IP Library Granted Patent US 9,161,728
Granted Patent B2
US 9,161,728 · App. 13/954,303 · Granted Oct 20, 2015

X-ray diagnosis apparatus and X-ray diagnosis assisting method

Inventors: Yuichiro Watanabe (Yaita, JP); Teruomi Gunji (Otawara, JP); Manabu Tanaka (Otawara, JP)
Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba; Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
A61B6/10A61B6/06A61B6/12A61B6/487A61B6/542
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,161,728
App. No.
13/954,303
Granted
Oct 20, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

An X-ray diagnosis apparatus of an embodiment includes: an imaging unit that includes an X-ray tube which emits an X-ray to a subject, and an X-ray detector which detects an X-ray passing through the subject; an X-ray beam limiting unit that is disposed between the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector, has a plurality of collimator blades, and can be rotated; an image processing unit that generates a fluoroscopic image of a region of interest set by the X-ray beam limiting unit; and a control unit that individually controls the plurality of collimator blades in such a way that a long side of an opening formed by the plurality of collimator blades goes in a longitudinal direction of a target within the fluoroscopic image.

Claims (33)

1. An X-ray diagnosis apparatus comprising:

an imaging unit that includes an X-ray tube which emits an X-ray to a subject, and an X-ray detector which detects an X-ray passing through the subject;

an X-ray beam limiting unit that is disposed between the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector, has a plurality of collimator blades, and can be rotated;

an image processing unit that detects a target based on an image data of a fluoroscopic image of a region of interest set by the X-ray beam limiting unit, and calculates components of a line of the target within the region of interest; and

a control unit that individually controls the plurality of collimator blades in such a way that a long side of an opening formed by the plurality of collimator blades goes in a longitudinal direction of the calculated components of the line within the fluoroscopic image.

2. The X-ray diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:

the image processing unit generates a fluoroscopic image of a situation where a device is being inserted into the subject; and

the control unit regards an image of the device contained in the fluoroscopic image as the target, and controls rotation and movement of the plurality of collimator blades.

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

the image processing unit detects the device contained in a fluoroscopic image of the region of interest; and

the control unit controls rotation of the X-ray beam limiting unit in such a way that a long side of an opening formed by the plurality of collimator blades goes in a direction in which the device extends.

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

the control unit rotates the X-ray beam limiting unit, and moves at least one of the collimator blades in such a way that the collimator blade approaches a preset distance from the target.

5. The X-ray diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the image processing unit uses a fluoroscopic LIH (Last Image Hold) image as a background image, and superimposes on the LIH image, a fluoroscopic image that is obtained as an irradiation field is narrowed by the X-ray beam limiting unit.

6. An X-ray diagnosis assisting method comprising:

including an imaging unit that includes an X-ray tube which emits an X-ray to a subject, and an X-ray detector which detects an X-ray passing through the subject;

placing, between the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector, an X-ray beam limiting unit that has a plurality of collimator blades and can be rotated;

generating a fluoroscopic image of a region of interest set by the X-ray beam limiting unit;

detecting a target of the fluoroscopic image based on an image data of the region of interest;

calculating components of a line of the target within the region of interest; and

controlling individually the plurality of collimator blades in such a way that a long side of an opening formed by the plurality of collimator blades goes in a longitudinal direction of the components of the line within the fluoroscopic image.

7. The X-ray diagnosis assisting method according to claim 6 , wherein:

generating a fluoroscopic image of a situation where a device is being inserted into the subject; and

controlling a rotation and movement of the plurality of collimator blades, an image of the device contained in the fluoroscopic image is regarded as the target.

8. The X-ray diagnosis assisting method according to claim 7 , wherein:

detecting the device contained in a fluoroscopic image of the region of interest; and

rotating the X-ray beam limiting unit in such a way that a long side of an opening formed by the plurality of collimator blades goes in a direction in which the device extends.

9. The X-ray diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the image processing unit obtains coordinates of a start point and an end point of the target within the region of interest, and calculates a straight line connecting the start point and the end point as the components of the line.

10. The X-ray diagnosis assisting method according to claim 6 , further comprising:

obtaining coordinates of a start point and an end point of the target within the region of interest; and

calculating a straight line connecting the start point and the end point as the components of the line.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 31, 2016
From: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
To: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 038891/0693 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 30, 2013
From: WATANABE, YUICHIRO; GUNJI, TERUOMI; TANAKA, MANABU
To: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA; TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 030906/0554 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2012-119830 · May 25, 2012 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTJP2013002814 · Apr 25, 2013
Related Publication 20130315370A1 · Nov 28, 2013