JP2013111198A - Radiographic system and control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent unnecessary exposure capable of occurring in time of the carriage or the arrangement preparation of a sensor unit having established a wireless link with a control unit, or unnecessary exposure by the erroneous taking of the sensor unit.SOLUTION: This radiographic system includes: a radiation generation unit performing the exposure of radiation; the control unit controlling the radiation generation unit; and the sensor unit detecting the radiation and performing output as image data. The radiation generation unit acquires first identification information peculiar to one of key units present therearound from the key unit and notifies the control unit, the sensor unit acquires second identification information peculiar to one of key units present therearound from the key unit and notifies the control unit, and the control unit compares the first identification information notified from the radiation generation unit and the second identification information notified from the sensor unit, and controls the radiation generation unit such that the control unit permits the exposure when two sides are equal.

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiation imaging system and a control unit, and in particular, in a radiation imaging system having a plurality of portable cassettes, recognizes a cassette facing a radiation exposure apparatus and performs unnecessary exposure of radiation. The present invention relates to a radiation imaging system and a control unit to prevent.

  In conventional radiation imaging systems, attempts have been made to improve the handling performance of the radiation sensor unit by improving the handling performance of the radiation sensor unit by making the radiation sensor unit called a cassette into a unit structure that can be physically separated from the control device. .

  FIG. 1 is a configuration example of a radiation imaging system in which a radiation sensor unit is physically separated. The radiation imaging system includes a sensor unit 101, a control unit 102, and a radiation generation unit 103. A plurality of sensor units 101 can exist in the same system, and can be connected to the control unit 102 using a wireless link.

  FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram between units of the radiation imaging system. Upon receiving an imaging request from the measurer, the control unit 102 transmits an exposure request to the radiation generation unit 103 (F723). When receiving the exposure request from the control unit 102, the radiation generating unit 103 exposes the radiation in a predetermined direction (F724). The sensor unit 101 transmits image data generated by radiation transmitted through the patient to the control unit 102 (F725). Finally, the control unit 102 displays the image data.

  As described above, the sensor unit 101 that can communicate with the control unit 102 is used at the time of photographing. In Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, a sensor unit that can communicate with a control unit is selected from a plurality of sensor units depending on whether or not a recording medium that can be separated from the sensor unit is attached.

JP 2009-63999 A JP 2009-276619 A

  However, when the same sensor unit 101 is used continuously after shooting, the wireless link is used without being disconnected. Therefore, once the sensor unit 101 establishes a wireless link with the control unit 102, the sensor There is a possibility that the radiation is always exposed when the unit 101 is transported or when the arrangement is prepared. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when an imaging request is received from the measurer when there is no patient, the radiation generation unit 103 performs useless exposure.

  Further, when a plurality of sensor units exist in the same system, there is a possibility that a difference between the sensor unit 101 that has established the wireless link and another sensor unit that has not established the wireless link may occur. Further, when there is another radiation imaging system in the vicinity, it is not possible to determine which control system the wireless link is established with the sensor unit, and thus there is a possibility that a difference may occur. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when a measurement request is received from a measurer when a sensor unit 104 that has not established a wireless link is mistakenly arranged, exposure from the radiation generation unit 103 is correctly performed by the sensor unit 101. It cannot be detected. Therefore, it is necessary to re-photograph, and unnecessary exposure to the patient occurs.

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to prevent unnecessary exposure that may occur during transportation or arrangement preparation of a sensor unit or unnecessary exposure due to a difference in sensor units.

A radiation imaging system according to the present invention that achieves the above-described object is as follows.
A radiation imaging system comprising: a radiation generation unit that performs radiation exposure; a control unit that controls the radiation generation unit; and a sensor unit that detects the radiation and outputs the image data.
The radiation generation unit acquires first identification information unique to the key unit from one of the surrounding key units and notifies the control unit,
The sensor unit acquires second identification information unique to the key unit from one of the surrounding key units, and notifies the control unit,
The control unit compares the first identification information notified from the radiation generation unit with the second identification information notified from the sensor unit, and if both are the same, the exposure is performed. The radiation generating unit is controlled to allow.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the unnecessary exposure which may arise at the time of transportation of a sensor unit or arrangement | positioning preparation, and the unnecessary exposure by the difference in a sensor unit can be prevented.

The block block diagram of the conventional radiography system. The sequence diagram between the units of the conventional radiography system. The block block diagram of the radiography system when there is no patient. The block block diagram of the radiography system when the sensor unit is not arrange | positioned in the appropriate position. The block block diagram of the radiography system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram between units according to the first embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process of the control unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram between units according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram between units according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram between units according to the first embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process of the control unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The block block diagram of the radiography system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The block block diagram of the sensor unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The sequence diagram between the units which concern on 2nd Embodiment.

(First embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 5, the configuration of the radiation imaging system according to the first embodiment will be described. The radiation imaging system according to the present embodiment includes a sensor unit 10, a control unit 20, a radiation generation unit 30, and a key unit 40.

  The sensor unit 10 includes a first communication unit 11, a second communication unit 12, a control unit 13, and a radiation sensor 14. The first communication unit 11 performs communication including ID notification with the first communication unit 41 of the key unit 40. The second communication unit 12 performs communication including notification of ID or communication including transmission of image data with the second communication unit 22 of the control unit 20. The control unit 13 controls the entire sensor unit 10. The radiation sensor 14 detects the radiation exposed from the radiation generation unit 30 to generate and output image data.

  The control unit 20 includes an image display unit 21, a second communication unit 22, a third communication unit 23, an operation unit 24, and a control unit 25. The image display unit 21 displays the image data received from the sensor unit 10. The second communication unit 22 performs communication including notification of ID or communication including reception of image data with the second communication unit 12 of the sensor unit 10. The third communication unit 23 performs communication including ID notification or communication including an exposure request with the third communication unit 33 of the radiation generation unit 30. The operation unit 24 receives an input from the measurer. The control unit 25 controls the entire control unit 20 and inquires about the acquired two IDs.

  The radiation generation unit 30 includes a first communication unit 31, a radiation generation unit 32, and a third communication unit 33. The first communication unit 31 performs communication including ID notification with the first communication unit 41 of the key unit 40. The radiation generating unit 32 exposes radiation according to the exposure request. The exposed radiation passes through the patient and reaches the sensor unit 10. The third communication unit 33 performs communication including notification of ID or communication including a request for exposure with the third communication unit 23 of the control unit 20.

  The key unit 40 includes a first communication unit 41 and a storage unit 42, and is worn by the patient during imaging. The storage unit 42 stores a unique ID assigned to each key unit. The ID of the key unit 40 can be rewritten from the outside. The first communication unit 41 performs communication including ID notification with the first communication unit 11 of the sensor unit 10 or with the first communication unit 31 of the radiation generation unit 30.

  The first communication unit 11 included in the sensor unit 10, the first communication unit 31 included in the radiation generation unit 30, and the first communication unit 41 included in the key unit 40 can communicate with each other by short-range communication. In the first embodiment, a case where RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is used as short-range communication will be described. Further, the second communication unit 12 included in the sensor unit 10 and the second communication unit 22 included in the control unit 20 perform wireless communication with each other. In the first embodiment, a case where IEEE 802.11 is used will be described. The third communication unit 23 included in the control unit 20 and the third communication unit 33 included in the radiation generation unit 30 are always connected by wired or wireless communication, and the control unit 20 is synchronized with the radiation generation unit 30. Take control. In the first embodiment, a case where wired communication is used will be described.

  With reference to FIG. 6, the sequence between each unit which comprises the radiography system which concerns on 1st Embodiment is demonstrated. In the first embodiment, the measurer places the patient at the measurement position. When the key unit 40 comes close to the sensor unit 10 and the radiation generation unit 30, the key unit 40 notifies the sensor unit 10 and the radiation generation unit 30 of its own ID (F720).

  Thereafter, the radiation generation unit 30 notifies the control unit 20 of the ID (first identification information) of the key unit 40 (F721). Similarly, the sensor unit 10 notifies the ID (second identification information) of the key unit 40 to the control unit 20 (F722). Here, the order of the processes of F721 and F722 may be reversed. The control unit 20 inquires about the acquired two IDs, and permits radiography when the two IDs match. Note that the sequence from when the control unit 20 receives a photographing request until image data is displayed is the same as that in the conventional example, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7, a specific processing procedure from when the control unit 20 acquires the ID of the key unit 40 from two paths (F721) to when an exposure request is issued (F723) will be described. .

  In step S <b> 101, the control unit 20 acquires the ID of the key unit 40 from the radiation generation unit 30. In step S <b> 102, the control unit 20 acquires the ID of the key unit 40 from the sensor unit 10.

  In step S103, the control unit 20 determines whether the ID acquired in step S101 and the ID acquired in step S102 are located. If it is determined that both IDs match (S103; YES), the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, when it is determined that the two IDs do not match (S103; NO), the process proceeds to step S107.

  In step S <b> 104, the control unit 20 determines whether or not a certain time has elapsed after acquiring two IDs. When it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (S104; YES), the process proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S104; NO), the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S105, the control unit 20 determines whether or not there is a photographing request from the measurer. If it is determined that there is a photographing request (S105; YES), the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no photographing request (S105; NO), the process returns to step S104.

  In step S <b> 106, the control unit 20 transmits an exposure request to the radiation generation unit 30. In step S107, the control unit 20 notifies the measurer that the two IDs do not match or that a certain time has passed since the two IDs were acquired. Notification to the measurer is performed by giving an explicit attention to the measurer using an image display or an LED. In step 108, the control unit 20 ends the radiation imaging. Thus, the processes in the flowchart of FIG. 7 are completed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the ID of the key unit is notified to the control unit through two paths, and the control unit determines whether the exposure is possible by determining whether the two IDs match. (Exposure control). As a result, unnecessary exposure that may occur during transportation or arrangement preparation of the sensor unit that establishes a wireless communication link with the control unit, or unnecessary exposure due to a difference in sensor unit can be prevented.

  The ID used in the first embodiment may be randomly generated or a unique ID assigned to each radiation system. It is only necessary to avoid using the same ID in different systems at the same time.

  In addition, the key unit 40 may have patient information separately from the ID, thereby associating the radiation imaging system with the patient. As a result, when the image data is displayed or stored in the control unit 20, it is possible to prevent the captured image from being mixed up.

<Modification 1>
In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the control unit 20 inquires the ID of the key unit 40 obtained separately using the radiation generation unit 30 and the sensor unit 10 has been described. In this modification, a case where the ID to be referred to and the ID notification route are different will be described. The radiation imaging system according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 8, the sensor unit 10 notifies its own ID to the control unit 20 in advance (F726). When the measurer places the patient, the key unit 40 acquires the ID of the sensor unit 10 from the sensor unit 10 and notifies the control unit 20 of the ID of the sensor unit 10 via the radiation generation unit 30 (F727). . The control unit 20 inquires about the acquired two IDs, and permits exposure when the two IDs match.

  That is, the sensor unit notifies identification information unique to the sensor unit to the key unit and the control unit existing in the surroundings, and the radiation generating unit holds the key unit from one of the key units existing in the surroundings. Identification information unique to the sensor unit is acquired and notified to the control unit. The control unit compares the identification information notified from the sensor unit with the identification information notified from the radiation generation unit, and controls the radiation generation unit to permit exposure when both are the same. Since the process of F723-F725 after exposure permission is the same as that of 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In FIG. 9, the control unit 20 issues its own ID, and queries the ID (F728) returned via the radiation generation unit 30, the key unit 40, and the sensor unit 10 and its own ID. Exposure is permitted if the two IDs match.

  That is, the control unit notifies the radiation generation unit of identification information unique to itself, and the radiation generation unit notifies the identification information acquired from the control unit to a key unit existing in the vicinity. The sensor unit acquires identification information unique to the control unit held by one of the key units present in the surroundings from the key unit and notifies the control unit. The control unit compares the identification information unique to itself with the identification information notified from the sensor unit, and controls the radiation generation unit to permit exposure when both are the same.

  As described above, in this modification, the control unit obtains the ID of the sensor unit through two paths, and the control unit determines whether or not the exposure is possible by determining whether the two IDs match. ing. Further, whether or not exposure is possible is determined by reacquiring the own ID issued by the control unit and determining whether or not the ID reacquired by the control unit matches the own ID. As a result, unnecessary exposure that may occur during transportation or arrangement preparation of the sensor unit that establishes a wireless communication link with the control unit, or unnecessary exposure due to a difference in the sensor unit can be prevented.

<Modification 2>
Moreover, 1st Embodiment demonstrated the case where the sensor unit 10 and the control unit 20 established the wireless communication link previously. However, when there are a plurality of other radiation imaging systems, wireless communication between the sensor unit 10 and the control unit 20 can be set before imaging in order to avoid communication congestion with other radiation imaging systems. Good.

  As a modification, referring to FIG. 10, the control unit 20 notifies the sensor unit 10 of the wireless parameters necessary for establishing the wireless communication link together with the ID of the control unit using the notification path shown in FIG. The case will be described. The radiation imaging system according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 10, the control unit 20 issues a wireless parameter together with its own ID. The sensor unit 10 acquires the ID and wireless parameter of the control unit 20 from the control unit 20 via the radiation generation unit 30 and the key unit 40 (F729). The sensor unit 10 establishes a wireless communication link with the control unit 20 using the acquired wireless parameter (F730). Subsequent processing is the same as that shown in FIG.

  Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 11, the specific procedure of the process described in FIG. 10 from issuing the ID and the wireless parameter to the radiation generation unit 30 until issuing the exposure request (F723) from (F729). explain.

  Instead of the process of step 101 described in FIG. 7, the flowchart of FIG. 11 is different in that each process of steps S <b> 1011 to S <b> 1013 is executed. Hereinafter, differences will be described.

  In step S1011, the control unit 20 issues its own ID and wireless parameters. In step S1012, the control unit 20 determines whether a wireless communication link with the sensor unit 10 is established. When it is determined that the wireless communication link is established (S1012; YES), the process proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, when it is determined that the wireless communication link is not established (S1012; NO), the process proceeds to step S1013.

  In step S1013, the control unit 20 determines whether or not a certain time has elapsed. If it is determined that a certain time has elapsed (S1013; YES), the process returns to step S1011 and the control unit 20 reissues its own ID and wireless parameters. The reissue of the radio parameter is performed by the control unit 20 automatically selecting from one or more radio parameters. Note that the wireless parameter may be reissued when the measurer selects the wireless parameter using the control unit 20. If the wireless communication link is not established even when the wireless parameter is selected, the process may proceed to step S107. The processing in steps S102 to S108 is the same as the processing described in FIG.

  As described above, in this modified example, the own ID issued by the control unit is reacquired, and the exposure is performed by determining whether the ID reacquired by the control unit matches the own ID. Whether or not is possible. At that time, the control unit issues a wireless parameter for establishing wireless communication with the sensor unit together with its own ID and transmits it to the sensor unit. As a result, unnecessary exposure that may occur during transportation or arrangement preparation of the sensor unit that establishes a wireless communication link with the control unit, or unnecessary exposure due to a difference in sensor unit can be prevented. Furthermore, when there are a plurality of other radiography systems, it is possible to avoid congestion of communication with other radiography systems.

(Second Embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 12, the structure of the radiography system which concerns on 4th Embodiment is demonstrated. The radiation imaging system according to the present embodiment includes a sensor unit 10, a control unit 20, a radiation generation unit 30, a key unit 40, and a sensor unit 50. The point which is further provided with the sensor unit 50 is different from the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the sensor unit 10 and the sensor unit 50 each establish a wireless communication link with the control unit 20 in advance. The patient with the key unit 40 is arranged in the radiation exposure direction of the radiation generation unit 30 by the measurer.

  The block configuration of the sensor unit 50 will be described with reference to FIG. Similar to the sensor unit 10, the sensor unit 50 includes a first communication unit 51, a second communication unit 52, a control unit 53, and a radiation sensor 54.

  In the present embodiment, the first communication unit 11 of the sensor unit 10, the first communication unit 31 of the radiation generation unit 30, the first communication unit 41 of the key unit 40, and the first communication unit 51 of the sensor unit 50 are wireless communication. I do. In the present embodiment, the case where the IEEE 802.11 ad hoc mode is used will be described, but Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like may be used.

  Further, an access point is installed on a wired network connected to the second communication unit 22 of the control unit 20, and an infrastructure is provided between the second communication unit 22 of the control unit 20 and the second communication unit 12 of the sensor unit 10. Communicate in structure mode.

  With reference to FIG. 14, the sequence between each unit which comprises the radiography system which concerns on 4th Embodiment is demonstrated.

  The control unit 20 requests the ID of the key unit 40 from the sensor unit 10, the radiation generation unit 30, and the sensor unit 50 (F934). Each unit that has received the request attempts to connect to the key unit 40 using the respective first communication unit.

  The sensor unit 10 in the vicinity of the patient having the key unit 40 acquires the ID of the key unit 40 (F935-F936) and notifies the control unit 20 of the ID (F722).

  The sensor unit 50 in which the patient having the key unit 40 is not in the vicinity cannot acquire the ID of the key unit 40 within a certain time. In that case, the sensor unit 50 notifies the control unit 20 that the ID of the key unit 40 could not be acquired (F939).

  The radiation generation unit 30 acquires the ID of the key unit 40 (F937-F938), and notifies the control unit 20 of the ID (F721). The control unit 20 inquires the ID of the key unit 40 acquired from the radiation generation unit 30 and the ID of the key unit 40 acquired from the sensor unit 10 and the sensor unit 50. As in the first embodiment, if the IDs do not match, the radiation imaging is terminated and the measurement person is informed to that effect.

  When the control unit 20 receives a photographing request after the ID is inquired, the control unit 20 obtains the ID of the key unit 40 again via the sensor unit 10. That is, the control unit 20 requests the ID of the key unit 40 again from the sensor unit 10 whose IDs match as a result of the inquiry (F940). The sensor unit 10 that has received the request attempts to connect to the key unit 40 again using the first communication unit 11. The sensor unit 10 acquires the ID of the key unit 40 again (F941-F942), and notifies the control unit 20 of the ID again (F943).

  At this time, if an ID of a key unit different from the inquired ID is acquired, or if the ID cannot be acquired, the radiation imaging is terminated and the measurer is informed to that effect. Note that the control unit 20 can easily confirm the ID of the key unit 40 after the photographing request by the measurer not only in this embodiment but also in the first to third embodiments. Since the process after reconfirming the ID of the key unit 40 is the same as in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  The sensor unit 10 may be configured to have only one communication unit, and may perform the above-described processing by performing communication by switching between the ad hoc mode and the infrastructure mode. Although FIG. 14 illustrates the case where the control unit 20 receives an imaging request after inquiring for an ID, the ID may be acquired and inquired after the imaging request.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the control unit causes each surrounding unit to acquire the ID of the key unit and notify the control unit. As a result, it is possible to perform radiation imaging using an appropriate sensor unit, excluding sensor units that exist at a distance where the key unit ID cannot be obtained.

  Further, in the present embodiment, after the ID is once inquired and the match is confirmed, the ID of the key unit is acquired again to the sensor unit in which the match is confirmed, and the control unit is notified again. This makes it possible to perform radiation imaging using an appropriate sensor unit.

  As a result, unnecessary exposure that may occur during transportation or arrangement preparation of the sensor unit that establishes a wireless communication link with the control unit, or unnecessary exposure due to a difference in sensor unit can be prevented.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (9)

A radiation imaging system comprising: a radiation generation unit that performs radiation exposure; a control unit that controls the radiation generation unit; and a sensor unit that detects the radiation and outputs the image data.
The radiation generation unit acquires first identification information unique to the key unit from one of the surrounding key units and notifies the control unit,
The sensor unit acquires second identification information unique to the key unit from one of the surrounding key units, and notifies the control unit,
The control unit compares the first identification information notified from the radiation generation unit with the second identification information notified from the sensor unit, and if both are the same, the exposure is performed. A radiation imaging system, wherein the radiation generating unit is controlled to permit.   When the first identification information and the second identification information are the same, the control unit captures the first identification information and the second identification information within a predetermined time after acquiring the first identification information and the second identification information. The radiation imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the radiation generating unit is controlled to permit the exposure in response to receiving a request. The control unit requests the radiation generation unit and the sensor unit to acquire key unit identification information and notify the control unit,
The radiation generation unit acquires the first identification information in response to the request and notifies the control unit, and the sensor unit acquires the second identification information in response to the request and performs the control. The radiation imaging system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the unit is notified. A control unit in a radiation imaging system, comprising: a radiation generation unit that performs radiation exposure; a control unit that controls the radiation generation unit; and a sensor unit that detects the radiation and outputs the image data.
First identification information unique to the key unit existing around the radiation generation unit notified from the radiation generation unit, and first identification information specific to the key unit existing around the sensor unit notified from the sensor unit. Receiving means for receiving the identification information of 2;
The first identification information notified from the radiation generation unit is compared with the second identification information notified from the sensor unit, and the exposure is permitted when both are the same. An exposure control means for controlling the radiation generating unit;
A control unit for a radiation imaging system, comprising:   When the first identification information and the second identification information are the same, the exposure control means obtains the first identification information and the second identification information within a predetermined time. The control unit of the radiation imaging system according to claim 4, wherein the radiation generating unit is controlled to permit the exposure in response to receiving an imaging request.   6. The control unit according to claim 4, further comprising request means for requesting the radiation generation unit and the sensor unit to acquire identification information of a key unit and notify the control unit. A control unit of the described radiographic system. A radiation imaging system comprising: a radiation generation unit that performs radiation exposure; a control unit that controls the radiation generation unit; and a sensor unit that detects the radiation and outputs the image data.
The sensor unit notifies identification information unique to the sensor unit to the key unit and the control unit existing in the surroundings,
The radiation generation unit acquires identification information unique to the sensor unit held by the key unit from one of the surrounding key units, and notifies the control unit of the identification information.
The control unit compares the identification information notified from the sensor unit with the identification information notified from the radiation generation unit, and permits the exposure when both are the same. Radiation imaging system characterized by controlling A radiation imaging system comprising: a radiation generation unit that performs radiation exposure; a control unit that controls the radiation generation unit; and a sensor unit that detects the radiation and outputs the image data.
The control unit notifies the radiation generation unit of identification information unique to the control unit;
The radiation generation unit notifies the identification information acquired from the control unit to a key unit existing in the surroundings,
The sensor unit acquires identification information unique to the control unit held by one of the key units present in the surroundings from the key unit and notifies the control unit,
The control unit compares the identification information unique to itself and the identification information notified from the sensor unit, and controls the radiation generation unit to permit the exposure when both are the same. A radiation imaging system characterized by that.   9. The control unit according to claim 8, wherein the control unit notifies a wireless parameter in addition to the identification information, and the sensor unit establishes a communication link with the control unit based on the acquired wireless parameter. Radiography system.

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