X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices – Electronic circuit – With switching means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-28
2002-12-31
Dunn, Drew A. (Department: 2882)
X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices
Electronic circuit
With switching means
C378S098200, C378S062000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06501827
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an examination system suitable for an X-ray photographic system, for example, for taking an order from a doctor for the taking of an X-ray photograph (radiograph) and for performing X-ray photography (radiography), to an image processing apparatus and method, and to a medium therefore.
2. Description of the Related Art
An “X-ray photographic apparatus” refers to an apparatus for detecting X-rays, which have been transmitted through a patient, to form an image. This image is formed by representing differences in the transmittance of each type of the tissue structure in the body of the patient and the thickness thereof as a photographic density. It is important for a good X-ray image that as much information as possible be displayed in a readily visible manner. The position of the patient, the direction of X-ray irradiation, photographic conditions, etc., exert large influences thereon. Accordingly, when a doctor orders an X-ray photograph be taken, X-ray information such as the area to be X-rayed, the X-raying directions, the X-raying methods, etc., is typically specified together with patient information such as the name and the ID number of the patient. The information is then sent to a technician, and the X-raying is performed. If a plurality of X-ray photographs are to be taken, X-ray photographic request information, together with the patient information such as the name and the ID number of the patient, is included in the X-ray photograph order, for example, “chest portion A→P,” “chest portion R→L,” “cervical vertebra R→L,” or “cervical vertebra A→P.”
FIG. 12
shows an X-ray photographic system in which an X-ray photographic apparatus and an X-ray generation apparatus are combined, which shows an example contrasted to the present invention. In
FIG. 12
, reference numeral
100
denotes an X-ray tube for emitting X-rays. Reference numeral
101
denotes an X-ray generation apparatus. Reference numeral
102
denotes an operation and display section of the X-ray generation apparatus, for performing operation of the X-ray generation apparatus. These are usually collectively termed an “X-ray generation apparatus”. On the other hand, the X-ray photographic apparatus comprises a standing position sensor unit
103
capable of performing X-ray photography of a patient in a standing position, a recumbent position sensor
105
, an X-ray photographic system control section
107
for controlling this sensor, and an operation and display section
108
of the X-ray photographic system. Also, reference numeral
104
denotes a standing position sensor panel, and reference numeral
106
denotes a recumbent position sensor panel. The electrical charge corresponding to the amount of transmitted X-rays, detected by the standing position sensor panel
104
and the recumbent position sensor panel
106
, is converted from analog into digital form and is input as an electronic image to the X-ray photographic system control section
107
. Also, reference numeral
110
denotes a network which is connected to an imager
111
.
When patient reception has been completed, a patient proceeds to a section of a corresponding examination department (for example, brain surgery, internal medicine, surgery, orthopedic surgery, etc.), and the patient's illness is diagnosed. For example, there are cases in which, in order to examine cervical vertebrae in a surgery department, it is desirable to see X-ray images of cervical vertebrae taken from four different directions. Examples of the four directions of the cervical vertebrae include “cervical vertebrae, front,” “cervical vertebrae, foramen,” “cervical vertebrae, side,” and “cervical vertebrae, right rear oblique region.”
The “cervical vertebrae, front” is obtained by a method in which the X-ray photograph is taken when the patient is made to stand facing the X-ray generation apparatus Adjustments are made so that the forehead is horizontal to the standing position sensor panel
104
, and the angle and position of the X-ray tube
100
are adjusted so that X-rays can be emitted toward the fourth cervical vertebra of the patient. In a method for properly positioning the “cervical vertebrae, foramen,” the patient is made to lie supine on the recumbent position sensor unit
105
, the mouth is opened to the fullest, the line connecting the head in the median plane to the external ear foramen and the line connecting the base of the nose to the external ear foramen are made perpendicular to each other, and the X-ray tube is set to be perpendicular to the recumbent position sensor panel
106
so that the radiation focus is at the head in the median plane. In a method for properly positioning the “cervical vertebrae, side,” the patient is made to stand facing 90 degrees away from the standing position sensor unit
103
, the jaw is made to project forward slightly, the shoulders are made to lower, and the X-ray focus becomes incident on the fourth cervical vertebra. In a method for properly positioning the “cervical vertebra, right rear oblique region,” the standing position sensor panel
104
and the patient form an angle of 50°, with the shoulder being the center; then, the jaw is made to project forward slightly, and the shoulders are made to lower.
A doctor writes the order for the X-ray photographing of the cervical vertebra in four directions on a radiology record card. At this time, the photographing order is written in the order in which the doctor wishes to subsequently view the images. For example, the order may be “cervical vertebra, front”→“cervical vertebra, foramen”→“cervical vertebra, side”→“cervical vertebra, right rear oblique region.” Alternatively, there are cases in which the photographing order is indicated by “cervical vertebra, four directions.” At this time, the meanings indicated by “cervical vertebra, four directions” may differ depending on the examination department (i.e., in the brain surgery department, “cervical vertebra, front”→“cervical vertebra, side”→“cervical vertebra, anteflexion”→“cervical vertebra, retroflexion”), the sequence may differ from doctor to doctor, and the sequence may differ depending upon the facilities.
The patient, with this radiology record card in hand, proceeds to the radiotherapy department and submits it to the receptionist. When it is the patient's turn to be X-rayed, the patient is taken to a room in which the X-ray photographic system in
FIG. 12
is disposed. The technician first examines the patient information such as the ID number and the name written on the radiology record card, confirms the identity of the patient and then inputs this data by using the operation and display section
108
. This data is required to confirm a match between the images and the patient and to assist the doctor in interpreting the images. Next, after the technician reads the X-ray photography order written on the radiology record card, the patient is correctly positioned; at the operation console
102
of the X-ray generation apparatus, the tube voltage, the tube current, and the irradiation time or the photo-timer are set; and in the operation console
108
of the X-ray photographic apparatus, image processing parameters, the imager
111
of the transfer destination, etc., are set to perform X-ray photography.
First, a case is described in which X-ray photography is conducted in the order as written on the radiology record card. The technician, after reviewing the radiology record card, performs X-ray photography of the “cervical vertebra, front.” The patient is made to stand facing the X-ray generation apparatus, and adjustments are made so that the forehead is parallel to the standing position sensor panel
104
. Also, the angle and position of the X-ray tube
100
are adjusted so that X rays can be omitted toward the fourth cervical vertebra of the patient. At this time, the position of the X-ray tube
100
is such that X-rays are emitted toward the fourth cervical vertebra of
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