JP2010156598A - Portable radiation image photographing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable radiation image photographing device capable of preventing fracture of the inside of the radiation image photographing device caused by impact, while keeping a cooling effect. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of buffer members 14 for buffering impact are provided on side faces 11 of a casing 12 in a switchable state between a fixed state wherein the buffer members 14 are fixed on the side faces 11, and a released state wherein the buffer members 14 can be separated in a prescribed range. The buffer members 14 are put into the fixed state during a photographing time of a radiation image, and the buffer members 14 are put into the released state during a non-photographing time of a radiation image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable radiographic image capturing apparatus.

  In recent years, radiation detectors such as flat panel detectors (FPDs) that can arrange radiation sensitive layers on TFT (Thin Film Transistor) active matrix substrates and convert radiation directly into digital data have been put into practical use. Has been put into practical use in a portable radiographic image capturing device (hereinafter also referred to as “electronic cassette”) that captures a radiographic image represented by irradiated radiation.

  The radiation detector accommodated in the electronic cassette has a circuit formed on the glass substrate, but may break when a large external load is applied to the electronic cassette.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 describes that a buffer material is disposed in the gap between the housing and the detection device for the purpose of protecting the detection device (mainly the glass substrate) from a drop impact or an external load applied during photographing. .

Patent Documents 2 to 4 describe a combination of a detector subsystem and a protective cover that protects against impact and external load. This protective cover is separable from the detector subsystem and is integrated with the detector subsystem at the time of imaging.
JP 11-284909 A JP 2006-293368 A JP 2008-90304 A JP 2008-96998 A

  However, when a shock absorber is arranged in an empty space inside the electronic cassette using the technique described in Patent Document 1 to absorb the impact, the air flow inside the electronic cassette is obstructed by the shock absorber and heat is generated. There is a case where the image quality of the radiation image is deteriorated due to heat.

  Moreover, when the protective cover which protects an electronic cassette is provided using the technique of patent documents 2-4, in the state which separated the electronic cassette and the protective cover at the time of conveyance, etc., the apparatus accommodated in the electronic cassette is dropped. It cannot be protected from impact.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described facts, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable radiographic image capturing apparatus capable of preventing destruction inside the radiographic image capturing apparatus due to an impact while having a cooling effect. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the portable radiographic image capturing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a generating unit that captures a radiographic image represented by irradiated radiation and generates image information indicating the radiographic image. A flat plate having a plurality of side surfaces, and formed to be able to ventilate to the outside on any side surface, and provided in each of the plurality of side surfaces, and a housing housing the generating means inside. Provided on a plurality of cushioning members for buffering and a breathable side surface formed so as to be able to ventilate the outside, and the cushioning member can be separated within a predetermined range by releasing the fixing state or fixing the buffering member fixed to the side surface. A fixing unit that can be switched to a release state; and a control unit that controls switching of the fixing unit to the fixed state or the release state.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the radiation represented by the radiation applied to the inside of the housing having a flat plate shape having a plurality of side surfaces and capable of venting to the outside on any side surface. A generation means for capturing an image and generating image information indicating the radiation image is accommodated.

  Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of buffer members for buffering shocks are provided on each of the plurality of side surfaces of the housing, and a fixing means is provided on the ventable side surface formed so as to be able to vent to the outside. The fixing member can be switched to a fixed state in which the buffer member is fixed to the side surface or a fixed state in which the buffer member is released and the buffer member can be separated within a predetermined range.

  In the present invention, the control means controls the switching of the fixing means to the fixed state or the released state.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a fixed state or a buffer member in which a plurality of buffer members for buffering shocks are fixed to the side surface of the housing formed to allow ventilation with the outside on any side surface. By providing control to switch to a fixed state or a released state of the fixing means so as to be able to be switched to a release state that can be separated within a predetermined range, the inside of the radiographic imaging apparatus due to impact is prevented while having a cooling effect. be able to.

  According to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 2, the control unit controls the fixing unit to be in a fixed state when a radiographic image is captured, and sets the fixing unit to a released state when the radiographic image is not captured. May be performed.

  Further, as in the invention described in claim 3, the present invention further includes a vibration drop detecting means for detecting vibration and fall by detecting an acceleration of a predetermined value or more, and the fixing means is switched to the release state. A damper member that separates the shock-absorbing member within a predetermined range and mitigates the impact applied to the shock-absorbing member from being transmitted to the housing, and the control means vibrates by the vibration drop detecting means. When the fall is detected, the fixing unit may be controlled to be released.

  Further, in the invention described in claim 1, as in the invention described in claim 4, the apparatus is accommodated in the accommodating part of the imaging table provided with the accommodating part capable of accommodating the portable radiographic imaging apparatus. It is further possible to provide an accommodation detection means for detecting this, and the control means may perform control to release the fixing means when the accommodation detection means detects that the housing is placed. .

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 5, a concave portion is provided on the ventable side surface, and the cushioning member attached to the ventable side surface is fitted with the concave portion of the ventable side surface. May be provided.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 6, it is preferable that the casing is formed so as to be able to ventilate to the outside on at least two side surfaces.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 7, the casing may be configured by fixing peripheral portions of two opposed flat plates with a fixing member.

  The invention according to claim 1 to claim 7 further includes mounting detection means for detecting presence or absence of mounting of a buffer member on the ventable side surface as in the invention according to claim 8, wherein the control means However, when the mounting detection unit detects that the buffer member is not mounted, control for prohibiting radiographic image capturing may be performed.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 1 to claim 7 further includes attachment detecting means for detecting whether or not the buffer member is attached to the ventable side surface as in the invention according to claim 9, wherein the control means However, control may be performed to permit radiographic image capturing when all mounting of the buffer member is detected by the mounting detection means.

  According to the present invention, a fixed state in which a plurality of shock-absorbing members for buffering shocks are fixed to the side surface or a buffer member spaced apart within a predetermined range on the side surface of the housing formed to allow ventilation to the outside on any side surface. By providing a switchable to a possible release state, by performing control to switch to the fixed state or release state of the fixing means, it is possible to prevent the destruction of the inside of the radiographic imaging apparatus due to impact while having a cooling effect, The effect is obtained.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an electronic cassette 10 according to the embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the electronic cassette 10 includes a housing 12 made of a material that transmits radiation X and formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape having four side surfaces 11. Each side surface 11 of the housing 12 is provided with a shock-absorbing member 14 that is made of an impact-resistant resin such as nylon, polyethylene, high-molecular-weight polyethylene, delrin, or polycarbonate, and cushions the impact. The shock-absorbing member 14 mounted on the upper side surface 11 of the electronic cassette 10 is provided with a grip portion 18 that is gripped when being carried.

  FIG. 2 shows an enlarged perspective view of the side surface portion of the housing 12.

  The casing 12 is configured by fixing the peripheral portions of two opposed flat plates 20 with four fixing members 22 (only two are shown in FIG. 2).

  Each side surface 11 of the electronic cassette 10 is provided with a hook 24 that switches to a fixed state in which the buffer member 14 is fixed to the side surface 11 or a released state in which the fixing is released. The buffer member 14 is connected to a damper 26 fixed to the fixing member 22, and a distance that can be separated by the damper 26 is limited. The damper 26 separates the buffer member 14 from the housing 12 by a predetermined distance when the hook 24 is released.

  3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of side portions of the electronic cassette 10.

  The housing 12 has a recess 28 between the two flat plates 20. The shock-absorbing member 14 is provided with a convex portion 30 so as to be fitted into the concave portion 28 when mounted on the side surface 11. The buffer member 14 is fixed to the housing 12 by the hook 24 in a state where the convex portion is fitted in the concave portion 28 of the side surface 11. By fitting the buffer member 14 and the side surface 11 in this manner, the inside of the housing 12 is waterproof and hermetically sealed. When the electronic cassette 10 is used in an operating room or the like, there is a risk that blood and other germs may adhere. Therefore, one electronic cassette 10 can be used repeatedly by sterilizing and cleaning the electronic cassette 10 as a waterproof and airtight structure as necessary.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each side surface 11 of the electronic cassette 10 is turned off when the buffer member 14 is not fitted in order to detect whether or not the buffer member 14 is attached, and the buffer member 14 is fitted. A mechanical switch 32 that is turned on in the combined state is provided.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of the electronic cassette 10 in which the buffer member 14 is separated.

  The electronic cassette 10 can ventilate the outside of the housing 12 by releasing the hook 24 and separating the buffer member 14. In FIG. 4, in order to easily distinguish the state where the buffer member 14 is separated on the drawing, the separation distance is increased and exaggerated. The distance that the buffer member 14 can be separated from the housing 12 is about several millimeters to several centimeters.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a detailed structure of a hook 24 portion for fixing the buffer member 14 to the side surface 11.

  A hook 24 projects from the housing 12. The hook 24 is supported by the housing 12 so as to be swingable by a shaft body 34, and an engaging claw 25 projecting in the direction of the side surface 11 is formed at the tip.

  A tension spring 36 is provided behind the shaft body 34 of the hook 24. The tension spring 36 has one end fixed to the hook 24 and the other end fixed to the housing, and pulls the hook 24 in the lateral direction. A solenoid 38 having a plunger 37 that expands and contracts when energized is disposed behind the tension spring 36. In the solenoid 38, the plunger 37 is in contact with the upper surface of the hook 24, and maintains the hook 24 in a substantially vertical state against the urging force of the tension spring 36 in a non-energized state.

  On the other hand, the buffer member 14 is provided with a recess 40 at a portion corresponding to the hook 24 when mounted on the side surface 11. In the recess 40, there is provided a mating portion 42 that mates with the engaging claw 25 when attached to the side surface 11.

  When the buffer member 14 is brought close to the side face 11 from the state shown in FIG. 6A to the state shown in FIG. 6B, the engaging claw 25 comes into contact with the mating portion 42. The engaging claw 25 is formed to have an inclined surface 25 </ b> A that is inclined in the distal direction on the outer surface that comes into contact with the mating portion 42 when the buffer member 14 is moved away from the side surface 11. Accordingly, when the buffer member 14 is brought close to the side surface 11 and the inclined surface 25A comes into contact with the mating portion 42, the hook 24 swings counterclockwise around the shaft body 34. When the buffer member 14 is further brought closer to the side surface 11 and the buffer member 14 is attached to the side surface 11, the hook 24 returns to the original state by the tensile force of the tension spring 36, and the engaging claw 25 is connected to the system as shown in FIG. The buffer member 14 is fixed to the housing 12 by being locked to the portion 42.

  On the other hand, in order to release the fixing, as shown in FIG. 7, the solenoid 38 is energized to extend the plunger 37. As a result, the hook 24 swings counterclockwise about the shaft body 34, and the fixed state of the buffer member 14 is released.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the electronic cassette 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, a radiation detector 60 for detecting the radiation X transmitted through the subject is disposed inside the housing 12.

  The radiation detector 60 is configured by laminating a photoelectric conversion layer that absorbs radiation X and converts it into charges on a TFT active matrix substrate 66. The photoelectric conversion layer is made of amorphous a-Se (amorphous selenium) containing, for example, selenium as a main component (for example, a content rate of 50% or more), and when irradiated with radiation X, a charge corresponding to the amount of irradiated radiation. By generating a certain amount of charge (electron-hole pairs) internally, the irradiated radiation X is converted into a charge. The radiation detector 60 is indirectly charged using a phosphor material and a photoelectric conversion element (photodiode) instead of the radiation-charge conversion material that directly converts the radiation X such as amorphous selenium into an electric charge. May be converted to As phosphor materials, gadolinium sulfate (GOS) and cesium iodide (CsI) are well known. In this case, radiation X-light conversion is performed by a fluorescent material, and light-charge conversion is performed by a photodiode of a photoelectric conversion element.

  Further, on the TFT active matrix substrate 66, a pixel portion 74 (in FIG. 8, a storage capacitor 68 for storing the charge generated in the photoelectric conversion layer and a TFT 70 for reading out the charge stored in the storage capacitor 68). A large number of photoelectric conversion layers corresponding to the individual pixel portions 74 are schematically shown as the photoelectric conversion portions 72), and are arranged in a matrix, and the photoelectric conversion layers are associated with the irradiation of the radiation X to the electronic cassette 10. The electric charges generated in are accumulated in the storage capacitors 68 of the individual pixel portions 74. As a result, the image information carried on the radiation X irradiated to the electronic cassette 10 is converted into charge information and held in the radiation detector 60.

  Further, on the TFT active matrix substrate 66, a plurality of gate wirings 76 extending in a certain direction (row direction) for turning on / off the TFTs 70 of the individual pixel portions 74, and a direction (column direction) orthogonal to the gate wirings 76 are provided. A plurality of data wirings 78 are provided for reading out stored charges from the storage capacitor 68 through the TFT 70 which is extended and turned on. Individual gate lines 76 are connected to a gate line driver 80, and individual data lines 78 are connected to a signal processing unit 82. When charges are accumulated in the storage capacitors 68 of the individual pixel portions 74, the TFTs 70 of the individual pixel portions 74 are sequentially turned on in units of rows by a signal supplied from the gate line driver 80 via the gate wiring 76. The charge stored in the storage capacitor 68 of the pixel unit 74 for which is turned on is transmitted as an analog electrical signal through the data wiring 78 and input to the signal processing unit 82. Accordingly, the charges accumulated in the storage capacitors 68 of the individual pixel portions 74 are sequentially read out in units of rows.

  Although not shown, the signal processing unit 82 includes an amplifier and a sample-and-hold circuit provided for each data wiring 78. After the charge signal transmitted through each data wiring 78 is amplified by the amplifier, It is held in the sample hold circuit. In addition, a multiplexer and an A / D converter are connected in order to the output side of the sample and hold circuit, and the charge signals held in the individual sample and hold circuits are input to the multiplexer in order (serially) for A / D conversion. The digital image data is converted by the device.

  An image memory 90 is connected to the signal processing unit 82, and image data output from the A / D converter of the signal processing unit 82 is sequentially stored in the image memory 90. The image memory 90 has a storage capacity capable of storing image data for a plurality of frames, and image data obtained by imaging is sequentially stored in the image memory 90 every time a radiographic image is captured.

  The image memory 90 is connected to a cassette control unit 92 that controls the operation of the entire electronic cassette 10. The cassette control unit 92 is realized by a microcomputer, and includes a CPU 92A, a memory 92B including a ROM and a RAM, and a nonvolatile storage unit 92C including an HDD, a flash memory, and the like.

  Solenoids 38 provided on each side surface 11 are connected to the cassette control unit 92. The cassette control unit 92 can control extension of the plunger 37 by controlling energization to the solenoid 38.

  The cassette control unit 92 is connected to a switch 32 provided on each side surface 11. The cassette control unit 92 can detect whether or not the buffer member 14 is attached to each side surface 11 based on the ON / OFF state of the switch 32.

  Further, a wireless communication unit 94 is connected to the cassette control unit 92. The wireless communication unit 94 is compatible with a wireless local area network (LAN) standard represented by IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11a / b / g, etc. Control the transmission of various information. The cassette control unit 92 can wirelessly communicate with an external device such as a control device (so-called console) that controls radiographic image capturing via the wireless communication unit 94, and various information can be exchanged with the external device. Send and receive.

  Further, the electronic cassette 10 is provided with a power supply unit 96, and the various circuits and elements (switch 32, solenoid 38, gate line driver 80, signal processing unit 82, image memory 90, wireless communication unit 94, and cassette) described above. The microcomputer functioning as the control unit 92 is operated by the electric power supplied from the power supply unit 96. The power supply unit 96 incorporates a battery (a rechargeable secondary battery) so as not to impair the portability of the electronic cassette 10, and supplies power from the charged battery to various circuits and elements. In FIG. 8, wiring for connecting the power supply unit 96 to various circuits and elements is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the electronic cassette 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described.

  When the radiographic image is not captured, the cassette control unit 92 energizes the solenoids 38 provided on the side surfaces 11 for a predetermined time to extend the plunger 37 to release the hook 24. When the hook 24 is released, the shock absorber 14 is separated from the housing 12 by the damper 26 and can be ventilated outside the housing 12, so that various circuits and elements inside the housing 12 can be connected. Can be cooled.

  When the electronic cassette 10 is carried, the grasping portion 18 is grasped and carried. The electronic cassette 10 falls from the side surface 11 to the floor when it is accidentally dropped when being carried, or when the electronic cassette 10 is dropped while being placed on a table or the like.

  In the electronic cassette 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the separation distance of the buffer member 14 is suppressed to a few millimeters to several centimeters. For this reason, even if it falls, it will contact a floor | bed from the buffer member 14, and since the impact of a fall is absorbed by the buffer member 14, destruction inside the electronic cassette 10 by the impact of a fall can be prevented. In addition, even when the casing 12 formed in a flat plate shape of the electronic cassette 10 falls in parallel with the floor by making the width of the cushioning member 14 slightly wider than the width of the electronic cassette 10, the cushioning member 14 contacts the floor. Therefore, the same effect can be obtained.

  On the other hand, when capturing a radiographic image, the electronic cassette 10 receives instruction information instructing preparation for imaging from an external device such as a console.

  When the electronic cassette 10 receives the instruction information for instructing the preparation for photographing, the electronic cassette 10 performs an attachment confirmation process for confirming whether or not the buffer member 14 is attached.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the mounting confirmation processing program executed by the CPU 92A. The program is stored in advance in a predetermined area of the ROM included in the memory 92B.

  In step S10, it is determined whether or not the buffer member 14 is attached to each side surface 11 based on the detection result of the switch 32 provided on each side surface 11. If the determination is affirmative, the processing ends. When it becomes negative determination, it transfers to step S12.

  In step S12, it is notified that there is a buffer member 14 that is not attached to an external device such as a console, and the process ends.

  When an external device such as a console is notified that there is a shock-absorbing member 14 that is not attached, a warning is given by a display or sound, and photographing is prohibited until the shock-absorbing member 14 is attached. Thereby, a doctor or a radiographer attaches the buffer member 14 to each side surface 11 of the electronic cassette 10. The electronic cassette 10 itself may be provided with a display unit or an audio output unit so that the electronic cassette 10 itself issues a warning.

  In the electronic cassette 10, when the buffer member 14 is attached to each side surface 11 of the electronic cassette 10, the convex portion of the buffer member 14 fits into the concave portion 28 of the side surface 11, and the inside of the housing 12 is hermetically sealed. As described above, the convex portion of the buffer member 14 is fitted into the concave portion 28 of the side surface 11, thereby increasing the load resistance of the housing 12.

  The electronic cassette 10 to which the buffer member 14 is attached is disposed at a position corresponding to the imaging region of the subject and irradiated with radiation that has passed through the imaging region. When irradiated with radiation, electric charges are accumulated in the accumulation capacitors 68 of the respective pixel portions 74 of the radiation detector 60 built in the electronic cassette 10.

  When the radiation is irradiated, the cassette control unit 92 of the electronic cassette 10 controls the gate line driver 80 to sequentially output an ON signal to each gate wiring 76 line by line from the gate line driver 80 and connect to each gate wiring 76. Each of the TFTs 70 thus turned on is sequentially turned on line by line.

  In the radiation detector 60, when the TFTs 70 connected to the gate lines 76 are turned on one line at a time, the charges accumulated in the storage capacitors 68 one line at a time flow out to the data lines 78 as electric signals. The electric signal flowing out to each data wiring 78 is converted into digital image information by the signal processing unit 82 and stored in the image memory 90.

  The cassette control unit 92 transmits the image information stored in the image memory 90 to the external device by wireless communication after the end of shooting.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a fixed state in which a plurality of buffer members 14 for buffering shocks are fixed to the side surface 11 on the side surface 11 of the housing 12 or a release that can separate the buffer members 14 within a predetermined range. The radiographic imaging device by impact is provided with a cooling effect by providing the buffering member 14 in a fixed state at the time of radiographic imaging and releasing the buffering member 14 at the time of radiographic non-imaging. Internal destruction can be prevented.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the buffer members 14 on the four side surfaces 11 are all detachable has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, the buffer on any one of the side surfaces 11 The member 14 may be removable. In order to quickly ventilate the inside of the housing 12, it is preferable that at least two side surfaces 11 be formed so as to allow venting to the outside.

  In the above embodiment, the distance at which the buffer member 14 can be separated from the housing 12 by the damper 26 is limited, and the buffer member 14 is separated from the housing 12 by a predetermined distance. For example, instead of the hook 24 and the damper 26, a plurality of solenoids are arranged on each side surface 11 of the housing 12 and the housing 12 and the buffer member 14 are connected by a solenoid, and a solenoid plunger The cushioning member 14 may be separated from the housing 12 or brought into close contact with the solenoid by expanding and contracting. Further, instead of the hook 24, the buffer member 14 and the housing 12 may be fixed and separated by magnetically attracting and repelling them with an electromagnetic lock or the like.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where the buffer member 14 was mounted | worn with each side surface 11 of the electronic cassette 10 at the timing which received the instruction information which the electronic cassette 10 instruct | indicates preparation for imaging | photography at the time of imaging | photography of a radiographic image. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the solenoid or the electromagnetic lock is provided at a timing when the electronic cassette 10 is placed on a mounting table such as an imaging table or a bed, or at a timing when a patient contacts the electronic cassette 10. For example, the buffer member 14 may be attached to each side surface 11 of the electronic cassette 10. Further, an imaging order indicating imaging conditions such as an imaging region and imaging conditions of the patient is received at the console, or the exposure switch for instructing the start of radiation irradiation is pressed at the console or the like, and the buffer member 14 from the console is attached. The buffer member 14 may be attached to each side surface 11 of the electronic cassette 10 by the solenoid, electromagnetic lock, or the like at the timing when the instruction information to be instructed is received. An imaging preparation period is also included when capturing a radiographic image.

  For mounting the electronic cassette 10 on the mounting table, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag capable of wirelessly reading information is embedded in the mounting table, and the RFID tag is wirelessly mounted in the housing 12 of the electronic cassette 10 or the like. The reading can be detected by providing a reading unit and reading the RFID tag by the reading unit. Further, for example, detection can be performed by providing an optical communication unit that performs optical communication with directivity between the mounting table and the electronic cassette 10, and the electronic cassette 10 is mounted on the mounting table and optical communication is performed by the optical communication unit.

  The patient touches the electronic cassette 10 by, for example, attaching a wristband in which the RFID tag is embedded to the patient, and providing a reading unit that wirelessly reads the RFID tag in the housing 12 of the electronic cassette 10. This can be detected by reading the RFID tag embedded in the wristband of the patient by the unit. In addition, for example, a capacitance sensor or a pressure sensor that detects a change in capacitance is provided on a contact surface that comes into contact with a patient during imaging of the housing 12, and the electronic cassette 10 receives instruction information instructing preparation for imaging. Then, it can be detected by detecting an increase in capacitance or an increase in pressure of the pressure sensor with the capacitance sensor.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where the buffer member 14 was attached to each side surface 11 of the electronic cassette 10 at the time of imaging | photography of a radiographic image, this invention is not limited to this, For example, the electronic cassette 10 So that the shock applied to the buffer member 14 due to the buffering of the damper 26 is transmitted to the housing 12 by releasing the buffer member 14 of each side surface 11 of the electronic cassette 10 when the vibration / falling of the electronic cassette 10 is detected. It may be.

  The vibration / dropping of the electronic cassette 10 can be detected, for example, by providing an acceleration sensor in the housing 12 of the electronic cassette 10 and detecting an acceleration of a predetermined value or more generated during the vibration or dropping by the acceleration sensor.

  On the other hand, the timing of releasing the buffer member 14 is the timing after the end of radiation irradiation, the end of contact with the patient, the conversion of the charge signal read by the signal processing unit 82 into digital image data (after the end of AD conversion), the image The image information stored in the memory 90 may be transmitted to an external device. By fixing the buffer member 14 at the time of AD conversion, the rigidity of the housing 12 is increased, and external noise due to vibration of the AD converter can be prevented from entering the image information.

  Further, the electronic cassette 10 may be housed in a housing portion of a photographing stand provided with a housing portion capable of housing the electronic cassette 10 such as a supine photographing stand or a standing photographing stand, and radiographic images may be taken. In the case where the electronic cassette 10 is housed in the housing unit of the photographing stand in this way, there are many continuous photographings, and the photographing stand itself is rigid and receives external force on the photographing stand itself. In addition, there is no fear of dropping the electronic cassette 10 accommodated in the accommodating portion. For this reason, in the imaging | photography which accommodated the electronic cassette 10 in the accommodating part of the imaging | photography stand, you may make it the buffer member 14 of the electronic cassette 10 a cancellation | release state, and may be made to exhaust heat.

  The electronic cassette 10 can be accommodated in the housing unit of the photographing stand, for example, an RFID tag is provided in the housing unit, a reading unit that wirelessly reads the RFID tag is provided in the housing 12 of the electronic cassette 10, and the like. It can be detected by reading the RFID tag in the container. Further, for example, a switch that contacts and turns on when the housing 12 of the electronic cassette 10 is housed in the housing portion of the photographing stand can be provided, and detection can be performed by detecting the on / off state of the switch.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which radiographic image capturing is prohibited when it is detected that the buffer member 14 is not mounted. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, all buffer members When wearing of 14 is detected, radiographic image capturing may be permitted.

  Moreover, although the case where the buffer member 14 is provided on all the four side surfaces 11 has been described in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. The buffer member 14 may be provided only on the lower side surface 11U when being carried. Further, as shown in FIG. 11 (A), the buffer member 14 may be provided on the lower side surface 11U and the lateral side surface 11S when the grip portion 18 is gripped and carried, as shown in FIG. 11 (B). As shown in FIG. 11, the buffer member 14 may be provided on a part of the lower side surface 11U and the side surface 11S (in FIG. 11, a part on the lower side of the side surface 11S).

  In the above embodiment, the case where the switch 32 is provided on the housing 12 side has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the switch 32 is provided on the buffer member 14 side and is electrically connected with a cable or the like. You may make it connect to.

  Furthermore, although the case where the electronic cassette 10 was made into the rectangular shape was demonstrated in the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to this.

  In addition, the configuration (see FIGS. 1 to 9) of the electronic cassette 10 described in the above embodiment is merely an example, and it is needless to say that the configuration can be changed according to the situation without departing from the gist of the present invention. .

It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the electronic cassette concerning embodiment. It is the perspective view which expanded the side part of the housing | casing of the electronic cassette concerning embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the side part of the electronic cassette which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view which shows the electronic cassette which spaced apart the buffer member which concerns on embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the detailed structure of the hook part which concerns on embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the state of a hook part at the time of approaching the side surface from the state which spaced apart the buffer member which concerns on embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the state of the hook part at the time of canceling | releasing fixation which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the electronic cassette concerning embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the mounting | wearing confirmation processing program which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the electronic cassette which provided the buffer member which concerns on another form only in the lower side surface. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the electronic cassette which provided the buffer member which concerns on another form on the lower side and the side surface of a side.

Explanation of symbols

10 Electronic cassette 11, 11U, 11S Side surface 12 Housing 14 Buffer member 22 Fixing member 24 Hook (fixing means)
26 Damper (Fixing means)
28 Concave part 30 Convex part 32 Switch (mounting detection means)
36 Tension spring (fixing means)
38 Solenoid (fixing means)
60 Radiation detector (generation means)
82 Signal processing unit (generation means)
92 Cassette control unit (control means)

Claims (9)

A generation means for capturing a radiation image represented by the irradiated radiation and generating image information indicating the radiation image;
A flat plate having a plurality of side surfaces and formed to be able to ventilate to the outside on any side surface, and housing the generation means inside,
A plurality of buffer members provided on each of the plurality of side surfaces for buffering an impact;
Fixing means that is provided on a ventable side surface that is formed so as to allow ventilation with the outside, and can be switched to a fixed state in which the buffer member is fixed to the side surface or a fixed state in which the buffer member is released and the buffer member can be separated within a predetermined range. When,
Control means for controlling switching of the fixing means to a fixed state or a released state;
A portable radiographic imaging device comprising: The portable radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control to place the fixing unit in a fixed state when a radiographic image is captured, and to release the fixing unit when the radiographic image is not captured. It further comprises vibration / drop detection means for detecting vibration and drop by detecting an acceleration of a predetermined value or more,
The fixing means includes a damper member that, when switched to a release state, separates the buffer member within a predetermined range and relaxes an impact applied to the buffer member from being transmitted to the housing.
The portable radiographic imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control to release the fixing unit when vibration or drop is detected by the vibration / drop detection unit. The apparatus further comprises an accommodation detecting means for detecting that the apparatus is accommodated in the accommodating part of the imaging table provided with an accommodating part capable of accommodating the portable radiographic imaging apparatus,
The portable radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control to release the fixing unit when the housing detection unit detects that the housing is placed. A recess is provided on the ventable side surface,
The portable radiographic imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cushioning member attached to the ventable side surface is provided with a convex portion that fits into the concave portion of the ventable side surface. The portable radiographic imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the casing is formed so as to be able to ventilate to the outside on at least two side surfaces. The portable radiographic imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the casing is configured by fixing peripheral portions of two opposed flat plates with a fixing member. A mounting detecting means for detecting whether or not the cushioning member is mounted on the ventilable side surface;
The portable radiographic imaging according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control means performs control for prohibiting radiographic imaging when the mounting detecting means detects that the buffer member is not installed. apparatus. A mounting detecting means for detecting whether or not the cushioning member is mounted on the ventilable side surface;
The said control means performs control which permits imaging | photography of a radiographic image, when all mounting | wearing of a buffer member is detected by the said mounting | wearing detection means, The any one of Claims 1-3 and Claims 5-7 The portable radiographic imaging device according to the item.

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