SETTING DEVICE, SETTING METHOD, AND SETTING PROGRAM

A setting device comprising: at least one processor, wherein the processor is configured to: acquire imaging part information indicating an imaging part of a subject whose radiographic image is captured by radiation emitted from a radiation emitting device; and derive, in a case in which body thickness information indicating a body thickness of the subject in a direction in which the radiation is transmitted is acquired from a detector that comes into contact with the subject and detects the body thickness, imaging conditions corresponding to the body thickness indicated by the body thickness information and the imaging part indicated by the imaging part information and set the imaging conditions in the radiation emitting device.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a setting device, a setting method, and a setting program.

Related Art

In general, in a case in which a radiographic image of a subject is captured by radiation emitted from a radiation emitting device, imaging conditions for emitting the radiation are set for the radiation emitting device. For example, JP2006-218142A discloses a technique that sets imaging conditions corresponding to an imaging part and a body thickness of a subject.

However, as a method for detecting the body thickness of the subject, a detection method which uses a detector using ultrasonic waves or a laser or a TOF camera is known. In these detection methods, for example, in a case in which the clothes of the subject are loose, a gap occurs between the clothes and a body surface of the subject. In some cases, it is not possible to detect the body surface hidden in the gap. Further, in some cases, it is not possible to set the part to be detected in the subject in detail in the detector using ultrasonic waves or a laser. In addition, it is difficult to specify a region of interest for specifying a detection position according to the part in the TOF camera. Therefore, in some cases, it is difficult to specify the detection position. Furthermore, for example, in the TOF camera, in some cases, a large amount of noise occurs, which causes a problem in reproducibility.

As described above, in some cases, it is difficult to accurately measure the body thickness of the imaging part of the subject. In some cases, since it is not possible to accurately detect the body thickness, it is not possible to set appropriate imaging conditions in the radiation emitting device. Therefore, in the technique disclosed in JP2006-218142A, in some cases, it is difficult to set the imaging conditions.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances and provides a setting device, a setting method, and a setting program that can easily set imaging conditions corresponding to an imaging part and a body thickness of a subject in a radiation emitting device.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a setting device comprising at least one processor. The processor acquires imaging part information indicating an imaging part of a subject whose radiographic image is captured by radiation emitted from a radiation emitting device. In a case in which body thickness information indicating a body thickness of the subject in a direction in which the radiation is transmitted is acquired from a detector that comes into contact with the subject and detects the body thickness, the processor derives imaging conditions corresponding to the body thickness indicated by the body thickness information and the imaging part indicated by the imaging part information and sets the imaging conditions in the radiation emitting device.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, in the setting device according to the first aspect, the detector may be integrated with an imaging table for capturing the radiographic image.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, in the setting device according to the first aspect or the second aspect, the processor may wirelessly acquire the body thickness information from the detector.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the setting device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the detector may be a digital caliper.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in the setting device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the detector may be a digital measure.

According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in the setting device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the detector may include a reference measurement device that is provided at a reference position and a pair of measurement devices that comes into contact with both sides of a portion in which the body thickness of the subject is measured, and the processor may acquire positional information indicating a position of each of the pair of measurement devices as the body thickness information and derives the body thickness on the basis of the body thickness information and the reference position.

According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in the setting device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the imaging conditions may be at least one of a tube voltage value, a tube current value, an irradiation time, or a mAs value.

According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, in the setting device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the processor may acquire the imaging part information from an imaging menu.

According to an ninth aspect of the present disclosure, in the setting device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the detector may detect the body thickness by contacting with each of a surface on each side in the direction of a portion of the subject corresponding to the imaging part.

In addition, according to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a setting method executed by a processor. The setting method comprises: acquiring imaging part information indicating an imaging part of a subject whose radiographic image is captured by radiation emitted from a radiation emitting device; and deriving, in a case in which body thickness information indicating a body thickness of the subject in a direction in which the radiation is transmitted is acquired from a detector that comes into contact with the subject and detects the body thickness, imaging conditions corresponding to the body thickness indicated by the body thickness information and the imaging part indicated by the imaging part information and setting the imaging conditions in the radiation emitting device.

Further, according to a eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a setting program that causes a processor to execute a process comprising: acquiring imaging part information indicating an imaging part of a subject whose radiographic image is captured by radiation emitted from a radiation emitting device; and deriving, in a case in which body thickness information indicating a body thickness of the subject in a direction in which the radiation is transmitted is acquired from a detector that comes into contact with the subject and detects the body thickness, imaging conditions corresponding to the body thickness indicated by the body thickness information and the imaging part indicated by the imaging part information and setting the imaging conditions in the radiation emitting device.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily set the imaging conditions corresponding to the imaging part and body thickness of the subject.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, each of the embodiments does not limit the invention.

First, an example of an overall configuration of a radiography system according to this embodiment will be described.FIG.1is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a radiography system1according to this embodiment. As illustrated inFIG.1, the radiography system1according to this embodiment comprises a console10, a radiation emitting device12, a detector14, and a radiography apparatus16. The console10according to this embodiment is an example of a setting device according to the present disclosure. In addition,FIG.1illustrates an aspect in which a radiographic image is captured in a state in which a subject W is standing up (standing state). However, the state of the subject W is not limited. For example, the subject W may be in a state (sitting state) in which it is sitting on a chair including a wheelchair or in a state in which it lies on an imaging table32(lying state).

The radiation emitting device12according to this embodiment comprises a radiation source20that irradiates the subject W, which is an example of an object to be imaged, with radiation R, such as X-rays, and a collimator24that limits an irradiation field of the radiation R emitted from the radiation source20. In addition, the radiation emitting device12comprises a control unit21A, a storage unit21B, an interface (I/F) unit21C, and a display unit21D.

The control unit21A controls the radiation source20and the collimator24under the control of the console10. The control unit21A comprises a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), and a random access memory (RAM) which are not illustrated. Various programs, which include an irradiation processing program for causing the radiation source20to irradiate the subject W with the radiation R in the capture of a radiographic image and are executed by the CPU, are stored in the ROM in advance. The RAM temporarily stores various types of data.

For example, various types of information are stored in the storage unit21B. Specific examples of the storage unit21B include a hard disk drive (HDD) and a solid state drive (SSD). The I/F unit21C transmits and receives various types of information to and from the console10using wireless communication or wired communication. The irradiation emitting device12receives imaging conditions (which will be described in detail below) derived by the console10through the I/F unit21C. The display unit21D is used to display imaging conditions such as a tube voltage and a mAs value set by the console10. A liquid crystal display (LCD) is given an example of the display unit21D.

A method by which a user, such as a doctor or a technician, instructs the radiation emitting device12to emit the radiation R is not limited. For example, in a case in which the radiation emitting device12comprises an irradiation button or the like, the user, such as a radiology technician, may input an instruction to emit the radiation R with the irradiation button such that the radiation R is emitted from the radiation emitting device12. Further, for example, the user, such as the radiology technician, may operate the console10to input the instruction to emit the radiation R such that the radiation R is emitted from the radiation emitting device12.

In the radiation emitting device12, in a case in which an instruction to emit the radiation R is received, the control unit21A directs the radiation source20to emit the radiation R from a focus22of a radiation tube according to the imaging conditions set by the console10. For example, in this embodiment, an irradiation field has a rectangular shape. Therefore, a rectangular-pyramid-shaped region that has the focus22as the apex and the irradiation field as the base is irradiated with the radiation R emitted from the focus22.

The radiography apparatus16comprises a radiation detector30, a control unit31A, a storage unit31B, and an I/F unit31C.

The radiation detector30has a function of generating a radiographic image. As illustrated inFIG.1, the radiation detector30is disposed in the imaging table32. In the radiography apparatus16according to this embodiment, in a case in which imaging is performed, the subject W is positioned on an imaging surface32A of the imaging table32by the user.

The radiation detector30detects the radiation R transmitted through the subject W and the imaging table32, generates a radiographic image on the basis of the detected radiation R, and outputs image data indicating the generated radiographic image. The type of the radiation detector30according to this embodiment is not particularly limited. For example, the radiation detector30may be an indirect-conversion-type radiation detector that converts the radiation R into light and converts the converted light into charge or a direct-conversion-type radiation detector that directly converts the radiation R into charge.

The control unit31A controls the overall operation of the radiography apparatus16under the control of the console10. The control unit31A comprises a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM which are not illustrated. For example, various programs, which include an imaging processing program for performing control related to the capture of radiographic images and are executed by the CPU, are stored in the ROM in advance. The RAM temporarily stores various types of data.

For example, the image data of the radiographic image captured by the radiation detector30and various other types of information are stored in the storage unit31B. An HDD or an SSD is given as a specific example of the storage unit31B. The I/F unit31C transmits and receives various types of information to and from the console10using wireless communication or wired communication. The image data of the radiographic image captured by the radiation detector30is transmitted to the console10through the I/F unit31C by wireless communication or wired communication.

In addition, the detector14has a function of coming into contact with the subject W and detecting a body thickness of the subject Win a direction in which the radiation R is transmitted. As illustrated inFIG.1, the detector14according to this embodiment comprises a control unit41A, an I/F unit41C, a display unit41D, and an operation unit41E.

The control unit41A has a function of controlling the operation of the detector14in the measurement of the body thickness of the subject W by a technician. The control unit41A comprises a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM which are not illustrated. For example, various programs including a detection processing program executed by the CPU are stored in the ROM in advance. The RAM temporarily stores various types of data including a detection value of the body thickness of the subject W.

The I/F unit41C transmits and receives various types of information including the detection result of the body thickness of the subject W to and from the console10using wireless communication or wired communication. The display unit41D is used to display, for example, the detection result of the body thickness of the subject W. A liquid crystal display (LCD) is given an example of the display unit41D.

For example, the detector14according to this embodiment is a digital caliper and comprises a main scale70, a jaw72A, and a jaw72B as illustrated inFIG.2. The jaw72A is provided at one end of the main scale70. Meanwhile, the display unit41D and the operation unit41E are provided in the jaw72B and are moved along the main scale70. An interval between the jaw72A and the jaw72B is displayed on the display unit41D. In a case in which the operation unit41E is operated, information indicating the interval between the jaw72A and the jaw72B in a case in which the operation unit41E is operated is output to the console10. For example, a material, such as a resin, which has a linear expansion coefficient larger than that of metal and is lightweight, can be used as a material forming the detector14as the digital caliper. The use of this material makes it possible to reduce the weight of the detector14even in a case in which the main scale70, the jaw72A, and the jaw72B are relatively large.

Meanwhile, the console10according to this embodiment has a function of controlling the radiation emitting device12and the radiography apparatus16using, for example, an imaging order and various types of information acquired from a radiology information system (RIS) (not illustrated) or the like through a wireless communication local area network (LAN) or the like.

For example, the console10according to this embodiment is a server computer. As illustrated inFIG.3, the console10comprises a control unit50, a storage unit52, an I/F unit54, an operation unit56, and a display unit58. The control unit50, the storage unit52, the I/F unit54, the operation unit56, and the display unit58are connected to each other through a bus59, such as a system bus or a control bus, such that they can transmit and receive various types of information.

The control unit50according to this embodiment controls the overall operation of the console10. The control unit50comprises a CPU50A, a ROM50B, and a RAM50C. For example, various programs including a setting program51executed by the CPU50A are stored in the ROM50B in advance. The RAM50C temporarily stores various types of data. The CPU50A according to this embodiment is an example of a processor according to the present disclosure. In addition, the setting program51according to this embodiment is an example of a setting program according to the present disclosure.

For example, the image data of the radiographic image captured by the radiography apparatus16and various types of information including the imaging order acquired from the RIS are stored in the storage unit52. An HDD or an SSD is given as a specific example of the storage unit52.

The operation unit56is used by the user to designate an imaging menu corresponding to an imaging order and to input instructions related to the capture of a radiographic image including an instruction to emit the radiation R, various types of information, and the like. The operation unit56is not particularly limited. Examples of the operation unit56include various switches, a touch panel, a touch pen, and a mouse. The display unit58is used to display various types of information. In addition, the operation unit56and the display unit58may be integrated into a touch panel display.

The console10displays a plurality of types of imaging menus prepared in advance on the display unit58such that one of the menus can be selected. The user selects one imaging menu that is matched with the content of the imaging order through the operation unit56. In this embodiment, the imaging menu is predetermined for each of imaging parts, such as the head, the chest, the abdomen, and the spine, and the user selects an imaging part to select an imaging menu. Therefore, the console10receives the designation of the imaging menu.

The I/F unit54transmits and receives various types of information to and from the radiation emitting device12, the radiography apparatus16, and the RIS (not illustrated) using wireless communication or wired communication. In the radiography system1according to this embodiment, the console10receives the image data of the radiographic image captured by the radiography apparatus16from the radiography apparatus16through the I/F unit54, using wireless communication or wired communication.

In addition,FIG.4is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the console10according to this embodiment. As illustrated inFIG.4, the console10comprises an acquisition unit60and a setting unit62. For example, in the console10according to this embodiment, the CPU50A of the control unit50executes the setting program51stored in the ROM50B to function as the acquisition unit60and the setting unit62.

The acquisition unit60has a function of acquiring imaging part information indicating an imaging part of the subject W. For example, in this embodiment, the imaging part information is acquired from the received imaging menu. In addition, the method by which the acquisition unit60acquires the imaging part information is not particularly limited. For example, in a case in which the imaging part information is included in the imaging order, the acquisition unit60may acquire the imaging part information from the imaging order. The imaging part information acquired by the acquisition unit60is output to the setting unit62.

The setting unit62has a function that, in a case in which it acquires body thickness information indicating a body thickness t of the subject W in the direction, in which the radiation R is transmitted, from the detector14, derives the imaging conditions corresponding to the body thickness t indicated by the body thickness information and the imaging part indicated by the imaging part information and sets the imaging conditions in the radiation emitting device12. For example, the setting unit62according to this embodiment sets, in the radiation emitting device, the imaging conditions for emitting the radiation R such that the dose of the radiation R transmitted through the imaging part is the same as a dose at a reference body thickness. The reference body thickness is the average value of body thicknesses determined for each imaging part. In addition, it is preferable that the reference body thickness is determined according to at least one of, for example, the race of the subject W, the age of the subject W, the gender of the subject W, or the ratio of muscle to fat in the subject W.

Specifically, the setting unit62acquires the body thickness information indicating the body thickness t of the subject W which has been input from the detector14through the I/F unit54by wireless communication. For example, in this embodiment, correspondence relationship information53indicating the correspondence relationship among the body thickness, the tube voltage value, and the mAs value illustrated inFIG.5is stored in the storage unit52in advance. The correspondence relationship information53illustrated inFIG.5is provided for each imaging part. The setting unit62derives the tube voltage value and the mAs value associated with the acquired body thickness information as the imaging conditions with reference to the correspondence relationship information corresponding to the imaging part indicated by the imaging part information input from the acquisition unit60and outputs the tube voltage value and the mAs value to the radiation emitting device12.

In addition, the method by which the setting unit62derives the imaging conditions is not limited to the above-described method. For example, the imaging conditions predetermined according to the imaging part and the reference body thickness may be corrected according to the body thickness t acquired from the detector14to derive the imaging conditions to be set in the radiation emitting device12. Further, for example, the imaging conditions predetermined according to the reference body thickness may be corrected according to the imaging part acquired by the acquisition unit60and the body thickness t acquired from the detector14to derive the imaging conditions to be set in the radiation emitting device12. Furthermore, for example, the imaging conditions corresponding to the body thickness t acquired from the detector14may be corrected according to the imaging part acquired by the acquisition unit60to derive the imaging conditions to be set in the radiation emitting device12.

In addition, in this embodiment, the aspect in which the tube voltage value and the mAs value are derived as the imaging conditions has been described. However, the imaging conditions derived by the setting unit62are not limited thereto. For example, instead of the mAs value, the irradiation time of the radiation R and a tube current value of the radiation source20may be derived as the imaging conditions.

Next, the operation of the console10according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

In a case in which a radiographic image is captured, the subject W is positioned at a position facing the imaging surface32A of the imaging table32as illustrated inFIG.2. Then, the jaw72A of the detector14is inserted between the subject W and the imaging table32in a state in which it is in contact with the subject W. In addition, the user slides the jaw72B such that the subject W is interposed between the jaw72A and the jaw72B. The body thickness t of the subject W is displayed as the detection result on the display unit41D. In a case in which the user operates the operation unit41E in this state, the body thickness information indicating the body thickness t of the subject W is output as the detection result to the console10. In this way, the user detects the body thickness t of the subject W.

Meanwhile, in the console10according to this embodiment, the CPU50A of the control unit50executes the setting program51stored in the ROM50B to perform a setting process whose example is illustrated inFIG.6.FIG.6is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the setting process performed in the console10according to this embodiment. In addition, the timing when the CPU50A performs the setting process is not limited, and the CPU50A may perform the setting process at any timing. For example, the setting process may be performed at the timing when an instruction input from the user by the operation of the operation unit56after the positioning of the subject W ends is received or the timing when an instruction to emit the radiation R is received from the user.

In Step S100ofFIG.6, the acquisition unit60acquires the imaging part information from the imaging menu as described above.

Then, in Step S102, the setting unit62determines whether or not the body thickness information has been acquired. The determination result in Step S102is “No” until the body thickness information indicating the body thickness t of the subject W input from the detector14is acquired. On the other hand, in a case in which the body thickness information has been acquired, the determination result in Step S102is “Yes”, and the process proceeds to Step S104.

In Step S104, the setting unit62derives the imaging conditions as described above. Specifically, the setting unit62derives the tube voltage value and the mAs value corresponds to the imaging part indicated by the acquired imaging part information and the body thickness t indicated by the acquired body thickness information, with reference to the correspondence relationship information53stored in the storage unit52.

Then, in Step S106, the setting unit62outputs the imaging conditions derived in Step S104to the radiation emitting device12through the I/F unit54. Then, in the radiation emitting device12, the tube voltage value and the mAs value are set as the imaging conditions for emitting the radiation R. In a case in which the process in Step S106ends, the setting process illustrated inFIG.6ends.

In addition, the aspect in which the detector14is a digital caliper that is provided separately from the imaging table32has been described. However, the form of the detector14is not limited to this aspect. For example, the detector14may have the forms described in the following Modification Examples 1 to 3 as long as it can come into contact with the subject W, detect the body thickness t, and output the body thickness information indicating the body thickness t as the detection result to the console10.

The detector14may be integrated with the imaging table32.FIGS.7A to7Dillustrate an example of the detector14as a foldable digital caliper which is provided integrally with the imaging table32. In addition, for the sake of simplification of illustration, the display unit41D and the operation unit41E are not illustrated inFIGS.7A to7D.

FIG.7Aillustrates a state in which the detector14is folded as an initial state. The detector14according to this modification example is attached to the imaging table32by a support portion76. The support portion76is expanded and contracted in the x direction (lateral direction inFIG.7A). The main scale70has a leading end attached to the support portion76and is parallel to the imaging surface32A in the initial state. The jaw72A and the jaw72B are folded on the main scale70. In addition, a grip74A that is held by the user is provided at an end portion of the jaw72A, and a grip74B that is held by the user is provided at an end portion of the jaw72B.

In a case in which the body thickness t of the subject W is detected, the user extends the support portion76according to the width of the subject W and separates the main scale70from the imaging table32. Further, the user pulls up a side of the main scale70which is opposite to a side connected to the support portion76in the z-axis direction (upward direction inFIG.7A) such that the detector14is in a state illustrated inFIG.7B.

Furthermore, the user pulls up the leading end of the folded jaws72A and72B in the z-axis direction (upward direction inFIG.7B) such that the detector14is in a state illustrated inFIG.7C. In addition, the user tilts the leading ends of the jaws72A and72B toward the imaging table32such that the detector14is in a state illustrated inFIG.7D. In a case in which the subject W is positioned on the imaging table32, the user holds the grip74B and moves the jaw72B along the main scale70to bring the jaw72B into contact with the surface of the subject W. In addition, the user holds the grip74A and moves the jaw72A along the main scale70to bring the jaw72A into contact with the surface of the subject W. The interval between the jaw72A and the jaw72B is displayed on the display unit41D according to the movement of the jaw72A and the jaw72B. In a case in which the user operates the operation unit41E in this state, the interval between the jaw72A and the jaw72B is output as the body thickness information indicating the body thickness t of the subject W to the console10.

In a case in which the detection of the body thickness t of the subject W ends in this way, the above-described procedure is reversely performed to fold the detector14. In addition, the jaw72A, the jaw72B, and the like may be located at positions where they are not included in a radiographic image before the radiographic image is captured, specifically, before the radiation R is emitted from the radiation emitting device12. The detector14may be returned to the initial state illustrated inFIG.7Aafter the capture of the radiographic image is ended.

The interval between the jaw72A and the jaw72B is measured in this way, which makes it possible to more accurately measure the body thickness t of the subject W, for example, even in a case in which the imaging part is the lumbar vertebra or the like and the imaging part of the subject W is not in contact with the imaging surface32A of the imaging table32.

In addition, the detector14may not include the jaw72A. For example, in a case in which a body surface of the subject W is in contact with the imaging surface32A of the imaging table32, the detector14may detect an interval between the imaging surface32A and the jaw72B. Further, for example, in a case in which the imaging part is the lumbar vertebra or the like and the imaging part of the subject W is not in contact with the imaging surface32A of the imaging table32, the jaw72B is brought into contact with the body surface of the subject W which faces the radiation emitting device12to detect the interval between the imaging surface32A of the imaging table32and the body surface of the subject W which faces the radiation emitting device12. Furthermore, the jaw72B is brought into contact with the body surface of the subject W which faces the imaging surface32A to detect the interval between the imaging surface32A of the imaging table32and the body surface of the subject W which faces the imaging surface32A. The detector14may output the difference between the detection results of two consecutive detection operations as the body thickness information indicating the body thickness t of the subject W.

FIGS.8A to8Cillustrate an example of the detector14as a digital measure which is provided integrally with the imaging table32.FIG.8Aillustrates an initial state of the detector14. The detector14according to this modification example is attached to the imaging table32by a support portion84. The support portion84is expanded and contracted in the x direction (lateral direction inFIG.8A). A leading end of a tape82that is accommodated in a main body80is attached to the support portion84. The display unit41D and the operation unit41E (not illustrated) are provided on a side surface of the main body80.

In a case in which the body thickness t of the subject W is detected, the user extends the support portion84according to the width of the subject W and separates the main body80from the imaging table32such that the detector14is in a state illustrated inFIG.8B. In a case in which the user positions the subject Won the imaging table32, as illustrated inFIG.8C, the user moves the main body80in a direction toward the radiation emitting device12(a direction toward the front inFIG.8C) along the y-axis direction to stretch the tape82such that an end portion of the tape82which is close to the main body80is at the same position as the body surface of the subject W. In the example illustrated inFIGS.8A to8C, the length of the stretched tape82corresponds to the length from the imaging surface32A of the imaging table32to the main body80of the detector14. The length of the stretched tape82is displayed on the display unit41D. In a case in which the user operates the operation unit41E in this state, the length of the stretched tape82is output as the body thickness information indicating the body thickness t of the subject W to the console10.

In a case in which the detection of the body thickness t of the subject W ends in this way, the above-described procedure is reversely performed to return the detector14to the initial state. In addition, the main body80and the like may be located at a position where they are not included in a radiographic image before the radiographic image is captured, specifically, before the radiation R is emitted from the radiation emitting device12. The detector14may be returned to the initial state illustrated inFIG.8Aafter the capture of the radiographic image is ended.

Further, the example in which the length of the stretched tape82corresponds to the length from the imaging surface32A of the imaging table32to the main body80of the detector14has been described. However, the present disclosure is limited to this example. For example, as described in Modification Example 1, the detector14may output the difference between the detection results of two consecutive detection operations as the body thickness information indicating the body thickness t of the subject W.

FIG.9illustrates an example of a detector14having another form. The detector14illustrated inFIG.9comprises reference measurement devices14A and14B and a pair of measurement devices14P and14Q. The reference measurement devices14A and14B and the measurement devices14P and14Q can wirelessly communicate with each other. The reference measurement devices14A and14B are provided at known positions that serve as reference detection positions and are provided, for example, on a ceiling90, a wall, or the like of a room in which the imaging table32is disposed. In addition, the pair of the measurement devices14P and14Q is disposed by the user in a state in which it is in contact with both sides of a portion in which the body thickness t of the subject W is measured, that is, a portion corresponding to the imaging part on the body surface. For example, the measurement devices14P and14Q are wearable measurement devices and are worn on both hands of the user or the fingers of both hands, respectively. The operation unit41E is provided in each of the measurement devices14P and14Q.

In the measurement of the body thickness t of the subject W, in a case in which the user positions the subject W on the imaging table32(not illustrated inFIG.9), the measurement devices14P and14Q are disposed at both ends of the imaging part in which the body thickness t of the subject W is measured, respectively, as illustrated inFIG.9. For example, the user holds the imaging part of the subject W between hands having the measurement devices14P and14Q worn thereon to dispose each of the measurement devices14P and14Q at a measurement position. In a case in which the user operates either the operation unit41E provided in the measurement device14P or the operation unit41E provided in the measurement device14Q in this state, the distance between the measurement device14P and the measurement device14Q is output as the body thickness information indicating the body thickness t of the subject W to the console10.

A method for detecting the distance between the measurement device14P and the measurement device14Q is not limited. For example, a triangulation method can be applied. An example of the detection method in this case will be described. In the example illustrated inFIG.9, a distance L between the reference measurement device14A and the reference measurement device14B is known. Further, angles α and β can be known by measurement. Therefore, a vector AP defined by the reference measurement device14A and the measurement device14P can be derived to detect the position of the measurement device14P. Specifically, the measurement device14P derives the vector AP as the position of the measurement device14P from the following Expressions (1) to (4). In addition, in the following Expression (1), “AB” means a distance between the reference measurement device14A and the reference measurement device14B. In the following Expression (3), “AP” means a distance between the reference measurement device14A and the measurement device14P. Further, a unit vector e_x is a unit vector in the direction of the reference measurement devices14A and14B. Further, a unit vector e_z is a unit vector that is along a plane passing through the reference measurement devices14A and14B and the measurement device14P and that is perpendicular to the unit vector e_x. In addition, z1 is the length of a perpendicular line extending from the measurement device14P to a straight line passing through the reference measurement devices14A and14B.

In addition, similarly to the measurement device14P, the measurement device14Q can derive a vector AQ to detect the position of the measurement device14Q. Any one of the measurement device14P or the measurement device14Q derives the difference between its own position and the position of the other measurement device from the vector AQ and the vector AP to detect the distance between the measurement device14P and the measurement device14Q. In addition, even in a case in which the measurement device14Q is located on a plane different from the plane formed by the reference measurement devices14A and14B and the measurement device14P, a three-dimensional vector can be defined by defining a unit vector e_z′ and defining the relationship between the unit vector e_z′ and the unit vector e_z. Therefore, even in a case in which the measurement device14Q is located on a plane different from the plane formed by the reference measurement devices14A and14B and the measurement device14P, it is possible to derive the position of the measurement device14Q.

According to the detector14of this modification example, it is possible to reduce the size and weight of the measurement devices14P and14Q. Therefore, the user can easily handle the measurement devices14P and14Q. In addition, since the measurement devices14P and14Q are wearable devices, for example, the user can come into contact with each of both ends of the imaging part of the subject W, in which the body thickness t is measured, to measure the body thickness t. Therefore, according to the detector14of this modification example, it is possible to easily measure the body thickness t, regardless of, for example, a complicated shape or a location where the subject W is positioned.

In addition, in this modification example, the aspect in which two reference measurement devices14A and14B are provided as the reference measurement devices has been described. However, the number of reference measurement devices may be two or more and is not limited to two.

As described above, the console10according to each of the above-described embodiments comprises the CPU50A as at least one processor. The CPU50A acquires the imaging part information indicating the imaging part of the subject W whose radiographic image is captured by the radiation R emitted from the radiation emitting device12. Further, in a case in which the CPU50A acquires the body thickness information indicating the body thickness t of the subject W in the direction in which the radiation R is transmitted from the detector14that comes into contact with the subject W and detects the body thickness t, the CPU50A derives the imaging conditions corresponding to the body thickness t indicated by the body thickness information and the imaging part indicated by the imaging part information and sets the imaging conditions in the radiation emitting device12.

The setting unit62of the console10according to this embodiment can set, in the radiation emitting device, the imaging conditions for emitting the radiation R such that the dose of the radiation transmitted through the imaging part is the same as the dose at the reference body thickness, on the basis of the body thickness and the imaging part of the subject W.

Therefore, according to the console10of this embodiment, it is possible to easily set the imaging conditions corresponding to the imaging part and the body thickness of the subject W. In addition, according to the console10of this embodiment, appropriate tube voltage kV and mAs value corresponding to the imaging part and the body thickness t of the subject W are automatically set. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user for setting.

In addition, in this embodiment, the detector that comes into contact with the subject W and detects the body thickness t is used as the detector that detects the body thickness t of the subject W. Therefore, the body thickness t can be detected with higher accuracy than that in a case in which a detector that detects the body thickness tin a non-contact manner is used. Specifically, since the detector comes into contact with the portion in which the body thickness t of the subject W is measured, it is possible to measure the body thickness t regardless of, for example, the color, shape, thickness, and material of the clothes of the subject W. Therefore, it is possible to improve the reproducibility of detection and to improve robustness to a variation in the clothes of the subject W.

In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the aspect in which the console10, the radiation emitting device12, and the radiography apparatus16are stationary in the radiography system1has been described. However, the radiography system1is not limited to this aspect. For example, a mobile cart, that is, a nursing cart may be used as the radiography system1.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the aspect in which the console10is an example of the setting device according to the present disclosure has been described. However, devices other than the console10may have the functions of the setting device according to the present disclosure. In other words, for example, the radiation emitting device12, the radiography apparatus16, or an external device other than the console10may have some or all of the functions of the acquisition unit60and the setting unit62.

In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, for example, the following various processors can be used as a hardware structure of processing units performing various processes such as the acquisition unit60and the setting unit62. The various processors include, for example, a programmable logic device (PLD), such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), that is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture and a dedicated electric circuit, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), that is a processor having a dedicated circuit configuration designed to perform a specific process, in addition to the CPU that is a general-purpose processor which executes software (programs) to function as various processing units as described above.

One processing unit may be configured by one of the various processors or a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a combination of a plurality of FPGAs or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). In addition, a plurality of processing units may be configured by one processor.

A first example of the configuration in which a plurality of processing units are configured by one processor is an aspect in which one processor is configured by a combination of one or more CPUs and software and functions as a plurality of processing units. A representative example of this aspect is a client computer or a server computer. A second example of the configuration is an aspect in which a processor that implements the functions of the entire system including a plurality of processing units using one integrated circuit (IC) chip is used. A representative example of this aspect is a system-on-chip (SoC). As such, various processing units are configured by using one or more of the various processors as a hardware structure.

In addition, specifically, an electric circuit (circuitry) obtained by combining circuit elements, such as semiconductor elements, can be used as the hardware structure of the various processors.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the aspect in which the setting program51is stored (installed) in the storage unit52in advance has been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The setting program51may be recorded on a recording medium, such as a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM), or a universal serial bus (USB) memory, and then provided. In addition, the setting program51may be downloaded from an external device through the network.

The disclosure of JP2020-161415 filed on Sep. 25, 2020 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

All of the documents, the patent applications, and the technical standards described in the specification are incorporated by reference herein to the same extent as it is specifically and individually stated that individual documents, patent applications, and technical standards are incorporated by reference.