device, and an efficient inspection can be performed. Further, the panel type X-ray detector 2 and the display 3 can be used independently. After the imaging, the operator carries the network to another examination room or directly brings it to the examination requester side. It is also possible.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing another example of support of the X-ray tube 1 and the panel type X-ray detector 2. In this example, the X-ray tube 1 and the panel type X-ray detector 2 are attached to both ends of a C-shaped or U-shaped arm member 18, and the arm member 18 is provided on the upper surface of the base unit 5. Base 19
And is rotatably and rotatably supported by a drive unit 20 protruding forward. In this case, the arm member 1
By rotating 8, the arrangement of the undertube and the arrangement of the overtube in the arrangement of the X-ray tube 1 and the panel-type X-ray detector 2 can be switched.

In the above description, the X-ray source is X
Although the wire tube 1 has been described as an example, the present invention can be applied to any device that generates X-rays. Further, the X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus of the present invention may be used for auxiliary imaging of an X-ray CT apparatus, for example, imaging of a scanogram image or the like, or may be similarly replaced in an X-ray imaging system using a C-arm. . Therefore, it can be used independently of the X-ray source that generates X-rays.

[0030]

The present invention has been configured as described above.
It is possible to reduce the size by providing a flat panel X-ray detector and a flat display, and to arrange the display in an arbitrary positional relationship with respect to the panel X-ray detector so as to perform an optimal arrangement. it can. In this case, the surgeon outputs weak X-rays while observing the image displayed on the display unit of the display device, and the panel type X
The position of the line detector can be accurately determined. Therefore, unnecessary X-ray exposure to the subject can be prevented. Further, since the photographed image can be confirmed immediately after the X-ray photographing, photographing failure does not occur.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of an X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the display.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a captured image is displayed on a display unit of a display device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of arrangement of a display device with respect to a panel-type X-ray detector.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of supporting a panel-type X-ray detector with respect to the tip of an arm.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing another example of arrangement of the display device with respect to the panel type X-ray detector.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing still another arrangement example of the display device with respect to the panel type X-ray detector.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing still another arrangement example of a display device with respect to the panel X-ray detector.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the arrangement of the X-ray tube and the panel X-ray detector.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the display.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of support of the X-ray tube and the panel X-ray detector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... X-ray tube 2 ... Panel type X-ray detector 3 ... Display 4 ... Universal joint part 5 ... Base unit 6 ... Wheel 8 ... Telescopic shaft 9 ... Arm 10 ... Table 11 ... Subject 12 ... Data acquisition part 13 ... Image processing unit 14 ... Display unit 15 ... Control unit

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An X-ray source that emits X-rays is opposed to an X-ray source with a subject interposed therebetween, detects transmitted X-rays emitted from the X-ray source to the subject, and converts the transmitted X-rays into image data. A flat panel-type X-ray detector that outputs the image as: a flat panel display that displays image data from the panel-type X-ray detector on a display unit; An X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus, comprising: a universal joint portion for connecting the instruments so as to be arranged in an arbitrary positional relationship.