Abstract:
An X-ray imaging apparatus and a fluoroscopic image display apparatus are provided for displaying postural information of a subject on a fluoroscopic image. The X-ray imaging apparatus detects an X-ray irradiated from an X-ray irradiator and passing through a subject and takes a fluoroscopic image. The X-ray detector includes a visible indicator at a corner of an X-ray incidence plane, a display device that displays a fluoroscopic image based on a detection signal from the X-ray detector together with an orient mark corresponding to the indicator, and a writing device that enables a mark indicating the posture of a subject on the displayed fluoroscopic image.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 200710144185.3 filed Dec. 28, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an X-ray imaging apparatus and a fluoroscopic image display apparatus, and specifically relates to an X-ray imaging apparatus that detects X-rays irradiated from an X-ray irradiator, passed through a subject, and takes a fluoroscopic image, and an apparatus to display that fluoroscopic image. 
         [0003]    An X-ray imaging apparatus irradiates X-rays to a subject from an X-ray irradiator, and detects transmitted X-rays with an X-ray detector to form a fluoroscopic image. The subject faces the X-ray detector between the X-ray irradiator and the X-ray detector in a lying posture. 
         [0004]    There are two postures of the subject facing the X-ray irradiator; a posture in which the belly of the subject faces the X-ray irradiator and that in which the back the subject faces the X-ray irradiator. The fluoroscopic images taken in these different postures are reversed in left-right direction. Therefore, the fluoroscopic image is analyzed to determine the posture, and the result is displayed on the fluoroscopic image (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-243448), as an example). 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In order to determine the posture correctly from a fluoroscopic image, advanced image analytical capability is required. Accordingly, it is not practical to provide such a capability to a middle-end or low-end X-ray imaging apparatus, apart from a high-end X-ray imaging apparatus. 
         [0006]    Therefore, the embodiments described herein provide an X-ray imaging apparatus and a fluoroscopic image display apparatus that allows easy acquisition of postural information on the subject from displayed fluoroscopic images. 
         [0007]    The first aspect of the invention to solve the problem is an X-ray imaging apparatus that detects X-rays irradiated from an X-ray irradiator and passed through a subject to take fluoroscopic images, the X-ray imaging apparatus comprising: the X-ray irradiator; an X-ray detector having an visible indicator at the end of the X-ray incidence plane as the positional standard on the X-ray incidence plane; and a display device that displays fluoroscopic images based on the detection signals from the X-ray detector together with an orient mark corresponding to the position of the indicator described above. 
         [0008]    The second aspect of the invention to solve the problem is an X-ray imaging apparatus described in the first aspect, wherein the X-ray detector has the indicator on either side of the approximately line symmetrical subject, and the display device displays the orient mark on the side corresponding to the indicator for the symmetrical image of the approximately line symmetrical subject. 
         [0009]    The third aspect of the invention to solve the problem is an X-ray imaging apparatus described in the second aspect, wherein the display device displays the orient mark on left or right side of the human subject. 
         [0010]    The fourth aspect of the invention to solve the problem is an X-ray imaging apparatus described in the first or third aspect, further comprising a writing device that enables a mark indicating the direction of the subject to be written on a fluoroscopic image displayed by the display device. 
         [0011]    The fifth aspect of the invention to solve the problem is an X-ray imaging apparatus described in the fourth aspect, wherein the X-ray detector has the indicator on either side of the approximately line symmetrical subject; the display device displays the orient mark on side corresponding to the indicator for the approximately line symmetrical subject; and the writing device enables the mark indicating the direction of the subject to be written on the same side as the orient mark. 
         [0012]    The sixth aspect of the invention to solve the problem is an X-ray imaging apparatus described in the fifth aspect, wherein the display device displays the orient mark on left or right of the human subject, and the writhing device enables a mark indicating whether the direction of the subject is right or left to be written on the same side as the orient mark. 
         [0013]    The seventh aspect of the invention to solve the problem is an X-ray imaging apparatus described in the first aspect, wherein the indicator is an indicator of X-ray permeability. 
         [0014]    The eighth aspect of the invention to solve the problem is an X-ray imaging apparatus described in the first aspect, wherein the display apparatus that enables the fluoroscopic image to be displayed reversely by rotating or flipping the fluoroscopic image. 
         [0015]    The ninth aspect of the invention to solve the problem is an X-ray imaging apparatus described in the eighth aspect, wherein the display apparatus displays the indicator in a constant direction. 
         [0016]    The tenth aspect of the invention to solve the problem is an X-ray imaging apparatus described in the eighth or ninth aspect, wherein the display apparatus displays the orient mark in a constant direction. 
         [0017]    The eleventh aspect of the invention to solve the problem is a fluoroscopic image display apparatus that displays a fluoroscopic image of a subject taken by an X-ray imaging apparatus, comprising a display device that displays the fluoroscopic image together with an orient mark which is provided at the end of the X-ray incidence plane of the X-ray detector used for taking the fluoroscopic image, and which corresponds to the visible position as the positional standard on the X-ray incidence plane. 
         [0018]    The twelfth aspect of the invention to solve the problem is a fluoroscopic image display apparatus described in the eleventh aspect, wherein the display device displays the orient mark on the side corresponding to the indicator for the symmetrical image of the approximately line symmetrical subject. 
         [0019]    The thirteenth aspect of the invention to solve the problem is a fluoroscopic image display apparatus described in the twelfth aspect, wherein the display device displays the orient mark on the left or right of the human subject. 
         [0020]    The fourteenth aspect of the invention to solve the problem is a transmission display apparatus described in the twelfth aspect, wherein the fluoroscopic image display apparatus is equipped with a writing device that enables a mark indicating the direction of the subject on a fluoroscopic image displayed by the display device. 
         [0021]    The fifteenth aspect of the invention to solve the problem is a fluoroscopic image display apparatus described in the fourteenth aspect, wherein the display device displays on the side corresponding to the indicator for the symmetrical image of the approximately line symmetrical subject, and the writing device enables the mark indicating the direction of the subject on the same side as the orient mark. 
         [0022]    The sixteenth aspect of the invention to solve the problem is a fluoroscopic image display apparatus described in the fifteenth aspect, wherein the display device displays the orient mark on the left or right of the human subject, and the writing device enables a mark indicating whether the direction of the subject is right or left to be written on the same side as the orient mark. 
         [0023]    The seventeenth aspect of the invention to solve the problem is a fluoroscopic image display apparatus described in the eleventh aspect, wherein the display device can change the direction of the fluoroscopic image by rotating or reversing the fluoroscopic image. 
         [0024]    The eighteenth aspect of the invention to solve the problem is a fluoroscopic image display apparatus described in the seventeenth aspect, wherein the display apparatus displays the indicator in a constant direction. 
         [0025]    The nineteenth aspect of the invention to solve the problem is a fluoroscopic image display apparatus described in the seventeenth or eighteenth aspect, wherein the display apparatus displays the orient mark in a constant direction. 
         [0026]    According to the invention, the X-ray imaging apparatus and the fluoroscopic image display apparatus is an X-ray imaging apparatus that detects, with an X-ray detector, X-rays irradiated from an X-ray irradiator and passed through a subject, the X-ray imaging apparatus comprising: an X-ray detector with a visible indicator at one end of the X-ray incidence plane; a display device that displays the fluoroscopic image based on the detected signal from the X-ray detector together with an orient mark corresponding to the indicator; and a writing device that enables a mark indicating the posture of a subject on the displayed fluoroscopic image. Therefore, it is possible to easily obtain the postural information of a subject from the displayed fluoroscopic image. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing the configuration of an example of the best mode embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a diagram showing the front of an X-ray detector. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is a diagram showing an example of taking an image. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a photograph showing an example of gradation display of a fluoroscopic image. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a diagram showing an example of taking an image. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a photograph showing an example of gradation display of a fluoroscopic image. 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is a photograph showing an example of gradation display of a fluoroscopic image. 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is a diagram showing an example of taking an image. 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  is a photograph showing an example of gradation display of a fluoroscopic image. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , The apparatus  1  has an X-ray irradiation apparatus  200  and an X-ray detector  400 . The X-ray irradiation apparatus  200  is composed of a column  210  suspended from the ceiling and an X-ray irradiator  220  attached the end of it. The X-ray irradiator  220  is an example of the X-ray irradiator of the present invention. 
         [0037]    The X-ray irradiator  220  is designed to change the irradiation direction by changing its direction. The column  210  supporting the X-ray irradiator  220  is vertically extendable and horizontally movable. 
         [0038]    An X-ray detection apparatus  400  is comprised of a column  410  perpendicular to the floor, a carriage  420  mounted to the column movably up and down, an arm  430  attached to carriage horizontally, and an X-ray detector  440  mounted at the end of the arm  430 . This makes the X-ray detection apparatus  400  a wall-stand type X-ray detection apparatus. 
         [0039]    The X-ray detector  440  is of flat structure and can change its X-ray incidence plane horizontally or vertically according to X-ray incidence direction. The X-ray detector  440  is an example of the X-ray detector of the present invention. 
         [0040]    A detection signal from the X-ray detector  440  is input to an operator console  600 . The operator console  600  reconstructs a fluoroscopic image of the subject based on the input signal from the X-ray detector and then displays on a display  610 . 
         [0041]    The operator console  600  controls the X-ray irradiation apparatus  200  and the X-ray detection apparatus  400  through the operator. The X-ray irradiation apparatus  200  controls not only the horizontal or vertical position and X-ray irradiation direction but also the intensity and irradiation timing of X-rays. The X-ray detection apparatus  400  controls the height of the X-ray detector  440  according to the X-ray irradiator  220  and also controls the direction of the X-ray incidence plane horizontally or vertically according to the X-ray incidence direction. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the X-ray detector. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the X-ray detector  440  has an X-ray incidence plane  442 . The X-ray incidence plane  442  is a square plane coated with X-ray permeable protection film. An indicator  444  is printed at the upper right corner of the protection film. The indicator  444  is printed with X-ray permeable ink or paint. 
         [0043]    Location of the indicator  444  is not limited but may be located at any corner (upper left, lower right, or lower left) of the X-ray incidence plane. This prevent the subject from being blocked when taking an image and thus the operator can view the image easily. The following description is in the case where the indicator is located at upper right corner, but the same is true for other locations. 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  shows an example of taking an image. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a subject  100  in this embodiment is a human body which is standing with the venter facing the X-ray detector  440  and an X-ray is irradiated from its back. Here, an approximately line symmetrical fluoroscopic image about the body axis is taken. The X-ray irradiator  220  is not shown. 
         [0045]    As a result of this, a fluoroscopic image as shown in  FIG. 4  is displayed on a display  610 , for example. The display  610  is an example of the display device of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , a fluoroscopic image of the approximately horizontally symmetrical pelvis is displayed on the display  610 . Also, an orient mark  444 ′ is displayed at the upper right corner of the display screen. The orient mark  444 ′ corresponds to the indicator  444  on the X-ray incidence plane  442 . 
         [0046]    The orient mark  444 ′ is generated by the operator console  600  and overlaid on the fluoroscopic image. Since location of the indicator  444  on the X-ray incidence plane  442  is predetermined, for example, at upper right corner and the operator console  600  displays the orient mark at the upper right corner of the screen accordingly. 
         [0047]    On the right side of such a fluoroscopic image, a postural mark (a mark indicating the direction of the subject)  446  is written by the operator. Writing of the postural mark  446  is performed through a writing section  620  included in the operator console  600 . The fluoroscopic image display apparatus  2  of the present invention includes the display  610  and the writing section  620 . 
         [0048]    The postural mark  446  in this case is “R”. “R” device “right”. Since an image is taken by irradiating an X-ray from the back, it is evident that the side where the orient mark  444 ′ is displayed is right. Therefore, the operator writes “R” on the orient mark  444 ′ side. 
         [0049]    Because of this writing, the left and right of the fluoroscopic image can be distinguished. The fluoroscopic image is stored with “R” written. This makes it possible to interpret a radiogram with left and right shown clearly at the time of later interpretation. 
         [0050]      FIG. 5  shows another example of taking an image. As shown in  FIG. 5 , a subject  100  is standing with the back facing the X-ray detector  440  and an X-ray is irradiated from the belly side. The X-ray irradiator  220  is not shown. 
         [0051]    As a result, a fluoroscopic image as shown in  FIG. 6  is displayed on the display  610 , for example. The display  610  is an example of the display device of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a fluoroscopic image of the pelvis is displayed on the display  610 . Also, the orient mark  444 ′ is displayed at the upper right corner of the screen. The orient mark  444 ′ corresponds to the indicator  444  on the X-ray incidence plane  442 . 
         [0052]    The orient mark  444 ′ is generated by the operator console and overlaid on the fluoroscopic image. Since location of the indicator  444  on the X-ray incidence plane  442  is predetermined, for example, at the upper right corner, the operator console  600  displays the orient mark  444 ′ at the upper right corner of the screen accordingly. 
         [0053]    On the right side of such a fluoroscopic image, the postural mark  446  is written. Writing of the postural mark  446  is performed through the operator console  600 . The operator console  600  is an example of the writing device of the present invention. 
         [0054]    The postural mark  446  in this case is “L”. “L” device “left”. Since an image is taken by irradiating an X-ray from the belly side, it is evident that the side where the orient mark  444  is displayed is left. Therefore, the operator writes “L” on the orient mark  444 ′ side. 
         [0055]    As a result of this writing, the left and right of a fluoroscopic image can be distinguished. The fluoroscopic image is stored with a mark “L” written. This makes it possible to interpret a radiogram with left and right clearly shown at the time of later interpretation. 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , when a fluoroscopic image taken by irradiating an X-ray from the front is displayed reversely, i.e. an image taken from the back is displayed, an image with the orient mark  444 ′ displayed at the upper left corner is obtained. Even in such a case, it is evident that the side where the orient mark  444 ′ is displayed is left, and therefore the operator writes “L” on the orient mark  444 ′ side. In contrast, when a fluoroscopic image taken by irradiating an X-ray from the back is displayed reversely, the operator writes “R” on the orient mark  444 ′ side. 
         [0057]      FIG. 8  shows still another example of taking a fluoroscopic image. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the subject  100  is lying with the back facing the X-ray detector  440  and the head facing upward, and an X-ray is irradiated from the belly side. The X-ray irradiator is not shown. 
         [0058]    As a result, a fluoroscopic image as shown in  FIG. 9  is displayed on the display  610 , for example. The display  610  is an example of the display device of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 9 , a fluoroscopic image of the pelvis is displayed on the display  610 . Also, the orient mark  444 ′ is displayed at the upper right corner of the screen. The orient mark  444 ′ corresponds to the indicator  444  on the X-ray incidence plane  442 . 
         [0059]    The orient mark  444 ′ is generated by the operator console  600  and overlaid on the fluoroscopic image. Since the location of the indicator  444  on the X-ray incidence plane  442  is predetermined, for example, at the upper right corner, the operator console  600  displays the orient mark  444 ′ at the upper right corner of the screen. 
         [0060]    On the top of such a fluoroscopic image, the operator writes the postural mark (a mark indicating the direction of the subject)  446 . Writing of the postural mark  446  is performed through the operator console  600 . The operator console  600  is an example of the writing device of the present invention. 
         [0061]    The postural mark  446  in this case is “L”. “L” device “left”. Since the subject is lying and an X-ray is irradiated from the belly side with the back facing the X-ray detector and the head facing upward, it is evident that the side where the orient mark  444 ′ is displayed is left. Therefore, the operator writes “L” on the orient mark  444 ′ side. The same is true in the case where the subject is lying and X-ray is irradiated with the belly side facing the X-ray detector  440  and the head downward. 
         [0062]    This clarifies the left and right of a fluoroscopic image. The fluoroscopic image is stored with “L” written. Therefore, it is possible to interpret a radiogram with left and right clarified at the time of later interpretation. 
         [0063]    When an X-ray is irradiated when the subject is lying and with the belly side of a subject facing the X-ray detector  440  and the head facing upward, it is evident the side where the orient mark  444 ′ is displayed is right. In this case, “R” is written as the postural mark. The same is true in the case where an X-ray is irradiated from the belly side when the subject is lying and with the back of the subject facing the X-ray detector  440  and the head facing downward.