JP2002182322A - Stimulable phosphor sheet and conveyance assisting member - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To read stimulable phosphor sheets of small sizes in the same manner as with sheets of specified sizes by using a general reader designed to meet the specified sizes. SOLUTION: Sheet-like projectors 15 are respectively annexed to the front and rear of a base 12 of the flat planar stimulable phosphor sheet 10 formed by successively laminating the base 12, a phosphor layer 13 and a protective film 14. The outer side at the peripheral edge of the stimulable phosphor sheet 10 is provided with the conveyance assisting member 20 formed by adhering a frame-like holder 21 having a holding section 24 for housing and holding the stimulable phosphor sheet 10 at its center and a film 22 arranged to cover the housing space of the holding section 24 under the holder 21 exclusive of the inserting part 23. The sheet 10 is fitted to the conveyance assisting member 20 by engaging an insertion section 23 and the projectors 15, by which a stimulable phosphor sheet assembly 50 is formed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stimulable phosphor sheet and an auxiliary member for conveying the sheet.
For example, a radiation image is recorded on a small stimulable phosphor sheet, and the stimulable phosphor sheet used when the stimulable phosphor sheet is read by a reader that reads a stimulable phosphor sheet of a prescribed size, and the conveyance of the sheet. It relates to an auxiliary member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a recording medium for recording a radiation image of a subject such as a human body, a stimulable phosphor sheet having a stimulable phosphor layer for recording a radiation image of a subject on a support has been known. (JP-A-55-12429, JP-A-56-11395, etc.). The stimulable phosphor is a phosphor which is also called a stimulable phosphor, and the phosphor (X-ray, α-ray, β-ray,
Irradiation with γ-rays, electron beams, ultraviolet rays, etc.) accumulates a part of radiation energy, and then irradiation with excitation light such as visible light emits a photostimulated emission light in an amount corresponding to the accumulated energy.

Utilizing this characteristic, a radiation image transmitted through a subject is irradiated onto a stimulable phosphor sheet, so that a radiation image of the subject is temporarily recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet, and the stimulable phosphor sheet is irradiated with a laser beam. By scanning with such excitation light to generate stimulated emission light and photoelectrically reading the obtained stimulated emission light, an image signal representing a radiation image of the subject can be obtained. The present applicant has already proposed a radiation recording / reproducing system for outputting a radiation image of a subject as a visible image on a recording material such as a photographic photosensitive material or a CRT based on the image signal obtained in this manner. Kaisho
55-12429, 56-11395, 55-163472, 56-1646
No. 45, No. 55-116340).

The stimulable phosphor sheet is usually handled in a light-shielding cassette or magazine.
The cassette stores the stimulable phosphor sheets one by one, and is constituted by, for example, a box partially provided with an opening for taking in and out the stimulable phosphor sheet, and a lid for opening and closing the opening. And others have been proposed.

On the other hand, as a reading apparatus for reading an image signal from a stimulable phosphor sheet, for example, a cassette insertion port is provided in a part of the apparatus, and the cassette insertion port is inserted through the cassette insertion port and held therein. Various proposals have been made, such as one in which a sheet is pulled out, carried into the apparatus, and conveyed by a roller or the like to a reading unit provided inside the apparatus for reading.

[0006]

When photographing (recording) or reading using a stimulable phosphor sheet, the sheet is stored in a cassette or the like and loaded into a photographing device or a reading device as described above. However, at the time of photographing, the stimulable phosphor sheet is stored in a cassette or the like sized for the photographing device, and at the time of reading, the stimulable phosphor sheet is stored and loaded in a cassette or the like sized for the reading device.

On the other hand, some photographing devices cannot use a stimulable phosphor sheet of a prescribed size due to the characteristics of a subject. In such a photographing device, a stimulable phosphor sheet of a size adapted to a photographing environment is used. Shooting is performed.
That is, for example, when photographing is performed in a narrow place where a stimulable phosphor sheet of a specified size cannot be accommodated, it is necessary to make a stimulable phosphor sheet of a small size according to each photographing environment and perform photographing. There is.

However, since many reading devices are designed for a stimulable phosphor sheet of a prescribed size, a small-sized stimulable phosphor sheet is stored in a normal cassette as it is, and a general reading device is used. It was difficult to read with the. In other words, for example, the position may be shifted inside the cassette and it may not be able to be properly loaded into the reading device, or it may fall off the rollers when transported inside the device, and it may be the same as the specified size. Was difficult to read.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention employs a general reading device designed for a stimulable phosphor sheet of a specified size, for example, and uses a general-purpose reader as a stimulable phosphor sheet of a specified size. It is an object of the present invention to provide a stimulable phosphor sheet which enables reading of the stimulable phosphor sheet and an auxiliary member for conveying the sheet.

[0010]

A stimulable phosphor sheet according to the present invention comprises a stimulable phosphor sheet having a support and a phosphor layer containing the stimulable phosphor provided on the support. The phosphor sheet is provided with an engagement portion detachably engaged with a transport auxiliary member provided on the outer periphery of the stimulable phosphor sheet.

[0011] The engaging portion is located at the front of the peripheral direction of the stimulable phosphor sheet in the conveying direction when the stimulable phosphor sheet is conveyed in a reading device for reading a radiation image recorded on the phosphor layer. Part and a rear part.

The engaging portion may be any member as long as the engaging portion detachably engages with the transport assisting member. For example, the engaging portion is moved outward from the peripheral edge of the stimulable phosphor sheet. It can also be a thin plate-shaped protruding body protruded toward.

The transport assisting member of the present invention is a transport assisting member that is transported integrally with a stimulable phosphor sheet having a support and a phosphor layer containing a stimulable phosphor provided on the support. There is a holding portion for detachably holding the stimulable phosphor sheet inside, and the stimulable phosphor sheet is held in the holding portion when the stimulable phosphor sheet is transported, and is provided on the outer periphery of the stimulable phosphor sheet. And being transported together with the stimulable phosphor sheet.

When the stimulable phosphor sheet has an engaging portion for engaging with the transport assisting member, the holding portion may have an engaged portion for detachably engaging with the engaging portion. Good.

[0015] Further, the engaged portion is moved in the transport direction when the transport assisting member is transported together with the stimulable phosphor sheet in the reading device for reading the radiation image recorded on the phosphor layer in the holding portion. It may be formed on the front part and the rear part.

Here, the holding portion may be any portion as long as it can detachably hold the stimulable phosphor sheet. For example, a thin plate-shaped projecting body is provided on the stimulable phosphor sheet to be held. In this case, the storage space for storing the stimulable phosphor sheet and the insertion portion into which the protruding body is inserted may be configured.

The stimulable phosphor sheet assembly of the present invention comprises a stimulable phosphor sheet having a support and a phosphor layer containing a stimulable phosphor provided on the support, and a stimulable phosphor inside. A conveyance assisting member having a holding portion for detachably holding the sheet, wherein the holding portion holds the stimulable phosphor sheet and the conveyance assisting member is positioned outside the peripheral edge of the stimulable phosphor sheet. Is what you do.

[0018]

According to the stimulable phosphor sheet of the present invention and the auxiliary member for transporting the sheet according to the present invention,
The small-sized stimulable phosphor sheet can be held inside the transport assisting member by the holding unit provided on the transport assisting member, so that the reading device designed for the stimulable phosphor sheet of the specified size can be used. A radiation image recorded on a small-sized stimulable phosphor sheet can be read. That is, by setting the entire size of the transport assisting member to be substantially the same size as the stimulable phosphor sheet of the specified size, reading can be performed in the same manner as that of the specified size.

With this configuration, the small-sized stimulable phosphor sheet can be read without changing the transport path of the reading device or preparing a plurality of cassettes in accordance with the size of the stimulable phosphor sheet. It becomes possible. Even if there are a plurality of types of stimulable phosphor sheets of a small size, a reading device designed for a stimulable phosphor sheet of a prescribed size can be used by using a transport auxiliary member adapted to each size. Can be read.

Further, if the engaging portion and the engaged portion are provided at the front portion and the rear portion in the transport direction when transported in the reading device, the sheet can be held more safely. That is, some reading devices convey a stimulable phosphor sheet while bending the stimulable phosphor sheet via, for example, a roller. In this case, there is a possibility that the sheet will float. Therefore, by engaging the rising portion, it is possible to prevent the sheet from coming off from the conveyance assisting member during conveyance.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the stimulable phosphor sheet of the present invention and an auxiliary member for conveying the sheet will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a stimulable phosphor sheet according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a transport auxiliary member.

The stimulable phosphor sheet 10 is a rectangular flat sheet formed by sequentially laminating a support 12, a phosphor layer 13 containing a stimulable phosphor, and a protective film 14. In the front part and the rear part (the front part and the rear part in the conveying direction when conveyed in the reading device that reads the radiation image recorded on the phosphor layer 13), a thin plate-shaped projecting body 15 is It is attached so as to protrude outward from the part. The protruding body 15 functions as an engaging portion that engages with the transport auxiliary member 20 described below. Also, the stimulable phosphor sheet 10
It has appropriate strength in terms of durability and the like required for photographing (recording), reading, and the like, and flexibility enough to bend when conveyed by the reading device.

The transport assisting member 20 has a holding portion 24 (housing space) for housing and holding the stimulable phosphor sheet 10 at the center.
And a film 22 arranged below the holder 21 so as to cover the holding portion 24.

The holder 21 is formed by hollowing out a holding portion 24 having a storage space of substantially the same size as the stimulable phosphor sheet 10 from a sheet material having a thickness substantially equal to that of the stimulable phosphor sheet 10. Have been. Further, the size of the entire holder 21 (portion surrounded by the outer side edge) is substantially the same as that of a stimulable phosphor sheet of a prescribed size that can be read by a general reader.

The film 22 has a size equal to the size of the entire holder 21. A sheet pressing hole 22a is provided at the center so that the sheet 10 fitted in the holding portion 24 of the holder 21 can be easily taken out. Is provided. Further, the holder 21 and the film 22 are formed of a material having the same strength and flexibility as the stimulable phosphor sheet 10, respectively.

Here, a specific configuration of the stimulable phosphor sheet assembly formed by attaching the transport assisting member 20 to the stimulable phosphor sheet 10 and an engagement form thereof will be described. FIG.
FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line II of the transport assisting member 20 of FIG. 2, and FIG.
It is sectional drawing which shows the -I 'line cross section. FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the stimulable phosphor sheet assembly.

The sides of the front part and the rear part of the holding part 24 formed on the holder 21 (the front part and the rear part in the conveying direction when the holder 21 is conveyed together with the stimulable phosphor sheet 10 in the reader). On the edge, a film 22 and a holder 21 are provided as insertion portions 23 for inserting the projecting bodies 15 attached to the sheet 10.
And a film 22 and a holder 21 are adhered and fixed in other portions. That is, by bonding the film 22 and the holder 21 except for the insertion portion 23, the insertion portion 23 that is the engaged portion that engages with the protruding body 15 that is the engagement portion is formed in a bag shape. ing. The insertion part 23 is a part of the holding part 24.

When the stimulable phosphor sheet assembly 30 is formed by fitting the sheet 10 into the transport assisting member 20, the sheet 10
Is inserted into and engaged with the insertion portion 23 of the transport assisting member 20. Since the sheet 10 and the transport assisting member 20 are formed of a flexible material, the sheet
The fitting can be easily performed by bending the 10. The stimulable phosphor sheet assembly 30 of the present embodiment, which is formed by fitting the sheet 10 into the transport assisting member 20,
It has a substantially uniform thickness and flexibility as a whole, and can be handled as if it were a single stimulable phosphor sheet of a specified size.

When the sheet 10 is to be removed from the transport assisting member 20, the sheet pressing hole 22a formed in the film 22 is used.
It can be easily removed by pressing the sheet from. The method for facilitating the removal of the sheet is not limited to the form in which the sheet pressing holes 22a are provided.For example, if the film is formed of a sufficiently flexible material, the fitted sheet can be extruded without providing the holes. It is also possible to adopt various other forms such as a form in which a part of the inside of the holder 21 is cut out.

Next, an operation when the stimulable phosphor sheet assembly of the present embodiment configured as described above is applied to a reading device will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a reading device that reads a radiation image from a stimulable phosphor sheet assembly according to the present embodiment.

The reading device 40 includes a stimulable phosphor sheet assembly.
A cassette insertion opening 41 for inserting the cassette 1 containing the cassette 30, and an adsorber 42 for carrying the sheet assembly 30 into the apparatus.
And a roller 43 for transporting the sheet assembly 30 and a reading unit 45 for reading from the sheet assembly 30.

When the cassette 1 is set in the cassette insertion slot 41 of the reading device 40, the lid 1a of the cassette 1 is opened, the suction device 42 is sucked by the sheet assembly 30, and the sheet assembly is set inside the reading device 40. The three-dimensional object 30 is carried in. When the sheet assembly 30 is carried into the apparatus, the sheet assembly 30 is moved in the horizontal and vertical directions while being bent by the rollers 43, and is conveyed to the reading unit 45.

At this time, the sheet assembly 30 is bent or moved up and down by the rollers 43. However, the protruding body 15 of the sheet 10 and the insertion portion 23 of the transport assisting member 20 are moved forward in the transport direction. The sheet 10 is conveyed without detaching from the conveyance assisting member 20 because the sheet 10 and the rear portion are engaged. In particular, by engaging the front part and the rear part, it is possible to prevent the front part and the rear part of the sheet 10 from protruding from the transport assisting member 20 at the time of bending.

When the stimulable phosphor sheet assembly 30 is set in the reading section 45, excitation light is applied to the entire surface of the sheet assembly 30 by a well-known reading means (not shown) provided in the reading section 45. Scanning emits photostimulated light, and reading is performed by photoelectrically detecting the photostimulated light. At this time, the excitation light is scanned over the entire surface of the sheet assembly 30, but stimulated emission light is generated from the holder 21 of the transport assisting member 20 which constitutes a part of the sheet assembly 30 similarly to the sheet 10. do not do.

The reading apparatus is provided with automatic recognition means for recognizing the position of the sheet 10 in the sheet assembly 30 (the area where the sheet 10 is present). Only the image signal of the sheet 10 is extracted from the image signals obtained from the entire 30 and EDR determination (measurement of the latitude L value of the image signal) is performed based on only the image signal of the sheet 10 to determine the EDR. Image processing (normalization processing) is performed on the image signal of the sheet 10 based on the result so as to obtain appropriate density and contrast.

That is, since the reading is performed on the entire sheet assembly 30 as described above, an image signal corresponding to the entire surface of the sheet assembly 30 is obtained, and the stimulating light is emitted from the holder 21. Since the holder 21 is not made of a stimulable phosphor or is not irradiated with radiation even if it is made of a stimulable phosphor, the holder 21 portion should originally have an image signal value of 0. However, in practice, a predetermined amount of signal value is obtained even in a portion corresponding to the holder 21 due to the flare phenomenon, and when the EDR determination is performed including the signal value of this portion, a signal value other than the actually captured image signal value is obtained. The EDR determination is performed also for the signal value, and as a result, the L value may increase in the EDR determination. Therefore, the position information of the sheet 10 in the seat assembly 30, in other words, the sheet in the sheet assembly 30
The position information of the boundary between 10 and the holder 21 is obtained, and only the image signal of the portion corresponding to the sheet 10 is extracted from the image signals of the entire surface of the sheet assembly 30 based on the position information. By performing the EDR determination based only on the above, the problem due to the flare can be solved.

The sheet 10 in the sheet assembly 30
May be obtained by any method. For example, the position information may be obtained by performing signal processing (for example, differential processing) on an image signal obtained from the entire surface of the sheet assembly 30, or may be obtained by measuring in advance. The information may be obtained by inputting the position information.

Further, as described above, since no stimulating light is emitted from the holder 21 portion, the image signal value of that portion is 0. As a result, when a visible image is output to a photographic film, for example, Alternatively, when a visible image is output to a CRT, the density of the holder 21 is low or the luminance is high, which causes a problem that the image is dazzling during image observation. Therefore, using the position information of the sheet 10, the portion other than the sheet 10, that is, the portion of the holder 21 becomes black (so that the density becomes high or the luminance becomes low in the output visible image). Holder 21
It is desirable to perform signal processing to increase the signal value of the partial image signal.

The form in which the transport assisting member is mounted on the sheet is not limited to the form in which the sheet and the transport assisting member are engaged via the engaging portion and the engaged portion as in the above-described embodiment. A form in which a sheet is fitted and attached with an adhesive tape or the like is also conceivable. However, since the photographed sheet is handled in a dark room, workability is poor in this mode, and depending on how the adhesive tape is applied, unevenness may be formed on the back surface, which may cause a transport trouble. Further, the adhesive of the adhesive tape adheres to the roller of the reading device, and the adhesive is transferred to the sheet and output as a pseudo defect image, which may cause erroneous diagnosis when diagnosing a radiation image output later.

On the other hand, according to the stimulable phosphor sheet and the transport assisting member of the present embodiment, the transport assisting member can be easily attached to the sheet even in a dark room, and the inside of the apparatus can be safely and safely installed. Transport and reading can be performed without contamination. Furthermore, since the film is provided on the back surface, the back surface becomes flat, and the possibility of transport trouble can be reduced.

The protruding member 15 may be attached to the front and rear of the support 12 as described above, but the phosphor layer is formed on the support 12 except for the front and rear portions of the support 12. By laminating the protective film 13 and the protective film 14, a form in which a part of the support 12 is formed as a projecting body 15 is also possible (see FIG. 5).

A holding section 24 provided on the holder 21
May have a size capable of fitting one stimulable phosphor sheet 10 or a size capable of fitting a plurality of sheets 10 side by side. In this case, the position of the engaging portion of the sheet 10 is appropriately devised, and the engaging portion is provided on the peripheral edge of the sheet 10 at the front and rear in the conveying direction in the reading device, thereby preventing the sheet 10 from projecting. It is also possible. Of course, a plurality of holding portions 24 may be formed in the holder 21.

In the above embodiment, the holder
Although the mode in which the film 22 having the same size as the entire holder is provided under 21 has been described, the transport assisting member of the present invention is not limited to such a mode. Film 22 only in the vicinity including some
May be provided, that is, at least the holder 21
Any material may be used as long as it can support the sheet 10 to be fitted in the lower portion. Of course, an embodiment in which the film 22 is not provided may be adopted.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the projecting body 15 is provided as an engaging portion to the stimulable phosphor sheet 10, but the stimulable phosphor sheet assembly of the present invention is configured as described above. The present invention is not limited to the form in which the engaging portion is provided, but without providing the engaging portion on the sheet 10, for example, a protrusion that holds the sheet 10 so as not to drop in front and rear of the upper surface position of the transport assisting member from the holder 21. It is also possible to employ a member provided so as to protrude toward the accommodation space of the holding portion 24 and hold the sheet 10.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a stimulable phosphor sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a transport auxiliary member that holds a stimulable phosphor sheet inside;

3A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross section taken along line II of the transport assisting member illustrated in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross section taken along line I′-I ′ of the stimulable phosphor sheet illustrated in FIG. FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of a stimulable phosphor sheet assembly including a transport auxiliary member and a stimulable phosphor sheet.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the inside of a reading device that reads a radiation image from a stimulable phosphor sheet assembly;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a stimulable phosphor sheet according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Storable phosphor sheet 12 Support 13 Phosphor 14 Protective film 15 Projecting member 20 Transport assist member 21 Holder 22 Film 22a Sheet pressing hole 23 Insertion section 30 Storable phosphor sheet assembly 40 Reading device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (reference) H04N 1/04 H04N 1/04 EF term (reference) 2G083 AA03 BB02 CC09 CC10 DD11 DD16 EE10 2H013 AC01 BB02 5C062 AB01 AB32 AC11 AD05 BA02 5C072 AA01 NA02 VA01

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A stimulable phosphor sheet having a support and a phosphor layer containing a stimulable phosphor provided on the support, wherein the stimulable phosphor sheet is A stimulable phosphor sheet, further comprising an engaging portion detachably engaged with a transport auxiliary member provided on a peripheral outer side. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is conveyed in a reading device that reads a radiation image recorded on the phosphor layer in a peripheral portion of the stimulable phosphor sheet. 2. The stimulable phosphor sheet according to claim 1, wherein the stimulable phosphor sheet is provided at a front portion and a rear portion of the sheet in the transport direction. 3. The storability according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is a thin plate-shaped projecting body projecting outward from a peripheral edge of the stimulable phosphor sheet. Phosphor sheet. 4. A transport auxiliary member which is transported integrally with a stimulable phosphor sheet having a support and a phosphor layer containing a stimulable phosphor provided on the support, A holding section for detachably holding the stimulable phosphor sheet, and holding the stimulable phosphor sheet in the holding section when the stimulable phosphor sheet is transported; A transport assisting member which is located and transported together with the stimulable phosphor sheet. 5. A stimulable phosphor sheet having an engaging portion with which the stimulable phosphor sheet engages with a transport assisting member,
5. The transport assisting member according to claim 4, wherein the holding portion has an engaged portion detachably engaged with the engaging portion. 6. When the transport assisting member is transported together with the stimulable phosphor sheet in the reading device for reading the radiation image recorded on the phosphor layer, the engaged portion is transported together with the stimulable phosphor sheet. The transport assisting member according to claim 5, wherein the transport assisting member is formed at a front portion and a rear portion in the transport direction. 7. The engaging portion is a thin plate-shaped projecting portion projecting outward from a peripheral edge of the stimulable phosphor sheet, and the engaged portion is formed by inserting the projecting portion. 7. The transport assisting member according to claim 5, wherein the transport assisting member is an insertion portion. 8. A stimulable phosphor sheet having a support and a stimulable phosphor layer containing a stimulable phosphor provided on the support, and a holding means for detachably holding the stimulable phosphor sheet inside the stimulable phosphor sheet. A storage assisting member having a portion, wherein the holding portion holds the stimulable phosphor sheet and the transfer assisting member is positioned outside a peripheral edge of the stimulable phosphor sheet. Body sheet assembly.