JP2002214730A - Erasing unit for stimulative phosphor sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an erasing unit for stimulative phosphor sheet which reliably performs the detection of temperature abnormality and improves the stability of temperature abnormality detection with a simple constitution. SOLUTION: This first and second erasing units 100a, 100b are provided with light sources for erasure 104a to 104d and cooling means 106a, 106b. Temperature detecting means 118a, 118b are arranged on the position against which the cooling wind guided from the cooling means 106a, 106b is directly blown and the abnormality of the cooling means 106a, 106b can be detected easily and surely via the temperature detecting means 118a, 118b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an erasing unit for a stimulable phosphor sheet for irradiating the stimulable phosphor sheet with erasing light to erase radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, stimulable phosphors (stimulable phosphors)
There is known a system that once records radiation image information of a subject such as a human body, reproduces the radiation image information on a photographic photosensitive material such as a photographic film, or outputs a visible image on a CRT or the like. I have.

The stimulable phosphor is composed of radiation (X-ray, α-ray, γ
(Rays, electron beams, ultraviolet rays, etc.), a part of this radiation energy is accumulated, and after irradiation with excitation light such as visible light, a phosphor that emits stimulated emission according to the accumulated energy is referred to. This stimulable phosphor is usually used as a sheet-like stimulable phosphor sheet because of its easy handling.

In the above-described system, for example, an imaging unit for temporarily recording radiation image information of a subject on a stimulable phosphor sheet, and irradiating the stimulable phosphor sheet with the radiation image information recorded thereon with excitation light to emit the excitation light. A reading unit that reads the radiation image information photoelectrically, and an erasing mechanism that erases the radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet after reading the radiation image information are integrally incorporated into the stimulable phosphor sheet. So-called circulating or reciprocating in the device,
A built-in type image information reading device is employed.

In the above system, for example, a cassette loading section for loading a cassette containing a stimulable phosphor sheet on which radiation image information is recorded in advance, and a stimulable phosphor sheet taken out of the cassette are provided. A cassette-type image information reading apparatus incorporating a reading unit for reading the carried radiation image information and an erasing mechanism for erasing the radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet is employed.

The erasing mechanism constituting this type of image information reading apparatus employs a unit structure, and a fluorescent lamp is mounted as a erasing light source in the unit body. Since the fluorescent lamp is a heating element, the inside of the unit is likely to become extremely high in temperature. Usually, a cooling means such as a fan or a blower is incorporated, and the temperature rise in the unit is detected in proximity to the fluorescent lamp. A sensor is provided.

[0007]

Incidentally, the above-mentioned sensor is arranged in a place where cooling air does not directly hit, since it operates by detecting a rise in temperature. For this reason, the sensor detects a rise in the temperature of the member to which the sensor is attached and the surrounding atmosphere, and detects a relatively high temperature even in a normal state. As a result, when an abnormality occurs in the cooling means and the temperature inside the unit rises, the temperature difference between the normal state and the abnormal state tends to be small, and it becomes difficult for the sensor to detect the abnormal state. It has been pointed out that the stability of abnormality detection is reduced.

The present invention solves this kind of problem, and has a simple structure, can reliably detect a temperature abnormality, and can improve the stability of abnormality detection. It is an object to provide a sheet erasing unit.

[0009]

In the erasing unit for a stimulable phosphor sheet according to the present invention, erasing light is emitted from the erasing light source to the stimulable phosphor sheet, and cooling air is supplied from the cooling means into the unit. Then, the inside of the unit is cooled. At this time, the temperature detecting means is disposed on the flow path to which the cooling air derived from the cooling means is directly blown.

For this reason, in a normal state, cooling air is forcibly blown to the temperature detecting means, and the temperature detecting means detects a relatively low temperature. And
When an abnormality occurs in the cooling unit and the supply of the cooling air is stopped, the cooling air is not blown to the temperature detecting unit, and the temperature difference detected by the temperature detecting unit between the abnormal state and the normal state of the cooling unit. Becomes considerably large. This makes it possible to easily and reliably detect a temperature abnormality in the unit via the temperature detecting means.

[0011] The temperature detecting means is set in such a shape that the cooling wind derived from the cooling means can be distributed to the erasing light source. Therefore, with a simple configuration, the erasing light source can be efficiently cooled, and a rise in the temperature inside the unit can be effectively prevented.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a radiation image information reading apparatus 10 incorporating an erasing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG.

The radiation image information reading apparatus 10 is an imaging apparatus in which an apparatus main body 14 disposed on a floor (installation surface) 12 and a subject, for example, a patient, are directly placed in a recumbent position (lying position). A table 16 and an elevating mechanism 18 that raises and lowers the imaging table 16 with respect to the apparatus main body 14 are provided. Device body 1
4 includes a first main body 20 that accommodates the elevating mechanism 18 and a second main body 22 that is configured separately from the first main body 20. The second main body 22 includes a controller 24 and a switch. The unit 26 is connected. Shooting stand 1
Above 6, X-ray irradiating means 27 is arranged.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lifting mechanism 18 includes a first
The first swing arms 30a, 30b are swingably supported on one end of the main body 20 via support shafts 28a, 28b, and are supported on the other end of the first body 20 via support shafts 32a, 32b. Swing arms 34a and 34b supported to be swingable
And The first oscillating arms 30a, 30b and the second oscillating arms 34a, 34b are connected at a substantially central portion, and the oscillating of the first oscillating arms 30a, 30b and the second oscillating arms 34a, 34b. The moving tip is the imaging table 1
6 is engaged with the bottom of a lifting base 38.

The elevating base 38 is provided with a photographing section 40 for temporarily recording radiation image information of a subject on a stimulable phosphor sheet (radiation image recording carrier) S, while the apparatus main body 1 is provided.
4, a reading unit 42 that irradiates the stimulable phosphor sheet S in which the radiation image information is stored with laser light L as excitation light and reads the radiation image information photoelectrically;
An erasing unit 44 for erasing the radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet S after reading, and a circulating transport for circulating, for example, three stimulable phosphor sheets S in the radiation image information reading apparatus 10 A system 46 is incorporated.

As shown in FIG. 3, the stimulable phosphor sheet S
Is circulated and conveyed while sandwiching only the ears Sa and Sb provided on both sides. On the back side of the stimulable phosphor sheet S, for example, a reinforcing plate 48a made of a carbon material is provided. , 48b are fixed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the photographing section 40 includes a positioning member 50 for positioning the stimulable phosphor sheet S.
And a pressing plate 54 that is swingable via a fulcrum 52 for holding the stimulable phosphor sheet S in the photographing section 40. A roller pair 60a constituting the circulating transport system 46 is disposed near the entrance of the photographing unit 40, and a roller pair 60b is provided at a predetermined interval from the roller pair 60a. The roller pair 60a, 60b is supported by the elevating base 38 and moves up and down integrally with the elevating base 38.

A plurality of roller pairs 62 constituting a circulating transport system 46 are disposed in the first main body 20, and a pair of rollers 64 independent of the circulating transport system 46 are provided in the second main body 22. Be placed. Roller pair 60a, 60b, 62
And 64 are ears Sa and Sb of the stimulable phosphor sheet S.
It is configured to convey only the pinch.

The circulating transport system 46 includes a vertical transport path 66 extending vertically from the photographing section 40, a horizontal transport path 68 extending horizontally from the lower end of the vertical transport path 66 and reaching the roller pair 64. The traveling direction is 180 due to the roller pair 64.
傾斜, after passing through the reading section 42 and extending to the end of the erasing section 44. After changing the traveling direction by 180 ° at the tip of the inclined conveying path 70, switchback is performed. And a switchback transport path 72 connected to the vertical transport path 66. In the switchback transport path 72, a pair of rollers 74 that can be rotated forward and backward is disposed.

The circulating transport system 46 has three stimulable phosphor sheets S.
As one standby position, a first standby position ST1 which is a setting position of the imaging unit 40, and a second standby position
A standby position ST2 and a third standby position ST3 arranged in the erasing section 44 are provided.

The reading section 42 is provided in the second main body section 22 and has a sub-scanning conveyance means 80 for sub-scanning and conveying the stimulable phosphor sheet S in the horizontal direction (the direction of arrow A). A laser beam irradiating unit 82 for irradiating the stimulable phosphor sheet S with laser light L as excitation light in a substantially vertical direction to perform main scanning, and irradiating the stimulable phosphor sheet S with the stimulable phosphor sheet S to generate the laser beam L. First and second light converging systems 84 and 86 for photoelectrically reading the stimulated emission light are provided.

The sub-scanning conveying means 80 includes first and second roller pairs 88 and 90 which are driven to rotate in synchronization with each other. The first condensing system 84 includes a first light guide 92a disposed along a main scanning line at a position irradiated with the laser light L on the recording surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet S, and an upper portion of the first light guide 92a. And a first photomultiplier 94a attached to the first photomultiplier 94a. The second light condensing system 86 includes a second light guide 92b disposed along the main scanning line on the back surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet S.
And a second photomultiplier 94b attached to an end of the second light guide 92b.

The erasing section 44 includes a first erasing unit 100a according to the present embodiment disposed on the recording surface side of the stimulable phosphor sheet S, and the present embodiment disposed on the back side of the stimulable phosphor sheet S. And a second erasing unit 100b according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first and second erasing units 100a and 100b
02a and 102b, and in the casing 102b, four sets of erasing light sources 104a to 104d corresponding to the width direction (arrow B direction) of the stimulable phosphor sheet S are arranged. Cooling means 106a and 106b are mounted in the vicinity of 104a to 104d.

Each of the light sources 104a to 104d is constructed by incorporating four fluorescent lamps 108 into a one-side socket 110, and the one-side socket 110 is
2a and 102b are exchangeably connected to socket portions 112a to 112d. Cooling means 106a, 106b
Includes fans (or blowers) 114a and 114b, and fan exhaust ports 116a and 116b for discharging cooling air derived from the fans 114a and 114b into the casings 102a and 102b.

In the casings 102a and 102b, for example, temperature detecting means 118a and 118b such as thermostats are mounted so as to correspond to the flow path to which the cooling air derived from the fan exhaust ports 116a and 116b is directly blown. Specifically, the temperature detecting means 118a and 118b are provided between the light sources 104a and 104b and between the light sources 104c and 104c.
04d, the fan exhaust ports 116a, 1
The cooling air derived from the light sources 104a, 10b
4b and the light sources 104c and 104d are set in a shape that can be sorted, for example, a cylindrical shape.

The operation of the radiation image information reading apparatus 10 thus configured will be described below.

First, an ID card in which ID information such as an ID number and a name of a patient are recorded is created, and the ID card is read by a console (not shown). In this console, a photographing site such as the chest and abdomen of the patient and a photographing menu are selected. Further, the photographing size is selected as needed, and then the patient as the subject is moved to the photographing table 16.
Place on top. At this time, the height position (the direction of the arrow Z) of the imaging table 16 is adjusted according to the condition of the patient, the height of the patient, or the transport mode of a wheelchair or a stretcher.

Then, the X-ray irradiating means 27 is driven in a state where the patient is lying on the imaging table 16 in the lying position (lying position), and the radiation image information of the patient is stored in the imaging unit 40. The image is recorded (photographed) on the phosphor sheet S.
At this time, the other stimulable phosphor sheets S are the second and third phosphor sheets.
They are arranged at standby positions ST2 and ST3 (see FIG. 2).

The stimulable phosphor sheet S after the photographing process is taken out of the photographing unit 40 with the ears Sa and Sb held therebetween under the rotating action of the roller pair 60a constituting the circulating conveyance system 46, and is taken out from the photographing unit 40. , 62 and the vertical transport path 6
6 to the horizontal transport path 68. Further, the stimulable phosphor sheet S is transported from the first main body 20 to the second main body 22 under the rotating action of the plurality of roller pairs 62, and the transport direction is changed upward by 180 ° through the roller pairs 64. Then, the image data is sent to the sub-scanning / conveying means 80 constituting the reading section 42.

In the sub-scanning conveyance means 80, the first and second roller pairs 88 and 90 are driven by a motor (not shown).
Are rotated in synchronization with each other, and the stimulable phosphor sheet S is attached to the first and second roller pairs 88 and 90 by the ears Sa and Sb.
And is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction in the direction of arrow A. that time,
The laser beam L is derived from the laser beam irradiating means 82 and is irradiated on the recording surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet S to perform main scanning.

As a result, the stimulated emission light emitted from the recording surface side of the stimulable phosphor sheet S is photoelectrically read by the first light condensing system 84, and is transmitted through the transparent base surface to transmit the stimulable phosphor sheet S. The stimulated emission light emitted from the back side of the body sheet S is photoelectrically read by the second condensing system 86.

The stimulable phosphor sheet S after the reading process
Is transported from the second main body portion 22 to the first main body portion 20 side,
The sheet is sent to the erasing section 44 along the inclined conveyance path 70. In the erasing section 44, the first and second erasing units 100a,
The erasing light is applied to both surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet S via the erasing light sources 104a to 104d constituting the stimulable phosphor sheet 100b, and the erasing process of the radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet S is surely performed. Done.

In this case, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, fans 114a, which constitute cooling means 106a, 106b in casings 102a, 102b,
114b is driven, and fan exhaust ports 116a, 116b
Cooling air is led out to the casings 102a and 102b from above, and temperature detecting means 118a and 118b are arranged at positions where the cooling air is directly blown. Therefore, when the cooling units 106a and 106b are operating normally, the cooling air is forcibly blown toward the temperature detecting units 118a and 118b, and the temperature detecting units 118a and 118b are relatively low. The temperature T1 is detected (see FIG. 6).

Next, when an abnormality occurs in the cooling means 106a, 106b and the supply of the cooling air is stopped (see time t1 in FIG. 6), the cooling air is not blown to the temperature detecting means 118a, 118b. Temperature detecting means 118a, 11
8b detects a temperature rise in the casings 102a and 102b. Then, as shown in FIG.
When a temperature exceeding a predetermined temperature T0 for discriminating between a normal state and an abnormal state is detected by 18a and 118b, it is detected that an abnormality has occurred in the cooling means 106a and 106b.

At this time, in this embodiment, the cooling means 106
The temperature difference between the temperature T1 detected when the a and 106b are operating normally and the temperature T0 used as a criterion for abnormality determination becomes considerably large, and the cooling means 106a is detected via the temperature detecting means 118a and 118b. , 106b are easily and reliably detected.

On the other hand, in the conventional structure in which the temperature detecting means 118a and 118b are installed at a position where the cooling air does not directly hit, as shown in FIG.
The temperature T2 detected by the switches 18a and 118b is close to the temperature T0 serving as a reference for determining abnormality. Therefore, the temperature difference between the normal state and the abnormal state is small, and the casings 102a,
It may not be possible to reliably detect the abnormal temperature state in 2b.

Thus, in this embodiment, the temperature detecting means 118 corresponds to the position where the cooling air is directly blown.
a, 118b only needs to be arranged, and with a simple configuration, an effect is obtained that an abnormal temperature in the first and second erasing units 100a, 100b can be easily and reliably detected.

Further, the temperature detecting means 118a, 11
8b transmits cooling air derived from fan exhaust ports 116a and 116b to light sources 104a and 104b and light source 104.
c, 104d, respectively, a shape that can be distributed to, for example,
It is set in a cylindrical shape. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the cooling air derived from the fan exhaust ports 116a and 116b is guided by the light sources 104a and 104b and the light sources 104c and 104 under the guidance of the temperature detecting means 118a and 118b.
d is reliably supplied to the light sources 104a to 104d.
4d can be cooled efficiently. For this reason, the first and second erasing units 100a, 100a, 10
There is an advantage that the temperature rise within 0b can be effectively prevented.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 2, the stimulable phosphor sheet S after the erasing process is sent to the switchback conveyance path 72 from the inclined conveyance path 70 by changing the conveyance direction by 180 ° downward. When the roller pair 74 forming the switchback transport path 72 is rotated in the reverse direction, the stimulable phosphor sheet S is transferred from the switchback transport path 72 to the vertical transport path 66, and the roller pairs 60a, 60b
Is arranged in the photographing unit 40 via the.

In the present embodiment, the first and second temperature detecting means 118a and 118b are set in a cylindrical shape. Can be set. In addition, although the description has been given using the belt-in type radiation image information reading apparatus 10 in which three stimulable phosphor sheets S are accommodated and circulated, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cassette type radiation image information is not limited thereto. It can also be adapted to readers.

[0042]

According to the erasing unit for a stimulable phosphor sheet according to the present invention, a position corresponding to the position where the cooling air is directly blown onto the flow path of the cooling air derived from the cooling means for cooling the inside of the unit. Temperature detecting means is disposed. In this temperature detecting means, cooling air is forcibly blown, and a relatively low temperature is detected in a normal state. For this reason, when an abnormality occurs in the cooling unit and the supply of the cooling air is stopped, the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit increases, and the temperature difference detected between the abnormal state and the normal state of the cooling unit increases. Become. This makes it possible to easily and reliably detect an abnormality in the cooling unit with a simple configuration.
Moreover, it is only necessary to set the arrangement position of the temperature detecting means, and the configuration is effectively simplified, and the apparatus is economical.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a radiation image information reading apparatus incorporating an erasing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the schematic internal configuration of the radiation image information reading apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a stimulable phosphor sheet.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of the erasing unit.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory plan view of the erasing unit.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when a temperature abnormality in the erasing unit is detected.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for detecting a temperature in a conventional erasing unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Radiation image information reading apparatus 14 ... Device main body 16 ... Imaging stand 18 ... Elevating mechanism 20, 22 ... Main body part 24 ... Controller 26 ... Switch part 27 ... X-ray irradiation means 42 ... Reading part 44 ... Erasing part 46 ... Circulation conveyance System 66 Vertical transport path 68 Horizontal transport path 70 Slant transport path 72 Switchback transport path 80 Subscanning transport means 82 Laser beam irradiation means 84, 86 Focusing system 100a, 100b Erase unit 102a, 102
b: casings 104a to 104d: light source for erasing 108: fluorescent lamps 114a, 114b: fans 116a, 116
b: fan exhaust port 118a, 118b: temperature detecting means S: stimulable phosphor sheet ST1, ST2, ST3: standby position

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An erasing light is irradiated on a stimulable phosphor sheet,
An erasing unit for a stimulable phosphor sheet for erasing radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet, comprising: an erasing light source for irradiating the stimulable phosphor sheet with erasing light; and cooling inside the unit. A cooling unit that supplies air, and a temperature detection unit that is disposed on a flow path to which the cooling air derived from the cooling unit is directly blown, and that detects a temperature abnormality in the unit. Erasing unit for phosphor sheet. 2. The erasing unit according to claim 1, wherein said temperature detecting means is set in a shape capable of distributing cooling air derived from said cooling means to said erasing light source. Erasing unit for phosphor sheet.