JP2005270277A - Radiographic imaging apparatus and radiograph generating method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide radiographic imaging apparatus and a radiograph generating method simply allowing a long imaging. <P>SOLUTION: This radiographic imaging apparatus 1 is provided with a radiation source 7 generating radiation and a radiograph detector 3 detecting the radiation irradiated form the radiation source 7 and penetrated a subject 30. The apparatus is further provided with a parallel movement mechanism moving at least either one of the radiograph detector 3 or the subject 30 approximately in parallel to the body axis direction of the subject 30, and a link movement mechanism 15 moving the radiation source 7 approximately in parallel to the body axis direction of the subject 30; and the radiation source 7 applies radiation to the radiographic detector 3 at a plurality of positions whose positions relative to the subject 30 are different. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiographic image capturing apparatus and a radiographic image generating method, and more particularly to a radiographic image capturing apparatus and a radiographic image generating method for performing long imaging.

  Conventionally, radiographic images typified by X-ray images have been widely used for disease diagnosis and the like, and various radiographic image capturing apparatuses are known as apparatuses for capturing radiographic images. This radiographic imaging device uses a radiation film as a radiation detector for detecting radiation transmitted through a subject, or a stimulable phosphor (stimulable phosphor) that accumulates irradiated radiation energy. Thus, there is known one using a stimulable phosphor sheet for obtaining a visible image. Furthermore, recently, a device using a flat panel detector (hereinafter referred to as “FPD”) capable of converting detected radiation into an electrical signal has been proposed. The FPD is a radiation light conversion layer that converts radiation into fluorescence (light), and a photoelectric conversion layer that is provided below the radiation light conversion layer and detects fluorescence converted by the radiation light conversion layer and converts it into an electrical signal. And a glass substrate provided below the photoelectric conversion layer and having a predetermined thickness. The radiographic image detected by the FPD is transmitted to a controller or the like and displayed on the display unit so that it can be visually recognized.

  By the way, when performing full length imaging of the lower limbs and whole spine imaging mainly for the purpose of bone measurement as medical imaging, the imaging area of the subject covers a wide area. Need to shoot.

In such long shooting, conventionally, a long radiation film is stored in a long dedicated cassette for shooting, and a plurality of photostimulable phosphor sheets are arranged so as to partially overlap each other. And taking a picture in a long dedicated cassette is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-44413 A

  However, there is a problem that a long radiation film is inconvenient to handle. In addition, a long dedicated cassette for storing a long radiation film and a plurality of photostimulable phosphor sheets is heavy and inconvenient to handle and carry. For this reason, it is said that placing such a heavy cassette in an imaging device and taking an image, and removing the image from the imaging device after taking an image and carrying it to a device that reads a radiographic image, etc. are burdensome for the operator who performs the imaging. There was a problem. Furthermore, when a plurality of photostimulable phosphor sheets are housed in a dedicated cassette for shooting, the exact length is required unless the photostimulable phosphor sheets are arranged at predetermined positions so as not to shift. There is also a problem that the operator's shooting preparation work is complicated because it cannot be performed.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a radiographic image capturing apparatus and a radiographic image generating method capable of easily performing long imaging.

In order to solve such a problem, the invention described in claim 1 includes a radiation source that irradiates radiation and a radiation image detector that detects radiation irradiated from the radiation source and transmitted through the subject. A radiographic imaging device comprising:
A parallel movement mechanism that allows at least one of the radiation image detector and the subject to move substantially parallel to the body axis direction of the subject, and the radiation source to cooperate with the movement of the radiation image detector. And a cooperative movement mechanism for moving the radiation source to a position facing the radiation image detector, and the radiation source emits radiation with respect to the radiation image detector at a plurality of positions having different relative positions to the subject. It is characterized by irradiating.

  According to the first aspect of the invention having such a configuration, at least one of the radiation image detector and the subject is moved in parallel with the body axis direction of the subject by the moving mechanism, and a plurality of times of photographing are performed. One or a plurality of images can be obtained from the photographed image information.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the radiographic image capturing device according to the first aspect, the subject is arranged in a standing position.

  In the invention according to claim 2 having such a configuration, the subject is placed in a standing position, and at least one of the radiation image detector and the subject is moved in parallel to the body axis direction of the subject by the moving mechanism. Thus, a plurality of times of photographing can be performed, and one or a plurality of images can be obtained from the photographed image information.

  The invention described in claim 3 is the radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the subject is supported between the radiographic image detector and the radiation source during imaging. It features a board.

  According to the third aspect of the invention having such a configuration, a subject support plate is provided between the radiation image detector and the radiation source, and the subject is supported so that the position of the subject does not shift during photographing. ing.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the radiographic image capturing apparatus according to the first aspect, a subject support plate is provided between the radiographic image detector and the radiation source to support the subject during imaging, The subject is disposed in a prone state on the subject support plate.

  In the invention according to claim 4 having such a configuration, the subject is disposed in a prone position, and at least one of the radiation image detector and the subject is moved in parallel with the body axis direction of the subject by the moving mechanism. Thus, a plurality of times of photographing can be performed, and one or a plurality of images can be obtained from the photographed image information.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the radiographic imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a control unit that controls the parallel movement mechanism and the cooperative movement mechanism is provided. The control unit controls the cooperative movement mechanism to move the radiation source to a position corresponding to the radiation image detector.

  In the invention according to claim 5 having such a configuration, the radiation source is moved to a position corresponding to the radiation image detector by controlling the parallel movement mechanism and the cooperative movement mechanism by the control unit. ing.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the radiographic imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the control unit controls either the radiographic image detector or the subject. The parallel movement mechanism is controlled so that the radiation image detector is moved by a distance shorter than the length in the body axis direction.

  The invention according to claim 6 having such a configuration is controlled by the control unit so that either the radiographic image detector or the subject moves by a distance shorter than the length of the radiographic image detector in the body axis direction. It has become so.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the radiographic imaging device according to the fifth or sixth aspect, a switch mechanism for operating the moving mechanism is provided, and the control unit continues to operate the switch mechanism. Thus, the parallel movement mechanism is controlled so that either the radiographic image detector or the subject is moved by a distance shorter than the length of the radiographic image detector in the body axis direction.

  In the invention according to claim 7 having such a configuration, either the radiographic image detector or the subject in the body axis direction of the radiographic image detector is operated by continuing to operate the switch mechanism that operates the moving mechanism. It moves by a distance shorter than the length.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the radiographic imaging apparatus according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, the control unit is configured such that either the radiographic image detector or the subject is detected. When moving in the moving direction at the time of image capturing, either the radiation image detector or the subject is moved by a distance shorter than the length of the radiation image detector in the body axis direction, and the moving direction at the time of image capturing The parallel movement mechanism is controlled so as to move continuously when moving in the opposite direction.

  In the invention according to claim 8 having such a configuration, at the time of image capturing, either the radiographic image detector or the subject moves by a distance shorter than the length of the radiographic image detector in the body axis direction. At the time of image shooting, the controller is controlled so as to move continuously.

  The invention described in claim 9 is the radiographic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein a grating for shape calibration is provided on one surface of the subject support plate. It is said.

  The invention according to claim 9 having such a configuration is provided with a connecting portion for forming a single long image by combining a plurality of pieces of image information after photographing by providing a grid for shape calibration on a subject support plate. It can be used as a guideline.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radiographic image generation method using a radiographic imaging apparatus comprising a radiation source that irradiates radiation and a radiation image detector that detects radiation irradiated from the radiation source and transmitted through a subject. Because
The radiation source and the radiation image detector are moved in cooperation so that the radiation source and the radiation image detector are opposed to each other, and the positions of the radiation source and the radiation image detector in the body axis direction of the subject A plurality of times of imaging, image processing is performed based on the radiation detection result detected by each imaging, and one or a plurality of images are generated for an imaging range larger than the radiation image detector. It is said.

  In the invention according to claim 10 having such a configuration, the radiation source and the radiation image detector are moved substantially parallel to the body axis direction of the subject by the moving mechanism, and a plurality of photographings are performed. An image larger than that of the radiation image detector can be generated from the obtained image information.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since one of the radiographic image detector and the subject is moved to perform imaging a plurality of times, a long image can be obtained by combining the image information captured after imaging. Images can be obtained. For this reason, even when there is a wide range of subjects to be photographed, such as full length imaging of the lower limbs and whole spine imaging, and it is necessary to perform long imaging, a special film for long imaging, such as a long film or a long cassette, is required. Without using the radiation image detector, it is possible to easily take a long image with the same apparatus and equipment as in general photography.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, when the subject is placed in a standing position, without using a special radiographic image detector for long imaging, such as a long film or a long cassette, There is an effect that it is possible to easily shoot a long image with the same apparatus and equipment as in general shooting.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the subject support plate for supporting the subject is provided, it is possible to prevent the subject from moving during a plurality of times of photographing. As a result, it is possible to smoothly combine image information captured after shooting, and to obtain a long image that does not cause a shift in the combined portion.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, even when the subject is placed in the lying position, a special radiographic image detector for long photographing such as a long film or a long cassette is not used. It is possible to easily take a long image with the same apparatus and equipment as in general photography.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, since the radiation source can be moved to a position corresponding to the radiation image detector, the radiation image detection is performed even when the position of the radiation image detector is moved by the parallel movement mechanism. It is possible to irradiate the device properly with radiation and to detect radiation images.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, imaging is performed a plurality of times by moving either the radiation image detector or the subject by a distance shorter than the length of the radiation image detector in the body axis direction. A long image can be obtained without causing a break in the combined portion by performing a combining process of image information captured later. For this reason, even when there is a wide range of subjects to be photographed, such as full length imaging of the lower limbs and whole spine imaging, and it is necessary to perform long imaging, a special film for long imaging, such as a long film or a long cassette, is required. Without using the radiation image detector, it is possible to easily take a long image with the same apparatus and equipment as in general photography.

  According to the invention described in claim 7, by continuing to operate the switch mechanism, either the radiographic image detector or the subject is moved by a distance shorter than the length of the radiographic image detector in the body axis direction. Can do. Thereby, it is possible to easily obtain a plurality of pieces of image information that can be combined after shooting and obtain a long image.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, when moving in the moving direction at the time of image capturing, either the radiographic image detector or the subject is moved by a distance shorter than the length of the radiographic image detector in the body axis direction. When moving in the opposite direction, it is moved continuously. As a result, it is possible to take a plurality of images that can be combined with image information after taking an image at the time of image taking, and at the time of non-image taking, the radiographic image detector or the subject can be moved quickly for the next taking. There is an effect that it can be provided.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the shift of the coupling portion when a plurality of pieces of image information are combined to form one long image after shooting.

  According to the invention described in claim 10, since the radiation source and the radiation image detector are moved to perform the photographing a plurality of times, a long image can be obtained by combining the image information photographed after the photographing. Can be obtained. For this reason, even when there is a wide range of subjects to be photographed, such as full length imaging of the lower limbs and whole spine imaging, and it is necessary to perform long imaging, a special film for long imaging, such as a long film or a long cassette, is required. Without using the radiation image detector, it is possible to easily take a long image with the same apparatus and equipment as in general photography.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a radiographic image capturing apparatus and a radiographic image generation method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is an imaging apparatus for standing imaging that images a patient 30 as a subject in an upright position. The radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 includes a main body support member 2 provided substantially perpendicular to the floor surface. An imaging apparatus main body 4 having a radiographic image detector 3 for detecting a radiographic image is provided on one side of the main body support member 2 on the side where the patient 30 is arranged. Further, a radiation source 7 for irradiating the subject with radiation is provided at a position facing the imaging apparatus main body 4.

  The photographing apparatus main body 4 can be moved up and down along the longitudinal direction of the main body supporting member 2 by a parallel movement mechanism 5 (see FIG. 2). As the parallel movement mechanism 5 for moving the photographing apparatus main body 4, for example, a linear motor mechanism constituted by a magnet part and a movable coil part, or a mechanism constituted by a pulley driven by a motor and an endless belt can be applied. it can. Note that the parallel movement mechanism 5 for moving the photographing apparatus main body 4 is not limited to the one illustrated here.

  The radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 is provided with a sensor 6 as detection means for detecting the moving distance of the image capturing apparatus main body 4. The sensor 6 is, for example, a linear encoder, and detects the position of the photographing apparatus main body 4 by providing a scale of the linear encoder on the main body support member 2 and providing a reading unit that reads the scale on the photographing apparatus main body 4. It is possible to detect the distance moved by the photographing apparatus main body 4. Note that the detection means for detecting the moving distance of the photographing apparatus main body 4 is not limited to this. For example, an optical sensor including a light emitter and a light receiver is provided at a predetermined position of the photographing apparatus main body 4 and the main body support member 2. It is also possible to detect the position of the photographing apparatus main body 4 by receiving light emitted from the light emitter with a light receiver.

  The radiation image detector 3 is a cassette-type FPD in which a flat panel detector (hereinafter referred to as “FPD”) is accommodated in a cassette, for example, in an irradiation field of radiation emitted from the radiation source 7, and the radiation source 7 is arranged at a position where it is possible to detect the radiation emitted from 7 and transmitted through the patient 30 as the subject. In the present embodiment, a case where a cassette type FPD is used will be described as an example. However, the FPD is not limited to a cassette type.

  The radiation image detector 3 includes a radiation detection unit (not shown) for detecting radiation. The radiation detection unit detects, on the predetermined substrate such as a glass substrate, the radiation irradiated from the radiation source 7 and transmitted through at least the patient 30 according to the intensity, and converts the detected radiation into an electrical signal. A plurality of pixels to be accumulated are arranged in a matrix.

  Here, as the radiation detection unit, although not shown, for example, a radiation light conversion layer that converts radiation into fluorescence light, and photoelectric conversion that detects fluorescence converted by the radiation light conversion layer and converts it into an electrical signal. Indirect type comprising a layer, and direct type comprising a radiation charge conversion layer having a radiation receiving part for directly converting radiation into charges instead of the radiation light conversion layer and the photoelectric conversion layer, etc. Both indirect and direct types can be applied.

  Next, the radiation source 7 is suspended from the ceiling of the photographing room by a cable or the like, and can be moved up and down by the cooperative movement mechanism 15 (see FIG. 2). The radiation source 7 is always located at a position facing the radiation image detector 3 provided inside the imaging apparatus main body 4, and cooperates with the raising and lowering of the imaging apparatus main body 4 that moves up and down by the parallel movement mechanism 5. To go up and down. The radiation source 7 is connected to an operation panel and a power supply unit (not shown) that supplies power to the radiation source 7, and inputs radiation timing, radiation dose, etc. from the operation panel. Thus, the radiation irradiation timing and the like are controlled. When the operator operates the operation panel, a tube voltage is applied from the power supply unit to the radiation source 7 and a tube current is applied, so that the patient 30 is irradiated with radiation. Note that the radiation source 7 may be operated by inputting a radiation irradiation timing, a radiation dose to be irradiated, or the like from the input operation unit 13 described later without providing an operation panel.

  A subject support plate 8 that supports the body of the patient 30 as a subject is provided between the imaging apparatus main body 4 and the radiation source 7. The subject support plate 8 is formed in a flat plate shape, and supports the patient 30 so that the body of the patient 30 does not move during photographing. On one surface of the subject support plate 8, a grid for shape calibration (not shown) made of metal or the like is provided. The grid for shape calibration is read together with the subject as image information by the radiological image detector 3 at the time of imaging, thereby confirming the coupling position of each image when combining the image information acquired in multiple imaging after imaging. For this purpose, it is possible to prevent the joining portion from being displaced when a single long image is synthesized from a plurality of images.

  The radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 further includes an input operation unit 13 for inputting patient information regarding the patient 30 as a subject, imaging information regarding imaging conditions, and various instructions of the operator. The input operation unit 13 includes, for example, an operation panel, a mouse, and a keyboard. The input operation unit 13 receives an operation signal generated by operating the operation panel and the mouse of the input operation unit 13 and a key press signal pressed by the keyboard. It is output as an input signal. The configuration of the input operation unit 13 is not limited to this as long as various processing contents can be set. Further, the instructions and information that can be input from the input operation unit 13 are not limited to those exemplified here.

  The radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 is provided with a display unit 14 for displaying information input from the input operation unit 13, image data sent from the radiographic image detector 3, and the like. The display unit 14 includes, for example, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and the like.

  Further, the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 is provided with a switch button 9 as a switch mechanism for inputting an instruction to raise and lower the image capturing apparatus body 4. The switch button 9 has keys such as “up” and “down”, and the operator's instruction is output as an input signal when the operator presses the key. Note that the switch mechanism is not limited to a switch button, and may be configured by, for example, a key, a button, a touch panel, or the like. It is also possible to apply a foot switch that can be operated by pressing a button with a foot.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 is provided with a control unit 10 including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the control unit 10 is a predetermined unit stored in the ROM 11. The program is read out and expanded in the work area of the RAM 12, and various processes are executed according to the program.

  An input operation unit 13 and a switch button 9 are connected to the control unit 10, and the control unit 10 receives signals output from the input operation unit 13 and the switch button 9 and performs processing according to these signals. Each part is controlled to perform. That is, various input information that is input from the input operation unit 13 and the switch button 9, converted into a signal, and output to the control unit is appropriately displayed on the display unit 14. Further, the image information of the radiographic image detected by the radiographic image detector 3 is also sent to the control unit 10, and the control unit 10 performs predetermined image processing and the like on this image information. ing. Further, when predetermined image processing or the like is performed by the control unit 10, an image corresponding to the image information is displayed on the display unit 14.

  Furthermore, when the operator presses the “up” key or “down” key of the switch button 9, the operator's instruction is output as an input signal to the control unit 10, and the control unit 10 receives the input signal. Based on this, the photographing apparatus body 4 can be raised or lowered by controlling the parallel movement mechanism 5. Further, the control unit 10 controls the cooperative movement mechanism 15 to raise or lower the radiation source 7 so that the radiation source 7 comes to a position facing the imaging apparatus body 4 in cooperation with the elevation of the imaging apparatus body 4. Be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 captures an image when the image capturing apparatus body 4 is raised. When the switch button 9 is continuously pressed by the operator during image capturing, the control unit 10 Each time imaging is performed by controlling the parallel movement mechanism 5, the imaging apparatus body 4 is raised a predetermined number of times while being raised by a distance slightly shorter than the length of the radiation image detector 3 in the vertical direction. It has become.

  That is, in this embodiment, after taking a picture, by combining the photographed image data, one long image is obtained from the photographed in multiple times. In order to obtain continuous long image data without causing loss of image data when performing data combining processing, it is necessary to perform imaging so that the edges of the images overlap each other in each imaging. . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the length dimension of the radiation image detector 3 is set to L, and the image data is reproduced as continuous long image data without causing loss of image data when image data is combined after imaging. When the overlapping portion necessary for the connection is α, the control unit 10 is the length dimension obtained by subtracting the overlapping portion α from the length dimension L of the radiation image detector 3 every time imaging is performed. Imaging is performed by moving the radiation image detector 3.

  In this regard, generally, the length of the entire spine of an adult is three times the length dimension of the radiation image detector 3 of 17 inches × 17 inches. For this reason, for example, when imaging is performed using the radiographic image detector 3 of 17 inches × 17 inches, and the entire spine of an adult is imaged, the radiographic image of the imaging device body 4 is taken after the imaging is performed once. The second imaging is performed by increasing the distance corresponding to the length obtained by subtracting the overlapping portion α from the 17-inch length dimension L of the detector 3, and the imaging apparatus main body 4 is further measured with the length dimension of the radiation image detector 3. The entire spine can be photographed seamlessly by raising the distance corresponding to the length corresponding to the length obtained by subtracting the overlapping portion α from 17 inches, which is L.

  When the imaging is repeated in this way, in the last imaging, a part of the radiation image detector 3 is a part where the subject is not located like the hatched part of the radiation image detector 3 (3) in FIG. However, this portion of the image data is deleted in the subsequent image processing.

  The distance by which the imaging apparatus main body 4 is moved between each imaging is preset for each type and size of the radiation image detector 3 and stored in the ROM 11 or the like as a specified value. For example, when the length of the radiation image detector 3 in the vertical direction is 17 inches, the length is slightly shorter than 17 inches, and the length is such that the upper and lower portions of each captured image overlap each other when imaged. It is set as the moving distance of the photographing apparatus body 4. For example, when the type and size of the radiation image detector 3 are input from the input operation unit 13, the movement distance of the imaging apparatus body 4 corresponding to the radiation image detector 3 will be determined by the control unit 10. It has become. Note that the setting of the moving distance of the photographing apparatus main body 4 is not limited to the one exemplified here, and the operator may directly input the moving distance of the photographing apparatus main body 4 from the input operation unit 13.

  On the other hand, at the time of non-image shooting, the control unit 10 controls the parallel movement mechanism 5 so as to move the imaging device main body 4 to the upper end or the lower end of the main body support member 2 without stopping the imaging device main body 4 halfway.

  The control unit 10 controls the cooperative movement mechanism 15 so as to raise or lower the position of the radiation source 7 as the imaging apparatus body 4 is moved up and down by the parallel movement mechanism 5. As a result, the radiation source 7 is always located at a position facing the radiation image detector 3, and even when imaging is performed while moving the imaging apparatus body 4, radiation is appropriately applied to the radiation image detector 3. Can be irradiated. In addition, the radiation source 7 is controlled based on information input from the input operation unit 13 or the operation panel, and a predetermined amount of radiation is irradiated at a predetermined timing.

  Next, a radiographic image generation method using the radiographic imaging device in the present embodiment will be described.

  The operator inputs imaging information such as information on the patient 30, the type of the radiation image detector 3 used for imaging, and imaging conditions, from the input operation unit 13. Further, the radiation dose to be irradiated is input from the operation panel of the radiation source 7. Next, the position of the photographing apparatus main body 4 is detected by the sensor 6, and the photographing apparatus main body 4 is lowered so as to be positioned at the lowermost end of the main body supporting member 2.

  When the input operation of various information is completed, the operator places the patient 30 as a subject on the surface of the subject support plate 8 facing the radiation source 7 to support the subject so that the body of the patient 30 does not move during imaging. Adhere to the plate 8.

  Information input from the input operation unit 13 or the operation panel is appropriately displayed on the display unit 14, and the operator presses the “up” key of the switch button 9 while appropriately referring to the information displayed on the display unit 14. . By continuing to press the “rise” key of the switch button 9, the photographing apparatus main body 4 rises, the position thereof is detected by the sensor 6, and the detection result is sent to the control unit 10. At the same time, the control unit 10 controls the cooperative movement mechanism 15 to raise the position of the radiation source 7 in accordance with the movement of the imaging apparatus main body 4.

  The control unit 10 reads out a value corresponding to the radiation image detector 3 used for imaging from the prescribed value of the moving distance of the imaging apparatus body 4 stored in advance in the ROM 11 and develops it in the work area. When the control unit 10 determines from the result detected by the sensor 6 that the moving distance of the imaging apparatus body 4 has reached a predetermined moving distance, the control unit 10 emits radiation from the radiation source 7 and performs the first imaging. Is called.

  After the first photographing, the control unit 10 controls the parallel movement mechanism 5 so that the photographing apparatus body 4 further increases a predetermined movement distance. At the same time, the control unit 10 controls the cooperative movement mechanism 15 to raise the position of the radiation source 7 in accordance with the movement of the imaging apparatus main body 4. While the imaging apparatus main body 4 is moving, the radiation image detector 3 sends image information detected by the radiation detection unit to the control unit 10 by being irradiated with radiation. Then, when the control unit 10 determines that the movement distance of the imaging apparatus main body 4 has reached a predetermined movement distance from the result detected by the sensor 6, radiation is emitted from the radiation source 7, and the second imaging is performed. Is done.

  After the second imaging, the control unit 10 controls the parallel movement mechanism 5 so that the imaging apparatus body 4 further increases a predetermined movement distance. At the same time, the control unit 10 controls the cooperative movement mechanism 15 to raise the position of the radiation source 7 in accordance with the movement of the imaging apparatus main body 4. While the imaging apparatus main body 4 is moving, the radiation image detector 3 sends image information detected by the radiation detection unit to the control unit 10 by being irradiated with radiation. Then, when the control unit 10 determines that the movement distance of the imaging apparatus main body 4 has reached a predetermined movement distance from the result detected by the sensor 6, radiation is emitted from the radiation source 7, and the third imaging is performed. Is done.

  When the three shootings are completed, the acquired image information for three times is sent to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 combines the image information of three times by superimposing overlapping portions of the image data of each time and further aligning the positions so that the shape calibration grid is not displaced. Further, predetermined image processing is performed on the image information by the control unit 10, and one long image is generated and output.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a long image can be obtained by moving the radiation image detector 3 to perform all three imaging operations and performing a process of combining image information captured after imaging. . For this reason, even when there is a wide range of subjects to be photographed, such as full length imaging of the lower limbs and whole spine imaging, and it is necessary to perform long imaging, a special film for long imaging, such as a long film or a long cassette, is required. Without using the radiation image detector 3, it is possible to easily take a long image with the same apparatus and equipment as in general photography.

  In the present embodiment, the radiographic imaging device 1 for standing imaging that captures an image of the patient 30 as a subject has been described. However, the radiographic imaging device 1 is not limited to this, and FIG. As shown, the present invention is applicable even to a radiographic imaging device 20 for supine imaging that images a patient 30 in a supine position. In this case, the patient 30 is placed on the subject support plate to support the body of the patient 30, and the subject support plate 21 can be moved in the body axis direction of the patient 30 by the moving mechanism. In addition, a grid for shape calibration is provided on the surface of the subject support plate 21 in order to confirm the coupling position of each image when combining image information acquired in a plurality of times of imaging after imaging. The subject support plate 21 may be fixed, and the radiation image detector 22 may be movable by a moving mechanism.

  In this embodiment, the photographing operation is performed when the photographing apparatus body 4 is raised. However, the photographing operation may be performed when the photographing apparatus body 4 is lowered.

  In the present embodiment, the radiographic image detector 3 measuring 17 inches × 17 inches is used for three times of imaging, and the image information obtained as a result is combined to form one long image. However, the size of the radiation image detector 3 used for imaging is not limited to this. In addition, the number of imaging required to form one long image is not limited to three, and may vary depending on the size of the radiation image detector 3 used for imaging, the range of the region to be imaged, and the like. . Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the case where the image information obtained by a plurality of times of photographing is combined into one image. For example, when photographing is performed in three times, the entire photographing range is obtained from the obtained image information. The stored long image may be synthesized, or two images obtained by dividing the shooting range into two may be synthesized.

  Further, by continuously depressing the switch button 9 or the like as a switch mechanism, the photographing apparatus body 4 is raised, and photographing is performed when the predetermined position is set in advance. If it is selected that the long shooting is performed from 13 etc. and the switch button 9 is pressed once, the photographing apparatus main body 4 may be automatically moved by a predetermined distance until the predetermined number of times of shooting is completed. Good.

  In the present embodiment, a cassette-type FPD is used as the radiation image detector 3. However, as the radiation image detector 3, a storage phosphor (stimulable phosphor) that accumulates irradiated radiation energy is used. ) May be used as a photostimulable phosphor sheet that obtains a visible image. In this case, each time one image is taken, the image information accumulated in the photostimulable phosphor sheet is read and sent to the control unit 10 and the radiation energy accumulated in the sheet is erased. Do the next shot above.

  In the present embodiment, only the case where the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 is used for performing long imaging has been described. However, the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1 captures an image that fits in one radiographic image detector 3 once. Of course, it is possible to perform normal shooting by shooting. This makes it possible to switch between normal shooting and long image shooting with a single device without adding any special equipment, thereby realizing a reduction in device cost.

It is the side view which showed one Embodiment of the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of one Embodiment of the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 which concerns on this invention. It is the figure which showed the relationship between the moving distance of a radiographic image detector, and the length dimension of a radiographic image detector in the case of image | photographing a subject divided into 3 times. It is the side view which showed the modification of one Embodiment of the radiographic imaging apparatus 1 which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Radiographic imaging device 2 Main body support member 3 Radiation image detector 4 Imaging device main body 5 Parallel movement mechanism 6 Sensor 7 Radiation source 8 Subject support plate 9 Switch button 10 Control part 15 Cooperation movement mechanism 30 Subject

Claims (10)

A radiographic imaging apparatus comprising: a radiation source that irradiates radiation; and a radiation image detector that detects radiation irradiated from the radiation source and transmitted through a subject,
A parallel movement mechanism that allows at least one of the radiation image detector and the subject to move substantially parallel to the body axis direction of the subject, and the radiation source to cooperate with the movement of the radiation image detector. And a cooperative movement mechanism for moving the radiation source to a position facing the radiation image detector, and the radiation source emits radiation with respect to the radiation image detector at a plurality of positions having different relative positions to the subject. Radiation imaging apparatus characterized by irradiating   The radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the subject is placed in a standing position.   The radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a subject support plate is provided between the radiographic image detector and the radiation source to support the subject during imaging.   2. A subject support plate for supporting the subject at the time of imaging is provided between the radiation image detector and the radiation source, and the subject is disposed in a prone state on the subject support plate. The radiographic imaging apparatus described in 1.   A control unit that controls the parallel movement mechanism and the cooperative movement mechanism is provided, and the control unit controls the cooperative movement mechanism to move the radiation source to a position corresponding to the radiation image detector. The radiographic imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:   The control unit controls the parallel movement mechanism to move either the radiographic image detector or the subject by a distance shorter than the length of the radiographic image detector in the body axis direction. The radiographic imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   A switch mechanism for operating the moving mechanism is provided, and the control unit continues to operate the switch mechanism, so that either the radiation image detector or the subject is moved in the body axis direction of the radiation image detector. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the parallel movement mechanism is controlled so as to be moved by a distance shorter than the length.   The controller controls the body axis of the radiographic image detector when either the radiographic image detector or the subject moves in a moving direction during image capturing. 6. The translation mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the parallel movement mechanism is controlled to move by a distance shorter than the length in the direction and continuously move when moving in a direction opposite to the moving direction at the time of photographing the image. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9.   The radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a shape calibration grid is provided on one surface of the subject support plate. A radiological image generation method using a radiographic imaging device comprising: a radiation source that irradiates radiation; and a radiation image detector that detects radiation irradiated from the radiation source and transmitted through a subject,
The radiation source and the radiation image detector are moved in cooperation so that the radiation source and the radiation image detector are opposed to each other, and the positions of the radiation source and the radiation image detector in the body axis direction of the subject A plurality of times of imaging, image processing is performed based on the radiation detection result detected by each imaging, and one or a plurality of images are generated for an imaging range larger than the radiation image detector. A radiation image generation method.

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