X-ray apparatus and method

• US 6,457,858 B1
• Filed: 04/07/2000
• Issued: 10/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
• Original Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
• Inventors: Masuo, Katsuhiro, Nakamura, Kouji, Araki, Tatsuya, Katoh, Mikihiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Robert H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KAO, CHIH CHENG G
• Application Number:
  US09/545,414
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 378/193, 378/196, 378/197, 378/195
• US Class Current: 378/196
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/467 characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/481 involving the use of contrast agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/504 for diagnosis of blood vessels, e.g. by angiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/548 Remote control of the apparatus or devices

Abstract

During X-ray irradiation, a lever is operated to simultaneously move an imaging part and table in opposite directions from each other. A contrast medium'"'"'s flow in an artery may be followed so that it is shown on a monitor. Relative speed of the table to X-ray imaging part can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of inclination of the lever.

Claims

1. An apparatus for X-ray fluoroscopy comprising:

an imaging part operative to perform imaging and including an X-ray tube and an image intensifier, said tube being opposed to said intensifier;

a table on which a person may lie for examination;

a driver for moving said imaging part and said table;

a user interface adapted for receiving instructions of direction and speed of said imaging part and table from an operator;

a controller which controls said driver to move said imaging part and to move said table simultaneously and in opposite directions relative to each other according to the instructions received by said user interface wherein, simultaneous movement of said imaging part and the table occurs while the imaging part performs imaging, wherein said user interface includes a lever for generating signals of a motion direction and a motion speed of said imaging part and said table, said signal of said motion direction corresponding to an inclination direction of said lever and said signal of a motion speed corresponding to an inclination amount of said lever.

2. An apparatus for X-ray fluoroscopy according to claim 1, further comprising:

a monitor displaying an X-ray image in accordance with an output from said imaging part.

3. An apparatus for X-ray fluoroscopy according to claim 1, wherein the inclination direction of said lever corresponds to motion direction of said imaging part or table, and said controller controls said driver to move said imaging part or table in the direction of the inclination direction of said lever.

4. An apparatus for X-ray fluoroscopy according to claim 1, wherein said controller controls said driver to increase the speed of said imaging part and said table as the inclination amount of said lever increases.

5. An apparatus for X-ray fluoroscopy according to claim 1, wherein a lever is attached to said imaging part.

6. An apparatus for X-ray fluoroscopy according to claim 1, wherein said driver includes a first motor to drive said imaging part and a second motor to drive said table.

7. A method of angiography comprising the steps of:

placing an imaging part operative to perform imaging and including an X-ray table and an image intensifier at a target point of a subject person for starting angiography;

irradiating X-rays with said X-ray table;

injecting a contrast medium into the person;

moving the imaging part and moving a table on which the subject person lies simultaneously and in opposite directions relative to each other;

performing imaging while simultaneous movement of the imaging part and the table is occurring; and

adjusting motion direction and speed of said imaging part and said table with a user interface having a lever, the lever operative for generating signals of a motion direction and a motion speed of said imaging part and said table, said signal of said motion direction corresponding to an inclination direction of said lever and said signal of a motion speed corresponding to an inclination amount of said lever.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

watching a display of the X-ray image; and

operating the user interface so that the imaging part follows the control medium.

9. An angiography of legs comprising steps of:

placing an imaging part operative to perform imaging and including an X-ray tube and an image intensifier at a target part of legs of a subject person for examination for starting angiography;

irradiating X-rays with said X-ray tube;

injecting contrast medium into the artery of the abdomen of the person;

moving the imaging part and moving a table on which the subject person lies simultaneously and in opposite directions relative to each other;

performing imaging while simultaneous movement of the imaging part and the table is occurring; and

adjusting motion direction and speed of said imaging part and said table with a user interface having a lever, the lever operative for generating signals of a motion direction and a motion speed of said imaging part and said table, said signal of said motion direction corresponding to an inclination direction of said lever and said signal of a motion speed corresponding to an inclination amount of said lever.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

watching a display of the X-ray image; and

operating the user interface so that the imaging part follows the control medium.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

stopping the irradiating of X-rays and movement of said imaging part and said table when the imaging part reaches the toe of said person.

12. An apparatus comprising:

imaging means for obtaining an X-ray image of a subject;

a table on which the subject may be placed;

driving means for driving the imaging means and the table;

a user interface adapted for receiving instructions of direction and speed of said imaging means and table from an operator; and

control means for controlling the driving means to move said imaging means and to move said table simultaneously and in opposite directions relative to each other in response to the instructions received by said user interface, wherein simultaneous movement of said imaging means and the table occurs while the imaging means obtains an X-ray image of the subject, wherein said user interface includes a lever for generating signals of a motion direction and a motion speed of said imaging means and said table, said signal of said motion direction corresponding to an inclination direction of said lever and said signal of a motion speed corresponding to an inclination amount of said lever.