X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices – Source support – Including object support or positioning
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-07
2002-10-01
Kim, Robert H. (Department: 2882)
X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices
Source support
Including object support or positioning
C378S195000, C378S197000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06457858
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Description of the Related Art
FIG. 4
shows an apparatus for X-ray fluoroscopy, including an X-ray imaging system
60
and control system
59
. The imaging system
60
has a table
40
for resting a person thereon. A X-ray tube
23
is disposed under the table
40
. An X-ray imaging part includes an operation panel
25
, a snap shot device
16
, an image intensifier
15
, and a TV camera
14
.
The X-ray tube
23
and the X-ray imaging part are linked by a supporting column
24
and they travel as one united body. The X-ray tube
23
and the X-ray imaging part are movable in the Y axis direction
18
, along the person's length, and also the X axis direction
17
, along the person's width. These movements are carried out by manual operation or motor drive through operation of a handle
47
. The X-ray imaging part is also designed to be movable in the Z axis direction
19
, up and down with respect to the person. Enlargement fluoroscopy is carried out by adjusting the X-ray imaging part along the Z axis direction.
The operation panel
25
has various switches. Operation of some of these switches makes it possible to move the table
40
, by motor drive in the Y axis direction
21
and the X axis direction
20
, independently of the movement of the X-ray imaging part. Since the X-ray imaging part and table
40
are movable independently of each other, it is possible to place the center of the X-ray imaging part at a region of concern in the person. The X-ray imaging system
60
is also designed to incline by using switches on the operation panel
25
so that the person on the table
40
is held at a position between the horizontal position and the standing position.
The adjacent operation apparatus has a monitor
46
near the X-ray imaging system
60
. When performing X-ray fluoroscopy using this apparatus, under irradiation of weak X-rays, an operator grasps the handle
47
to move the X-ray imaging system
60
first. The operator moves the table
40
and places the center of the X-ray imaging part at a region of concern of the person while watching an X-ray image on the monitor
46
. Then, a radiography of the region of concern is carried out by pushing an imaging switch
48
.
The control system
59
controls an X-ray high voltage generator
41
according to X-ray parameters preset ahead. When the X-ray high voltage generator
41
provides the X-ray tube
23
with high voltage, the X-ray tube
23
irradiates X-ray. The X-ray transmitted through the person is detected and also changed into a visible image by the image intensifier
15
. The TV camera
14
converts the visible image output by the image intensifier
15
into video signals. An A/D converter
42
converts the video signals into digital signals. An image processor
43
carries out image processing of the digital signals to obtain a proper X-ray image. Output data of the image processor
43
are stored in the memory
45
. The output data are also converted by a D/A converter
44
into analog signals and then provided to the monitor
46
and a TV monitor
26
of the control system
59
to show an X-ray image thereon.
In case that angiography of a relatively wide range, such as a blood vessel in a leg part, is carried out by using the above mentioned X-ray fluoroscopy apparatus, the X-ray imaging part is moved, thorough use of the handle
47
, to track a blood stream (typically contrasted by a contrast medium). Radiography of the blood stream is carried out while tracking the blood stream by using the switch
48
. When angiography of a large person is carried out, since it is necessary to have the X-ray imaging part travel for about one meter, an X-ray imaging system which has the X-ray imaging part travel for a long distance is needed. However, the entire structure of the X-ray imaging system becomes very large when the X-ray imaging part is able to travel for a long distance.
In case of carrying out angiography of the whole body or a leg part, it is necessary to have the table
40
travel at velocity faster than the flow of blood; intermittent X-ray irradiation is repeated, having the table
40
move intermittently to get a target blood stream live image. However, this requires a high powered motor able to move the table to chase the X-ray imaging part, which is expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore desirable to provide an apparatus for X-ray fluoroscopy and a method of angiography which carries out angiography over a wide range without making the apparatus large. It is also desirable to provide an apparatus for X-ray fluoroscopy and a method of angiography which make it possible to chase contrasted blood flow very easily.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5050202 (1991-09-01), Yanome
patent: 5386453 (1995-01-01), Harrawood et al.
patent: 5463668 (1995-10-01), Kagaya
patent: 5497408 (1996-03-01), Kayser
patent: 5682414 (1997-10-01), Saito
patent: 5841830 (1998-11-01), Barni et al.
patent: 5870450 (1999-02-01), Khutoryansky et al.
patent: 6075836 (2000-06-01), Ning
Taber, Clarence Wilbur, Taber's Cycolpedic Medical Dictionary, 1997, 18thEd., pp. 150 and 151.*
Taber, Clarence Wilbur, Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, ed. 18, Pub. F.A. Davis Company, pp. 150-151.
Araki Tatsuya
Katoh Mikihiko
Masuo Katsuhiro
Nakamura Kouji
Kao Chih
Kim Robert H.
Rader & Fishman & Grauer, PLLC
Shimadzu Corporation
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