JP7820170B2 - X-ray diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

The embodiments disclosed in this specification and drawings relate to an X-ray diagnostic device.

One example of an X-ray diagnostic device is a cardiovascular X-ray diagnostic device equipped with a sliding C-arm. In order to perform wide-area rotational imaging, such as 3D imaging, with this X-ray diagnostic device, the C-arm must be able to rotate, for example, by 200 degrees or more. For this reason, there are structures such as those with a dual C-arm slide shaft, or those with a larger holder that holds the C-arm and multiple rollers that hold the C-arm arranged side by side.

In conventional X-ray diagnostic equipment, the use of a dual slide shaft complicates the structure of the equipment. Furthermore, increasing the size of the holder increases the overall size of the equipment, and the step behavior of the C-arm as it moves over the rollers reduces the quality of the X-ray images captured by the X-ray detector attached to the C-arm. This makes it difficult to capture a wide area.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-136233

The problem that the embodiments disclosed in this specification and drawings attempt to solve is to enable wide-area imaging while avoiding the complexity and size of the X-ray diagnostic device. However, the problem that the embodiments disclosed in this specification and drawings attempt to solve is not limited to the above problem. Problems corresponding to the effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described below can also be positioned as other problems.

The X-ray diagnostic apparatus of this embodiment has a floor stand, an arm holder, a C-arm, an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector, and a support member. The floor stand is placed on the floor surface. The arm holder is attached to the floor stand. The C-arm is supported by the arm holder and is rotatable in a first direction and a second direction around a horizontal axis. The X-ray generator and the X-ray detector are attached to the C-arm. The support member movably supports the C-arm from below.

1 is a perspective view of an X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of an arm holder 13 of the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a side view of an X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a front view of an X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing an advance/retract structure 50 according to the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the C-arm 14 of the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment has moved from the reference position in the CRA direction. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the C-arm 14 of the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment has moved from the reference position in the CAU direction. FIG. FIG. 10 is a side view of an X-ray diagnostic apparatus 2 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the C-arm 24 of the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment has moved to a holding position. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the C-arm 24 is rotated around the isocenter axis Z1 by the support structure 23. FIG.

The following describes the X-ray diagnostic device of this embodiment, with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
1 is a perspective view of an X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. The X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment is a so-called floor-standing X-ray diagnostic apparatus. The X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 is used by placing it on a floor surface R. The X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 includes, for example, a floor rotating arm 11, a stand 12, an arm holder 13, a C-arm 14, and a lower support roller 15.

The floor rotating arm 11 is installed on the floor surface R. One end of the floor rotating arm 11 is located directly below the isocenter IS. The floor rotating arm 11 is rotatable around the isocenter axis Z1, which is a vertical axis passing through the isocenter IS. A stand 12 is erected at the other end of the floor rotating arm 11. The floor rotating arm 11 is an example of a floor-mounted stand. The floor-mounted stand may be something other than the floor rotating arm 11, or, for example, a non-rotatable stand may be used instead of the floor rotating arm 11.

The stand 12 is supported at the other end of the floor-mounted rotating arm 11 so as to be rotatable around a vertical rotation axis Z2 parallel to the isocenter axis Z1. An arm holder 13 is attached to the floor-mounted rotating arm 11 via the stand 12. The arm holder 13 is supported relative to the stand 12 so as to be rotatable around an arm horizontal rotation axis (hereinafter referred to as the main axis) Z3 that is perpendicular to the isocenter axis Z1.

The arm holder 13 supports the C-arm 14 so that it can slide and rotate around the slide rotation axis Z4. An X-ray generator 41 is attached to one end of the C-arm 14. An X-ray detector 42 is attached to the other end of the C-arm 14. The X-ray generator 41 includes, for example, an X-ray tube (bulb) that irradiates X-rays and a collimator. The X-ray detector 42 is, for example, a so-called flat panel detector that has multiple X-ray detection semiconductor elements arranged two-dimensionally.

The C-arm 14 can rotate in the cranial direction (hereinafter referred to as the CRA direction) and the caudal direction (hereinafter referred to as the CAU direction) from the reference position shown in Figure 1. The reference position is the position where one end of the C-arm 14 is at its lowest point. The CRA direction is, for example, the direction in which one end of the C-arm 14 in the reference position moves away from the arm holder 13, and the CAU direction is, for example, the direction in which one end of the C-arm 14 in the reference position moves toward the arm holder 13. The CRA direction is an example of a first direction. The CAU direction is an example of a second direction. Grooves are formed on both sides of the C-arm 14, each running along the side of the C-arm 14. The arm holder 13 supports the C-arm 14 by sandwiching the sides of the C-arm 14 from both sides.

The C-arm 14 has a curved back surface 14A, which serves as the support surface that comes into contact with the lower support roller 15. The radius of curvature of the curved surface of the C-arm 14 is less than the radius of rotation of the C-arm 14. Therefore, when the C-arm 14 rotates from the reference position in the CRA direction, the distance between the tip of the C-arm 14 and the floor rotating arm remains constant, or the tip of the C-arm 14 moves gradually away from the floor rotating arm 11. Therefore, the C-arm 14 moving in the CRA or CAU direction does not interfere with the floor rotating arm 11, etc.

The floor rotating arm 11 supports the arm holder 13 via the stand 12 so that it can rotate around the isocenter axis (vertical axis). The C-arm 14 supported by the arm holder 13 can rotate around the isocenter axis Z1 in conjunction with the rotation of the floor rotating arm 11.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the arm holder 13 of the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. Multiple roller units 30 are provided inside the arm holder 13. Each roller unit 30 has multiple internal support rollers 31. The roller units 30 are arranged in grooves in the C-arm 14. The multiple internal support rollers 31 in the roller units 30 are arranged in contact with the curved surface of the C-arm 14.

The C-arm 14 is supported by the arm holder 13 via multiple internal support rollers 31. The C-arm 14 shown in Figure 1 is positioned at a reference position. As the internal support rollers 31 rotate, the C-arm 14 rotates around the slide rotation axis Z4, and can rotate from the reference position in either the CRA direction or the CAU direction.

The lower support roller 15 is provided on the upper surface of one end of the floor rotating arm 11. The lower support roller 15 is, for example, a sphere. The lower support roller 15 is provided, for example, at a point on the isocenter axis Z1 on the upper surface of the floor rotating arm 11 so that it can rotate in any direction. The lower support roller 15 comes into contact with the C-arm 14 when it is in the reference position.

The lower support rollers 15 do not need to come into contact with the C-arm 14 in the reference position. The lower support rollers 15 support the sliding C-arm 14 while rotating as the C-arm 14 slides from the reference position in the CRA direction. The lower support rollers 15 are an example of a support member and a rotating support. The support member may be a support fixed to the floor rotating arm 11, rather than a rotating support like the lower support rollers 15. If the support member is a support fixed to the floor rotating arm 11, it may, for example, be in sliding contact with the C-arm when it comes into contact, thereby supporting the C-arm in a slidable manner.

Figure 3 is a side view of the X-ray diagnostic device 1 of the first embodiment, and Figure 4 is a front view of the X-ray diagnostic device 1 of the first embodiment. Figures 3 and 4 show the state in which the floor-mounted rotary arm 11 is in the reference position. The lower support roller 15 comes into contact with the back surface 14A of the C-arm 14 that has moved, for example, from the reference position in the CRA direction. The back surface 14A of the C-arm 14 has a cross-sectional curved shape that is convex outward.

Because the lower support roller 15 is spherical, the back surface 14A of the C-arm 14 and the lower support roller 15 come into contact at one point. The lower support roller 15 is provided at a specified support position on the floor-mounted rotating arm 11. The support position may also be set at a position other than on the floor-mounted rotating arm 11. By coming into contact with the C-arm 14, the lower support roller 15 supports the C-arm 14 from below. When supporting the C-arm 14, the lower support roller 15 bears the weight of the C-arm 14.

In the reference position, the C-arm 14 is supported by the internal support rollers 31 of the arm holder 13, which bear the support load of the C-arm 14. As the C-arm 14 rotates from the reference position toward the CRA, the support load of the C-arm 14 is transferred from the internal support rollers 31 to the lower support rollers 15.

The lower support roller 15 is attached to the floor rotating arm 11 so that it can rotate in any direction. When the C-arm 14 rotates in the CRA or CAU direction while in contact with the roller 15, the lower support roller 15 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the C-arm 14. Because the back surface 14A of the C-arm 14 has a curved cross-sectional shape that is convex outward, the lower support roller 15 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the C-arm 14 when the C-arm 14 rotates in the swing direction α around the main axis Z3 while in contact with the roller 15. The lower support roller 15 supports the C-arm 14 while rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the C-arm 14.

Furthermore, the floor rotating arm 11 is provided with an advance/retract mechanism 50 that moves the lower support roller 15 forward and backward (up and down). Figure 5 shows the advance/retract mechanism 50 of the first embodiment. The advance/retract mechanism 50 includes a lifting stage 51 and an actuator 52. The lower support roller 15 is rotatably mounted on the lifting stage 51. An elastic body or cushioning material, for example, is interposed between the lifting stage 51 and the lower support roller 15. The actuator 52 moves the lifting stage up and down, thereby moving the lower support roller 15 forward and backward.

When the actuator 52 raises the lifting stage 51, the lower support rollers 15 advance and are exposed from the surface of the floor-mounted rotating arm 11, and are positioned in the set position. When the actuator 52 lowers the lifting stage 51, the lower support rollers 15 retract and are stored inside the floor-mounted rotating arm 11, and are positioned in the park position.

The lower support roller 15 is provided on an advance/retract mechanism 50 and is movable between a set position and a park position. This allows the lower support roller 15 to be selectively set or parked as needed. In the first embodiment, an advance/retract mechanism is provided, but the advance/retract mechanism 50 does not necessarily have to be provided.

The C-arm 14 can rotate around the main axis Z3 when it is in the reference position or when it has moved from the reference position in the CRA or CAU direction. Because the lower support roller 15 is spherical, the contact portion of the lower support roller 15 with the C-arm 14 has a curved surface with a curvature around an axis parallel to the main axis Z3. Therefore, when the C-arm 14 has moved from the reference position in the CRA direction and rotates around the main axis Z3, the C-arm 14 and lower support roller 15 come into rolling contact, and the lower support roller 15 also rotates as the C-arm 14 rotates.

Next, an example of the operation of the C-arm 14 will be described. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the state in which the C-arm 14 of the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment has moved from the reference position in the CRA direction. Figure 6 shows the state in which the C-arm 14 has been rotated 90 degrees in the CRA direction from the reference position (0° position).

The C-arm 14, which moves from the reference position in the CRA direction, is supported by the arm holder 13 and also by the lower support rollers 15. This ensures that the C-arm 14 can be reliably supported when performing wide-area rotational imaging such as R-DA (R-Digital Angiography), R-DSA (R-Digital Subtraction Angiography), and 3D-DSA.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing the state in which the C-arm 14 of the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment has moved from the reference position in the CAU direction. Figure 7 shows the state in which the C-arm 14 has been rotated 90 degrees in the CAU direction. When the C-arm 14 is rotated from the reference position in the CAU direction, it moves away from the lower support rollers 15 and is supported only by the arm holder 13. At this time, the heavy X-ray generator 41 attached to one end of the C-arm 14 approaches the arm holder 13.

As a result, the C-arm 14 is supported by the arm holder 13 in a state where it is heavy and its center of gravity is close to the X-ray generator 41. Therefore, although the C-arm 14 is supported only by the arm holder 13, it can be held in a position close to the center of gravity, allowing the C-arm 14 to be held in a stable state.

In this way, the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment can achieve a C-arm sliding mechanism that can accommodate the wide imaging area required for 3D imaging, without having to use a dual C-arm 14 structure or enlarge the arm holder 13 (holder portion) that supports the C-arm 14, as is the case with conventional X-ray diagnostic apparatuses. Furthermore, by supporting the C-arm 14 with the lower support rollers 15, the C-arm 14 can transfer between multiple support rollers before a load is applied to the internal support rollers 31 of the arm holder 13 in response to changes in the center of gravity that occur as the C-arm 14 slides.

This reduces the step behavior when the C-arm 14 moves over multiple internal support rollers 31, allowing for better X-ray images to be obtained and the entire X-ray diagnostic device 1 to be made smaller, enabling wider area imaging without increasing the complexity or size of the X-ray diagnostic device. This also reduces the installation area of the X-ray diagnostic device 1, improves accessibility around the device, expands the operator's workspace, and improves workability.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 8 is a side view of an X-ray diagnostic apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment. The X-ray diagnostic apparatus 2 of the second embodiment includes, for example, a ceiling-suspended arm 21, an arm holder 22, a support structure 23, and a C-arm 24.

The suspension arm 21 is installed, for example, by hanging from the ceiling T of the examination room. An arm holder 22 is attached to the lower end of the suspension arm 21. The arm holder 22 supports the C-arm 24 from the side at the intersection of the suspension arm 21 and the main axis Z3. The suspension arm 21 is an example of a suspension base.

The arm holder 22 includes a roller unit 30 (see Figure 2) similar to that of the first embodiment. Each roller unit 30 includes multiple internal support rollers 31. The roller units 30 in the arm holder 22 support the C-arm 24, which has grooves, by sandwiching the sides of the C-arm 24 from both sides, as in the first embodiment.

The support structure 23 is provided at the upper end of the ceiling-suspended arm 21. The support structure 23 is capable of moving vertically (up and down) along the isocenter axis Z1. The support structure 23 is movable between a set position where it holds the C-arm 24, and a park position above the set position and retracted from the set position. The park position is an example of a retracted position.

The support structure 23 is equipped with a roller unit 30. When the support structure 23 is placed in the set position, like the arm holder 22, the roller units 30 support the C-arm 24 by sandwiching the sides of the C-arm 24 from both sides. The support structure 23 supports the C-arm 24 from above, so that the C-arm 24 is supported by the ceiling-suspended arm 21 via the support structure 23. The support structure 23 is an example of a support member.

The C-arm 24 has a configuration similar to that of the C-arm 14 in the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. The C-arm 24 can rotate in the CRA direction and the CAU direction around the slide rotation axis Z4 by means of the arm holder 22 and a roller unit 30 provided on the support structure 23. An X-ray generator 41 is provided at one end of the C-arm 24. An X-ray detector 42 is provided at the other end of the C-arm 24. The position through which the C-arm 24 passes, which is reached by rotating the C-arm 24 90° in the CAU direction from the reference position, is called the holding position, and the set position of the support structure 23 is the holding position.

When the C-arm 24 is in the holding position, it is released from support by the roller unit 30 of the arm holder 22 and can be moved away from the arm holder 22. The support structure 23 can rotate around the isocenter axis Z1. In this state, the C-arm 24 is supported by the support structure 23, so that the support structure 23 rotatably holds the C-arm 24 that has moved away from the arm holder 22. The support structure 23 allows the C-arm 24 to move away from the arm holder 22 and rotate the C-arm 24 around the isocenter axis Z1.

Next, an example of the operation of the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 2 of the second embodiment will be described. Here, the operation will be described in which the C-arm 24, which is in the reference position, moves to the holding position, and then rotates around the isocenter axis Z1 held by the support structure 23. In the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 2, the C-arm 24 is supported by the ceiling-suspended arm 21 via the arm holder 22 when it is in the reference position. At this time, the C-arm 24 can rotate around the main axis Z3.

Next, the C-arm 24 is rotated in the CAU direction, but before that, the support structure 23 is advanced (lowered) and placed in the set position by sliding the C-arm 24 in the CRA direction to a position where it does not interfere with the lowering of the support structure 23. After that, the support structure 23 is placed in the set position, and then the C-arm 24 is slid in the CAU direction to a position where it can be removed from the arm holder 22.

While moving from the reference position to the holding position, the C-arm 24 is supported by the internal support rollers 31 in both the arm holder 22 and the support structure 23. The C-arm 24, supported by the support rollers in both the arm holder 22 and the support structure 23, is further rotated in the CAU direction by operating the roller units 30 of the arm holder 22 and the support structure 23, until it reaches the holding position. At this time, the C-arm 24 is supported by the support structure 23.

Figure 9 shows the state in which the C-arm 24 in the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 2 of the second embodiment has been moved to the holding position. The C-arm 24 that has been moved to the holding position is supported by the ceiling-suspended arm 21 via the support structure 23. At this time, the C-arm 24 can be moved away from the arm holder 22 to make it rotatable around the isocenter axis Z1.

Figure 10 shows the state in which the C-arm 24 is rotated around the isocenter axis Z1 by the support structure 23. By the support structure 23 rotating the C-arm 24 around the isocenter axis Z1, the C-arm 24 can rotate away from the arm holder 22 in the rotation direction β.

Like the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 2 of the second embodiment can realize a C-arm sliding mechanism that can accommodate the wide imaging area required for 3D imaging, without having to use a dual C-arm structure or enlarge the holder that supports the C-arm.

In addition, in the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 2 of the second embodiment, the support structure 23 supports the C-arm 24, allowing the C-arm 24 to rotate around the isocenter axis Z1. Therefore, the X-ray diagnostic apparatus 2 can cause the C-arm 14 to perform CRA/CAU rotation similar to that of a so-called Ω arm.

In the first embodiment described above, one lower support roller 15 is provided on the floor-mounted rotating arm 11, but multiple lower support rollers 15 may be provided, or may be provided on a location other than the floor-mounted rotating arm 11. If multiple lower support rollers 15 are provided, the multiple lower support rollers 15 may be arranged in any manner.

For example, the C-arm 14 may be aligned along the direction of rotation when it rotates around the slide rotation axis Z4, or along the direction of rotation when it rotates around the main axis Z3. In these cases, one of the multiple lower support rollers 15 may be positioned on the isocenter axis Z1, with the further away from the isocenter axis Z1 the rollers may be positioned higher. By arranging in this way, the C-arm 14 can be supported by the lower support rollers 15 for a longer period of time.

In addition, while the rotating support is spherical in the first embodiment, the rotating support may have other shapes. For example, it may be cylindrical, or it may be drum-shaped, with the radius of the cylinder varying along its axial direction and decreasing as it moves axially outward from the center. A drum-shaped rotating support may be arranged with its axial direction perpendicular to both the isocenter axis Z1 and the main axis Z3, or with its axial direction perpendicular to both the isocenter axis Z1 and the slide rotation axis Z4.

Although the rotating support is provided so that it can rotate in any direction, the rotating support may be provided so that its rotation direction is restricted. In particular, when the rotating support is cylindrical or drum-shaped, its rotation direction may be restricted. For example, the rotation direction of a cylindrical or drum-shaped rotating support may be restricted to a direction perpendicular to its axial direction.

At least one of the embodiments described above includes a floor stand placed on the floor, an arm holder attached to the floor stand, a C-arm supported by the arm holder and rotatable in a first direction and a second direction around a horizontal axis, an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector attached to the C-arm, and a support member that movably supports the C-arm from below. This makes it possible to perform imaging over a wide area while avoiding the complexity and size of the X-ray diagnostic device.

While several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments may be embodied in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims, as well as the scope and spirit of the invention.

1, 2...X-ray diagnostic apparatus 11...floor swivel arm 12...stand 13...arm holder 14...C-arm 14A...back surface 15...lower support roller 21...ceiling-suspended arm 22...arm holder 22A...first holder 23...support structure 23A...inserted portion 24...C-arm 30...roller unit 31...internal support roller 41...X-ray generator 42...X-ray detector 50...advance/retraction structure 51...lift stage 52...actuator IS...isocenter R...floor surface T...ceiling X...circulatory system Z1 isocenter axis Z2 vertical rotation axis Z3 main axis Z4 slide rotation axis

Claims (11)

a floor stand installed on the floor;
an arm holder attached to the floor stand;
a C-arm supported by the arm holder and rotatable in a first direction and a second direction around a horizontal axis;
an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector attached to the C-arm;
a support member that movably supports the C-arm from below,
When the C-arm is at a position moved in the cranial direction, which is the first direction, from a reference position, which is a position where one end of the C-arm is at its lowest point, a support load of the C-arm is applied to the support member, and when the C-arm is at a position moved in the chordal direction, which is the second direction, from the reference position, a support load of the C-arm is applied to the arm holder.
X-ray diagnostic equipment. a floor stand installed on the floor;
an arm holder attached to the floor stand;
a C-arm supported by the arm holder and rotatable in a first direction and a second direction around a horizontal axis;
an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector attached to the C-arm;
a support member that movably supports the C-arm from below,
the support member is a rotary support member that supports the C-arm while rotating in accordance with the rotation of the C-arm.
X- ray diagnostic equipment. the C-arm has a curved back surface, with the support surface that comes into contact with the support member as the back surface, and the radius of curvature of the curved surface is equal to or less than the radius of rotation of the C-arm;
3. The X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2 . a floor stand installed on the floor;
an arm holder attached to the floor stand;
a C-arm supported by the arm holder and rotatable in a first direction and a second direction around a horizontal axis;
an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector attached to the C-arm;
a support member that movably supports the C-arm from below;
an advancing/retracting structure for advancing/retracting the support member by advancing one end of the C-arm to a set position where it contacts the C-arm, which is at a reference position where one end of the C-arm is at its lowest point, and retracting the support member to a park position below the set position and away from the C-arm ,
X- ray diagnostic equipment. the support member supports the C-arm when advanced by the advance/retract structure.
5. The X -ray diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4. a floor stand installed on the floor;
an arm holder attached to the floor stand;
a C-arm supported by the arm holder and rotatable in a first direction and a second direction around a horizontal axis;
an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector attached to the C-arm;
a support member that movably supports the C-arm from below,
the C-arm is rotatable around a main axis perpendicular to the horizontal axis and the vertical axis;
a contact portion of the support member with the C-arm having a curved surface having a curvature around a parallel axis parallel to the main axis;
X- ray diagnostic equipment. a floor stand installed on the floor;
an arm holder attached to the floor stand;
a C-arm supported by the arm holder and rotatable in a first direction and a second direction around a horizontal axis;
an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector attached to the C-arm;
a plurality of support members that movably support the C-arm from below ,
X- ray diagnostic equipment. the support member supports the C-arm, which slides in the first direction from a reference position where one end of the C-arm is at its lowest point.
8. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. the floor stand includes a floor swivel arm that supports the arm holder rotatably around a vertical axis;
8. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. The support member is placed on the isocenter axis of the floor rotation arm.
10. The X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to claim 9 . The support member is provided on the floor stand.
11. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 .