JP6818559B2 - Medical diagnostic imaging equipment - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a medical diagnostic imaging apparatus.

One of the medical diagnostic imaging devices that images the inside of a subject is an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) device. The X-ray CT apparatus is a kind of medical image diagnostic apparatus that images the inside of a subject by scanning the subject using X-rays and processing the collected data by a computer.

In a conventional X-ray CT apparatus, scanning is performed with the subject lying down on the bed. However, with the conventional X-ray CT apparatus, it is difficult to perform image diagnosis in a state where the subject is standing (standing) or sitting (sitting) and the joints and organs are weighted.

Therefore, in recent years, the gantry of the X-ray CT apparatus is arranged horizontally with respect to the ceiling surface and the floor surface, and the gantry is moved in the direction perpendicular to the floor surface to scan the subject in a standing or sitting position. A standing X-ray CT apparatus capable of this has been proposed.

Further, when scanning with an X-ray CT device, a floodlight for aligning the scan range is provided in the gantry, and the operator of the X-ray CT device projects the guide light from the floodlight onto the subject. It is common to check the scan range and adjust the position with.

However, in the standing X-ray CT apparatus, the gantry is arranged horizontally with respect to the floor surface. Therefore, if the floodlight is placed in the gantry, it is assumed that the operator standing beside the gantry cannot see the guide light projected on the subject in the gantry because the field of view is obstructed by the gantry. To.

Further, although some floodlights are provided on the ceiling of an examination room or the like, a method of arranging the floodlights in a standing X-ray CT apparatus has not been studied.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-17813 JP-A-2002-263100

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a medical image diagnostic apparatus having a floodlight arranged so that an operator can easily confirm a scan range on a subject.

In order to achieve the above object, the medical diagnostic imaging apparatus of the embodiment includes a gantry having an opening penetrating in a direction substantially perpendicular to the floor surface, a scanning unit for scanning the subject in the opening, and a scanning unit. A stand that supports the gantry with respect to the floor surface, a gantry vertical drive unit that moves the gantry in a direction substantially perpendicular to the floor surface, a floodlight unit that is arranged on the stand and indicates a predetermined projection position, and a projection It is provided with a floodlight control unit that sets the scanning by the scanning unit by changing the projection position by the unit along the substantially vertical direction.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the medical image diagnostic apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the case where the conventional floodlight is arranged in the standing type medical image diagnostic apparatus. The external view of the medical image diagnostic apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the scantable range which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship between the scan range and the gantry which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the moving mechanism of the floodlight which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The explanatory view which shows the outline of the light projection by the floodlight according to 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of a series of processing which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The explanatory view which shows the setting procedure of the floodlight which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of a series of processing which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment. The explanatory view which shows the setting procedure of the floodlight which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of a series of processing which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the setting procedure of the floodlight which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment is not limited to the following embodiments. Further, the contents described in each embodiment and the modified examples of each embodiment can be similarly applied to other embodiments.

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The medical image diagnostic device 100 of FIG. 1 is composed of a device main body 10 and a console device 30.

[Device body]
The device main body 10 (device main body) is a device that irradiates the subject P with X-rays and collects the detection data of the X-rays that have passed through the subject P, and is a stand 26, a gantry 27, and a high voltage. It has a generator 13, a throttle drive device 15, a data acquisition circuit 16, and a gantry rotation drive device 17.

The stand 26 is a housing that is provided so as to face each other with the gantry 27 interposed therebetween and holds the entire apparatus main body 10. The stand 26 includes a gantry vertical drive device 18, a floodlight 19, a floodlight drive device 20, a display device 21, and an operation device 22. Further, the stand 26 holds the gantry 27 in a state where it can be moved in the vertical direction. Here, the floodlight 19 is held on the side surface of the stand 26 on the gantry side so as to be vertically movable, and the display device 21 and the operation device 22 are arranged on the front surface of the stand 26.

Here, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the operator, the subject P, and the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 when the floodlight 19 is arranged on the inner surface of the gantry 27. As shown in FIG. 2, when the floodlight 19 is arranged inside the gantry 27 in the X-ray CT apparatus in which the gantry 27 moves substantially perpendicular to the floor surface, the guide light by the floodlight 19 is blocked by the gantry 27 and the operator. Cannot visually confirm the guide light emitted on the body surface of the subject P. Therefore, the floodlight 19 according to the present embodiment is arranged outside the gantry 27 and on the inner surface of the stand 26 supporting the gantry 27 on the gantry 27 side. Here, the guide light is visible light irradiated on the body surface of the subject P by the floodlight 19, and is realized by laser light or the like.

Returning to the description of FIG. 1, the gantry vertical drive device 18 (gantry vertical drive unit) receives a movement instruction regarding the movement direction and movement amount of the gantry 27 from the gantry control function 345, and moves the gantry 27 in a substantially vertical direction. It has a function to make it. The substantially vertical direction in the present embodiment does not mean that only the one that moves in the strictly vertical direction is assumed. Therefore, as long as the gantry 27 moves in a direction away from the floor surface, it may have an angle. The gantry vertical drive device 18 is arranged on a stand 26, and is composed of a motor or an actuator capable of moving the gantry 27 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the floor surface.

Further, the gantry vertical drive device 18 includes a gantry position detector. The gantry position detector has a function of detecting the movement amount of the gantry 27, and is composed of a potentiometer, an encoder which is a position detection sensor, and the like. Further, although the gantry vertical drive device 18 has been described as being provided on the stand 26, it may be provided on the gantry 27.

The floodlight 19 (light projecting unit) is a light source that projects visible light such as a laser beam in the visible region to a predetermined light projecting position, and is composed of a light emitting diode, a laser oscillator, or the like. A plurality (for example, three) of a pair of floodlights 19 are arranged so as to be vertically movable on the inner side surfaces of the stands 26 on both sides. When a plurality of floodlights 19 are arranged, it is desirable that each floodlight 19 is lit and the projected light has a different color (for example, red, green, blue, etc.). The floodlight 19 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Further, instead of using a plurality of each floodlight 19, an area floodlight capable of projecting a certain area may be used. For example, instead of indicating the scan start position and the scan end position by the two floodlights 19, the area floodlight may indicate the area between the scan start position and the scan end position.

The floodlight drive device 20 (floodlight drive unit) receives a movement instruction of the floodlight 19 from the floodlight control function 346, and moves the floodlight 19 up and down along a rail 42 provided on the side surface of the stand 26 on the opening region side. It is a device having a possible configuration. The floodlight drive device 20 is composed of a motor or an actuator capable of moving the floodlight 19 in the vertical direction. It is desirable that the floodlight drive device 20 is configured integrally with the floodlight 19, and is configured by using a shaft motor capable of driving each floodlight 19 independently. When a plurality of rails 42 can be arranged in the groove 41, a ball screw is separately prepared, and the floodlight drive device 20 rotates the ball screw to move the floodlight 19 attached to the ball screw up and down. It doesn't matter if you let it. In that case, the same number of ball screws and floodlight drive devices 20 as the number of floodlights 19 may be used.

Further, the floodlight drive device 20 includes a floodlight position detector. The floodlight position detector has a function of detecting the amount of movement of the floodlight 19, and is composed of a potentiometer, an encoder which is a position detection sensor, and the like.

The display device 21 (display unit) is arranged in front of each of the stands 26 and has a function of displaying position information of the gantry 27 and the floodlight 19. The display device 21 is composed of an arbitrary display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display. The display device 21 may be provided on the outer surface of the stand 26 (the surface opposite to the surface on which the floodlight 19 is provided) instead of the front surface of the stand 26, or may be provided on the side surface of the gantry 27.

The operation device 22 (operation unit) is arranged in front of each of the stands 26 and receives operation input from the operator. Specifically, the operating device 22 receives from the operator instructions for turning on (flooding), turning off (non-flooding) the floodlight 19, instructions for moving the floodlight 19 and the gantry 27 up and down, and the like. Further, the operation device 22 is composed of a plurality of buttons, a GUI (Graphical User Interface), and the like. As an example of the operating device 22, a configuration having an up / down key for adjusting the up / down position of the floodlight 19 and the gantry 27 can be mentioned. As a result, the operator can visually grasp the positions of the floodlight 19 and the gantry 27 at the time of operation while operating the up and down keys. Similar to the display device 21, the operating device 22 may be provided on the outer surface of the stand 26 instead of the front surface of the stand 26.

The gantry 27 is a housing that holds the X-ray generator 11, the X-ray detector 12, and the collimator 14, and the gantry 27 moves vertically along the stand 26 to arbitrarily move the gantry 27 on the subject. It is possible to scan for the position of. The gantry 27 moves to the uppermost position (hereinafter referred to as the top position) of the movable range in the substantially vertical direction with respect to the floor surface before the start of scanning or after scanning. The gantry 27 is provided with an opening that penetrates in a substantially vertical direction with respect to the floor surface, and the gantry 27 moves in a substantially vertical direction so as to dispose the subject P in the opening, whereby the subject P Scan for.

The X-ray generator 11 (X-ray generator) is composed of an X-ray tube that generates X-rays (for example, a vacuum tube that generates an X-ray beam in a conical or pyramidal shape; not shown). The X-rays generated by the X-ray generator 11 are applied to the subject P.

The X-ray detector 12 (X-ray detector) is composed of a plurality of X-ray detection element trains in which X-ray detection elements are arranged in the channel direction along one arc centered on the focal point of the X-ray tube. To. The X-ray detector 12 detects X-rays irradiated from the X-ray generator 11 and passed through the subject P. Specifically, the X-ray detection element in the X-ray detector 12 detects the intensity of the X-ray that has passed through the subject P, and outputs a current signal corresponding to the X-ray intensity to the data acquisition circuit 16. As the X-ray detector 12, for example, a plurality of X-ray detectors (plane detectors) in which detection elements are arranged in two directions (slice direction and channel direction) orthogonal to each other are used. A plurality of X-ray detection elements are provided in 320 rows along the slice direction, for example. By using the multi-row X-ray detectors in this way, the apparatus main body 10 can scan a three-dimensional region having a width in the slice direction in one rotation scan. The slicing direction corresponds to the body axis direction of the subject P, and the channel direction corresponds to the rotation direction of the X-ray generator 11. As described above, by using a surface detector, an area scan for scanning a region having a three-dimensional width in one rotation scan may be performed, or an X-ray detection in which X-ray detection elements are arranged in a row may be performed. A slice scan may be performed using a device to acquire only one cross section of the subject in one rotation scan. Alternatively, the gantry 27 may be rotated while being moved to perform a helical scan in which the subject P is spirally scanned.

The collimator 14 is a device in which an actuator for driving a lead plate is attached to a plate made of lead that shields X-rays. A plurality of these lead plates are combined and arranged between the X-ray generator 11 and the X-ray detector 12, and the gap (slit) formed by the plurality of lead plates is the X-ray irradiation range. .. The actuator of the collimator 14 drives the lead plate, and the X-ray irradiation range can be adjusted by changing the slit width.

The high voltage generator 13 (high voltage generator) is a voltage generating circuit that applies a high voltage to the X-ray generator 11 (hereinafter, “voltage” is the voltage between the anode and the cathode in the X-ray tube. Means). The X-ray generator 11 generates X-rays by the high voltage from the high voltage generator 13.

The aperture drive device 15 (aperture drive unit) is an electric circuit that outputs an operation signal for operating an actuator attached to a lead plate of a collimator 14 so that an X-ray irradiation range has a predetermined shape.

The data acquisition circuit 16 (data acquisition unit) (DAS: Data Acquisition System) collects the current signals obtained from each X-ray detection element of the X-ray detector 12 and creates detection data showing the X-ray intensity distribution. It is a circuit. Further, the data acquisition circuit 16 converts the created detection data into a voltage signal, periodically integrates and amplifies the voltage signal, and converts it into a digital signal. Then, the data collection circuit 16 transmits the detection data converted into a digital signal to the console device 30 described later.

The gantry rotation drive device 17 (gantry rotation drive unit) receives input information from the gantry control function 345 and rotationally drives the rotating body in the gantry 27 to drive X on a circular orbit centered on the subject P. The line generator 11 and the X-ray detector 12 are swiveled. The gantry rotation drive device 17 is composed of a motor or an actuator capable of moving the gantry 27 in the rotation direction.

Further, the gantry rotation drive device 17 also has a gantry position detector. The gantry position detector is composed of, for example, a potentiometer that detects the amount of rotation of the gantry, an encoder that is a position detection sensor, and the like. More specifically, as for the encoder, it is possible to use a so-called absolute encoder, for example, a magnetic type, a brush type, an optical type, or the like. Further, the gantry position detector can be configured by using various types of position detection mechanisms such as a rotary encoder that outputs a rotational displacement as a digital signal or a linear encoder that outputs a linear displacement as a digital signal.

The X-ray generator 11, the X-ray detector 12, the collimator 14, and the data collection circuit 16 described above may be collectively referred to as a scan unit.

Further, the apparatus main body 10 further includes a chair for a subject 23, a fixture 24, and a support column 25.

The subject chair 23 is a chair used during an X-ray CT scan in a sitting position, and the subject scan is performed with the subject sitting on the subject chair 23. Further, the subject chair 23 has a configuration that can be moved by a plurality of casters. The subject P is seated on the subject chair 23 outside the medical diagnostic imaging apparatus 100, and is transferred into the medical diagnostic imaging apparatus 100 with the assistance of an operator or the like. When the standing position is taken, the subject chair 23 is removed from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 before scanning.

The fixture 24 has a function of fixing the subject P to the support column 25 or the like. For example, the fixture 24 is composed of a band made of plastic or the like.

The support column 25 supports the fixture 24 and the chair for the subject 23, and is composed of a pipe or the like. The support column 25 fixed perpendicularly to the floor surface has a function of fixing the posture of the subject P via the fixture 24. As a result, it is possible to reduce the body movement during scanning of the subject P.

[Console device]
The console device 30 (console unit) is used for operation input to the medical diagnostic imaging device 100. Further, the console device 30 has a function of reconstructing CT image data (tomographic image data and volume data) representing the internal morphology of the subject P from the detection data collected by the device main body 10. The console device 30 includes a storage circuit 31, a display device 32, a console-side operating device 33, and a processing circuit 34.

The storage circuit 31 (storage unit) is composed of, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a semiconductor memory element such as a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, or the like. The storage circuit 31 stores detection data, projection data obtained by subjecting the detection data to preprocessing described later, CT image data after reconstruction processing, and the like.

The display device 32 (console side display unit) is composed of an arbitrary display device such as an LCD or a CRT display. For example, the display device 32 displays the three-dimensional image data generated by reconstructing the volume data acquired by scanning the subject P. Further, the display device 32 may display an image, a video, or the like of the subject P at the time of scanning taken from the outside of the device main body 10. As a result, the operator can monitor the subject P from a console room separate from the laboratory in which the apparatus main body 10 is arranged. At this time, it suffices to have a configuration in which an optical imaging device or the like for photographing the subject P is separately arranged on, for example, a wall surface or a ceiling surface of the examination room.

The console-side operation device 33 (console-side operation unit) is used as an input device for performing various operations on the console device 30. The console-side operating device 33 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a joystick, or the like. It is also possible to use a GUI as the console-side operating device 33.

Further, the console-side operating device 33 receives a scan start instruction from the operator, a volume scan by the surface detector, a slice scan, a helical scan, and other scan types, and outputs the scan control function 344 of the processing circuit 34. Has the function of

The processing circuit 34 (processing unit) has a system control function 341, a preprocessing function 342, a reconstruction processing function 343, a scan control function 344, a gantry control function 345, and a floodlight control function 346.

The system control function 341 (system control unit) controls the operation of the device main body 10 and the console device 30 to control the entire medical image diagnostic device 100.

The pre-processing function 342 (pre-processing unit) performs pre-processing such as logarithmic conversion processing, offset correction, sensitivity correction, beam hardening correction, etc. on the detection data detected by the X-ray detector 12, and outputs the projection data. create.

The reconstruction processing function 343 (reconstruction processing unit) creates CT image data (tomographic image data and volume data) based on the projection data created by the preprocessing function 342. The tomographic image data is the image data of the specific tomographic surface of the subject P, and the volume data is the three-dimensional image data of the subject P constructed by the aggregate of the tomographic image data obtained by the area scan or the helical scan described above. It is image data. Any method such as a two-dimensional Fourier transform method, a convolution back projection method, and a successive approximation reconstruction method can be adopted for the reconstruction of the tomographic image data. Volume data is created by interpolating a plurality of reconstructed tomographic image data. Any method such as a cone beam reconstruction method, a multi-slice reconstruction method, and an expansion reconstruction method can be adopted for the reconstruction of the volume data.

The scan control function 344 (scan control unit) controls various operations related to X-ray scanning. For example, the scan control function 344 applies a high voltage to the X-ray generator 11 and controls the high voltage generator 13 so as to generate X-rays.

The gantry control function 345 (gantry control unit) controls the gantry rotation drive device 17 and the gantry vertical drive device 18 in order to move and rotate the gantry 27 up and down.

The floodlight control function 346 (floodlight control unit) receives input information from the operator via the operation device 22, and controls the floodlight drive device 20 so as to move the floodlight 19 up and down based on the input information.

Each processing function performed by the components of the processing circuit 34, the system control function 341, the preprocessing function 342, the reconstruction processing function 343, the scan control function 344, the gantry control function 345, and the floodlight control function 346 is realized by a computer. It is recorded in the storage circuit 31 in the form of a possible program. The processing circuit 34 is a processor that realizes a function corresponding to each program by reading a program from the storage circuit 31 and executing the program. In other words, the processing circuit 34 in the state where each program is read has each function shown in the processing circuit 34 of FIG. In FIG. 1, a single processing circuit 34 is used by the system control function 341, the preprocessing function 342, the reconstruction processing function 343, the scan control function 344, the gantry control function 345, and the floodlight control function 346. Although the processing function has been described as being realized, the function may be realized by each processor realizing the program.

3A and 3B are external views of the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, FIG. 3A shows a front view showing the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100, and FIG. 3B shows a right side view with respect to the front view. ..

As shown in FIG. 3A, an operating device 22 is arranged on the front surface of the stand 26, and receives from the operator the setting of the scan range and the interlock lower limit position by the floodlight 19. Here, the scan range is a range indicating from the scan start position to the scan end position by the gantry 27. When the floodlight 19 moves to a position indicating a set scan range and an interlock lower limit position and the operator confirms those positions, the operator starts scanning. At the time of scanning, the gantry 27 moves along the stand 26 and moves from the top position to the scanning start position.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 may use a cover 29 for assisting the subject P to be set at a predetermined position. For example, in the case of sitting position photography, the cover 29 may have a function of fixing the subject P by being fixed to the subject chair 23 having casters. Further, in the case of standing shooting, the cover 29 may cover the entire surface so as to cover the feet of the subject P, and the subject P may be fixed in the standing position.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, a groove 41 is cut on the side surface of the stand 26 on the gantry 27 side, and the floodlight 19 is arranged in the groove 41 when the gantry 27 moves up and down. The medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 has a configuration in which the gantry 27 and the floodlight 19 do not come into contact with each other.

In the following description of the present embodiment, a case where a plurality of detection elements of the X-ray detector 12 are arranged in two directions orthogonal to each other will be described. When a surface detector is used, the lower end of the range in which the subject P can be scanned by the surface detector corresponds to the scan start position, and the scan end position corresponds to the range in which the subject P can be scanned by the surface detector. The top edge corresponds. The positional relationship between the scannable range and the gantry 27 when the surface detector is used will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the gantry 27 for explaining the scannable range by the surface detector. As shown in FIG. 4, X-rays are radiated from the X-ray generator 11 toward the X-ray detector 12. Since the X-ray detector 12 composed of the surface detector has a width in the slice direction of the gantry 27, the rotating body of the gantry 27 holding the X-ray generator 11 and the X-ray detector 12 rotates as a result. It is possible to acquire a three-dimensional X-ray CT image (volume data) in the rectangular scannable range shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the scannable range is shown as a rectangle, but since the opening area of the gantry 27 is actually cylindrical, the scannable range is a cylindrical area. Therefore, the floodlight control is performed so that the scan start position is set so that the distance between the interlock lower limit position and the scan start position is at least larger than the distance L between the gantry lower end position and the scannable range lower end position shown in FIG. Function 346 limits the setting range of the scan start position.

Further, the X-ray detector 12 may use a line detector in which detection elements are arranged in a row in a direction parallel to the floor surface, instead of a surface detector. In this case, the distance between the scan start position and the interlock lower limit position may be set larger than the distance between the scan path and the lower end position of the gantry, which is a straight line connecting the X-ray generator 11 and the X-ray detector 12. ..

Further, the above-mentioned interlock lower limit position is a lower limit position where the gantry 27 can move. The lower limit position of the interlock will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of the positional relationship between the gantry 27 and the subject P during scanning in the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the interlock lower limit position is set to prevent the gantry 27 from coming into contact with the subject P and the obstacle B arranged alongside the subject P during scanning. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower limit position of the interlock needs to be set above the legs of the subject P and the obstacle B in the sitting position. The interlock lower limit position is set, for example, at a position where the operator operates the floodlight 19a on the operating device 22 via an up / down key or the like, and is directly above the subject P, the obstacle B, or the like, or is separated by a certain distance in the upward direction. When the interlock lower limit position is set, the gantry control function 345 limits the range of vertical movement of the gantry 27. The gantry control function 345 controls the movement so that the lower end position of the gantry 27 does not move below the lower limit position of the interlock.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower limit position of the interlock is set by the operator using the visible light emitted from the floodlight 19a (first floodlight), and the scan start position is set by the floodlight 19b (second floodlight). ), The scan end position is set by the floodlight 19c (third floodlight). In the following description, the floodlights 19a, 19b, and 19c will be described as being used for setting the interlock lower limit position, the scan start position, and the scan end position, respectively. Further, it is assumed that the floodlights 19 are arranged in the order of the floodlights 19a, 19b, and 19c in order from the one closest to the floor surface.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the stand 26 located on the left side with respect to the front surface of the medical diagnostic imaging apparatus 100. The groove 41 described above is cut on the side surface of the stand 26 on the opening side, and the rail 42 is arranged in the groove 41. The floodlight 19 has a configuration capable of moving in the vertical direction on the rail 42 by receiving a transmission force from the floodlight drive device 20. The drive mechanism of the floodlight 19 is composed of a rail 42 and a block attached to the floodlight 19 (not shown), and the floodlight 19 attached to the block by rotating a plurality of balls arranged in the block in a belt conveyor manner. Can be moved on the rail 42.

Further, since the floodlights 19 arranged on the left and right stands 26 are driven by the floodlight control function 346 outputting the same input signal to the floodlight drive devices 20 on both sides, they are located at the same height as the corresponding floodlights 19. Be controlled. The floodlights 19a, 19b, and 19c can move up and down independently based on the input information from the operating device 22.

The groove 41 is formed separately from the gantry moving groove 50 used when moving the gantry 27 up and down.

An example of projecting light onto the subject P on the floodlight 19 will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of irradiation of guide light by the floodlight 19. Here, in order to explain the case where the guide light emitted from the floodlight 19 is applied to the subject P in a horizontal plane shape with respect to the floor surface, a plan view of the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 as viewed from above is used. .. Further, although FIG. 7 shows only the floodlight 19c located at the uppermost part when viewed from above, the guide light irradiation method is the same for the floodlight 19a and the floodlight 19b.

As shown in FIG. 7, for example, fan-shaped guide light is emitted from the floodlights 19c arranged on the stands 26 on both sides toward the subject P. As a result, when the subject P is viewed from the side surface, the guide light indicating the scanning end position is linearly shown on the side surface of the body. The operator adjusts the position of each floodlight 19 via the operating device 22 while referring to the position of the guide light projected linearly with respect to the body side surface of the subject P. This makes it possible to set the interlock lower limit position, the scan start position, and the scan end position.

[motion]
A method of setting the interlock lower limit position, the scan start position, and the scan end position according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of a series of processes relating to the setting of the interlock lower limit position, the scan start position, and the scan end position according to the first embodiment. Further, FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing the setting order of the positions of the floodlight 19 according to the first embodiment. In the flow according to the present embodiment, the scanning of the subject P is performed in the sitting position, and the scanning direction of the gantry 27 is described as scanning from the bottom to the top. Further, when the area scan or the slice scan is performed at a plurality of positions, the gantry 27 does not move during the scan, but moves upward to the next scan position when the scan is completed. On the other hand, when performing a helical scan, the gantry 27 moves from the bottom to the top while scanning. The flow described in this embodiment can be similarly applied to the case where the subject P is scanned in a standing position. Further, the gantry 27 may be scanned while being moved from the upper direction to the lower direction.

First, the subject P is transferred into the medical diagnostic imaging apparatus 100 (step S101). Next, the subject P transferred into the medical diagnostic imaging apparatus 100 is fixed on the subject chair 23 (step S102).

Next, the floodlight control function 346 receives input information from the operator via the operating device 22 and determines whether or not the interlock lower limit position is specified (step S103). For example, if it can be visually confirmed that there is no object that can come into contact with the gantry 27 around the subject P, the operator chooses not to specify the lower limit position of the interlock. On the other hand, when the designation of the interlock lower limit position is accepted (step S103, YES), the floodlight control function 346 lights and floods the floodlight 19 (for example, the floodlight 19a) for designating the interlock lower limit position (for example, the floodlight 19a). Step S104). When the floodlight 19a is turned on, the floodlight control function 346 allows the operator to perform an input operation for moving the floodlight 19a via the operating device 22 (step S105). The floodlight drive device 20 reads the information from the floodlight control function 346 and moves the floodlight 19a to the position of an obstacle around the subject P as shown in FIG. 9A. When the operator performs an operation to determine the position of the floodlight 19a, the position of the floodlight 19a is registered as the interlock lower limit position. When the setting of the interlock lower limit position is completed, the floodlight control function 346 accepts the scan start position and the scan end position (step S106). The floodlight control function 346 lights the floodlight 19 (for example, the floodlight 19b and the floodlight 19c) for designating the scan start position and the scan end position, and moves the floodlight 19b and the floodlight 19c from the operator via the operating device 22. Accept. The floodlight drive device 20 reads the information from the floodlight control function 346 and moves the floodlight 19b as shown in FIG. 9B. When the operator inputs to determine the position of the floodlight 19b, the position corresponding to the floodlight 19b is set as the scan start position. When the scan start position is determined, the floodlight control function 346 moves the floodlight 19c with respect to a range above the scan start position, as shown in FIG. 9C. If the lower limit position of the interlock is not set (step S103, NO), the process proceeds to step S106, and the floodlight control function 346 only specifies the scan start position and the scan end position from the operator via the operating device 22. And move each floodlight 19 to a position according to the operator's designation.

When the interlock lower limit position and the scan range are set in steps S105 and S106, respectively, the floodlight control function 346 determines whether or not to determine the position of the floodlight 19 (step S017). The floodlight control function 346 determines the success or failure of determining the position of the floodlight 19 corresponding to the interlock position, the scan start position, the scan end position, and the like, based on the information input from the operator via the operating device 22. If the operation for determining the position of the floodlight 19 is not input by the operator via the operating device 22, the process returns to step S105 and the lower interlock position and the scan range are received again from the operator. The operator moves to a console room or the like, which is a separate room from the examination room, by the time the scan range is set and the scan is started.

In step S107, when the flooding by the floodlight 19 is completed, the gantry control function 345 sets the gantry 27 from the top position based on the instruction input for moving the gantry input by the operator via the console-side operating device 33. It is automatically moved to the scan start position (step S108).

Next, the scan control function 344 reads the information input by the operator via the console-side operating device 33, and the scan is executed (step S109). During the scan execution, the gantry 27 moves the gantry 27 to perform an area scan so that the range from the scan start position to the scan end position falls within the scannable range, or performs a helical scan while moving the gantry 27.

Here, the scanning process will be outlined. The X-ray generator 11 receives a high voltage from the high voltage generator 13 to generate X-rays. The X-rays emitted from the X-ray generator 11 pass through the subject P, are detected by the X-ray detector 12, and the detection data is acquired. The irradiation range of the X-rays to be irradiated at this time is determined by the diaphragm driving device 15 driving the collimator 14. Next, the detection data is collected by the data collection circuit 16. Next, the detection data is processed by the preprocessing function 342 to generate projection data. The reconstruction processing function 343 generates tomographic image data and volume data by executing reconstruction processing on the projection data. The generated tomographic image data and volume data are displayed on the display device 32 after the system control function 341 receives an input instruction from the operator input via the console-side operation device 33. Further, the generated tomographic image data and volume data are recorded in the storage circuit 31.

When the gantry 27 reaches the scan end position, the scan control function 344 determines whether or not to end the scan (step S110). For example, in the first scan, a slice scan of the scan range may be performed, and in the second scan, a helical scan of the scan range may be executed. When the scan is finished (step S110, YES), the gantry control function 345 moves the gantry 27 to the top position, and the inspection is finished (step S111). If the scan is not completed (step S110, NO), the process returns to step S108, and the gantry control function 345 moves the gantry 27 to the scan start position again via the gantry rotation drive device 17. The second scan range may be the same as the first scan, or the second scan range may be set at the same time as the first scan range is set. Alternatively, after the first scan is completed, the process may return to step S106 and the floodlight 19 may be moved again to set the scan range.

As described above, by executing the series of processes, it is possible to easily specify the interlock lower limit position and the scan range when scanning using the standing type medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. become.

(Modified example of the first embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the case where the input information from the operator is received via the operating device 22, the interlock lower limit position is set, and the scan range is set based on the interlock lower limit position has been described. In this modification, a case where the lower limit position of the scan start position linked to the interlock lower limit position is set by the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 after the interlock lower limit position is set will be described.

The floodlights 19a, 19b, and 19c in this modification will be described as projecting guide light indicating an interlock lower limit position, a lower limit position of a scan start position, and a scan end position, respectively.

[motion]
A method of setting the interlock lower limit position, the scan start position, and the scan end position according to the modified example of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a series of processes according to this modification. In this flowchart, only the process related to step S206 is different from the first embodiment, and the processes related to steps S201 to S205 and steps S207 to S211 are from steps S101 to S105 and S107 in the first embodiment. This is the same as the process according to step S111.

Further, FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing the setting order of the positions of the floodlight 19 according to the first embodiment.

In step S205, the floodlight control function 346 receives the setting of the interlock lower limit position from the operator via the operating device 22, and receives the movement of the floodlight 19a. As shown in FIG. 11A, in the floodlight control function 346, the operator performs an input operation via the operating device 22 to move the floodlight 19a, and sets the interlock lower limit position via the floodlight driving device 20. .. Next, based on the information from the floodlight control function 346, the floodlight drive device 20 is above the interlock lower limit position and a scan lower limit separated from the interlock position by a predetermined distance, as shown in FIG. 11B. The floodlight 19b is moved with respect to the position, and the guide light is projected (step S206). Here, as an example, the predetermined distance is the distance L from the lower end position of the gantry to the scan path, which has been described with reference to FIG. When the lower limit position of the scan is projected by the floodlight 19b, the floodlight 19c is moved by the operator via the operating device 22 to set the scan end position. The floodlight control function 346 moves the floodlight 19c to the scan end position as shown in FIG. 11C via the floodlight drive device 20.

By executing the above series of processes, the floodlight 19b can be automatically moved to the scan lower limit position corresponding to the set interlock lower limit position. As a result, for example, the scan range can be set as wide as possible corresponding to the set interlock lower limit position.

Further, in the above-described modification, the scan end position is specified by the floodlight 19c, but the scan start position may be specified. In this case, the gantry 27 moves from the top to the bottom during scanning.

In the first embodiment described above, the interlock lower limit position has been described as being adjusted by the input operation of the operator performed via the operation device 22, but the interlock lower limit position is automatically set by the medical image diagnostic device 100. It may be detected by. In this case, an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or the like is arranged on the lower surface of the gantry 27, and the distance from the gantry 27 to the subject P or an obstacle arranged on the subject P can be measured. You may have more.

According to the first embodiment described above, even when scanning the subject P using the standing type medical image diagnostic apparatus 100, the guide light by the floodlight 19 indicating the interlock lower limit position and the scan position is used by the operator. It becomes possible to display it in an easy-to-see position.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the case where the input information from the operator is received via the operating device 22, the interlock lower limit position is set, and the scan range is set based on the interlock lower limit position has been described. In the second embodiment, a case where the scan range is first set by the operator and the lower end position of the gantry indicating the lower limit position of the movement range of the gantry 27 corresponding to the scan range is displayed by the floodlight 19 will be described.

Further, in the second embodiment, the floodlight 19a will be described as projecting a guide light indicating the lower end position of the gantry instead of the lower limit position of the interlock described in the first embodiment.

[motion]
A method of setting a scan start position, a scan end position, and a gantry lower limit position according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of a series of processes according to the second embodiment. Here, since the processes related to steps S301 to S302 are the same processes as steps S101 to S102 described in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. Further, since the processes related to steps S307 to 310 are the same processes as steps S108 to S111 in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Further, FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing the setting order of the positions of the floodlight 19 according to the second embodiment.

In step S303, the floodlight control function 346 lights and floods the floodlight 19.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13A, in the floodlight control function 346, the operator performs an input operation via the operating device 22 to move the floodlights 19b and 19c to the scan start position and the scan end position, respectively. Move (step S304).

Further, the floodlight control function 346 calculates the position of the lower end of the gantry corresponding to the scan range. The gantry lower end position corresponding to the scan range is position information indicating which position in the vertical direction the gantry lower end position is located when scanning the scan range. As shown in FIG. 13B, the floodlight control function 346 moves the floodlight 19a to a position corresponding to the lower end position of the gantry, and irradiates the subject P with guide light at the position corresponding to the lower end position of the gantry ( Step S305). When the operator determines that the lower end position of the gantry is a position that does not come into contact with the subject P or the like and inputs an input to determine the scan range, the floodlight control function 346 receives an input signal from the operator via the operating device 22. The projection ends (step S306, YES). For example, if it is visually recognized that a part of the subject P or the obstacle B comes into contact with the lower end position of the gantry, it is necessary to reset the scan range, so the process returns to step S204 and the process is executed again. (Step S306, NO).

As described above, by performing a series of processes, the scan range is set first, and after the scan range is set, the operator can grasp the position of the lower end of the gantry corresponding to the scan range.

According to the second embodiment described above, the operator can grasp the position of the lower end of the gantry corresponding to the scan range. As a result, when it is confirmed that the lower end position of the gantry is hung on the subject P or the obstacle B in the desired scan range, the operator sets the scan range so that the lower end position of the gantry does not hang on the subject P or the obstacle B. It is possible to change it again, and to change the posture of the subject P and the position of the obstacle B at the time of scanning. For example, when the guide light by the floodlight 19b pointing to the lower end position of the gantry hits the obstacle B during the sitting position shooting, the operator can grasp that the obstacle B needs to be moved to another position. ..

Generally, when the operator adjusts the range of the guide light using the floodlight 19, he often stands in front of the subject P or in front of the stand 26 as shown in FIG. Therefore, by arranging the floodlight 19 on the inner surface of the stand 26 on the gantry 27 side, the guide light by the floodlight 19 is not blocked by the gantry 27 or the operator, and the guide light is projected at a position where the operator can easily check. Becomes possible.

In the embodiment described above, the number of floodlights 19 is three, and the guide light of each floodlight 19 is described as projecting the scan start position, the scan end position, and the interlock lower limit position or the gantry lower end position. However, three or more floodlights may be provided, and the scan start position, the scan end position, the interlock lower limit position, and the gantry lower end position may be projected, respectively.

Further, the scan start position, the scan end position, the interlock lower limit position, and the gantry lower end position may be set in order by one floodlight 19 according to the input operation from the operator. At this time, upon receiving the input information from the operator, the floodlight control function 346 first moves the floodlight 19 to a position corresponding to the interlock lower limit position, and outputs that position to the gantry control function 345. As a result, the gantry 27 does not move below the lower limit position of the interlock. Next, upon receiving the input information from the operator, the floodlight control function 346 moves the floodlight 19 to the scan start position. The floodlight control function 346 receives the position information of the scan start position. When the scan start position is received, the floodlight control function 346 receives the input information from the operator and moves the floodlight 19 to the scan end position. The floodlight control function 346 receives the position information of the scan end position. As a result, even when there is only one floodlight 19, it is possible to sequentially set the interlock lower limit position, the scan start position, and the scan end position.

Further, in the above embodiment, the description mainly assumes sitting position photography, but the above embodiment can be similarly applied to the standing position photography and the semi-standing position photography. When an obstacle such as equipment is placed at the foot of the subject P during the standing position photographing, the operator needs to specify the lower limit position of the interlock as in the first embodiment. Further, when there are no obstacles or the like at the feet of the subject P and it is not necessary to set the lower limit position of the interlock, the operator need only specify the scan range.

Further, when equipment such as an intravenous drip is arranged on the upper part of the subject P, the gantry 27 may move to the upper part of the subject and come into contact with the upper equipment. Therefore, the operator may set the interlock upper limit position instead of the interlock lower limit position described in the first embodiment. In this case, the interlock upper limit position may be specified by using the floodlight 19 used to specify the interlock lower limit position. The method of designating the interlock upper limit position is the same as the method of designating the interlock lower limit position described in the first embodiment, but before setting the interlock upper limit position, a device such as an intravenous drip is placed on the upper part of the subject P. Need to be placed. In that case, after the subject P is placed in the medical diagnostic imaging apparatus 100, the gantry 27 is once moved downward, and equipment such as an intravenous drip is placed on the upper part of the subject. After that, the setting of the interlock upper limit position may be executed by the operator.

In the embodiment described above, the floodlight 19 that can move up and down on the side surface of the stand 26 on the gantry 27 side is used, but this embodiment is limited to the above description if the floodlight 19 is arranged on the stand 26. It is not supposed to be done. For example, by arranging a plurality of floodlights 19 in the vertical direction on the side surface of the stand 26 on the opening side and designating only the floodlights 19 in a desired range via the operating device 22, the scan range and the like can be set. You may decide to do it.

Further, in the above embodiment, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 is described mainly assuming an X-ray CT apparatus, but the gantry 27 moves in a substantially vertical direction with respect to the floor surface, and a stand 26 for holding the gantry is provided. It is not assumed that the configuration is limited to the X-ray CT apparatus. For example, the present embodiment can be applied to a standing magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus having the gantry 27 and the stand 26 having the above-described configuration.

The setting of the interlock lower limit position described in the first embodiment is not limited to the setting using the floodlight 19 arranged on the stand 26. For example, the floodlight 19 for projecting the lower limit position of the interlock may be configured separately from the stand 26. In this case, for example, the guide light emitted onto the subject P from the floodlight 19 arranged separately from the stand 26 can detect the position information of the interlock lower limit position by using a sensor or the like. .. Further, the position information of the floodlight 19 arranged separately from the stand 26 may be transmitted to the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100, and the position information of the interlock lower limit position may be detected from the position information of the floodlight 19. ..

According to at least one embodiment described above, the guide light is projected by the floodlight 19 which is easy for the operator to check when setting the scan range and the like prior to the scan using the standing type medical image diagnostic apparatus 100. It will be possible to provide. Further, since the scan range and the like can be aligned with the gantry 27 retracted to the top position and the like, the operator can easily communicate with the subject P.

The components described as "parts" in the present embodiment may be realized by hardware or software, or may be realized by hardware and software. It may be realized by the combination with.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

10 ... device body, 11 ... X-ray generator, 12 ... X-ray detector, 17 ... gantry rotation drive device, 18 ... gantry vertical drive device, 19 ... floodlight, 20 ... floodlight drive device, 22 ... operation device, 26 ... Stand, 27 ... gantry, 30 ... console device, 34 ... processing circuit, 344 ... scan control function, 345 ... gantry control function, 346 ... floodlight control function, 41 ... groove, 42 ... rail.

Claims (15)

A gantry with an opening that penetrates approximately perpendicular to the floor,
A scanning unit that scans the subject in the opening, and a scanning unit.
A stand that supports the gantry against the floor,
A gantry vertical drive unit that moves the gantry in a direction substantially perpendicular to the floor surface,
A light projecting unit arranged on the stand and indicating a predetermined light projecting position,
A floodlight control unit for setting scanning by the scanning unit by changing the projection position by the floodlight unit along the substantially vertical direction is provided.
The light projecting portion is shown as a lower limit position of a movement range in a direction substantially perpendicular to the floor surface with respect to the lower end of the gantry.
The floodlight control unit is a medical image diagnostic device that sets a lower limit position of the movement range by changing the floodlight position . The light projecting unit further indicates a scan range set for the subject.
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the floodlight control unit sets the scan range by changing the floodlight position. A gantry with an opening that penetrates approximately perpendicular to the floor,
A scanning unit that scans the subject in the opening, and a scanning unit.
A stand that supports the gantry against the floor,
A gantry vertical drive unit that moves the gantry in a direction substantially perpendicular to the floor surface,
A scan range arranged on the stand and set for the subject by a predetermined light projection position is indicated, and a position separated downward by a predetermined distance from the lower end of the scan range is a movement range with respect to the lower end of the gantry. The floodlight shown as the lower limit position of
A floodlight control unit that sets the scan range by changing the projection position by the floodlight unit along the substantially vertical direction.
A medical image diagnostic device comprising . The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising an operation unit arranged on the stand and receiving input information for moving the light projection position of the light projection unit. The medical imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein at least two light projecting units are arranged so as to face each other on the inner surface of each of the pair of stands. Further having a floodlight drive unit provided on the stand and moving the floodlight unit in a direction substantially perpendicular to the floor surface.
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the floodlight control unit changes the floodlight position of the floodlight unit by controlling the floodlight drive unit. A plurality of the light projecting portions are arranged on the inner surface of the stand in a direction substantially perpendicular to the floor surface.
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the floodlight control unit changes the floodlight position of the floodlight by switching the lighting floodlight. The lower end of the area scanned by the scanning unit and the lower end of the gantry are separated by a predetermined distance.
The light projecting unit
A first light projecting unit that projects a lower limit position of a movement range in a direction substantially perpendicular to the floor surface with respect to the lower end of the gantry.
A second light projecting unit that projects light at an arbitrary position separated from the lower limit position by a predetermined distance or more as the lower end of the scanning range.
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a third light projecting unit that projects light at an arbitrary position above the lower end of the scanning range as the upper end of the scanning range. The lower end of the area scanned by the scanning unit and the lower end of the gantry are separated by a predetermined distance.
The light projecting unit
A first light projecting unit that projects a lower limit position of a movement range in a direction substantially perpendicular to the floor surface with respect to the lower end of the gantry.
A second light projecting unit that projects light at a position separated upward by the predetermined distance from the lower limit position as the lower end of the scanning range.
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a third light projecting unit that projects light at an arbitrary position above the lower end of the scanning range as the upper end of the scanning range. The lower end of the area scanned by the scanning unit and the lower end of the gantry are separated by a predetermined distance.
The light projecting unit
A second light projecting unit that projects the lower end of the scan range,
A third light projecting unit that projects light at an arbitrary position above the lower end of the scan range as the upper end of the scan range.
A first light projecting unit that projects light at a position separated downward by the predetermined distance from the lower end of the scanning range as a lower limit position of the moving range with respect to the lower end of the gantry .
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of請Motomeko 1,2,3. The upper end of the area scanned by the scanning unit and the upper end of the gantry are separated by a predetermined distance.
The light projecting unit
A first light projecting unit that projects an upper limit position of a movement range in a direction substantially perpendicular to the floor surface with respect to the upper end of the gantry.
A second light projecting unit that projects light at an arbitrary position separated from the upper limit position by a predetermined distance or more as the upper end of the scanning range.
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a third light projecting unit that projects light at an arbitrary position below the upper end of the scanning range as the lower end of the scanning range. The upper end of the area scanned by the scanning unit and the upper end of the gantry are separated by a predetermined distance.
The light projecting unit
A first light projecting unit that projects an upper limit position of a movement range in a direction substantially perpendicular to the floor surface with respect to the upper end of the gantry.
A second light projecting unit that projects light at a position separated downward by the predetermined distance from the upper limit position as the upper end of the scanning range.
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a third light projecting unit that projects light at an arbitrary position below the upper end of the scanning range as the lower end of the scanning range. The upper end of the scan range scanned by the scanning unit and the upper end of the gantry are separated by a predetermined distance.
The light projecting unit
A second light projecting unit that projects the upper end of the scanning range,
A third light projecting unit that projects light at an arbitrary position below the upper end of the scanning range as the lower end of the scanning range.
A position separated upward by the predetermined distance from the upper end of the scan range is included as a first light projecting unit that projects light as an upper limit position of a movement range with respect to the upper end of the gantry .
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of請Motomeko 1,2,3. At least one of claims 8 to 13 , wherein any one of the first light projecting unit, the second light projecting unit, and the light projected by the third light projecting unit has a different color from the others. The medical diagnostic imaging apparatus according to one. A gantry with an opening that penetrates approximately perpendicular to the floor,
A scanning unit that scans the subject in the opening, and a scanning unit.
A stand that supports the gantry against the floor,
A gantry vertical drive unit that moves the gantry in a direction substantially perpendicular to the floor surface,
A light projecting unit indicating the lower limit position of the movement range in the direction substantially perpendicular to the floor surface with respect to the lower end of the gantry.
A floodlight control unit that sets the lower limit position of the movement range of the gantry by changing the floodlight position by the floodlight unit.
Medical diagnostic imaging equipment with.

Images