JP5121236B2 - X-ray CT apparatus and medical data communication mechanism - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical data communication mechanism and an X-ray CT apparatus (or an X-ray diagnostic apparatus) that perform communication between a rotating unit that performs imaging while rotating and a fixed unit that receives data from the rotating unit and performs image processing. About. In particular, the present invention relates to a communication technology corresponding to an increase in data capacity or high speed processing.

  Conventionally, the overall configuration of an X-ray CT apparatus can be broadly divided as shown in FIG. 1A. A rotating unit 200, a fixed unit 100 (the rotating unit 200 and the fixed unit 100 may be referred to as a gantry), and It was divided into the console section 300.

  The rotating unit 200 is open so as to accommodate a subject. The rotating unit 200 is configured to be rotatable around the subject by the rotation driving unit 211. The rotation control unit 212 receives an instruction from the control unit 350 via the coupling unit 270 and controls the rotation driving unit 211. During the rotation of the rotating unit 200, the X-ray control unit 222 receives an instruction from the control unit 350 via the coupling unit 270, and the X-ray tube voltage, tube current, and the like of the X-ray irradiation unit 221 are included. Control. When the subject is irradiated with X-rays by the X-ray irradiator 221, the X-ray transmitted through the subject is received by the X-ray detector 230, converted into an electrical signal, and extracted.

  The X-ray detection unit 230 is composed of many X-ray detection elements. The data collection unit 240 collects electrical signals from those X-ray detection elements. The transmission unit 250 modulates the electrical signal from the data collection unit 240 into a high-frequency carrier signal, and sends it to the transmission medium 260 at a high speed. The carrier signal is sent to the reception unit 310 via the reception medium 110 on the fixed unit 100 side that performs charge coupling with the transmission medium 260.

  The receiving unit 310 demodulates the transmitted carrier signal, and converts the demodulated electrical signal into digital data. Further, the data is constructed into image data relating to the subject by the reconstruction processing unit 320 and stored in the image storage unit 330. The image processing unit 340 receives a request from the operation unit 361 of the user interface 360, generates an image according to the request based on the image data from the image storage unit 330, and causes the display unit 362 to display the image.

  In such an X-ray CT apparatus, it is necessary to perform communication between the rotating unit 200 and the fixed unit 100 as described above. Since the communication performed on the coupling unit 270 side is mainly a control command from the control unit 350 to the rotation control unit 212 and the X-ray control unit 222, the amount of communication data is relatively small.

  On the other hand, in order to obtain a precise image as a finally obtained image, the X-ray detection unit 230 is provided with a number of X-ray detection elements corresponding to pixels of the image. Therefore, electric signal transmission between the transmission medium 260 and the reception medium 110 results in a large volume of communication. US Pat. No. 5,530,424 employs a charge coupling method as a technique for communication between the rotating unit 200 and the fixed unit 100 (see, for example, “Patent Document 1”).

  FIG. 2 schematically shows a configuration for communicating between the transmission unit 250 and the reception unit 310 using this charge coupling method. The electric signal output from the transmission unit 250 is branched into two signals equally divided by the branching unit 250a. The branching part 250a is composed of an amplifier and a resistor. The branched electrical signals are output to the transmission medium 260a and the transmission medium 260b, respectively, and further terminated individually at the termination unit 250b. The transmission medium 260 a and the transmission medium 260 b are arranged in a line in the circumferential direction of the rotating unit 200. Moreover, the transmission medium 260a and the transmission medium 260b each extend along the circumferential direction. The transmission medium 260 a and the transmission medium 260 b are electrically coupled to the reception medium 110 attached to the fixed unit 100 during rotation, and transmit an electrical signal to the reception medium 110. The reception medium 110 further transmits an electrical signal to the reception unit 310.

  In the configuration of FIG. 2, the transmission path length of the route of the transmission unit 250-branching unit 250a-transmission medium 260a-termination unit 250b and the transmission channel length of the transmission unit 250-branching unit 250a-transmission medium 260b-termination unit 250b Therefore, even if the branching unit 250a or the terminal end 250b reaches the reception medium 110 due to the rotation of the rotation unit 200, the reception medium 110 receives the same phase from both the transmission medium 260a and the transmission medium 260b ( Since signals having the same propagation delay time can be obtained, signals can be obtained without interruption and without interference, and communication is performed.

U. S. P. 5530424

  In recent years, there has been a demand for more precise image quality for inspection, and higher speed has been demanded. Therefore, for example, in the X-ray detection unit, as shown in FIG. 1B, the X-ray detection element is composed of many rows and many columns, and the amount of communication has become enormous. For these situations, the above prior art communicates by increasing the communication frequency (or transmission speed) to several GHz (or GBps), but it is a one-channel communication and cannot meet the above request as it is. It is coming.

  As one method for meeting this requirement, as shown in FIG. 3, the communication mode of FIG. 1 for performing communication of one channel is stacked with a plurality of N rotating parts shown in FIG. The capacity. However, as is apparent from FIG. 3, this method has a disadvantage that the mechanical thickness increases and the mounting space increases, resulting in an increase in the installation space of the entire X-ray CT apparatus. In order to increase the communication capacity, it is conceivable to increase the transmission speed. However, if the transmission speed is increased, it becomes difficult to obtain the same phase (propagation delay) of the signal as described above. There are many problems and it is not practical.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a medical data communication mechanism and an X-ray CT apparatus using the medical data communication mechanism capable of increasing the communication capacity by adopting a configuration capable of simultaneously communicating with a plurality of channels without increasing the mounting space. It is.

  Note that a channel represents a signal transmission system, and a plurality of N channels means a transmission system that individually transmits a plurality of signals independently. unrelated.

The invention according to claim 1 is an X-ray CT apparatus including a data communication mechanism that mediates data communication between the rotating unit and the fixed unit, wherein the data communication mechanism is arranged in the rotating unit, A signal generating device that divides the signal into a plurality of channels and outputs, a plurality of receiving media corresponding to a plurality of channels arranged in the fixed unit so as to be positioned around the rotating unit, and the rotating unit A plurality of transmission media arranged apart from each other along a circumference, and the data of the plurality of channels output from the signal generation device are allocated to each transmission medium, and a separation portion between two adjacent transmission media is provided. when passing through the vicinity of the receiving medium comprises a switching device for switching the data to be transmitted to the two transmission medium to the same channel of data, the transmission each said signal generating device The transmission paths arranged between the transmission media have the same effective transmission line length, and the reception media passing through the separated portions of the two adjacent transmission media have substantially the same phase. Receiving data .

Further, any of the end portions where the two adjacent transmission media face each other may be configured to be upstream or downstream with respect to the data flow to be transmitted. Equivalent).

The rotating unit includes an X-ray tube that irradiates X-rays and an X-ray detector that detects X-rays transmitted through the subject, and the fixing unit receives data output from the X-ray detector. A data processing circuit for processing may be provided, and the data communication mechanism may divide the data output from the X-ray detector into a plurality of channels and transmit the data to the data processing circuit. Equivalent).

The switching device may switch data to be transmitted to the transmission medium based on a rotation angle of the rotating unit. (Equivalent to the invention of claim 4)

The transmission medium and the reception medium may relay data communication by charge coupling or electromagnetic coupling (corresponding to the invention of claim 5).

Further, N reception media may be arranged corresponding to N channels, and 2N or more transmission media may be arranged (corresponding to the invention of claim 6).

The data communication mechanism may include a plurality of combinations of the plurality of reception media and the plurality of transmission media in parallel in the axial direction of the rotating unit. (Equivalent to the invention of claim 7 )

The invention according to claim 8 is an X-ray CT apparatus provided with a data communication mechanism that mediates data communication between the rotating part and the fixed part, and is arranged in the rotating part and emits X-rays. A tube, an X-ray detector arranged in the rotating unit and detecting X-rays transmitted through the subject, and a data output from the X-ray detector arranged in the rotating unit and divided into N channels Output signal generating device, 2N transmission media that are spaced apart from each other along the circumference of the rotating unit, and each has a line shape with the same transmission line length, and the rotating unit Receiving each data divided into N channels from the signal generating device, and switching devices for assigning the N channels to each transmission medium, and at equal intervals along the periphery of the rotating unit Arranged in the fixed part, the transmission N receiving media for receiving data by charge coupling or electromagnetic coupling with the body, and the switching device switches to each transmission medium by switching two channels each time the rotating unit rotates 360 / 2N degrees. Data is transmitted, and data of a different channel is transmitted every two transmission media. When a separated portion of two adjacent transmission media passes near the reception medium, the data is transmitted to these two transmission media. Switching data to the same channel.

The invention according to claim 9 is a medical data communication mechanism for a medical diagnostic apparatus that mediates data communication between the rotating unit and the fixed unit, and is arranged on the fixed unit so as to be positioned around the rotating unit. A plurality of transmission media arranged corresponding to a plurality of channels and a plurality of transmissions arranged on the rotating unit so as to be spaced apart from each other along the circumference thereof , all having a line shape with the same effective transmission line length The medium and the plurality of channels are assigned to each transmission medium, and when a separated portion of two adjacent transmission media passes near the reception medium, the data transmitted to the two transmission media is switched to the same channel. And a switching device.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, medical data from the rotating unit, for example, a large amount of signals (data) detected by the X-ray detector can be divided into a plurality of channel signals and simultaneously transmitted (transferred) to the fixed unit side. There is.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, an example of two-channel communication by the medical data communication mechanism is referred to as “first embodiment”, and an example of three-channel communication is referred to as “second embodiment”, and modifications of the first embodiment and the second embodiment are described. An example is a “third embodiment”, and a modification of the first embodiment and the second embodiment that can be applied when the data communication speed is low is a “fourth embodiment”. An “embodiment of an X-ray CT apparatus” including the medical data communication mechanism will be described.

  4 is the same as the structural relationship between the rotating unit 200 and the fixed unit 100 in FIG. 1, and the rotating unit 20 can be accommodated in the opening of the fixed unit 10. Yes. In addition, the communication forms in the embodiments are all communicated by a communication system using charge coupling or a communication system using electromagnetic coupling.

“First Embodiment of Medical Data Communication Mechanism”
FIG. 4 schematically shows the configuration of the rotating unit 20 and the fixed unit 10 in the initial stage of rotation (for example, the rotation angle is 0 degree). The rotating unit 20 includes a transmission medium 1 a, a transmission medium 1 b, a transmission medium 1 c, and a transmission medium 1 d (hereinafter, “transmission medium 1” individually represents any medium). The rotating parts 20 are arranged in a line in the circumferential direction and spaced apart. Each transmission medium 1 is a strip line extending along the circumferential direction. The fixing unit 10 is provided with a reception medium 3a and a reception medium 3b (hereinafter, “reception medium 3” is referred to as any medium individually).

  The separation distance between the transmission media 1 (between the end portions as-bs, between the end portions bt-ct, between the end portions cs-ds, and between the end portions dt-at) in FIG. 4 is at least between the reception medium 3a and the reception medium 3b. The distance is shorter than the length in the circumferential direction. For example, the same signal is simultaneously received from the transmission medium 1a and the transmission medium 1b when the end portion as and the end portion bs are positioned opposite to the reception medium 3a by rotation (see FIG. 5). At the same time, the transmission from the transmission medium 1a to the reception medium 3a smoothly shifts to the transmission from the transmission medium 1b to the reception medium 3a. The same applies to the transmission of signals to the reception medium 3b. That is, the reception medium 3 receives the same signal (data) from the two transmission media 1 in a time zone in which the reception media 3 straddle two adjacent transmission media 1.

  Moreover, the length of the circumferential direction of any transmission medium 1 is made the same length. Each transmission medium 1 has one end (ends as, bs, cs, ds in FIG. 4) connected to the transmission unit 21 and the other end (ends at, bt, ct, dt in FIG. 4) is the termination 2a or The terminal portion 2b is individually terminated with a predetermined resistance value. Further, in each transmission medium 1, opposite ends of the transmission media 1 adjacent in the circumferential direction are connected to the transmission unit 21 side, or are connected to the same termination portion 2a or termination portion 2b. In other words, the end portions located upstream of the signal flow from the transmission unit 21 (for example, the end portions as and bs or the end portions cs and ds) face each other and are located on the downstream side. The end portions bt and ct or the end portions dt and at are opposed to each other and are connected to the terminal end 2a or the terminal end 2b.

  The transmission line lengths from the transmission unit 21 to the end portions (end portions as, bs, cs, ds in FIG. 4) of each transmission medium 1 are substantially the same. The transmission line length between the transmission media 1 is also substantially the same. Therefore, when the same signal (signal having the same transmission rate) is sent to each transmission medium, the phase (propagation delay) of the signals at least at the ends as and bs is substantially the same, and the phase (propagation) of the signals at the ends bt and ct. The phase (propagation delay) of the signals at the ends cs and ds is substantially the same, and the phase (propagation delay) of the signals at the ends dt and at is substantially the same.

  This is because, for example, when the position between the end as and the end bs is opposite to the reception medium 3a due to rotation (see FIG. 5), the same signal is simultaneously transmitted from the transmission medium 1a and the transmission medium 1b to the same phase. This is so that it can be received. The above “substantially the same” means the same within an allowable range where a data error occurs. In addition, the line length is different as long as the configuration can be adjusted by means (variable delay element, phase shifter, variable line element) for adjusting the phase between the transmission unit 21 and the end of each transmission medium 1 to be the same. Good. Therefore, the “transmission line length” refers to an effective line length including a phase (delay), not just a dimensional length.

  The two reception media 3 a and 3 b are arranged at approximately the same distance from the rotation center of the rotation unit 20. Further, the circumferential separation distance is less than the length of one transmission medium 1 and less than the distance in which three transmission media 1 are arranged in the circumferential direction (hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 4). (This will be described in a contrasting arrangement with respect to the center of rotation.) A reception medium 3a and a reception medium 3b are arranged to receive the signals of channel CH1 and channel CH2, respectively. Signals are transmitted and received between the transmission medium 1 and the reception medium 3 by charge coupling or electromagnetic coupling. When the electromagnetic coupling method is employed, the reception medium 3 has a coil shape.

  Each signal of the channel CH1 and the channel CH2 is amplified and received by the receiving unit 11. The reception medium 3 and the transmission medium 1 are electrically coupled by so-called charge coupling, and the signals of the channels CH1 and CH2 are transmitted. The interval in the circumferential direction between the reception media 3 is longer than that of one transmission medium 1.

  The transmission unit 21 of the rotation unit 20 includes a signal generation unit that generates a signal of the channel CH1 and a signal generation unit (not shown) that generates a signal of the channel CH2. The transmission unit 21 individually receives the signal of the channel CH1 and the signal of the channel CH2, switches these signals according to the rotation information such as the rotation angle, and sends the transmission medium 1 to each transmission medium 1 via an amplifier or a resistor. Switching circuit 21a (switching means). Each signal generation unit receives and shares data from the data collection unit 240 shown in FIG. 13 to be described later, and converts the data into a desired transmission rate for generation. The rotation information may be information indicating a rotation angle when the rotation unit 20 is rotationally controlled from the rotation control unit 212 described later, or may be information on actually measured rotation angle from the rotation sensor 400.

  Next, the switching operation will be described based on FIGS. 4 to 8 showing the state of rotation of the rotating unit 20 and FIG. 9A showing the state of switching by the switching circuit 21a according to the rotation information.

  FIG. 4 shows the case where the rotation angle is 0 degree, and the switching circuit 21a outputs the signal of the channel CH1 to the transmission medium 1a and the transmission medium 1b following in the rotation direction as shown in FIG. And the signal of the channel CH2 is output to the subsequent transmission medium 1d. That is, switching is performed so that two transmission media 1 adjacent to one reception medium 3 transmit the same signal (this is the same in any of the embodiments below). However, there are various timings for switching to the same signal depending on the degree of “close to the reception medium 3”. For example, when the rotation angle is 0 degree, the transmission medium 1b and the transmission medium 1d may be switched so that the signal is at 0 degree as shown in FIG. It may be a signal (this state is referred to as “undefined”, and how long the same signal is sent to the two transmission media 1 at the latest will be described at the next rotation angle of 45 degrees).

  FIG. 5 shows a case where the rotation angle is 45 degrees. As shown in FIG. 9A, the switching circuit 21a outputs the signal of the channel CH1 to the transmission medium 1a and the transmission medium 1b following in the rotation direction, and the transmission medium 1c. And the signal of the channel CH2 is output to the subsequent transmission medium 1d. In this case, the signal of the channel CH1 is sent to the transmission medium 1b at least when the end as of the transmission medium 1a relates to the reception medium 3a, and the transmission medium 1d is transmitted by the time the end cs of the transmission medium 1c relates to the reception medium 3b. It is desirable to send the signal of channel CH2 to. For example, depending on the length of the reception medium 3, if the position immediately before the end as of the transmission medium 1a is related to the reception medium 3a is when the rotation angle is changed from 0 degree to 30 degrees, the switching circuit 21a Is switched to send a channel CH1 signal to the transmission medium 1b and to send a channel CH2 signal to the transmission medium 1d at 30 degrees (rotation angle 0 degree + 30 degrees shown in FIG. 9A). That is, it is desirable to fix the indefinite state at 0 degree + 30 degrees. At the latest, a signal to be transmitted to the transmission medium 1b is transmitted when the end portion as of the transmission medium 1a is at a position facing the reception medium 3a, and transmission is performed when the end portion cs of the transmission medium 1c is at a position facing the reception medium 3b. The signal to be sent to the medium 1c needs to be fixed. That is, the switching circuit 21a outputs the same channel signal to the two transmission media 1 in a time zone in which the reception media 3 straddles two adjacent transmission media 1.

  The indefinite period is, for example, that the transmission medium 1b is between the facing position of the receiving medium 3b and the facing position of the receiving medium 3a (the transmission medium 1d is between the facing position of the receiving medium 3a and the facing position of the receiving medium 3b). ). This period is a period during which the channel signals sent to the transmission medium 1b and the transmission medium 1d are switched. In order to create this period, the distance along the circumference between the reception media 3 is longer than the length of the transmission media 1, and the number of transmission media 1 is at least twice that of the reception media 3. This concept is the same in other embodiments.

  FIG. 6 shows a case where the rotation angle is 90 degrees, and the switching circuit 21a outputs the signal of the channel CH1 to the transmission medium 1b and the transmission medium 1c following in the rotation direction as shown in FIG. And the signal of the channel CH2 is output to the subsequent transmission medium 1a. However, the transmission medium 1c and the transmission medium 1a may be signals at 90 degrees shown in FIG. 9A, or may be signals without signals or other signals (indefinite). ).

  Although the drawing is not attached to the rotation angle of 135 degrees, the switching circuit 21a outputs the signal of the channel CH1 to the transmission medium 1c that follows 1b and the rotation direction as shown in FIG. The channel CH2 signal is output to the subsequent transmission medium 1a. In this case, at least until the end bt of the transmission medium 1b is related to the reception medium 3a and until the end dt of the transmission medium 1d is related to the reception medium 3b (for example, as shown in FIG. 9A). It is desirable to send the channel CH1 signal to the transmission medium 1c and the channel CH2 signal to the transmission medium 1a when the rotation angle is 90 degrees + 30 degrees = 120 degrees (in this case, the indefinite at the rotation angle of 90 degrees). The state is confirmed.)

  FIG. 7 shows a case where the rotation angle is 180 degrees, and the switching circuit 21a outputs the signal of the channel CH1 to the transmission medium 1c and the transmission medium 1d following in the rotation direction as shown in FIG. The signal of the channel CH2 is output to the transmission medium 1b that follows 1a. However, the transmission medium 1c and the transmission medium 1b may be signals at 180 degrees shown in FIG. 9A, or may be signals without signals or other signals (indefinite). ).

  Although the rotation angle 225 degrees is not attached to the drawing, the switching circuit 21a outputs the signal of the channel CH1 to the transmission medium 1c and the transmission medium 1d that follows the rotation direction as shown in FIG. The signal of channel CH2 is output to medium 1a and subsequent transmission medium 1b. In this case, at least until the end cs of the transmission medium 1c relates to the reception medium 3a and until the end as of the transmission medium 1a relates to the reception medium 3b (for example, the notation shown in FIG. 9A). It is desirable to send the channel CH1 signal to the transmission medium 1d and the channel CH2 signal to the transmission medium 1b (when the rotation angle is 180 degrees). Is confirmed.)

  FIG. 8 shows a case where the rotation angle is 270 degrees, and the switching circuit 21a outputs the signal of the channel CH1 to the transmission medium 1d and the transmission medium 1a following the rotation direction as shown in FIG. The signal of the channel CH2 is output to the transmission medium 1c that follows 1b. However, the transmission medium 1a and the transmission medium 1c may be signals at 270 degrees shown in FIG. 9A, or may be signals without signals or other signals (indefinite). ).

  Although the rotation angle of 315 degrees is not attached, the switching circuit 21a outputs the signal of the channel CH1 to the transmission medium 1d and the transmission medium 1a following the rotation direction as shown in FIG. The signal of the channel CH2 is output to the transmission medium 1c that follows 1b. In this case, at least until the end dt of the transmission medium 1d relates to the reception medium 3a and until the end bt of the transmission medium 1b relates to the reception medium 3b (for example, the notation shown in FIG. 9A). It is desirable to send a channel CH1 signal to the transmission medium 1a and a channel CH2 signal to the transmission medium 1c.

  When the rotation angle is 360 degrees, the rotation is the same as in FIG. 4, and the subsequent rotation is repeatedly switched under the conditions of FIG.

  Since the transmission medium 1 and the reception medium 3 are arranged and configured as described above, and the switching circuit 21a is configured to switch the signal of the channel to be sent to the transmission medium 1 in response to the rotation of the rotating unit 20, the two-channel Signals can be communicated continuously at the same time without causing errors.

[Modification of First Embodiment]
As described above, the reception medium 3a and the reception medium 3b do not have to be symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis as shown in FIG. 4, for example, between the reception medium 3b and the reception medium 3a along the rotation direction. 4 may be arranged such that the distance between the receiving medium 3a and the receiving medium 3b is 225 degrees along the rotation direction. At that time, the switching circuit 22a can operate by switching so as to configure the state of FIG. 9B according to the rotation angle. Note that the indefinite meaning in FIG. 9B is the same as that in FIG. 9A. The present invention is not limited to these examples, and operation is possible if the distance between the two reception media 3 is between a distance longer than one length of the transmission medium 1 and a distance of three lengths.

“Second Embodiment of Communication Mechanism”
10 and 11 show an example of extending to three-channel communication. The conditions for expansion are N reception media 3 and 2N transmission media 1 or more for N channels.
FIG. 10 shows three-channel communication, but the configuration and operation are increased by the number compared to the first embodiment of two-channel communication. Therefore, although the operation according to the dimensions, the arrangement relationship, the rotation angle, etc. is as small as the number of channels, the technical idea is the same, so it will be briefly described below.

  FIG. 10 schematically shows, for example, the configuration of the rotating unit 20A and the fixed unit 10A whose rotation angle is 0 degree. The rotation unit 20A includes six transmission media 1e to 1k (excluding 1i) (hereinafter referred to as “transmission medium 1” individually representing any medium). They are arranged in a row and spaced apart in the circumferential direction of 20A. Distances separated (between end es-fs, end ft-gt, end gs-hs, end ht-jt, end js-ks, end kt-et in FIG. ) Is a receiving medium 3c, a receiving medium 3d, or a receiving medium 3e (hereinafter referred to as "receiving medium 3") provided at least on the fixed portion 10A side. The distance is shorter than the length in the circumferential direction. The interval in the circumferential direction between the reception media 3 is longer than that of the transmission medium 1.

  In addition, the length in the circumferential direction is the same for all the transmission media 1. Each transmission medium 1 has one end (ends es, fs, gs, hs, js, ks in FIG. 10) connected to the transmission unit 22 and the other end (ends et, ft, gt, ht, jt in FIG. 10). , Kt) are individually terminated with a predetermined resistance at the terminal end 2c, the terminal end 2d, or the terminal end 2e (hereinafter referred to as "terminal end"). Yes. Further, in each transmission medium 1, the opposite end portions of the transmission media 1 that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction are connected to the transmission unit 22 side or connected to a termination portion.

  Furthermore, the transmission line length from the transmission unit 22 to one end of each transmission medium 1 (ends es, fs, gs, hs, js, ks in FIG. 4) is substantially the same. The transmission line length between the transmission media 1 is also substantially the same. Therefore, when the same signal (signal with the same transmission speed) is sent to each transmission medium, the phase between the end portions of each transmission medium is the same.

  In the fixed portion 10A, three reception media 3c, 3d, and 3e are arranged at approximately the same distance from the rotation center of the rotating body and separated by a distance longer than one length of the transmission medium 1 (hereinafter, illustrated in FIG. 10 will be described in contrast to the rotational center, but not limited to a symmetrical arrangement. The reception medium 3c, the reception medium 3d, and the reception medium 3e of the transmission medium 1 (hereinafter referred to as "reception medium 3" individually indicate the respective reception mediums 3c, 3d, and 3e) are channels CH1, respectively. , Channel CH2 and channel CH3 are arranged to receive signals.

  The transmission unit 22 of the rotation unit 20A has a signal generation unit (not shown) that individually generates signals of the three channels CH1, CH2, and CH3, and the switching circuit 22a receives the signals of these channels individually. As shown in FIG. 11, the signal of each channel is switched according to the rotation information such as the rotation angle and sent to each transmission medium 1. FIG. 11 is an example of a channel signal output from each transmission medium 1 when the reception medium 3 is controlled at a rotation angle when the reception medium 3 is placed in a symmetric position as shown in FIG.

  Since the operation mode of the second embodiment of FIG. 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description of FIG. 11 is omitted. As shown in FIG. 11, the switching circuit 22a moves between the end portions of the transmission medium 1 at every rotation angle of 60 degrees (30 degrees, 90 degrees, 150 degrees, 210 degrees, and 270 degrees in FIG. 11). Since the transmission medium 1 that transmits a signal to the reception medium 3 is replaced at this time, it is important to switch the signal so that the signal is not interrupted by this replacement. In FIG. 11, the indefinite time is not clearly shown, but in FIG. 11, there is a period in which the transmission medium 1 existing between the reception media 3 may be indefinite, and the indefinite state is the next reception at the latest. It is switched (determined) so as to output the same signal as the channel signal of the preceding transmission medium 1 before entering the opposite position of the medium 3.

"Third embodiment of communication mechanism"
FIG. 12 is an example in which the reception medium 3e is excluded from the embodiment capable of three-channel communication in FIG.
That is, the third embodiment indicates that N-channel communication is possible if the number of transmission media 1 is M, which is 2N or more. For example, FIG. 12 is an example in which the number of transmission media 1 is 6 (M = 6) in 2 channels (N = 2). N = 2, M = 5, 7, etc. are also possible.

  In FIG. 12, the switching circuit 22a may be switched as it is in FIG. Only the signal of channel CH3 is not transmitted. Since the signal generation of the channel CH3 by the transmission unit 22 is useless, if it is not generated, the signal of the portion indicated by CH3 shown in FIG. 11 disappears. However, the signal of the portion indicated by CH3 shown in FIG. The channel signal of the adjacent transmission medium 1 preceding in the rotation direction may be the same.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the communication mechanism described above, the case where the transmission medium 1 and the reception medium 3 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the rotating unit 20 (20A) has been described. Is more efficient in using resources (such as the transmission medium 1) with respect to the rotation angle than in the asymmetric case (for example, the third embodiment).

"Third embodiment of communication mechanism"
FIG. 13 shows a modification in which multi-channel data transmission / reception is possible under a predetermined condition even if the number of transmission media 1 is not 2N or more. When the data transmission rate between the transmission unit 22 and the reception unit 11A is low, for example, when the transmission unit 22 is less than GHz order, or when the diameter of the rotating unit 200 is small, the modification of the present embodiment can be applied.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the communication mechanism of the present embodiment, a transmission medium 1m, a transmission medium 1n, and a transmission medium 1p are arranged with respect to the reception medium 3f and the reception medium 3g. That is, there are three transmission media 1 for two reception media 3. Each of the transmission media 1 extends in a range of 120 degrees, and the reception media 3f and the reception media 3g are arranged symmetrically with respect to the rotation center. The distance between the reception medium 3f and the reception medium 3g is separated from the distance of one transmission medium 1, and the same transmission medium 1 does not pass at the same time.

  The end ms of the transmission medium 1m and the end ns of the transmission medium 1n face each other, and both are on the start side with respect to the signal flow. The end mt of the transmission medium 1m and the end pt of the transmission medium 1p face each other, and both are on the terminal side with respect to the signal flow. Therefore, even if signals of the same channel are passed through the transmission medium 1m and the transmission medium 1n, signals having the same phase flow at the end ms and the end ns. Further, even if signals of the same channel are sent to the transmission medium 1m and the transmission medium 1p, signals having the same phase flow to the end mt and the end pt.

  On the other hand, the end part nt of the transmission medium 1n and the end part ps of the transmission medium 1p face each other, the end part nt of the transmission medium 1n is the terminal side with respect to the signal flow, and the end part ps of the transmission medium 1p is the signal flow. Therefore, even if a signal of the same channel is supplied to the transmission medium 1n and the transmission medium 1p, the phase of the signal is shifted between the end nt and the end ps. However, when the data transmission rate of the signal output from the transmission unit 22 is slow or the diameter of the rotating unit 200 is small, the phase shift is the same within an allowable range in which a data error occurs, and the end nt and the end There is no problem in data transmission and reception even when ps passes through the receiving media 3f and 3g.

“Embodiment of X-ray CT apparatus”
FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment according to the X-ray CT apparatus. Although the expression method is different from that in FIG. 1, the positional / structural relationships of the fixed portion, the rotating portion, the console portion, etc. are the same as those in FIG. In addition, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same functions.

  14 differs from FIG. 1 in that the rotation unit 200, the transmission unit 250, the transmission medium 260, and the reception medium 110 are replaced with the rotation unit 20 (or 20A) and the transmission unit in FIGS. 4 to 8, 10, and 12. 21 (or 22), transmission media 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d (or 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1j and 1k) and reception media 3a and 3b (or 3c, 3d and 3e) This is the medical data communication mechanism described in the first to third embodiments, and a description thereof is omitted.

  Therefore, the overall operation is the same as the operation of FIG. 1, but the operation of the medical data communication mechanism, which is an inventive part, follows the first to third embodiments.

In the X-ray CT apparatus, if the reception medium 3 is expressed in a general form in a case where the reception medium 3 is arranged symmetrically with respect to the rotation axis of the rotation unit 20, the following configuration can be expressed.
The rotating unit 20 including the X-ray irradiation unit 221 and the X-ray detection unit 230 that detects the irradiated X-rays, and the opening (120) that can store the rotation 20 are provided, and at least N (N is 2 or more) In order to receive the signal of the channel, the fixed unit 10 includes N receiving media 3 fixedly arranged at equal intervals on the circumference of a concentric circle centering on the rotation axis of the rotating unit 20. The rotation unit 20 is arranged in a row so as to form a signal generation unit that outputs at least N-channel signals different from each other based on the output of the X-ray detection unit 230 and another concentric circle parallel to the concentric circle. 2N line-shaped transmission media 1 having the same length and N channel signals from the signal generation unit are received, and two channels are switched every predetermined rotation angle (360 degrees / 2N) of the rotation unit 20. Sent to each transmission medium 1 and transmission medium Of a switching means for sending the different channels of signals into two intervals (switching circuit), X-ray CT apparatus that performs communication by charge coupling a signal of the N-channel transmission medium 1 and the receiving medium 3.

  Further, the switching means is configured so that the signals of the same channel are transmitted to the transmission medium 1 that faces each reception medium 3 by the rotation of the rotation unit 20 and the transmission medium 1 that follows in the rotation direction. It switches every predetermined rotation angle (360 degrees / 2N).

  As described above, the X-ray CT apparatus is provided with the plurality of transmission media 1 and the plurality of reception media 3 in a line along the circumferential direction of the rotating unit 20. However, the channel switching timing of the switching circuit 21a needs to be switched every 360 / 2N degree rotation, and becomes more complicated as the number of divided channels increases. Therefore, when a plurality of transmission media 1 and a plurality of reception media 3 are provided in a line along the circumferential direction of the rotating unit 20, an effective limit is generated.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, the single row combinations C of the plurality of transmission media 1 and the plurality of reception media 3 may be arranged in multiple rows in the rotation axis direction of the rotation unit 20. Assuming that N channels of medical data can be transmitted / received for one row, a combination of a plurality of transmission media 1 and a plurality of reception media 3 is arranged in P rows in the axial direction. It can be transmitted and received by dividing into P channels. The type of channel to be transmitted / received is determined for each column, and switching is performed within the determined channel range.

  For example, two rows of combinations of four transmission media 1 and two reception media 3 are arranged in the rotation unit 20. The signal generator divides the medical data into 1 to 4 channels, and the switching circuit 21a always allocates 1 to 2 channels to the first column and always allocates 3 to 4 channels to the second column. Each transmission medium 1 arranged in the first column is transmitted by switching the data of 1ch and 2ch according to the rotation angle of the rotation unit 20, and the transmission medium 1 arranged in the second column is rotated. The data of 3ch and 4ch are switched and transmitted according to the rotation angle of the unit 20.

  In this way, by applying the medical data communication mechanism to the X-ray CT apparatus, a large amount of imaging data can be transmitted quickly, so that a fine image can be reconstructed and output (displayed) quickly.

  The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes a range that can be implemented with various modifications based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

(A) is a figure which shows a prior art communication mechanism, (B) is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a X-ray detection part. It is a figure which shows the communication mechanism of a prior art. It is a figure for demonstrating background art. It is a figure which shows the example of the functional block of 1st Embodiment of the medical data communication mechanism which concerns on this invention, and is a figure which shows the example in case the rotation angle of a rotation part is 0 degree | times. It is a figure which shows the example when a rotation part rotates 45 degree | times with respect to the case of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example when a rotation part rotates 90 degree | times with respect to the case of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example when a rotation part rotates 180 degree | times with respect to the case of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example when a rotation part rotates 270 degree | times with respect to the case of FIG. (A) shows an example of a channel output by the transmission medium according to the rotation correspondence in the first embodiment, and (B) shows an output from the transmission medium according to the rotation correspondence in the modification of the first embodiment. An example of a channel to perform is shown. It is a figure which shows the function block of 2nd Embodiment of a medical data communication mechanism as an example. The example of the channel which a transmission medium outputs according to the response | compatibility of rotation in 2nd Embodiment is shown. It is a figure which shows the example of the functional block of 3rd Embodiment of a medical data communication mechanism. It is a figure which shows the example of the functional block of 4th Embodiment of a medical data communication mechanism. It is a figure which shows the example of the functional block of an X-ray CT apparatus. It is a figure which shows the modification of the data communication mechanism mounted in X-ray CT apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1a to 1h, 1j, 1k, 1m to 1p Transmission media 2a to 2e Termination units 3a to 3g Reception media 10, 10A Fixed unit 20, 20A Rotating units 21, 22 Transmission units 21a, 22a Switching circuit (switching means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Fixed part 110 Reception medium 200 Rotation part 211 Rotation drive part 212 Rotation control part 221 X-ray irradiation part 222 X-ray control part 230 X-ray detection part 240 Data collection part 250 Transmission unit 260 Transmission medium 270 Coupling part 300 Console part 310 Reception Unit 320 reconstruction processing unit 330 image storage unit 340 image processing unit 350 control unit 360 user interface

Claims (9)

An X-ray CT apparatus provided with a data communication mechanism that mediates data communication between a rotating part and a fixed part,
The data communication mechanism is:
A signal generating device that is arranged in the rotating unit and divides data into a plurality of channels and outputs the data
A plurality of receiving media corresponding to a plurality of channels, arranged in the fixed part so as to be located around the rotating part;
A plurality of transmission media disposed on the rotating unit and spaced apart from each other along the circumference thereof;
The data of the plurality of channels output from the signal generation device is assigned to each transmission medium, and when a separated portion of two adjacent transmission media passes near the reception medium, the data is transmitted to these two transmission media. A switching device that switches data to the same channel data,
The transmission path disposed between the signal generation device and each transmission medium has an effective transmission line length that is the same in length.
The receiving medium passing through a separated portion of two adjacent transmission media receives data having substantially the same phase;
X-ray CT apparatus characterized by this. Both of the end portions where the two adjacent transmission media face each other are configured to be upstream or downstream with respect to the flow of data to be transmitted.
  The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1. The rotating part is
An X-ray tube for irradiating X-rays and an X-ray detector for detecting X-rays transmitted through the subject;
The fixing part is
A data processing circuit for processing data output from the X-ray detector;
The data communication mechanism is:
Dividing the data output by the X-ray detector into a plurality of channels and transmitting the data to the data processing circuit;
The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1. The switching device is
Switching data to be transmitted to the transmission medium based on the rotation angle of the rotating unit;
The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1. The transmission medium and the reception medium relay data communication by charge coupling or electromagnetic coupling;
The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1. N reception media are arranged corresponding to N channels, and
2N or more of the transmission media are arranged,
The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1. The data communication mechanism is:
Comprising a plurality of combinations of the plurality of reception media and the plurality of transmission media in parallel in the axial direction of the rotating unit;
The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1. An X-ray CT apparatus provided with a data communication mechanism that mediates data communication between a rotating part and a fixed part,
An X-ray tube disposed in the rotating part and irradiating X-rays;
An X-ray detector that is disposed in the rotating unit and detects X-rays transmitted through the subject;
A signal generating device that is arranged in the rotating unit and outputs the data output from the X-ray detector divided into N channels;
2N transmission media that are spaced apart from each other along the circumference of the rotating part and all have a line shape with the same transmission line length;
A switching device that is arranged in the rotating unit, receives each data divided into N channels from the signal generation device, and assigns the N channels to each transmission medium;
N receiving media arranged at equal intervals along the periphery of the rotating unit and receiving data by charge coupling or electromagnetic coupling with the transmission medium;
With
The switching device is
Each time the rotating unit rotates 360 / 2N degrees, two channels are switched and data is transmitted to each transmission medium, and data of different channels is transmitted every two transmission media, and two adjacent transmission media When the separated portion of the signal passes near the reception medium, the data to be transmitted to these two transmission media is switched to the same channel.
X-ray CT apparatus characterized by this. A medical data communication mechanism for a medical diagnostic apparatus that mediates data communication between a rotating unit and a fixed unit,
A plurality of receiving media corresponding to a plurality of channels, arranged in the fixed part so as to be located around the rotating part;
A plurality of transmission media that are spaced apart from each other along the circumference of the rotating part , all having a line shape with the same effective transmission line length ;
A switching device that assigns the plurality of channels to each transmission medium and switches data to be transmitted to the two transmission media to the same channel when a separated portion of two adjacent transmission media passes near the reception medium; ,
Having
A medical data communication mechanism.

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