JPH06169910A - X-ray camera - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To display a roadmap image that makes it easy to grasp the position even when it is three-dimensionally complex. [Configuration] X from the left and right focal points of the stereo focus X-ray tube 2
The images of the contrast agent by the lines are stored in the image memory 63 respectively, and the real-time images obtained by alternately switching the focal points to the left and right and the ones having the same focal point are superimposed by the image calculator 64, and the left and right roadmap images Are alternately obtained, and stereo display is performed on the image display monitor devices 71 and 72 arranged side by side.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an X-ray image pickup apparatus used in the medical field, and more particularly to an X-ray image pickup apparatus for displaying an X-ray transmission image using an X-ray TV system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the medical field, an X-ray contrast method for obtaining, for example, a blood vessel image by performing X-ray imaging in a state where a contrast agent is injected into a subject (patient) has been performed. In addition, a blood vessel image is obtained in advance by the X-ray contrast method, and is superimposed on an X-ray transmission image obtained in real time, and is displayed as a so-called road map image. At that time, the contrast images used for superimposing are often inverted in black and white to make them easier to see.

With this road map technique, the position of a blood vessel, which cannot be known unless special image processing is performed, can be clearly displayed only by an operation for obtaining a normal X-ray transmission image. When inserting, it is possible to judge fairly easily whether or not the current work is at the target position, such as whether or not the catheter is in the target blood vessel.

[0004]

However, since the conventional road map image is an X-ray transmission image and is a two-dimensional image, blood vessels and the like overlap three-dimensionally in the depth direction. When it is complicated, there is a problem that the position of the catheter or the like is difficult to understand.

In view of the above, the present invention provides an X-ray imaging apparatus that displays a roadmap image that enables the three-dimensional position to be easily grasped even when it has a three-dimensionally complicated structure. The purpose is to

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, in the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the stereo focus X
A line generation unit, an image pickup unit for obtaining a video signal of an X-ray transmission image, a unit for A / D converting the video signal, and a digital video signal of a subject with a contrast agent injected are stored for each stereo focus. An image storage means and a digital image signal of a subject, which is obtained alternately for each stereo focus without a contrast agent, and the above-mentioned stored digital video signal, are calculated and superposed by corresponding stereo focus signals. Means, and means for D / A converting the digital video signal output from the computing means to obtain an analog video signal,
It is characterized by having a stereo image display means to which the analog video signal is sent.

[0007]

First, an X-ray transmission image of a subject is obtained in a state where a contrast agent is injected, and a digital video signal thereof is obtained. that time,
Each digital image signal obtained when X-rays are emitted from each of the stereo focal points is stored as an image. Next, a digital image signal of an X-ray transmission image is obtained in real time. At this time, X-rays are alternately emitted from each of the stereo focal points to obtain each digital image signal. And with this real-time digital video signal,
The previously stored digital video signal is calculated and superposed by those having corresponding stereo focal points, then converted into an analog video signal and sent to the stereo image display means. Therefore, the stereo image display means stereoscopically displays the roadmap image in which the image of the contrast agent and the normal X-ray transmission image are overlapped, and the position can be grasped even in the case of a three-dimensionally complicated structure. It will be easier.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a subject (patient) 1 has a stereo focus X
X-rays are emitted from the ray tube 2. This stereo focus X-ray tube 2 is controlled by an X-ray controller 3,
The exposure timing or the stereo focus is controlled.

The X-ray transmitted through the subject 1 is incident on the image intensifier 4 and an optical image of visible light whose brightness is multiplied is output, which is converted into a video signal by the X-ray TV camera 5.

The video signal of the X-ray transmission image is input to the digital image processor 6. The input video signal is first digitized by the A / D converter 61, and the digital video signal is sent to the image memory 63 through the switching circuits 65 and 66, and further through the switching circuit 67, the image calculator 64.
Sent to. The image memory 63 is capable of storing and holding at least two frame images. To the other input terminal of the image calculator 64, the digital video signal sent as it is via the switching circuit 65 is input. The output of the image calculator 64 is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 62, and this analog video signal is sent to the two image monitor devices 71 and 72 via the switching circuit 68.

These switching circuits 66 to 68 are designed to be switched in synchronization with the focus switching of the stereo focus X-ray tube 2. Two image monitor devices 71, 7
2 are arranged on the left and right.

First, a contrast agent is injected into the subject 1 and the switching circuit 65 is tilted to the left so that the digital video signal is sent to the image memory 63 side. Then, when the contrast agent reaches the region of interest, X-rays are first emitted from the main focus of the stereo focus X-ray tube 2. The digital video signal obtained at this time is stored in one area of the image memory 63 by tilting the switching circuit 66 to the left.

Next, X-rays are emitted from the sub-focus point of the stereo focus X-ray tube 2 and the digital video signal at this time is switched to the right side of the circuit 66 to shift the image memory 63.
Store in another area of.

In this way, each digital video signal when exposed to X-rays from each stereo focus is stored in the image memory 6.
After storing in 3 and preparation is completed, switching circuit 6
5 is switched to the other (right side) so that subsequent real-time digital video signals can be directly sent to the image calculator 64. Then, at this time, X-rays are alternately emitted from each of the stereo focal points.

In this way, the digital video signals when X-rays are emitted from the respective stereo focal points are alternately sent to one input terminal of the image calculator 64 in real time. On the other hand, since the switching circuit 67 is also switched in synchronization with the switching of the stereo focus, the digital video signal obtained by the X-ray from the corresponding focus is input to the two input terminals of the image calculator 64. Thus, the image held in the image memory 63 is subjected to black-and-white inversion operation and is superimposed on the real-time image.

Therefore, from the image calculator 64, a roadmap image when X-rays are radiated from the main focus of the stereo focus X-ray tube 2 and a roadmap image when X-rays are radiated from the sub-focus points are alternated. Will be output to. The digital video signals of these roadmap images are converted into analog video signals by the D / A converter 62, and are distributed to the left and right image monitor devices 71 and 72 by the switching circuit 68 synchronized with the switching of the stereo focus.

That is, the road map image when X-ray exposure is performed from the left side of the stereo focus is on the left image monitor apparatus 71, and the road map image when X-ray exposure is from the right side of the stereo focus is on the right image monitor apparatus. 72, respectively. Therefore, the observer can stereoscopically observe the roadmap image by stereoscopically viewing the display images of the two image monitor devices 71 and 72 arranged side by side with the naked eye.

In this embodiment, the image of the contrast agent is stored in the image memory 63 as it is, but as shown by the dotted line in FIG. It may be created and stored in the image memory 63.

Further, as described above, the two image monitor devices 71 and 72 are not arranged side by side for stereo display, but the left and right roadmap images are alternately sent to one image monitor device as shown in FIG. The stereoscopic observation of the roadmap image is also possible by controlling and switching the panel 82 with a stereo focus switching signal, and by configuring the observer to observe the display image of the image monitor device 81 through the polarized glasses 83. Is.

Furthermore, if the relationship between the images of corresponding focal points is maintained, the exposure order of the respective focal points of the stereo focus X-ray tube 2, the area of the image memory 63 to be stored, the order, etc. are of course various. Can be changed to Similarly, the left-right positional relationship between the two image monitor devices 71 and 72 can be changed according to the preference of the user.

[0021]

As described above, according to the X-ray imaging apparatus of the present invention, since the roadmap image is displayed in stereo, even if the roadmap image has a three-dimensionally complicated structure, the three-dimensional image can be obtained. Positions can be easily grasped, making it easier to make decisions about diagnosis and treatment in complicated parts,
While improving the effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment,
The burden on the patient can also be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a part of the modified example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 subject 2 stereo focus X-ray tube 3 X-ray controller 4 image intensifier 5 X-ray TV camera 6 digital image processor 61 A / D converter 62 D / A converter 63 image memory 64 image calculator 65-68 switching Circuit 69 Subtraction image creating device 71, 72, 81 Image monitor device 82 Polarizing panel 83 Polarizing glasses

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A stereo focus X-ray generating means, an imaging means for obtaining a video signal of an X-ray transmission image, a means for A / D converting the video signal, and a digital video signal of a subject with a contrast agent injected. Image storage means for storing each of the stereo focal points, and a digital video signal of the subject obtained alternately for each of the stereo focal points in the absence of a contrast agent and the stored digital video signal corresponding to the stereo focal points Comprising a calculation means for calculating and superposing each other, a means for D / A converting a digital video signal output from the calculation means to obtain an analog video signal, and a stereo image display means for transmitting the analog video signal. An X-ray imaging device characterized by: