Medical imaging diagnostic device, control method, and control program

Abstract

To suppress noise from fans during inspection and inspection preparation. [Solution] The medical imaging diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment comprises a stand device, a fan, a detection unit, and a rotation control unit. The stand device is installed in the examination room. The fan cools the inside of the stand device. The detection unit detects speech between people present in the examination room. The rotation control unit controls the fan outside the stand device to suppress noise based on the speech.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a medical imaging diagnostic apparatus, a control method, and a control program.

Background Art

[0002] In a medical imaging diagnostic apparatus such as an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus, a subject (e.g., a patient) is imaged using a gantry device provided in an examination room. Here, in the X-ray CT apparatus, since the temperature inside the gantry device rises, for example, a fan is used as a cooling mechanism for cooling the inside of the gantry device. However, while the fan suppresses the rise in temperature inside the gantry device, noise is generated due to the rotation of the fan. For example, during an examination or during examination preparation, it may interfere with conversations between the patient and the medical technician.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to suppress noise caused by the fan during an examination and during examination preparation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The medical imaging diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment includes a gantry device, a fan, a detection unit, and a rotation control unit. The gantry device is provided in an examination room. The fan cools the inside of the gantry device. The detection unit detects conversations between people present in the examination room. The rotation control unit performs control to suppress noise caused by the fan outside the gantry device based on the conversation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of an X-ray CT apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure using the X-ray CT apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of an X-ray CT apparatus according to the first modified example. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure for processing using an X-ray CT scanner according to the first modified example. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of the configuration of an X-ray CT apparatus according to the second modified example. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure for processing using an X-ray CT scanner according to the second modified example. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the shutter according to the third modified example. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the shutter in the third modified example. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure for processing using an X-ray CT scanner according to the third modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The embodiments of the medical imaging diagnostic apparatus, control method, and control program will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0008] (Embodiment) A medical imaging diagnostic device is a device that performs examinations by imaging a subject (e.g., a patient). Medical imaging diagnostic devices include X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) devices, etc. In this embodiment, an X-ray CT device will be described as an example.

[0009] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of an X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. The X-ray CT apparatus 1 collects CT image data of a subject P. Specifically, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 rotates the X-ray tube and X-ray detector around the subject P as the approximate center, detects the X-rays that have passed through the subject P, and collects projection data. Then, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 generates CT image data based on the collected projection data. As shown in Figure 1, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the embodiment includes a stand device 10, a patient table device 30, and a console device 40.

[0010] In this embodiment, the rotation axis of the rotating frame 13 in the non-tilted state or the longitudinal direction of the top plate 33 of the patient device 30 is defined as the Z-axis direction. The axis direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and horizontal to the floor surface is defined as the X-axis direction. The axis direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and perpendicular to the floor surface is defined as the Y-axis direction. Figure 1 shows the gantry device 10 from multiple directions for illustrative purposes, and illustrates the case where the X-ray CT apparatus 1 has one gantry device 10.

[0011] The rigging device 10 comprises an X-ray tube 11, an X-ray detector 12, a rotating frame 13, an X-ray high-voltage device 14, a control device 15, a wedge 16, a collimator 17, and a DAS (Data Acquisition System) 18. The rigging device 10 is installed in the examination room.

[0012] The X-ray tube 11 is a vacuum tube having a cathode (filament) that generates thermionic electrons and an anode (target) that generates X-rays upon collision with thermionic electrons. The X-ray tube 11 generates X-rays to irradiate the subject P by irradiating thermionic electrons from the cathode to the anode when a high voltage is applied from the X-ray high-voltage device 14. For example, there is a rotating anode type X-ray tube 11 that generates X-rays by irradiating a rotating anode with thermionic electrons.

[0013] The wedge 16 is a filter used to adjust the amount of X-rays irradiated from the X-ray tube 11. Specifically, the wedge 16 is a filter that transmits and attenuates the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray tube 11 so that the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray tube 11 to the subject P have a predetermined distribution. For example, the wedge 16 is a wedge filter or a bow-tie filter, which is a filter made of aluminum or the like processed to have a predetermined target angle and thickness.

[0014] The collimator 17 is a lead plate or the like used to narrow the irradiation range of X-rays that have passed through the wedge 16, and a slit is formed by combining multiple lead plates or the like. The collimator 17 is sometimes called an X-ray diaphragm. In Figure 1, the wedge 16 is shown to be placed between the X-ray tube 11 and the collimator 17, but the collimator 17 may also be placed between the X-ray tube 11 and the wedge 16. In this case, the wedge 16 transmits and attenuates the X-rays that are irradiated from the X-ray tube 11 and whose irradiation range has been limited by the collimator 17.

[0015] The X-ray detector 12 has multiple detection elements for detecting X-rays. Each detection element in the X-ray detector 12 detects X-rays irradiated from the X-ray tube 11 that have passed through the subject P, and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected X-ray amount to the DAS 18. The X-ray detector 12 has, for example, multiple rows of detection elements arranged in the channel direction (channel direction) along a single arc centered on the focal point of the X-ray tube 11. The X-ray detector 12 has, for example, a structure in which multiple rows of detection elements, each arranged in the channel direction, are arranged in the row direction (slice direction, row direction).

[0016] For example, the X-ray detector 12 is an indirect conversion type detector having a grid, a scintillator array, and a photosensor array. The scintillator array has multiple scintillators. The scintillators have scintillator crystals that output light in a quantity of photons corresponding to the amount of incident X-rays. The grid is positioned on the X-ray incident side of the scintillator array and has an X-ray shielding plate that absorbs scattered X-rays.

[0017] Note that the grid may also be called a collimator (one-dimensional collimator or two-dimensional collimator). The optical sensor array has a function of converting the amount of light from the scintillator into an electrical signal, and has, for example, an optical sensor such as a photodiode. Note that the X-ray detector 12 may be a direct conversion type detector having a semiconductor element that converts the incident X-ray into an electrical signal.

[0018] The X-ray high voltage device 14 has an electric circuit such as a transformer (transformer) and a rectifier, and includes a high voltage generator that generates a high voltage applied to the X-ray tube 11, and an X-ray control device that controls the output voltage according to the X-ray generated by the X-ray tube 11. The high voltage generator may be a transformer type or an inverter type. Note that the X-ray high voltage device 14 may be provided on the rotating frame 13 or may be provided on a fixed frame not shown in the figure. Here, the fixed frame is a frame that rotatably supports the rotating frame 13.

[0019] The DAS 18 collects the X-ray signals detected by each detection element of the X-ray detector 12. For example, the DAS 18 has an amplifier that performs an amplification process on the electrical signal output from each detection element, and an A / D converter that converts the electrical signal into a digital signal, and generates detection data. The DAS 18 is realized, for example, by a processor.

[0020] The rotating frame 13 is an annular frame that oppositely supports the X-ray tube 11 and the X-ray detector 12, and rotates the X-ray tube 11 and the X-ray detector 12 by the control device 15. For example, the rotating frame 13 is a casting made of aluminum. Note that the rotating frame 13 can further support the X-ray high voltage device 14, the wedge 16, the collimator 17, the DAS 18, etc. in addition to the X-ray tube 11 and the X-ray detector 12. Further, the rotating frame 13 can further support various configurations not shown in FIG. 1.

[0021] The data generated by DAS18 is transmitted via optical communication from a transmitter equipped with a light-emitting diode (LED) on the rotating frame 13 to a receiver equipped with a photodiode located on the non-rotating part of the mounting device 10 (for example, a fixed frame, which is not shown in Figure 1), and then transferred to the console device 40. The method of transmitting data from the rotating frame 13 to the non-rotating part of the mounting device 10 is not limited to optical communication; any non-contact data transmission method or a contact-type data transmission method may be used.

[0022] The control device 15 comprises a processing circuit having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc., and a drive mechanism such as a motor and actuator. The control device 15 receives input signals from the input interface 43, which will be described later, and controls the operation of the frame device 10 and the bed device 30. For example, the control device 15 controls the rotation of the rotating frame 13, the tilt of the frame device 10, and the operation of the bed device 30 and the top plate 33. To give one example, as a control to tilt the frame device 10, the control device 15 rotates the rotating frame 13 about an axis parallel to the X-axis direction based on the input tilt angle information. The control device 15 may be installed on the frame device 10 or on the console device 40.

[0023] Here, as shown in Figure 1, for example, a fan 50 is provided at the top of the mounting device 10 via an exhaust port (not shown). The fan 50 cools the inside of the mounting device 10. Note that the installation location of the fan 50 is not limited to the top of the mounting device 10. The use of the fan 50 will be described later.

[0024] The patient bed apparatus 30 is a device for placing and moving the subject P to be imaged, and comprises a base 31, a patient bed drive device 32, a top plate 33, and a support frame 34. The base 31 is a housing that supports the support frame 34 so that it can move in the vertical direction. The patient bed drive device 32 is a drive mechanism that moves the top plate 33 on which the subject P is placed in the direction of the long axis of the top plate 33, and includes a motor and actuators. The top plate 33, which is provided on the upper surface of the support frame 34, is a plate on which the subject P is placed. In addition to moving the top plate 33, the patient bed drive device 32 may also move the support frame 34 in the direction of the long axis of the top plate 33.

[0025] The console device 40 includes a memory 41, a display 42, an input interface 43, and a processing circuit 44. Although the console device 40 is described separately from the mounting device 10, the mounting device 10 may include the console device 40 or some of the components of the console device 40.

[0026] Memory 41 can be implemented using, for example, semiconductor memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or flash memory, a hard disk, or an optical disc. Memory 41 stores, for example, projection data or CT image data. It can also store, for example, programs for circuits included in the X-ray CT apparatus 1 to perform their functions. Alternatively, memory 41 may be implemented using a group of servers (cloud) connected to the X-ray CT apparatus 1 via a network.

[0027] The display 42 displays various types of information. For example, the display 42 may display various images generated by the processing circuit 44, or it may display a GUI (Graphical User Interface) to receive various operations from the operator. For example, the display 42 may be a liquid crystal display or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display. The display 42 may also be mounted on the stand device 10. Furthermore, the display 42 may be a desktop type, or it may be composed of a tablet terminal or the like that can communicate wirelessly with the console device 40.

[0028] The input interface 43 receives various input operations from the operator, converts the received input operations into electrical signals, and outputs them to the processing circuit 44. The input interface 43 is an example of an operation unit. For example, the input interface 43 receives input operations from the operator such as reconstruction conditions when reconstructing CT image data, and image processing conditions when generating post-processed images from CT image data.

[0029] Furthermore, the input interface 43 may be configured to detect speech. Specifically, the input interface 43 accepts input operations from the operator when two-way communication is desired between the patient and the medical technologist. For example, when an operator such as a medical technologist wants to communicate with a patient, they operate the control surface of the input interface 43, causing the content of the operator's speech to be input to a microphone (not shown) installed in the examination room, and the speech input to the microphone to be output to the patient through a speaker (not shown) installed in the examination room. The input interface 43 that accepts input operations from the operator to initiate speech to the patient may also be a switch to control the on / off state of the microphone.

[0030] For example, the input interface 43 can be implemented using a mouse, keyboard, trackball, switch, button, joystick, touchpad for input operations by touching the operating surface, touchscreen with integrated display screen and touchpad, non-contact input circuit using optical sensor, audio input circuit, etc. The input interface 43 may also be provided on the mounting device 10.

[0031] Furthermore, the input interface 43 may consist of the console device 40 and a wirelessly wireless tablet terminal or the like. Also, the input interface 43 is not limited to those equipped with physical operating components such as a mouse or keyboard. For example, an electrical signal processing circuit that receives electrical signals corresponding to input operations from an external input device provided separately from the console device 40 and outputs these electrical signals to the processing circuit 44 is also included as an example of the input interface 43.

[0032] The processing circuit 44 controls the operation of the entire X-ray CT apparatus 1. For example, the processing circuit 44 performs system control functions 440, scan control functions 441, preprocessing functions 442, reconstruction processing functions 443, and display control functions 444.

[0033] The system control function 440 controls various functions of the processing circuit 44 based on input operations received from the operator via the input interface 43.

[0034] The scan control function 441 performs an X-ray scan on the subject P. For example, the scan control function 441 controls the scan based on input operations received from the operator via the input interface 43. Specifically, the scan control function 441 controls the output voltage from the high-voltage generator by sending a control signal to the X-ray high-voltage device 14 based on the input operation. The scan control function 441 also controls data acquisition by the DAS 18 by sending a control signal to the DAS 18.

[0035] The preprocessing function 442 generates preprocessed data by performing preprocessing on the X-ray detection data transmitted from DAS18. Specifically, the preprocessing function 442 generates preprocessed data by performing correction processes such as logarithmic transformation, offset correction, sensitivity correction, and beam hardening correction. Note that the data before preprocessing (X-ray detection data) and the data after preprocessing are sometimes collectively referred to as projection data.

[0036] The reconstruction processing function 443 generates CT image data by reconstructing the projection data generated by the preprocessing function 442 using various reconstruction methods (for example, back projection methods such as FBP (Filtered Back Projection) and iterative approximation methods). The reconstruction processing function 443 also stores the generated CT image data in the memory 41.

[0037] The display control function 444 displays various images generated by the processing circuit 44 on the display 42. For example, the display control function 444 displays CT image data generated by the reconstruction processing function 443 on the display 42.

[0038] The X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a stand device 10, a fan 50, an acquisition function 445, a detection function 446, and a rotation control function 447. The stand device 10 is installed in the examination room. The fan 50 cools the inside of the stand device 10. For example, the processing circuit 44 executes the acquisition function 445, the detection function 446, and the rotation control function 447. The acquisition function 445 is an example of an acquisition unit. The detection function 446 is an example of a detection unit. The rotation control function 447 is an example of a rotation control unit.

[0039] The acquisition function 445 acquires input operations. Specifically, the acquisition function 445 acquires input operations from the input interface 43 that the operator has performed on the input interface 43 in order to communicate with the patient.

[0040] The detection function 446 detects speech between people present in the examination room. Specifically, based on the input operations acquired by the acquisition function 445, the detection function 446 detects the timing of speech by the operator operating the stand device 10 and detects speech from at least one of the subjects P present in the examination room and the operator operating the stand device 10. For example, the timing of the operator's speech is the timing when the operator operating the stand device 10 operates the input interface 43.

[0041] The rotation control function 447 controls the fan 50 outside the stand device 10 to suppress noise based on speech. Specifically, the rotation control function 447 controls the fan 50 outside the stand device 10 to suppress noise based on speech detected by the detection function 446. For example, the rotation control function 447 controls the rotation of the fan 50 and suppresses noise based on input operations performed by the operator on the input interface 43 to communicate with the patient, which are acquired by the acquisition function 445. Here, "outside the stand device 10" refers to the area inside the examination room and outside the stand device 10.

[0042] For example, the rotation control function 447 controls the fan 50 to switch from high-speed rotation to low-speed rotation, maintain the low-speed rotation state, or set the rotation speed to the speed when there is no patient in the examination room. The rotation control function 447 controls the rotation of the fan 50 so that it cools the inside of the stand device 10 and suppresses the noise of the fan 50, enabling communication between the patient and the operator.

[0043] In the X-ray CT scanner 1 shown in Figure 1, each processing function is stored in memory 41 in the form of a program that can be executed by a computer. The processing circuit 44 is a processor that realizes the function corresponding to each program by reading and executing the program from memory 41. In other words, the processing circuit 44, when it has read a program, has the function corresponding to the read program.

[0044] In the above explanation, the term "processor" refers to circuits such as CPUs (Central Processing Units), GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), and Programmable Logic Devices (e.g., Simple Programmable Logic Devices (SPLDs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs)). A processor functions by reading and executing programs stored in its memory circuits.

[0045] Alternatively, instead of storing the program in a memory circuit, the program may be directly embedded within the processor's circuitry. In this case, the processor functions by reading and executing the program embedded within the circuitry. Furthermore, each processor in this embodiment is not limited to being configured as a single circuit; multiple independent circuits may be combined to form a single processor, and its functions may be realized through this process.

[0046] The overall configuration of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to this embodiment has been described above. In the X-ray CT apparatus 1, the temperature inside the stand device 10 rises, so a cooling mechanism to cool the inside of the stand device 10 is used, for example, a fan 50 in the stand device 10.

[0047] While the fan 50 suppresses the rise in temperature inside the stand device 10, the rotation of the fan 50 generates noise, which may interfere with communication between the medical technologist and the patient (subject P) during the examination, particularly with hearing spoken content such as conversations. For example, spoken content during and in preparation for the examination may include the medical technologist confirming the patient's name or giving instructions such as "Put your head on the tabletop," "Raise your arms towards your head," or "Hold your breath."

[0048] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure by the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. The X-ray CT apparatus 1 shown in Figure 2 will be described in relation to the process of controlling the rotation of the fan 50.

[0049] The acquisition function 445 acquires input operations performed by the operator to communicate with the patient from the input interface 43 (step S1). Next, the detection function 446 detects the timing of speech by the operator operating the stand device 10 based on the input operations acquired by the acquisition function 445, and detects speech from the subject P present in the examination room or from the operator operating the stand device 10 (step S2). Next, the rotation control function 447 controls the rotation of the fan 50 based on the speech detected by the detection function 446 (step S3). Once this process is completed, the processing performed by the X-ray CT device 1 is finished.

[0050] As described above, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to this embodiment detects speech between people in the examination room and controls the fan 50 outside the gantry unit 10 to suppress noise based on the detected speech. The X-ray CT apparatus 1 also controls the rotation of the fan 50 based on input operations performed by the operator on the input interface 43 to communicate with the patient.

[0051] With this configuration, for example, the X-ray CT scanner 1 can detect the timing when the operator operating the gantry device 10 begins speaking and control the rotation of the fan 50. As a result, the X-ray CT scanner 1 can suppress noise from the fan 50 during examinations and during preparation for examinations.

[0052] The embodiments described above can also be modified and implemented as appropriate by changing some of the configurations or functions of each device. Therefore, several modifications of the embodiments described above will be described below as other embodiments. In the following, we will mainly describe the differences from the embodiments described above, and parts that are common to those already described will be given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations will be omitted. Furthermore, the other embodiments described below may be implemented individually or in combination as appropriate.

[0053] (First variation) In the embodiments described above, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 was described in a manner in which it detects speech between people in the examination room from input operations performed by an operator operating the input interface 43, but it is not limited to this. The X-ray CT apparatus 1 may also detect speech using camera images captured by a camera installed on the gantry device 10.

[0054] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first modified example. As shown in Figure 3, the stand device 10 of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first modified example is equipped with a camera 51 inside the stand device 10. For example, the camera 51 is installed inside the stand device 10 facing either the positive direction in the X-axis direction or the negative direction in the Y-axis direction. The camera 51 images the subject P placed on the top plate 33, which is located inside the rotating frame 13. For example, the camera 51 images the face of the subject P before the examination and outputs the captured camera image to the processing circuit 44.

[0055] The acquisition function 445 acquires camera images. Specifically, the acquisition function 445 acquires camera images output by camera 51.

[0056] The detection function 446 detects the timing of speech of the subject P located inside the rotating frame 13 based on the camera image acquired by the acquisition function 445, and detects speech of the subject P located in the examination room or the operator operating the stand device 10.

[0057] The detection function 446 detects the timing of subject P's speech using known image processing techniques. For example, if the detection function 446 detects a change in the movement of subject P's mouth, it determines that subject P has started speaking and detects the timing of subject P's speech. The timing of subject P's speech is the moment when subject P's mouth changes from a closed state to an open state.

[0058] The rotation control function 447 controls the rotation of the fan 50 based on the speech detected by the detection function 446. For example, the rotation control function 447 controls the rotation of the fan 50 based on the camera image output by the camera 51, which is acquired by the acquisition function 445.

[0059] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure by the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first modified example. The X-ray CT apparatus 1 shown in Figure 4 will be described in relation to the process of controlling the rotation of the fan 50.

[0060] The acquisition function 445 acquires the camera image output by the camera 51 (step S11). Next, the detection function 446 detects the timing of speech of the subject P located inside the rotating frame 13 based on the camera image acquired by the acquisition function 445, and detects speech from the subject P located in the examination room or from the operator operating the stand device 10 (step S12). Subsequently, the rotation control function 447 controls the rotation of the fan 50 based on the speech detected by the detection function 446 (step S13). Once this process is completed, the processing performed by the X-ray CT device 1 is finished.

[0061] The X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first modified example described above controls the rotation of the fan 50 based on the camera image captured by the camera 51. With this configuration, for example, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 can detect the timing when the subject P inside the rotating frame 13 begins to speak and control the rotation of the fan 50. As a result, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 can suppress noise from the fan 50 during examination and during preparation for examination.

[0062] The camera 51 may be mounted on the fixed frame of the stand device 10 and positioned to capture images of the face of the operator operating the stand device 10. In this case, the camera 51 outputs the camera image of the operator's face to the processing circuit 44. The detection function 446 then detects the timing of speech of the operator operating the stand device 10 based on the camera image acquired by the acquisition function 445, and can detect speech of the subject P present in the examination room or the operator operating the stand device 10.

[0063] (Second variation) For example, the X-ray CT scanner 1 may detect speech using output information from a microphone installed on the gantry device 10.

[0064] Figure 5 shows an example of the configuration of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the second modified example. As shown in Figure 5, the stand device 10 of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first modified example is equipped with a microphone 52 inside the stand device 10. For example, the microphone 52 is located inside the stand device 10, facing in the negative direction of the Y-axis. The microphone 52 receives the voice of the subject P placed on the top plate 33, which is located inside the rotating frame 13. For example, the microphone 52 receives the voice of the subject P before the examination and outputs output information including the input voice to the processing circuit 44.

[0065] The acquisition function 445 acquires output information. Specifically, the acquisition function 445 acquires output information, including the audio output by the microphone 52.

[0066] The detection function 446 detects the timing of speech of the subject P located inside the rotating frame 13 based on the output information acquired by the acquisition function 445, and detects speech between people in the examination room.

[0067] The detection function 446 detects the timing of subject P's speech using known speech recognition processing technology. For example, the detection function 446 recognizes the speech contained in the output information and, assuming that subject P has started speaking, detects the timing of subject P's speech. For example, the timing of subject P's speech is when they are speaking to the operator operating the stand device 10.

[0068] The rotation control function 447 controls the rotation of the fan 50 based on the output information detected by the detection function 446. For example, the rotation control function 447 controls the rotation of the fan 50 based on the output information, including audio output from the microphone 52, acquired by the acquisition function 445.

[0069] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure by the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the second modified example. The X-ray CT apparatus 1 shown in Figure 6 will be described in relation to the process of controlling the rotation of the fan 50.

[0070] The acquisition function 445 acquires output information, including the sound output from the microphone 52 (step S21). Subsequently, the detection function 446 detects the timing of speech by the subject P located inside the rotating frame 13 based on the output information acquired by the acquisition function 445, and detects speech between people in the examination room (step S22). Subsequently, the rotation control function 447 controls the rotation of the fan 50 based on the speech detected by the detection function 446 (step S23). Once this process is completed, the processing performed by the X-ray CT apparatus 1 is finished.

[0071] The X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the second modified example described above controls the rotation of the fan 50 based on output information, including sound output from the microphone 52. With this configuration, for example, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 can detect the timing when the subject P, who is inside the rotating frame 13, begins to speak, and control the rotation of the fan 50. As a result, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 can suppress noise from the fan 50 during examination and during preparation for examination.

[0072] The microphone 52 may be mounted on the fixed frame of the stand device 10 and configured to receive the voice of the operator operating the stand device 10. In this case, the microphone 52 outputs output information containing the operator's voice to the processing circuit 44. The detection function 446 then detects the timing of the operator's speech based on the output information acquired by the acquisition function 445, and can detect speech between people present in the examination room.

[0073] (Third variation) For example, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 may be provided with a shutter to shield against noise emitted by the fan 50. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a shutter according to a third modified example. Figure 7 shows the stand device 10 viewed from the negative direction in the X-axis direction. For example, the stand device 10 is equipped with a shutter 53 on the upper part of the stand device 10 to shield against noise emitted by the fan 50. The shutter 53 is provided on the upper part of the stand device 10 so as to cover the fan 50. The shutter 53 is an example of a shielding mechanism. The rotation control function 447 controls the opening and closing of the shutter 53 based on speech. The rotation control function 447 may also control the opening and closing of the shutter 53 according to the rotation speed of the fan 50. Furthermore, the rotation control function 447 may also control the opening and closing of the shutter 53 according to the temperature inside the stand device 10.

[0074] Next, the operation of the shutter 53 will be explained using Figure 8. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the shutter 53 according to the third modified example. The schematic diagram shown in Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the fan 50 and shutter 53 viewed from the negative direction in the Y-axis direction. Figure 8 also shows the open / closed states of the shutter 53 as the first state 81, the second state 82, and the third state 83.

[0075] The first state 81 is when the fan 50 is not covered by the shutter 53 and the shutter 53 is open. The second state 82 is when the shutter 3 is transitioning from an open state to a closed state, or when the shutter 3 is transitioning from a closed state to an open state. The third state 83 is when the fan 50 is covered by the shutter 53 and the shutter 53 is open.

[0076] For example, as shown in Figure 8, in the order of first state 81, second state 82, and third state 83, the rotation control function 447 controls the rotation of the fan 50 based on the speech detected by the detection function 446. The rotation control function 447 also controls the opening and closing of the shutter 53 based on the speech detected by the detection function 446. Furthermore, the rotation control function 447 controls the opening and closing of the shutter 53 so that it is in at least one of the first state 81, second state 82, and third state 83, according to the rotation speed of the fan 50, so that the open / closed state of the shutter 53 is in an appropriate state.

[0077] The rotation control function 447 controls the opening and closing of the shutter 53 by referring to an opening and closing operation table for the shutter 53, which associates the rotation speed of the fan 50 with the opening and closing state of the shutter 53. The opening and closing operation table is a table that shows the opening and closing state of the shutter 53 so that the fan 50 cools the inside of the stand device 10 and the noise of the fan 50 can be suppressed, in order for conversation between the patient and the operator to take place.

[0078] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure by the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the third modified example. Note that the processing in steps S1 to S3 shown in Figure 9 is equivalent to the processing in steps S1 to S3 shown in Figure 2, so the explanation is omitted.

[0079] In step S4, the rotation control function 447 controls the opening and closing of the shutter 53 according to the rotation speed of the fan 50. Once this process is completed, the processing performed by the processing circuit 44 of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 is finished.

[0080] As described above, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the third modified embodiment controls the opening and closing of the shutter 53 according to the rotation speed of the fan 50. With this configuration, for example, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 can detect the timing when the operator operating the stand device 10 starts speaking, control the rotation of the fan 50, and control the opening and closing of the shutter 53 according to the rotation speed of the fan 50. As a result, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 can suppress noise from the fan 50 during examination and during preparation for examination.

[0081] Furthermore, the shutter 53 according to the third modified example may also be implemented in the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first and second modified examples.

[0082] In the embodiments described above, an X-ray CT scanner 1 was used as an example of a modality device, but the method can be applied not only to an X-ray CT scanner 1, but also to other modality devices such as X-ray diagnostic devices, MRI devices, and nuclear medicine diagnostic devices (for example, PET (Positron Emission Tomography) devices).

[0083] Furthermore, the processing circuit 44 may also implement its functions by utilizing the processor of an external device connected via a network. For example, the processing circuit 44 reads and executes programs corresponding to each function from the memory 41, and also utilizes an external workstation or cloud connected to the X-ray CT apparatus 1 via a network as a computing resource to implement the functions shown in Figure 1.

[0084] Each component of the apparatus according to the above-described embodiment is a functional concept and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the illustration. That is, the specific form of distribution and integration of each apparatus is not limited to that shown in the illustration, and all or part of it can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads and usage conditions. Furthermore, each processing function performed by each apparatus can be implemented in whole or in any part by a CPU and a program that is analyzed and executed by the CPU, or by hardware using wired logic.

[0085] When the technical concept of this embodiment is realized by a control method, the control method is a control method for a medical imaging diagnostic apparatus comprising a stand device 10 installed in an examination room and a fan 50 for cooling the inside of the stand device 10, and detects speech related to speech between people present in the examination room and performs control to suppress noise from the fan 50 outside the stand device 10 based on the speech. The processing procedure and effects of the control method are the same as in the embodiment, so a description is omitted.

[0086] Furthermore, the control method described in the above-mentioned embodiments can be implemented by executing a pre-prepared control program on a computer such as a personal computer or workstation. This control program can be distributed via a network such as the Internet. Alternatively, this control program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, flexible disk (FD), CD-ROM, MO, or DVD, and executed by reading it from the recording medium by a computer.

[0087] According to at least one embodiment described above, noise from the fan during inspection and during preparation for inspection can be suppressed.

[0088] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0089] 1...X-ray CT scanner, 10...stand unit, 43...input interface, 50...fan, 51...Camera, 52...Microphone, 53...Shutter, 445...Acquisition function 446...Detection function, 447...Rotation control function

Claims

1. A stand device installed in the examination room, A fan for cooling the inside of the aforementioned mounting device, A detection unit that detects speech between people present in the aforementioned examination room, A rotation control unit that performs control to suppress noise from the fan outside the mounting device based on the aforementioned utterance, A medical imaging diagnostic device equipped with [a specific feature].

2. The aforementioned mounting device is provided with an operating unit for controlling the initiation of speech, The rotation control unit controls the rotation of the fan based on an input operation performed by the operator on the control unit to communicate with the subject. The medical imaging diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned mounting device includes a camera within the mounting device, The rotation control unit controls the rotation of the fan based on the camera image captured by the camera. The medical imaging diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned mounting device is equipped with a microphone inside the mounting device. The rotation control unit controls the rotation of the fan based on the output information output from the microphone. The medical imaging diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned mounting device is equipped with a shielding mechanism that blocks the noise emitted by the fan, The rotation control unit controls the opening and closing of the shielding mechanism according to the rotation speed of the fan. A medical imaging diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The shielding mechanism is provided on the upper part of the mounting device so as to cover the fan. The medical imaging diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5.

7. A control method for a medical imaging diagnostic apparatus comprising a stand device installed in an examination room and a fan for cooling the inside of the stand device, The system detects speech between people present in the aforementioned examination room. Based on the aforementioned utterance, control is performed to suppress noise from the fan outside the mounting device. A control method that includes the following.

8. A control program that causes a computer to perform processing using a medical imaging diagnostic apparatus comprising a stand device installed in an examination room and a fan for cooling the inside of the stand device, The system detects speech between people present in the aforementioned examination room. Based on the aforementioned utterance, control is performed to suppress noise from the fan outside the mounting device. A control program that instructs a computer to perform a process.

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