Movable X-ray generation apparatus

A movable X-ray generation apparatus includes an X-ray tube configured to perform irradiation with X-rays, an arm configured to support the X-ray tube, a cart unit configured to support and move the arm, and a monitor mounted on the upper portion of the cart unit. The movable X-ray generation apparatus includes a first member configured to support the monitor to be pivotable about a first rotation axis, and a second member configured to support the first member to be pivotable about a second rotation axis different from the first rotation axis with respect to the cart unit. At least one of the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis provides a rotation axis parallel to the display surface of the monitor and perpendicular to a moving surface on which the cart unit moves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a movable X-ray generation apparatus in which a radiation source for generating radiation to obtain a radiation image from radiation transmitted through an object is mounted on a cart.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, as medical X-ray imaging apparatuses, there have been widely used a movable X-ray imaging machine which performs X-ray imaging in a hospital room or operating room and an X-ray imaging apparatus which holds, by a C-arm, an X-ray tube for performing irradiation with X-rays and an X-ray detector for detecting X-rays transmitted through a patient.

When performing X-ray imaging by using a movable X-ray imaging machine, the X-ray tube needs to include a mechanism for changing an X-ray irradiation position with respect to an object lying on a bed to place the X-ray tube above the object. When imaging one of the four limbs of the object, in particular, it is impossible to position the X-ray detector and X-ray tube to a preferable state and to capture a proper image unless it is possible to place the X-ray tube at any position on the bed. The movable X-ray imaging machine, therefore, adopts an arrangement which supports the X-ray tube by an arm movable with respect to the cart.

The movable X-ray imaging machine runs through the narrow space between beds in a hospital room and on corridors between hospital wards along which stretchers and other medical apparatuses come and go, and hence needs to be folded into a compact structure at the time of movement. For this purpose, the arm which supports the X-ray tube needs to have a structure such that the arm can be widely stretched out at the time of X-ray imaging and accommodated in small size at the time of movement. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-81690 an arm which supports an X-ray tube is configured to be extensible, thereby extending the arm at the time of X-ray imaging and contracting the arm to be accommodated at the time of movement.

When using the movable X-ray imaging machine in an operating room, a doctor may carry out an operation on a patient while checking an X-ray image captured by the movable X-ray imaging machine on a monitor. However, in the movable X-ray imaging machine described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-81690, since the position of the monitor is fixed on the machine, it may be impossible to check the monitor on the cart during X-ray imaging. For this reason, it is necessary to prepare an additional monitor. However, there are a number of medical apparatuses around an operating table and it is necessary to provide space for the additional monitor. That is, the arrangement position of the monitor may be limited by the operating procedure of an operation and the arrangement of apparatuses necessary for an emergency, thereby disabling an efficient operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention provides a movable X-ray generation apparatus which includes an X-ray tube and a monitor including a screen and allows a doctor or operator to readily see the monitor screen while performing x-ray imaging.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a movable X-ray generation apparatus comprising: an X-ray tube configured to perform irradiation with X-rays; an arm configured to support the X-ray tube; a cart unit configured to support and move the arm; a monitor, including a screen, mounted on an upper portion of the cart unit, a first member configured to support the monitor to be pivotable about a first rotation axis; and a second member configured to support the first member to be pivotable about a second rotation axis different from the first rotation axis, wherein at least one of the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis is perpendicular to a plane contacted by the parts of the moving mechanism.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. Each of the embodiments of the present invention described below can be implemented solely or as a combination of a plurality of the embodiments or features thereof where necessary or where the combination of elements or features from individual embodiments in a single embodiment is beneficial.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1A and 1Bare views each showing the outer appearance of a movable X-ray generation apparatus according to the first embodiment. Note that the movable X-ray generation apparatus includes an X-ray tube serving as an X-ray source, and generally constitutes a movable X-ray imaging apparatus together with an X-ray detection cassette. The movable X-ray generation apparatus will be referred to as a movable X-ray imaging apparatus hereinafter.FIG. 1Ais a perspective view showing the form of the apparatus at the time of movement (to be referred to as a moving form hereinafter) when seen from the back side.FIG. 1Bis a perspective view showing the moving form of the apparatus when seen from the front side. Note that the front side and the back side indicate the leading side and the trailing side in the traveling direction when the user pushes the apparatus using a handle20, respectively.

Referring toFIGS. 1A and 1B, an X-ray tube1serves as an X-ray source for generating X-rays, and irradiates an object with X-rays. An arm2supports the X-ray tube1and includes an extensible mechanism for moving the X-ray tube1in at least the horizontal direction and an extension/contraction position fixing mechanism. A column3supports the arm2with respect to a cart unit5. An arm support unit4connects the arm2to the column3, and includes a function of moving the arm2along the column3and fixing the arm2to the column3at an arbitrary position upon movement. The cart unit5supports the column3. A moving mechanism6includes a plurality of tires or casters to move the cart unit5on the floor. A surface on which the cart unit5is moved by the moving mechanism6will be referred to as a moving surface hereinafter. The point at which each of the wheels or casters engage the moving surface is each a part of the moving mechanism. As such a plane contacted by each of these parts of the moving mechanism would contact the moving surface when in use. Throughout the description a reference to “the moving surface” should be construed as a reference to “the plane contacted by the parts of the moving mechanism”. A column rotating unit7connects the cart unit5to the column3and includes a bearing mechanism for allowing the column3to rotate, on the cart unit5, about an axis perpendicular to the moving surface by the moving mechanism6. The column rotating unit7also includes a non-excitation brake, and can rotate the column3at an arbitrary position in the energization state of the non-excitation brake and stop the column3at an arbitrary position in the non-energization state of the non-excitation brake.

A monitor8is supported by a monitor support arm9arranged on the upper portion of the cart unit5. A tilt hinge10and a swivel hinge11are connected via a monitor support member12. The tilt hinge10is attached to the monitor8. The swivel hinge11is attached to the monitor support arm9. That is, the monitor8is supported by the monitor support arm9via the tilt hinge10and the swivel hinge11. The tilt hinge10and the swivel hinge11are desirably torque hinges which can flexibly hold the attitude of the monitor but may be torque hinges each having low torque and including a mechanism which can lock at an arbitrary hinge opening angle, damper hinges, or a combination thereof. A mechanism which can lock the position of the monitor8with a desirable attitude of the monitor8may be provided.

The movement of the monitor of the movable X-ray imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 2A to 2C.FIG. 2Ashows the position of the monitor8when the movable X-ray imaging apparatus has minimum outer dimensions.FIG. 2Bshows a state in which the monitor8has tilted.FIG. 2Cshows a state in which the monitor8has swiveled in the state shown inFIG. 2B. In the first embodiment, the tilt angle of the monitor8desirably falls within a movable range of 180° in the upward direction from the position of the monitor8shown inFIG. 2A. The swivel angle of the monitor8is desirably 90° in the left and right directions from the monitor position shown inFIG. 2A. This can realize an apparatus with good operability since the X-ray tube1does not interfere with the monitor8unless the arm2is extended in moving the X-ray tube1from its position in the moving form.

The swivel movement of the monitor8according to the first embodiment will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS. 3A and 3B. Reference numeral17denotes a rotation axis about which the monitor8swivels.FIG. 3Ashows the position of the monitor8in the moving form shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B.FIG. 3Bshows a state in which the monitor8has rotated about the swivel rotation axis17in the left direction by 90° by the swivel hinge11. When the monitor8rotates in the left direction or the right direction (not shown), the rotation axis of the tilt hinge10becomes perpendicular to the moving surface of the cart unit5. Pivoting the monitor8about the rotation axis perpendicular to the moving surface of the cart unit5enables the operator or doctor to check the display contents of the monitor8from various positions.

As described above, the monitor8is mounted on the cart unit5to be pivotable about two rotation axes, first and second rotation axes. More specifically, the monitor8is connected to a first member (the tilt hinge10and the monitor support member12) which supports the monitor8to be pivotable about the first rotation axis. The first member is connected to a second member (the swivel hinge11and the monitor support arm9) which supports the first member to be pivotable about the second rotation axis different from the first rotation axis. In this way, the monitor8is supported by the cart unit5to be pivotable about the first and second rotation axes. In the state (in which the rotation axis of the tilt hinge10is perpendicular to the moving surface) shown inFIG. 2C, the monitor8is provided with a rotation axis which is parallel to the display surface of the monitor8and perpendicular to the moving surface of the cart unit5. As a result, it is possible to make the display surface of the monitor8turn from the right side to the back side of the movable X-ray imaging apparatus or from the left side to the back side of the movable X-ray imaging apparatus, thereby allowing the operator or doctor to readily check contents on the monitor8.

The movable X-ray imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment includes a detection unit (not shown) for detecting the rotation state of the monitor8about the swivel rotation axis17, and is configured to switch the display contents of the monitor8according to the detection result of the detection unit. As described above, the swivel rotation axis17is perpendicular to the display surface of the monitor8. In this embodiment, therefore, as the rotation state of the monitor8, a horizontally elongated state (landscape) and a vertically elongated state (portrait) can be provided. When the detection unit detects the horizontally elongated state (FIG. 3A) or the vertically elongated state (FIG. 3B) as the rotation state of the monitor8, the display mode of the monitor8is switched according to the detection result, as will be described below. Note that examples of the arrangement of the detection unit for detecting the rotation state are:an arrangement for detecting the rotation angle about the swivel rotation axis17using a rotary encoder, and detecting whether the monitor8is in the horizontally elongated state or the vertically elongated state;an arrangement for detecting, using an acceleration sensor, whether the monitor8is in the horizontally elongated state or the vertically elongated state (with respect to gravity); andan arrangement for detecting the state of the monitor8using a mechanical switch which is turned on when the monitor8is in the horizontally elongated state and/or a mechanical switch which is turned on when the monitor8is in the vertically elongated state.

The display mode of the monitor8will be explained below with reference toFIGS. 4A to 6B. The monitor8according to the first embodiment displays a captured image used for checking by an operator or a captured image used for diagnosis by a doctor in addition to patient information indicating an imaging target patient, the location of the patient, and an examination information list. The user can perform various operations through the screen of the monitor8. For example, it is possible to perform a login operation for giving the user an operation right, a logout operation for taking the operation right away from the user, an operation of activating/shutting down the whole or part of the apparatus, an operation of setting imaging conditions and transmitting a captured X-ray image to an intra-hospital network, and the like.

FIG. 4Ais a view for explaining a first display mode of the monitor8in which horizontally elongated (landscape) display is performed.FIG. 4Bis a view for explaining a second display mode of the monitor8in which vertically elongated (portrait) display is performed.FIG. 4Ashows a landscape display (first display mode) in the horizontally elongated state in which the shorter sides of the rectangular display area of the monitor8are set in the vertical direction.FIG. 4Bshows a portrait display (second display mode) in the vertically elongated state in which the longer sides of the rectangular display area of the monitor8are set in the vertical direction.

An image display area101displays an X-ray image obtained by X-ray irradiation from the X-ray tube1. A sensor state display area102displays the state of an X-ray image sensor. For example, the sensor state display area102displays an indication indicating that the sensor is preparing for imaging, the sensor is waiting for irradiation, the sensor is reading out image data, or the sensor is disabled, and displays an imaging disable state, a power source state, a communication state, and the presence/absence and type of a grid. A patient information display area103displays patient information such as the name and the birth date of an X-ray imaging target patient. Note that the patient information display area103may display the location information (hospital room) of a patient. A condition setting area104provides a user interface for setting X-ray imaging conditions (for example, a tube voltage, tube current, and exposure time). The monitor8according to this embodiment includes a touch panel. Each ofFIGS. 4A and 4Bshows a state in which the user can set imaging conditions such as an imaging portion and imaging direction in the condition setting area104.

The display contents shown inFIGS. 4A and 4Bare merely an example, and other information about X-ray imaging may be displayed. As described above, in the display mode switching processing shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B, the display contents remain the same but the layouts of the pieces of information are different between the horizontally elongated display and the vertically elongated display. According to the result of detecting the rotation state of the monitor8about the swivel rotation axis17by the detection unit described above, the monitor display is switched to the landscape display (FIG. 4A) or the portrait display (FIG. 4B). The operator or doctor can select a monitor display suitable for the attitude of the monitor8, thereby improving the operability.

Another example of the processing of switching the display mode according to detection of the rotation state of the monitor8by the detection unit will be described with reference toFIGS. 5A and 5B. In the first display mode shown inFIG. 5A, display contents are the same as those shown inFIG. 4Abut the image display area101displays an image which is acceptable to an X-ray imaging operator to determine whether to perform imaging again. For example, an image obtained by executing low-resolution processing for an X-ray image.

On the other hand, in the second display mode shown inFIG. 5B, a layout corresponding to the vertically elongated display is adopted and the image display area101displays an X-ray image with which the doctor can perform image diagnosis. That is, an image display area101ashown inFIG. 5Bdisplays an X-ray image having a resolution higher than that of the image displayed in the image display area101shown inFIG. 5A. Therefore, the image display area101adisplays an image obtained by executing high-resolution processing and/or image processing for suppressing grid stripes on the X-ray image. Note that image processing may be arbitrarily selected. Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 5B, information such as the patient information display area103other than a diagnostic image may be added. Note that since the second display mode shown inFIG. 5Bhas as its object to present a diagnostic image, a user interface for, for example, setting an imaging portion is not displayed. In the above-described display mode switching processing, it is possible to provide a monitor display suitable for observation by selectively performing image processing for displaying a diagnostic image, which requires a processing time, thereby improving the operability.

Still another example of the display mode switching processing will be explained with reference toFIGS. 6A and 6B. A case in which an X-ray imaging setting display mode is used as the first display mode of the monitor8and a diagnostic image display mode is used as the second display mode of the monitor8will be described with reference toFIGS. 6A and 6B.FIG. 6Ashows the X-ray imaging setting display mode in which the user can log into the movable X-ray imaging apparatus by operating a login button106, and perform various operations for the apparatus upon login. A shutdown button107is used to turn off the power of the apparatus when it is erroneously activated. An “other” button108is a button for making other settings, and is used to select items which are not displayed. In other settings, it is also possible to freely increase/decrease the number of selection buttons.

An examination information acquisition button109is a button for acquiring an examination information list. When this button is operated, the apparatus communicates with the intra-hospital network to acquire examination information. A patient position button110is a button for viewing patient position information. When the patient position button110is selected, a hospital map and hospital room information of an examination target patient are displayed in the image display area101. An image transmission button111is a button for transmitting an image to the intra-hospital network, and is used to transmit an image captured before selection.

An examination information selection button112is a button for selecting examination information, and is used to select an imaging portion and an imaging body posture based on the examination information list acquired by operating the examination information acquisition button109. A patient information button113is a button for displaying patient information. As described above, the patient information includes the name, age, patient ID, and sex of a patient, and the user can confirm the patient with the information. An imaging condition setting button114is a button for making imaging condition settings, and can be used to set a tube current, a tube voltage, an X-ray irradiation time, and the like.

FIG. 6Bshows an example of a display in the diagnostic image display mode, in which an image display area101bfor displaying a diagnostic image is displayed. Note that some of the set imaging conditions may be displayed in an area other than the image display area101bwithin the display enable area of the monitor8. This makes it possible to select X-ray imaging settings or image diagnostic in accordance with the rotation state of the monitor8and allows a monitor display according to the current situation in an operating room, thereby improving the operability.

Note that in the display mode content switching processing shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B or 6Aand6B, the screen for making imaging settings is presented in the horizontally elongated state and the screen for displaying a diagnostic image is presented in the vertically elongated state. However, this may be reversed. That is, the screen for making imaging settings may be presented in the vertically elongated state and the screen for displaying a diagnostic image may be presented in the horizontally elongated state. Furthermore, the display contents and the combination of the state and screen in the first display mode or the second display mode are not limited to the above example.

A control arrangement for switching the monitor contents described above with reference toFIGS. 4A to 6Bwill be explained with reference toFIGS. 2A to 2C. InFIGS. 2A to 2C, a monitor display control unit15switches the display mode (display contents) of the monitor8according to its rotation state detected by the detection unit (not shown). An imaging control unit16controls setting of X-ray imaging conditions and execution of X-ray imaging via the monitor8(touch panel). Note that although each control unit and the monitor8communicate with each other by wired connection inFIGS. 2A to 2C, wireless communication may be used. Communication connection between the detection unit and the monitor display control unit15or imaging control unit16may be wired or wireless connection.

FIG. 7is a flowchart for explaining processing of a system according to the first embodiment. In step S10, upon activation of the apparatus or start of imaging, the monitor display control unit15performs display in the first display mode. In this embodiment, display in the first display mode in which display contents when the rotation state of the monitor8is the horizontally elongated (landscape) state are displayed is executed. The present invention, however, is not limited to this. For example, upon activation of the apparatus, display in the second display mode in which display contents when the rotation state of the monitor8is the vertically elongated (portrait) state are displayed may be executed. Alternatively, display may be started after detection of the rotation state by the detection unit (that is, step S10may be omitted).

In step S11, the monitor display control unit15acquires the result of detection of the rotation state of the monitor8by the detection unit. In the arrangement shown inFIGS. 1A to 3B, the monitor display control unit15acquires the rotation angle of the swivel hinge11, and detects the rotation state of the monitor8(step S12). If the detected rotation state is the horizontally elongated (landscape) state, the process advances from step S12to step S13, and the monitor display control unit15performs display on the monitor8in the first display mode. On the other hand, if it is detected that the rotation state is the vertically elongated (portrait) state, the process advances from step S12to step S14, and the monitor display control unit15performs display on the monitor8in the second display mode.

Note that it may be detected that the monitor8is in an intermediate state which is neither the vertically elongated state nor the horizontally elongated state. If such intermediate state is detected, the process may return from step S12to step S11, and the display mode at this time may be maintained. Consider, for example, a case in which the detection unit is configured to output a signal indicating the horizontally elongated state when the rotation angle of the swivel hinge11falls within the range from 0 to 15°, to output a signal indicating the vertically elongated state when the rotation angle falls within the range from 75 to 90°, and to output no signal when the rotation angle falls within the range from 15 to 75°. In this case, when the rotation angle falls within the range from 15 to 75°, the monitor8is in an intermediate state (a state in which no signal is output) which is neither the vertically elongated state nor the horizontally elongated state. Alternatively, an intermediate state exists when the detection unit is formed by a switch which is turned on when the rotation angle is 0° or close to it and a switch which is turned on when the rotation angle is 90° or close to it.

In step S13, if the display mode until now is the second display mode, the display contents are switched to those in the first display mode. However, if the display mode until now is the first display mode, the display contents are not changed. In this case, the processing is equivalent to skipping step S13. Similarly, in step S14, if the display mode until now is the first display mode, the display contents are switched to those in the second display mode. However, if the display mode until now is the second display mode, the display contents are not changed. In this case, the processing is equivalent to skipping step S14.

With the above-described processing, the display mode of the monitor8is switched according to detection of rotation of the monitor8about the swivel rotation axis17, and the display contents of the monitor are changed as shown inFIGS. 4A to 6B. Assume that the user manually moves (swivels or tilts and rotates) the monitor8. However, a driving mechanism using a motor or the like may move the monitor8. In the aforementioned embodiment, the display mode is switched according to the rotation position (rotation angle) of the swivel hinge11. The present invention, however, is not limited to this. For example, a switch for explicitly instructing to switch the display mode may be provided.

With the above-described arrangement, it is possible to select the display contents of the monitor8according to the attitude of the monitor8, and the doctor can perform image diagnosis using the monitor8, thereby providing a movable X-ray imaging apparatus with improved operability. That is, the operator or doctor can see appropriate monitor information according to the attitude of the monitor8. This allows setting of X-ray imaging and X-ray image diagnosis using one monitor8on a movable X-ray imaging machine even in an operating room, thereby performing an efficient operation.

As described above, the movable X-ray imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment enables the doctor or operator to readily check the contents of the monitor. It is possible to set X-ray imaging and perform X-ray image diagnosis, thereby improving the operability of the operator or doctor.

Note that in the aforementioned embodiment, the two display modes are switched depending on whether the rotation state of the monitor8is the horizontally elongated state or the vertically elongated state. By adding the rotation state of the second rotation axis, more than two display modes may be switched.

In the first embodiment, the arrangement in which the tilt hinge10provides a rotation axis along one side of the monitor8as the first rotation axis, and the swivel hinge11provides a rotation axis perpendicular to the screen of the monitor8as the second rotation axis has been explained. However, the combination of the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis is not limited to this. In the second embodiment, as another example of the combination of rotation axes for a monitor8, an arrangement in which a rotation axis along one side of the monitor8is used as a first rotation axis and a rotation axis perpendicular to the moving surface of a cart unit5is used as a second rotation axis will be described.

FIGS. 8A and 8Bare views each showing the arrangement of a movable X-ray imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 8Ais a perspective view showing the moving form of the apparatus when seen from the back side.FIG. 8Bis a perspective view showing the moving form of the apparatus when seen from the front side. In the second embodiment, in the moving form, the monitor8is located above an X-ray tube1.

Referring toFIGS. 8A and 8B, the same components as those in the first embodiment (FIGS. 1A and 1B) have the same reference numerals. The monitor8is supported by a monitor support arm9aarranged on the upper portion of the cart unit5. Tilt hinges10aare attached to the monitor support arm9aso that the monitor8tilts, and provides the first rotation axis. The tilt hinges10aare desirably torque hinges which can flexibly hold the attitude of the monitor8but may be a combination of damper hinges or torque hinges each having low torque and including a mechanism which can lock at an arbitrary hinge opening angle. Alternatively, a mechanism which can lock the position of the monitor8at only a desirable monitor angle may be provided.

FIGS. 9A and 9Bare views for explaining the movement of the monitor according to the second embodiment. A rotation axis14is the rotation axis of a turning unit which supports the monitor support arm9aon the cart unit5to be turnable, and corresponds to the second rotation axis. The turning unit can make the monitor support arm9aturn about the rotation axis14, thereby causing the monitor8to turn. To do this, the monitor support arm9aand the cart unit5are desirably connected to each other by, for example, a swivel hinge.FIG. 9Ashows a state in which the monitor8has tilted from the state shown inFIG. 8Ato stand upright.FIG. 9Bshows a state in which the X-ray tube1has moved from the state shown inFIG. 9Aand the monitor8has rotated about the rotation axis14. In the second embodiment, the tilt angle of the monitor desirably falls within a movable range of 90° in the upward direction from the monitor position shown inFIG. 9A.

For switching the display mode (display contents) of the monitor8, a function similar to that described in the first embodiment can be provided. Note that in the second embodiment, instead of switching the display mode depending on whether the rotation state of the monitor8is the horizontally elongated state or the vertically elongated state, the display mode is switched according to the rotation position of one of the first and second rotation axes or the combination of the rotation positions of the first and second rotation axes. That is, the display mode of the monitor8is switched according to the turning angle of the turning unit which makes the monitor8turn. Furthermore, an arrangement which can pivot the monitor8about a rotation axis perpendicular to the display surface of the monitor8may be added to switch the display mode depending on whether the monitor8is in the horizontally elongated state or the vertically elongated state, similarly to the first embodiment.

With the above-described arrangement, according to the second embodiment, the display surface of the monitor8can continuously pivot from the right side to the left side through the back side of the movable X-ray imaging apparatus, thereby allowing an operator or doctor to readily check the contents of the monitor8. Furthermore, as compared with the first embodiment, the movable range of the monitor8can be made wider, and the monitor can be made closer to the doctor especially when used in an operating room, thereby providing a movable X-ray imaging apparatus which allows more efficient image diagnosis.

The arrangement of a movable X-ray imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 10A to 10C. In the second embodiment, the arrangement in which the monitor8is located above the X-ray tube1in the moving form has been explained. In the third embodiment, however, a monitor8is located below an X-ray tube1in a moving form.

Each ofFIGS. 10A to 10Cis a side view showing the apparatus.FIG. 10Ashows the moving form of the apparatus.FIG. 10Bshows a state in which the X-ray tube1has risen from the state of the moving form shown inFIG. 10Aand the monitor8has tilted to stand upright.FIG. 10Cshows a state in which the monitor8has turned about a rotation axis14.

Referring toFIGS. 10A to 10C, the same components as those in the first embodiment (FIGS. 1A and 1B) have the same reference numerals. Instead of the L-shaped member described in the second embodiment (FIGS. 9A and 9B), a monitor support arm9bis a plate-like member (or an L-shaped member including a short upright portion), at the end portion of which the monitor8is arranged via a tilt hinge10b. As described in the first and second embodiments, an arrangement for switching the display mode of the monitor8can also be provided. More specifically, the display mode of the monitor8is switched according to the upright state of the monitor8and the turning angle of a turning unit. The upright state indicates whether the monitor8stands upright or not. Alternatively, an arrangement which can pivot the monitor8about a rotation axis perpendicular to the display surface of the monitor8may be added to switch the display mode depending on whether the monitor8is in the horizontally elongated state or the vertically elongated state, similarly to the first embodiment.

The arrangement according to the third embodiment also considers the interference between the X-ray tube1and the monitor8.FIG. 11Ashows the state of the apparatus at the time of X-ray exposure.FIG. 11Bshows a state in which the monitor8is accommodated when the X-ray tube1is accommodated. A column rotating unit7includes a rotation angle sensor18of a column3with respect to a cart unit5. The tilt hinge10bincludes a motor (not shown), and changes the angle of the monitor8under the control of a monitor angle control unit19. Note that each control unit, the rotation angle sensor18, and the motor of the tilt hinge10bcommunicate with each other by wired connection inFIGS. 11A and 11Bbut may communicate with each other using wireless communication.

FIG. 12is a flowchart illustrating a system according to the third embodiment. When the user rotates the column3upon start of X-ray imaging, in step S20the rotation angle sensor18detects the rotation angle of the column3. In step S21, an imaging control unit16determines whether the rotation angle of the column3falls within a preset angle range. If the rotation angle of the column3falls within the preset range, the process advances to step S22; otherwise, the process returns to step S20. In step S22, the monitor angle control unit19receives a driving signal from the imaging control unit16, and drives the motor of the tilt hinge10bto move the monitor8to the position of the moving form shown inFIG. 10A. With the above-described processing, for example, when an operator rotates the column3supporting the X-ray tube1to the state shown inFIG. 11Bupon end of imaging, the monitor8automatically moves from the upright state to a state (monitor accommodation state) almost parallel to the moving surface of the cart unit5. The operator, therefore, can smoothly set the movable X-ray imaging apparatus in the moving form.

With the above-described arrangement, as compared with the second embodiment, it is possible to accommodate the X-ray tube1at the accommodation position in the moving form irrespective of the rotation position of the monitor8about the rotation axis14, thereby providing a movable X-ray imaging apparatus with improved operator's operability.

In the first to third embodiments, the first rotation axis along one side of the monitor8and the second rotation axis different from the first rotation axis are orthogonal to each other. The present invention is not limited to this. In the fourth embodiment, an arrangement in which a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis are parallel to each other will be explained. Note that in the fourth embodiment, an arrangement in which the second rotation axis coincides with the rotation axis of a column3, that is, an arrangement in which an arm supporting a monitor8is part of the column3is provided.

FIGS. 13A and 13Bare views each showing the arrangement of a movable X-ray imaging apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. InFIGS. 13A and 13B, the same components as those in the first embodiment (FIGS. 1A and 1B) have the same reference numerals.FIG. 13Ais a perspective view showing the moving form of the apparatus when seen from the back side.FIG. 13Bis a perspective view showing the apparatus at the time of imaging when seen from the front side. In the movable X-ray imaging apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, the column3holding an X-ray tube1and a monitor support member12asupporting the monitor8are connected via a tilt hinge.

The display contents of the monitor8are as described in the first embodiment. The monitor8is supported by the monitor support member12aarranged on a side surface of the column3. The monitor support member12aincludes a tilt hinge for tilting the monitor8. The tilt hinge of the monitor support member12ais attached so that the monitor8rotates about the monitor support member12a. The direction of the tilt rotation axis is along one side of the display surface of the monitor8and parallel to the column3. The tilt hinge of the monitor support member12ais desirably a torque hinge which can flexibly hold the attitude of the monitor8but may be a combination of damper hinges or torque hinges each having low torque and including a mechanism which can lock at an arbitrary hinge opening angle. Alternatively, a mechanism which can lock the monitor position at only a desirable monitor angle may be provided.

In the fourth embodiment, the display mode of the monitor8may be switched, similarly to the second embodiment. Furthermore, in order to switch the display of the monitor8between a landscape display and a portrait display, the monitor support member12aand the monitor8may be connected to each other by a swivel hinge11as described in the first embodiment. Such arrangement allows switching of the display contents of the monitor8(switching between the landscape state and the portrait state), as described in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the monitor8may be configured to be attached/detached to/from the monitor support member12aby a one-step operation.

With the above-described arrangement, it is possible to make the monitor8closer to a doctor, as compared with the first embodiment, thereby providing a movable X-ray imaging apparatus which allows more efficient image diagnosis especially when used in an operating room.

The monitor8may include a battery and memory to store images displayed so far and to retrieve and display the image. By configuring the monitor8to be detachable, an operator can carry the monitor8near a doctor who is operating, and make the monitor8close to the doctor. Furthermore, for example, when used for an emergency visit, a doctor can explain the condition of a patient to his/her family who is waiting outside an emergency room by using the monitor8.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-028345, filed Feb. 15, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.