JP2002258424A - Radiation image information reader and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently use a plurality of storage type phosphor sheets with simple and compact constitution. SOLUTION: This reader is equipped with a photograph part 20, a read part 22, an erasure part 24, and a standby part 26 and provided with a single conveyance part 122 having functions of an erasure conveyance path 104 for conveying storage tape phosphor sheets IP to be erased by the erasure part 24 and of a let-out conveyance path 116 for conveying the storage type phosphor sheets IP from the standby part 26.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a radiation image information reading apparatus for repeatedly recording and reading radiation image information of a subject using a plurality of stimulable phosphor sheets contained in the apparatus, and a control method therefor. About.

[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
(A ray, an electron beam, an ultraviolet ray or the like), and is a phosphor that accumulates a part of the radiation energy and emits stimulated light in response to the accumulated energy when irradiated with excitation light such as visible light. This stimulable phosphor is usually used as a sheet-like stimulable phosphor sheet because of its easy handling.

In the above-mentioned system, for example, a photographing section 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 photoelectrically reads the radiation image information, and an erasing unit that erases the radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet after reading are integrally incorporated, and the stimulable phosphor sheet is circulated or A so-called built-in type radiation image information reading apparatus that reciprocates is adopted.

In this type of radiation image information reading apparatus, a plurality of stimulable phosphor sheets are accommodated in a plurality of stimulable phosphor sheets, and the recording and reading processing of the radiation image information is continuously performed. There is known a method in which the radiation image information of a subject is simultaneously recorded on a plurality of stimulable phosphor sheets and an energy subtraction process of the radiation image is performed.

[0006] Energy subtraction processing means that a plurality of radiation images recorded (photographed) under different conditions of energy absorption characteristics of radiation are photoelectrically read to obtain digital image signals, and then these digital image signals are converted. By performing subtraction processing corresponding to each pixel of each image, a difference signal for extracting specific structures (soft parts such as internal organs and bones) having different energy absorption characteristics of a subject recorded as a radiation image is obtained. It is a way to get.

Therefore, in the above radiation image information reading apparatus, for example, a plate filter (radiation energy separation filter) made of metal or the like which absorbs low energy components of radiation is interposed between two stimulable phosphor sheets. In this state, the two stimulable phosphor sheets may be irradiated with radiation having different energy distributions by simultaneously irradiating the two stimulable phosphor sheets with radiation transmitted through the subject. As this type of technology, for example, Japanese Patent No. 289
No. 1706.

[0008]

In the radiation image information reading apparatus, the processing time in various processing sections such as a reading section and an erasing section is different from each other. Therefore, as described above, when a plurality of stimulable phosphor sheets are accommodated in the radiation image information reading apparatus, in order to perform an efficient image processing step, the stimulable phosphor sheet after the erasing process is used. A standby unit for temporarily waiting is provided. Therefore, after the radiographic image is recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet in the imaging unit, the stimulable phosphor sheet is transported to the reading unit, and a new stimulable phosphor sheet is transported from the standby unit to the imaging unit. be able to.

However, in the above configuration, the circulating transport line for circulating and transporting the stimulable phosphor sheet to the respective processing units in the radiation image information reading apparatus, and the stimulable phosphor sheet is transported from the standby unit to the photographing unit. And a dedicated transfer line. As a result, a problem has been pointed out that the transport system becomes complicated and the entire radiation image information reading apparatus becomes larger.

The present invention solves this kind of problem, and provides a radiation image information reading apparatus capable of efficiently using a plurality of stimulable phosphor sheets with a simple and compact structure. The purpose is to:

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently convey a plurality of stimulable phosphor sheets with a simple control and to easily carry out continuous processing of the stimulable phosphor sheets. An object of the present invention is to provide a control method of a reading device.

[0012]

In the radiation image information reading apparatus according to the present invention, recording and reading operations of radiation image information of a subject are repeatedly performed using a plurality of stimulable phosphor sheets accommodated in the apparatus. An irradiating path for conveying the stimulable phosphor sheet when the radiation image information reading apparatus performs erasing processing on the stimulable phosphor sheet in an erasing unit; and the erasable stimulable phosphor sheet. Is provided from the standby unit to the photographing unit.

As a result, the structure of the transport system can be effectively simplified and downsized as compared with the conventional transport system in which the erasing transport path and the feeding transport path are separately provided. The size can be reduced.

Further, in the method for controlling a radiation image information reading apparatus according to the present invention, the radiation image information reading apparatus may include an erasing conveyance path for conveying the stimulable phosphor sheet at the time of erasing processing; A single transport unit having a function of a feeding transport path for transporting the phosphor sheet from the standby unit is provided.First, an erasing unit starts erasing processing of radiation image information remaining in the stimulable phosphor sheet. You.
Next, when the stimulable phosphor sheet during the erasing process reaches a predetermined position, the conveyance of the stimulable phosphor sheet is temporarily stopped, and another stimulable phosphor sheet disposed in the standby unit is stopped. The presence or absence of a transfer command is detected.

Here, when the conveyance command is issued, the conveyance of the stimulable phosphor sheet in the erasing section is stopped,
Alternatively, after the stimulable phosphor sheet is retracted from the erasing conveyance path, another stimulable phosphor sheet is fed out from the standby section to the conveyance path. Thus, immediately after the photographed stimulable phosphor sheet is unloaded from the photographing unit, another stimulable phosphor sheet can be carried into the photographing unit from the standby unit, and efficient and rapid continuous photographing reading can be performed. Processing can be performed.

On the other hand, when no conveyance instruction is given or when there is no other stimulable phosphor sheet in the standby section, the stimulable phosphor sheet being erased is sent to the erasing conveyance path while the stimulable phosphor sheet is being sent. The after-image elimination process of the body sheet is continuously performed.

[0017]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a radiation image information reading apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the internal configuration of the radiation image information reading apparatus 10.

The radiation image information reading apparatus 10 includes a base 12
A lifting unit 14 provided above the storage unit 1;
The apparatus body 16 is supported on the device 4 via a not-shown actuator such as a ball screw or a rack and pinion so as to be able to move up and down. The radiation image information reading apparatus 10 includes an apparatus main body 16.
It functions to circulate the three stimulable phosphor sheets IP in the inside, and to repeatedly record and read the radiation image information of the subject.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the apparatus main body 16,
An imaging unit 20 for temporarily recording radiation image information of a subject on the stimulable phosphor sheet IP, and irradiating the stimulable phosphor sheet IP, on which the radiation image information is recorded, with a laser beam L as excitation light to emit the radiation. A reading unit 22 for photoelectrically reading image information; and an erasing unit 24 for erasing radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet IP after reading.
A standby unit 26 for temporarily suspending the stimulable phosphor sheet IP from which the radiation image information has been erased before photographing;
Circulation transport system 2 for circulating two stimulable phosphor sheets IP
8 is provided.

The stimulable phosphor sheet IP uses a transparent base surface, and when a laser beam L is irradiated on the photographing surface (emulsion surface), the stimulable luminescent light is simultaneously emitted from the back surface side of the photographing surface. Is issued.

The imaging section 20 includes a radiation energy separating filter 30 for absorbing a low energy component of the radiation, and a sheet body accommodating at least two stimulable phosphor sheets IP with the radiation energy separating filter 30 interposed therebetween. And a unit 32. Radiation energy separation filter 30
Is a member provided with a substance that absorbs a low-energy component of radiation, such as Cu, Fe, Cr, Ni, Zn, Mo, Sn, or Bi, and this kind of member is used alone or the member is made of another material. Used in a dispersed state in a support composed of In the present embodiment, the radiation energy separation filter 30 is made of a copper plate 34.

The sheet housing portion 32 can swing about a swing support shaft 38 provided at the lower end side, and a front plate 40 is provided in front of the radiation energy separation filter 30 and the radiation energy A face pressing plate 42 is arranged behind the separation filter 30. A first storage chamber 44 is formed between the front plate 40 and the radiation energy separation filter 30, while a second storage chamber 46 is formed between the radiation energy separation filter 30 and the face pressing plate 42. .

The reading section 22 is disposed substantially parallel to the photographing section 20 and has a sub-scanning conveying means 50 for sub-scanning and conveying the stimulable phosphor sheet IP vertically downward (in the direction of arrow X).
And the stimulable phosphor sheet IP conveyed in the sub-scanning direction
Laser light L as excitation light in a substantially horizontal direction (arrow Y direction)
And a laser beam irradiating means 52 for irradiating the laser beam and performing main scanning.

The laser beam irradiating means 52 once derives the laser beam L in a vertically downward direction, and then bends in a substantially horizontal direction to irradiate the optical system 54 for irradiating the laser beam L to the stimulable phosphor sheet IP. Provided. In the vicinity of the irradiation position of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP with the laser beam L, the stimulable phosphor sheet I
P and P are provided on both sides of P, and are provided with first and second light collecting guides 56 and 58 for collecting stimulated emission light emitted from both sides of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP by irradiation of the laser light L. . A photomultiplier (not shown) is connected to the first and second light collection guides 56 and 58 so that the light
0, 62.

The sub-scanning conveyance means 50 is moved in the vertical direction (arrow X).
First and second roller pairs 64, 66 arranged at a predetermined distance from each other in the direction (direction). First and second
The roller pairs 64 and 66 are synchronously driven to rotate via transmission means (not shown) such as belt pulley means connected to a motor 68.

The erasing section 24 is disposed substantially parallel to the photographing section 20 and the reading section 22, extends in the vertical direction, and includes erasing light sources 70a and 70b facing both surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP. ing. The erasing light source 70
a and 70b may be arranged to extend in the horizontal direction.

The standby section 26 is provided in the vertical direction in proximity to the erasing section 24 and in parallel with the erasing section 24. In the standby unit 26, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP from which the afterimage has been erased by the erasing unit 24 is temporarily waited before being conveyed to the imaging unit 20.

The circulating transport system 28 is disposed between the photographing unit 20 and the reading unit 22 and stores one stimulable phosphor sheet IP.
The reading unit 2 is rotated from the photographing unit 20 by 80 °
2 is provided. The swivel conveying means 72 includes a roller pair 74 disposed near the sheet entrance of the photographing unit 20, a roller pair 76 disposed above the reading unit 22, and a curved shape provided between the roller pairs 74 and 76. There are provided curved guide plates 78 and 80, and guide rollers 82 disposed below the curved guide plates 78 and 80. The curved guide plates 78 and 80 are configured to be narrow to guide both side portions (hereinafter, referred to as ear portions) of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP where recording and reading of the radiation image information are not performed. The roller pairs 74 and 76 are driven to rotate via motors 84 and 85.

Below the pair of rollers 76, a pair of guide plates 86 for guiding both sides of the ear portion of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP are provided toward the reading unit 22, and at the exit side of the reading unit 22, The stimulable phosphor sheet IP
Curved guide plates 88 and 90 for guiding the ears are provided to bend from below and guide vertically upward.
The end of the curved guide plate 90 extends linearly vertically upward.

A roller pair 94 driven by a motor 92 is interposed between the curved guide plates 88 and 90. A guide plate 96 extends in the horizontal direction from the vicinity of the roller pair 94 toward the light collecting means 60, and a guide plate extending in the vertical direction via a curved guide plate 98 at an end of the guide plate 96. 100 are provided.

The guide plate 100 extends along the erasing section 24 and has a curved guide plate 102 provided on an upper side thereof.
And the erase transport path 104 is connected to the turning transport means 72. Below and above the guide plate 100, there are disposed roller pairs 108 and 110 which are driven to rotate by the action of motors 105 and 106, respectively.

In the standby section 26, the guide plate 1 of the erasing section 24 is provided.
A guide plate 112 that extends in the vertical direction in parallel with the guide plate 112 is disposed above the guide plate 112.
14 are provided. The end of the curved guide plate 114 constitutes a feeding conveyance path 116 and the guide plate 112
A roller pair 120 which is driven to rotate by the action of a motor 118 is disposed above the roller.

In this embodiment, the erase transport path 104 and the feed transport path 116 are the same. That is, the circulating transport system 28 includes the erasing transport path 104 and the feeding transport path 11.
A single transport unit 122 having a function as 6 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the apparatus main body 16,
In order to prevent dust and the like from entering the reading unit 22, a closed chamber 130 that accommodates the reading unit 22 is provided. The upper wall portion 132 constituting the closed chamber 130
The first radiating fin 1 protruding into the closed chamber 130
34 are fixed. Room 13 adjacent to closed room 130
6 is provided with a duct 138.
A second radiating fin 140 connected to the first radiating fin 134 is provided in the inside 38. This second radiation fin 14
A plurality of fans 142 are fixed at a position facing 0.

The operation of the radiation image information reading apparatus 10 thus configured will be described below in relation to the control method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Three stimulable phosphor sheets IP are accommodated in the apparatus main body 16, and two stimulable phosphor sheets IP are arranged in the photographing section 20. Specifically, the first and second storage chambers 44 and 4 constituting the sheet body storage section 32
6, after each of the stimulable phosphor sheets IP is accommodated,
The sheet housing section 32 swings toward the photographing position P with the swing support shaft 38 as a fulcrum. Therefore, at the shooting position P, 2
Recording (photographing) of a radiation image of a subject (not shown) in a state where the stimulable phosphor sheets IP are sandwiched between the front plate 40, the radiation energy separation filter 30, and the face pressing plate 42.
Is performed.

At this time, radiation image information of a subject (not shown) is directly recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet IP stored in the first storage chamber 44. Further, the radiation transmitted through the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is absorbed by a low energy component through the radiation energy separating filter 30,
The stimulable phosphor sheet I stored in the second storage chamber 46
The radiation image information is recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet IP.

The radiation image information recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet IP stored in the second storage chamber 46 is stored in the stimulable phosphor sheet IP stored in the first storage chamber 44.
The image information has an energy distribution in which a high-energy component of radiation is emphasized compared to the radiation image information recorded in the image data.

After the radiation image information is recorded on the two stimulable phosphor sheets IP, the sheet housing 32 is moved from the photographing position P to the inside of the apparatus main body 16 with the swing support shaft 38 as a fulcrum. Oscillating, each stimulable phosphor sheet IP accommodated in the first and second accommodation chambers 44 and 46 is sequentially sent out to the roller pair 74 side. The roller pair 74 is rotationally driven via a motor 84, and the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is sent to the rotating conveyance means 72 under the rotation of the roller pair 74.

In the revolving conveying means 72, the curved guide plate 7
Under the guidance of the guide rollers 8, 80 and the guide roller 82, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is turned by 180 ° and sent to the roller pair 76 without the photographic surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP coming into contact with other members. Can be Then, the stimulable phosphor sheet I is rotated by the rotation of the roller pair 76 via the motor 85.
P is transferred to the guide plate 86 arranged in the vertical direction. The stimulable phosphor sheet IP is formed such that the ear portion is guided by the guide plate 86.
And is sent to the sub-scanning and conveying means 50 constituting the reading section 22.

In the sub-scanning conveyance means 50, first and second roller pairs 64 and 66, which are arranged vertically, are driven to rotate by the driving action of a motor 68. For this reason, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is nipped between the first and second roller pairs 64 and 66 and transported in the sub-scanning direction in the direction of the arrow X (vertically downward).

At this time, a laser beam L is derived from the laser beam irradiating means 52, and after this laser beam L has once proceeded vertically downward, the laser beam L has passed through the optical system 54 in a substantially horizontal direction (direction of arrow Y).
The main scanning is performed by irradiating the irradiating surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP. Irradiation of the laser beam L generates stimulating light from the photographing surface and the back surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP, and the first and second light collecting guides 56 arranged on both sides of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP. , 58 and are photoelectrically read by a photomultiplier (not shown).

As described above, when the reading of the radiation image information is performed via the reading unit 22, the leading end of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is read by the curved guide plate 88,
It is guided by 90 and conveyed from the vertically downward direction to the vertically upward direction under the rotation of the roller pair 94.

After the reading operation of the entire stimulable phosphor sheet IP is completed, this stimulable phosphor sheet IP
The roller pair 94 is rotated in the reverse direction under the action of the motor 92 in a state in which the rear end side of the reading has been sent to the vicinity of the roller pair 94. Therefore, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP
Is transported in the horizontal direction once along the guide plate 96 with its photographing surface facing down, then transported vertically upward through the curved guide plate 98 and sent to the erasing unit 24.

The next stimulable phosphor sheet IP sent from the photographing unit 20 is conveyed to the reading unit 22 and recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet IP, similarly to the above-described stimulable phosphor sheet IP. The read radiation image information is read. At this time, the radiation image information recorded on one stimulable phosphor sheet IP emphasizes a higher energy component of radiation than the radiation image information recorded on the other stimulable phosphor sheet IP. Therefore, by performing the energy subtraction processing on these pieces of radiation image information, it is possible to obtain image information of a soft part, a bone part, and the like of the subject.

When the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is conveyed to the erasing section 24, the roller pair 108 is driven to rotate by the action of the motor 105 in the erasing section 24.
The stimulable phosphor sheet IP is conveyed vertically upward under the guiding action of the guide plate 100, and the light source 70 for erasing is used.
a and 70b are energized to start the erasing process (FIG. 4).
Middle, step S1). The stimulable phosphor sheet IP is conveyed vertically upward via a roller pair 108, the leading end of which is pinched by the roller pair 110, and the curved guide plate is rotated by the roller pair 110 rotated by the driving action of the motor 106. 102.

Therefore, for example, based on a pulse signal obtained from the rotation of the motor 105, or based on a detection signal from a sensor (not shown) or the like arranged corresponding to the curved guide plate 102, the erasing process is performed. Stimulable phosphor sheet I
When it is detected that P has reached the predetermined position (YES in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3, and the conveyance of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is temporarily stopped.

In this state, the presence / absence of a transfer instruction for another stimulable phosphor sheet IP (hereinafter referred to as stimulable phosphor sheet IP1) arranged in the standby section 26 is detected (step S4). When a command to convey the stimulable phosphor sheet IP1 is issued by the standby unit 26 (step S4).
Medium, NO), while the stimulable phosphor sheet IP being erased by the erasing unit 24 is stopped, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP1 is bent via the roller pair 120 under the driving action of the motor 118. 114 (see FIG. 5).

Further, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP1 is fed by the feeding conveyance path 11 under the guiding action of the curved guide plate 114.
6 and is sent to the turning conveyance means 72 from the feeding conveyance path 116. The stimulable phosphor sheet IP1 is
The sheet is sent to the roller pair 74 under the guide action of the curved guide plate 78, and is sent to the first storage chamber 44 or the second storage chamber 46 constituting the imaging unit 20 via the roller pair 74.

As described above, when the stimulable phosphor sheet IP1 is conveyed from the feeding conveyance path 116 to the photographing unit 20, the conveyance command from the standby unit 26 is canceled (step S).
4, YES), the erasing process of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP in the erasing section 24 is restarted (step S5). That is, the roller pair 110 is rotationally driven via the motor 106, and the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is
Is sent out to the erasing conveyance path 104 under the guide operation of (1).

By irradiating both surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP with erasing light from the erasing light sources 70a and 70b, all radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is erased. . The stimulable phosphor sheet IP is sent from the erasing conveyance path 104 to the turning conveyance means 72, or is switched back and sent to the standby section 26.

In this case, in this embodiment, the feeding transport path 116 and the erasing transport path 104 are the same, and in practice,
The feeding transport path 116 and the erasing transport path 104
A single transport unit 122 having the function of As a result, the erasure conveyance path 104 is
As compared with the conventional transport system in which the feed transport path 116 is separately provided, the structure of the circulating transport system 28 can be effectively simplified and downsized, and the entire apparatus body 16 can be downsized. Is obtained.

Further, in the control method according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the state is such that the leading end of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP erased by the erasing section 24 is temporarily stopped before the erasing conveyance path 104. Then, it is detected whether or not a conveyance instruction has been issued to the stimulable phosphor sheet IP1 arranged in the standby section 26. When the conveyance instruction is issued, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP1 is fed out and sent to the conveyance path 116 while the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is stopped.

Therefore, when the stimulable phosphor sheet IP1 is about to be sent out from the standby section 26, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP being erased is conveyed to the erasing conveyance path 104, and this stimulable phosphor sheet IP1 is conveyed. There is no problem that the stimulable phosphor sheet IP1 cannot be transported until the erasing process of the sheet IP is completed. Thereby, the photographing unit 2
0, immediately after the photographed stimulable phosphor sheet IP is carried out, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP1 disposed in the standby unit 26 is fed out and the photographing unit 2 is transferred through the conveyance path 116.
0, and there is an advantage that efficient and quick continuous shooting and reading processing can be performed.

By the way, in order to prevent dust and the like from entering the reading section 22, this reading section 22
30 (see FIG. 3). Therefore, a cooling fan or the like cannot be directly installed in the closed chamber 130. For this reason, in this embodiment, the first radiating fins 134 projecting into the closed chamber 130 are provided,
A second radiating fin 140 connected to the first radiating fin 134 is disposed in a chamber 136 adjacent to the first radiating fin 134, and the second radiating fin 140 is accommodated in a duct 138.

Therefore, when the fan 142 arranged opposite to the second radiating fin 140 is driven, the temperature raised in the closed chamber 130 is transmitted through the first and second radiating fins 134 and 140. Is cooled by the fan 142. Therefore, the temperature in the sealed chamber 130 does not rise too much, effectively preventing the reading unit 22 from being affected by heat, and efficiently exhausting / cooling the air to the outside of the apparatus main body 16 through the duct 138. It becomes possible to do.

Next, a control method according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
This will be described below. Note that detailed descriptions of the same steps as those in the control method according to the first embodiment are omitted.

First, the erasing of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is started (step S1a), and the stimulable phosphor sheet I is erased.
While P is being erased by the erasing section 24, its leading end is introduced into the erasing transport path 104. When the stimulable phosphor sheet IP reaches a predetermined position (YES in step S2a), the conveyance of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is stopped (step S3a), and the accumulation disposed in the standby unit 26 is stopped. The presence / absence of a transport instruction for the luminescent phosphor sheet IP1 is detected (step S4a).

Here, when the conveyance instruction of the stimulable phosphor sheet IP1 is given, as shown in FIG.
After the stimulable phosphor sheet IP1 is driven in the reverse direction and returned to the position where the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is separated from the erasing transport path 104 (step S5a), the stimulable phosphor sheet IP1 is fed out to the transport path. Next, after the stimulable phosphor sheet IP1 is sent to the photographing unit 20 side, the erasing unit 2
In step 4, the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is sent out to the erasing conveyance path 104, and the erasing process for the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is restarted (step S6a).

Thus, when the erasing conveyance path 104 and the feeding conveyance path 116 are constituted by a single conveyance section 122, the stimulable phosphor sheet I disposed in the standby section 26 is provided.
The same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, for example, P1 can be quickly sent out to the photographing unit 20.

[0061]

According to the radiation image information reading apparatus and the control method therefor according to the present invention, an erasing conveyance path for conveying the stimulable phosphor sheet when erasing the stimulable phosphor sheet, and a standby state for the erasable stimulable phosphor sheet. A single transport unit having a function of a feeding transport path for transporting the image from the unit is provided, and the structure of the transport system is effectively simplified and downsized, and the entire radiation image information reading apparatus can be downsized. .

In addition, in the state where the stimulable phosphor sheet in the middle of the erasing process is temporarily stopped at a predetermined position, the presence or absence of a conveyance instruction for the stimulable phosphor sheet disposed in the standby section is detected. Then, when the conveyance command is issued, the stimulable phosphor sheet is fed out from the standby unit and sent out to the conveyance path, so that the efficient and rapid continuous photographing reading process can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

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

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a cooling structure of the radiation image information reading device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a control method according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a control method according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Radiation image information reading apparatus 16 ... Device main body 20 ... Imaging part 22 ... Reading part 24 ... Erasing part 26 ... Stand-by part 28 ... Circulation conveyance system 30 ... Radiation energy separation filter 32 ... Sheet body accommodation part 44, 46 ... Accommodation room Reference numeral 50: Sub-scanning conveying means 52: Laser beam irradiation means 70a, 70b: Erasing light source 72: Rotating conveying means 104: Erasing conveying path 116: Feeding-out conveying path 122: Conveying unit 130: Closed chamber 134, 140 ... Radiating fin 136 Chamber 138 duct Duct 142 fan IP, IP1 stimulable phosphor sheet

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A radiation image information reading apparatus for repeatedly recording and reading radiation image information of a subject using a plurality of stimulable phosphor sheets accommodated in the apparatus, wherein the stimulable phosphor sheet is provided. An imaging unit that temporarily records the radiation image information of the subject, a reading unit that photoelectrically reads the radiation image information by irradiating excitation light to the stimulable phosphor sheet on which the radiation image information is recorded, An erasing unit that erases the radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet later; a standby unit that waits before photographing the stimulable phosphor sheet from which the radiation image information has been erased; Conveyance path for conveying the stimulable phosphor sheet when erasing processing is performed on the stimulable phosphor sheet, and transferring the stimulable phosphor sheet from the standby unit to the photographing unit. Radiation image information reading apparatus comprising: a, a single transport unit having the functions of the feed transport path for feeding. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit includes a radiation energy separating filter that absorbs a low energy component of the radiation, and at least two filters sandwiching the radiation energy separating filter.
A sheet image storage unit capable of simultaneously storing a plurality of stimulable phosphor sheets. 3. A recording and reading operation of radiation image information of a subject is repeatedly performed using a plurality of stimulable phosphor sheets accommodated in the apparatus, and erasing processing is performed on the stimulable phosphor sheet by an erasing unit. An erasing conveyance path that conveys the stimulable phosphor sheet when the stimulable phosphor sheet is applied, and a feeding conveyance path that conveys the stimulable phosphor sheet from a standby unit that waits for the erased stimulable phosphor sheet before photographing. A method of controlling a radiation image information reading apparatus including a single transport unit having a function of: erasing the radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet by the erasing unit; A step of temporarily stopping conveyance of the stimulable phosphor sheet when the stimulable phosphor sheet being processed reaches a predetermined position; and a step of temporarily stopping the conveyance of the stimulable phosphor sheet when the conveyance of the stimulable phosphor sheet is temporarily stopped. Detecting the presence or absence of a transfer command for another stimulable phosphor sheet disposed in the section, and when the transfer command is being performed, in a state where the transfer of the stimulable phosphor sheet is stopped, or After retracting the stimulable phosphor sheet from the erasing transport path, sending out the another stimulable phosphor sheet from the standby unit to the pay-out transport path. How to control the device. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the stimulable phosphor sheet being erased is deleted when the transfer command is not issued or when there is no other stimulable phosphor sheet in the standby section. A method for controlling a radiation image information reading apparatus, comprising a step of continuously performing an erasing process of the stimulable phosphor sheet while sending the stimulable phosphor sheet to the erasing conveyance path.