JP2006208306A - Radiographic image detector and radiographic image photographing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radiographic image detector and a radiographic image photographing system, capable of efficiently carrying out photographing, while restraining a member from deteriorating or the electric power consumption from increasing, when photographing, using the radiographic image detector that uses battery as the electric power source. <P>SOLUTION: This radiographic image detector/photographing system has as operation states a photographing-allowing state and a photographing stand-by state, and is provided with an electric power source part 19, provided with a battery charger 21 and for supplying electric power to each part in a plurality of drive parts; a communication part 24 communicated with an external device, a connection terminal 22, connected to a cradle 23 for carrying out at least one out of the charge of the battery charger 21 and the communication, a clocking means 40 for clocking a lapse time, after the connection terminal 22 is connected to the cradle 23; and a control part 27 for controlling the operation states of the plurality of driving parts to bring the photographing-allowing state, when the connection terminal 22 is connected to the cradle 23, and to bring the photographing stand-by state, when the lapse time clocked by the clocking means 40 comes to a fixed value or larger. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiographic image detector and a radiographic image capturing system, and more particularly to a radiographic image detector used without receiving external power supply during radiographing and a radiographic image capturing using such a radiographic image detector. It is about the system.

  Conventionally, in the field of radiography for the purpose of medical diagnosis, there have been widely used radiographic imaging systems that obtain a radiographic image of a subject by irradiating the subject with radiation and detecting the intensity distribution of the radiation transmitted through the subject. Are known. In recent radiographic imaging systems, a so-called “Flat Panel Detector” (hereinafter referred to as “FPD”) having a thin flat plate shape in which a large number of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a matrix form. Is being developed and used. The FPD can easily and quickly obtain a radiation image of a subject by detecting radiation transmitted through the subject, photoelectrically converting the radiation into an electrical signal, and performing image processing on the electrical signal after the photoelectric conversion.

  The radiation image detectors are roughly classified into a stationary type that is installed at a predetermined position as a part of the system and a portable type (cassette type) that is portable, and has been recently used from the viewpoint of ease of transportation and handling. The use of cassette-type radiation image detectors has been widely studied.

The cassette-type radiographic image detector includes a battery such as a rechargeable battery as a power supply source for driving the radiographic image detector, and supplies power for performing imaging and the like from the battery. It has become. In order to maintain sufficient power to perform imaging or the like in such a radiological image detector, it is necessary to appropriately charge the battery. For example, radiographic image detection is performed by placing the cassette on a cassette stand. A device that charges a battery of a battery is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-206636 A

  However, since the radiation image detector usually does not turn off all day once the power is turned on when imaging is started, imaging can be performed, for example, during charging. Even when there is no power, the state where power is supplied to each unit is maintained, and the amount of power consumption increases. And in the case of a cassette type radiation image detector that receives supply of necessary power from the battery, if the amount of power consumption increases, the radiation image detector can be driven only for a short period of time, and work efficiency is reduced. There's a problem. In addition, when attempting to take a picture, there may be insufficient power remaining and an image cannot be obtained, or the obtained image cannot be stored and is wasted.

  Further, some members constituting the radiation image detector have a property of deteriorating over time when a power supply state is maintained such as a photodiode or a thin film transistor (hereinafter referred to as “TFT”). There is something. For this reason, when power is supplied to each part even when imaging is not performed for a long time, there is a problem that these members are deteriorated and the life of the radiation image detector is shortened.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and when imaging is performed using a radiation image detector that uses a battery as a power supply source, deterioration of members and power consumption are reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiographic image detector and a radiographic imaging system that can perform radiographing efficiently while suppressing an increase.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a radiographic image detector that obtains radiographic image information by detecting irradiated radiation.
A plurality of drive units,
As an operating state, it has a photographing enabled state in which the driving unit necessary for detecting radiation among the plurality of driving units is operating, and a photographing standby state with less power consumption than the photographing capable state,
A power supply source that includes a battery and supplies power to each of the plurality of drive units;
A communication unit that communicates with an external device;
A connection terminal connected to a connection device that performs at least one of charging and communication of the battery; and
A time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time since the connection terminal is connected to the connection device;
When the connection terminal is not connected to the connection device, the plurality of photographing states are enabled, and when the elapsed time measured by the timing unit becomes equal to or greater than a certain value, the plurality of imaging terminals are set to a photographing standby state. And a control unit for controlling the operating state of the drive unit.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, as the operation state, a photographing ready state in which each driving unit necessary for a series of photographing operations is operating, and a photographing standby state in which power consumption is lower than the photographing capable state. When the connection terminal is not connected to the connection device, the camera is ready to shoot, and the elapsed time after the connection terminal is connected to the connection device is timed by the time measuring means, and this elapsed time is constant. The control unit controls the operating states of the plurality of drive units so as to enter a shooting standby state when the time is exceeded.

The invention according to claim 2 has a plurality of imaging standby modes with different power consumption as the imaging standby state in the radiological image detector according to claim 1,
The control unit may change an operating state of each driving unit for each of the photographing standby modes.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, there are a plurality of shooting standby modes with different power consumption amounts as shooting standby states, and the control unit changes the operating state of each drive unit according to each shooting standby mode. It has become.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the radiological image detector according to the first or second aspect, the control unit is configured to control the plurality of times when an elapsed time measured by the time measuring unit becomes equal to or greater than a certain value. A shooting standby mode with a large amount of power consumption among the shooting standby modes, and a shooting standby mode with a low power consumption among the plurality of shooting standby modes when the elapsed time counted by the timing means becomes a certain time or more. The operation state of the plurality of drive units is controlled to be as follows.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the elapsed time counted by the timing means becomes equal to or greater than a certain value, the control unit first sets the operating state of the drive unit so as to enter the photographing standby mode with a large amount of power consumption. The operation state of the drive unit is controlled so that a photographing standby mode with a small amount of power consumption is entered when a certain time or more elapses.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the radiological image detector according to any one of the first to third aspects, the control unit operates at least the communication unit in any operating state. It is characterized by that.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, the control unit is configured to operate at least the communication unit in any operating state.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the radiological image detector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the irradiated radiation is detected, the radiation is converted into an electrical signal and accumulated, It is a cassette type flat panel detector that reads out stored electrical signals and acquires radiation image information.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, a cassette type flat panel detector (FPD) is used as the radiation image detector.

  The invention described in claim 6 includes the radiographic image detector according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a console for operating the radiographic image detector.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, radiographic imaging is performed by operating the radiographic image detector according to any one of the first to seventh aspects with the console.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the radiation image detector performs the imaging operation when not connected to the connection device, it is possible to perform imaging regardless of the location. Further, when a certain time has elapsed after the radiation image detector is connected to the connection device, the imaging standby state is entered. For this reason, when the state where photography is not performed continues, the amount of power consumption can be suppressed, and it is possible to protect a member such as a photodiode that deteriorates with time due to power supply.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the photographing standby state has a plurality of photographing standby modes. For this reason, the radiation image detector can be put in the most appropriate state according to the use state and the like, and it is possible to perform an efficient imaging operation while suppressing wasteful power consumption.

  In particular, photodiodes, TFTs, and the like take time to be stabilized again in a state suitable for photographing once power supply is stopped. On the other hand, these have the property of deteriorating over time when power is supplied. Therefore, it is preferable not to stop the power supply to the photodiode or TFT in a shooting environment where shooting is continuously performed with a short break, etc. When it is an environment, it is preferable to stop the power supply to these. Further, it is preferable to suppress power consumption by stopping power supply as much as possible for a member that consumes particularly high power, such as a signal readout circuit. Therefore, it is possible to perform more efficient photographing work by switching the supply of electric power according to the property of each member.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, since the radiographic image detector is sequentially switched to an operation state with low power consumption according to the elapsed time after the radiographic image detector is connected to the connection device, Accordingly, it is possible to supply electric power accordingly, and there is an effect of performing efficient photographing work while suppressing wasteful power consumption.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, for example, communication with an external device such as a console can be performed even in the shooting standby mode with the least power consumption, so an instruction from the external device can be received, Data can be transferred. Thereby, there is an effect that it is possible to perform an efficient shooting operation while suppressing wasteful power consumption.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the radiation image detector is a cassette type FPD, it can be easily carried regardless of the photographing location, and the degree of freedom of photographing is improved. In addition, when such a radiographic image detector is used for imaging, power must be supplied from the battery to each drive source. However, the radiographic image detector is set in an imaging state or an imaging standby state depending on the use state thereof. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to perform efficient photographing work while suppressing wasteful power consumption.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the radiation image detector performs the imaging operation when not connected to the connection device, it is possible to perform imaging regardless of the location. Further, when a certain time has elapsed after the radiation image detector is connected to the connection device, the imaging standby state is entered. For this reason, when the state where photography is not performed continues, the amount of power consumption can be suppressed, and it is possible to protect a member such as a photodiode that deteriorates with time due to power supply.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a radiographic imaging system to which a radiographic image detector according to the present invention is applied.

  The radiographic image capturing system 1 according to the present embodiment is a system that is applied in, for example, radiographic image capturing performed in a hospital. As shown in FIG. The radiographing operation device 3 that performs operations related to radiographic imaging, the base station 4 for performing communication by a wireless communication system such as a wireless local area network (LAN), and the radiographic image detector 5 and radiographic image detection A console 6 that performs image processing and the like of the radiation image detected by the device 5 is connected through a network 7. A radiographic image capturing apparatus 10 is connected to the imaging operation apparatus 3 via a cable 8 to irradiate a patient as the subject 9 with radiation and capture a radiographic image. The radiographic image capturing apparatus 10 and the radiographic image detector 5 are installed, for example, in one radiographing room 11 one by one. The radiographic image capturing apparatus 10 is operated by the radiographing operation apparatus 3 and the radiographic image detector 5 performs radiographic image detection. Radiation image information can be obtained by detecting. A plurality of radiation image detectors 5 may be provided in one imaging room 11.

  Here, the network 7 may be a dedicated communication line for the system, but is an existing line such as Ethernet (registered trademark) for reasons such as a low degree of freedom in the system configuration. Is preferred. In addition to what was illustrated here, the network 7 may be connected to a plurality of imaging operation devices 3, radiographic image detectors 5, and consoles 6 that operate the radiographic imaging devices 10 in other imaging rooms 11.

  First, the imaging operation device 3 is configured by an operation panel or the like, and operates the radiographic imaging device 10, for example, an input operation unit for inputting signals such as imaging conditions, a display for displaying information such as imaging conditions, various instructions, and the like. And a power supply unit for supplying power to the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 (none of which are shown).

  The radiographic imaging device 10 is disposed inside a radiographing room 11 and has a radiation source 12, and radiation is generated when a tube voltage is applied to the radiation source 12. As the radiation source 12, for example, a radiation tube is used, and the radiation tube generates radiation by accelerating electrons generated by thermal excitation with a high voltage to collide with the cathode.

  Next, the radiation image detector 5 detects the radiation irradiated from the radiation source 12 of the radiation image capturing apparatus 10 and transmitted through the subject 9, and acquires a radiation image. It arrange | positions in the irradiation range of the radiation irradiated from. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the radiation image detector 5 is arranged between the subject 9 and the bed 13 on which the subject 9 is placed. For example, a detector mounting port (not shown) for mounting the radiation image detector 5 may be provided below the bed, and the radiation image detector 5 may be mounted on the detector mounting port. .

  The radiation image detector 5 is a flat panel type radiation image detector 5. Hereinafter, the structure of the radiation image detector 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the radiation image detector 5 includes a casing 14 that protects the inside, and is configured to be portable as a cassette.

  An imaging panel 15 that converts irradiated radiation into an electrical signal is formed in layers inside the housing 14. A light emitting layer (not shown) that emits light according to the intensity of incident radiation is provided on the radiation irradiation side of the imaging panel 15.

  The light emitting layer is generally called a scintillator layer. For example, a phosphor is a main component, and based on incident radiation, an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength of 300 nm to 800 nm, that is, visible light to ultraviolet light to infrared light. It is designed to output electromagnetic waves (light).

The phosphor used in the light emitting layer is, for example, a material having CaWO ₄ or the like as a base, or a luminescent center substance activated in the base such as CsI: Tl, Gd ₂ O ₂ S: Tb, or ZnS: Ag. Things can be used. Further, when the rare earth element is M, a phosphor represented by a general formula of (Gd, M, Eu) ₂ O ₃ can be used. In particular, CsI: Tl and Gd ₂ O ₂ S: Tb are preferable because of high radiation absorption and luminous efficiency, and by using these, a high-quality image with low noise can be obtained.

  The electromagnetic wave (light) output from the light emitting layer is converted into electric energy and accumulated on the surface opposite to the surface on which the radiation of the light emitting layer is irradiated, and an image signal based on the accumulated electric energy is stored. A signal detection unit 151 that performs output is formed.

  Here, the circuit configuration of the imaging panel 15 will be described. FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the photoelectric conversion unit for one pixel constituting the signal detection unit 151.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the configuration of the photoelectric conversion unit for one pixel is a photodiode 152 and a thin film transistor (hereinafter referred to as “TFT”) 153 that extracts electrical energy accumulated in the photodiode 152 as an electrical signal by switching. It consists of and. The extracted electrical signal is amplified by an amplifier 154 to a level that can be detected by the signal readout circuit 17. The amplifier 154 is connected to a reset circuit (not shown) composed of a TFT 153 and a capacitor, and a reset operation for resetting the accumulated electrical signal is performed by switching on the TFT 153. The photodiode 152 may simply be a photodiode having a regulation capacitance, or may include an additional capacitor in parallel so as to improve the dynamic range of the photodiode 152 and the photoelectric conversion unit.

  FIG. 4 is an equivalent circuit diagram in which such photoelectric conversion units are two-dimensionally arranged. Between the pixels, the scanning lines Ll and the signal lines Lr are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other. A TFT 153 is connected to the photodiode 152 described above, and one end of the photodiode 152 on the side to which the TFT 153 is connected is connected to the signal line Lr. On the other hand, the other end of the photodiode 152 is connected to one end of an adjacent photodiode 152 arranged in each row, and is connected to a bias power source 155 through a common bias line Lb. One end of the bias power source 155 is connected to the control unit 27, and a voltage is applied to the photodiode 152 through the bias line Lb according to an instruction from the control unit 27. The TFTs 153 arranged in each row are connected to a common scanning line Ll, and the scanning line Ll is connected to the control unit 27 via the scanning drive circuit 16. Similarly, the photodiodes 152 arranged in each column are connected to a signal readout circuit 17 that is connected to a common signal line Lr and controlled by the control unit 27. In the signal readout circuit 17, an amplifier 154, a sample hold circuit 156, an analog multiplexer 157, and an A / D converter 158 are arranged on a common signal line Lr in order from the imaging panel 15.

  Note that the TFT 153 may be either an inorganic semiconductor type used in a liquid crystal display or the like, or an organic semiconductor type.

  Moreover, although the case where the photodiode 152 as a photoelectric conversion element was used was illustrated in the present embodiment, a solid-state imaging element other than the photodiode may be used as the photoelectric conversion element.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the side of the signal detection unit 151 sends a pulse to each photoelectric conversion element to scan and drive each photoelectric conversion element, and the photoelectric conversion element is stored in each photoelectric conversion element. A signal readout circuit 17 for reading out electrical energy is arranged.

  The radiation image detector 5 includes an image storage unit 18 including a rewritable memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a flash memory. The image storage unit 18 outputs an image output from the imaging panel 15. The signal is memorized. The image storage unit 18 may be a built-in memory or a removable memory such as a memory card.

  Further, the radiation image detector 5 includes a plurality of drive units (for example, a scanning drive circuit 16, a signal readout circuit 17, a communication unit 24 (described later), an image storage unit 18, an electric power remaining amount that constitute the radiation image detector 5. A rechargeable battery 21 is provided as a power supply source for supplying power to detection means (not shown), an indicator 25 (described later), an input operation unit 26 (described later), an imaging panel 15 and the like.

  As the rechargeable battery 21, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a nickel cadmium battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, a lithium ion battery, a small sealed lead battery, a lead storage battery, a fuel battery, or a solar battery can be applied.

  Note that the shape of the rechargeable battery 21 as the power supply source is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. 2. For example, a plate-shaped battery may be provided in parallel with the imaging panel 15. By forming the battery in such a shape, the area of the imaging panel 15 can be increased, and the imageable area can be widened.

  A connection terminal 22 for connecting to a cradle 23 as a connection device that performs charging and communication with an external device such as the console 6 is formed at one end of the housing 14.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the radiation image detector 5 is attached to the cradle 23 so that a connection terminal (not shown) on the cradle 23 side and a connection terminal 22 on the housing side are connected. Thereby, electric power is supplied from the cradle 23 or an external power source (not shown) connected to the cradle 23 and the rechargeable battery 21 is charged.

  Further, the radiation image detector 5 is provided with a communication unit 24 (see FIG. 5) that transmits and receives various signals to and from an external device such as the console 6. The communication unit 24 is connected to an external device such as the console 6 via the connection terminal 22. For example, the communication unit 24 transfers an image signal output from the imaging panel 15 to the console 6 or the like, or captures images transmitted from the console 6 or the like. A start signal or the like is received.

  Further, the radiological image detector 5 is provided with a time measuring means 40 (see FIG. 5) for measuring an elapsed time since the connection terminal 22 of the radiological image detector 5 is connected to the cradle 23. The time measuring means 40 starts counting elapsed time when the connection terminal 22 is connected to the cradle 23, and resets the count when the connection is released.

  The radiation image detector 5 includes a remaining power detection unit (not shown), and detects the remaining power of the rechargeable battery 21.

  In addition, an indicator 25 for displaying the remaining power of the rechargeable battery 21 and various operation statuses is provided at one end of the front surface of the housing 14 so that the operator can check the remaining power of the rechargeable battery 21 of the radiation image detector 5. The amount and the like can be confirmed visually.

  An input operation unit 26 is provided outside the housing 14 for an operator such as a radiologist to input and set imaging conditions, patient identification information, various instructions, and the like. The contents that can be input from the input operation unit 26 are not limited to those exemplified here.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the radiation image detector 5 includes a control device 28 having a control unit 27 including, for example, a general-purpose CPU 271, ROM 272, RAM 273, and the like. A predetermined program to be stored is read out and expanded in a work area of the RAM 273, and the CPU 271 executes various processes according to the program.

  The control unit 27 is configured to receive information input from the input operation unit 26, a signal transmitted from the console or the like and received by the communication unit 24, and the control unit 27 is based on the transmitted signal. Each part is controlled.

  In addition, the control unit 27 appropriately supplies power to each drive unit of the radiographic image detector 5 from the power supply unit 19, so that the radiographic image detector 5 is appropriate according to the situation among the following operation states. It is controlled so as to be in a proper operating state.

  In the present embodiment, the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 includes a photographing enabled state and two photographing standby states that consume less power than the photographing state. The control unit 27 switches between the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 depending on whether or not the cradle 23 is connected to the connection terminal 22 as the power supply means 19.

  Note that whether or not the cradle 23 is connected to the connection terminal 22 is detected, for example, whether or not power is supplied to the connection terminal 22, and the detection result is sent to the control unit 27, whereby the control unit 27. Have come to be grasped. The means for detecting whether or not the connection terminal 22 is connected to the cradle 23 is not limited to the one exemplified here. For example, detection means such as a contact sensor (not shown) is provided in the vicinity of the connection terminal 22, and it is detected by this contact sensor whether or not the connection terminal 22 is connected to the cradle 23, and the detection result is sent to the control unit 27. Thus, the control unit 27 may be able to grasp the situation.

  Here, the imaging possible state is a state in which all driving units necessary for a series of imaging operations such as radiation detection among members constituting the radiation image detector 5 are operating, that is, the scanning drive circuit 16 and the signal. Power is supplied to all the drive units necessary for a series of imaging operations such as detection of radiation among the members constituting the radiation image detector 5 such as the readout circuit 17, the photodiode 152, the TFT 153, the image storage unit 18, and the communication unit 24. In this state, a series of imaging operations such as initialization of image information, accumulation of electrical energy generated according to the irradiated radiation, reading of electrical signals, and transfer of image signals are performed. It is possible. In the initialization, the reset operation and the idle reading operation in the imaging panel 15 are performed.

  The shooting standby state is an operation state in which the amount of power consumption is smaller than that in the shooting enabled state. In the present embodiment, the shooting standby state is the first shooting standby mode in which the power consumption is lower than in the shooting enabled state. The second shooting standby mode, which consumes less power than the first shooting standby mode, can be selected.

  The first shooting standby mode is a state in which all the drive units used for a series of shooting operations are started up except for the signal readout circuit 17 that can be quickly started to a shooting ready state. This is a shooting standby state in which it is possible to perform. Specifically, power is supplied to the drive units such as the scan drive circuit 16, the photodiode 152, the TFT 153, the image storage unit 18, and the communication unit 24. The second shooting standby mode is a state in which only the image storage unit 18 which is a part related to image storage and the communication unit 24 which is a part related to transfer of image information to the outside and signal reception from the outside are started up. This is a shooting standby state in which the power consumption at which shooting cannot be performed is very low.

  Further, an elapsed time after the connection terminal 22 detected by the time measuring means 40 is connected to the cradle 23 is sent to the control unit 27 as an electric signal. The ROM 272 of the control unit 27 stores in advance a table in which the elapsed time since the connection terminal 22 is connected to the cradle 23 and the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 are associated with each other. When the elapsed time detected by the time measuring means 40 while reading and referring to the table exceeds a certain value, the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 is switched.

  In the present embodiment, for example, when the elapsed time since the connection terminal 22 is connected to the cradle 23 in the ROM 272 is 5 minutes, the first shooting standby mode is set from the ready-for-photographing state. A table in which the first shooting standby mode is switched to the second shooting standby mode is stored. When the controller 27 detects that 5 minutes have elapsed since the connection terminal 22 was connected to the cradle 23 by the time measuring means 40 while referring to this table, the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 is the first imaging. The power supply to each drive unit is controlled so that power is supplied to each drive unit such as the scan drive circuit 16, photodiode 152, TFT 153, image storage unit 18, and communication unit 24 so as to enter the standby mode. It is like that. Further, when it is detected by the time measuring unit 40 that 20 minutes have passed after that, the control unit 27 supplies power to the image storage unit 18 and the communication unit 24 so as to enter the second photographing standby mode. As described above, power supply to each drive unit is controlled.

  Further, the radiation image detector 5 includes a remaining power detection unit (not shown) that detects the remaining power of the rechargeable battery 21, and the control unit 27 includes the rechargeable battery 21 detected by the remaining power detection unit. The status of the remaining power is sent as an electrical signal. The control unit 27 displays the remaining amount of power of the rechargeable battery 21 on the indicator 25 based on the transmitted signal.

  When the control unit 27 determines that the remaining power level of the rechargeable battery 21 is lower than a predetermined level and needs to be charged based on the detection result by the remaining power level detection unit, the control unit 27 passes the communication unit 24. A signal to that effect is transmitted to the console 6. Further, when it is determined that the remaining power is recovered by charging the rechargeable battery 21 based on the detection result by the remaining power detection means, the control unit 27 sends a signal to that effect via the communication unit 24. The data is transmitted to the console 6.

  In addition, information input from the input operation unit 26 and signals received from the communication unit 24 are sent to the control unit 27, and the control unit 27 controls each unit based on the transmitted signals. Is supposed to do.

  The control unit 27 drives the scanning drive circuit 16 to send a pulse to each photoelectric conversion element to scan and drive each photoelectric conversion element. Then, the image signal read out by the signal reading circuit 17 that reads out the electric energy accumulated in each photoelectric conversion element is sent to the control unit 27. The control unit 27 stores the sent image signal in the image storage unit 18. Further, the image signal stored in the image storage unit 18 is appropriately sent to the console 6 via the communication unit 24.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the console 6 includes a control device 30 having a control unit 29 composed of, for example, a general-purpose CPU, ROM, RAM, or the like (all not shown). 29 reads out a predetermined program stored in the ROM, expands it in the work area of the RAM, and the CPU executes various processes according to the program.

  Further, the console 6 communicates with the input operation unit 31 for inputting various instructions, the display unit 32 for displaying images, various messages, and the like, and the signal transmission / reception with the external device such as the radiation image detector 5. Part 33 and the like.

  The input operation unit 31 includes, for example, an operation panel, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and outputs, to the control unit 29, a key press signal pressed by the operation panel or the keyboard or an operation signal from the mouse as an input signal. It is supposed to be.

  The display unit 32 includes, for example, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and the like, and displays various screens according to instructions of a display signal output from the control unit 29. ing.

  The communication unit 33 communicates various information with the radiation image detector 5 through the base station 4 by a wireless communication method such as a wireless LAN.

  A signal input from the input operation unit 31 or a signal received from the outside via the communication unit 33 is sent to the control unit 29. Further, for example, the control unit 29 performs predetermined image processing based on the radiographic image information detected by the radiographic image detector 5 to obtain a thumbnail image or a radiographic image desired by a doctor or the like.

  The control unit 29 is configured to display a radiation image such as a thumbnail image, various information input from the input operation unit 31, and the like on the display unit 32.

  Next, the operation of the radiation image capturing system 1 to which the radiation image detector 5 according to the present embodiment is applied will be described.

  First, when shooting, the connection between the connection terminal 22 and the cradle 23 is released. When an imaging start signal for starting imaging is sent from an external device such as the console 6, the control unit 27 supplies power to each drive unit from the rechargeable battery 21 so that the radiation image detector 5 is ready for imaging. Thus, the operating state of each drive unit is controlled.

  When the radiographic image detector 5 is ready for radiographing, the radiographic image detector 5 performs initialization operations such as resetting of image information accumulated for new radiographing and idle reading. Then, when imaging is started and radiation is finished from the radiation source 12, the scanning drive circuit 16 sends a pulse to each photoelectric conversion element to scan and drive each photoelectric conversion element, and accumulates in each photoelectric conversion element. The image signal is acquired by reading out the electrical energy by the signal readout circuit 17. The acquired image signal is stored in the image storage unit 18 and then appropriately transferred to the console 6 or the like.

  When the remaining power level of the rechargeable battery 21 of the power source unit 19 is below a certain level, a signal to that effect is sent from the remaining power level detection means to the control unit 27. And is displayed on the indicator 25.

  When the operator places the radiation image detector 5 on the cradle 23 in order to charge the rechargeable battery 21 or to communicate with an external device, the connection terminal 22 and the connection terminal on the cradle 23 side are connected. Charging or communication is started. When the connection terminal 22 is connected to the cradle 23, the elapsed time from the connection by the time measuring means 40 is timed, and the result is sent to the control unit 27. The control unit 27 reads out and refers to the table stored in the ROM 272 and determines whether or not the result sent from the time measuring means 40 has exceeded a predetermined time.

  Then, when a signal indicating that 5 minutes have passed since the connection terminal 22 is connected to the cradle 23 is sent from the time measuring means 40, the control unit 27 changes the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 from the imaging enabled state to the first state. The power supply is controlled so that power is supplied from the rechargeable battery 21 to each drive unit such as the scanning drive circuit 16, the photodiode 152, the TFT 153, the image storage unit 18, and the communication unit 24. To do. Further, when a signal indicating that 20 minutes have passed since the first imaging standby mode is sent from the time measuring means 40, the control unit 27 changes the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 from the first imaging standby mode to the first imaging standby mode. The power supply is controlled so that power is supplied from the rechargeable battery 21 to the image storage unit 18 and the communication unit 24 so that the second shooting standby mode is set.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a certain time has elapsed after the connection terminal 22 of the radiation image detector 5 is connected to the cradle 23, first, the first imaging standby mode that can immediately shift to the imaging enabled state. When a certain period of time elapses, the second shooting standby mode, which consumes less power than the first shooting standby mode, is entered. For this reason, even if the operator does not set each time, it is possible to achieve an optimal operation state according to the usage state of the radiation image detector 5, and to perform efficient photographing work while suppressing wasteful power consumption. be able to.

  Further, when imaging is not performed immediately, power is not supplied to the photodiode 152 and the TFT 153, so that the photodiode 152 and the TFT 153 can be prevented from deteriorating and the life of the radiation image detector 5 can be extended. Further, in the imaging standby state, power is not supplied to the signal readout circuit 17 or the like that consumes much power, so that power consumption is reduced, and the radiation image detector 5 is not supplied with power from the external power supply but supplied with power from the rechargeable battery 21. Even in the case of being used in the above, it is possible to take a large number of shots with one charge.

  In addition to the shooting ready state, the camera has two shooting standby modes. In the first shooting standby mode, power is supplied to the photodiode 152, the TFT 153, etc. that take time until the power is turned on again once the power supply is stopped. The power supply is stopped only for the signal readout circuit 17 that consumes a large amount of power. For this reason, even when a certain period of time has elapsed after shooting, by setting the first shooting standby mode, it is possible to immediately shift to the shooting state while suppressing power consumption. On the other hand, in the second shooting standby mode, power is supplied only to a minimum part such as a communication unit for receiving an external signal. The power supply to the photodiode 152, the TFT 153, etc. that deteriorates is stopped. For this reason, if the second shooting standby mode is set, it is possible to easily shoot by transmitting a signal from the outside when restarting shooting while minimizing power consumption and preventing deterioration of the photodiode 152 and TFT 153. Therefore, efficient shooting can be performed.

  In the present embodiment, two types of shooting standby modes can be selected as the shooting standby state. However, the shooting standby mode is not limited to the two types illustrated here. The imaging standby mode in which the power supply is stopped only for the photodiode 152 and the TFT 153 having a deteriorated property, the power supply is stopped for all but the image storage unit 18 and the communication unit 24, but once the power supply is stopped, the power supply is stopped. There are more types such as a shooting standby mode that starts supplying power earlier than other members, such as supplying power from the middle of charging only for the photodiode 152 and TFT 153 that take time to increase. The mode may be selected. Further, only one of the two shooting standby modes illustrated in the present embodiment may be provided.

  In the present embodiment, the connection terminal 22 of the radiation image detector 5 and the connection terminal of the cradle 23 are connected by being placed on the cradle 23 as a connection device, and the rechargeable battery 21 is charged and communicated. However, the connection device is not limited to the example illustrated here. For example, it is good also as a structure which can charge and communicate the rechargeable battery 21 by connecting a cable etc. to the connection terminal 22 of the radiation image detector 5 using a cable as a connection apparatus.

  In the present embodiment, the connection terminal for charging the rechargeable battery 21 and the connection terminal for communicating with an external device are used together by one connection terminal 22. A connection terminal for performing charging and a connection terminal for performing communication with an external device may be provided separately.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the connection device performs both charging of the rechargeable battery 21 and communication with the external device. However, the connection device charges the rechargeable battery 21 or communicates with the external device. It is good also as what performs only any one of these.

  In the present embodiment, a correspondence table is stored in advance in the ROM 272 to determine what operation state the radiation image detector 5 is to be in when how long after the connection terminal 22 is connected. The control unit 27 switches the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 according to this, but the elapsed time until the operation state is switched is not limited to the case where it is stored in the ROM 272 or the like in advance. For example, the setting may be made from the input operation unit 26, the console 6, or the like. Further, after the connection terminal 22 is connected to the cradle 23, an instruction may be issued to switch the radiation image detector 5 to a desired operation state from the input operation unit 26, the console 6, or the like. With this configuration, the operator can arbitrarily switch the operation state of the radiation image detector 5.

  Further, the time from when the connection terminal 22 is connected to the cradle 23 to when the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 is switched is not limited to that exemplified in this embodiment. If the time until the operation state is switched is too short, it is inconvenient that the operation state is switched just by interrupting the work slightly while the shooting is scheduled continuously. On the other hand, if the time until the operation state is switched is too long, it is left in an operation state with a large amount of power consumption even though there is no plan to perform photographing, and power saving cannot be achieved. For this reason, for example, the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 is preferably set to the first imaging standby mode in consideration of the standby time until the next imaging is performed, and preferably 1 minute to 10 minutes. Is 5 minutes exemplified in this embodiment. Further, from the same point of view, the time from when the first photographing standby mode is switched to the second photographing standby mode is preferably 10 minutes to 30 minutes, and more preferably 20 minutes exemplified in this embodiment.

  When the cradle 23 is connected to the connection terminal 22 and a signal indicating that shooting is immediately started, such as a shooting start signal, is sent from the external device such as the console 6 via the communication unit 24. The first photographing standby state may be maintained and the second photographing standby state may not be switched even if 20 minutes have elapsed after the connection terminal 22 is connected without entering the photographing standby state. In this way, it is possible to perform shooting immediately when the shooting schedule is close, and it is possible to improve the efficiency of shooting work.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the rechargeable battery 21 is provided as a power supply source, but the configuration of the power supply source is not limited to that illustrated here. For example, instead of the rechargeable battery 21, a replaceable disposable battery made of a manganese battery, an alkaline battery, an alkaline button battery, a lithium battery, a silver oxide battery, an air zinc battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a mercury battery, a lead battery, or the like is used. You may make it prepare.

  Moreover, you may comprise the rechargeable battery 21 so that replacement | exchange is possible by pulling out from the side part of the housing | casing 14, for example.

  Furthermore, when such a replaceable battery or a replaceable rechargeable battery 21 is used, a reserve power source may be provided in addition to these batteries.

  In the present embodiment, the radiographic image capturing apparatus 10 is operated by the radiographing operation apparatus 3. However, the radiographic image capturing apparatus 10 may be configured to be operated by the console 6 or the like. In this case, it is not necessary to provide the photographing operation device 3, and the system configuration can be simplified.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 27 controls all the drive units of the radiation image detector 5 such as the scanning drive circuit 16, the signal readout circuit 17, the communication unit 24, etc., in addition to the power supply unit 19. Separate control units may control the drive units of the radiation image detector 5 such as the power supply unit 19, the scan drive circuit 16, the signal readout circuit 17, the communication unit 24, and the like.

It is a figure showing the schematic structure which illustrates one embodiment of a radiographic imaging system concerning the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part structure of the radiographic image detector which concerns on this invention. It is an equivalent circuit block diagram for 1 pixel of the photoelectric conversion part which comprises a signal detection part. FIG. 4 is an equivalent circuit configuration diagram in which the photoelectric conversion units illustrated in FIG. 3 are two-dimensionally arranged. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the radiographic image detector which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the console which comprises the radiographic imaging system of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Radiographic imaging system 2 Server 3 Imaging operation apparatus 4 Base station 5 Radiographic image detector 6 Console 7 Network 10 Radiographic imaging apparatus 16 Scanning drive circuit 17 Signal reading circuit 18 Image storage part 21 Rechargeable battery 22 Connection terminal 23 Cradle 24 Communication Unit 26 input operation unit 27 control unit 40 timing unit 152 photodiode 153 TFT

Claims (6)

In a radiation image detector that detects radiation and obtains radiation image information,
A plurality of drive units,
As an operating state, it has a photographing enabled state in which the driving unit necessary for detecting radiation among the plurality of driving units is operating, and a photographing standby state with less power consumption than the photographing capable state,
A power supply source that includes a battery and supplies power to each of the plurality of drive units;
A communication unit that communicates with an external device;
A connection terminal connected to a connection device that performs at least one of charging and communication of the battery; and
A time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time since the connection terminal is connected to the connection device;
When the connection terminal is not connected to the connection device, the plurality of photographing states are enabled, and when the elapsed time measured by the timing unit becomes equal to or greater than a certain value, the plurality of imaging terminals are set to a photographing standby state. A radiation image detector, comprising: a control unit that controls an operating state of the drive unit. As the shooting standby state, having a plurality of shooting standby modes with different power consumption,
The radiographic image detector according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes an operation state of each driving unit for each of the imaging standby modes.   The control unit is set to a shooting standby mode with a large amount of power consumption among the plurality of shooting standby modes when the elapsed time measured by the timing unit becomes equal to or greater than a certain time, and the elapsed time measured by the timing unit 2. The operating state of the plurality of drive units is controlled so that a shooting standby mode with low power consumption is selected from the plurality of shooting standby modes when the value becomes a certain value or more. The radiation image detector according to 2.   The radiographic image detector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit activates at least the communication unit in any operating state.   2. A cassette-type flat panel detector that detects irradiated radiation, converts the radiation into an electrical signal, accumulates it, and reads out the accumulated electrical signal to acquire radiation image information. The radiographic image detector according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   A radiographic imaging system comprising: the radiographic image detector according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and a console for operating the radiographic image detector.

Images