JPH0579333B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to an X-ray diagnostic apparatus that is effective in diagnosing and treating vascular stenosis in a subject.

(Prior art) Conventionally, as a method for performing recovery surgery for a vascular stenosis in a subject, a catheter (thin tube) is inserted toward the vascular stenosis in the subject, and a balloon (inflatable body) is attached to the tip of the catheter. ) is aligned with a vascular stenosis and then inflates a balloon to widen the stenosis to its original thickness.

The above-mentioned recovery surgery is usually performed while observing an X-ray fluoroscopic image that includes the subject's vascular stenosis displayed on a TV monitor of an X-ray diagnostic apparatus.

By the way, conventionally, in addition to the above-mentioned method of performing recovery surgery while directly observing the X-ray fluoroscopic image on a TV monitor, advances in image processing technology that have accompanied the spread of IC memory in recent years have enabled the recovery of blood vessels around the stenosis. Image data of a well-represented image (contrast image) 60 is stored in advance in an IC memory, and this image data is further converted into digital/analog and displayed on a dedicated TV monitor 50 as shown in FIG. A device has been put into practical use that facilitates catheter operation by comparing this displayed image with the direct fluoroscopic image 61 displayed on the fluoroscopic monitor 51.

However, in the case of such a conventional device, the operator compares an image 60 of blood vessels around the stenosis displayed on the dedicated TV monitor 50 with a direct fluoroscopic image 61 displayed on the fluoroscopic monitor 51 to determine the true state of the stenosis. Since the position of the patient must be imagined on the direct fluoroscopic image 61, it is difficult to accurately grasp the positional relationship between the stenosis and the direct fluoroscopic image 61, and it is not always easy to operate the catheter 30 provided with the balloon 31. There is a problem.

In addition, an image 60 of blood vessels around the stenotic part is displayed as a still image on the dedicated TV monitor 50, but in an actual heart, blood vessels move due to pulsation, so it is not possible to display only a static image.
0 operation is insufficient.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, with conventional devices, it is difficult to clearly grasp the positional relationship between the vascular stenosis and the direct fluoroscopic image, and it is difficult to accurately operate the catheter. The problem is that it can't be done.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an X-ray diagnostic apparatus that can clearly grasp the positional relationship between the vascular stenosis and a direct fluoroscopic image when performing a surgery for restoring the vascular stenosis. .

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The X-ray diagnostic apparatus of the present invention provides pre-contrast and post-contrast image information of a blood vessel including a vascular stenosis that pulsates in response to the heartbeat of a subject. and an image collecting means for collecting image information of an X-ray fluoroscopic image of the blood vessel, a recording means for recording one or both of pre-contrast and post-contrast image information of the blood vessel, and a recording means for capturing electrocardiogram information of the subject. memory selection signal generating means for generating a memory selection signal for selecting a memory in which the image information is to be recorded based on the memory selection signal and sending it to the recording means; a subtraction processing means for performing subtraction processing in a state corresponding to the phase of X;
an addition processing means for adding together pieces of image information of fluoroscopic images whose phases of heartbeats correspond based on the memory selection signal; and a display means for taking in the added image information and displaying it. It is something that you have.

(effect) The operation of the apparatus having the above configuration will be explained below.

The image collecting means first collects pre-contrast and post-contrast image information of a blood vessel including a vascular stenosis that pulsates in response to the subject's heartbeat. One or both of these image information is recorded on the recording means. The memory selection signal generating means takes in the electrocardiogram information of the subject, creates memory selection information based on this, and sends it to the recording means.

The subtraction processing means subtracts the image information of phases corresponding to the heartbeat among the pre-contrast and post-contrast image information to obtain image information of only the blood vessels including the vascular stenosis.

The addition processing means performs addition processing on the subtracted image information and the image information of the X-ray fluoroscopic image collected by the image collection means, which have corresponding heartbeat phases, and sends the processed image information to the display means.

As a result, an image in which an image of a blood vessel including a vascular stenosis is superimposed on an X-ray fluoroscopic image is displayed on the display means.

(Example) Examples of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.

This device produces a contrast image obtained by exposing the blood vessel to X-rays while a contrast medium is injected into the blood vessel containing the stenosis, which pulsates in response to the subject's heartbeat. Taking an image of the blood vessel before the agent reaches the blood vessel (hereinafter referred to as a "mask image"), collecting image information of these contrast images and mask images, and directly irradiating the blood vessel with X-rays. an image collecting means 1 for capturing an X-ray fluoroscopic image obtained by the method and collecting its image information; a recording means 2 for recording the image information of the contrast image and mask image at timings to be described later; Memory selection that takes in electrocardiogram information, creates a memory selection signal for selecting a memory (details will be described later) in which to record the image information of the contrast image in the recording means 2 based on this, and sends this to the recording means 2. The signal generating means 3 takes in the image information of the mask image and the contrast image, performs subtraction processing (subtraction processing) between them, and sends out image information of an image of only blood vessels (subtraction image). The image information of the X-ray fluoroscopic image is taken in from the subtraction processing means 4 and the image collecting means 1, and the image information of the subtraction image is taken in from the subtraction processing means 4, and addition processing is performed between the two to obtain both images. It has an addition processing means 5 for obtaining image information on which information is superimposed, and a display means 6 for taking in the image information superimposed by the addition processing means 5 and displaying it.

The image collecting means 1 includes a TV camera 7 that captures the contrast image, the mass image, and the X-ray fluoroscopic image and converts them into image information in the form of analog signals, and the TV camera 7 that captures the contrast image, the mass image, and the X-ray fluoroscopic image, and converts them into image information in the form of analog signals, and It also includes an A/D converter 8 that digitizes the image information of the image.

The recording means 2 includes a mask image memory 9 connected to the A/D converter 8, and a mask image memory 9 connected to the A/D converter 8.
A plurality of contrast image memories 1 connected to a converter 8
0a, 10b, ..., 10n, mask image memory 9 and contrast image memory 10a, 10b, ..., 10
It is equipped with a recording indicator 11 for specifying the recording timing at n.

The memory selection signal generating means 3 includes a heart monitor 12 that takes in and displays electrocardiogram information of the subject, and an R wave detector 13 that takes in electrocardiogram information from the heart monitor 12 and detects R wave information in the electrocardiogram.
This R-wave detector 13 takes in the R-wave information detected, initializes itself, generates a counter signal matched to the image frame of the display means 6, and transfers this counter signal to the contrast image memories 10a, 10.
A frame counter 14 is provided to send a memory selection signal for contrast images 10a, 10b, .

Then, the mask image information is recorded in the mask image memory 9 by the output signal (recording instruction signal) of the recording instruction device 11, and the mask image information is recorded immediately after the R wave by the output signal of the recording instruction device 11 and the memory selection signal. Contrast image information corresponding to subsequent frames is stored in the contrast image memory 10a, and contrast image information corresponding to subsequent frames is stored in the contrast image memory 1.
The data are recorded sequentially in 0b, ..., 10n. In this way, the contrast image memories 10a, 10b, .
10n is selected, and from the time when the output signal of the recording indicator 11 is cut off, each contrast image memory 10a, 10b,..., 10n stores each recorded contrast image information, and Each piece of contrast image information recorded is sent to the subtraction processing means 4 in accordance with the selection signal.

The subtraction processing means 4 always takes in mask image information from the mask image memory 4, takes in each contrast image information sequentially sent out from each contrast image memory 10a, 10b, . . . , 10n, and extracts each image from the mask image information. The contrast image information is each subtracted, and each subtraction image is sent to the addition processing means 5.

The addition processing means 5 takes in the X-ray fluoroscopic image information corresponding to the phase of the heartbeat from the image acquisition means 1, takes in each of the subtraction images, and performs addition processing on the images having the same heartbeat phase. The addition result is sent to display means 6.

The display means 6 includes a D/A converter 15 that converts the addition result of the addition processing means 5 into analog, and takes in the output signal of this D/A converter 15 and displays it.
It is equipped with a TV monitor 16.

Next, the operation of the apparatus having the above structure will be explained with reference to the explanatory diagram shown in FIG. 2 showing the processing order of this apparatus.

First, perform angiography of the subject's blood vessels,
At this time, information on the X-ray fluoroscopic image of the blood vessel collected by the TV camera 7 is digitized by the A/D converter 8 and then sent to the recording means 2.

The recording means 2 records image information of an X-ray fluoroscopic image immediately before the contrast agent is projected during angiography in the mask image memory 9 as mask image information based on instructions from the recording indicator 11.

Further, the image information of the X-ray fluoroscopic image in which the contrast medium flows through the blood vessel and the vascular stenosis is best shown is recorded as contrast image information in the contrast image memories 10a, 10b, . . . , 10n.

This contrast image information is stored in each contrast image memory 10a, 1.
The manner in which data is recorded in 0b, . . . , 10n is as follows.

That is, an output signal instructing recording is sent from the recording instruction device 11 to each contrast image memory 10a, b, ..., 10n, and the memory selection signal generating means 3 sends an output signal to each contrast image memory 10a, b, ..., 10n.
A memory selection signal is sent to the memory 10, whereby the contrast information immediately after the R wave shown in FIG. 2 is stored in the contrast image memory 10.
Contrast image information corresponding to the next frame is recorded in the contrast image memory 10b, and so on.

Then, each contrast image memory 10a,
An output signal instructing recording is sent to b, . . . , 10n. Memory 1 for each contrast image that captures this output signal
0a, b, ..., 10n are repeatedly recorded, and from the time the output signal is cut off, each contrast image memory 10a, b, ..., 10
n is a processing means 4 for storing the recorded image information and subtracting the stored image information according to the memory selection signal.
Send to.

The subtraction processing means 4 always takes in mask image information from the mask image memory 9, takes in contrast image information sequentially sent from each contrast image memory 10a, b, ..., 10n, and extracts each mask image information from the mask image information. The contrast image information is subtracted and sent to the addition processing means 5 as subtraction image information.

The addition processing means 5 takes in the X-ray fluoroscopic image information of the blood vessel including the vascular stenosis collected by the image collection means 1, and also takes in each subtraction image information from the subtraction processing means 4, so that the phases of the heartbeat correspond to each other. The D/A converter 15 sequentially converts the addition results into analogs and sends them to the TV monitor 16.

As a result, the screen of the TV monitor 16 displays a blood vessel image B including a blood vessel stenosis image 40 as shown in FIG.
The images of the catheter 30 and the balloon 31 included in the X-ray fluoroscopic image information are displayed in a superimposed manner while corresponding to the same heartbeat phase. Operations such as positioning the balloon 31 become easier.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. In addition, in the device shown in the same figure, the first
Components having the same functions as those shown in the figures are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 3 differs from the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in that, instead of the one mask image memory 9,
Multiple mask image memories 9a, 9b,..., 9n
This is because we have established the following. Then, a memory selection signal is sent from the frame counter 14 to each mask image memory 9a, 9b,..., 9n, and the mask image information for one frame immediately after the R wave is transferred to the mask image memory 9a for the next one frame. The mask image information for each mask image memory 9b is sequentially recorded in the mask image memory 9b, and the mask image information is recorded in each mask image memory 9a, 9b, ..., 9n and each contrast image memory 10a, 10b, ..., according to a memory selection signal. The image information corresponding to the same phase of the heartbeat recorded in 10n and 10n is read out, and the subtraction processing means 4 performs each subtraction process between them.

As a result, it is possible to obtain a subtraction image that does not include artifacts due to heart beats, and by superimposing this with the X-ray fluoroscopic image in the addition processing means 5 and displaying it, it is possible to obtain a clear superimposed image. Become.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG.

In the apparatus shown in FIG. 4, parts having the same functions as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

This apparatus differs from the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in that the contrast image memory is omitted and the subtraction processing means 4 is
A plurality of subtraction image memories 17a, 17b, .
The output signal from the recording instruction device 11 and the memory selection signal from the frame counter 14 are sent to n.

This device can also produce the same effects as the device shown in FIG.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes can be made within the scope of the invention.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention detailed above, the position of a vascular stenosis in a subject can be clearly understood on an X-ray fluoroscopic image, which can contribute to improving the accuracy of recovery surgery. An X-ray diagnostic device can be provided.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the processing order of the same device, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a conventional device.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a line fluoroscopic image and a contrast image. 1... Image collecting means, 2... Recording means, 4...
Subtraction processing means, 5... Addition processing means, 6... Display means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image collection means for collecting pre-contrast and post-contrast image information of a blood vessel including a vascular stenosis that pulsates in response to the heartbeat of a subject, and image information of an X-ray fluoroscopic image of the blood vessel, and a contrast imaging device for the blood vessel. a recording means for recording one or both of pre-contrast and post-contrast image information; and a recording means for capturing electrocardiogram information of a subject and creating a memory selection signal for selecting a memory in which the image information is to be recorded based on the electrocardiogram information. a memory selection signal generation means for transmitting the image information before and after contrast imaging of the blood vessel; a subtraction processing means for performing subtraction processing on the image information before and after imaging of the blood vessel in a state corresponding to the phase of the heartbeat based on the memory selection signal; an addition processing means for adding together pieces of image information of the X-ray fluoroscopic images whose heartbeat phases correspond based on the memory selection signal; and a display means for taking in the added image information and displaying it. An X-ray diagnostic device comprising: