JP2005077888A - Radiation image reader and radiation image reading system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radiation image reader capable of realizing a system appropriately grasping the location of a movable radiation image reader, making the best use of the characteristic of the movable radiation image reader and excellent in convenience, and a radiation image reading system. <P>SOLUTION: The radiation image reader for reading a radiation image photographed on a storage fluorescent sheet can be moved manually, and has a means for detecting the position of its own and supplying the detected position information to a specified position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention belongs to a technical field of radiographic image reading for reading a radiographic image taken on a stimulable phosphor sheet, and more specifically, a radiographic image reading apparatus that can be moved and can be easily managed, and this The present invention relates to a radiation image reading system using a radiation image reading apparatus.

  When irradiated with radiation (X-rays, α-rays, β-rays, γ-rays, electron beams, ultraviolet rays, etc.), a part of this radiation energy is accumulated, and then irradiated with excitation light such as visible light, Phosphors that exhibit photostimulated luminescence according to the stored energy are known. This phosphor is called a storage phosphor (stimulable phosphor) and is used for various applications such as medical applications.

As an example, a radiation image (information) using a stimulable phosphor sheet (also referred to as a stimulable phosphor sheet (panel)) having this stimulable phosphor film (hereinafter referred to as a phosphor film). ) A recording / reproducing system is known, and is put into practical use, for example, as FCR (Fuji Computed Radiography) manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
In this system, a radiation image of a subject is photographed on a phosphor panel (phosphor film) by irradiating X-rays or the like through a subject such as a human body. After photographing, the phosphor panel is scanned two-dimensionally with excitation light such as laser light to generate stimulated light emission, and this stimulated light emission is read photoelectrically to obtain an image signal. Based on this image signal The reproduced image is output as a radiographic image of a subject to a display device such as a CRT or a recording material such as a photographic photosensitive material.

Reading a radiographic image recorded on a storage phosphor sheet (hereinafter referred to as a phosphor sheet) is usually performed by exciting light such as a laser beam in one direction (main scanning direction) as disclosed in Patent Document 1. Point scan method (raster scan method) that scans the entire surface of the phosphor sheet two-dimensionally with beam-like excitation light by conveying the phosphor sheet in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. ) Is often used.
On the other hand, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, a line light source in which excitation light sources such as LDs are arranged in one direction (main scanning direction) and a line such as a line CCD sensor in which a read pixel row is aligned in the main scanning direction. By using the reading head unitized with the sensor and relatively moving the reading head and the phosphor sheet in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, the entire surface of the phosphor sheet is two-dimensionally irradiated with excitation light. Also known are radiographic image scanning devices that scan the same.

Since the reading device using the line light source and the line sensor does not require an optical system or an optical path length for deflecting and scanning the excitation light, the device can be greatly reduced in size as compared with the point scanning type reading device.
In general, the reading device is fixed, and a radiographic image is read by carrying a photographed phosphor sheet from the photographing location to the installation location of the reading device. On the other hand, according to a reading device using a line sensor or the like that can be miniaturized, it can be a mobile type reading device that can be carried to an arbitrary place and read radiation image information captured on a phosphor sheet. For example, as disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1, in combination with a display for image display, it is possible to read a radiographic image captured on a phosphor sheet at an arbitrary place and display the image.

JP 2002-174867 A JP 2002-296716 A Video Information Medical, published by Industrial Development Organization, May 2002, vol. 34, No. 6, pp. 668 to 669

If it is such a mobile type reading device, for example, the reading device is carried near the shooting location, and immediately after shooting, the radiographic image taken on the phosphor sheet is read, and the read radiographic image is displayed on a display or the like. For example, radiological diagnostic images can be read in the operating room.
Also, even when taking radiographs of parts or medical conditions that are difficult to capture properly, carry a mobile-type reader near the shooting location, and immediately read after shooting to check the shooting conditions. Settings can be made. As a result, a quick and accurate diagnosis can be performed.
In addition, such convenience can be achieved with a small number of reading devices with respect to a large number of photographing devices.

However, since the mobile type reading device is arbitrarily movable, it takes time to manage the position, and if the management is inappropriate, the location of the reading device may become unclear. For this reason, the excellent characteristics of the mobile type reading device may not be sufficiently exhibited.
For example, if radiological image diagnosis is urgently needed due to an accident or sudden illness, the mobile type reader is moved to the vicinity of the imaging location, and after imaging, the radiographic image is read quickly for diagnosis and treatment. Preferably it is done. However, if the location of the mobile type reading device corresponding to the photographing to be performed is unknown, rapid reading cannot be performed, which hinders diagnosis and treatment.

  An object of the present invention is to appropriately grasp the location of a movable (portable) radiographic image reading apparatus in a radiographic image recording / reproducing system, thereby sufficiently providing the characteristics of the movable radiographic image reading apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiographic image apparatus that can realize a highly convenient system and a radiographic image reading system using the radiographic image reading apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the radiographic image reading apparatus of the present invention is a radiographic image reading apparatus that reads a radiographic image photographed on a stimulable phosphor sheet, is movable, and detects its own position. And a means for supplying detected position information to a predetermined position.

  The radiographic image reading system of the present invention includes a radiographic image reading device that reads a radiographic image captured on a stimulable phosphor sheet, an output unit, and a communication unit that connects the radiographic image reading device and the output unit. The radiological image reading apparatus is movable, has a means for detecting its own position, and supplies the detected position information to the output means using the communication means. A radiation image reading system is provided that outputs supplied position information.

  According to the present invention, in the radiographic image recording / reproducing system using the stimulable phosphor sheet, it is possible to appropriately grasp the location of the mobile type radiographic image reading apparatus, thereby enabling the mobile type radiographic image reading. By making full use of the characteristics of the apparatus, a very convenient radiation image recording / reproducing system can be realized.

  Hereinafter, the radiographic image reading apparatus and the radiographic image reading system of the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of an example of a radiographic image reading system of the present invention using the radiographic image reading apparatus of the present invention.
The radiation image reading system 10 (hereinafter referred to as the reading system 10) in FIG. 1 constitutes a part of a radiation image (information) recording / reproducing system in a hospital as an example, and is fixed to each position in the hospital. Or a radiation image (radiation image information) captured (recorded) on a stimulable phosphor sheet by a radiation image capturing device installed at an arbitrary position in an emergency or the like.

The reading system 10 in the illustrated example basically reads a radiographic image recorded on a host computer 12 and a storage phosphor sheet (also referred to as a stimulable phosphor sheet (panel), hereinafter referred to as IP). (Hereinafter referred to as “reading IP”), a plurality of reading devices 14, and a communication unit 16 that connects the host computer 12 and the reading device 14.
In FIG. 1, four reading devices 14 are shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of reading devices 14 may be one to three, or five or more reading devices 14 are provided. Of course, you can.

In the present invention, the reading device 14 is a movable mobile type reading device. Note that “movable” means that it is not fixedly used at one place but is used by moving the place as appropriate during normal use (steady use). It does not include, for example, transporting a device that is presumed not to be moved and used to a use position when the device is introduced.
Such a mobile type reading device 14 is used in a hospital having a radiographic image recording / reproducing system, for example, in each hospital room, each radiographic imaging room (its operation room), each operating room, each examination room, etc. It is moved to various positions depending on the imaging location, and the imaging apparatus reads the IP that captured the radiation image. In addition, the mobile type reader 14 can be moved in such a manner that it is pushed and moved by a person, or in which the device is self-propelled at a position indicated by using wireless control or the like. is there.

As described above, the host computer 12 and each reading device 14 can be connected by the communication means 16.
The communication unit 16 is not particularly limited, and for example, a known computer communication network may be used. Accordingly, it may be a wireless communication means using a local PHS, a wireless LAN, or the like, or a connection port installed at each position is connected with a cable at a destination of the reading device 14 in a hospital or the like. Accordingly, the communication unit 16 may be a wired communication unit connected to each other, or may have both a wired and a wireless communication unit. Further, in the reading system 10, different communication means 16 may be mixed.

In the illustrated example, a host computer 12 (hereinafter referred to as a host 12) manages the entire reading system 10, and includes, for example, shooting information (shooting order) input by various means or supplied from a shooting device or the like. To the reading device 14, selection and instruction of the reading device 14 for reading IP, management of radiation images (information) sent from the reading device 14, recording in a database, and the like. In the illustrated example, the host 12 also serves as an output unit for the position information of the reading device 14, receives the position information from each reading device 14, and displays the position of each reading device 14 on the display 18 included in the host 12. .
Such a host 12 may be configured using, for example, a personal computer (PC) or a workstation.

In the present invention, the position information output means of each reading device 14 is not limited to the host 12 that manages the reading system 10 as shown in the example, and for example, a display means dedicated to position information output is provided. May be. Alternatively, the position information of each reading device may be displayed on the display of each reading device 14. Of course, these position information output means may be mixed, including display on the host 12.
Further, the output of the position information is not limited to display display, and may be output as a hard copy in which the position information is recorded, may be an audio output, or a plurality of output means may be mixed.

The reading device 14 reads the IP (reading the radiographic image recorded in the IP as described above) and displays the read radiographic image. As shown conceptually in FIG. And a display 22 and a position detection means 24.
In the present invention, as described above, the reading device 14 is a mobile type reading device that is small in size and has a caster 26 for movement on the bottom surface and can be easily moved manually. It is not fixedly installed in one place, but is moved to various positions in the hospital, such as each hospital room, each radiographic imaging room (its operation room), each operation room, and each examination room.
In the illustrated example, the reading device 14 is basically a known IP (radiation image) reading device using a line light source and a line sensor, except that the position detection means 24 is provided.

  In the reading system 10 of the present invention, the reading device 14 is not limited to the illustrated example, and various types of radiographic image reading devices can be used as long as they are movable.

The IP is supplied to the reading device 14 when a radiographic image is taken in a state of being accommodated in a cassette which is a light-shielding casing, and the cassette is loaded at a predetermined position of the reading device 14.
In the reading device 14, when the cassette is loaded at a predetermined position, an opening means (not shown) opens the lid of the cassette, a sheet means (not shown) takes out the IP from the cassette and conveys it to the predetermined position, and a holding means (not shown) As shown in FIG. 2, the IP is held at a predetermined position.
Note that the cassette loading means, the lid opening means, the sheet feeding means, and the IP holding means are all configured using, for example, a suction cup, a drawing roller, a guide rail, or the like depending on the configuration of the cassette or the reading device 14. What is necessary is just to comprise by a well-known means.

The reading unit 20 reads an IP, and includes a reading head 30, a sub-scanning unit 32, and an image processing unit 34.
The read head 30 measures the stimulated emission light R from the IP by making the excitation light L incident on the IP held at the predetermined position, and the housing 36 and the LD held by the housing 36. A (laser diode) array 38, a mirror 40, a condenser lens 42, a prism 44, line sensors 46 (46 a to 46 c), and an erasing light emitting unit 48 are configured.

The LD array 38 is a line light source formed by arranging LDs, which are light sources of the excitation light L, in the main scanning direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2).
The line sensor 46 is a known sensor such as a line CCD sensor, for example. In the illustrated example, three line sensors 46 are arranged in the main scanning direction in a state where the pixel rows at both ends are slightly overlapped to form one long line sensor in which the reading pixel rows are arranged in the main scanning direction. The line sensors 46a and 46c on both sides are arranged on a perpendicular line from the IP surface, and the center line sensor 46b is arranged at a position orthogonal to the perpendicular line.
The condensing lens 42 is a cylindrical lens extending in the main scanning direction and forms an image of the stimulated emission light R emitted by the IP on the light receiving surface of each line sensor 46.
Further, the prism 44 arranged downstream of the condenser lens 42 (the traveling direction of the stimulated emission light R) deflects the stimulated emission light R at the center in the main scanning direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the center) by 90 °. The stimulated emission light R on both sides is allowed to proceed as it is to the line sensor 46b and is incident on the line sensors 46a and 46c, respectively.

  The erasing light emitting unit 48 is a part that emits erasing light Q for erasing the radiation image remaining in the IP after the reading is completed. For example, a fluorescent lamp extending in the main scanning direction is orthogonal to the main scanning direction. Are arranged in the sub-scanning direction (arrow y direction in the figure).

Such a read head 30 (housing 36) is moved in the sub-scanning direction by the sub-scanning means 32 including the guide rail 58 and the moving means 60.
Two guide rails 58 extend in the sub-scanning direction and are spaced apart from each other in the main scanning direction and engage with the vicinity of both ends of the housing 36 so as to be movable in the sub-scanning direction.
The moving means 60 includes a drive source (motor) 62, a drive pulley 64 fixed to the rotation shaft of the drive source 62, a driven pulley 66 that is spaced apart in the sub-scanning direction and forms a pair with the drive pulley 64, and the drive pulley 64 An endless belt 68 is wound around a driven pulley 66. The housing 36 of the read head 30 is fixedly engaged with the endless belt 68. Accordingly, by driving the drive source 62, the read head 30 moves (sub-scan) in the sub-scanning direction.

The image processing unit 34 converts the output signal from the line sensor 46 to perform predetermined image processing, and further performs image processing according to the imaging region and imaging conditions as necessary to display on the display 22. This is a part for displaying a radiation image on the display 22 as image data corresponding to the image.
Further, when the reading device 14 has a function corresponding to special imaging such as energy subtraction (energy difference processing) and temporary subtraction (temporal difference processing), the image processing unit 34 has performed these special imaging. When the IP is supplied, image processing corresponding to the IP is performed, and the radiation image is displayed on the display 22.

The display 22 is a known display. Accordingly, various known displays such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) can be used. The display may be a color display or a monochrome display, but a monochrome display is usually used.
In consideration of the movement of the reading device 14, a small and lightweight LCD is preferably exemplified as the display 22.

Here, it is preferable that the reading device 14 can perform interpretation with a certain degree of accuracy using a captured radiographic image. Therefore, the display 22 preferably has a pixel number (spatial resolution) of 1000 pixels × 1000 pixels or more, particularly 2000 pixels × 2000 pixels or more.
Further, in order to carry out a suitable interpretation, the display 22 of the reading device 14 preferably has a luminance equivalent to that of the Schaukasten used for normal X-ray image observation, and particularly has a maximum luminance of 3000 cd or more. Is preferred.

Further, as described above, the reading device 14 is a mobile-type reading device, reads IP at various places, and displays the read radiation images on the display 22. That is, the observation environment of the display 22 of the reading device 14 varies depending on the use environment and changes variously.
As shown in FIG. 2B, the display 22 is extraneous to the image display surface from the outside so that appropriate image observation in various environments can be performed according to such various observation conditions. It is preferable to have a bellows 22a that can be expanded and contracted (in the direction of arrow a) for blocking light, and further, it is preferable that the angle in the horizontal (H) direction and the angle in the vertical (V) direction of the image display surface can be adjusted. .

Hereinafter, the operation of IP reading by the reading device 14 will be described.
In the reading device 14, as described above, when the cassette is loaded into a predetermined position by the operator, the lid opening means opens the cassette lid, the single-wafer means takes out the IP, and the holding means holds the predetermined position. To do.
When the IP is held at the predetermined position, the LD array 38 then emits the excitation light L, and the sub-scanning means 32 is driven to move the reading head 30 in the sub-scanning direction (arrow y1 direction) (sub-scanning). Scanning).
The excitation light L emitted from the LD array 38 enters the mirror 40. The mirror 40 reflects the excitation light L in a predetermined direction and makes it enter a predetermined position of the IP.

From the incident position of the IP excitation light L, stimulated emission light R corresponding to the recorded radiation dose is generated. The condensing lens 42 condenses the stimulated emission light R so as to form an image on the light receiving surface of the line sensor 46.
The prism 44 deflects the central region of the stimulated emission light R collected by the condenser lens 42 and enters the line sensor 46b, and passes the rest as it is and enters the line sensors 46a and 46c. Let

  As described above, at the time of reading this IP, the sub-scanning means 32 moves the reading head 30 in the arrow y1 direction (sub-scanning). Therefore, the IP is scanned two-dimensionally by the excitation light L, and the radiation image of the entire surface is read.

The line sensor 46 reads the incident stimulated emission light R and sends an output signal corresponding to it to the image processing unit 34.
The image processing unit 34 processes the output signal to generate image data for image display on the display 22, and displays the radiographic image (information) taken by the IP on the display 22.

  On the other hand, when the reading head 30 is moved to a predetermined position in the direction of the arrow y1 and reading of the entire IP surface is completed, the LD array 38 stops emitting the excitation light L, and the erasing light emitting unit 48 emits the erasing light Q. . Next, the scanning unit 26 moves the reading head 30 in the reverse arrow y2 direction. As a result, the entire surface of the IP is irradiated with erasing light to erase the remaining radiation image.

When the erasing is completed and the cassette is loaded into a predetermined position of the reading device 14 by the operator of the reading device 14, the above-described single-wafer means and the lid opening means accommodate the IP in the cassette and close the lid of the cassette. .
Thereafter, the operator removes the cassette, loads the next cassette as necessary, and reads the next IP in the same manner.

  The reading device 14 not only displays the read radiographic image on the display 22, but also stores the read radiographic image, transfers it to a database, etc., and transfers it to the output destination of the radiographing order, for example, according to radiographing information. Alternatively, output to a connected printer may be performed. Further, all of these functions may be provided so that the output destination of the radiographic image can be appropriately selected.

As described above, the reading device 14 according to the present invention includes the position detection unit 24. The position detection unit 24 detects the position of the reading device 14 itself and supplies the position information to the host 12 using the communication unit 16. As described above, the host 12 displays the position of each supplied reading device 14 on the display 18.
Therefore, according to the present invention, in the reading system 10 (radiation image recording reading system) using the mobile type reading device 14, for example, a large hospital having many places where the reading device 14 may be used. In addition, the mobile device as described above, which can appropriately grasp the location of the reading device 14 to be used by moving to each location, and enables quick diagnosis by interpretation in the operating room, interpretation immediately after imaging. The convenience of the type of reading device 14 can be fully exhibited.

In the present invention, the position detection method of the reader 14 itself by the position detection means 24 is not particularly limited, and various methods can be used. Further, the output of the position information may be performed by a known method in accordance with the connected communication means 16.
As an example of the position detection method, a method of detecting its own position by adding a GPS (Global Positioning System) function to the reading device 14 (position detection means 24) is preferably exemplified.

  As a position detection method, in addition to this, a known method using a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like using a keyboard or the like connected to the reading device 14, and the operator determines the position of the reading device 14. It is possible to use the method in which the reading device 14 detects its own position.

Further, a signal output means for identifying itself is provided in the reader 14 and the connection part between the communication means 16 and the reader 14 installed at each position in the hospital, respectively. Both identification signals may be output from 14 to supply the position information to the host 12.
Further, although the complete position cannot be grasped, when the PHS or the wireless LAN is used as the communication means 16, the reading device 14 transmits the signal corresponding to the position information, thereby determining the position of the base station. The position information of the reading device 14 may be supplied to the host 12.

There is no particular limitation on the supply timing of the position information from the reading device 14 to the host 12 (output means). For example, it may be supplied at a predetermined time, may be supplied periodically every 15 minutes, every 30 minutes, or may be supplied in response to a request from the host 12. . Further, the reader 14 may provide the host 12 with information for selecting the reader 14 by sending information to that effect and position information to the host 12 when not in use.
Further, these may be used in combination, or may be appropriately selected.

In the present invention, the supply of the reading device 14 to the host 12 using the communication means 16 is not limited to only the position information.
For example, its own state (for example, whether it is in use, reservation status, etc.), its own function (for example, whether it can handle special shooting such as energy subtraction), read IP ID information, read A radiation image (information) or the like may be supplied to the host 12 together with the position information or separately from the position information.

The radiographic image reading apparatus and radiographic image reading system of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements are made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Of course, you may.
For example, the above embodiment is a radiation image reading apparatus using a line light source and a line sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and if it can be moved manually, a point scan type radiation image reading apparatus is used. It may be a device.

It is a conceptual diagram of an example of the radiographic image reading system of this invention. (A) is a conceptual diagram of an example of the reading device of the present invention constituting the radiographic image reading system of the present invention, and (B) is a conceptual diagram of an example of the display.

Explanation of symbols

10 (Radiation image) reading system 12 Host (computer)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Reading apparatus 16 Communication means 18,22 Display 20 Reading part 24 Position detection means 26 Caster 30 Reading head 32 Sub scanning means 34 Image processing part 36 Case 38 LD array 40 Mirror 42 Condensing lens 44 Prism 46 Line sensor 48 Erasing light Output unit 58 Guide rail 60 Moving means 62 Drive source 64 Drive pulley 66 Driven pulley 68 Endless belt

Claims (2)

  A radiographic image reading device for reading a radiographic image photographed on a stimulable phosphor sheet, and having a means capable of moving and detecting its own position and supplying the detected position information to a predetermined position A radiation image reading apparatus characterized by the above. A radiation image reading device that reads a radiation image captured on the stimulable phosphor sheet, an output unit, and a communication unit that connects the radiation image reading device and the output unit;
The radiological image reading apparatus is movable, has a means for detecting its own position, and supplies the detected position information to the output means using the communication means, and the output means is supplied A radiation image reading system characterized by outputting positional information.

Images