JP2001340328A - Radiographic system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radiographic system which can property record an X-ray transmitted image as a dynamic image, in response to an imaging objective without performing a strong X-ray radiation. SOLUTION: For a radiographic device, an image inputting device 11, a memory controller 3, and a display device 43 are provided. For the memory controller 3, a memory circuit 31A, a control section 31B, an external memory device 31C and an operation terminal unit 32 are provided. By operating the operation terminal unit 32, imaging conditions such as an imaging period of time are determined. A radiographic images which are imaged by the image inputting device 11 during the imaging period of time are all temporarily stored in the memory circuit 31A, and then, stored in the external memory device 31C, and also, are displayed on the display device 43. The treatment for a contumacious noise removal is performed before the radiographic image is stored in the external memory device 31C, or before the radiographic image is displayed on the display device 43. The frame rate does not change before or after the treatment.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging system, and more particularly to an X-ray imaging system capable of capturing an X-ray transmission image not only as a still image but also as a moving image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an apparatus for capturing an X-ray transmission image of a subject, a strong X-ray is irradiated to a portion to be examined of the subject, and the film is exposed to the transmitted X-ray and recorded. The scheme is well known. In this device, before imaging, X
Positioning is performed to adjust the irradiation position of the line to the imaging region of the subject. Positioning is performed by irradiating the subject with relatively weak X-rays. The image projected on the image intensifier by the weak X-ray irradiation is captured by a television camera and projected on a monitor television.
The operator of the X-ray imaging apparatus observes the X-ray transmission image displayed on the monitor television, and adjusts the X-ray irradiation position so that the irradiation position of the X-ray matches the inspection target part of the subject to be imaged.
Fine-tune the position of the line imaging device. After the positioning is completed, the subject is irradiated with strong X-rays, the film is exposed, and recording is performed. In this apparatus, when recording an X-ray transmission image on a film, the subject must be irradiated with strong X-rays, so that exposure by X-ray irradiation has been a problem.

[0003] In order to solve the problem of exposure due to X-ray irradiation, an X-ray transmission image projected on a monitor television was photographed by a camera instead of being recorded on a film. However, there was a problem that a clear image could not be obtained.

On the other hand, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-32136 discloses that
An apparatus for recording a clear X-ray transmission image as a still image on a predetermined recording medium without irradiating a subject with strong X-rays is described. The apparatus includes a television camera for capturing an X-ray transmission image projected on an image intensifier, an A / D converter for converting data of the captured X-ray transmission image into a digital signal, A memory for temporarily storing the converted digital signal, a monitor television for displaying an X-ray transmission image, and a cathode ray tube for recording the X-ray transmission image on photosensitive paper are provided. The memory is configured so that data corresponding to a still image for one frame can be temporarily secured. An X-ray transmission image fetched from the television camera at any time is stored in the memory for each frame, and the X-ray transmission image is projected on a monitor television one frame at a time based on the image data stored in the memory. Since a plurality of frames are successively projected on the monitor television, the image projected on the monitor television is recognized as a moving image.

In this apparatus, a subject is irradiated with weak X-rays. The intensity of the X-rays is almost the same as the intensity of the X-rays emitted at the time of positioning when imaging a film. The image projected on the image intensifier by the weak X-ray irradiation is captured by a television camera. The operator of the recording device watches the X-ray transmission image of the moving image captured from the television camera at any time and projected on the monitor television,
When the X-ray transmission image to be recorded is displayed on the monitor television, the operator presses the memory button. By this pressing, the X-ray transmission image displayed on the monitor television is recorded on the photosensitive paper. More precisely, one frame of data stored in the memory, which is used to create an X-ray transmission image projected on the monitor television at the moment when the memory button is pressed. Is recorded on the photosensitive paper based on. The image recorded on the photosensitive paper is a still image. In this device,
Since strong X-rays are not emitted to record an X-ray transmission image, exposure to the subject is reduced.

[0006]

However, in the conventional X-ray imaging system, the recorded X-ray transmission image is a still image to the last. For example, it is not suitable for imaging a state in which a contrast agent flows in an artery in a cerebral blood vessel in a short time.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray imaging system capable of appropriately recording an X-ray transmission image as a moving image in accordance with an object to be imaged without performing strong X-ray irradiation. I do.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an imaging device for capturing an X-ray transmission image of a subject, and an imaging device connected to the imaging device and being imaged by the imaging device. A storage device for temporarily storing the X-ray image, an external storage device connected to the storage device, and an X-ray image temporarily stored in the storage device are read, and the X-ray image is An X-ray imaging system comprising: a control unit for storing in an external storage device, the control unit includes an imaging condition setting unit capable of setting an imaging condition including at least an imaging resolution, a frame rate, and an imaging time; The control means includes:
According to an imaging condition set by the imaging condition setting means, an X-ray imaging system is provided which stores an X-ray transmission image of a subject as a still image or a moving image or a combination of a still image and a moving image in an external storage device. I have.

Here, it is preferable that the imaging condition setting means can set different imaging conditions in each section divided on the time axis in a series of one-time imaging.

It is preferable that the upper limit value of the imaging time settable by the imaging condition setting means is calculated according to other imaging conditions and the free space of the storage device.

Further, the control means calculates a remaining capacity of the external storage device, a remaining capacity of the storage device, and a remaining time capable of imaging based on the imaging conditions, and notifies the operator of the remaining time. It is preferable to further have

[0012] Further, the apparatus further comprises noise removing means for generating one X-ray corrected image from which the quantum noise has been removed using a predetermined number of continuous X-ray corrected images stored in the storage device. X from which noise has been removed by the noise removing means
It is preferable that the line image is generated at substantially the same frame rate as the frame rate set by the imaging condition setting means.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An X-ray imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of an external configuration of an X-ray imaging system, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the X-ray imaging system.

As shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray imaging system comprises:
It comprises a camera head 1, a camera controller 2, a memory controller 3, an image monitor 4, and an X-ray device (not shown). The memory controller 3 is connected to the camera controller 2 and the monitor 4 for exclusive use of an image, and is also directly connected to the camera head 1 via a cable passing through the camera controller 2. Memory controller 3
Is roughly composed of a memory controller main body 31 and an operation terminal 32. The X-ray apparatus includes an X-ray generation unit and an image intensifier, and the X-ray generated from the X-ray generation unit passes through an imaging part of a subject and is incident on the image intensifier as an X-ray transmission image. Then, an X-ray transmission image is projected on the image intensifier.

As shown in FIG. 2, the camera head 1 includes a digital output type image input device 11 (hereinafter simply referred to as “image input device 11”) and an IF (interface) circuit connected to the image input device 11. 12. As the image input device 11, for example, 1024
A television camera having the number of pixels of * 1024 is used. The image input device 11 captures an X-ray transmission image projected on an image intensifier (not shown) and converts it into a digital signal. The IF circuit 12 converts a signal converted into a digital signal by the image input device 11 into a transmission data format of a predetermined standard in order to send the signal to a storage circuit 31A described later in the memory controller main body 31. The drive control of the image input device 11 is performed by the camera control unit 2 (FIG. 1) based on a synchronization signal from the memory controller 3.

The memory controller 3 includes a storage circuit 31
A, an operation terminal connected to the storage circuit 31A and an external storage device control unit 31B (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "control unit 31B"), and an external storage device 31C and an operation terminal 32 connected to the control unit 31B. And a storage circuit 31A, a control unit 31B, and an external storage device 31.
C constitutes the memory controller main body 31. The memory controller main body 31 performs drive control of the image input device 11, storage of an X-ray captured image input from the image input device 11, output to the image dedicated monitor 4, and the like.

The storage circuit 3 connected to the IF circuit 12
1A stores the X-ray captured image output from the IF circuit 12 in frame units. The storage circuit 31A has a memory having a capacity capable of temporarily holding 2400 images of 1024 * 1024 pixels in one frame. This 24
The number of images of 00 is the maximum value that can be captured when the setting conditions of the imaging resolution, the number of images to be imaged per second (frame rate), and the imaging time are each maximized. The storage circuit 31A is a volatile one configured by a RAM or the like. The external storage device 31C is, for example, M
O (magneto-optical disk). Storage circuit 3
By setting 1A as a capacity capable of temporarily holding 2400 images of 1024 * 1024 pixels in one frame, the X-ray transmission image is not degraded and the frame is not delayed. An X-ray image can be captured as a still image or a moving image, and the external storage device 31C
Can be stored.

As shown in FIG. 3, the operation terminal 32 is provided with a touch panel 32A including a frame key 32B, a capture interval key 32C, a numerical key 32D, and the like. Frame key 32B and capture interval key 32C
Is for setting imaging conditions such as the number of images per second (frame rate). More specifically, the frame key 32B is used to set the number of frames to be captured in one image capture. Capture interval key 32C
Is for setting a time interval between frames. The numerical keys 32D are used for inputting values when setting imaging conditions.

When the operation terminal 32 is operated by the operator, the storage circuit 31A receives an instruction to output an X-ray image from the control section 31B, and the storage circuit 31A outputs the X-ray image. The output X-ray image is stored in the external storage device 31.
Stored in C. Further, the X-ray captured image stored in the external storage device 31C is output from the external storage device 31C by the operation of the operation terminal 32 by the operator, and is stored in the storage circuit 31A. Also, the storage circuit 31A
With respect to the X-ray captured image stored therein, when the image is a moving image, the image is stored when output from the storage circuit 31A to the image dedicated monitor 4, and when the image is a still image, the image is stored. When output from the circuit 31A to the external storage device 31C, by receiving an instruction from the control unit 31B, a correction process for eliminating quantum noise described below is performed.

The control unit 31B (FIG. 2) stores information for determining whether the X-ray image is a moving image or a still image, information on a frame interval when the X-ray image is a moving image, and the like. It has a control memory (not shown) for storing. This control memory is constituted by a RAM or the like. The control unit 31B stores the X-ray image in the storage circuit 31A.
It has a CPU (not shown) that issues instructions for reading and storing data from the memory and the like, instructions for removing quantum noise, and the like, and a ROM (not shown) that stores a program for executing these instructions in accordance with a predetermined procedure.

The monitor 4 for exclusive use of an image includes an output image holding circuit 41, an IF (interface) circuit 42 connected to the output image holding circuit 41, and a digital input type display device 43 (hereinafter referred to as an interface) connected to the IF circuit 42. , Simply referred to as “display device 43”). Display device 4
As 3, for example, a digital display having 1024 * 1024 pixels is used. The X-ray image as a moving image or a still image is displayed on the display device 43 based on the X-ray image stored in the storage circuit 31 </ b> A in the memory controller main body 31.

The X-ray picked-up image output from the storage circuit 31A is temporarily stored in the output image holding circuit 41 and output to the IF circuit 42. In the IF circuit 42, the signal of the X-ray captured image can be displayed by the display device 43.
The X-ray image is converted.

Next, various settings performed before imaging by the X-ray imaging system will be described. The setting of the number of frames to be imaged in one X-ray imaging is performed by the operator using the frame key 3
2B (FIG. 3). The operator presses the frame key 32B and then presses the numerical key 32D to input a desired number. The maximum value of the number of frames that can be set is 2400, which is the same as the number of images that can be temporarily stored in the storage circuit 31A. On the other hand, the setting of the interval between each frame is performed by pressing the capture interval key 32C. The operator presses the capture interval key 32B and then presses the numerical key 32D to input a desired number. When the imaging time is divided into a plurality of sections on the time axis and the interval between frames is changed for each section, the operator repeatedly sets the interval between frames for each section. The reason for changing the interval between frames is to obtain an appropriate X-ray transmission image according to the imaging target. For example, when an X-ray transmission image of a cerebral blood vessel is to be captured, it is necessary to shorten the frame interval at the moment when the contrast agent passes and to capture a more detailed image. Flows only during the first few seconds of starting imaging. Therefore, if an image is taken in such a manner that the frame interval for the first few seconds is particularly shortened and thereafter the frame interval is lengthened, an appropriate X-ray transmission image of cerebral blood vessels can be obtained.

As an example of changing the interval between each frame during the image pickup time, in one image pickup for continuous 20 seconds, image pickup is performed at 30 images / second for the first 5 seconds and 15 images for the next 5 seconds. The key operation will be described in which imaging is performed at a rate of 10 frames / sec, imaging is performed at 10 frames / sec for the next 5 seconds, and imaging is performed at 1 frame / sec for the last 5 seconds. In this case, a total of 280 images are taken during the imaging time of 20 seconds.
First, the key operation performed by the operator includes a frame key 32B,
The numerical key 32D described as "2", the numerical key 32D described as "8", and the numerical key 32D described as "0" are arranged in this order.
Is set. Next, the capture interval key 32C,
Numeric key 32D described as "S", numerical key 32D described as "3", numerical key 32D described as "0", numerical key 32 described as "S"
D, a numerical key 32D described as "1", a numerical key 32D described as "5", a numerical key 32D described as "S", and a numerical key 3 described as "1"
2D, numeric key 32D labeled "0", "S"
The operation is performed in the order of the numerical key 32D described as “1” and the numerical key 32D described as “1”, and the setting of the capture interval is performed. The set values of the number of captured images and the capture interval are stored in a control memory (not shown) provided in the control unit 31B. In addition, the control unit 31B calculates the remaining time during which the X-ray transmission image can be captured based on the input number of captured images and the capture interval, and displays the calculated remaining time on the touch panel 32A.

Next, the flow of an image between each part in the X-ray imaging system will be described. First, the flow of an image between the input unit constituted by the camera head 1 and the storage circuit 31A will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, the time elapses from left to right, but as the time elapses, the X-ray images are captured one frame at a time by the image input device 11 of the input unit at predetermined intervals. The predetermined interval between the frames is a value set in advance by the operation of the capture interval key 32C by the operator described above. X-ray captured images 1... N taken from the image input device 11
Are stored in the storage circuit 31A one frame at a time.
-Stored as it is as n '. Along with this, the storage circuit 31A receives an instruction on the interval information between frames from the control unit 31B.

Next, from the storage circuit 31A to the external storage device 3
The flow of the image stored in 1C will be described. The X-ray image captured continuously and stored in the storage circuit 31A is stored in the external storage device 3 as a moving image or a still image.
1C. First, a case where the moving image is captured as a moving image will be described with reference to FIG. As in FIG. 4, the time elapses from left to right in FIG. With the passage of time, the X-ray captured images 1... N stored in the storage circuit 31A are changed according to an instruction from the control unit 31B.
Each frame is read out from the storage circuit 31A and stored in the external storage device 31C one frame at a time.
It is stored as n '. Accordingly, the control unit 31B
, The interval information between the frames is added to each X-ray captured image and stored in the external storage device 31C.

Next, before describing a case where an X-ray image is taken as a still image into the external storage device 31C,
The correction processing performed on an image will be described. This correction processing is performed not only in the flow of taking in the external storage device 31C as a still image, but also in the storage circuit 31A described later.
This is also performed in the flow in which an X-ray image as a moving image is output from the to the output unit. By performing the correction process, so-called quantum noise is removed. The correction processing includes three types of processing: addition, averaging, and intermediate value replacement. The operator can select one of these processings by operating the operation terminal 32. Further, the correction process may not be performed.

In the correction process by addition, as shown in FIG. 6, processing is performed using k added X-ray images. Here, k is a natural number. More specifically, the n′-th X-ray corrected image is generated by using k-th X-ray captured images from the (n− (k−1))-th to the n-th. The pixel value of each coordinate (x, y) on the n'th X-ray corrected image is the pixel of the same coordinate (x, y) on the n- (k-1) th to nth X-ray captured images. It is the value obtained by adding the values.

[0029]

[Table 1]

Table 1 shows that the coordinates (x
(1, y1), (x2, y2), and (x3, y3) indicate what pixel values are.
The value of (x1, y1) on the n'th X-ray corrected image is n
− (X) on each of the X-ray captured images from the 4th to the nth
1, y1). Similarly, the pixel values of (x2, y2) and (x3, y3) on the n'th X-ray corrected image are (x2, y2) on the respective n-4th to nth X-ray captured images. ), (X3, y3)
Is the sum of the pixel values. The n′-th X-ray corrected image obtained by performing the correction process by the addition has higher luminance than any of the n−4 to n-th X-ray captured images used for performing the correction process, The noise is smoothed. Note that the number of X-ray imaged images is the added number k.
When the number is smaller than the above, the operator can select not to perform the correction processing by addition. or,
When the number of added images is smaller than k, the operator can select to perform the correction process by addition using only the existing X-ray captured images. For example, when the number of added images is 3, how to deal with the first and second frames of the X-ray correction image becomes a problem.
The first frame of the X-ray corrected image is used as it is
As a frame, a second frame of the X-ray correction image is generated by performing a correction process by addition using the first frame and the second frame of the X-ray captured image. These selections are made by operating the operation terminal 32.

In the averaging correction process, as shown in FIG. 7, the process is performed using k processed X-ray images. More specifically, the n ′-{(k−1) / 2} -th X-ray captured image is obtained by using the k-th X-ray captured images from the (n− (k−1))-th to the n-th. Is generated. The pixel value of each coordinate (x, y) on the X-ray correction image n ′ is n− (k−
It is a value obtained by averaging the pixel values of the same coordinates (x, y) on the 1) to n-th X-ray captured images.

[0032]

[Table 2]

Table 2 shows that the coordinates (x
(1, y1), (x2, y2), and (x3, y3) indicate what pixel values are.
The value of (x1, y1) on the X-ray corrected image n ′ is (x1, y) on each of the (n−4) th to nth X-ray captured images.
It is the average value of the pixel values of 1). X-ray corrected image n '
Similarly, the pixel values of (x2, y2) and (x3, y3) above are (x2, y2), (x3, y3) of the (n−4) th to nth X-ray captured images. It is the average value of the pixel values. The X-ray corrected image n ′ obtained by performing the correction process by averaging has a smoother noise than any of the n-th to n-th X-ray captured images used for performing the correction process. It has become something. Note that n
An X-ray correction image n corresponding to the n-{(k-1) / 2} -th X-ray captured image by using k (X-1) th to n-th X-ray captured images Is generated, a delay of (k-1) / 2 frames occurs, but the time axis itself is not compressed, and the frame rate of the X-ray correction image is Is the same as the frame rate. As in the case of the correction processing by addition, when the number of X-ray captured images is smaller than the number k of processed images, the operator can select not to perform the correction processing by averaging. When the number of processed images is smaller than k, the operator can also select to perform the correction processing by averaging using only the existing X-ray captured images. These selections are made on the operation terminal 3
2 is performed.

In the correction processing by the intermediate value replacement, as shown in FIG. 8, the processing is performed using k processed X-ray images. However, the value of k in this case is required to be an odd number. More specifically, n- (k-
1) The k-th X-ray captured images from the n-th to the n-th are used, so that an X-ray corrected image n ′ corresponding to the n-{(k−1) / 2} -th X-ray captured image is generated. You. X
The pixel value of each coordinate (x, y) on the line corrected image n ′ is n−
When the pixel values of the same coordinates (x, y) on the (k−1) th to nth X-ray captured images are arranged in the order of increasing power,
(K + 1) / 2th value.

[0035]

[Table 3]

Table 3 shows that the coordinates (x1, y1), (x2, y2) and (x3, y3) of the coordinates (x1, y1), (x2, y2) on the X-ray corrected image when the number of processed images k is 5 by the correction processing by the intermediate value replacement. It shows what the pixel value is. The pixel values of (x1, y1) on each of the (n-4) th to nth X-ray captured images are arranged in ascending order. Similarly, pixel values of (x2, y2) and (x3, y3) are also arranged in ascending order. As the value of (x1, y1) on the X-ray correction image n ', the value of (x1, y1) on the (n-2) th X-ray captured image is adopted. Similarly, (x2, y2), (x3
, Y3), the values of (x2, y2) and (x3, y3) on the (n-2) th X-ray captured image are adopted. Since the (k + 1) / 2-th value is a pixel value of a pixel having a high possibility that no noise exists, the X-ray correction image n ′ obtained by performing the correction process by the intermediate value correction
Is an image in which the quantum noise is almost completely eliminated. It should be noted that by using the n- (k−1) th to n-th k X-ray captured images, n − ｛(k−
1) Since an X-ray correction image corresponding to the / 2｝ th X-ray captured image is generated, a delay corresponding to (k-1) / 2 frames occurs, but the time axis itself is not compressed, and The frame rate of the line corrected image is the same as the frame rate when the X-ray captured image is captured.

In the correction processing by the intermediate value correction, the number of processed sheets is required to be an odd number as described above. X
Until the number of line-captured images reaches the required number of processed images, there is an inconvenience that correction processing is impossible and possible states alternately occur. For example, when the number of processed images is five, the time has not sufficiently passed since the start of imaging, and
While the number of captured X-ray captured images is five or less, the number of images stored in the storage circuit 31A increases from one to five. At this time, an odd number of images are stored. Correction processing is possible when the data is captured in the circuit 31A. On the other hand, when an even number of images have been captured, the correction process cannot be performed. Therefore, when the number of sheets required for the correction processing is not stored in the storage circuit 31A, the display is automatically suppressed.

Next, a case where an X-ray image is captured as a still image in the external storage device 31C will be described with reference to FIG. As in FIG. 4, the time elapses from left to right in FIG. As time elapses, the X-ray captured images n-1,..., Stored in the storage circuit 31A
n + 1 is read from the storage circuit 31A frame by frame in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 31B. A predetermined number of read X-ray images are used, and one still image n ′ is generated by any one of addition, averaging, and intermediate value replacement processing, and stored in the external storage device 31C. You.
Accordingly, the frame interval information indicating that the image to be stored is a still image is attached to the image and stored. The process of storing data in the external storage device 31C is performed by an operator's operation, and the X-ray correction image displayed on the display device 43 at the time when the operator performs the operation is stored in the external storage device 31C. Since the image is the same as the X-ray correction image, the secured X-ray correction image identical to the image displayed on the display device 43 is stored in the external storage device 31C.
When the correction process is not performed, the X-ray captured image read from the storage circuit 31A is stored in the external storage device 31C as it is.

Next, a flow in which an image is read from the external storage device 31C and stored in the storage circuit 31A is shown in FIG.
It will be described based on. In FIG. 10, time elapses from left to right, but as time elapses, X-ray captured images 1,.
n is read out frame by frame. The read X-ray image is transferred to the storage circuit 31A as it is and stored in the storage circuit 3A.
1A. The reading, transfer, and storage are performed according to an instruction from the control unit 31B. Also, the control unit 31
B reads out the X-ray image and stores the image in the external storage device 31.
The frame interval information stored in C is read out, and the relationship between the images on the storage circuit 31A based on the frame interval information is stored in a control memory (not shown) in the control unit 31B.

Next, the flow of reading an image from the storage circuit 31A and outputting it to the output unit will be described. The storage circuit 31A stores an X-ray captured image as a moving image or a still image. First, the case where the image is stored as a moving image will be described with reference to FIG. As in FIG. 4, time elapses from left to right in FIG. After receiving an instruction from the control unit 31B, the X-ray captured image 1 stored in the storage circuit 31A with the lapse of time.
.., N + 2 are read out from the storage circuit 31A frame by frame. When the three images required for the correction processing are read out, any one of the image processing of addition, averaging, and intermediate value replacement is performed, and an X-ray correction image is obtained. The obtained X-ray corrected image is output to the output image holding circuit 41 of the output unit.

When the X-ray image is stored in the storage circuit 31A as a still image, as shown in FIG. 12, the still image stored in the storage circuit 31A is stored in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 31B. The X-ray correction image n is stored in the storage circuit 31
A is read out from A and output to the output image holding circuit 41 of the output unit as an X-ray correction image n '. Note that the storage circuit 31A
Is already corrected when it is stored in the external storage device 31C, the correction process is not performed when the still image n is output from the storage circuit 31A to the output unit. The X-ray correction image n and the X-ray correction image n 'are the same.

In the above-described embodiment, the image input device 11 corresponds to an image pickup device, the storage circuit 31A corresponds to a storage device, the operation terminal 32 and the control section 31B correspond to control means, and the operation terminal 32 corresponds to an image pickup device. The touch panel 32A and the later-described control unit 31B correspond to a condition setting unit, and correspond to a timer unit. Also, the storage circuit 31A and the control unit 31B
This corresponds to noise removing means.

The X-ray imaging system according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications and improvements can be made within the scope described in the claims. For example, in the present embodiment, the digital output type image input device 11 is provided in the input unit constituted by the camera head 1, but an analog output type TV camera may be provided instead. In this case, an A / D converter is provided instead of the IF circuit 12. Further, a known input device and IF circuit similar to these may be provided in the input unit.

In the present embodiment, the display unit 43 is provided in the output unit constituted by the monitor 4 for exclusive use of the image.
Instead, a digital input type printing device may be provided.
Further, an analog display or an analog input type printing device may be provided instead of the display device 43. In this case,
A D / A converter is provided instead of the IF circuit 42.

In the present embodiment, the external storage device 31
C is configured by an MO, but may be configured by a CD-R or a hard disk instead of the MO.

[0046]

According to the X-ray imaging system of the present invention, since the desired imaging resolution, frame rate and imaging time can be set by the imaging condition setting means, an appropriate X-ray imaging according to the imaging target can be set. The image can be stored in the external storage device as a still image or a moving image, or a combination of a still image and a moving image.

According to the X-ray imaging system according to the second aspect, since different imaging conditions can be set in each section divided on the time axis, the changing speed of the imaging target is changed during the imaging. Even if it changes, it is possible to appropriately record the X-ray captured image.

According to the X-ray imaging system of the present invention, the upper limit value of the imaging time which can be set by the imaging condition setting means is calculated according to other imaging conditions and the free space of the storage device. The time can be configured to be recognizable by the operator.

According to the X-ray imaging system of the fourth aspect, since the operator can recognize the remaining time during which the image can be captured, the capacity of the external storage device or the storage device can be determined at an important timing when the imaging should be performed. It is possible to prevent the imaging from becoming impossible due to the shortage.

According to the X-ray imaging system of the present invention, the frame rate of the X-ray captured image of the moving image before the quantum noise is removed and the X-ray corrected image of the moving image after the removal of the quantum noise are removed. Since the frame rate is the same, the X-ray corrected image in which the noise has been smoothed can be observed at the same speed as the change speed actually occurring in the body of the subject.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an X-ray imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an X-ray imaging system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an operation terminal of the X-ray imaging system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a flow of an image from an input unit to a storage circuit in the X-ray imaging system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a flow of a moving image from the storage circuit to the external storage device in the X-ray imaging system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a correction process by addition performed in the X-ray imaging system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing correction processing by averaging performed in the X-ray imaging system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing correction processing by intermediate value replacement performed in the X-ray imaging system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a flow of a still image from the storage circuit to the external storage device in the X-ray imaging system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a flow of an image from an external storage device to a storage circuit in the X-ray imaging system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a flow of a moving image from a storage circuit to an output unit in the X-ray imaging system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing a flow of a still image from the storage circuit to the output unit in the X-ray imaging system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Image input device 3 Memory controller 31 Memory controller main body 31A Storage circuit 31B Control part 31C External storage device 32 Operation terminal 32A Touch panel

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshihiko Terui 2-21-2 Yushima, Bunshima-ku, Tokyo Yushima MD Building 4F F-term (reference) 4C093 AA13 CA34 CA37 EA02 EB02 FA13 FF03 FF50 FH04 5B057 AA08 BA03 CA02 CA08 CA12 CA16 CB02 CB08 CB12 CB16 CE02 CE05 CH12 DB02

Claims (5)

[Claims] An imaging device for capturing an X-ray transmission image of a subject, and an X-ray connected to the imaging device and captured by the imaging device
A storage device for temporarily storing the X-ray image, an external storage device connected to the storage device, an X-ray image temporarily stored in the storage device, and reading the X-ray image from the external device. An X-ray imaging system comprising: a control unit configured to store in a storage device, the control unit includes an imaging condition setting unit capable of setting imaging conditions including at least an imaging resolution, a frame rate, and an imaging time. The control means, according to the imaging conditions set by the imaging condition setting means, a X-ray transmission image of the subject, a still image or a moving image,
Alternatively, an X-ray imaging system characterized in that a combination of a still image and a moving image is stored in an external storage device. 2. The imaging condition setting means can set different imaging conditions in each section divided on a time axis in a series of one-time imaging.
An X-ray imaging system according to claim 1. 3. The X-ray imaging system according to claim 1, wherein an upper limit value of an imaging time which can be set by said imaging condition setting means is calculated according to another imaging condition and a free space of said storage device. . 4. The timer means for calculating an available space of the external storage device, an available space of the storage device, and a remaining time capable of imaging based on the imaging conditions, and notifying the operator of the remaining time. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
An X-ray imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. A noise removing unit for generating one X-ray correction image from which a quantum noise has been removed by using a predetermined number of continuous X-ray images stored in the storage device. 5. The X-ray corrected image from which noise has been removed by the noise removing means is generated at a frame rate substantially the same as the frame rate set by the imaging condition setting means. X-ray imaging system.