JP2005257634A - Storage phosphor panel, cassette and image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and surely compose continued pieces of radiation image information of a subject recorded in a plurality of storage phosphor panels to obtain desired radiation image information. <P>SOLUTION: A first cassette 13 storing two storage phosphor panels IP1 and IP 2 includes information recording parts 29a and 29b recording cassette information and layout information. When the phosphor panels IP1 and IP2 are stored in the first cassette 13, the cassette information and the layout information are recorded to IC chips 31a and 31b of the panels IP1 and IP2 from the information recording parts 29a and 29b. When the radiation image information recorded in the phosphor panels IP1 and IP2 is read, the composition processing of each radiation image information is performed according to the cassette information and the layout information recorded in the phosphor panels IP1 and IP2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a stimulable phosphor panel in which radiographic image information of a subject is accumulated and recorded, a cassette that houses the stimulable phosphor panel, and an image reading device that reads radiation image information from the stimulable phosphor panel. .

  For example, when radiation (X-rays, α-rays, β-rays, γ-rays, electron beams, ultraviolet rays, etc.) is irradiated, a part of this radiation energy is accumulated, and thereafter, it is accumulated when irradiated with excitation light such as visible light. An accumulative phosphor (stimulable phosphor) that exhibits stimulated luminescence according to the energy intensity is known.

  Using this stimulable phosphor, radiation image information of a subject such as a human body is temporarily recorded on the stimulable phosphor panel provided with the stimulable phosphor layer, and excitation of laser light or the like is performed on this stimulable phosphor panel. Based on the image signal obtained by photoelectrically reading the photostimulated light obtained by irradiating light, the radiographic image information of the subject is output as a visible image to a recording medium such as a photographic photosensitive material or a display device such as a CRT. A radiation image information recording / reproducing system is adopted. The stimulable phosphor panel from which the radiation image information has been read can be used for recording radiation image information again after removing the remaining radiation energy by irradiating the erasing light.

  By the way, for example, when diagnosing scoliosis or the entire lower limb, it is possible to use a long storage phosphor panel, but the long storage phosphor panel is inconvenient to handle, and In addition, since the image reading apparatus must also be configured to accommodate a long storage phosphor panel, a problem in cost occurs.

  Therefore, for example, a method of photographing using the assembly disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. In this method, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of cassettes 1a to 1d containing recording elements are arranged so as to be partially overlapped to secure a long recording area, and an X-ray source is provided in this recording area. 2 to irradiate X-rays through the subject M to record radiation image information. Then, the radiographic image information of the subject M can be constructed by reading the radiographic image information from the recording elements stored in the cassettes 1a to 1d and combining them.

JP-A-11-244270

  However, in order to construct the entire radiographic image information, the positional relationship of the recording elements taken out from the cassettes 1a to 1d is grasped, and the reading process is performed in the determined order for synthesis. The problem was pointed out. Further, there is a possibility that the cassettes 1a to 1d in which the radiographic image information of different subjects M is recorded may be mixed up.

  The present invention solves this type of problem, and can easily and reliably synthesize continuous radiographic image information of a subject recorded on a plurality of stimulable phosphor panels to obtain desired radiographic image information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage phosphor panel, a cassette, and an image reading apparatus that can be used.

  In the stimulable phosphor panel according to the present invention, the arrangement information holding unit holds the arrangement information of each of the stimulable phosphor panels arranged corresponding to the continuous imaging region of the subject, and is read from the stimulable phosphor panel. Desired radiographic image information can be constructed by arranging the radiographic image information according to the arrangement information (the invention according to claim 1).

  In addition, the cassette according to the present invention provides the arrangement information of each imaging region of the subject by the arrangement information recording unit arranged in the cassette with respect to the arrangement information holding unit of each stimulable phosphor panel accommodated in the cassette. Record. In this case, the radiation image information read from each of the stimulable phosphor panels taken out from the cassette can be synthesized according to the arrangement information held in the arrangement information holding unit (the invention according to claim 2).

  If the cassette information for specifying the cassette is held in the arrangement information holding unit, the cassette and the stimulable phosphor panel can be managed in association with each other (the invention according to claim 3). In this case, even if radiographic image information acquired from different subjects is mixed, the radiographic image information associated with the cassette information is selected, and a synthesis process is performed according to the arrangement information to obtain desired radiographic image information. Can do.

  Furthermore, the image reading apparatus according to the present invention reads radiation image information from the stimulable phosphor panel in the image reading unit, and each read radiation image information is arranged in each stimulable phosphor panel. Desired radiographic image information can be constructed by arranging and synthesizing according to the arrangement information of each imaging region read from the above (invention of claim 4).

  According to the stimulable phosphor panel, the cassette, and the image reading apparatus of the present invention, when acquiring continuous radiation image information of a subject using a plurality of stimulable phosphor panels, the arrangement information of the stimulable phosphor panel with respect to the subject Is stored in the stimulable phosphor panel, the desired radiation image information can be obtained by easily and reliably synthesizing the radiation image information based on the arrangement information.

  In addition, by holding the cassette information together with the arrangement information in the stimulable phosphor panel, the radiographic image information associated with the cassette information can be selected even when radiographic image information acquired from different subjects is mixed. The desired radiation image information can be obtained by performing a synthesis process according to the arrangement information.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the cassette 11 of the present embodiment. The cassette 11 includes a first cassette 13 and a second cassette 14, and coupling mechanisms 16 and 17 that detachably connect the first cassette 13 and the second cassette 14.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first cassette 13 has a long casing 19 that houses two sheets of stimulable phosphor panels IP1 and IP2. At both ends of the housing 19, a first opening 21a and a second opening 21b through which the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 and IP2 can be put in and out, and a first opening 21a and a second opening 21b that can be opened and closed. A first lid body 23a and a second lid body 23b are disposed. The first lid body 23a and the second lid body 23b are swingably connected to the housing 19 via hinge portions 25a and 25b. In addition, a partition plate 27 is provided in the housing 19 so that the ends of the two stimulable phosphor panels IP1 and IP2 are separated from each other and arranged to overlap each other.

  Here, the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 and IP2 are formed of flexible panels, and store RFID information such as a cassette number for identifying the cassette 11 and arrangement information of the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 and IP2 in the cassette 11. IC chips 31a and 31b (arrangement information holding unit) made of (Radio Frequency identification) are mounted. The stimulable phosphor panels IP1 and IP2 may be a hard panel formed by evaporating a columnar stimulable phosphor layer on a support substrate made of a hard material such as glass.

  On the other hand, in the housing 19 of the first cassette 13, the parts corresponding to the first lid 23a and the second lid 23b are connected to the IC chips 31a and 31b of the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 and IP2 housed therein. On the other hand, information recording units 29a and 29b (arrangement information recording units) for recording the cassette information and the arrangement information are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the second cassette 14 is provided with a housing 33 for storing the stimulable phosphor panel IP3, and an opening 21c that is provided at one end of the housing 33 and allows the stimulable phosphor panel IP3 to enter and exit. And a lid 23c that can open and close the opening 21c. The lid body 23c is swingably connected to the housing 33 via the hinge portion 25c. The other end of the housing 33 is stored in the first cassette 13 and the second cassette 14 by being inserted into a recess 35 formed on the second lid 23 b side of the first cassette 13. An insertion end portion 37 is provided in which the end portions of the phosphor panels IP2 and IP3 are arranged to overlap each other.

  The stimulable phosphor panel IP3 has the same configuration as the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 and IP2, and stores cassette information such as a cassette number for specifying the cassette 11 and arrangement information of the stimulable phosphor panel IP3 in the cassette 11. An IC chip 31c (arrangement information holding unit) made of RFID or the like is mounted. Further, in the housing 33 of the second cassette 14, the cassette information and the arrangement information are recorded on the IC chip 31c of the stimulable phosphor panel IP3 accommodated in the portion corresponding to the lid 23c. An information recording unit 29c (arrangement information recording unit) is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the coupling mechanisms 16 and 17 are engaged with connecting rods 41 and 43 and holes 44 a to 44 d and 45 a to 45 d formed in the side portions of the first cassette 13 and the second cassette 14. Pins 47a to 47d and 48a to 48d, and operation portions 59 and 61 having claw members 57 and 58 engaged with the holes 49 and 55, respectively. The claw members 57 and 58 can be displaced by manually operating the operation units 59 and 61.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the image reading apparatus 10 that reads the radiation image information stored and recorded in the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3. A plurality of cassette loading units for loading the first cassette 13 and the second cassette 14 containing the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 in which the radiographic image information of the subject is recorded on the upper part of the image reading device 10 in a separated state. 20a-20d are provided. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the second cassette 14 is loaded in the cassette loading unit 20a and the first cassette 13 is loaded in the cassette loading units 20b to 20d. In order to supply and process two sheets of stimulable phosphor panels IP1 and IP2 from the first cassette 13 to the image reading apparatus 10, for example, the first lid 23a side is loaded into the cassette loading sections 20a to 20d. After supplying and processing the stimulable phosphor panel IP1, the second lid 23b side is loaded into the cassette loading portions 20a to 20d, and the stimulable phosphor panel IP2 is supplied and processed.

  In the image reading apparatus 10, the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 are separated from the first cassette 13 or the second cassette 14 while the read phosphors are completely erased. A sheet storage unit 30 for storing in the 13 or the second cassette 14 is disposed. The sheet storage unit 30 reads the cassette information and the arrangement information from the IC chips 31a to 31c of the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 stored in the loaded first cassette 13 or second cassette 14, and is necessary. The first and second reading cassettes 32a to 32d for recording predetermined information and the first and second cassettes 13 and 14 with the first lid 23a, the second lid 23b, and the lid 23c opened can be freely entered. The suction plates 34a to 34d, the pair of transport rollers 36a to 36d that receive the storage phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 sucked and held by the suction plates 34a to 34d and send them to the transport path 40, and the cassette selected as the transport path 40 Swingable guide plates 39a to 39d that connect the loading portions 20a to 20d are provided.

  The conveyance path 40 connected to the sheet storage unit 30 includes a plurality of pairs of rollers 38 and extends downward, and then extends in the horizontal direction. A reading unit 50 is disposed in the conveyance path 40 extending in the horizontal direction. The reading unit 50 includes a sub-scan transport mechanism 52 that transports the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 in the sub-scanning direction (arrow A direction), and main scanning of the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 transported in the sub-scanning direction. A scanning unit 54 that irradiates a laser beam L, which is excitation light, in a direction (a direction substantially perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction), and photoelectrically emitted light emitted from the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 by irradiation of the laser beam L Read units 56a and 56b. The sub-scanning transport mechanism 52 includes first and second roller pairs 60 and 62 that transport the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3.

  The reading unit 56a disposed above the sub-scanning transport mechanism 52 includes a light guide 96a having one end disposed along the scanning position of the laser beam L in the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3, and a light guide 96a. And the photomultiplier 98a attached to the other end of the light-emitting element, and condenses the photostimulated light obtained from the upper surfaces of the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3.

  The reading unit 56b disposed under the sub-scanning transport mechanism 52 includes a light guide 96b having one end disposed along the scanning position of the laser beam L in the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3, and a light guide 96b. In the case where the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 are of the double-sided reading type supported by a transparent support, the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 are provided. The stimulated emission light obtained from the lower surface of the light is condensed.

  The conveyance path 40 extends upward from the reading unit 50 and then extends in the horizontal direction to communicate with the retreat path 51. The retreat path 51 communicates with the transport path 40 via an erasing transport path 53 disposed at the upper part of the reading unit 50. An erasing unit 42 in which a plurality of erasing light sources 46 are arranged is arranged in the erasing transport path 53.

  A control circuit 80 that controls the image reading apparatus 10 is disposed between the erasing unit 42 and the retreat path 51. As shown in FIG. 5, the control circuit 80 includes a control unit 82 that performs overall control of the image reading device 10, and the control unit 82 includes a touch panel 24 that displays the operation and operation state of the image reading device 10. A scanning unit controller 84 for controlling the scanning unit 54, a reading unit controller 86 for controlling the reading units 56a and 56b, an erasing unit controller 88 for controlling the erasing unit 42, and the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP1. Reading and recording units 32a to 32d for reading and recording information are connected to the IC chips 31a to 31c mounted on the IP3.

  Further, the control unit 82 includes an image synthesis unit 90 that performs synthesis processing on the radiation image information read from the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 based on the cassette information and the arrangement information read by the reading recording units 32a to 32d, and An image storage unit 92 that stores the radiation image information read from the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 and the synthesized radiation image information is connected.

  The cassette 11 and the image reading apparatus 10 of the present embodiment are basically configured as described above. Next, processing when acquiring radiographic image information using these will be described.

  First, the stimulable phosphor panels IP <b> 1 to IP <b> 3 are accommodated in the first cassette 13 and the second cassette 14 constituting the cassette 11.

  In FIG. 2, the first lid body 23 a and the second lid body 23 b are opened, and the stimulable phosphor panels IP <b> 1 and IP <b> 2 are inserted into the housing 19. At this time, the information recording units 29a and 29b provided in the housing 19 are set so that the IC chips 31a and 31b provided in the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 and IP2 are close to each other.

  When the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 and IP2 are inserted into the casing 19, the information recording units 29a and 29b include the cassette information for identifying the first cassette 13 and the inserted stimulable phosphor panels IP1 and IP2. The arrangement information for the cassette 11 is recorded in the IC chips 31a and 31b. For example, if the cassette information specifying the first cassette 13 is C1, and the arrangement information of the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 and IP2 with respect to the cassette 11 is D1 and D2, the information of (C1, D1) is recorded on the IC chip 31a. Then, information (C1, D2) is recorded on the IC chip 31b.

  Similarly, in FIG. 3, the lid 23 c is opened, and the stimulable phosphor panel IP <b> 3 is inserted into the housing 33. At this time, the information recording unit 29c disposed in the housing 33 is set so that the IC chip 31c disposed in the stimulable phosphor panel IP3 comes close to the information recording unit 29c.

  When the stimulable phosphor panel IP3 is inserted into the housing 33, the information recording unit 29c includes cassette information for specifying the second cassette 14, and arrangement information for the inserted stimulable phosphor panel IP3 with respect to the cassette 11. Is recorded on the IC chip 31c. For example, if the cassette information for identifying the second cassette 14 is C1 which is the same as that of the first cassette 13, and the arrangement information of the stimulable phosphor panel IP3 with respect to the cassette 11 is D3, the IC chip 31c has information (C1, D3) Is recorded.

  As described above, after the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 are inserted into the first cassette 13 and the second cassette 14 and predetermined cassette information and arrangement information are recorded on the IC chips 31a to 31c, the first cassette 13 And the second cassette 14 is coupled using the coupling mechanisms 16 and 17. That is, after the insertion end 37 of the second cassette 14 is inserted into the recess 35 of the first cassette 13, the coupling mechanisms 16 and 17 are engaged with both sides of the cassette 11. At this time, when the claw members 57 and 58 constituting the coupling mechanisms 16 and 17 are engaged with the holes 49 and 55, the first cassette 13 and the second cassette 14 are connected without being separated.

  Next, after setting the cassette 11 to an imaging apparatus (not shown), the subject is irradiated with radiation from a radiation source, and radiation image information is recorded on the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 in the cassette 11.

  When the cassette 11 has been photographed, the operation parts 59 and 61 constituting the coupling mechanisms 16 and 17 are slid along the connecting rods 41 and 43, whereby the claw members 57 and 58 with respect to the holes 49 and 55 of the cassette 11 are obtained. The engagement state is released, and the coupling mechanisms 16 and 17 are detached from the cassette 11. Next, the second cassette 14 is separated from the first cassette 13.

  The separated first cassette 13 and second cassette 14 are arranged such that the first lid body 23a, the second lid body 23b, or the lid body 23c is an image reading apparatus with respect to any cassette loading portions 20a to 20d of the image reading apparatus 10. 10 so as to be on the inner side.

  When the first cassette 13 or the second cassette 14 is loaded, the reading and recording units 32a to 32d arranged in the sheet storage unit 30 are IC chips 31a to 31c mounted on the storage phosphor panels IP1 to IP3. The cassette information and the arrangement information recorded in the above are read.

  Next, after a lid opening mechanism (not shown) opens the first lid body 23a, the second lid body 23b, or the lid body 23c, the suction plates 34a to 34d of the sheet storage unit 30 are moved to the first cassette 13 or the second cassette 14. And the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 are adsorbed and held by the adsorption disks 34a to 34d. The stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 are taken out from the first cassette 13 or the second cassette 14 by the suction disks 34a to 34d and supplied to the conveying roller pairs 36a to 36d.

  The transport roller pairs 36a to 36d sandwich the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 and supply them to the transport path 40 via the guide plates 39a to 39d. The transport path 40 transports the stimulable phosphor panels IP <b> 1 to IP <b> 3 downward in the vertical direction under the rotating action of the plurality of roller pairs 38, and supplies it to the sub-scan transport mechanism 52 that constitutes the reading unit 50.

  In the sub-scan transport mechanism 52, the stimulable phosphor panels IP <b> 1 to IP <b> 3 are sandwiched between the first and second roller pairs 60 and 62 and are transported in the sub-scan direction in the arrow A direction (horizontal direction). A beam L is derived. This laser beam L scans the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3. The stimulated emission light obtained from the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 by irradiation with the laser beam L is photoelectrically read by the photomultipliers 98a and 98b through the light guides 96a and 96b.

  The read radiation image information is temporarily stored in the image storage unit 92 together with the cassette information and the arrangement information read from the IC chips 31a to 31c of the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3.

  Next, the image composition unit 90 performs a radiation image information composition process. In this case, cassette information and arrangement information are set in the radiation image information read from each of the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3. For example, the cassette information of the cassette 11 from which specific radiation image information has been acquired is C1, and the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 inserted in the cassette 11 are arranged in the order of the arrangement information D1, D2, and D3. Then, the radiographic image information of the cassette information C1 can be read from the image storage unit 92 in the order of the arrangement information D1, D2, and D3, and synthesized in that order, thereby synthesizing the radiographic image information arranged in the correct order.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the reference marks 62 a to 62 f are recorded in advance in parts that do not affect the radiation image information of each of the stimulable phosphor panels IP <b> 1 to IP <b> 3, The reference mark 62b of the stimulable phosphor panel IP1, the reference mark 62c of the stimulable phosphor panel IP2, the reference mark 62d of the stimulable phosphor panel IP2, and the reference mark 62e of the stimulable phosphor panel IP3 read together with the image information. By making them coincide with each other, it is possible to easily perform the synthesis processing in the overlapping portion.

  On the other hand, the stimulable phosphor panels IP <b> 1 to IP <b> 3 from which the radiation image information has been read are once transported to the retreat path 51 via the transport path 40 extending upward, and then returned to the erase transport path 53. Is done. The erasing unit 42 emits erasing light from the erasing light source 46 to the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 conveyed in the direction of arrow B along the erasing conveyance path 53, and remains on the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3. Erase radiation image information.

  The storable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 after erasure are carried into the conveyance path 40 from the erasure conveyance path 53, and then the first cassette is placed by the single-sheet storage unit 30 via one of the selected guide plates 39a to 39d. 13 or the second cassette 14 is returned. Next, the first cassette 13 or the second cassette 14 in which the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 are housed is discharged from the cassette loading sections 20a to 20d, and is again subjected to radiographic image information imaging processing.

  Here, in the above-described embodiment, at the time when the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3 are loaded into the cassette 11, the cassette information and arrangement for the IC chips 31a to 31c of each of the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3. Although information is recorded, it may be recorded at the timing when the cassette 11 is irradiated with radiation. In this case, instead of disposing the information recording units 29a to 29c in the cassette 11, for example, the information recording units 29a to 29c are disposed on an imaging stand or the like for capturing radiographic image information, and information is transmitted to the IC chips 31a to 31c at the timing of radiation irradiation. Can also be recorded.

  Further, in addition to the cassette information and the arrangement information, the IC chips 31a to 31c record the exposure information of the radiation irradiated to the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3, or information on the subject from the upper management system. You may make it transmit and record.

  Instead of the IC chips 31a to 31c mounted on the stimulable phosphor panels IP1 to IP3, a magnetic tape can be used.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the cassette concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a section explanatory view of the 1st cassette which constitutes the cassette shown in FIG. It is a section explanatory view of the 2nd cassette which constitutes the cassette shown in FIG. It is an internal block diagram of an image reading apparatus. It is a control circuit block diagram of an image reading apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the radiographic image information recorded on the stimulable phosphor panel. It is explanatory drawing of the assembly which concerns on a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image reading apparatus 11 ... Cassette 13 ... 1st cassette 14 ... 2nd cassette 29a-29c ... Information recording part 31a-31c ... IC chip 32a-32d ... Reading recording part 42 ... Erase unit 50 ... Reading part 54 ... Scanning unit 56a, 56b ... reading unit 90 ... image composition unit 92 ... image storage unit IP1 to IP3 ... storable phosphor panel

Claims (4)

In the stimulable phosphor panel in which the radiographic image information of the subject is accumulated and recorded,
A stimulable phosphor panel, comprising: an arrangement information holding unit that holds arrangement information of a plurality of the stimulable phosphor panels arranged corresponding to consecutive imaging portions of the subject. In a cassette that houses a plurality of stimulable phosphor panels that are arranged corresponding to a continuous imaging region of a subject,
A cassette comprising an arrangement information recording unit for recording arrangement information of each imaging region with respect to an arrangement information holding unit arranged in each of the stimulable phosphor panels. The cassette according to claim 2,
The cassette is characterized in that the arrangement information includes cassette information for specifying the cassette. In an image reading apparatus that reads radiographic image information accumulated and recorded in a plurality of stimulable phosphor panels arranged corresponding to consecutive imaging portions of a subject,
An arrangement information reading unit that reads the arrangement information from an arrangement information holding unit that is arranged in each of the stimulable phosphor panels and holds arrangement information of each imaging region;
An image reading unit for reading the radiation image information from each of the stimulable phosphor panels;
An image synthesis unit that synthesizes each of the radiation image information based on the arrangement information;
An image reading apparatus comprising:

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