Image display apparatus and X-ray CT apparatus

#This application claims the benefit of Japanese Application No. 2006-011043 filed Jan. 19, 2006.

#The present invention relates to a medical X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus or an image display apparatus and an X-ray CT apparatus each of which realizes an improvement in image quality of a three-dimensional image display image comprised of a continuous tomographic image at a conventional scan (called also “axial scan”), a cine scan, a helical scan, a variable-pitch helical scan, or a helical shuttle scan executed in an industrial X-ray CT apparatus.

#An MPR (Multi Plane Reformat) display corresponding to one of three-dimensional image display methods has heretofore been effected on a tomographic image continuous in a z-direction corresponding to a table travel direction of an X-ray CT apparatus using a multi-row X-ray detector or an X-ray CT apparatus using a two-dimensional X-ray area detector of a matrix structure typified by a flat panel and an MPR display of an xz plane or an xy plane has been performed as shown in FIG. 15. In this case, a problem arises in that although effects such as an S/N improvement in the xy plane, a reduction in artifact, etc. are brought about when a z-direction adaptive image filter is applied or effected on a tomographic image of the xy plane, spatial resolution is degraded in the z direction and image quality is degraded with respect to an MPR display image of the xz plane or yz.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an X-ray CT apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an X-ray generator (X-ray tube) and a multi-row X-ray detector as viewed in an xy plane.

#FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the X-ray generator (X-ray tube) and the multi-row X-ray detector as viewed in a yz plane.

#The present invention will hereinafter be explained in further detail by embodiments illustrated in the figures. Incidentally, the present invention is not limited to or by the embodiments.

#FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram showing an X-ray CT apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The X-ray CT apparatus 100 is equipped with an operation console 1, an imaging or photographing table 10 and a scan gantry 20.

#The operation console 1 includes an input device 2 which forms or constitutes an image display unit or device and corresponds to imaging condition setting device for accepting an input from an operator, a central processing unit 3 including image reconstructing device which executes a pre-process, an image reconstructing process, a post-process, etc. and image filter processing device, a data acquisition buffer 5 which acquires or collects X-ray detector data acquired by the scan gantry 20, a monitor 6 which displays a tomographic image image-reconstructed from projection data obtained by pre-processing the X-ray detector data, and a storage device 7 which stores programs, X-ray detector data, projection data, projection data and X-ray tomographic images therein.