JP5653225B2 - Overhead traveling X-ray imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an overhead traveling X-ray imaging apparatus capable of moving an X-ray generation unit suspended from a ceiling up and down by using an operation switch.

  The overhead traveling X-ray imaging device has a ceiling rail fixed to the ceiling, a traveling rail that travels on the ceiling rail, a movable carriage that travels on the traveling rail, a telescopic column attached to the carriage, and a tip of the column. An X-ray generator is attached. The X-ray generator is provided with an operation panel, and a handle is provided around it. Using this handle, the operator can move the X-ray generator in the horizontal and vertical directions using a moving carriage and support, and rotate it around the horizontal and support axes to fix it at a desired position. is there.

  In addition, the X-ray generator of the overhead traveling X-ray imaging device may be operated close to the ceiling, that is, at a high position. Therefore, a block is provided at the end of the support column, and an operation panel and handle are provided on the front of this block. In addition to installing an X-ray generator equipped with an X-ray generator, there is a technology that allows an operator with a short height to easily operate the X-ray generator at a high position by installing an operation panel and handle at the bottom of the block. (Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-270144 JP

  However, in Patent Document 1, when an X-ray generator is stopped at a high position by a tall operator at the end of imaging, and then an X-ray generator is operated by a low-height operator, The case where the handle provided does not reach is considered. In addition, even if the X-ray generator is stopped at a high position, if this handle is installed so that it is at a sufficiently low position, this time, when operating the X-ray generator at a low position, It is conceivable to interfere with the subject or the top plate on which the subject is placed.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an overhead traveling X-ray imaging apparatus capable of easily positioning an X-ray generator without depending on the height of an operator.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is configured as follows.
An X-ray generation unit that irradiates the subject with X-rays, a fixing plate that fixes the subject, a support that supports the X-ray generation unit and moves the X-ray generation unit up and down by an expansion and contraction mechanism, and electric movement up and down A lifting and lowering electric movement mechanism that is operated by: a moving part that supports the support; a rail that moves the moving part in the longitudinal direction of the fixed plate; and a horizontal electric movement mechanism that electrically operates the movement in the longitudinal direction. In an overhead traveling X-ray imaging apparatus provided with an operation handle unit that is installed in the X-ray generation unit and manually moves the X-ray generation unit, an input installed on a side surface in a longitudinal direction of the fixed plate A control unit that controls the lifting and lowering electric movement mechanism and the horizontal electric movement mechanism based on a signal of the input device, and the input device is contacted by an operator and the fixing of the input device. Longitudinal direction of the plate The position of the contact is detected, and the control unit moves the X-ray generation unit up and down and horizontally using the lifting and lowering electric movement mechanism and the horizontal electric movement mechanism according to the detected contact by the operator. In the horizontal movement, the X-ray generation unit is controlled to move to the position in the longitudinal direction of the fixed plate corresponding to the contact position.
Alternatively, an X-ray generation unit that irradiates the subject with X-rays, a fixing plate that fixes the subject, a support that supports the X-ray generation unit and moves the X-ray generation unit up and down by an extension mechanism; A lifting / lowering electric movement mechanism that electrically operates the lifting / lowering movement, a control unit that controls the lifting / lowering electric movement mechanism, a detector installed at an end of the column provided with the X-ray generation unit, and the X-ray generation And an operation handle portion that is manually installed to move the X-ray generator, and has an input device installed on the fixed plate, and the detector When an operation input to the input device is performed by an operator, an object in the horizontal direction of the detector is detected, and the control unit is set in advance according to the height of the detector. For objects in the horizontal direction of The X-ray generation unit is lowered using the lifting electric movement mechanism until an object is detected by the detector. When an object other than the pre-registered object is detected by the detector, the lowering is performed. The lifting / lowering electric movement mechanism is controlled to stop.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an overhead traveling X-ray imaging apparatus capable of easily performing the positioning operation of the X-ray generation unit without depending on the height of the operator.

The figure which shows the structural example of the overhead traveling type X-ray imaging device of this invention. (a) (b) The figure which showed the internal structure of the support | pillar provided with the mechanism for moving an X-ray generation part so that raising / lowering was possible. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the lifting input device described in the first embodiment. (a) (b) The figure shown about the raising / lowering input device demonstrated in Example 2. FIG. (a)-(c) The figure explaining operation | movement of the X-ray generation part in Example 2. FIG. (a) (b) The figure shown about the raising / lowering input device demonstrated in Example 2. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a detector described in the first embodiment. (a) (b) The figure explaining operation | movement of the X-ray generation part in Example 3. FIG.

  Hereinafter, the overhead traveling X-ray imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiments of the invention, and the repetitive description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an overhead traveling X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention. The X-ray imaging apparatus of the present invention includes a fixing plate 102a for fixing the subject 101 in a standing position, a fixing plate 102b for fixing the subject 101 in a standing position, and an X-ray that irradiates the subject 101 with X-rays. An operation knob for controlling the generator 103, an X-ray diaphragm device 104 for setting an X-ray irradiation region for the subject 101, and a movable restricting blade (not shown) that shields the X-rays provided in the X-ray diaphragm device 104 105, an operation handle 106 for moving the X-ray generation unit 103 in the horizontal and vertical directions, and rotating the X-ray generation unit 103 around the horizontal axis and around a support shaft to be described later, and an operation panel 107 capable of setting X-ray imaging conditions. A support column 108 that supports the X-ray generation unit 103 so as to be movable up and down, a moving unit 109 that supports the support column 108, a traveling rail 110 and a ceiling rail 111 that allow the moving unit 109 to move in the horizontal direction, The high voltage generation unit 112 that supplies power to the X-ray generation unit 103 and the X-ray generation unit 103 are disposed at a position facing each other, X-ray detectors 113a and 113b that detect X-rays transmitted through the subject 101, an X-ray image processing unit 114 that performs image processing on the X-ray signals output from the X-ray detectors 113a and 113b, A display device 115 that displays a line image; an external storage unit 116 that stores an X-ray image output from the X-ray image processing unit 114; a control unit 117 that controls each of the above components; And an operation unit 119 for giving a command.

  The X-ray generation unit 103 has an X-ray tube that receives power supply from the high voltage generation unit 112 and generates X-rays. Further, the X-ray generation unit 103 may include an X-ray filter that selectively transmits X-rays having specific energy.

  The X-ray diaphragm device 104 has a plurality of movable restriction blades that shield X-rays generated from the X-ray generation unit 103, and moves the plurality of movable restriction blades by controlling the operation knobs 105, respectively. Determine the X-ray irradiation area.

  The X-ray detectors 113a and 113b are configured by, for example, a plurality of detection elements that detect X-rays arranged in a two-dimensional array, and are irradiated from the X-ray generation unit 103 and transmitted through the subject 101. It is a device that detects X-ray signals according to the amount of incident rays.

  The X-ray image processing unit 114 performs image processing on the X-ray signals output from the X-ray detectors 113a and 113b, and outputs an image-processed X-ray image. Image processing includes gamma conversion, gradation conversion processing, image enlargement / reduction, and the like.

The external storage unit 116 stores the X-ray image output from the X-ray image processing unit 114.
The display device 115 displays the X-ray image output from the X-ray image processing unit 114 or the X-ray image stored in the external storage unit 116.

  The ceiling rail 111 is composed of two parallel rails installed on the ceiling 118, and is installed in the longitudinal direction (hereinafter referred to as X direction) of the fixed plate 102a.

  The traveling rail 110 is composed of two parallel rails like the ceiling rail 111, and is installed in the short direction (hereinafter referred to as Y direction) of the fixed plate 102a. The traveling rail 110 is engaged with the ceiling rail 111 and moves on the ceiling rail 111.

  The moving unit 109 is installed on the traveling rail 110 and moves on the traveling rail 110. Therefore, the moving unit 109 can move in the XY directions by the ceiling rail 111 and the traveling rail 110.

  The support column 108 is composed of a plurality of hollow pipes having different thicknesses, and can move the X-ray generation unit 103 attached to the tip end portion of the support column 108 in the vertical direction of the fixed plate 102a (hereinafter, Z direction) so as to be movable up and down. . Therefore, the X-ray generation unit 103 can move in the XYZ directions by the ceiling rail 111, the traveling rail 110, and the support column 108. Further, the X-ray generation unit 103 is attached to the support column 108 via a rotation mechanism unit (not shown in particular) that enables the X-ray generation unit 103 to rotate about the horizontal axis. Thus, the X-ray generation unit 103 can rotate in the direction around the horizontal axis (hereinafter referred to as the rotation direction).

  The position of the X-ray generator 103 is fixed by electromagnetic brakes (not shown) provided in the XYZ and rotation directions. The operator releases the fixed state by the electromagnetic brake using a release button (not shown) provided on the operation handle 106, and moves the X-ray generation unit 103 in each of the XYZ and rotation directions using the operation handle 106. be able to.

Next, Example 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are diagrams showing the internal configuration of the column 108 having a mechanism for moving the X-ray generation unit 103 so as to be movable up and down. FIG. 3 is a view showing a lifting input device used when the X-ray generator 103 is moved up and down by the support column 108.

  The column 108 shown in FIG. 2 (a) is composed of four hollow pipes having different thicknesses and has a nested structure. The length of the entire support column 108 is expanded and contracted by a hollow pipe configured in a nested structure, and the X-ray generation unit 103 installed at the tip end of one of the four thinnest is moved up and down. The hook 201 installed in the tip of one of the thinnest of the four, the cable 202 attached to the hook 201, the pulley 203 installed in the moving unit 109, and the cable 202 via the pulley 203 The column 108 can be expanded and contracted by a lifting / lowering electric movement mechanism composed of a winding plate 204 that is wound by rotation and a lifting / lowering motor 205 that rotationally drives the winding plate 204.

  FIG. 2 (a) shows a state in which the cable 202 is extended most. In this case, the length of the extendable strut 108 is the longest, and the position of the X-ray generation unit 103 is set to the lowest. FIG. 2B shows a case where the cable 202 is wound up by the winding plate 204 and the position of the X-ray generation unit 103 is the highest.

  Here, the lifting input device 301 for giving an operation instruction to the lifting motor 205 will be described with reference to FIG. The lifting input device 301 shown in FIG. 3 includes, for example, an UP button 301a and a DOWN button 301b, and is installed on the side surfaces of the fixing plates 102a and 102b.

  When the operator presses each button of the lifting input device 301, the control unit 117 that receives the signal generated by the pressing force releases the electromagnetic brake provided in the Z direction, and then moves the lifting motor 205 to the lifting motor 205. Give the operation instructions. The lifting / lowering motor 205 continues the rotation operation by maintaining the pressing state of each button of the lifting / lowering input device 301. When the UP button 301a is pressed, the elevating motor is in the direction in which the position of the X-ray generator 103 is raised, and when the DOWN button 301b is pressed, the position in the X-ray generator 103 is lowered. 205 rotates. The lift motor 205 stops the rotation operation when the pressing state of each button of the lift input device 301 is released. At this time, the control unit 117 operates the electromagnetic brake provided in the Z direction while the elevating motor 205 is stopped to fix the X-ray generation unit 103.

  Further, as described above, the release button for the electromagnetic brake in the Z direction is provided on the operation handle 106, and the operator positions the X-ray generation unit 103 by using the lifting input device 301 and then moves the electromagnetic brake in the Z direction. It is possible to release the electromagnetic brake in the Z direction with the brake release button and move the X-ray generator 103 manually using the operation handle 106. When fine-tuning the positioning of the X-ray generator 103 It is effective for.

  At this time, the control unit 117 instructs the lift motor 205 to keep the tension of the cable 202 constant by pressing the release button of the electromagnetic brake in the Z direction. Thereby, even when the operator manually moves the X-ray generation unit 103 to a higher position, the cable 202 does not bend in the support column 108.

  In addition, when the X-ray generation unit 103 is moved to a low position, the cable 202 is appropriately discharged from the winding plate 204.

  As described above, the overhead traveling X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured so that even a short operator can move from a high position to a low position by using the lifting input device 301 and the telescopic support column 108 provided with the lifting electric movement mechanism, or The X-ray generator 103 can be easily positioned from a low position to a high position.

  In this embodiment, the lifting input device 301 is installed on the side surfaces of the fixing plates 102a and 102b. However, the lifting input device 301 may be installed on the upper end of the fixing plates 102a and 102b, and the number is limited to one. For example, you may install in all the side surfaces of the fixed board 102a, respectively. Thereby, even when the operator is near the head or the foot of the subject 101, the X-ray generation unit 103 can be easily positioned.

  Next, Example 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Further, differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  The lifting input device 401 shown in FIG. 4 (a) includes a contact sensor that reads the signal when touched by an operator. Further, the length of the lifting input device 401 is substantially the same as the length that the X-ray generation unit 103 moves in the X direction. In this embodiment, the lifting input device 401 is installed over almost the entire side surface of the fixed plate 102a.

  FIG. 4 (b) is an enlarged view of the lifting input device 401 portion shown in FIG. 4 (a). The lifting input device 401 includes an UP plate 401a and a DOWN plate 401b. The UP plate 401a and the DOWN plate 401b detect not only that the operator has touched but also the position touched by each pirate.

  Here, the DOWN plate 401b will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5 (a), the operator 501 is located on the left side of the drawing, and the X-ray generator 103 is located on the right side of the drawing. Here, when the operator 501 touches the point A of the DOWN plate 401b, the DOWN plate 401b transmits to the control device 117 that the operator 501 has touched and that it touched at the point A of the DOWN plate 401b. . As a result, the control device 117 releases the electromagnetic brake provided in the X direction.

  Here, the horizontal electric moving mechanism (not particularly shown) will be described in detail. The horizontal electric movement mechanism has a roller (not shown) that is installed on the traveling rail 110 and rotates in contact with the ceiling rail 111, and an X-direction moving motor (not shown) that rotates the roller. By operating the X direction moving motor, the traveling rail 110 is moved on the ceiling rail 111, and the X-ray generator 103 can be moved in the X direction by this horizontal electric moving mechanism.

  After releasing the electromagnetic brake provided in the X direction, the control device 117 gives an operation instruction to the X direction moving motor and moves the X-ray generation unit 103 to the point A in the X direction as shown in FIG. Let When the movement in the X direction is completed, the control device 117 operates the electromagnetic brake in the X direction to fix the X-ray generation unit 103. Next, the control device 117 releases the electromagnetic brake provided in the Z direction, gives an operation instruction to the lifting motor 205, and lowers the position of the X-ray generation unit 103 as shown in FIG. 5 (c).

  At this time, the control device 117 continues the operation of the elevating motor 205 as long as the operator touches the DOWN plate 401b, stops the operation when the operator leaves the DOWN plate 401b, and further performs electromagnetic operation in the Z direction. The brake is operated to fix the X-ray generation unit 103. The case where the DOWN plate 401b is touched has been described so far, but when the UP plate 401a is touched at the point A, the X-ray generation unit 103 is controlled to move up to the point A in the X direction and then raise the position. Controlled by device 117. Also, if the X-ray generation unit 103 is already at the point A, if the UP plate 401a is touched at the point A, the position of the X-ray generation unit 103 rises on the spot without moving in the X direction. When the DOWNUP plate 401a is touched, the position of the X-ray generation unit 103 is lowered on the spot without moving in the X direction.

  After positioning the X-ray generator 103 using the lifting input device 401, the operator presses the operation handle 106 and the release button for the electromagnetic brake in the Z direction provided on the operation handle 106 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The X-ray generator 103 can be used to move up and down, and the X-direction electromagnetic brake release button can be used to move in the X-direction. At this time, the control unit 117 releases the roller installed on the traveling rail 110 from the ceiling rail 111 when the release button for the electromagnetic brake in the X direction is pressed. Thus, the operator can easily move the X-ray generation unit 103 in the X direction using the operation handle 106.

  As described above, the overhead traveling X-ray imaging apparatus of the present embodiment is backed by the lifting input device 401, the telescopic column 108 provided with the lifting electric movement mechanism, and the traveling rail 110 provided with the horizontal electric movement mechanism. Even a low operator can easily position the X-ray generation unit 103 from a high position to a low position, or from a low position to a high position, and a desired position in the X direction.

  Further, the present embodiment is not limited to this, for example, instead of installing both the UP plate 401a and the DOWN plate 401b on the side surface of the fixed plate 102a, as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). The UP plate 601a may be installed at the end of the surface 600 of the fixed plate 102a that fixes the subject 101, and the DOWN plate 601b may be separately provided on the side surface of the fixed plate 102a. By doing so, since the arrangement positions of the two plates are clearly different, it is possible to reduce malfunctions due to erroneous contact of the plates by the operator. At this time, the UP plate 601a is disposed at a position that does not overlap with the detector 113a when viewed from the Z direction. Further, the control unit 117 may control the X-ray generation unit 103 to move in the X direction within the range of the length of the lifting input device 401.

  Next, Example 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Further, differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  A detector 701 is installed in the X-ray diaphragm device 104 shown in FIG. The detector 701 is constituted by an infrared sensor, for example. FIG. 8 (a) shows a descending input device 802 for operating the detector 701. The lowering input device 802 installed on the side surface of the fixed plate 102a is configured by a switch, for example, and the operator 801 receives the signal by pressing the lowering input device 802, and the control unit 117 instructs the detector 701 to operate. give. As a result, the detector 701 starts detecting an object present in the horizontal direction. At this time, the detector 701 does not react to an object preset according to each height. If the object is not detected by the detector 701, the control unit 117 gives an operation instruction to the lifting motor 205 so that the lowering of the X-ray generation unit 103 is continued. When the object is detected by the detector 701, the control unit 117 stops the descent of the X-ray generation unit 103. FIG. 8B shows a state in which the control unit 117 stops the lowering of the X-ray generation unit 103 because the detector 701 detects the head of the operator 801. That is, as a result, the X-ray generation unit 103 is lowered to a height that the operator 801 can reach.

  As described above, the overhead traveling X-ray imaging apparatus of the present embodiment is backed by the descending input device 802, the extendable support column 108 provided with the lifting and lowering electric movement mechanism, and the detector 701 that detects a horizontal object. Even a low operator can easily position the X-ray generator 103 from a high position to a low position. In addition, since the operator only presses the descending input device 802 once and then releases the pressing force of the descending input device 802, the X-ray generation unit 103 descends to a position that can be reached by the operator. Becomes easier.

  The present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the installation position of the lowering input device 802 may be a foot switch that is pressed by an operator's foot. Further, the installation position of the detector 701 may be the tip of the support column 108 where the X-ray generation unit 103 is installed or in the vicinity thereof. For example, the detector 701 may be installed on the operation handle 106 or the like.

101 Subject, 102a, 102b Fixed plate, 103 X-ray generator, 104 X-ray aperture device, 105 operation knob, 106 operation handle, 107 operation panel, 108 strut, 109 moving unit, 110 traveling rail, 111 ceiling rail, 112 High voltage generator, 113a, 113b X-ray detector, 114 X-ray image processing unit, 115 display device , 116 external storage unit, 117 control unit, 118 ceiling, 119 operation unit, 201 hook, 202 cable, 203 pulley, 204 Winding plate, 205 Lifting motor , 301, 401 Lifting input device, 301a UP button, 301b DOWN button, 401a UP plate, 401b DOWN plate, 501, 801 Operator, 600 surface, 601a UP plate, 601b DOWN plate, 701 detection 802 drop input device

Claims (2)

An X-ray generation unit that irradiates the subject with X-rays, a fixing plate that fixes the subject, a support that supports the X-ray generation unit and moves the X-ray generation unit up and down by an extension mechanism; Elevating and lowering electric movement mechanism that operates the movement electrically, a moving part that supports the support column, a rail that moves the moving part in the longitudinal direction of the fixed plate, and a horizontal electric movement that operates the movement in the longitudinal direction electrically. Mechanism,
An overhead traveling X-ray imaging apparatus comprising: an operation handle unit that is installed in the X-ray generation unit and manually moves the X-ray generation unit ;
An input device installed on a side surface in the longitudinal direction of the fixed plate, and a control unit for controlling the lifting electric movement mechanism and the horizontal electric movement mechanism based on a signal of the input device ,
The input device detects a contact by an operator and a position of the contact in a longitudinal direction of the fixed plate of the input device, and the control unit moves up and down according to the detected contact by the operator. The X-ray generation unit is moved up and down and horizontally moved using an electric movement mechanism and a horizontal electric movement mechanism, and in the horizontal movement, the X-ray is generated at a position in the longitudinal direction of the fixed plate corresponding to the position of the contact. Rukoto be controlled so that part is moved, overhead traveling X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim. An X-ray generation unit that irradiates the subject with X-rays, a fixing plate that fixes the subject, a support that supports the X-ray generation unit and moves the X-ray generation unit up and down by an extension mechanism; A lifting / lowering electric movement mechanism that operates by movement electrically, a control unit that controls the lifting / lowering electric movement mechanism, a detector installed at an end of the column provided with the X-ray generation unit, and an X-ray generation unit In an overhead traveling X-ray imaging apparatus comprising an operation handle unit that is installed and manually moves the X-ray generation unit,
An input device installed on the fixed plate;
The detector detects an object in the horizontal direction of the detector when an operation input to the input device is performed by an operator, and the control unit is preset according to the height of the detector. The X-ray generator is lowered using the lifting electric movement mechanism with respect to the object in the horizontal direction of the detector until another object is detected by the detector, and the object other than the pre-registered object is detected. An overhead traveling X-ray imaging apparatus , wherein when the object is detected by the detector, the elevating and lowering electric movement mechanism is controlled to stop the descent .

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