IP Library Granted Patent US 9,326,746
Granted Patent B2
US 9,326,746 · App. 14/467,119 · Granted May 3, 2016

X-ray CT apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,326,746
App. No.
14/467,119
Granted
May 3, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

An X-ray CT apparatus includes a specifying unit, a setting unit, a controller, and a reconstruction unit. The specifying unit refers to exposure dose information to specify a high exposure area in an imaging area in a subject. The setting unit sets a scan condition under which a cross section of the imaging area can be imaged and under which X-rays are not directly applied to the high exposure area or another scan condition under which a cross section of the imaging area can be imaged and under which an X-ray radiation dose directly applied to the high exposure area is reduced relative to an area other than the high exposure area. The controller collects data of X-rays applied from an X-ray tube and detected by an X-ray detector under the set scan condition. The reconstruction unit reconstructs a tomographic image using the collected data of X-rays.

Claims (13)

1. An X-ray CT apparatus comprising:

a specifying unit configured to refer to exposure dose information that associates a site in a subject radiated with X-rays for taking an X-ray image with a cumulative value of X-ray exposure doses to specify a high exposure area where a cumulative value of exposure doses is equal to or greater than a certain threshold in an imaging area in the subject;

a setting unit configured to set a scan condition that allows imaging of a cross section of the imaging area and under which X-rays are not directly applied to the high exposure area or another scan condition that allows imaging of a cross section of the imaging area and under which an X-ray radiation dose directly applied to the high exposure area is reduced relative to an area other than the high exposure area;

a controller configured to rotate a support that supports an X-ray tube for applying X-rays and an X-ray detector for detecting X-rays to collect data of X-rays applied from the X-ray tube and detected by the X-ray detector under the set scan condition; and

a reconstruction unit configured to reconstruct a tomographic image using the data of X-rays collected under control of the controller.

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

the X-ray image is generated by an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, and

the exposure dose information is associated with the site in the subject using a cumulative value of skin doses of the subject as the cumulative value of X-ray exposure doses.

3. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the setting unit sets a scan range that includes an opposed area located at a position opposed to the high exposure area with the subject interposed therebetween and that allows imaging of a cross section of the imaging area.

4. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the setting unit sets a scan range for performing a half scan that includes an opposed area located at a position opposed to the high exposure area with the subject interposed therebetween, thereby setting a scan condition under which X-rays are not directly applied to the high exposure area.

5. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the setting unit sets a scan range for performing a full scan and sets the scan condition under which an X-ray radiation dose directly applied to the high exposure area is reduced relative to an area other than the high exposure area.

6. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the setting unit further sets the scan condition under which an X-ray radiation dose directly applied to an opposed area located at a position opposed to the high exposure area is reduced relative to an area other than the high exposure area.

7. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the setting unit further sets the scan condition under which an X-ray radiation dose directly applied to an opposed area located at a position opposed to the high exposure area is increased relative to an area other than the high exposure area.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 23, 2016
From: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
To: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 039133/0915 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 25, 2014
From: KOBAYASHI, TADAHARU; MIZUTANI, KENJI; MATSUMOTO, MASANORI
To: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA; TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 033599/0170 →