X-ray diagnosis apparatus

1 . An X-ray diagnosis apparatus, comprising:

an X-ray generator configured to emit X-rays;

an X-ray detector having a detection surface parallel to a first direction and being movable in the first direction and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and parallel to the detection surface; and

processing circuitry configured to

set a plurality of imaging ranges touching each other based on reference information,

cause the X-rays to be emitted from the X-ray generator to each of the plurality of imaging ranges while sequentially moving the X-ray detector, and

generate X-ray images respectively corresponding to the plurality of imaging ranges, based on a detection signal resulting from the X-ray detector detecting the X-rays,

wherein as the reference information, the processing circuitry is further configured to set a first imaging range so that an upper end, in terms of the first direction, of an examined site of an examined subject, is contained substantially at a center thereof in terms of the second direction, and set a second imaging range so that a lower end, in terms of the first direction, of the examined site is contained substantially at a center thereof in terms of the second direction, and

the processing circuitry is further configured to set the plurality of imaging ranges by setting at least one third imaging range that connects together the first imaging range and the second imaging range.

2 . The X-ray diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to set a plurality of candidates for the third imaging range and to set one of the plurality of candidates selected by a user as the third imaging range.

3 . The X-ray diagnosis apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to set a quantity of imaging ranges for each of the candidates.

4 . The X-ray diagnosis apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein

the processing circuitry is further configured to further cause a display to display the plurality of candidates, and

as the third imaging range, the processing circuitry is further configured to set the candidate selected by the user referencing the display, from among the plurality of candidates displayed by the display.

5 . The X-ray diagnosis apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to cause the plurality of candidates to be displayed so as to be superimposed on an optical image taken of the examined subject.

6 . The X-ray diagnosis apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to project the plurality of candidates onto the examined subject and to set, as the third imaging range, the one of the candidates selected by the user referencing the projection.

7 . An X-ray diagnosis apparatus, comprising:

an X-ray generator configured to emit X-rays;

an X-ray detector having a detection surface parallel to a first direction and being movable in the first direction and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and parallel to the detection surface; and

processing circuitry configured to

set a plurality of imaging ranges touching each other based on reference information,

cause the X-rays to be emitted from the X-ray generator to each of the plurality of imaging ranges while sequentially moving the X-ray detector, and

generate X-ray images respectively corresponding to the plurality of imaging ranges, based on a detection signal resulting from the X-ray detector detecting the X-rays,

wherein the reference information is an optical image taken of an examined subject that renders a curve of a surface of a back of the examined subject, and

the processing circuitry is further configured to set the plurality of imaging ranges, by approximating the curve of the surface of the back to an arc, reducing a size of the arc while maintaining a center, and estimating a position of a spine as an examined site.

8 . An X-ray diagnosis apparatus, comprising:

an X-ray generator configured to emit X-rays;

an X-ray detector having a detection surface parallel to a first direction and being movable in the first direction and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and parallel to the detection surface; and

processing circuitry configured to

set a plurality of imaging ranges touching each other based on reference information,

cause the X-rays to be emitted from the X-ray generator to each of the plurality of imaging ranges while sequentially moving the X-ray detector, and

generate X-ray images respectively corresponding to the plurality of imaging ranges, based on a detection signal resulting from the X-ray detector detecting the X-rays,

wherein the reference information is an end part X-ray image acquired of a first imaging range provided so as to contain an end, in terms of the first direction, of a spine of an examined subject, and

the processing circuitry is further configured to set the plurality of imaging ranges by setting at least one imaging range connected to the first imaging range, (a) by approximating a shape of the spine appearing in the end part X-ray image to an arc, expanding the shape in the first direction and estimating a position of a part of the spine of the examined subject that is not contained in the end part X-ray image, or (b) by selecting a spine shape that matches the shape of the spine appearing in the end part X-ray image from among images of entire spines of other patients taken in the past and estimating a position of a part of the spine of the examined subject that is not contained in the end part X-ray image.