X-ray diagnosis apparatus and image processing method

An X-ray diagnosis apparatus comprising:

• an X-ray tube configured to generate X-rays;
• an X-ray detector configured to detect X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube;
• storage circuitry configured to store therein X-ray image data sequentially generated on a basis of a detection result obtained by the X-ray detector;
• an X-ray limiting device including a plurality of movable X-ray blocking members and being configured to restrict a range radiated with the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube;
• an input interface configured to receive an operation to move individually one or more of the plurality of X-ray blocking members;
• and
• processing circuitry configured:
• to sequentially generate the X-ray image data based on the detection result obtained by the X-ray detector;
• to generate first combined image data by combining first X-ray image data related to a region of interest defined by the one or more of the plurality of X-ray blocking members individually moved on a basis of the operation received by the input interface, with second X-ray image data generated prior to the move of the one or more of the plurality of X-ray blocking members, the first X-ray image data being generated during the move of the one or more of the plurality of the X-ray blocking members;
• and
• to cause a display to display a combined image represented by the first combined image data.

An image processing method comprising:

• sequentially generating X-ray image data based on a detection result obtained by an X-ray detector configured to detect X-rays emitted from an X-ray tube;
• storing the generated X-ray image data into storage circuitry;
• specifying a radiation region of the X-rays in each piece of X-ray image data generated during a move of a movable X-ray blocking member of a plurality of movable X-ray blocking members that are included in an X-ray limiting device and is moved by the X-ray limiting device configured to restrict a range radiated with the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube based on position information indicating a position of the X-ray blocking member during the move, on a basis of an operation received by an input interface and to move the X-ray blocking member, each piece of the X-ray image data being generated based on a detection result obtained by the X-ray detector during the move;
• sequentially generating, during the move of the X-ray blocking member, first combined image data by using the radiation region, by combining first X-ray image data generated during the move of the X-ray blocking member, with second X-ray image data generated prior to the move of the X-ray blocking member and stored in the storage circuitry;
• and
• causing a display to sequentially display combined images represented by the first combined image data.