Patent Application
20140169532
Embodiments of the present invention relate to X-ray CT systems.
Conventionally, X-ray CT systems radiate X-rays generated by an X-ray tube, and transmitted through the subject, and based on detection data, reconstruct images. As the result, X-ray tomographic images are obtained.
In an X-ray CT system, the X-ray tube is provided in the interior of a annular rotating body, whose center is a through-opening, into which a bed with the subject can be inserted. The annular rotating body is circumferentially shielded with a cover, which comprises a tubular case part for shielding the annular rotating body, the cover extending from the central side of the opening. Moreover, the tubular case part is provided with an X-ray transmission opening, where X-rays from the X-ray tube are allowed to pass through.
The X-ray transmission opening is, however, closed with a sheet member for the purpose of ensuring safety. The sheet member prevents the subject from coming into contact with the annular rotating body, and it also protects the interior of the annular rotating body against penetration of blood or contrast agents. Furthermore, the sheet member prevents noise from coming out of the inside of the cover. The noise inside the cover includes a wind noise caused by the annular rotating body rotating rapidly and the sound of the motor driving it.
The sheet member comprises a thin film-like material having a high transmittance for X-rays and a laser beam that is used for marking the subject. The high transmittance is important to minimize deterioration to the quality of images acquired by radiography.
Another type of medical diagnostic apparatus, for example, an MRI system, is provided with a sound absorption material that is applied as a lining to the internal to surface of the cover. The silencing effect of the material reduces the noise leaking out of the machine (Patent reference 1).
However, the simple closing of the X-ray transmission opening with the sheet member or with the sound absorption material, which is mentioned in Patent reference 1, does not sufficiently reduce the noise that leaks out from inside the cover. It has been a problem.
The object of this embodiment is to solve the above-mentioned problem and to provide an X-ray CT system that is capable of sufficiently reducing the noise leaking from inside the cover.
To solve the above-mentioned problem, an X-ray CT system as the embodiment comprises an annular rotating body configured to accommodate an X-ray tube, the rotating body having a central opening, into which a bed can be inserted in the center thereof, a cover shaped in a tubular form and having a tubular case part, which, when fitted in the opening, shields the annular rotating body from a central side of the opening, the cover being provided with an X-ray transmission opening at the tubular case part, through which, X-rays from the X-ray tube are allowed to transmit, and two sheet-like soundproof members configured to sandwich a soundproof layer, the soundproof members being disposed to close the X-ray transmission opening.
An embodiment of this type of X-ray CT system is described with reference to
The X-ray CT system shown in
The annular rotating body 12 and the rotary mechanism 14 are disposed at the inner side of the gantry 11, and the annular rotating body 12 is driven and rotated by the rotary mechanism 14.
The annular rotating body 12 is internally provided with an X-ray tube 17 and an X-ray detector 18. In the center of the gantry 11 and the annular rotating body 12, provided is an opening 15, into which a subject P placed on the top plate 71 of a bed 70 is inserted from the front of the gantry.
The cover 16 is formed so as to shield the gantry 11 and the annular rotating body 12. By the way, the details of the cover 16 are described later.
The X-ray tube 17 and the X-ray detector 18 are disposed facing each other, with the opening 15 being positioned in the middle. X-rays from the X-ray tube 17 are directed to irradiate the subject P, and X-rays that have transmitted through the subject P are detected by the X-ray detector 18 to be converted into electrical signals. The electrical signals are amplified by the data acquisition system (DAS) 19 and are converted into digital data. By the way, the mechanism provided for cooling the X-ray tube 17 (cooling mechanism) will be detailed later.
The X-ray detector 18 comprises, for example, an array of detector elements like a scintillator array or a photodiode array, and the elements are arranged along an arc whose center coincides with the focal point of the X-ray tube 17. Furthermore, the digital data (projection data) from the DAS 19 are transmitted through a data transmitter 20 to the console 21.
The data transmitter 20 is configured to transmit projection data from the annular rotating body 12 to the console 21 in a contact-less manner. The data transmitter 20 comprises a transmitter 201, which is provided on the annular rotating body 12, and a receiver 202, which is provided on the stationary part of the gantry 11, data received by the receiver 202 being supplied to the console 21. By the way, the transmitter 201 is attached on the annular rotating body while the receiver 202 is attached on a annular stationary body.
In addition, the annular rotating body 12, which includes a slip ring 22, is provided with an X-ray controller 24 while the stationary part 23 is provided with a gantry controller 25.
On the other hand, the console 21 comprises a computer system, and projection data transmitted from the data transmitter 20 are supplied to a preprocessor 31. The preprocessor 31 executes preprocessing such as data correction on the projection data and outputs the preprocessed data onto bus lines 32.
Connected to the bus lines 32 are a system controller 33, an input unit 34, a data storage 35, a reconstruction processor 36, a data processor 37, a display unit 38, etc. To the system controller 33 connected is the high voltage generator 39.
The system controller 33 functions as host controller, and it controls the actions of each part of the console 21 and controls the gantry controller 25 and the high voltage generator 39. The data storage 35 stores data like tomographic images, and the reconstruction processor 36 reconstructs 3D image data from projection data. The data processor 37 processes image data stored in the data storage 35 or image data that have been reconstructed. The display unit 38 displays images that have been obtained by image-data processing.
The input unit 34 comprises a key-board, a mouse, etc. and is operated by the user (physician, operator, and others) for setting up various parameters for data processing. In addition, it is used for inputting variety of information regarding the state of the subject P or the procedure for the examination.
The high voltage generator 39 controls the X-ray controller 24 through the slip ring 22 and supplies electrical power to the X-ray tube 17, i.e., the electrical power (tube voltage and tube current) necessary to radiate X-ray. The X-ray tube 17 generates an X-ray beam that spreads toward two directions, the directions being the slicing direction, which is parallel with the axial direction of the subject P, and the channeling direction, which is perpendicular to it. Sometimes, the flare angle in the slicing direction of an X-ray beam is called cone angle while the flare angle in the channeling direction is called fan angle.
The system is provided with a laser projector (not shown), for the purpose of marking (the body surface). The marking is performed by irradiating colored laser beams for the body surface of the subject P from the side and above. As the colored laser beams, for example, red laser and green laser are desirable because they are easily recognized as marking (visibility).
The above description has been about the basic configuration of the X-ray CT system. Now, the details of the cover 16 are described with reference to
Here, the parts of the gantry 11 that correspond, respectively, to the front part, the rear part, both the lateral parts, the upper part, and the lower part of the annular rotating body 12 are sometimes called to, respectively, as front part, rear part, lateral parts, ceiling part, and bottom part. In addition, the right and left directions (both lateral directions), the up and down direction (height direction), and the axial direction (front and rear direction) are sometimes called to, respectively, as X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction. By the way, the rear part of the gantry 11 may be referred to as frame 13.
Furthermore, in
As shown in
The front cover 162 includes a tubular opening front part 162a. The tubular opening front part 162a, which is shaped in a tubular form, is fitted into the opening (central opening) 15 from the front, so as to shield approximately the front half of the opening 15 from the Z-axis direction (axial direction).
The rear cover 163 includes a tubular opening rear part 163a. The tubular opening rear part 163a, which is shaped in a tubular form, is fitted into the opening 15 from the rear, so as to shield approximately the rear half of the opening 15 from the Z-axis direction. The tubular case part is configured with the tubular opening front part 162a and the tubular opening rear part 163a.
At the upper part of the rear cover 163, provided is a vent 163b, and through the vent 163b of the cover 16, heat from a radiator 26 is released outward. The radiator 26 will be described later. The vent 163b is located at the position that corresponds to “12:00” in
It is preferable that the vent 163b is arranged at the upper part of the cover 16, for the purpose of efficiently releasing heat from the radiator 26. The vent 163b may be also provided, for example, through the ceiling cover 164.
The rear cover 163 shields part of a duct 50, which will be described later. In addition, the lateral covers 165 shield other part of the duct 50 and a fan 41, which will be also described later. By the way, the other part of the duct 50 and the fan 41 may be shielded by another part of the cover 16, for example, the ceiling cover 164.
The cooler 40 has a fan 41. The fan 41 is disposed in the vicinity of the radiator 26 and ejects heat from the radiator 26 into the duct 50. The duct 50 is disposed between the gantry 11 and the cover 16, and it receives the air from the fan 41 and leads the air to the vent 163b. The noise coming from inside the cover includes a wind noise caused by the rotating fan 41 and the sound of the motor driving it.
Now, the description concerns a soundproof construction that reduces the noise coming from inside the cover 16.
At first, a soundproof construction as a contrastive example is described with reference to
As shown in
As shown in
Here, the relation between the thickness of the soundproof member 61 and sound transmission loss is explained with reference to
In
The value of sound transmission loss rises as the thickness T of the soundproof member 61 increases, improving acoustic insulation. In addition, the frequency at which a coincidence effect occurs moves to the side of lower tone as the thickness T of the soundproof member 61 increases. The frequency when the thickness T is “t1” is indicated by “f1” in
The above description has been about a soundproof construction that is configured with one soundproof member 61. It should be understood here that there is a difficulty in improving the sound insulation property of the system by applying only one soundproof member 61.
(Soundproof Construction with Soundproof Layer)
Now, the soundproof construction as this embodiment is described with reference to
As shown in
The soundproof member 61 comprises a thin film-like material that has a high sound transmission loss and a high transmittance for X-rays and laser beams used for marking. It is possible to limit deterioration to the quality of images acquired by radiography.
The types of materials for the soundproof member 61 include acoustic absorption material, which has a property of converting part of sound energy into heat energy and reducing sound reflection, and acoustic reflection material, which has a property of reflecting and refracting incident sound.
The examples of acoustic absorption material includes a fibrous member or a sponge-like member that has a lot of small cavities. It is preferable that a porous material such as glass-wool or urethane be used as a leading example of acoustic absorption material.
An example of acoustic reflection member may be configured by enclosing, between two soundproof members, a gas like helium, which has a property of fast acoustic transmission than air.
In this embodiment, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is used for the soundproof member 61. As a PET, it is preferable to choose Mylar (registered trademark).
The resin materials used for the soundproof member 61 are, however, not limited to PET, and they can be any materials that have a high transmittance for X-rays and laser beams and a low resistance to deterioration of X-ray.
It is preferable that the thickness of the soundproof member 61 be 0.5 mm-1.0 mm. By the way, the reason why the lower limit is set at 0.5 mm is that even if the subject P should come into contact with the soundproof member 61, the thickness equal to or more than 0.5 mm can secure the safety of the subject. Furthermore, the reason why the upper limit is set at 1.0 mm is that the thickness equal to or less than 1.0 mm can ensure a good transmittance of X-rays and laser beams for the soundproof member. Conversely, if the thickness is more than 1.0 mm, then the soundproof member absorbs X-rays and laser beams. The X-ray absorption by the soundproof member causes to deteriorate the quality of resultant images, and the laser beam absorption causes to lost the easy recognition of the above-mentioned laser marking.
Now, more details are given of the soundproof member 61 that is made of the above-mentioned material and to the above-mentioned thickness.
The soundproof member 61 may be made of a transparent and colorless film. By the way, the term “film” includes a sheet, here (as well as in the following).
On the other hand, the soundproof member 61 may be made of a colored film that transmits colored laser beams. If the soundproof member 61 is made of a colored film, then the color of the film corresponds to the color of the laser beam to be used. For example, if the laser is red, then a red film is used; if green laser, a green film. If a colored film is used as the soundproof member 61 in such a way, then the laser beam used for marking is transmitted while the other colors of visible light are not. With the system in such a configuration, the subject P in position never sees the interior of the device through the soundproof member 61. Therefore, the subject P will not experience a feeling of strangeness. This can be considered an improvement to the appearance of the system.
The soundproof member 61 is a single member made of a colored film. On the other hand, the soundproof member 61 may be a complex of a colored film and a colorless, transparent film.
The colorless, transparent film is formed from a transparent and colorless resin. The colored film is formed by coloring the transparent and colorless resin.
For the coloration of the resin, coloring agents such as pigments and dyes are used. As pigments, inorganic and organic pigments are used. Dyes are selected and used, in consideration of mutual solubility with the resin. Dyes dissolve and spread in water, solvent, oil, etc. and show hues as results of absorbing particular visible rays. Dyes are suitable for coloration of transparent plastics because the molecules of dyes disperse.
Methods of coloring a resin are mainly in the following two types: 1) a coloring agent is melted and mixed and kneaded with the resin before forming; and 2) after the resin is formed, the formed article is colored with a coloring agent.
As mentioned previously, an air layer as soundproof layer 62 is sandwiched between two soundproof members 61. In this case, the air layer may be formed just by attaching the two soundproof members 61 to each other with pieces of double-stick tape 63 therebetween, the thickness of the tape being 0.5 mm-1.0 mm.
Providing an air layer can improve acoustic insulation. In addition, thickening the air layer lowers the frequency at which a coincidence effect takes place.
As shown in
D≧2T+t (2)
Furthermore, if the length of the double-stick tape 63 is indicated with “W”, the width between both the recessed shelves 166 is indicated with “W0”, and the width of the X-ray transmission opening S1 in the Z-axis direction is indicated with “W1”, then the relations between them are expressed by the following expression (3).
W0≧W>W1 (3)
The stacking up of the two soundproof members 61 enhances the soundproof effect. In addition, the effect achieved with the thickness of the air layer improves the acoustic insulation (sound insulating properties) on in a range of low to middle tones.
The use of the double-stick tape 63 improves the sealability of the air layer, which, in turn, further improves the acoustic insulation.
The thickness of the air layer may be changed by modifying the thickness of the double-stick tape 63. By doing so, the predetermined frequency where a coincidence effect occurs can be lowered. In addition, these two soundproof members 61 may be disposed so as to define a predetermined angle between them. In this case, two double-stick tapes 63 having differing thicknesses may be applied, respectively, one on the rear end 162d of the tubular opening front part 162a and the other on the front end 163d of the tubular opening rear part 163a.
Now, the description concerns a procedure of closing the X-ray transmission opening S1 with the soundproof members 61.
At first, an adhesive is applied to the recessed shelves 166. Then, with the adhesive, one piece of soundproof member 61 is applied to stick onto the recessed shelves 166.
After that, a double-stick tape 63 is applied onto the piece of soundproof member 61 in position. Then, a second piece of soundproof member 61 is stuck on the double-stick tape 63.
By this procedure, the X-ray transmission opening S1 is closed with the soundproof members 61. In addition, by using the double-stick tape 63, the sticking of two pieces of soundproof member 61 is applied easily, improving workability.
By the way, two pieces of soundproof member 61 that have been attached to each other with a double-stick tape 63 may be applied onto the recessed shelves 166. Instead, a double-stick tape 63 may be applied onto the recessed shelves 166 first, and then a first piece of soundproof member 61 may be applied onto the double-stick tape 63.
Now, an elastic member 65 is described with reference to
As shown in
The elastic member 65 is formed in a belt from an elastic material (e.g., plastic rubber). One edge 651 of the elastic member 65 is attached along the lower edge of the bottom cover 161. The other edge 652 of the elastic member 65 is in contact with the floor F, and this edge bends to the inside of the bottom cover 161. In this state, the resilience of the elastic member enables the elastic member to elastically touch the floor F. As a result, the gap S2 is banished.
The elastic member 65 closing the gap S2 reduces the noise coming from inside the cover 16. Furthermore, since the edge of the elastic member 65 is elastically touching the floor F, there is no abnormal noise which may be otherwise generated by vibration during the operation of the system, either.
The above-mentioned other edge 652 of the elastic member 65 is formed to bend to the inside of the bottom cover 161. As a result, the other edge 652 of the elastic member 65 in position hides itself in the bottom cover 161. This is an improvement to the appearance of the system.
Furthermore, the other edge 652 of the elastic member 65 is curved so as to bend to the inside of the bottom cover 161. Moreover, the thickness of the other edge 652 is made thinner for ease of bending than that of the other part including the one edge 651.
By the way, this embodiment may include an acoustic absorption member, which is attached to the internal surface of the cover 16. As an example of acoustic absorption member, a porous material such as rock wool or glass wool is used, the acoustic absorption forming into a high-density plate. It is preferable that a thin film of polyethylene or vinyl be used as an example of porous material.
In addition, in the embodiment, an acoustic reflection member, which has a property of reflecting and refracting incident sound entered into the internal surface of the cover 16.
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-036172 | Feb 2012 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2013/054235 | 2/20/2013 | WO | 00 | 1/28/2014 |
