Fluoroscopy apparatus and fluoroscopy method

An X-ray fluoroscopic method for specifying the position of a marker and a specific region by detecting an X-ray that is irradiated from an X-ray tube and passes through a subject by an X-ray detector and by collecting images including a marker indwelled inside the subject's body or the specific region of the subject, comprising the steps of:

• a step of storing the image including said marker or said specific region as a first template image;
• a step of matching the first template that specifies the position of said marker or said specific region relative to the continuously collected images by performing template matching by utilizing said first template image relative to the images continuously collected by an X-ray fluoroscopy;
• a step of clipping the template, wherein the images including said marker or said specific region specified are clipped by the step of matching the first template and stored as a second template image;
• and
• a step of matching the second template for specifying the position of said marker or said specific region relative to the continuously collected images by performing template matching utilizing said second template image relative to the images continuously collected by said X-ray fluoroscopy, the step of clipping said template and the step of matching said second template being repeatedly performed multiple times relative to the images continuously collected while performing said X-ray fluoroscopy.

An x-ray fluoroscopic device, comprising:

• an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector that detects an X-ray that is irradiated from said X-ray tube and passes through a subject,
• wherein said X-ray fluoroscopic device specifies the position of a marker or a specific region by collecting images including said marker indwelled inside said subject's body or the specific region of said subject;
• said X-ray fluoroscopic device, further comprising:
• a template image memory element that stores the image including said marker or said specific region as a template image;
• a template matching element that specifies the position of the marker or the specific region relative to the continuously collected images by performing template matching utilizing the template image stored in the template image memory element relative to the continuously collected images, and
• a template clipping element that clips the image including said marker or said specific region specified by said template matching element as a template image and lets the template image memory element store said template image;
• wherein said template matching element performs the template matching by utilizing the template image that is clipped from the image collected prior to collection of the image continuously collected and stored in said template image memory element, relative to the continuously collected images;
• wherein a plurality of template images clipped from the continuously collected images are stored in said template image memory element, and said template matching element performs the template matching by utilizing a plurality of template images stored in said template image memory element relative to the continuously collected images;
• and
• wherein the template matching element performs said template matching by utilizing the template image clipped from the images collected at a time closer to a collection time of the image among a plurality of template images stored in said template image memory element relative to the continuously collected images.

An X-ray fluoroscopic method, comprising the steps of:

• a step of detecting an X-ray that is irradiated from an X-ray tube and passes through a subject by an X-ray tube;
• a step of specifying the position of a marker or a specific region by collecting images including said marker indwelled inside said subject's body or the specific region of said subject;
• a template image storing step of storing the image including said marker or said specific region as a first template image;
• a first template matching step of specifying the position of said marker or said specific region relative to the continuously collected images by performing template matching utilizing said first template image relative to the continuously collected images;
• a template clipping step clipping the image including said marker or said specific region specified by the first template matching step, and storing as a second template image;
• and
• a second template matching step of specifying the position of said marker or said specific region relative to the continuously collected images by performing template matching utilizing said second template image relative to the continuously collected image;
• wherein the template clipping step and the second template matching step are repeatedly performed multiple times relative to the continuously collected images;
• in the second template matching step, the template matching is performed by utilizing a plurality second template images relative to the continuously collected images;
• and
• wherein the template matching is performed by utilizing the second template image that is operatively clipped from the images collected at the time closer to the collection time of the image among a plurality of second template images relative to the continuously collected images.