X-ray irradiation system

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of improving convenience of an X-ray irradiation system.SOLUTION: An X-ray irradiation system comprises an X-ray generator, a first collimator for regulating an X-ray from the X-ray generator to form an X-ray beam, a housing body for housing the X-ray generator and the first collimator, and a display unit for displaying information. To the housing body, a removable member including a second collimator for regulating the X-ray beam to be radiated from the housing body is detachably attachable. The display unit displays X-ray dose information corresponding to attachment of the removable member to the housing body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an X-ray irradiation system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technique related to an X-ray imaging apparatus.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an X-ray irradiation system that generates X-rays and irradiates an object, an improvement in convenience is desired.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique capable of improving the convenience of an X-ray irradiation system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the X-ray irradiation system includes an X-ray generator, a first collimator that regulates X-rays from the X-ray generator to form an X-ray beam, a housing that houses the X-ray generator and the first collimator, and a display unit that displays information. The housing has a detachable member having a second collimator that regulates the X-ray beam emitted from the housing, and the display unit displays X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the detachable member to the housing.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] In one aspect of the X-ray irradiation system, since the display unit displays X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the detachable member to the container, the user can easily confirm the X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the detachable member to the container. Therefore, the convenience of the X-ray irradiation system is improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the X-ray irradiation system 1. The X-ray irradiation system 1 is used, for example, in intraoral X-ray photography for photographing the inside of the oral cavity. In intraoral X-ray photography, the X-ray detector 10 is disposed inside the oral cavity of the subject 100 such as a patient. The subject 100 can also be referred to as the subject person 100, for example. The X-ray detector 10 may be, for example, an X-ray film, a CCD sensor, a CMOS sensor, or an imaging plate. CCD is an abbreviation for Charge Coupled Device, and CMOS is an abbreviation for Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor. The X-ray irradiation system 1 irradiates an X-ray beam from the X-ray generator 2 to the X-ray detector 10 inside the oral cavity of the subject 100. Thereby, the living tissue between the X-ray detector 10 and the X-ray generator 2 in the subject 100, for example, teeth, is photographed. Here, when the X-ray detector 10 is set inside the oral cavity of the subject 100 and X-ray irradiation is performed from the X-ray generator 2 to the X-ray detector 10 to perform intraoral dental X-ray photography, the living tissue between the X-ray detector 10 and the X-ray generator 2 is referred to as the intraoral photography target tissue.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray irradiation system 1 includes, for example, an X-ray generator 2 that generates and emits an X-ray beam, and a control device 3 that controls the X-ray generator 2. Further, the X-ray irradiation system 1 includes, for example, a base 4 placed on the floor surface, a seat 5 on which the subject 100 sits, a column 6, an arm 7, a support portion 8 that supports the X-ray generator 2, and a headrest 9 that supports the head of the subject 100. The X-ray generator 2 is also called an X-ray head, for example.

[0011] The seat 5 is arranged on the base 4. The height of the seat 5 is adjustable. The column 6 extends upward from the base 4. The arm 7 extends from the upper end of the column 6 and is rotatably connected to the upper end. The arm 7 has, for example, a plurality of rotation axes. The support portion 8 is rotatably connected to the tip of the arm 7. The X-ray generator 2 is rotatably supported by the support portion 8. The position and posture of the X-ray generator 2 can be adjusted by the arm 7 and the support portion 8. The headrest 9 is fixed to the seat 5 side of the column 6. The control device 3 is fixed to the column 6.

[0012] In the X-ray irradiation system 1 having the above configuration, the position and posture of the X-ray generator 2 are adjusted by the arm 7 and the support portion 8 so that the X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray generator 2 irradiates the X-ray detector 10 in the oral cavity of the subject 100. The X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray generator 2 irradiates the X-ray detector 10, and the intraoral imaging target tissue of the subject 100 is imaged. An image of the intraoral imaging target tissue is recorded on the X-ray detector 10. When the X-ray irradiation system 1 is used for dental intraoral X-ray imaging with the teeth of the subject 100 as the imaging site (also referred to as the imaging target), images of the teeth and alveolar bone of the subject 100 are recorded on the X-ray detector 10. The X-ray irradiation system 1 can also be called an X-ray generation system 1, for example. Note that the X-ray irradiation system 1 may be used other than for intraoral X-ray imaging.

[0013] <Configuration Example of X-ray Generator> FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the X-ray generating apparatus 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the X-ray generating apparatus 2 includes, for example, an X-ray generating section 20, a collimator 21, and a housing 22 that houses the X-ray generating section 20 and the collimator 21. The housing 22 is also called a housing or a case, for example. In FIG. 2, only the outer shape of the housing 22 is shown with respect to its shape so that the inside of the housing 22 can be understood.

[0014] The X-ray generating section 20 generates and emits X-rays 400. The X-ray generating section 20 includes, for example, an X-ray generator 200 and a housing 203 that houses the X-ray generator 200. The housing 203 is also called a housing or a case, for example. In FIG. 2, only the outer shape of the housing 203 is shown with respect to its shape so that the inside of the housing 203 can be understood.

[0015] The X-ray generator 200 includes, for example, an X-ray tube 201 and a drive circuit 202 that drives the X-ray tube 201. The drive circuit 202 generates a high voltage and outputs it to the X-ray tube 201. The drive circuit 202 includes, for example, a transformer circuit. The X-ray tube 201 generates and emits X-rays 400 based on the high voltage output from the drive circuit 202. The X-rays 400 emitted from the focal point 201a of the X-ray tube 201 are emitted outside the housing 203.

[0016] The collimator 21 regulates the X-rays 400 emitted from the X-ray generating section 20 to form an X-ray beam 410. The X-ray beam 410 formed by the collimator 21 is emitted from the tip 221 of the housing 22 and irradiates the X-ray detector 10 in the oral cavity of the subject 100.

[0017] The collimator 21 includes, for example, a primary collimator 211 and a secondary collimator 212. The primary collimator 211 is arranged, for example, in the vicinity of the emission end of the X-ray 400 at the X-ray generation unit 20. The primary collimator 211 regulates the X-ray 400 emitted from the X-ray generation unit 20 to form an X-ray beam 410. The primary collimator 211 is, for example, a plate-like member. An opening 211a penetrating in the thickness direction of the primary collimator 211 is provided at the central portion of the primary collimator 211. In FIG. 2, the cross-sectional shape of the primary collimator 211 is shown. The portion of the X-ray 400 passing through the opening 211a becomes the X-ray beam 410. The shape of the X-ray beam 410 formed by the primary collimator 211 is a shape corresponding to the shape of the opening 211a. The opening 211a is, for example, columnar. The X-ray beam 410 is, for example, a beam that spreads in a frustum of a cone shape. The cross-sectional shape of the X-ray beam 410 (specifically, the shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the center line of the X-ray beam 410) is, for example, circular. The X-ray beam 410 is also called an X-ray cone beam, for example.

[0018] The secondary collimator 212 is provided downstream of the primary collimator 211. Considering the propagation of X-rays as the flow of light and assuming that X-rays travel from upstream to downstream, the primary collimator 211 is provided upstream of the secondary collimator 212, and the secondary collimator 212 is provided downstream of the primary collimator 211. The secondary collimator 212 restricts the spread of the X-ray beam 410 formed by the primary collimator 211. The secondary collimator 212 is, for example, a plate-shaped member. An opening 212a penetrating in the thickness direction of the secondary collimator 212 is provided at the central portion of the secondary collimator 212. In FIG. 2, the cross-sectional shape of the secondary collimator 212 is shown. When the X-ray beam 410 formed by the primary collimator 211 passes through the opening 212a, the spread of the X-ray beam 410 is restricted. The X-ray beam 410 after being restricted by the primary collimator 211 is represented as the X-ray beam 410L1. The X-ray beam 410 whose spread is restricted by the secondary collimator 212 is emitted from the tip 221 of the housing 22 and irradiates the X-ray detector 10 in the oral cavity of the subject 100. The X-ray beam 410 after being restricted by the secondary collimator 212 is represented as the X-ray beam 410L2. At this time, the X-ray beam 410 after being restricted by the primary collimator 211 and before being restricted by the secondary collimator 212 may be considered as the X-ray beam 410L1. Note that the X-ray beam 410 after being restricted by the secondary collimator 212 is not the X-ray beam 410L1 but the X-ray beam 410L2. The opening 212a is, for example, cylindrical, similar to the opening 211a. The X-ray beam 410 whose spread is restricted by the secondary collimator 212 is also a beam that spreads, for example, in a frustum-of-a-cone shape.

[0019] The tip 220 of the housing 22 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of how the X-ray generating apparatus 2 looks when viewed from the tip 220 side. The tip 220 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. The secondary collimator 212 is disposed, for example, within the tip 220. The X-ray beam 410 generated within the housing 22 is emitted to the outside of the housing 22 through the circular opening 221a at the tip 221 of the housing 22 (in other words, the tip 221 of the tip portion 220). The tip 220 can also be referred to as an irradiation cylinder 220, for example. As an example of how to view which range of the housing 22 is the tip 220, for example, among the housing 22, the portion that narrows in accordance with the collimation on the X-ray emission side is called the narrow portion 22F, which is the base of X-ray generation, and the portion wider than the narrow portion 22F is called the X-ray generation base 22B. Then, the narrow portion 22F can be considered as the tip 220.

[0020] The shape of the irradiation field of the X-ray beam 410 (also referred to as the X-ray irradiation field) is, for example, circular. The diameter of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip 221 of the housing 22 is, for example, 6 cm. The diameter of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip 221 is not limited to this.

[0021] Note that the arrangement locations of the primary collimator 211 and the secondary collimator 212 are not limited to the above example. For example, the primary collimator 211 may be housed in the housing 203 of the X-ray generation unit 20. In this case, the primary collimator 211 may be fixed to the X-ray tube 201, for example.

[0022] In the above example, the collimator 21 is composed of two collimators, but it may be composed of three or more collimators. Also, the collimator 21 may be composed of one collimator.

[0023] <Configuration Example of Control Device> FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an example of the configuration of the control device 3. The control device 3 is, for example, a computer device. As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 3 includes, for example, a control unit 30, a storage unit 31, a display unit 32, an input unit 33, and an interface 34. If focusing on the circuit, the control device 3 can also be referred to as a control circuit, for example.

[0024] The control unit 30 can comprehensively manage the operation of the control device 3 by controlling other components of the control device 3. The control unit 30 can also be said to be a main control circuit, for example. The control unit 30 includes at least one processor, for example. The at least one processor included in the control unit 30 may include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), or may include a processor other than the CPU. The control unit 30 can control the X-ray generator 2 through the interface 34. The interface 34 can also be said to be an interface circuit, for example.

[0025] The storage unit 31 includes a non-transitory recording medium readable by the control unit 30, such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), for example. The storage unit 31 can also be said to be a storage circuit, for example. A program 310 for controlling the control device 3 is stored in the storage unit 31, for example. Various functions of the control unit 30 are realized, for example, when at least one processor of the control unit 30 executes the program 310 in the storage unit 31. In the control unit 30, various functions described below are realized when at least one processor executes the program 310 in the storage unit 31.

[0026] The configuration of the control unit 30 is not limited to the above example. For example, all functions of the control unit 30 or some functions of the control unit 30 may be realized by a hardware circuit that does not require software to realize the function. Further, the storage unit 31 may include a non-transitory recording medium readable by a computer other than a ROM and a RAM. The storage unit 31 may include, for example, a small hard disk drive and an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0027] The input unit 33 can receive various inputs from the user. The input unit 33 includes, for example, a touch sensor that receives the user's touch operation. The control unit 30 can recognize the content of the user input received by the input unit 33 based on the output signal output from the input unit 33.

[0028] The display unit 32 can display various information such as characters, graphics, and images under the control of the control unit 30. The display unit 32 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (electro - luminescence) display, or a plasma display. In this example, the touch sensor included in the input unit 33 and the display unit 32 constitute a touch panel display having a display function and a touch detection function. The input unit 33 can detect a touch operation on the display surface included in the display unit 32. The input unit 33 and the display unit 32 constitute a user interface, for example. The user can perform a predetermined input to the input unit 33 by operating, for example, a software button displayed on the display unit 32. Hereinafter, simply referring to the display surface means the display surface included in the display unit 32.

[0029] Note that the configuration of the input unit 33 is not limited to the above example. For example, the input unit 33 may include at least one hardware button. Also, the input unit 33 may include a mouse and a keyboard. Further, the input unit 33 may include a microphone that receives the user's voice input.

[0030] In the control unit 30, at least one processor executes the program 310 in the storage unit 31, whereby, as functional blocks, for example, an X - ray generation control unit 300, a display control unit 301, an X - ray dose acquisition unit 302, a condition setting unit 303, and a detachable identification unit 304 are formed.

[0031] The X-ray generation control unit 300 controls the X-ray generator 200. The display control unit 301 controls the display unit 32. The X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 acquires X-ray dose information indicating the X-ray dose of the X-ray beam 410. The condition setting unit 303 sets the X-ray irradiation conditions (also simply referred to as irradiation conditions) of the X-ray generating apparatus 2. The attachment / detachment specifying unit 304 specifies the attachment / detachment of the attachment / detachment member 500 to / from the X-ray generating apparatus 2, which will be described later.

[0032] Note that some or all of the functions of the X-ray generation control unit 300 may be realized by a hardware circuit that does not require software for realizing the functions. The same applies to the display control unit 301, the X-ray dose acquisition unit 302, the condition setting unit 303, and the attachment / detachment specifying unit 304.

[0033] The X-ray generation control unit 300 can control, for example, the drive circuit 202 of the X-ray generation unit 20 through the interface 34. The X-ray generation control unit 300 outputs a control signal for controlling the drive circuit 202 to the drive circuit 202 through the interface 34.

[0034] The X-ray generation control unit 300 controls the drive circuit 202 based on the set values of the irradiation conditions set by the condition setting unit 303. The irradiation conditions include, for example, tube voltage, tube current, and irradiation time. The tube voltage is the voltage that the drive circuit 202 applies to the X-ray tube 201. The tube current is the current that the drive circuit 202 supplies to the X-ray tube 201. The tube current can also be said to be the drive current of the X-ray tube 201. The irradiation time is the time during which the X-ray tube 201 emits X-rays 400 (in other words, the time during which the X-ray tube 201 emits X-rays 400). The irradiation time can also be said to be the time during which the X-ray generating apparatus 2 emits the X-ray beam 410. Further, the irradiation time can also be said to be the time during which the subject 100 is irradiated with the X-ray beam 410. Further, the irradiation time can also be said to be the imaging time of intraoral X-ray imaging using the X-ray generating apparatus 2 and the X-ray detector 10. The X-ray generation control unit 300 controls the drive circuit 202 so that each of the tube voltage, tube current, and irradiation time becomes a set value. The irradiation conditions can also be said to be, for example, X-ray imaging conditions.

[0035] <Detachable Member Attachable to and Detachable from a Receptacle> For the receptacle 22 of the X-ray generator 2, for example, a plurality of types of detachable members 500 having collimators are detachable. The plurality of types of detachable members 500 include, for example, a detachable member 600 and a detachable member 700. Each of the detachable member 600 and the detachable member 700 is detachable from, for example, the tip 220 of the receptacle 22. Hereinafter, simply referring to the attachment of the detachable member 500 means the attachment of the detachable member 500 to the receptacle 22.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of a state in which the detachable member 600 is attached to the receptacle 22 of the X-ray generator 2 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of a state of the detachable member 600 attached to the receptacle 22 as viewed from the tip side of the detachable member 600. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an external appearance of an example of the detachable member 600.

[0037] The detachable member 600 includes, for example, a collimator 610 and a cylindrical portion 620 that houses the collimator 610. The collimator 21 may be considered as the first collimator 1STC, and the collimator 610 may be considered as the second collimator 2NDC. The collimator 610 and the cylindrical portion 620 may be integrally formed. In this case, it can be considered that the collimator 610 forms the cylindrical portion 620, and it can also be considered that the cylindrical portion 620 forms the collimator 610.

[0038] The cylindrical portion 620 is, for example, cylindrical. The cylindrical portion 620 is detachable from the tip 220 of the receptacle 22. The length of the cylindrical portion 620 is, for example, larger than the length of the cylindrical tip 220. Regarding the length of the cylindrical portion 620, the protruding distance 620D from the tip 221 may be considered as the length of the cylindrical portion 620. The cylindrical portion 620 constitutes the exterior of the detachable member 600. The cylindrical portion 620 can also be referred to as, for example, a receptacle, a housing, or a case. In FIG. 5, only the outer shape of the cylindrical portion 620 is shown so that the internal state of the cylindrical portion 620 can be understood.

[0039] The collimator 610 is composed of, for example, a single plate-shaped collimator. The collimator 610 restricts the spread of the X-ray beam 410 emitted from the tip 221 of the X-ray generator 2. An opening 610a that penetrates in the thickness direction of the collimator 610 is provided at the central portion of the collimator 610. In FIG. 5, the cross-sectional shape of the collimator 610 is shown. When the X-ray beam 410 emitted from the X-ray generator 2 passes through the opening 610a, the spread of the X-ray beam 410 is restricted.

[0040] The opening 610a is, for example, cylindrical, similar to the openings 211a and 212a. The X-ray beam 410 restricted by the collimator 610 is a beam that spreads, for example, in the shape of a frustum of a cone. The shape of the opening 610a may be formed as a rectangular parallelepiped. In this case, the beam spreads in the shape of a frustum of a square pyramid. The X-ray beam 410 restricted by the collimator 610 is emitted to the outside from the circular opening 621a at the tip 621 of the cylindrical portion 620 (in other words, the tip 621 of the detachable member 600) and irradiates the X-ray detector 10 in the oral cavity of the subject 100.

[0041] The shape of the irradiation field of the X-ray beam 410 restricted by the collimator 610 is, for example, circular. The diameter of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip 621 of the detachable member 600 is, for example, the same as the diameter of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip 221 of the X-ray generator 2. The diameter of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip 621 of the detachable member 600 is, for example, 6 cm.

[0042] Note that the arrangement position of the collimator 610 of the detachable member 600 is not limited to the example in FIG. 5. Also, the collimator 610 may include a plurality of collimators.

[0043] The attaching / detaching means of the attaching / detaching member 600 to the container 22 may be any means. In this example, for instance, the rear end portion 625 (see FIG. 7) of the cylindrical portion 620 of the attaching / detaching member 600 is configured to be insertable into the front end portion 220 from the opening 221a of the front end 221 of the container 22. Also, for example, an O-ring 630 made of an elastic material such as rubber is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion 625 of the cylindrical portion 620. And when the rear end portion 625 of the cylindrical portion 620 is inserted into the front end portion 220 of the container 22, the O-ring 630 is elastically deformed. Thereby, due to the elastic force of the O-ring 630, the attaching / detaching member 600 is attached to and fixed to the container 22. The user can remove the cylindrical portion 620 from the container 22, for example, by pulling the cylindrical portion 620 toward the tip 621 side. In FIG. 5, the description of the rear end portion 625 of the cylindrical portion 620 and the O-ring 630 is omitted.

[0044] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an example of a state in which the attaching / detaching member 700 is attached to the container 22 of the X-ray generating apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an example of a state of the attaching / detaching member 700 attached to the container 22 as viewed from the tip side of the attaching / detaching member 700. FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an appearance of an example of the attaching / detaching member 700. The attaching / detaching member 700 includes, for example, a collimator 710 and an attachment portion 720 (see FIG. 10) attached to the container 22. In FIG. 8, the illustration of the attachment portion 720 is omitted.

[0045] The collimator 710 is also a short cylindrical portion. Let the cylindrical portion formed by the collimator 710 be denoted as the cylindrical portion 740. This configuration can also be regarded as the cylindrical portion 740 forming the collimator 710, and can also be regarded as the cylindrical portion 740 forming the collimator 710. The collimator 710 and the cylindrical portion 740 may be formed separately such that the cylindrical portion 740 houses the collimator 710.

[0046] Both the cylindrical portion 620 of the attaching / detaching member 600 and the cylindrical portion 740 of the attaching / detaching member 700 can be regarded as the path of X-rays in the attaching / detaching member. The cylindrical portion 620 of the attaching / detaching member 600 is longer than the cylindrical portion 740 of the attaching / detaching member 700.

[0047] In the detachable member 600 and the detachable member 700, even if at least the length of the X-ray path is different from each other, the collimation is different from each other. In the housing 22, a plurality of detachable members with different collimations, such as the detachable member 600 and the detachable member 700, can be selectively attached and detached. The detachable member 600 and the detachable member 700 may be considered to form a detachable member set 650 (see FIG. 1). The detachable member set may also be referred to as a detachable member assembly. The detachable member selected from the detachable member set 650 may be considered as the first detachable member. The detachable member 600 may be considered as the first detachable member, and the detachable member 700 may be considered as the second detachable member. In this case, the collimator 610 may be considered as the second collimator 2NDC, and the collimator 710 may be considered as the third collimator 3RDC. Also, the detachable member 700 may be considered as the first detachable member, and the detachable member 600 may be considered as the second detachable member. In this case, the collimator 710 may be considered as the second collimator 2NDC, and the collimator 610 may be considered as the third collimator 3RDC. Both the second collimator 2NDC and the third collimator 3RDC are collimators that regulate the X-ray beam (X-ray beam 410L2) emitted from the housing 22. From the time of interest, the detachable member attached at the first timing may be considered as the first detachable member, and the detachable member attached at the second timing may be considered as the second detachable member.

[0048] The collimator 710 is composed of, for example, a single plate-shaped collimator. The collimator 710 is located, for example, outside the tip 220 of the housing 22. The protruding distance 740D of the collimator 710 from the tip 221 of the housing 22, that is, the length of the cylindrical portion 740, is, for example, smaller than the length of the tip 220 of the housing 22 or equal to the length of the tip 220. The collimator 710 regulates the spread of the X-ray beam 410 emitted from the tip 221 of the X-ray generating device 2. An opening 710a penetrating in the thickness direction of the collimator 710 is provided at the central portion of the collimator 710. In FIG. 8, the cross-sectional shape of the collimator 710 is shown. When the X-ray beam 410 emitted from the X-ray generating device 2 passes through the opening 710a, the spread of the X-ray beam 410 is regulated.

[0049] The opening 710a is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped, different from the above-described openings 211a, 212a, and 610a. The X-ray beam 410 regulated by the collimator 710 is, for example, a beam that spreads in a frustum of a square pyramid shape. The cross-sectional shape of the X-ray beam 410 regulated by the collimator 710 (specifically, the shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the center line of the X-ray beam 410) is, for example, a rectangle.

[0050] The tip of the collimator 710 constitutes the tip 701 of the detachable member 700. At the tip 701 of the detachable member 700, there is located an opening 710aa on the tip side of the opening 710a. The X-ray beam 410 regulated by the collimator 710 is emitted from the rectangular opening 710aa at the tip 701 of the detachable member 700 and irradiates the X-ray detector 10 in the oral cavity of the subject 100.

[0051] The shape of the irradiation field of the X-ray beam 410 regulated by the collimator 710 is, for example, a rectangle. It can be said that the collimator 710 regulates the X-ray beam 410 emitted from the X-ray generating device 2, specifically from the housing 22, and shapes the shape of the irradiation field of the X-ray beam 410 into a rectangle. If the regulation by the collimator 21 is circular regulation, the regulation by the collimator 710 is a deformation from circular to rectangular. Also, if the regulation by the collimator 21 is rectangular regulation, the regulation by the collimator 710 is a sharp shaping from rectangle to rectangle. In this example, the shape of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip 701 of the detachable member 700 is the same as the shape of the opening 710aa of the collimator 710 and is rectangular.

[0052] Note that the arrangement position of the collimator 710 of the detachable member 700 is not limited to the example in FIG. 8. Also, the collimator 710 may include a plurality of collimators.

[0053] The attachment part 720 is connected to the rear end of the collimator 710. The attachment part 720 is, for example, cylindrical. The internal space of the attachment part 720 communicates with the opening 710a of the collimator 710. The attachment part 720 is configured to be insertable into the tip part 220 from the opening 221a at the tip 221 of the housing 22. An O-ring 730 made of an elastic material such as rubber is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the attachment part 720. When the attachment part 720 is inserted into the tip part 220 of the housing 22, the O-ring 730 elastically deforms. Thereby, due to the elastic force of the O-ring 730, the detachable member 700 is attached to and fixed to the housing 22. The user can remove the detachable member 700 from the housing 22, for example, by pulling the collimator 710 toward the tip 701 side. Note that the detaching and attaching means of the detachable member 700 to the housing 22 is not limited to this.

[0054] In this example, for example, a plurality of types of X-ray detectors 10 having different outer dimensions are prepared. In intraoral X-ray photography, for example, an X-ray detector 10 having an outer dimension corresponding to the physique of the subject 100 is used. And in this example, a plurality of types of detachable members 700 corresponding to the plurality of types of X-ray detectors 10 are prepared. The plurality of types of detachable members 500 that can be attached to and detached from the housing 22 include, for example, the detachable member 600 and the plurality of types of detachable members 700.

[0055] Among the plurality of types of detachable members 700, the sizes of the openings 710aa at the tips 701 are different from each other. That is, among the plurality of types of detachable members 700, the shapes of the X-ray irradiation fields at the tips 701 of the detachable members 700 when the detachable members 700 are attached to the X-ray generating device 2 are different from each other. The shape of the opening 710aa of the detachable member 700 is a shape corresponding to the outer dimension of the X-ray detector 10 corresponding to the detachable member 700.

[0056] For example, consider a case where four types of imaging plates, namely size 0, size 1, size 2, and size 3, are prepared as the X-ray detector 10. The vertical size and horizontal size of the size 0 imaging plate are, for example, 2.2 cm and 3.1 cm respectively. The vertical size and horizontal size of the size 1 imaging plate are, for example, 2.4 cm and 4.0 cm respectively. The vertical size and horizontal size of the size 2 imaging plate are, for example, 3.1 cm and 4.1 cm respectively. The vertical size and horizontal size of the size 3 imaging plate are, for example, 2.7 cm and 5.4 cm respectively. In such a case, four types of detachable members 700 corresponding to the four types of imaging plates of size 0, size 1, size 2, and size 3 are prepared. For example, the vertical size and horizontal size of the opening 710aa of the detachable member 700 corresponding to the size 2 imaging plate are slightly larger than the vertical size and horizontal size of the size 2 imaging plate, and are, for example, 3.6 cm and 4.8 cm respectively. That is, the shape of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip 701 of the detachable member 700 corresponding to the size 2 imaging plate is a rectangle with a vertical length of 3.6 cm and a horizontal length of 4.8 cm. The vertical size and horizontal size of the opening 710aa may be set, for example, to exceed the vertical size and horizontal size of the imaging plate respectively, but not to exceed 120%.

[0057] Hereinafter, the X-ray generator 2 without the detachable member 500 attached, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, may be particularly referred to as the uninstalled X-ray generator 2. Also, the X-ray generator 2 and the detachable member 500 attached thereto may be collectively referred to as the installed X-ray generator 2A. When referring to "the tip of the X-ray generator", the tip of the uninstalled X-ray generator 2 is the tip 221, and the tip of the installed X-ray generator 2A is the tip of the detachable member 500.

[0058] Also, when the detachable member 600 is formed of a long cylindrical portion, focusing on the cylindrical portion, the detachable member 600 may be referred to as a long cylindrical collimator member 600. Further, a mounted X-ray generating apparatus 2A provided with the long cylindrical collimator member 600 as the detachable member 500 may be referred to as a long X-ray generating apparatus 2AA. The long X-ray generating apparatus 2AA includes a long irradiation cylinder composed of a tip portion 220 of the housing 22 and a cylindrical portion 620 attached to the tip portion 220. From the tip of the long irradiation cylinder, an X-ray beam 410 is emitted and irradiates the X-ray detector 10 in the oral cavity of the subject 100.

[0059] Also, the detachable member 700 may be referred to as a rectangular collimator member 700. When the detachable member 700 is formed of a short cylindrical portion, focusing on the cylindrical portion, the detachable member 700 may also be referred to as a short cylindrical collimator member 700. Further, a mounted X-ray generating apparatus 2A provided with the rectangular collimator member 700 as the detachable member 500 may be referred to as a rectangular X-ray generating apparatus 2AB. A mounted X-ray generating apparatus 2A provided with the short cylindrical collimator member 700 as the detachable member 500 may also be referred to as a short X-ray generating apparatus 2AB. The short X-ray generating apparatus 2AB may be considered to include a short irradiation cylinder composed of a tip portion 220 of the housing 22 and a cylindrical portion 740 attached to the tip portion 220. The rectangular X-ray generating apparatus 2AB emits an X-ray beam 410 having a rectangular cross-sectional shape from its tip 701. Also, the rectangular collimator member 700 corresponding to the imaging plate of size 0 is referred to as a size 0 corresponding rectangular collimator member 700, and the rectangular collimator member 700 corresponding to the imaging plate of size 1 is referred to as a size 1 corresponding rectangular collimator member 700. Also, the rectangular collimator member 700 corresponding to the imaging plate of size 2 is referred to as a size 2 corresponding rectangular collimator member 700, and the rectangular collimator member 700 corresponding to the imaging plate of size 3 is referred to as a size 3 corresponding rectangular collimator member 700.

[0060] As dental intraoral X-ray imaging methods, for example, the bisecting angle technique and the paralleling technique are known. The long X-ray generator 2AA equipped with the long cylindrical collimator member 600 is used, for example, in the imaging by the bisecting angle technique. On the other hand, the uninstalled X-ray generator 2 and the rectangular X-ray generator 2AB equipped with the rectangular collimator member 700 are used, for example, in the imaging by the paralleling technique.

[0061] Hereinafter, the X-ray imaging using the uninstalled X-ray generator 2 may be referred to as uninstalled imaging. It can be said that the uninstalled imaging is the X-ray imaging when the attachment / detachment member 500 is not attached to the X-ray generator 2. Also, the X-ray imaging using the installed X-ray generator 2A may be referred to as installed imaging. As the installed imaging, for example, there are the X-ray imaging when the long cylindrical collimator member 600 is attached to the X-ray generator 2 and the X-ray imaging when the rectangular collimator member 700 is attached to the X-ray generator 2. The former installed imaging is the imaging using the long X-ray generator 2AA, and the latter installed imaging is the imaging using the rectangular X-ray generator 2AB.

[0062] Hereinafter, the installed imaging using the long X-ray generator 2AA may be referred to as long device imaging, and the installed imaging using the rectangular X-ray generator 2AB may be referred to as rectangular X-ray imaging. The installed imaging using the rectangular X-ray generator 2AB may also be referred to as short device imaging. Each of the long device imaging and the rectangular X-ray imaging is a kind of installed imaging. In this example, there are a plurality of types of rectangular X-ray imaging with different shapes of the X-ray irradiation fields. The plurality of types of rectangular X-ray imaging includes, for example, four types of rectangular X-ray imaging in which four types of attachment / detachment members 700 corresponding to four types of imaging plates of size 0, size 1, size 2, and size 3 are respectively used.

[0063] <Regarding the recognition of the attachment and detachment of the attachment / detachment member to the container> The control device 3 can recognize the attachment and detachment of the attachment / detachment member 500 to / from the container 22 based on user input. For example, for each of a plurality of types of attachment / detachment members 500 that can be attached to and detached from the container 22 of the X-ray generator 2, the attachment / detachment specifying unit 304 can specify whether the attachment / detachment member 500 is attached to the container 22 based on the user input received by the input unit 33. Further, the attachment / detachment specifying unit 304 can specify whether the attachment / detachment member 500 has been removed from the container 22 based on the user input received by the input unit 33.

[0064] The input unit 33 can, for example, receive a mounting notification input for notifying that the attachment / detachment member 500 is mounted on the container 22 for each of a plurality of types of attachment / detachment members 500. Further, the input unit 33 can, for example, receive a removal notification input for notifying that the attachment / detachment member has been removed from the container 22. The user can perform a mounting notification input and a removal notification input to the control device 3 by performing a predetermined operation on the display surface, for example. When the user mounts a certain type of attachment / detachment member 500 on the X-ray generator 2, the user operates the display surface to perform a mounting notification input for notifying the mounting of the certain type of attachment / detachment member 500. Further, when the user removes the attachment / detachment member 500 from the X-ray generator 2, the user operates the display surface to perform a removal notification input.

[0065] The attachment / detachment specifying unit 304 can specify which type of attachment / detachment member 500 is attached to the container 22 based on the mounting notification input received by the input unit 33. Further, the attachment / detachment specifying unit 304 can specify that the attachment / detachment member 500 has been removed from the container 22 based on the removal notification input received by the input unit 33.

[0066] Thus, since the input unit 33 can receive mounting notification inputs for each of the plurality of types of detachable members 500, the attachment / detachment specifying unit 304 can recognize whether or not each of the plurality of types of detachable members 500 is mounted on the housing 22 based on the user input received by the input unit 33. That is, the attachment / detachment specifying unit 304 can recognize which one of the non-mounted shooting, long device shooting, and a plurality of types of rectangular X-ray shootings is to be performed based on the user input.

[0067] Note that the X-ray irradiation system 1 may be provided with an automatic recognition unit 11 that automatically recognizes the attachment of the detachable member 500 to the housing 22. Hereinafter, the automatic recognition of the attachment of the detachable member to the housing 22 may be simply referred to as attachment automatic recognition.

[0068] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the automatic recognition unit 11. The automatic recognition unit 11 is provided, for example, in the control device 3. As shown in FIG. 11, the automatic recognition unit 11 includes, for example, a switch unit 110 having a plurality of switches 111 and an attachment / detachment specifying unit 304.

[0069] Each switch 111 is, for example, a mechanical switch. Each switch 111 is, for example, a push switch. Each switch 111 outputs an on / off signal indicating whether it is in an on state or an off state to the attachment / detachment specifying unit 304.

[0070] In the automatic recognition unit 11, when the detachable member 500 is mounted on the housing 22, only the switch 111 corresponding to the type of the mounted detachable member 500 among the plurality of switches 111 is turned on. The plurality of types of detachable members 500 are each provided with a plurality of protrusions arranged at different positions, for example. When the detachable member 500 is mounted on the housing 22, the protrusion of the mounted detachable member 500 presses only the switch 111 corresponding to the type of the detachable member 500 among the plurality of switches 111 to turn on the switch 111.

[0071] The object to be automatically recognized by the automatic recognition unit 11 may be, for example, the attachment or detachment of the detachable member 500, or may be the attachment of the detachable member 500 and the unique information or detachment classified by the type of the detachable member 500.

[0072] Based on the on / off signals from the plurality of switches 111, the attachment / detachment specifying unit 304 can specify which type of the plurality of types of detachable members 500 is attached. Specifically, based on the on / off signals from the plurality of switches 111, the attachment / detachment specifying unit 304 specifies the switches 111 in the on state, and determines that the detachable member 500 of the type corresponding to the on-state switches 111 is attached to the container 22. Once the type of the detachable member 500 attached to the container 22 is specified, the type of imaging is specified. Therefore, the attachment / detachment specifying unit 304 can specify which of the non-attached imaging, long device imaging, and a plurality of types of rectangular X-ray imaging is performed based on the on / off signals from the plurality of switches 111. The attachment / detachment specifying unit 304 can specify that the detachable member has been removed from the container 22 based on the on / off signals from the plurality of switches 111. Specifically, based on the on / off signals from the plurality of switches 111, when the attachment / detachment specifying unit 304 specifies that all the switches 111 are in the off state, it determines that the detachable member 500 has been removed from the container 22.

[0073] The configuration of the automatic recognition unit 11 is not limited to the above example. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing another configuration example of the automatic recognition unit 11. The automatic recognition unit 11 shown in FIG. 12 includes, for example, a communication circuit 115 and a communication circuit 116 capable of performing wireless communication with each other, a switch 117, and an attachment / detachment specifying unit 304. The communication circuit 115 is provided in the control device 3. The communication circuit 116 and the switch 117 are provided in each of the plurality of types of detachable members 500.

[0074] Switch 117 is, for example, a mechanical switch. Switch 117 is, for example, a push switch. Switch 117 outputs an on / off signal indicating whether it is in an on state or an off state to communication circuit 116. Communication circuit 116 stores identification information indicating the type of the detachable member 500 provided with the communication circuit 116. When switch 117 is turned on, communication circuit 116 wirelessly transmits the stored identification information to communication circuit 115.

[0075] The housing 22 is provided with, for example, a protrusion. When the detachable member 500 is attached to the housing 22, the switch 117 of the attached detachable member 500 is pressed by the protrusion of the housing 22 and the switch 117 is turned on. When switch 117 is turned on, communication circuit 116 wirelessly transmits the stored identification information to communication circuit 115. When switch 117 is in the on state, communication circuit 116 repeatedly transmits the identification information. Communication circuit 116 and communication circuit 115 can perform wireless communication with each other, for example, based on RFID (radio frequency identifier). Communication circuit 116 is, for example, an RF tag, and communication circuit 115 is, for example, an RF reader. Note that the wireless communication method between communication circuit 115 and communication circuit 116 may be a method other than RFID.

[0076] The attachment / detachment specifying unit 304 specifies the type of the detachable member 500 attached to the housing 22 based on the identification information received by communication circuit 115. Specifically, the attachment / detachment specifying unit 304 determines that the detachable member 500 of the type indicated by the identification information received by communication circuit 115 is attached to the housing 22. If the type of the detachable member 500 attached to the housing 22 is specified, the type of imaging is specified. Therefore, the attachment / detachment specifying unit 304 can specify which of the non-attached imaging, long device imaging, and multiple types of rectangular X-ray imaging is performed based on the identification information received by communication circuit 115. When communication circuit 115 stops receiving the identification information, the attachment / detachment specifying unit 304 determines that the detachable member 500 has been removed from the housing 22.

[0077] In this way, the convenience of the X-ray irradiation system 1 is improved by providing the automatic recognition unit 11 that automatically recognizes the attachment of the detachable member 500 to the container 22 in the X-ray irradiation system 1.

[0078] <Operation example of the control device> The input unit 33 of the control device 3 can receive a subject information designation input for designating subject information regarding the subject 100. For example, the input unit 33 can receive a body type designation input for designating the type of the body of the subject 100 (also referred to as the body type) as the subject information.

[0079] As the body types of the subject 100, for example, four types of L size, M size, S size, and C size are prepared. The C size corresponds to the body of a child. The S size corresponds to a small body of an adult. The M size corresponds to a medium body of an adult. The L size corresponds to a large body of an adult. On the display surface of the display unit 32, for example, body type selection buttons for selecting the body type are displayed. The user can perform a body type designation input for designating a size corresponding to the body of the subject 100 from the L size, M size, S size, and C size by operating the body type selection buttons, for example. Hereinafter, the body type designated by the body type designation input may be referred to as the designated body type.

[0080] In addition, the input unit 33 can receive a shooting site designation input for designating the shooting site. On the display surface, for example, shooting site selection buttons for selecting the shooting site are displayed. The user can perform a shooting site designation input for designating the shooting site from a plurality of sites by operating the shooting site selection buttons, for example. The plurality of sites include, for example, the upper anterior teeth part, the upper premolar part, the upper molar part, the lower anterior teeth part, the lower premolar part, and the lower molar part. Hereinafter, the shooting site designated by the shooting site designation input may be referred to as the designated shooting site.

[0081] In the storage unit 31 of the control device 3, a plurality of irradiation conditions for unmounted imaging, each suitable for a plurality of combinations of the body type of the subject 100 and the imaging site, are stored in advance. Each of these plurality of irradiation conditions may be referred to as a standard irradiation condition.

[0082] For example, when there are 4 types of body types and 6 imaging sites, 24 standard irradiation conditions are stored in the storage unit 31. The standard irradiation condition suitable for a combination of a certain body type and a certain imaging site is an irradiation condition suitable for unmounted imaging of the certain imaging site of the subject 100 having a body corresponding to the certain body type. For example, the standard irradiation condition suitable for the combination of the L size of the body and the maxillary anterior teeth of the imaging site is an irradiation condition suitable for performing X-ray imaging of the maxillary anterior teeth of the subject 100 (that is, an adult with a large body) corresponding to the L size using the unmounted X-ray generator 2. Also, for example, the standard irradiation condition suitable for the combination of the C size of the body and the mandibular premolar of the imaging site is an irradiation condition suitable for performing X-ray imaging of the mandibular premolar of the subject 100 (that is, a child) corresponding to the C size using the unmounted X-ray generator 2.

[0083] When unmounted imaging is performed, that is, when the attachment / detachment specifying unit 304 specifies that no attachment member is attached to the housing 22 of the X-ray generator 2, the condition setting unit 303 sets, as the set value of the irradiation condition, the standard irradiation condition suitable for the combination of the specified body type and the specified imaging site designated by the user among the plurality of standard irradiation conditions stored in the storage unit 31. Hereinafter, the tube voltage, tube current, and irradiation time included in the standard irradiation condition may be referred to as the standard tube voltage, standard tube current, and standard irradiation time, respectively.

[0084] In this example, the tube voltage is set to either 60 kV or 70 kV, for example. Therefore, the standard tube voltage included in the standard irradiation conditions is either 60 kV or 70 kV. Also, the tube current is fixed at 7 mA, for example. Therefore, the standard tube current included in the standard irradiation conditions is 7 mA. Of course, the tube current may be variable. Also, the irradiation time is set between 0.01 seconds and 2 seconds, for example. Therefore, the standard irradiation time included in the standard irradiation conditions is a value between 0.01 seconds and 2 seconds.

[0085] The user can instruct the control device 3 to change the set value of the irradiation conditions (also referred to as the irradiation condition set value). For example, the user can instruct the control device 3 to change the set value of the irradiation time (also referred to as the irradiation time set value). The input unit 33 can receive an irradiation time change instruction input for instructing a change in the irradiation time set value. The irradiation time change instruction input includes, for example, an increase instruction input for instructing an increase in the irradiation time set value and a decrease instruction input for instructing a decrease in the irradiation time set value. For example, an increase button for increasing the irradiation time set value and a decrease button for decreasing the irradiation time set value are displayed on the display surface. The user can perform an increase instruction input by operating the increase button displayed on the display surface. Also, the user can perform a decrease instruction input by operating the decrease button displayed on the display surface. The condition setting unit 303 increases the irradiation time set value in response to the increase instruction input received by the input unit 33, and decreases the irradiation time set value in response to the decrease instruction input received by the input unit 33. For example, when the increase button is operated when the current set value of the irradiation time is the standard irradiation time, the irradiation time set value increases from the standard irradiation time. Also, for example, when the decrease button is operated when the current set value of the irradiation time is the standard irradiation time, the irradiation time set value decreases from the standard irradiation time.

[0086] In addition, the user can instruct the control device 3 to change the set value of the tube voltage (also referred to as the tube voltage set value). The input unit 33 can receive a tube voltage designation input for designating the tube voltage set value. The tube voltage designation input includes, for example, a 60 kV setting instruction input for instructing to set the tube voltage to 60 kV and a 70 kV setting instruction input for instructing to set the tube voltage to 70 kV. For example, on the display surface, a 60 kV selection button for setting the tube voltage to 60 kV and a 70 kV selection button for setting the tube voltage to 70 kV are displayed. The user can operate the 60 kV selection button displayed on the display surface to perform a 60 kV setting instruction input. Also, the user can operate the 70 kV selection button displayed on the display surface to perform a 70 kV setting instruction input. The condition setting unit 303 sets the tube voltage to 60 kV in response to the 60 kV setting instruction input received by the input unit 33, and sets the tube voltage to 60 kV in response to the 70 kV setting instruction input received by the input unit 33. For example, when the 70 kV selection button is operated when the current set value of the tube voltage is 60 kV, the tube voltage set value is changed from 60 kV to 70 kV.

[0087] Note that when the tube current is not constant and it is possible to change the tube current, the user may be able to instruct the control device 3 through the input unit 33 to change the set value of the tube current (also referred to as the tube current set value).

[0088] The input unit 33 can receive an emission instruction input for instructing the emission of the X-ray beam 410 from the X-ray generator 2. On the display surface, an emission instruction button for instructing the emission of the X-ray beam 410 from the X-ray generator 2 is displayed. The user can, for example, operate the emission instruction button to perform an emission instruction input for instructing the emission of the X-ray beam 410 from the X-ray generator 2.

[0089] When the input unit 33 receives an emission instruction input, the X-ray generation control unit 300 controls the drive circuit 202 so that the irradiation conditions become the current set values, that is, so that each of the tube voltage, tube current, and irradiation time becomes the current set value, and causes the X-ray generator 2 to emit the X-ray beam 410.

[0090] <Regarding the display example of the display unit> <Display example in non-mounted shooting> The display unit 32 of the control device 3 can display, for example, X-ray dose information indicating the X-ray dose of the X-ray beam 410 under the control of the display control unit 301. The X-ray dose information displayed by the display unit 32 may include, for example, at least one of air kerma and area dose. The area dose is also called the area air kerma integrated value. The area dose can also be calculated, for example, based on the air kerma.

[0091] Note that the X-ray dose information may be stored in the storage unit 31. This X-ray dose information may be obtained in advance by actual measurement. As the X-ray dose information, a value calculated by being operated according to scientific grounds may be used, or a value obtained by a combination of actual measurement and operation may be used. The value of the X-ray dose indicated by the X-ray dose information may be the value in the state where there is no subject. By setting the value of the X-ray dose to the value in the state where there is no subject, the X-ray dose information can be made into stable information.

[0092] <Display example of X-ray dose information in non-mounted shooting> First, the display example of the X-ray dose information of the display unit 32 in non-mounted shooting, that is, the display example of the X-ray dose information in the display unit 32 of the non-mounted X-ray generator 2 will be described. Non-mounted shooting may be called shooting at the time of non-mounting.

[0093] The storage unit 31 stores, for example, standard X-ray dose information compatible with the non-mounted X-ray generator 2. The standard X-ray dose information is the X-ray dose information of the X-ray beam 410 when non-mounted shooting is performed under standard irradiation conditions. The storage unit 31 stores a plurality of standard X-ray dose information respectively corresponding to a plurality of standard irradiation conditions according to the physique and the shooting site of the subject 100. The standard X-ray dose information corresponding to a certain standard irradiation condition is the X-ray dose information of the X-ray beam 410 when non-mounted shooting is performed under the certain standard irradiation condition. In the storage unit 31, for example, for each of the plurality of standard irradiation conditions, the standard irradiation condition and the corresponding standard X-ray dose information are stored in association with each other.

[0094] Each standard X-ray dose information stored in the memory unit 31 includes, for example, the X-ray dose information of the X-ray beam 410 at the tip 221 of the uninstalled X-ray generator 2 (also referred to as standard tip X-ray dose information), and the X-ray dose information of the X-ray beam 410 at the X-ray detector 10 (also referred to as standard detector X-ray dose information).

[0095] The standard tip X-ray dose information stored in the memory unit 31 includes, for example, the air kerma at the tip 221 of the uninstalled X-ray generator 2 and the area dose at the tip 221 of the uninstalled X-ray generator 2. In addition, the standard detector X-ray dose information stored in the memory unit 31 includes, for example, the air kerma at the X-ray detector 10 and the area dose at the X-ray detector 10.

[0096] Hereinafter, the air kerma at the tip 221 included in the standard tip X-ray dose information may be referred to as the standard tip air kerma, and the area dose at the tip 221 included in the standard tip X-ray dose information may be referred to as the standard tip area dose. Also, the air kerma at the X-ray detector 10 included in the standard detector X-ray dose information may be referred to as the standard detector air kerma, and the area dose at the X-ray detector 10 included in the standard detector X-ray dose information may be referred to as the standard detector area dose. The standard detector air kerma and the standard detector area dose are values when it is assumed that the distance between the tip 221 of the uninstalled X-ray generator 2 and the X-ray detector 10 is a predetermined distance (for example, 3 cm).

[0097] The standard tip area dose is obtained by multiplying the standard tip air kerma by the area of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip 221 of the uninstalled X-ray generator 2. The standard detector area dose is obtained by multiplying the standard detector air kerma by the area of the X-ray irradiation field at the X-ray detector 10.

[0098] When non-attachment imaging is performed, the X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 of the control unit 30 obtains X-ray dose information (also referred to as condition setting value corresponding X-ray dose information) corresponding to the irradiation condition setting value based on the standard X-ray dose information in the storage unit 31. Then, when non-attachment imaging is performed, the display unit 32 displays the condition setting value corresponding X-ray dose information obtained by the X-ray dose acquisition unit 302. The condition setting value corresponding X-ray dose information is the X-ray dose information of the X-ray beam 410 when X-ray imaging is performed with the irradiation condition setting value.

[0099] When the X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 obtains the condition setting value corresponding X-ray dose information in non-attachment imaging, it acquires from the storage unit 31 the standard X-ray dose information (which may also be called the compatible standard X-ray dose information) corresponding to the standard irradiation condition (also referred to as the compatible standard irradiation condition) suitable for the combination of the designated body type and the designated imaging part specified by the user. Then, the X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 obtains the condition setting value corresponding X-ray dose information in non-attachment imaging based on the acquired standard X-ray dose information. In the compatible standard X-ray dose information, the standard tip X-ray dose information may also be called the compatible standard tip X-ray dose information, and the standard detector X-ray dose information may also be called the compatible standard detector X-ray dose information.

[0100] For example, when the irradiation condition setting value is the compatible standard irradiation condition, the X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 uses the standard X-ray dose information corresponding to the compatible standard irradiation condition as the condition setting value corresponding X-ray dose information. On the other hand, when the irradiation condition setting value is different from the compatible standard irradiation condition, the X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 corrects the standard X-ray dose information corresponding to the compatible standard irradiation condition according to the difference in the irradiation condition setting value from the compatible standard irradiation condition to obtain the condition setting value corresponding X-ray dose information. For example, consider the case where the increase button is operated and the irradiation time setting value is greater than the standard irradiation time included in the compatible standard irradiation condition. In this case, the X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 uses the air kerma and the area dose included in the standard X-ray dose information corresponding to the compatible standard irradiation condition, increased by an amount corresponding to the difference in the irradiation time setting value from the standard irradiation time, as the air kerma and the area dose included in the condition setting value corresponding X-ray dose information.

[0101] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display screen 120 displayed on the display surface 320 of the display unit 32 in unmounted imaging. An irradiation condition setting value 160 is shown on the display screen 120. The irradiation condition setting value 160 includes a tube voltage setting value, a tube current setting value, and an irradiation time setting value. On the display screen 120, the above-described 60 kV selection button 180 and 70 kV selection button 181 are shown beside the display of the tube voltage setting value. Also, on the display screen 120, the above-described increase button 185 and decrease button 186 are shown beside the display of the irradiation time pressure setting value. The 60 kV selection button 180, 70 kV selection button 181, increase button 185, and decrease button 186 are examples of an irradiation condition adjustment operation reception unit. The irradiation condition adjustment operation reception unit may be called an irradiation condition adjuster.

[0102] In addition, imaging type information 150 indicating the current type of imaging is shown on the display screen 120. In the example of FIG. 13, the imaging type information 150 indicates that the current type of imaging is unmounted imaging. Also, condition setting value corresponding X-ray dose information 170 (that is, X-ray dose information corresponding to the irradiation condition setting value 160) in unmounted imaging is shown on the display screen 120. The condition setting value corresponding X-ray dose information 170 in unmounted imaging includes the air kerma at the tip 221 of the unmounted X-ray generator 2, the area dose at the tip 221 of the unmounted X-ray generator 2, the air kerma at the X-ray detector 10, and the area dose at the X-ray detector 10. The air kerma and area dose at the X-ray detector 10 included in the condition setting value corresponding X-ray dose information 170 are values assuming that the distance between the tip 221 of the unmounted X-ray generator 2 and the X-ray detector 10 is a predetermined distance (for example, 3 cm), similar to the air kerma and area dose at the X-ray detector 10 included in the standard detector X-ray dose information.

[0103] The "air kerma at the device tip", "area dose at the device tip", "air kerma at the detector", and "area dose at the detector" shown in FIG. 13 respectively mean the air kerma at the tip 221 of the unmounted X-ray generator 2, the area dose at the tip 221 of the unmounted X-ray generator 2, the air kerma at the X-ray detector 10, and the area dose at the X-ray detector 10.

[0104] When non-mounted imaging is performed, when the irradiation condition setting value 160 is changed according to a user input, the display of the condition setting value corresponding X-ray dose information 170 is updated according to the change in the irradiation condition setting value 160. For example, when the increase button 185 is operated and the irradiation time setting value increases, accordingly, the X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 obtains the condition setting value corresponding X-ray dose information 170 corresponding to the irradiation condition setting value after the irradiation time setting value has increased, and displays the obtained condition setting value corresponding X-ray dose information 170 to update the display of the condition setting value corresponding X-ray dose information 170.

[0105] When non-mounted imaging is performed, a standard irradiation condition (suitable standard irradiation condition) suitable for the combination of the specified physique type and the specified imaging part designated by the user may be set as the default setting value and displayed as the irradiation condition setting value 160 on the display screen 120. Further, the standard X-ray dose information (also referred to as suitable standard X-ray dose information) corresponding to the displayed standard irradiation condition may be displayed as the condition setting value corresponding X-ray dose information 170 on the display screen 120. Moreover, the control device 3 may be configured to receive a change in the irradiation condition setting value 160 by a user input.

[0106] Note that, unlike the example in FIG. 13, the display unit 32 may not display the air kerma at the tip 221 of the non-mounted X-ray generator 2. Further, the display unit 32 may not display the area dose at the tip 221 of the non-mounted X-ray generator 2. Further, the display unit 32 may not display the air kerma at the X-ray detector 10. Further, the display unit 32 may not display the area dose at the X-ray detector 10.

[0107] <Example of Display of X-ray Dose Information When a Detachable Member is Mounted> When the detachable member 500 is mounted on the housing 22 of the X-ray generator 2, the display unit 32 displays X-ray dose information (also referred to as mounting-corresponding X-ray dose information) corresponding to the mounting of the detachable member 500 on the housing 22. The mounting-corresponding X-ray dose information is the X-ray dose information of the X-ray beam 410 when X-ray imaging is performed in a state where the detachable member 500 is mounted on the housing 22. In other words, the mounting-corresponding X-ray dose information is the X-ray dose information of the X-ray beam 410 in imaging during mounting. The mounting-corresponding X-ray dose information can also be referred to as, for example, the X-ray dose information during mounting.

[0108] The X-ray dose information corresponding to wearing that the display unit 32 displays may include the X-ray dose information at the tip of the detachable member 500 in the imaging at the time of wearing (also referred to as the X-ray dose information at the tip corresponding to wearing). Further, the X-ray dose information corresponding to wearing that the display unit 32 displays may include the X-ray dose information at the X-ray detector 10 in the imaging at the time of wearing (also referred to as the X-ray dose information at the detector corresponding to wearing).

[0109] The X-ray dose information at the tip corresponding to wearing that the display unit 32 displays may include the air kerma at the tip of the detachable member 500 or may include the area dose at the tip of the detachable member 500. Further, the X-ray dose information at the detector corresponding to wearing that the display unit 32 displays may include the air kerma at the X-ray detector 10 or may include the area dose at the X-ray detector 10. When the detachable member 500 is the long cylindrical collimator member 600 (in other words, when long device imaging is performed), the air kerma and the area dose at the tip of the detachable member 500 are the air kerma and the area dose at the tip 621 of the long cylindrical collimator member 600 (in other words, the tip 621 of the long X-ray generating device 2AA). Also, when the detachable member 500 is the rectangular collimator member 700 (in other words, when rectangular X-ray imaging is performed), the air kerma and the area dose at the tip of the detachable member 500 are the air kerma and the area dose at the tip 701 of the rectangular collimator member 700 (in other words, the tip 701 of the rectangular X-ray generating device 2AB).

[0110] When it is recognized by user input or automatically that the detachable member 500 is attached to the housing 22, the X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 obtains the X-ray dose information corresponding to wearing corresponding to the current irradiation condition setting value. The display unit 32 displays the X-ray dose information corresponding to wearing obtained by the X-ray dose acquisition unit 302. The X-ray dose information corresponding to wearing may be obtained based on the X-ray dose information corresponding to the condition setting value in the imaging without wearing.

[0111] Here, the air kerma at the tip 221 of the X-ray generator 2 included in the X-ray dose information corresponding to the condition setting value in the non-mounted imaging may be referred to as the non-mounted tip air kerma. Also, the area dose at the tip 221 of the X-ray generator 2 included in the X-ray dose information corresponding to the condition setting value in the non-mounted imaging may be referred to as the non-mounted tip area dose. Also, the air kerma at the X-ray detector 10 included in the X-ray dose information corresponding to the condition setting value in the non-mounted imaging may be referred to as the non-mounted detector air kerma. Also, the area dose at the X-ray detector 10 included in the X-ray dose information corresponding to the condition setting value in the non-mounted imaging may be referred to as the non-mounted detector area dose.

[0112] Also, the air kerma at the tip of the detachable member 500 included in the X-ray dose information corresponding to the mounted tip may be referred to as the mounted tip air kerma. Also, the area dose at the tip of the detachable member 500 included in the X-ray dose information corresponding to the mounted tip may be referred to as the mounted tip area dose. Also, the air kerma at the X-ray detector 10 included in the X-ray dose information corresponding to the mounted detector may be referred to as the mounted detector air kerma. Also, the area dose at the X-ray detector 10 included in the X-ray dose information corresponding to the mounted detector may be referred to as the mounted detector area dose. The mounted detector air kerma and the mounted detector area dose are values when it is assumed that the distance between the tip of the detachable member 500 and the X-ray detector 10 in the mounted X-ray generator 2A is a predetermined distance (for example, 3 cm).

[0113] The X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 obtains the mounted tip air kerma based on the non-mounted tip air kerma corresponding to the current irradiation condition setting value. Let the non-mounted tip air kerma corresponding to the current irradiation condition setting value be K1, and the mounted tip air kerma be K2. Then, the X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 obtains the mounted tip air kerma K2 using the following formula (1).

[0114]

Equation

[0115] In Equation (1), L1 means the distance from the focal point 201a of the X-ray tube 201 to the tip 221 of the X-ray generating device 2 (in other words, the tip 221 of the irradiation cylinder 220). L2 in Equation (1) means the distance from the focal point 201a to the tip of the detachable member 500. When the detachable member 500 is the long cylindrical collimator member 600, the distance L2 is the distance from the focal point 201a to the tip 621 of the long cylindrical collimator member 600. Also, when the detachable member 500 is the rectangular collimator member 700, the distance L2 is the distance from the focal point 201a to the tip 701 of the rectangular collimator member 700. As can be understood from Equation (1), if the irradiation condition setting value does not change before and after the attachment of the detachable member 500, the air kerma at the attachment-corresponding tip is smaller than the air kerma at the non-attached tip.

[0116] The X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 obtains the area dose at the attachment-corresponding tip based on the air kerma K2 at the attachment-corresponding tip. Let the area dose at the attachment-corresponding tip be P2. Then, the X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 obtains the area dose P2 at the attachment-corresponding tip using the following Equation (2).

[0117]

Equation

[0118] In Equation (2), S2 means the area of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip of the detachable member 500. When the detachable member 500 is the long cylindrical collimator member 600, the area S2 is the area of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip 621 of the long cylindrical collimator member 600. For example, when the shape of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip 621 of the long cylindrical collimator member 600 is a circle with a diameter of 6 cm, the area S2 is (6 / 2) 2 π cm 2This is the case. In this example, the shape of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip 621 of the long cylindrical collimator member 600 is the same as the shape of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip 221 of the housing 22 of the X-ray generator 2. Also, if the irradiation condition setting values are the same, the air kerma at the tip corresponding to attachment is smaller than the air kerma at the tip for non-attached imaging. Therefore, if the irradiation condition setting values do not change before and after attaching the detachable member 500, the area dose at the tip surface corresponding to attachment when the detachable member 500 is the long cylindrical collimator member 600 is smaller than the area dose at the tip surface for non-attachment.

[0119] When the detachable member 500 is the rectangular collimator member 700, the area S2 is the area of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip 701 of the rectangular collimator member 700. If the vertical size and horizontal size of the opening 710aa of the rectangular collimator member 700 are, for example, 3.6 cm and 4.8 cm respectively, the shape of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip 701 of the rectangular collimator member 700 is a rectangle with a vertical length of 3.6 cm and a horizontal length of 4.8 cm. In this case, the area S1 is 17.28 cm 2 (= 3.6 cm × 4.8 cm). In this example, the area of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip 701 of the rectangular collimator member 700 is smaller than the area of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip 221 of the housing 22 of the X-ray generator 2. Also, if the irradiation condition setting values are the same, the air kerma at the tip corresponding to attachment is smaller than the air kerma at the tip for non-attached imaging. Therefore, if the irradiation condition setting values do not change before and after attaching the detachable member 500, the area dose at the tip surface corresponding to attachment when the detachable member 500 is the rectangular collimator member 700 is smaller than the area dose at the tip surface for non-attachment.

[0120] Also, the X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 obtains the air kerma at the detector corresponding to attachment based on the air kerma K2 at the tip corresponding to attachment. Let the air kerma at the detector corresponding to attachment be K12, then the X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 obtains the air kerma K12 at the detector corresponding to attachment using the following formula (3).

[0121]

Equation

[0122] In Equation (3), L12 means the distance from the focal point 201a of the X-ray tube 201 to the X-ray detector 10 during imaging at the time of attachment. The distance L12 is obtained by adding the distance from the focal point 201a to the tip of the detachable member 500 and the distance from the tip of the detachable member 500 to the X-ray detector 10. The X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 obtains the detector air kerma K12 corresponding to attachment on the assumption that the distance from the tip of the detachable member 500 to the X-ray detector 10 is a predetermined distance (for example, 3 cm). In this example, the distance from the tip of the detachable member 500 to the X-ray detector 10 during imaging at the time of attachment is the same as the distance from the tip 221 of the X-ray generator 2 to the X-ray detector 10 during imaging without attachment. If the irradiation condition setting value does not change before and after the attachment of the detachable member 500, the detector air kerma corresponding to attachment is smaller than the detector air kerma without attachment.

[0123] The X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 obtains the detector area dose corresponding to attachment based on the detector air kerma K12 corresponding to attachment. Assuming the detector area dose corresponding to attachment is P12, the X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 obtains the detector area dose P12 corresponding to attachment using the following Equation (4).

[0124] [Number]

[0125] In Equation (4), S12 means the area of the X-ray irradiation field at the X-ray detector 10 during imaging at the time of attachment. When the detachable member 500 is the long cylindrical collimator member 600, the area S12 is the area of the X-ray irradiation field at the X-ray detector 10 during long device imaging. When the detachable member 500 is the rectangular collimator member 700, the area S12 is the area of the X-ray irradiation field at the X-ray detector 10 during rectangular X-ray imaging. In this example, the distance from the tip of the detachable member 500 to the X-ray detector 10 during imaging at the time of attachment is the same as the distance from the tip 221 of the X-ray generator 2 to the X-ray detector 10 during imaging without attachment. If the irradiation condition setting value does not change before and after the attachment of the detachable member 500, the detector area dose corresponding to attachment is smaller than the detector area dose without attachment.

[0126] As can be understood from the above description, the X-ray dose information corresponding to wearing is X-ray dose information according to the irradiation condition setting value. That is, the X-ray dose information corresponding to wearing is the X-ray dose information of the X-ray beam 410 when the imaging at the time of wearing is performed with the irradiation condition setting value. Therefore, it can be said that the X-ray dose information corresponding to wearing is the X-ray dose information corresponding to the condition setting value in the imaging at the time of wearing.

[0127] Equations (1) to (4) may be considered as an example of calculation in which the X-ray dose on the emission end side of the attachment / detachment member 500 becomes smaller as the dimension in the direction from the upstream to the downstream of the X-ray path portion of the attachment / detachment member 500 increases.

[0128] FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic views showing an example of the display screen 125 displayed on the display surface 320 in the imaging at the time of wearing. FIG. 14 shows an example of the display screen 125 (also referred to as the display screen 125A) in the imaging of the long device, and FIG. 15 shows an example of the display screen 125 (also referred to as the display screen 125B) in the rectangular X-ray imaging. The display unit 32 displays the display screen 125A, for example, in response to receiving a wearing notification input at the input unit 33 notifying that the long cylindrical collimator member 600 is attached to the housing 22. Alternatively, the display unit 32 displays the display screen 125A in response to the automatic recognition by the automatic recognition unit 11 of the attachment of the long cylindrical collimator member 600 to the housing 22. Further, the display unit 32 displays the display screen 125B, for example, in response to receiving a wearing notification input at the input unit 33 notifying that the rectangular collimator member 700 is attached to the housing 22. Alternatively, the display unit 32 displays the display screen 125B in response to the automatic recognition by the automatic recognition unit 11 of the attachment of the rectangular collimator member 700 to the housing 22.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 14, on the display screen 125A in the imaging of the long device, for example, the irradiation condition setting value 160 is shown as in the case of non-attached imaging. Also, on the display screen 125A, a 60 kV selection button 180 and a 70 kV selection button 181 are shown beside the display of the tube voltage setting value. Further, on the display screen 125A, an increase button 185 and a decrease button 186 are shown beside the display of the irradiation time setting value.

[0130] In addition, on the display screen 125A, imaging type information 150 indicating that the current imaging type is long device imaging is shown. Also, on the display screen 125A, mounting-corresponding X-ray dose information 175 when the long cylindrical collimator member 600 is mounted on the housing 22 is shown. The mounting-corresponding X-ray dose information 175 includes a mounting-corresponding tip air kerma, a mounting-corresponding tip area dose, a mounting-corresponding detector air kerma, and a mounting-corresponding detector area dose. The "air kerma at the device tip", "area dose at the device tip", "air kerma at the detector", and "area dose at the detector" shown in FIG. 14 respectively mean the mounting-corresponding tip air kerma, the mounting-corresponding tip area dose, the mounting-corresponding detector air kerma, and the mounting-corresponding detector area dose.

[0131] When the detachable member 600 is regarded as the first detachable member, the X-ray dose information 175 when the detachable member 600 is mounted may be regarded as the first X-ray dose information. When the detachable member 700 is regarded as the first detachable member and the detachable member 600 is regarded as the second detachable member, the X-ray dose information 175 when the detachable member 600 is mounted may be regarded as the second X-ray dose information, and the X-ray dose information 175 when the detachable member 700 is mounted may be regarded as the first X-ray dose information.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 15, on the display screen 125B in rectangular X-ray imaging, for example, irradiation condition setting values 160 are shown. Also, on the display screen 125B, a 60 kV selection button 180 and a 70 kV selection button 181 are shown beside the display of the tube voltage setting value. Also, on the display screen 125B, an increase button 185 and a decrease button 186 are shown beside the display of the irradiation time setting value.

[0133] In addition, on the display screen 125B, imaging type information 150 indicating that the current imaging type is rectangular X-ray imaging is shown. Also, on the display screen 125B, size information 155 indicating the size of the opening 710aa at the tip 702 of the rectangular collimator member 700 mounted on the housing 22 is shown. The size information 155 includes, for example, the vertical size and the horizontal size of the opening 710aa. Since the shape of the opening 710aa differs for each type of the rectangular collimator member 700, it can be said that the size information 155 is information indicating the type of the rectangular collimator member 700. The "rectangular size" shown in FIG. 15 means the size of the opening 710aa. It can also be said that the size of the opening 710aa is the size of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip 701 of the rectangular collimator member 700.

[0134] In addition, on the display screen 125B, X-ray dose information 175 corresponding to the mounting when the rectangular collimator member 700 is mounted on the housing 22 is shown. The X-ray dose information 175 corresponding to the mounting includes the air kerma corresponding to the mounting tip, the area dose corresponding to the mounting tip surface, the air kerma corresponding to the mounting detector, and the area dose corresponding to the mounting detector. The "air kerma at the device tip", "area dose at the device tip", "air kerma at the detector", and "area dose at the detector" shown in FIG. 15 respectively mean the air kerma corresponding to the mounting tip, the area dose corresponding to the mounting tip surface, the air kerma corresponding to the mounting detector, and the area dose corresponding to the mounting detector.

[0135] When the detachable member 700 is regarded as the first detachable member, the X-ray dose information 175 at the time of mounting the detachable member 700 may be regarded as the first X-ray dose information. When the detachable member 600 is regarded as the first detachable member and the detachable member 700 is regarded as the second detachable member, the X-ray dose information 175 at the time of mounting the detachable member 700 may be regarded as the second X-ray dose information, and the X-ray dose information 175 at the time of mounting the detachable member 600 may be regarded as the first X-ray dose information.

[0136] As in the examples of FIGS. 14 and 15, when the display unit 32 displays the X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the detachable member 500 to the container 22, the user can easily confirm the X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the detachable member 500 to the container 22. Therefore, the convenience of the X-ray irradiation system 1 is improved.

[0137] Also, as in the example of FIG. 14, when the display unit 32 displays the attachment-corresponding X-ray dose information 173 corresponding to the attachment of the long cylindrical collimator member 600 to the container 22, the user can easily confirm the X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the long cylindrical collimator member 600 to the container 22.

[0138] Also, as in the example of FIG. 15, when the display unit 32 displays the attachment-corresponding X-ray dose information 175 corresponding to the attachment of the rectangular collimator member 700 to the container 22, the user can easily confirm the X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the rectangular collimator member 700 to the container 22.

[0139] Also, when the display unit 32 displays the attachment-corresponding tip X-ray dose information such as the attachment-corresponding tip air kerma, the user can easily confirm the X-ray dose information at the tip of the detachable member 500 when the detachable member 500 is attached to the container 22. Also, when the display unit 32 displays the attachment-corresponding detector X-ray dose information such as the attachment-corresponding detector air kerma, the user can easily confirm the X-ray dose information at the X-ray detector 10 when the detachable member 500 is attached to the container 22.

[0140] Also, as in the above example, when the display unit 32 displays the attachment-corresponding X-ray dose information in response to the automatic recognition of the attachment of the detachable member 500 to the container 22 by the automatic recognition unit 11, the user can confirm the attachment-corresponding X-ray dose information only by attaching the detachable member 500 to the container 22.

[0141] Also, as in the above example, when the display unit 32 displays the wear-corresponding X-ray dose information in response to receiving a predetermined input (for example, a wearing notification input) at the input unit 33, the user can confirm the wear-corresponding X-ray dose information by performing the predetermined input.

[0142] Note that the display unit 32 may display the wear-corresponding X-ray dose information when the input unit 33 receives a display instruction input for instructing the display of the wear-corresponding X-ray dose information. For example, the display unit 32 displays the irradiation condition setting value 160 and the imaging type information 150 in response to receiving a wearing notification input at the input unit 33. Thereafter, when the input unit 33 receives a display instruction input, the display unit 32 displays the wear-corresponding X-ray dose information 175 in response to receiving the display instruction input at the input unit 33. Alternatively, the display unit 32 may display the irradiation condition setting value 160 and the imaging type information 150 in response to automatic wearing recognition by the automatic recognition unit 11, and then display the wear-corresponding X-ray dose information 175 when the input unit 33 receives a display instruction input.

[0143] In the examples of FIGS. 14 and 15, the input unit 33 can receive an input for setting irradiation conditions (also referred to as a condition setting input) when the display unit 32 is displaying the wear-corresponding X-ray dose information. The user can perform a condition setting input to the control device 3, for example, by operating any one of the 60 kV selection button 180, 70 kV selection button 181, increase button 185, and decrease button 186 displayed by the display unit 32. Of course, the input unit 33 can receive an input for setting X-ray irradiation conditions when the display unit 32 is displaying the second X-ray dose information, which is the X-ray dose information at the time of wearing the second detachable member.

[0144] After the user checks the X-ray dose information compatible with wearing displayed on the display unit 32, for example, the user makes a condition setting input to cause the control device 3 to change the irradiation condition setting value. The user can perform an operation or an adjustment operation so that the X-ray dose irradiated becomes an appropriate dose as judged by the user when the detachable member 500 is attached. For example, the user causes the control device 3 to change the irradiation condition setting value so that the tip air kerma compatible with wearing matches the tip air kerma without wearing immediately before the attachment of the detachable member 500.

[0145] For example, after the user checks the tip air kerma compatible with wearing displayed by the display unit 32, the user calculates an increase amount of the irradiation time setting value for making the tip air kerma compatible with wearing match the tip air kerma without wearing immediately before the attachment of the detachable member 500. Then, the user performs a condition setting input by operating the increase button 185 displayed on the display unit 32 so that the irradiation time setting value increases by the calculated increase amount. The condition setting unit 303 increases the irradiation time setting value according to the user operation of the increase button 185. As a result, the irradiation condition setting value is changed so that the tip air kerma compatible with wearing matches the tip air kerma without wearing immediately before the attachment of the detachable member 500.

[0146] Note that the user may cause the control device 3 to change the irradiation condition setting value so that the tip air kerma compatible with wearing matches the tip air kerma without wearing immediately before the attachment of the detachable member by operating either one of the 60 kV selection button 180 and the 70 kV selection button 181 and operating either one of the increase button 185 and the decrease button 186.

[0147] When the irradiation condition setting value is changed in the condition setting unit 303, the display unit 32 displays the changed irradiation condition setting value and updates the display of the irradiation condition setting value. Further, the X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 obtains the wearing-corresponding X-ray dose information corresponding to the changed irradiation condition setting value. For example, first, the X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 obtains the condition setting value-corresponding X-ray dose information in non-wearing imaging corresponding to the changed irradiation condition setting value. Then, based on the newly obtained condition setting value-corresponding X-ray dose information in non-wearing imaging, the X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 obtains the wearing-corresponding X-ray dose information corresponding to the changed irradiation condition setting value using the above formulas (1) to (4). The display unit 32 displays the wearing-corresponding X-ray dose information newly obtained by the X-ray dose acquisition unit 302 and updates the display of the wearing-corresponding X-ray dose information.

[0148] In this way, when the display unit 32 is displaying the wearing-corresponding X-ray dose information and the input unit 33 can receive the setting input of the irradiation conditions, the user can perform the setting input of the irradiation conditions after confirming the wearing-corresponding X-ray dose information displayed on the display unit 32. Therefore, it becomes easier for the user to perform the setting input of the irradiation conditions.

[0149] The display unit 32 may display the irradiation conditions (wearing-compatible irradiation conditions) that are appropriately adapted to the attachment of the detachable member 500 to the housing 22. The wearing-compatible irradiation conditions can be said to be, for example, the irradiation conditions suitable for imaging during wearing. As the wearing-compatible irradiation conditions, the display unit 32 may display, for example, the irradiation conditions such that the wearing-corresponding tip air kerma matches the non-wearing tip air kerma immediately before the attachment of the detachable member 500. The user who has confirmed the wearing-compatible irradiation conditions displayed on the display unit 32 performs the condition setting input to the control device 3 so that the irradiation condition setting value matches the wearing-compatible irradiation conditions.

[0150] A concept of the X-ray dose information for imaging including both the standard X-ray dose information and the wearing-compatible X-ray dose information may be established. A concept of the irradiation conditions for imaging including both the standard irradiation conditions and the wearing-compatible irradiation conditions may be established. From similar considerations, concepts of the tip X-ray dose information for imaging and the detector X-ray dose information for imaging may be established.

[0151] For the X-ray dose information of the imaging detector, the value when there is no intraoral imaging target tissue may be adopted, or the value when there is intraoral imaging target tissue may also be adopted. In the latter case, the absorption attenuation due to the intraoral imaging target tissue is included in the X-ray dose information of the imaging detector. The intraoral imaging target tissue may be, for example, the target tissue in the case of a standard skeleton. At that time, assuming that there is an intraoral imaging target tissue for each body type of the subject, the intraoral imaging target tissue may be set for each body type.

[0152] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display of the mounting-compatible irradiation conditions. In Figure 16, an example of the display of the mounting-compatible irradiation conditions when the detachable member 500 is the long cylindrical collimator member 600 is shown. In the example of Figure 16, the mounting-compatible irradiation condition 190 is shown on the display screen 125A shown in Figure 14. The display unit 32 displays the display screen 125A shown in Figure 16, for example, in response to receiving a mounting notification input from the input unit 33 notifying that the long cylindrical collimator member 600 is mounted on the housing 22. Alternatively, the display unit 32 displays the display screen 125A shown in Figure 16, for example, in response to automatic recognition of the mounting by the automatic recognition unit 11.

[0153] In the example of Figure 16, the irradiation time is longer under the mounting-compatible irradiation condition 190 compared to the current irradiation condition setting value 160. The user operates, for example, the increase button 185 to perform condition setting input to the control device 3 so that the irradiation time setting value matches the irradiation time included in the mounting-compatible irradiation condition 190.

[0154] In this way, when the display unit 32 displays the mounting-compatible irradiation conditions, the user can easily confirm the mounting-compatible irradiation conditions.

[0155] Also, when the input unit 33 receives condition setting input while the display unit 32 is displaying the mounting-compatible irradiation conditions, the user can perform condition setting input after confirming the mounting-compatible irradiation conditions. Therefore, it becomes easier for the user to perform condition setting input.

[0156] In the above example, the condition setting unit 303 sets the irradiation conditions to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member 500 to the container 22 in response to the condition setting input from the user. However, the irradiation conditions may be automatically set to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member 50 to the container 22 without the condition setting input from the user. Thereby, the convenience of the X-ray irradiation system 1 is improved.

[0157] For example, the condition setting unit 303 may automatically set the irradiation conditions to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member 500 by automatically setting the irradiation conditions so that the air kerma at the attachment-compatible tip is the same as the air kerma at the tip before attachment of the detachable member 500 immediately before attachment. In this case, the condition setting unit 303 may change, for example, the irradiation time setting value so that the air kerma at the attachment-compatible tip matches the air kerma at the tip before attachment of the detachable member 500 immediately before attachment.

[0158] For example, the condition setting unit 303 may automatically set the irradiation conditions to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member 500 in response to the automatic recognition of attachment by the automatic recognition unit 11. Alternatively, the condition setting unit 303 may automatically set the irradiation conditions to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member 500 in response to receiving the attachment notification input at the input unit 33. When the irradiation conditions are automatically set, the display unit 32 may show the set value 160 of the irradiation conditions after the automatic setting on the above-described display screen 125.

[0159] Also, when the condition setting unit 303 automatically sets the irradiation conditions so as to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member 500, the display unit 32 may display the radiation dose information corresponding to attachment after the irradiation conditions are automatically set so as to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member 500. That is, the display unit 32 may display the radiation dose information corresponding to attachment when the imaging at the time of attachment is performed with the set value of the irradiation conditions automatically set so as to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member 500. For example, in the above-described display screen 125, when the set value 160 of the irradiation conditions after the automatic setting is shown, the radiation dose information 175 corresponding to attachment when the imaging at the time of attachment is performed with the set value 160 of the irradiation conditions after the automatic setting may be shown on the display screen 125. In this case, the displayed radiation dose information 175 is, for example, the same as the radiation dose information 170 corresponding to the set value of the conditions in the imaging without attachment immediately before the attachment of the detachable member 500. Further, the display unit 32 may simultaneously display the radiation dose information corresponding to attachment after the irradiation conditions are automatically set so as to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member 500 and the radiation dose information corresponding to attachment before the irradiation conditions are automatically set.

[0160] In this way, when the condition setting unit 303 automatically sets the irradiation conditions so as to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member 500 in response to the automatic recognition of attachment by the automatic recognition unit 11, appropriate irradiation conditions are automatically set in response to the user attaching the detachable member 500 to the housing 22. Therefore, the convenience of the X-ray irradiation system 1 is improved.

[0161] Also, when the condition setting unit 303 automatically sets the irradiation conditions so as to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member in response to receiving a predetermined input (for example, an attachment notification input) at the input unit 33, the user can cause the condition setting unit 303 to automatically set appropriate irradiation conditions by performing the predetermined input.

[0162] Also, when the display unit 32 displays the radiation dose information after the irradiation conditions are automatically set so as to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member 500 to the housing 22, the user can easily confirm the radiation dose information.

[0163] In addition, when the input unit 33 receives an automatic setting instruction input instructing the automatic setting of irradiation conditions so as to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member 500, the condition setting unit 303 may automatically set the irradiation conditions so as to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member 500. For example, when the display unit 32 performs displays such as the irradiation condition setting value 160 and the radiation dose information 175 corresponding to attachment as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 in response to the reception of the attachment notification input at the input unit 33, and then the input unit 33 receives an automatic setting instruction input, the condition setting unit 303 may automatically set the irradiation conditions so as to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member 500. Alternatively, when the display unit 32 performs displays such as the irradiation condition setting value 160 and the radiation dose information 175 corresponding to attachment as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 in response to the automatic recognition of attachment by the automatic recognition unit 11, and then the input unit 33 receives an automatic setting instruction input, the condition setting unit 303 may automatically set the irradiation conditions so as to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 17, the display unit 32 may show an automatic setting button 195 for automatically setting the irradiation conditions so as to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member 500 on the display screen 125. The user can perform an automatic setting instruction input to the control device 3 by operating the automatic setting button 195. When the automatic setting button 195 is operated, the condition setting unit 303 automatically sets the irradiation conditions so as to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member 500. In the example of FIG. 17, the automatic setting button 195 is shown on the display screen 125 of FIG. 14, but the automatic setting button 195 may be shown on the display screen 125 of FIG. 15 or the display screen 125 of FIG. 16.

[0164] <Another example> As shown in FIG. 18, the control unit 30 of the control device 3 may include a conformity determination unit 305 that determines whether the detachable member 500 (also referred to as the attached / detached member 500) attached to the container 22 conforms to the subject information regarding the subject 100. The conformity determination unit 305 determines, for example, whether the attached / detached member 500 conforms to the designated body type specified by the user.

[0165] When the control unit 30 includes the automatic recognition unit 11, the conformity determination unit 305 may determine, for example, whether the attaching / detaching member 500 conforms to the specified body type in accordance with the automatic recognition of the attachment of the attaching / detaching member 500 by the automatic recognition unit 11. In this case, the automatic recognition unit 11 notifies the conformity determination unit 305 of the type of the attaching / detaching member 500. The conformity determination unit 305 determines whether the attaching / detaching member 500 of the type notified from the automatic recognition unit 11 conforms to the specified body type.

[0166] Also, when the input unit 33 receives a wearing notification input, the conformity determination unit 305 may determine whether the attaching / detaching member 500 conforms to the specified body type in accordance with the reception of the wearing notification input by the input unit 33. In this case, the conformity determination unit 305 identifies the type of the attaching / detaching member 500 attached to the housing 22 based on the wearing notification input received by the input unit 33. Then, the conformity determination unit 305 determines whether the attaching / detaching member 500 of the identified type conforms to the specified body type.

[0167] The conformity determination unit 305 may include an automatic determination unit that automatically determines the physique of the subject 100. For example, a camera that captures a subject image in visible light may be provided, and the automatic determination unit may automatically analyze the subject image based on the captured image by the camera and acquire subject information based on the result. Also, a mechanical member that sandwiches the subject's head may be provided at or near the headrest 9, and further, an opening degree detection unit that detects the opening degree of the mechanical member may be provided. The automatic determination unit may discriminate the size of the subject's head based on the detection result by the opening degree detection unit and acquire subject information based on the result.

[0168] In this example, as shown in FIG. 18, the storage unit 31 stores compatibility information 315 indicating which type of the above-described four types of body types is compatible with which type of attachment / detachment member 500. For example, the body type indicating a large body size is compatible with the attachment / detachment member 500 having a large X-ray irradiation field area at the tip, and the body type indicating a small body size is compatible with the attachment / detachment member 500 having a small X-ray irradiation field area at the tip. For example, for the body type of L size, the long cylindrical collimator member 600 and the rectangular collimator member 700 corresponding to size 3 are compatible. Also, for the body type of M size, for example, the rectangular collimator member 700 corresponding to size 2 is compatible. Also, for the body type of S size, for example, the rectangular collimator member 700 corresponding to size 1 is compatible. And for the body type of C size, for example, the rectangular collimator member 700 corresponding to size 0 is compatible.

[0169] The compatibility determination unit 305 determines whether the attached / detached member 500 is compatible with the designated body type based on the compatibility information 315. For example, when the attached / detached member 500 is the long cylindrical collimator member 600 and the designated body type is C size, the compatibility determination unit 305 determines that the attached / detached member 500 is not compatible with the designated body type. Also, for example, when the attached / detached member 500 is the rectangular collimator member 700 corresponding to size 2 and the designated body type is M size, the compatibility determination unit 305 determines that the attached / detached member 500 is compatible with the designated body type.

[0170] The display unit 32 may perform a predetermined display in response to the compatibility determination unit 305 determining that the attached / detached member 500 is not compatible with the subject information. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the display unit 32.

[0171] When the compatibility determination unit 305 determines that the attached / detached member 500 is not compatible with the designated body type, the display unit 32 displays, for example, notification information 196 notifying that the attached / detached member 500 is not compatible with the designated body type on the display surface 320. The display unit 32 erases the display of the notification information 196, for example, when it is specified in the attachment / detachment specifying unit 304 that the attachment / detachment member 500 has been removed from the housing 22.

[0172] In this way, when the fitting / detaching member 500 does not match the subject information as determined by the conformity determination unit 305, the display unit 32 performs a predetermined display, enabling the user to easily grasp that the fitting / detaching member 500 does not match the subject information.

[0173] Note that when the input unit 33 receives an emission instruction input for instructing the emission of the X-ray beam 410, the conformity determination unit 305 may determine whether the fitting / detaching member 500 matches the subject information. In this case, when the conformity determination unit 305 determines that the fitting / detaching member 500 matches the subject information, the X-ray beam 410 may be emitted from the tip of the detachable member 500. On the other hand, when the conformity determination unit 305 determines that the fitting / detaching member 500 does not match the subject information, the X-ray beam 410 may not be emitted from the tip of the detachable member 500, and further, the display unit 32 may perform a display as shown in FIG. 19.

[0174] As shown in FIG. 20, the control unit 30 may include a mounting determination unit 306 that determines whether a detachable member 500 that matches the subject information regarding the subject 100 is mounted on the housing 22. The mounting determination unit 306 may determine, for example, whether a detachable member 50 that matches the designated body type specified by the body type designation input is mounted on the housing 22 in response to receiving the body type designation input at the input unit 33. Further, the mounting determination unit 306 may determine whether a detachable member 500 that matches the designated body type is mounted on the housing 22 in response to the automatic recognition of the mounting of the detachable member 500 by the automatic recognition unit 11. Further, the mounting determination unit 306 may determine whether a detachable member 500 that matches the designated body type is mounted on the housing 22 in response to receiving a mounting notification input at the input unit 33.

[0175] Also in this example, the adaptation information 315 is stored in the storage unit 31. The attachment / detachment determination unit 306 determines, based on the adaptation information 315, whether the attachment / detachment member 500 that conforms to the specified body type is attached to the housing 22. Similar to the adaptation determination unit 305, the attachment / detachment determination unit 306 may be notified of the type of the attached / detached member 500 from the automatic recognition unit 11, or may specify the type of the attached / detached member 500 based on the attachment notification input received by the input unit 33.

[0176] For example, when the specified body type is size C and the attachment / detachment member 500 is not attached to the housing 22, the attachment / detachment determination unit 306 determines that the attachment / detachment member 500 that conforms to the specified body type is not attached to the housing 22. Also, when the specified body type is size C and the long cylindrical collimator member 600 is attached to the housing 22, the attachment / detachment determination unit 306 determines that the attachment / detachment member 500 that conforms to the specified body type is not attached to the housing 22. On the other hand, when the specified body type is size C and the size 0 compatible rectangular collimator member 700 is attached to the housing 22, the attachment / detachment determination unit 306 determines that the attachment / detachment member 500 that conforms to the specified body type is attached to the housing 22.

[0177] As another example, when the specified body type is size L and the size 0 compatible rectangular collimator member 700 is attached to the housing 22, the attachment / detachment determination unit 306 determines that the attachment / detachment member 500 that conforms to the specified body type is not attached to the housing 22.

[0178] Note that in this example, the area of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip 221 of the housing 22 is the same as the area of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip 621 of the long cylindrical collimator member 600. Therefore, when the specified body type is size L, the attachment / detachment determination unit 306 does not determine that the attachment / detachment member 50 that conforms to the specified body type is not attached to the housing 22 when the attachment / detachment member 50 is not attached to the housing 22.

[0179] When the attachment / detachment determination unit 306 determines that the attachment / detachment member 500 that matches the subject information is not attached to the housing 22, the display unit 32 may perform a predetermined display. FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the display unit 32.

[0180] When the attachment / detachment determination unit 306 determines that the attachment / detachment member 500 that matches the specified physical constitution type is not attached to the housing 22, the display unit 32 displays, for example, notification information 198 notifying that the attachment / detachment member 500 that matches the subject information is not attached to the housing 22 on the display surface 320.

[0181] When the notification information 198 is displayed when the attachment / detachment member 500 is attached to the housing 22, the display unit 32 may erase the display of the notification information 198 when the attachment / detachment specifying unit 304 specifies that the attachment / detachment member 500 has been removed from the housing 22. Also, when the notification information 198 is displayed when the attachment / detachment member 500 is not attached to the housing 22, the display unit 32 may erase the display of the notification information 198 when the attachment / detachment specifying unit 304 specifies that the attachment / detachment member has been attached to the housing 22.

[0182] In this way, when the display unit 32 performs a predetermined display in response to the attachment / detachment determination unit 306 determining that the attachment / detachment member 500 that matches the subject information is not attached to the housing 22, the user can easily grasp that the attachment / detachment member 500 that matches the subject information is not attached to the housing 22.

[0183] Note that when the input unit 33 receives an emission instruction input for instructing the emission of the X-ray beam 410, the attachment / detachment determination unit 306 may determine whether or not the attachment / detachment member 500 that conforms to the subject information is attached to the housing 22. In this case, when the attachment / detachment determination unit 306 determines that the attachment / detachment member 500 that conforms to the subject information is attached to the housing 22, the X-ray beam 410 may be emitted from the tip of the attachment / detachment member 500. On the other hand, when the attachment / detachment determination unit 306 determines that the attachment / detachment member 500 that conforms to the subject information is not attached to the housing 22, the X-ray beam 410 may not be emitted from the tip of the attachment / detachment member 500, and the display unit 32 may perform a display as shown in FIG. 21.

[0184] In the above example, the display unit 32 displays the X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the attachment / detachment member 500 when the attachment / detachment member 500 is attached to the housing 22. However, regardless of whether or not the attachment / detachment member 500 is attached to the housing 22, the X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the attachment / detachment member 500 may be displayed. In this case, for example, the input unit 33 can receive a display instruction input for instructing the display of the X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the attachment / detachment member 500 for each of the plurality of types of attachment / detachment members 500, regardless of whether or not the attachment / detachment member 500 is attached to the housing 22. When the input unit 33 receives a display instruction input for instructing the display of the X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of a certain type of attachment / detachment member 500, the display unit 32 displays the X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the certain type of attachment / detachment member 500. The display unit 32 may display a plurality of selection buttons corresponding to the plurality of types of attachment / detachment members 500, respectively. In this case, the user may perform a display instruction input for instructing the display of the X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the attachment / detachment member 500 of the type corresponding to the selection button by operating the selection button.

[0185] The control unit 30 of the control device 3 may generate imaging information regarding the executed X-ray imaging performed using the X-ray irradiation system 1 and store it in the storage unit 31. Further, the control unit 30 may cause the display unit 32 to display the imaging information regarding the executed X-ray imaging. The control unit 30 may generate imaging information regarding the executed X-ray imaging and store it in the storage unit 31 each time X-ray imaging is performed. Hereinafter, the executed non-worn imaging may be referred to as executed non-worn imaging, and the executed imaging during wearing may be referred to as executed imaging during wearing.

[0186] FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing an example of imaging information 450 (also referred to as executed non-worn imaging information 450) regarding the executed non-worn imaging. For example, each time non-worn imaging is performed once, one executed non-worn imaging information 450 is generated and stored in the storage unit 31.

[0187] As shown in FIG. 22, in the executed non-worn imaging information 450, for example, the imaging date and time 451 of the executed non-worn imaging, the irradiation condition setting value 452 in the executed non-worn imaging, and the X-ray dose information 453 in the executed non-worn imaging are associated with each other. It can also be said that the imaging date and time 451 is the execution date and time of the non-worn imaging. The X-ray dose information in the executed non-worn imaging is the X-ray dose information of the X-ray beam 410 irradiated to the X-ray detector 10 in the executed non-worn imaging. The X-ray dose information 453 may include the air kerma at the tip 221 of the non-worn X-ray generator 2, or may include the area dose at the tip 221. Further, the X-ray dose information 453 may include the air kerma at the X-ray detector 10, or may include the area dose at the X-ray detector 10.

[0188] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing an example of X-ray imaging information 460 (also referred to as executed imaging information during wearing 460) regarding the executed imaging during wearing. For example, each time imaging during wearing is performed once, one executed imaging information during wearing 460 is generated and stored in the storage unit 31.

[0189] As shown in FIG. 23, in the information 460 of the in-use shooting, for example, the shooting date and time 461 of the in-use shooting, the irradiation condition setting value 462 in the in-use shooting, the X-ray dose information 463 in the in-use shooting, and the attachment / detachment member information 464 regarding the attachment / detachment member 500 used in the in-use shooting are associated with each other.

[0190] The X-ray dose information 463 may include the air kerma at the tip of the mounted X-ray generator 2A, or may include the area dose at the tip. Further, the X-ray dose information 463 may include the air kerma at the X-ray detector 10, or may include the area dose at the X-ray detector 10.

[0191] The attachment / detachment member information 464 may include, for example, type identification information indicating the type of the attachment / detachment member 500. The type identification information may be the name of the type of the attachment / detachment member 500, or may be a number indicating the type of the attachment / detachment member 500. Further, the attachment / detachment member information 464 may include size information indicating the size of the X-ray irradiation field at the tip of the attachment / detachment member 500.

[0192] Note that in the information 450 of the non-in-use shooting, the shooting date and time 451 of the non-in-use shooting, the irradiation condition setting value 452 in the non-in-use shooting, the X-ray dose information 453 in the non-in-use shooting, and the subject information of the subject 100 on which the non-in-use shooting was performed may be associated with each other. Also, in the information 460 of the in-use shooting, the shooting date and time 461 of the in-use shooting, the irradiation condition setting value 462 in the in-use shooting, the X-ray dose information 463 in the in-use shooting, the attachment / detachment member information 464 regarding the attachment / detachment member 500 used in the in-use shooting, and the subject information of the subject 100 on which the in-use shooting was performed may be associated with each other.

[0193] As described above, in the example of FIG. 23, the set value of the irradiation conditions in the execution X-ray imaging (i.e., the imaging at the time of execution and attachment) executed with the detachable member 500 attached to the housing 22, the X-ray dose information in the execution X-ray imaging, and the detachable member information regarding the detachable member 500 are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 31. Thereby, after the imaging at the time of attachment is executed, the user can use the set value of the irradiation conditions and the X-ray dose information in the imaging at the time of execution and attachment, and the detachable member information regarding the detachable member 500 used in the imaging at the time of execution and attachment. For example, for the same subject, imaging can be performed under the irradiation conditions applied in past imaging. It may be possible to receive an input of the subject individual and the selected detachable member (at least one of them may be automatically detected), to receive a reference command for referring to the stored imaging information 460 at the time of execution and attachment corresponding to the subject and the detachable member, and to be able to command the execution of imaging under specified conditions. Thereby, the convenience of the X-ray irradiation system 1 is improved. The same applies to the imaging information 450 before execution and without attachment. For example, for the same subject, imaging can be performed under the irradiation conditions applied in past imaging. It may be possible to receive an input of the subject individual (which may be automatically detected), to receive a reference command for referring to the stored imaging information 450 before execution and without attachment corresponding to the subject, and to be able to command the execution of imaging under specified conditions.

[0194] Note that the display unit 32 may display the imaging information 450 before execution and without attachment and the imaging information 460 at the time of execution and attachment in the storage unit 31.

[0195] In the above example, the subject information specified by the user to the control device 3 through the input unit 33 included body type, but the subject information may include information other than body type. For example, the subject information specified by the user may include the age information of the subject 100. The age information that the user can specify may be, for example, four types: child, young, middle-aged, and elderly. The storage unit 31 may store, for example, standard irradiation conditions suitable for each of a plurality of combinations of the body type, age information, and imaging site of the subject 100. For example, when there are four types of body types, four types of age information, and six imaging sites, 96 standard irradiation conditions are stored in the storage unit 31. The condition setting unit 303 may use, as the set value of the irradiation condition, the standard irradiation condition suitable for the combination of the body type, age information, and imaging site specified by the user among the plurality of standard irradiation conditions stored in the storage unit 31.

[0196] The control device 3 may be communicable with another information processing device 90, for example, as shown in FIG. 24. In the example of FIG. 24, the control device 3 and the information processing device 90 can communicate with each other through the network 95. The network 95 may include at least one of a LAN (Local Area Network) and the Internet. The information processing device 90 is, for example, a computer device.

[0197] In the example of FIG. 24, the control device 3 includes an interface 35 communicable with the network 95. The interface 35 may perform wired communication or wireless communication with the network 95.

[0198] The information processing device 90 includes, for example, a control unit 900, a storage unit 910, a display unit 920, an input unit 930, and an interface 950. The interface 950 is communicable with the network 95. The interface 950 may perform wired communication or wireless communication with the network 95. The interface 950 and the interface 35 of the control device 3 can communicate with each other through the network 95.

[0199] The control unit 900 can comprehensively manage the operation of the information processing device 90 by controlling other components of the information processing device 90. The configuration of the control unit 900 may be the same as, for example, the configuration of the control unit 30 of the control device 3.

[0200] The storage unit 910 stores, for example, a program for controlling the information processing device 90. Various functions of the control unit 900 are realized, for example, by at least one processor included in the control unit 900 executing the program in the storage unit 910. The configuration of the storage unit 910 may be the same as, for example, the configuration of the storage unit 31 of the control device 3.

[0201] The input unit 930 can receive various inputs from the user. The configuration of the input unit 930 may be the same as, for example, the configuration of the input unit 33 of the control device 3. The display unit 920 can display various information such as characters, graphics, and images under the control of the control unit 900. The configuration of the display unit 920 may be the same as, for example, the configuration of the display unit 32 of the control device 3.

[0202] When the control device 3 can communicate with the information processing device 90, the control device 3 may acquire subject information from the information processing device 90. For example, assume that the information processing device 90 is a server device that manages electronic medical record information. The storage unit 910 stores the electronic medical record information of each of a plurality of patients. The control device 3 requests the information processing device 90 to transmit the electronic medical record information of the subject 100 through the interface 35. In the information processing device 90, the control unit 900 reads out the electronic medical record information of the subject 100 from the storage unit 910. The electronic medical record information of the subject 100 read from the storage unit 910 is transmitted from the interface 950 to the control device 3. In the control device 3, the control unit 30 acquires subject information from the electronic medical record information of the subject 100 received by the interface 35. The subject information acquired from the electronic medical record information is used in the X-ray irradiation system 1 instead of the subject information designated by the user.

[0203] Further, the information processing apparatus 90 may receive the un-mounted shooting information 450 and the mounted shooting information 460 from the control apparatus 3 and store them in the storage unit 910. Further, the information processing apparatus 90 may display the un-mounted shooting information 450 and the mounted shooting information 460 in the storage unit 910 on the display unit 920.

[0204] In the above example, the X-ray generator 2 and the control apparatus 3 are configured separately, but the control apparatus 3 may be provided in the housing 22 of the X-ray generator 2. In this case, it can be said that the X-ray generator 2 and the control apparatus 3 are integrally configured. Hereinafter, the X-ray generator 2 and the control apparatus 3 provided in the housing 22 are collectively referred to as an integrated X-ray generator 2.

[0205] The housing 22 of the integrated X-ray generator 2 may not be supported by the support portion 8, but may be configured to be held by a user's hand. That is, the integrated X-ray generator 2 may be a handy-type device, and the X-ray irradiation system 1 may be configured by the handy-type integrated X-ray generator 2.

[0206] As described above, the X-ray irradiation system has been described in detail. However, the above description is illustrative in all aspects, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. Further, the various examples described above can be applied in combination as long as they do not conflict with each other. And it is understood that innumerable examples not illustrated can be assumed without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0207] <Supplementary Note> This specification and the drawings disclose the following aspects.

[0208] The X-ray irradiation system according to the first aspect includes an X-ray generator, a first collimator that regulates X-rays from the X-ray generator to form an X-ray beam, a housing that houses the X-ray generator and the first collimator, and a display unit that displays information. The housing has a detachable member having a second collimator that regulates the X-ray beam emitted from the housing, and the display unit displays X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the detachable member to the housing.

[0209] According to the first aspect, since the display unit displays the X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the detachable member to the container, the user can easily confirm the X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the detachable member to the container. Therefore, the convenience of the X-ray irradiation system is improved.

[0210] The second aspect is the X-ray irradiation system according to the first aspect, wherein a plurality of detachable members with different collimations are selectively detachable from the container, and when the plurality of detachable members are regarded as a set of detachable members, the display unit uses the detachable member selected from the set of detachable members as the first detachable member, and displays the X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the first detachable member to the container as the first X-ray dose information.

[0211] The third aspect is the X-ray irradiation system according to the second aspect, wherein a second detachable member having a third collimator and different collimation from the first detachable member is detachable from the container among the set of detachable members, and the display unit displays the second X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the second detachable member to the container. In this case, the user can easily confirm the second X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the second detachable member to the container.

[0212] The fourth aspect is the X-ray irradiation system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the detachable member includes the second collimator and a cylindrical portion that is detachable from the container and houses the second collimator, and the X-ray beam regulated by the second collimator is emitted from the tip of the cylindrical portion to the outside of the detachable member. In this case, the user can easily confirm the X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the detachable member including the second collimator and the cylindrical portion that houses the second collimator to the container.

[0213] The fifth aspect is an X-ray irradiation system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the second collimator changes the shape of the irradiation field of the X-ray beam emitted from the container from circular to rectangular. In this case, the user can easily confirm the X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the detachable member including the second collimator that changes the shape of the irradiation field of the X-ray beam emitted from the container from circular to rectangular to the container.

[0214] The sixth aspect is an X-ray irradiation system according to the third aspect, wherein the second collimator is housed in the first cylindrical portion or forms the first cylindrical portion, the third collimator is housed in the second cylindrical portion or forms the second cylindrical portion, and one of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion is formed longer than the other of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion.

[0215] The seventh aspect is an X-ray irradiation system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, comprising an input unit that receives an input from a user, and the display unit displays the X-ray dose information in response to receiving a predetermined input at the input unit. In this case, the user can confirm the X-ray dose information by performing a predetermined input.

[0216] The eighth aspect is an X-ray irradiation system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, comprising an input unit that receives an input from a user, and the input unit can receive a setting input of X-ray irradiation conditions when the display unit is displaying the X-ray dose information. In this case, the user can perform a setting input of X-ray irradiation conditions after confirming the X-ray dose information.

[0217] The ninth aspect is an X-ray irradiation system according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, comprising an automatic recognition unit that automatically recognizes the attachment of the detachable member to the container. In this case, since the attachment of the detachable member to the container is automatically recognized, the convenience of the X-ray irradiation system is improved.

[0218] The tenth aspect is the X-ray irradiation system according to the ninth aspect, wherein the display unit displays the X-ray dose information in response to automatic recognition by the automatic recognition unit of the attachment of the detachable member to the container. In this case, the user can confirm the X-ray dose information simply by attaching the detachable member to the container.

[0219] The eleventh aspect is the X-ray irradiation system according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the display unit displays X-ray irradiation conditions suitable for the attachment of the detachable member to the container. In this case, the user can easily confirm the X-ray irradiation conditions suitable for the attachment of the detachable member to the container.

[0220] The twelfth aspect is the X-ray irradiation system according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, comprising a condition setting unit for setting X-ray irradiation conditions, wherein the condition setting unit automatically sets the X-ray irradiation conditions so as to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member to the container. In this case, since the X-ray irradiation conditions are automatically set so as to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member to the container, the convenience of the X-ray irradiation system is improved.

[0221] The thirteenth aspect is the X-ray irradiation system according to the twelfth aspect, comprising an input unit for receiving an input from the user, wherein the condition setting unit automatically sets the X-ray irradiation conditions so as to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member to the container in response to receiving a predetermined input at the input unit. In this case, the user can cause the condition setting unit to automatically set appropriate X-ray irradiation conditions by making a predetermined input.

[0222] The fourteenth aspect is the X-ray irradiation system according to the ninth or tenth aspect, comprising a condition setting unit for setting the X-ray irradiation conditions, wherein the condition setting unit automatically sets the X-ray irradiation conditions so as to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member to the container in response to automatic recognition by the automatic recognition unit of the attachment of the detachable member to the container. In this case, appropriate X-ray irradiation conditions are automatically set in response to the user attaching the attachment member to the container.

[0223] The 15th aspect is an X-ray irradiation system according to any one of the 12th to 14th aspects, wherein the X-ray dose information includes the X-ray dose information after the X-ray irradiation conditions are automatically set so as to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member to the container. In this case, the user can easily confirm the X-ray dose information after the X-ray irradiation conditions are automatically set so as to be suitable for the attachment of the detachable member to the container.

[0224] The 16th aspect is an X-ray irradiation system according to any one of the 1st to 15th aspects, wherein the detachable member attached to the container includes a conformity determination unit that determines whether the detachable member conforms to the subject information regarding the subject of the imaging by the X-ray beam, and the display unit performs a predetermined display in response to the conformity determination unit determining that the detachable member attached to the container does not conform to the subject information. In this case, since a predetermined display is performed when the detachable member attached to the container does not conform to the subject information, the user can easily grasp that the detachable member attached to the container does not conform to the subject information.

[0225] The 17th aspect is an X-ray irradiation system according to any one of the 1st to 16th aspects, wherein the detachable member that conforms to the subject information regarding the subject of the imaging by the X-ray beam includes a mounting determination unit that determines whether the detachable member is mounted on the container, and the display unit performs a predetermined display in response to the mounting determination unit determining that the detachable member that conforms to the subject information is not mounted on the container. In this case, since a predetermined display is performed when the detachable member that conforms to the subject information is not mounted on the container, the user can easily grasp that the detachable member that conforms to the subject information is not mounted on the container.

[0226] The 18th aspect is an X-ray irradiation system according to any one of the 1st to 17th aspects, comprising a storage unit that stores, in association with each other, the set value of the irradiation conditions in the executed X-ray imaging performed with the detachable member attached to the container, the X-ray dose information in the executed X-ray imaging, and the detachable member information regarding the detachable member. In this case, after the X-ray imaging is executed with the detachable member attached to the container, the user can utilize the set value of the irradiation conditions and the X-ray dose information in the executed X-ray imaging, and the detachable member information regarding the detachable member used in the executed X-ray imaging.

[0227] The 19th aspect is an X-ray irradiation system according to any one of the 1st to 18th aspects, wherein the X-ray dose information includes the X-ray dose information at the tip of the detachable member. In this case, the user can easily confirm the X-ray dose information at the tip of the detachable member when the detachable member is attached to the container.

[0228] The 20th aspect is an X-ray irradiation system according to any one of the 2nd, 3rd, and 6th aspects, comprising an input unit that receives an input from the user, and the input unit can receive a setting input of the X-ray irradiation conditions when the display unit is displaying the second X-ray dose information.

[0229] The 21st aspect is an X-ray irradiation system according to any one of the 1st to 20th aspects, wherein the X-ray dose information includes the X-ray dose information in an X-ray detector that detects the X-ray beam emitted from the detachable member. In this case, the user can easily confirm the X-ray dose information in the X-ray detector when the detachable member is attached to the container.

[0230] The 22nd aspect is an X-ray irradiation system according to the 6th aspect, comprising an automatic recognition unit that automatically recognizes the attachment of the first detachable member to the container and the attachment of the second detachable member to the container.

[0231] Aspect 23 is an X-ray irradiation system according to Aspect 22, wherein the display unit displays the first X-ray dose information in response to automatic recognition of the attachment of the first detachable member to the container by the automatic recognition unit, and displays the second X-ray dose information in response to automatic recognition of the attachment of the second detachable member to the container.

[0232] Aspect 24 is an X-ray irradiation system according to Aspect 23, wherein the display unit displays X-ray irradiation conditions corresponding to the attachment of the first detachable member to the container, and displays X-ray irradiation conditions corresponding to the attachment of the second detachable member to the container.

[0233] Aspect 25 is an X-ray irradiation system according to Aspect 24, comprising a condition setting unit for setting X-ray irradiation conditions, wherein the condition setting unit automatically sets the X-ray irradiation conditions so as to be suitable for the attachment of the first detachable member to the container, and automatically sets the X-ray irradiation conditions so as to be suitable for the attachment of the second detachable member to the container.

[0234] Aspect 26 is an X-ray irradiation system according to Aspect 25, comprising a conformity determination unit for determining whether the first detachable member attached to the container conforms to subject information regarding a subject to be photographed by the X-ray beam, and whether the second detachable member attached to the container conforms to subject information regarding the subject to be photographed by the X-ray beam, wherein the display unit performs a predetermined display in response to the conformity determination unit determining that the detachable member attached to the container does not conform to the subject information.

[0235] Aspect 27 is an X-ray irradiation system according to Aspect 25, comprising a mounting determination unit for determining whether the first detachable member conforming to subject information regarding a subject to be photographed by the X-ray beam is attached to the container, and whether the second detachable member conforming to the subject information regarding the subject to be photographed by the X-ray beam is attached to the container, wherein the display unit performs a predetermined display in response to the mounting determination unit determining that the detachable member conforming to the subject information is not attached to the container.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0236] 1 X-ray irradiation system 10 X-ray detector 11 Automatic recognition unit 21,610,710 Collimator unit 22 Container 31,910 Memory unit 32 Display unit 33 Input unit 100 Subject 200 X-ray generator 303 Condition setting unit 305 Conformance determination unit 306 Mounting determination unit 400 X-rays 410 X-ray beam 500,600,700 Detachable member 620 Cylindrical part

Claims

1. An X-ray generator, a first collimator that regulates X-rays from the X-ray generator to form an X-ray beam, a housing that houses the X-ray generator and the first collimator, and a display unit that displays information. The X-ray irradiation system is provided with: a detachable member having a second collimator that regulates the X-ray beam emitted from the housing is detachable from the housing, wherein the display unit displays X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the detachable member to the housing.

2. The X-ray irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of detachable members having different collimations are selectively detachable from the housing, when the plurality of detachable members are regarded as a set of detachable members, the display unit designates a detachable member selected from the set of detachable members as a first detachable member, and displays the X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the first detachable member to the housing as first X-ray dose information.

3. The X-ray irradiation system according to claim 2, wherein a second detachable member having a third collimator and having a different collimation from the first detachable member is detachable from the housing among the set of detachable members, and the display unit displays second X-ray dose information corresponding to the attachment of the second detachable member to the housing.

4. The X-ray irradiation system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the detachable member comprises the second collimator, and a cylindrical portion that is detachable from the housing and houses the second collimator. The X-ray beam regulated by the second collimator is emitted from the tip of the cylindrical portion to the outside of the detachable member. The X-ray irradiation system is provided with:

5. The X-ray irradiation system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second collimator changes the shape of the irradiation field of the X-ray beam emitted from the housing from circular to rectangular.

6. The X-ray irradiation system according to claim 3, wherein the second collimator is housed in a first cylindrical portion or forms the first cylindrical portion, the third collimator is housed in a second cylindrical portion or forms the second cylindrical portion, and one of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion is formed longer than the other of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion.

7. The X-ray irradiation system according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising an input unit that receives an input from a user. The X-ray dose information is displayed by the display unit in response to reception of a predetermined input at the input unit, in an X-ray irradiation system.

8. The X-ray irradiation system according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising an input unit that receives an input from a user, wherein the input unit is capable of receiving a setting input of X-ray irradiation conditions when the display unit is displaying the X-ray dose information, in the X-ray irradiation system.

9. The X-ray irradiation system according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising an automatic recognition unit that automatically recognizes attachment of the detachable member to the container, in the X-ray irradiation system.

10. The X-ray irradiation system according to claim 9, wherein the display unit displays the X-ray dose information in response to automatic recognition by the automatic recognition unit of attachment of the detachable member to the container, in the X-ray irradiation system.

11. The X-ray irradiation system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the display unit displays X-ray irradiation conditions suitable for attachment of the detachable member to the container, in the X-ray irradiation system.

12. The X-ray irradiation system according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a condition setting unit that sets X-ray irradiation conditions, wherein the condition setting unit automatically sets the X-ray irradiation conditions so as to be suitable for attachment of the detachable member to the container, in the X-ray irradiation system.

13. The X-ray irradiation system according to claim 12, comprising an input unit that receives an input from a user, wherein the condition setting unit automatically sets the X-ray irradiation conditions so as to be suitable for attachment of the detachable member to the container in response to reception of a predetermined input at the input unit, in the X-ray irradiation system.

14. The X-ray irradiation system according to claim 9, comprising a condition setting unit that sets X-ray irradiation conditions, wherein the condition setting unit automatically sets the X-ray irradiation conditions so as to be suitable for attachment of the detachable member to the container in response to automatic recognition by the automatic recognition unit of attachment of the detachable member to the container, in the X-ray irradiation system.

15. The X-ray irradiation system according to claim 12, wherein the X-ray dose information includes X-ray dose information after the X-ray irradiation conditions are automatically set so as to be suitable for attachment of the detachable member to the container, in the X-ray irradiation system.

16. The X-ray irradiation system according to claim 1 or claim 2, The detachable member attached to the container includes a conformity determination unit that determines whether the detachable member attached to the container conforms to subject information regarding a subject to be photographed by the X-ray beam. The display unit performs a predetermined display in response to the conformity determination unit determining that the detachable member attached to the container does not conform to the subject information. The X-ray irradiation system.

17. The X-ray irradiation system according to claim 1 or claim 2, The X-ray irradiation system includes a mounting determination unit that determines whether a detachable member that conforms to subject information regarding a subject to be photographed by the X-ray beam is attached to the container. The display unit performs a predetermined display in response to the mounting determination unit determining that the detachable member that conforms to the subject information is not attached to the container. The X-ray irradiation system.

18. The X-ray irradiation system according to claim 1 or claim 2, The X-ray irradiation system includes a storage unit that stores, in association with each other, a set value of irradiation conditions in an executed X-ray photography performed with the detachable member attached to the container, X-ray dose information in the executed X-ray photography, and detachable member information regarding the detachable member.

19. The X-ray irradiation system according to claim 1 or claim 2, The X-ray dose information includes X-ray dose information at the tip of the detachable member. The X-ray irradiation system.

20. The X-ray irradiation system according to claim 2, The X-ray irradiation system includes an input unit that receives an input from a user. The input unit is capable of receiving a setting input of X-ray irradiation conditions when the display unit is displaying the second X-ray dose information. The X-ray irradiation system.

21. The X-ray irradiation system according to claim 1 or claim 2, The X-ray dose information includes X-ray dose information detected by an X-ray detector that detects the X-ray beam emitted from the detachable member. The X-ray irradiation system.

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