An X-ray imaging apparatus is provided with a front side operation unit provided on a front side of a ceiling-suspended support unit to operate a movement of the ceiling-suspended support unit by a drive unit from a front side of the ceiling-suspended support and a rear side operation unit provided on a rear side of the ceiling-suspended support unit with respect to the front side operation unit and configured to operate the movement of the ceiling-suspended support unit by the drive unit from a rear side of the ceiling-suspended support.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The related application number JP2019-217170, entitled “X-ray imaging apparatus”, filed on Nov. 29, 2019, and invented by Yuichiro Kiriyama, Takuya Aoki, Takatoshi Miwa, and Hiroshi Okumura, upon which this patent application is based, is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging apparatus.

Description of the Background Art

Conventionally, an X-ray imaging apparatus equipped with a ceiling-suspended support unit is known. Such an apparatus is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-194152.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-194152 discloses a radiographic imaging apparatus (X-ray imaging apparatus) equipped with an overhead traveling unit (ceiling-suspended support unit). This overhead traveling unit includes an operation block equipped with an X-ray tube. This operation block is provided with a handle (front side operation unit) to operate the movement of the operation block. In the radiographic imaging apparatus described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-194152, the operator grips the handle and moves the operation block and stops it at a desired position. In the radiographic imaging apparatus described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-194152, a handle is provided only on the front side.

However, in the radiographic imaging apparatus described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-194152, since the handle is provided only on the front side, when the operator is working on the rear side, the operator is required to move the operation block by operating the handle by going around to the front side. Further, when an obstacle, such as, e.g., a patient before imaging, is disposed on the front side with respect to the handle, it is difficult to operate the handle in the first place. Therefore, in the radiographic imaging apparatus described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-194152, there is a problem that the operational convenience of moving the overhead traveling unit is low.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray imaging apparatus capable of improving operational convenience of moving a ceiling-suspended support unit.

In order to achieve the above-described object, an X-ray imaging apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes:an X-ray irradiation unit configured to emit X-rays to a subject;an X-ray detection unit configured to detect the X-rays emitted from the X-ray irradiation unit;a ceiling-suspended support unit configured to support the X-ray irradiation unit or the X-ray detection unit;a drive unit configured to drive and move the ceiling-suspended support unit;a front side operation unit provided on a front side of the ceiling-suspended support unit and configured to operate a movement of the ceiling-suspended support unit by the drive unit from the front side; anda rear side operation unit provided on a rear side of the ceiling-suspended support unit with respect to the front side operation unit and configured to operate the movement of the ceiling-suspended support unit by the drive unit from the rear side.

Note that in this specification, the term “movement” is a broad concept including not only a linear movement but also a rotational movement.

According to the present invention, as described above, there are provided: a front side operation unit provided on a front side of the ceiling-suspended support unit and configured to operate a movement of the ceiling-suspended support unit by the drive unit from the front side; and a rear side operation unit provided on a rear side of the ceiling-suspended support unit with respect to the front side operation unit and configured to operate the movement of the ceiling-suspended support unit by the drive unit from the rear side. This allows the operator not only to perform the operation of moving the ceiling-suspended support unit from the front side by the front side operation unit but also to perform the operation of moving the ceiling-suspended support unit from the rear side by the rear side operation unit. As a result, an operator working on the rear side can move the ceiling-suspended support unit by operating the rear side operation unit while staying on the rear side without going around to the front side to operate the front side operation unit. Further, even in cases where an obstacle, such as, e.g., a patient before imaging, is placed on the front side with respect to the front side operation unit, it is possible to move the ceiling-suspended support unit by operating the rear side operation unit. As a result, the operational convenience of moving the ceiling-suspended support unit can be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring toFIG. 1toFIG. 4, the entire configuration of an X-ray imaging apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the following description, the vertical direction (up-down direction) is defined as a Z-direction, the upward direction is defined as a Z1-direction, the downward direction is defined as a Z2-direction. Further, the front-rear direction (horizontal direction) is defined as a Y-direction, a frontward direction toward the front side is defined as a Y1-direction, and a rearward direction toward the rear side is defined as a Y2-direction. Further, a left-right direction (horizontal direction) perpendicular to the front-rear direction is defined as an X-direction, a left direction when viewed from the front side is defined as an X1-direction, and a right direction when viewed from the front side is defined as an X2-direction.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the X-ray imaging apparatus100according to this embodiment is a medical X-ray imaging apparatus and is configured to perform X-ray imaging of a subject200(human body) which is an imaging target. Further, the X-ray imaging apparatus100is a generic X-ray imaging apparatus equipped with an overhead traveling type X-ray tube suspension device. The X-ray imaging apparatus100is provided with an X-ray irradiation unit1, an X-ray detection unit2, a ceiling-suspended support unit3(suspension device), a drive unit4, a force detector5, a controller6, a front side operation unit7, a rear side operation unit8, and an auxiliary handle9.

In the X-ray imaging apparatus100, the X-ray irradiation unit1is supported so as to be suspended from the ceiling300by the ceiling-suspended support unit3. The X-ray irradiation unit1is movably supported in the imaging chamber by the ceiling-suspended support unit3. The X-ray irradiation unit1includes an X-ray source11for emitting X-rays to a subject200, and a collimator12for adjusting the irradiation field of the X-rays.

Further, the X-ray imaging apparatus100is provided with an X-ray detection unit2for detecting X-rays emitted from the X-ray irradiation unit1. As shown inFIG. 1, the X-ray detection unit2includes a laying posture imaging table21for imaging a subject20in a posture (laying posture) in which the subject200is laid and a standing posture imaging stand22for imaging a subject200in a posture (standing posture) in which the subject200is standing. A laying posture detector21aand a standing posture detector22aare movably held depending on the imaging site of the subject200on the laying posture imaging table21and the standing posture imaging stand22, respectively. The laying posture detector21aand the standing posture detector22aeach are, for example, an FPD (Flat Panel Detector) and detect X-rays transmitted through the subject200.

The ceiling-suspended support unit3movably supports the X-ray irradiation unit1. The ceiling-suspended support unit3is configured to be able to move the X-ray irradiation unit1from a position where X-ray imaging is performed using the laying posture imaging table21to a position where X-ray imaging is performed using the standing posture imaging stand22. When X-ray imaging is performed using the laying posture imaging table21, the ceiling-suspended support unit3can move the X-ray irradiation unit1to a position facing the laying posture detector21a.Further, the ceiling-suspended support unit3can move the X-ray irradiation unit1to a position facing the standing posture detector22awhen performing X-ray imaging using the standing posture imaging stand22.

As shown inFIG. 1toFIG. 3, the ceiling-suspended support unit3includes a rotary support unit31for rotatably supporting the X-ray irradiation unit1in two directions, i.e., the θ-direction and the φ-direction, the support unit32for movably supporting the rotary support unit31along one axis (Z-axis) of the vertical direction, and a carriage unit33for movably supporting the support unit32along two axes (X-axis and Y-axis) of the horizontal direction. That is, the ceiling-suspended support unit3is configured to movably support the X-ray irradiation unit1in two rotation directions, i.e., the θ-direction and the φ-direction, and in three straight traveling directions, i.e., in the Z-direction, the X-direction, and the Y-direction.

The rotary support unit31is attached to the lower portion of the support unit32. Further, the rotary support unit31is configured to rotatably support the X-ray irradiation unit1about the first rotation axis C1extending along the Y-direction as an axis in the θ-direction (the rotation direction about the first rotation axis C1) with respect to the support unit32. Further, the rotary support unit31is configured to rotatably support the X-ray irradiation unit1about the second rotation axis C2extending along the Z-direction as an axis in the φ-direction (the rotation direction about the second rotation axis C2) with respect to the support unit32.

The support unit32is configured to be extendable and retractable in the vertical direction (Z-direction). The rotary support unit31is moved in the vertical direction when the support unit32is extended and retracted. With this, the X-ray irradiation unit1is moved in the vertical direction.

The carriage unit33is configured to movably support the support unit32in the X-direction and the Y-direction with respect to the ceiling300. Specifically, the carriage unit33includes a support member33a,a movable rail33b,and a fixed rail33c.The support member33ais configured to support the upper portion of the support unit32. Further, the support member33ais mounted so as to be movable in the Y-direction with respect to the movable rail33bextending in the Y-direction. Further, the movable rail33bis mounted so as to be movable in the X-direction with respect to the fixed rail33cextending in the X-direction. The fixed rail33cis fixed to the ceiling300. As the movable rail33bmoves on the fixed rail33c,the X-ray irradiation unit1, the rotary support unit31, and the support unit32are moved in the X-direction. Further, as the support member33amoves on the movable rail33b,the X-ray irradiation unit1, the rotary support unit31, and the support unit32are moved in the Y-direction.

As shown inFIG. 2, the drive unit4is configured to drive and move the ceiling-suspended support unit3. Specifically, the drive unit4includes a plurality of (five in this embodiment) motors41ato41e.The motor41arotates the rotary support unit31in the θ-direction about the first rotation axis C1as a rotation axis with respect to the support unit32. The motor41brotates the rotary support unit31in the φ-direction about the second rotation axis C2as a rotation axis with respect to the support unit32. The motor41cmoves the support unit32(makes the support unit32extend and retract) in the Z-direction. The motor41dmoves the movable rail33bin the X-direction. The motor41emoves the support member33ain the Y-direction. Further, the drive unit4includes a plurality of (five in this embodiment) electromagnetic brakes42ato42ecorresponding to a plurality of (five in this embodiment) motors41ato41e.

As shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the force detector5is, for example, a strain gauge. The force detector5is configured to detect the operation force applied to move the ceiling-suspended support unit3by the operator. Specifically, the force detector5is configured to commonly detect the operation force inputted (applied) to the main handle71and the auxiliary handle9of the front side operation unit7which will be described later. That is, the force detector5is connected to both the main handle71and the auxiliary handle9of the front side operation unit7.

The force detector5is configured to detect the magnitude and the direction of the input operation force. Further, the force detector5is configured to output a detection signal corresponding to the magnitude and the direction of the input operation force. With this, the operator can drive and move the ceiling-suspended support unit3in five directions, i.e., the X-direction, the Y-direction, the Z-direction, the θ-direction, and the φ-directions, by gripping and moving the main handle71or the auxiliary handle9of the front side operation unit7.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the controller6is a control circuit including a processor, such as, e.g., a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and a memory. The controller6is configured to control the operation of each part of the X-ray imaging apparatus100, such as the X-ray irradiation unit1, the X-ray detection unit2, and the drive unit4. The controller6is configured to control the common drive unit4to drive and move the ceiling-suspended support unit3based on the operation of the front side operation unit7, the operation of the rear side operation unit8, and the operation of the auxiliary handle9.

As shown inFIG. 1toFIG. 3, the front side operation unit7is provided on the front side (Y1-direction side) of the ceiling-suspended support unit3to operate the movement of the ceiling-suspended support unit3by the drive unit4from the front side. The front side operation unit7is a handle operation unit including a main handle71. The main handle71is configured to be gripped by an operator when moving the ceiling-suspended support unit3from the front side. Specifically, the main handle71is configured to be gripped when an operator performs an operation of manually moving the ceiling-suspended support unit3from the front side. The main handle71has a wheel-shape and is configured to be gripped by an operator with both hands. The main handle71of the front side operation unit7is arranged on the front side (Y1-direction side) with respect to the force detector5and is connected to the force detector5from the front side. Note that the main handle71is an example of the “handle” recited in claims.

Here, in this embodiment, as shown inFIG. 2toFIG. 4, the rear side operation unit8is provided on the rear side (Y2-direction side) of the ceiling-suspended support unit3with respect to the front side operation unit7to operate the movement of the ceiling-suspended support unit3by the drive unit4from the rear side. Specifically, the rear side operation unit8is provided on the rear side than the center of the ceiling-suspended support unit3in the Y-direction. The rear side operation unit8is a switch operation unit including a plurality of switches81a,81b,and82. Specifically, the rear side operation unit8is a seat-type switch operation unit. For this reason, the front side operation unit7and the rear side operation unit8are operation units different in type. The rear side operation unit8is provided on the side surface (X2-direction side surface) of the rotary support unit31of the ceiling-suspended support unit3.

The switches81aand81bare each configured to receive an instruction of a moving direction of the ceiling-suspended support unit3. Specifically, the switch81aand81bare each configured to receive an instruction to move the ceiling-suspended support unit3in the X-direction. More specifically, the switch81ais configured to receive an instruction to move the ceiling-suspended support unit3in the X1-direction. Further, the switch81bis configured to receive an instruction to move the ceiling-suspended support unit3in the X2-direction. Further, the switch82is configured to receive an instruction to release the braking of the motors41ato41eby the electromagnetic brakes42ato42e.The switch81a,81b,and82each are a push-button switch. The rear side operation unit8is configured to output an operation signal corresponding to the pressing operation of the switch81a,81b,or82.

The rear side operation unit8is configured to receive an instruction to drive the ceiling-suspended support unit3in a particular moving direction (the X-direction in this embodiment) among a plurality of moving directions (five directions in this embodiment, i.e., the X-direction, the Y-direction, the Z-direction, the θ-direction, and the φ-direction) of the ceiling-suspended support unit3. For this reason, the number (one in this embodiment) of moving directions of the ceiling-suspended support unit3operable by the rear side operation unit8is less than the number (five in this embodiment) of moving directions of the ceiling-suspended support unit3operable by the front side operation unit7. The moving directions of the ceiling-suspended support unit3operable by the front side operation unit7include the up-down direction (the Z-direction), the horizontal directions (the X-direction and the Y-direction), and the rotation directions (the θ-direction and the φ-direction). Further, the moving direction of the ceiling-suspended support unit3operable by the rear side operation unit8includes a horizontal direction (the X-direction).

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the auxiliary handle9is independently provided separately from the rear side operation unit8on the rear side (Y2-direction side) with respect to the main handle71of the front side operation unit7to operate the movement of the ceiling-suspended support unit3by the drive unit4from the rear side. Specifically, the auxiliary handle9is provided on the rear side with respect to the main handle71of the front side operation unit7and is provided at a position on the side surface side (X2-direction side) with respect to the force detector5. The auxiliary handle9is arranged on the side surface side with respect to the force detector5and is connected to the force detector5from the side surface side. The auxiliary handle9is provided on the side surface of the ceiling-suspended support unit3on the X2-direction side. Note that the auxiliary handle9is not provided on the side surface of the ceiling-suspended support unit3in the X1-direction. The auxiliary handle9is provided in the vicinity of the front side operation unit7.

The auxiliary handle9is configured to be gripped by an operator when moving the ceiling-suspended support unit3from the rear side. Specifically, the auxiliary handle9is configured to be gripped when the operator manually moves the ceiling-suspended support unit3from the rear side. The auxiliary handle9has a knob shape protruding in the X2-direction and is configured to be gripped by an operator with one hand. The auxiliary handle9is smaller than the main handle71of the front side operation unit7. The auxiliary handle9is smaller than the main handle71of the front side operation unit7at least in the Z-direction. Also, the auxiliary handle9may be smaller than the main handle71of the front side operation unit7in the X-direction and the Y-direction. The auxiliary handle9is formed to be smaller than the main handle71so as not to interfere with the main handle71of the front side operation unit7.

(Operation to Move Ceiling-suspended Support Unit)

Next, the movements of the ceiling-suspended support unit3using the front side operation unit7, the rear side operation unit8, and the auxiliary handle9will be described in order.

For example, when an operator is working on the front side, the operator performs the operation to move the ceiling-suspended support unit3by gripping and moving the main handle71on the front side operation unit7. In this case, the force detector5detects the magnitude and the direction of the operation force applied to the main handle71of the front side operation unit7by the operator. The controller6controls the drive unit4so as to drive and move the ceiling-suspended support unit3in accordance with the magnitude and the direction of the operation force detected by the force detector5. Consequently, the drive unit4drives and moves the ceiling-suspended support unit3in a direction corresponding to the direction of the operation force applied to the main handle71of the front side operation unit7at a speed corresponding to the magnitude of the operation force applied to the main handle71of the front side operation unit7. That is, the power-assist operation for the operator's operation force is performed. With this, the operator can move the ceiling-suspended support unit3to the desired position using the main handle71of the front side operation unit7.

Further, for example, when an operator is working on the rear side, the operator performs the operation to move the ceiling-suspended support unit3using the rear side operation unit8or the auxiliary handle9.

For example, when it is desired to move the ceiling-suspended support unit3in the X-direction, the operator uses the rear side operation unit8. When using the rear side operation unit8, the operator performs the operation to move the ceiling-suspended support unit3by depressing the switch81aor81bof the rear side operation unit8. In this case, the controller6controls the drive unit4so as to move the ceiling-suspended support unit3in response to the depressing operation of the switch81aor81bof the rear side operation unit8. For example, the controller6controls the drive unit4so as to drive and move the ceiling-suspended support unit3in the X1-direction when the switch81aof the rear side operation unit8is depressed.

Further, for example, the controller6controls the drive unit4so as to drive and move the ceiling-suspended support unit3in the X2-direction when the switch81bof the rear side operation unit8is depressed. The drive unit4drives and moves the ceiling-suspended support unit3at a constant rate in a direction corresponding to the switch81aor81bof the rear side operation unit8. That is, not a power assist operation but a normal movement operation at a predetermined speed is performed. With this, the operator can move the ceiling-suspended support unit3to a desired position in the X-direction using the switches81aand81bof the rear side operation unit8.

Note that the controller6controls the drive unit4so as to move and drive the ceiling-suspended support unit3while the switch81aor81bof the rear side operation unit8is being depressed. That is, only while the switch81aor81bof the rear side operation unit8is being depressed, the ceiling-suspended support unit3is driven and moved by the drive unit4.

Further, for example, when it is desired to move the ceiling-suspended support unit3in a direction other than the X-direction, the operator uses the auxiliary handle9. When using the auxiliary handle9, the operator performs the operation to move the ceiling-suspended support unit3by gripping and moving the auxiliary handle9while depressing the switch82of the rear side operation unit8. In other words, the operator performs the operation to move the ceiling-suspended support unit3by gripping and moving the auxiliary handle9in a state in which the braking of the motor41ato41eby the electromagnetic brake42ato42eis released.

Note that in this embodiment, since the auxiliary handle9and the switch82are provided so as to be operable from the same side (on the X2-direction-side), it is easy to simultaneously operate the auxiliary handle9and the switch82.

In this case, the movement of the ceiling-suspended support unit3is the same as that of the main handle71of the front side operation unit7. That is, the force detector5detects the magnitude and the direction of the operation force applied to the auxiliary handle9by the operator. The controller6controls the drive unit4so as to drive and move the ceiling-suspended support unit3in accordance with the magnitude and the direction of the operation force detected by force detector5. As a result, the drive unit4drives and moves the ceiling-suspended support unit3in a direction corresponding to the direction of the operation force applied to the auxiliary handle9at a speed corresponding to the magnitude of the operation force applied to the auxiliary handle9. That is, even when the auxiliary handle9is used, the power-assist operation is performed for the operator's operation force. With this, the operator can move the ceiling-suspended support unit3to the desired position by using the auxiliary handle9.

Effects of Embodiment

In this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

In this embodiment, as described above, the X-ray imaging apparatus100is provided with the front side operation unit7provided on the front side of the ceiling-suspended support unit3to operate the movement of the ceiling-suspended support unit3by the drive unit4from the front side and the rear side operation unit8provided on the rear side of the ceiling-suspended support unit3with respect to the front side operation unit7to operate the movement of the ceiling-suspended support unit3by the drive unit4from the rear side.

With this, the operator not only can perform the operation to move the ceiling-suspended support unit3from the front side by the front side operation unit7but also can perform the operation to move the ceiling-suspended support unit3from the rear side by the rear side operation unit8. With this, the operator working on the rear side can move the ceiling-suspended support unit3by operating the rear side operation unit8while staying on the rear side without operating the front side operation unit7by going around to the front side.

Further, even in cases where an obstacle, such as, e.g., a patient before imaging, is disposed on the front side with respect to the front side operation unit7, the ceiling-suspended support unit3can be moved by operating the rear side operation unit8. As a result, the operational convenience of moving the ceiling-suspended support unit3can be improved.

Further, in this embodiment, as described above, the front side operation unit7and the rear side operation unit8are configured to be operation units different in type.

With this, unlike the case in which the front side operation unit7and the rear side operation unit8are configured to be operation units of the same type, between the front side operation unit7and the rear side operation unit8, the rear side operation unit8can be a simple structure with respect to the front side operation unit7. As a result, even in cases where both the front side operation unit7and the rear side operation unit8are provided, it is possible to suppress the complexity of the structure of the X-ray imaging apparatus100.

Further, in this embodiment, as described above, the front side operation unit7is configured to be a handle operation unit including the main handle71(handle).

Further, the rear side operation unit8is configured to be a switch operation unit including the switches81a,81b,and82. With this, unlike the case in which the rear side operation unit8is configured to be the same handle operation unit as that of the front side operation unit7, there is no need to provide a sensor such as the force detector5to the rear side operation unit8, so that between the front side operation unit7and the rear side operation unit8, the rear side operation unit8can be more simplified as compared with the front side operation unit7. As a result, even in cases where both the front side operation unit7and the rear side operation unit8are provided, it is possible to further suppress the complexity of the structure of the X-ray imaging apparatus100.

Further, in this embodiment, as described above, the X-ray imaging apparatus100is configured such that the number of moving directions of the ceiling-suspended support unit3operable by the rear side operation unit8is smaller than the number of moving directions of the ceiling-suspended support unit3operable by the front side operation unit7.

With this, as compared with the case in which the X-ray imaging apparatus100is configured such that the number of moving directions of the ceiling-suspended support unit3operable by the rear side operation unit8is the same as the number of moving directions of the ceiling-suspended support unit3operable by the front side operation unit7, the rear side operation unit8can be more assuredly made to be simple in structure with respect to the front side operation unit7by the smaller number of moving directions.

Further, in this embodiment, as described above, the X-ray imaging apparatus100is configured such that the moving direction of the ceiling-suspended support unit3operable by the front side operation unit7includes the horizontal direction, the up-down direction, and the rotation direction. Further, the X-ray imaging apparatus100is configured such that the moving direction of the ceiling-suspended support unit3operable by the rear side operation unit8includes the horizontal direction.

With this, since the ceiling-suspended support unit3can be moved and driven by the front side operation unit7in the horizontal direction, the up-down direction, and the rotation direction, when operating the movement of the ceiling-suspended support unit3from the front side, the ceiling-suspended support unit3can be driven and moved sufficiently in the desired direction. Further, it is possible to drive and move the ceiling-suspended support unit3in the horizontal direction which is a direction often desired to be moved when operating the movement of the ceiling-suspended support unit3from the rear side by the rear side operation unit8, even when operating the movement of the ceiling-suspended support unit3from the rear side, the ceiling-suspended support unit3can be driven and moved sufficiently in a desired direction.

Further, in this embodiment, as described above, the front side operation unit7is configured to include the main handle71. Further, the X-ray imaging apparatus100is configured to include the auxiliary handle9independently provided separately from the rear side operation unit8on the rear side with respect to the main handle71to operate the movement of the ceiling-suspended support unit3by the drive unit4from the rear side.

With this, the movement operation of the ceiling-suspended support unit3can be performed from the rear side using the auxiliary handle9positioned on the rear side with respect to the main handle71even if the operator's hand cannot reach the main handle71from the rear side when the handle operation is desired from the rear side. As a result, the operational convenience of moving the ceiling-suspended support unit3can be further improved.

Further, in this embodiment, as described above, the auxiliary handle9is configured to be smaller than the main handle71. With this, even in the case of providing the auxiliary handle9, it is possible to easily suppress the enlargement of the structure of the X-ray imaging apparatus100.

Further, in this embodiment, as described above, the X-ray imaging apparatus100is configured to include the force detector5to commonly detect the operation force applied to the main handle71and the operation force applied to the auxiliary handle9.

With this, since the force detector5can be shared by the main handle71and the auxiliary handle9, the number of components can be reduced and the structure can be simplified as compared with the case in which the force detector5is separately provided for each of the main handle71and the auxiliary handle9.

Further, in this embodiment, as described above, the X-ray imaging apparatus100is configured to include the controller6for controlling the common drive unit4so as to drive and move the ceiling-suspended support unit3based on the operation of the front side operation unit7and the operation of the rear side operation unit8.

With this, since the drive unit4and the controller6can be shared by the front side operation unit7and the rear side operation unit8, the number of components can be reduced and the structure can be simplified as compared with the case in which the drive unit4and the controller6are separately provided for each of the front side operation unit7and the rear side operation unit8.

Modifications

It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed here are examples in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the description of the above-described embodiments and includes all modifications (changes) within the meanings and the scopes equivalent to the scope of the claims.

For example, in the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the rear side operation unit is a switch operation unit, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the rear side operation unit may be a handle operation unit. That is, the front side operation unit and the rear side operation unit may be an operation unit of the same type. Further, when the rear side operation unit is a handle operation unit, it may be provided with a force detector for the rear side operation unit separately from the front side operation unit or may be provided with a common force detector for the front side operation unit and the rear side operation unit. The rear side operation unit may be a stick operation unit including a joystick that accepts a moving direction instruction of the ceiling-suspended support unit.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the number of moving directions of the ceiling-suspended support unit operable by the rear side operation unit is smaller than the number of moving directions of the ceiling-suspended support unit operable by the front side operation unit, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the number of moving directions of the ceiling-suspended support unit operable by the rear side operation unit may be the same as the number of moving directions of the ceiling-suspended support unit operable by the front side operation unit. That is, the rear side operation unit may be configured to receive the same number of instructions of moving directions of the ceiling-suspended support unit as that of the front side operation unit.

In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the rear side operation unit is configured to receive an instruction to drive in the X-direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, between the plurality of moving directions (in the above-described embodiment, five directions, i.e., the X-direction, the Y-direction, the Z-direction, the θ-direction, and the φ-direction) of the ceiling-suspended support unit, the rear side operation unit may be configured to receive an instruction of driving in all the moving directions, or may be configured to receive a particular plurality of moving directions (e.g., in the X-direction, the Y-direction, and the Z-direction).

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the X-ray imaging apparatus is independently provided with an auxiliary handle separately from the rear side operation unit, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, it is not always required that the X-ray imaging apparatus is provided with an auxiliary handle.

In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the auxiliary handle has a knob shape protruding in the X2-direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the auxiliary handle may have a shape other than a knob shape, such as, e.g., a bar shape and a wheel shape.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the X-ray imaging apparatus is provided with a force detector to commonly detect the operation force applied to the main handle and the operation force applied to the auxiliary handle, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the X-ray imaging apparatus may be separately and independently provided with a force detector to detect the operation force applied to the main handle and a force detector to detect the operation force applied to the auxiliary handle.

In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the ceiling-suspended support unit is configured to support the X-ray irradiation unit, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the ceiling-suspended support unit may be configured to support the X-ray detection unit.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above-described exemplary embodiments are concrete examples of the following aspects.

An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising:an X-ray irradiation unit configured to emit X-rays to a subject;an X-ray detection unit configured to detect the X-rays emitted from the X-ray irradiation unit;a ceiling-suspended support unit configured to support the X-ray irradiation unit or the X-ray detection unit;a drive unit configured to drive and move the ceiling-suspended support unit;a front side operation unit provided on a front side of the ceiling-suspended support unit and configured to operate a movement of the ceiling-suspended support unit by the drive unit from the front side; anda rear side operation unit provided on a rear side of the ceiling-suspended support unit with respect to the front side operation unit and configured to operate the movement of the ceiling-suspended support unit by the drive unit from the rear side.

The X-ray imaging apparatus as recited in the aforementioned Item 1,wherein the front side operation unit and the rear side operation unit are operation units different in type.

The X-ray imaging apparatus as recited in the aforementioned Item 2,wherein the front side operation unit is a handle operation unit including a handle, andwherein the rear side operation unit is a switch operation unit including a switch.

The X-ray imaging apparatus as recited in the aforementioned Item 2 or 3,wherein the number of moving directions of the ceiling-suspended support unit operable by the rear side operation unit is less than the number of moving directions of the ceiling-suspended support unit operable by the front side operation unit.

The X-ray imaging apparatus as recited in the aforementioned Item 4,wherein the moving direction of the ceiling-suspended support unit operable by the front side operation unit includes a horizontal direction, an up-down direction, and a rotation direction, andwherein a moving direction of the ceiling-suspended support unit operable by the rear side operation unit includes a horizontal direction.

The X-ray imaging apparatus as recited in any one of the aforementioned Items 1 to 5,wherein a front side operation unit includes a main handle, andwherein the X-ray imaging apparatus further comprises an auxiliary handle configured to operate the movement of the ceiling-suspended support unit by the drive unit from the rear side, the auxiliary handle being independently provided separately from the rear side operation unit on the rear side with respect to the main handle.

The X-ray imaging apparatus as recited in the aforementioned Item 6,wherein the auxiliary handle is smaller than the main handle.

The X-ray imaging apparatus as recited in the aforementioned Item 6 or 7, further comprising:a force detector configured to commonly detect an operation force input to the main handle and an operation force input to the auxiliary handle.

The X-ray imaging apparatus as recited in any one of the aforementioned Items 1 to 8, further comprising:a controller configured to control the drive unit commonly used to drive and move the ceiling-suspended support unit based on an operation of the front side operation unit and an operation of the rear side operation unit.