JP2006247138A - Radiation image photographing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radiation image photographing system which is improved in operation efficiency, saves power consumption, prevents the deterioration of a radiation image detector due to the keeping of applying voltage by switching the operating state of the radiation image detector while eliminating the labor of an operator. <P>SOLUTION: The system is provided with a radiation generator 10 for emitting radiation and the radiation image detector 5 which detects the radiation emitted from the radiation generator 10 to obtain radiation image information. The radiation image detector 5 is provided with: a plurality of driving parts; a power supply source 21 which has a plurality of operation states of each driving part different in operating condition and which supplies power to each driving part; and a control part 27 which detects ON/OFF of the power source of the radiation generator 10 and controls the operation state of each driving part according to the detected result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiographic imaging system, and more particularly to a radiographic imaging system including a radiographic image detector having a plurality of operation states.

  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.

  Such a radiation image detector is normally turned on / off in a cycle of one day. However, if a radiographable state is maintained when radiography is not performed for a long time, the amount of power consumption increases. In particular, in a cassette-type radiation image detector used without being connected to an external device or an external power source during imaging, a rechargeable battery or a replaceable battery is used as a power supply source for driving the radiation image detector. Therefore, when shooting is not performed, it is required to save power by suppressing power supply to each drive unit as much as possible.

  In addition, some members constituting the radiation image detector are deteriorated with time in a state where electric power is supplied, such as photodiodes and TFTs. For this reason, for example, if the power supply state is maintained for such a member when photographing is not performed for a long period of time, the life of the radiation image detector is shortened due to deterioration of these members. There is also.

  On the other hand, if the operator manually switches the operating state of each drive unit of the radiation image detector, the operator has to go back and forth between the radiation generator that generates radiation and the radiation image detector. There is also a problem that it takes.

Therefore, conventionally, it is known to detect whether or not a subject exists and to switch the operating state of each drive unit of the radiation image detector so as to shift to a radiographable state when the subject is present. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-224095 A

  However, when there is a subject, the shooting operation is not always performed immediately, and even if the subject cannot be detected, the shooting operation may be performed immediately thereafter. Depending on the means, there is a problem that the operating state of each drive unit of the radiation image detector cannot be switched efficiently.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and improves work efficiency and power saving by switching the operation state of the radiation image detector without the operator's trouble. An object of the present invention is to provide a radiographic imaging system capable of preventing the degradation of the radiographic image detector by continuously applying a voltage.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a radiation generator that emits radiation,
A radiation image detector for obtaining radiation image information by detecting radiation emitted from the radiation generator;
The radiation image detector has a plurality of drive units, a plurality of operation states in which the respective drive units are operated in different states, detection means for detecting ON / OFF of the power source of the radiation generator, and each drive A power supply source that supplies power to the unit; and a control unit that controls an operating state of each of the drive units in accordance with a detection result of the detection unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the radiographic imaging system according to the first aspect, the radiographic image detector consumes more than the radiographable state in which radiation can be detected and the radiographable state as the operation state. It has a photographing standby state with a small amount of electric power.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the radiographic imaging system according to the second aspect, the radiographic image detector includes at least a photodiode, a thin film transistor, a scan driving circuit, a signal readout circuit, and a communication as the plurality of driving units. Part, image storage part,
The imaging standby state includes at least a first imaging standby mode in which power supply to the signal readout circuit is stopped, and a second imaging standby mode in which power supply to the photodiode and the thin film transistor is stopped. To do.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the radiographic imaging system according to the second or third aspect, when the control unit detects that the power of the radiation generator is ON, the control unit The operation state of each drive unit is controlled so that the radiation image detector is in the photographing enabled state.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the radiographic imaging system according to the second or third aspect, when the control unit detects that the power of the radiation generator is ON, the control unit The operation state of each of the driving units is controlled so that the radiation image detector enters the first imaging standby mode.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the radiographic imaging system according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, the control unit is configured such that the detection means is that the power of the radiation generator is OFF. When detected, the radiographic image detector controls the operating state of each of the drive units so as to be in the imaging standby state.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the radiographic image capturing system according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, the control unit is configured such that the detection means is that the power of the radiation generator is OFF. When detected, the operation state of each drive unit is controlled so that the radiation image detector enters the first imaging standby mode, and after a certain period of time has elapsed in the first imaging standby mode. The operating state of the plurality of driving units is changed so as to be in the second photographing standby mode.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the radiographic imaging system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the radiographic image detector detects the irradiated radiation, and the radiation is converted into an electrical signal. It is a cassette-type flat panel detector that converts and accumulates data and reads out the stored electrical signals to acquire radiation image information.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation state of the radiation image detector is switched by detecting ON / OFF of the power supply of the radiation generator. Therefore, when the radiation generator is turned on and imaging is started, the operation state of the radiation image detector is set to a state in which imaging is possible, and the radiation generator is turned off and imaging is not performed immediately. In an operation state with low power consumption, there is an effect that efficient photographing work can be performed while suppressing wasteful power consumption.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the radiographic image detector has the radiographable state and the radiographing standby state, if the radiation generator is turned on, the radiographic image detector is in the radiographable state, and is turned off. If so, switching to a shooting standby state with low power consumption can be performed. For this reason, the radiation image detector can be kept in the most suitable state in accordance with the use state and the like, and there is an effect that it is possible to perform efficient imaging work while suppressing wasteful power consumption.

  Among members constituting the radiation image detector, in particular, a photodiode, a TFT, and the like require time to be stabilized again in a state suitable for imaging 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. According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to perform more efficient photographing work while suppressing wasteful power consumption by switching the power supply according to the property of each member. Thus, there is an effect that it is possible to realize a long life of the radiation image detector by protecting a member that deteriorates by supplying electric power.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the radiation generator is turned on and imaging is started, the operation state of the radiation image detector is set to a state in which imaging can be performed. Even if the operation state of the device is not manually switched, it is possible to make it possible to shoot only when necessary. For this reason, there is an effect that it is possible to perform efficient photographing work while suppressing wasteful power consumption.

  When the power of the radiation generator is turned on, there is a high possibility that imaging will be started immediately, but imaging may not be started immediately. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the power of the radiation generator is turned on, the first imaging standby mode imaging capable of immediately shifting the operation state of the radiation image detector to the imaging enabled state is performed. Therefore, even if the operator does not manually switch the operation state of the radiation image detector, the operation state according to the situation can be obtained. For this reason, there is an effect that it is possible to perform efficient photographing work while suppressing wasteful power consumption.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, when the radiation generator is turned off and imaging is not started immediately, the radiographic image detector is in an imaging standby state with low power consumption. Even if the operator does not manually switch the operation state of the radiation image detector, the operation state according to the situation can be obtained. For this reason, there is an effect that it is possible to perform efficient photographing work while suppressing wasteful power consumption.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the radiation generator is turned off and imaging is not started immediately, the operation state of the radiation image detector can be immediately shifted to the imaging enabled state. 1 is set to the imaging standby mode, and after a certain period of time has elapsed, the system shifts to the second imaging standby mode with lower power consumption. Therefore, even if the operator does not manually switch the operation state of the radiation image detector, A corresponding operation state can be obtained. For this reason, there is an effect that it is possible to perform efficient photographing work while suppressing wasteful power consumption.

  According to the eighth 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, even if the operator does not manually switch the operation state of the radiation image detector, the radiation image detector can be brought into an operation state according to the situation, so that efficient imaging work can be performed while suppressing wasteful power consumption. There is an effect that it can be performed.

  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.

  A radiographic imaging system 1 according to the present embodiment is a system that is applied in radiographic imaging performed in a hospital or the like, for example, and as shown in FIG. 1, a server 2 that manages various types of information relating to imaging and patients. The radiography apparatus 3 and the radiographic image detector 5 for operating the radiographic image detector 5, the base station 4 for performing communication by a radio communication system such as a wireless local area network (LAN), and the like. A console 6 that performs image processing and the like of the radiation image detected by the detector 5 is connected through a network 7. A radiation generator 10 is connected to the imaging operation device 3 via a cable 8 to irradiate a patient as the subject 9 with radiation and capture a radiation image. The radiation generator 10 and the radiation image detector 5 are installed one by one in one photographing room 11, for example. The radiation generation apparatus 10 in the imaging room 11 is operated by the imaging operation apparatus 3 from outside the imaging room 11, and radiation image information is obtained by detecting radiation emitted from the radiation generation apparatus 10 by the radiation image detector 5. be able to. 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 is illustrated here, the network 7 may be connected to a plurality of imaging operation devices 3, radiation image detectors 5, and consoles 6 that operate the radiation generators 10 in other imaging rooms 11.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2, the photographing operation device 3 includes, for example, a general-purpose CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like (all not shown). The control unit 29 includes a control unit 29. The control unit 29 reads out a predetermined program stored in the ROM, develops it in a work area of the RAM, and the CPU executes various processes according to the program. is there.

  The imaging operation device 3 includes an input operation unit 31 for inputting imaging conditions and various instructions, a display unit 32 for displaying information such as imaging conditions and various instructions, a communication unit 33, and the radiation generator 10. The power supply unit 34 is configured to supply power to the power supply.

  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. To do. In particular, in the present embodiment, an instruction signal for switching on / off the power of the radiation generation apparatus 10 is input from the input operation unit 31.

  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. Note that the communication unit 33 may communicate various information with other external devices.

  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, and the control unit 29 controls the radiation generating apparatus 10 based on these signals. Do.

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

  The radiation generation apparatus 10 is disposed inside the imaging room 11 and has a radiation source 12. When a tube voltage is applied to the radiation source 12, radiation is generated. 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 generator 10 and transmitted through the subject 9, and acquires a radiation image. It arrange | positions in the irradiation range of the irradiated radiation. 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 radiographic image detector 5 may be provided below the bed, and the radiographic 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. 3 to 6.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the radiation image detector 5 includes a housing 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. 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. 4 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a photoelectric conversion unit for one pixel constituting the signal detection unit 151.

  As shown in FIG. 4, 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 electric energy accumulated in the photodiode 152 as an electric signal by switching. It consists of and. The extracted electrical signal is amplified by the amplifier 154 to a level that can be detected by the signal readout circuit 237. 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. 5 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 supply 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 a scanning drive circuit 236. Similarly, the photodiodes 152 arranged in each column are connected to a signal readout circuit 237 connected to a common signal line Lr and controlled by the control unit 27. In the signal readout circuit 237, 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 23.

  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. 3, 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 16 accumulates 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, and a charge amount detection that constitute the radiation image detector 5. A power supply source 21 that supplies power to a unit (not shown), an indicator 25 (described later), an input operation unit 26 (described later), the imaging panel 15 and the like is provided.

  Examples of the power supply source 21 include various batteries such as 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, and a lead battery; The battery includes a rechargeable battery such as a battery, a lithium ion battery, a small sealed lead battery, a lead storage battery, a fuel battery, and a solar battery.

  The shape of the power supply source 21 is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. 3. For example, the voltage supply source 21 formed in a plate shape may be provided in parallel with the imaging panel 15. By forming the voltage supply source 21 in such a shape, the area of the imaging panel 15 can be increased, and the imageable area can be widened.

  Also, an indicator 25 that displays the remaining amount of power of the power supply source 21 and various operation statuses is provided at one end of the surface of the housing 14. The operator can visually check the remaining amount of power of the power supply source 21 of the radiation image detector 5 with this indicator 25.

  An input operation unit 26 is provided outside the housing 14 so that an operator such as a radiologist can input and set imaging conditions, patient identification information, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the radiation image detector 5 includes, for example, a general-purpose CPU (not shown) and a control unit configured by a storage unit 35 including a ROM, a RAM, and the like (all not shown). A control device 28 having a unit 27 is provided. The control unit 27 reads a predetermined program stored in the ROM and develops it in a work area of the RAM, and the CPU executes various processes according to the program.

  The radiation image detector 5 is provided with a communication unit 24 that transmits and receives various signals to and from external devices such as the imaging operation device 3 and the console 6. The communication unit 24 transfers, for example, an image signal output from the imaging panel 15 to the console 6, a signal indicating whether the power of the radiation generator 10 transmitted from the imaging operation device 3 is ON or OFF, the console 6, and the like. The imaging start signal transmitted from is received. In the present embodiment, the control unit 27 functions as a detection unit that detects the ON / OFF state of the power supply of the radiation generation apparatus 10, and the fact that the power supply of the radiation generation apparatus 10 has been turned ON from the imaging operation apparatus 3. When the signal is transmitted, it is detected that the power of the radiation generator 10 is turned on, and when the signal that the power of the radiation generator 10 is turned off is transmitted, the power of the radiation generator 10 is turned off. It detects that it became.

  The information input from the input operation unit 26 and the signal 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 signal.

  In addition, the control unit 27 appropriately supplies power from the power supply source 21 to each drive unit of the radiographic image detector 5, so that the radiographic image detector 5 is in accordance with the situation among the following operation states. Control to achieve an appropriate 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 operating state of the radiation image detector 5 depending on whether the power of the radiation generator 10 sent from the imaging operation device 3 is ON or OFF. It has become.

  Here, the imaging possible state is a state in which all the driving units used for a series of imaging operations among members constituting the radiation image detector 5 are operating, that is, the scanning driving circuit 16, the signal readout circuit 17, A state where 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 photodiode 152, the TFT 153, the image storage unit 18, and the communication unit 24. It is possible to perform various operations such as initialization of image information, accumulation of electric energy generated according to irradiated radiation, reading of electric signals, and transfer of image signals as a series of photographing operations. State. 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. There is a second shooting standby mode that consumes less power than the first shooting standby mode.

  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 power consumption cannot be performed immediately and power consumption is very low.

  Further, the radiological image detector 5 is provided with time measuring means 40 for measuring an elapsed time since the operation state of the radiological image detector 5 is changed to the first imaging standby mode. The time measuring means 40 starts counting elapsed time when the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 is in the first imaging standby mode, and resets the count when the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 is switched.

  The elapsed time detected by the time measuring means 40 is sent to the control unit 27 as an electric signal. The storage unit 35 of the control unit 27 stores in advance a table in which the elapsed time since the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 has changed to the first imaging standby mode and the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 are associated with each other. The control unit 27 switches the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 when the elapsed time detected by the time measuring means 40 becomes equal to or greater than a certain value while reading and referring to this table.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the console 6 includes a control device 62 having a control unit 61 composed of, for example, a general-purpose CPU, ROM, RAM, or the like (all not shown). 61 is configured such that a predetermined program stored in the ROM is read out and expanded in a work area of the RAM, and the CPU executes various processes according to the program.

  The console 6 is a communication unit that transmits and receives signals to and from external devices such as an input operation unit 63 for inputting various instructions and the like, a display unit 64 for displaying images and various messages, and the radiation image detector 5. Part 65 and the like.

  The input operation unit 63 includes, for example, an operation panel, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and outputs to the control unit 61 a key press signal pressed by the operation panel or the keyboard or an operation signal from the mouse as an input signal. To do.

  The communication unit 65 communicates various information with the radiation image detector 5 through the base station 4 by a wireless communication method such as a wireless LAN.

  The control unit 61 receives a signal input from the input operation unit 63, a signal received from the outside via the communication unit 65, and the like. Further, for example, the control unit 61 performs predetermined image processing based on the radiation image information detected by the radiation image detector 5 to obtain a thumbnail image or a radiation image desired by a doctor or the like.

  The display unit 64 includes, for example, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and the like, and in accordance with instructions of a display signal output from the control unit 61, a radiation image such as a thumbnail image or an input Various types of information such as various types of information input from the unit operation unit 63 are displayed.

  Next, the operation of the radiographic image capturing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  When starting radiographic image capturing, the operator inputs an instruction to turn on the radiation generating device 10 from the input operation unit 32 of the imaging operation device 3. Thereby, the power supply of the radiation generator 10 is turned on and preparation for imaging is completed. The fact that the power of the radiation generator 10 has been turned on is transmitted from the imaging operation device 3 to the radiation image detector 5 via the communication unit 33 in a wired or wireless manner. The control unit 27 of the radiation image detector 5 detects that the radiation generator 10 is turned on when a signal indicating that the radiation generator 10 is turned on is transmitted from the imaging operation device 3. The power supply from the power supply source 21 to each drive unit is controlled so that the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 is switched as necessary.

That is, for example, when the radiographic image detector 5 is in a radiographable state when a signal to the effect that the power of the radiation generator 10 is turned on is transmitted from the radiographing operation device 3, the control unit 27 The power supply from the power supply source 21 to each drive unit is controlled so that the image detector 5 maintains the photographing enabled state.
In this case, when the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 is transmitted to the imaging operation device 3 in advance and the imaging operation device 3 knows that the radiation image detector 5 is in an imaging enabled state, the imaging operation device 3 Therefore, it is preferable not to transmit a signal indicating that the power of the radiation generator 10 is turned on to the radiation image detector 5.

Thereafter, when a signal indicating that the power of the radiation generating apparatus 10 has been turned off is received due to the end of imaging or the like, the control unit 27 first sets the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 to the first imaging standby mode. Then, the power supply from the power supply source 21 to each drive unit is controlled so that the second photographing standby mode is set after a predetermined time has elapsed. In this case, the elapsed time after the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 becomes the first imaging standby mode is counted by the time measuring means 40, and a signal that a predetermined time has elapsed is sent to the control unit 27. Then, the control unit 27 switches the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 from the first imaging standby mode to the second imaging standby mode.
If a signal indicating that the power of the radiation generating apparatus 10 is turned off is received, the second imaging standby mode may be directly entered instead of the first imaging standby mode. For example, whether the radiographic image detector 5 is used is set to the first imaging standby mode and then the mode is shifted to the second imaging standby mode after a certain period of time or the second imaging standby mode is set directly. Etc. can be set by the operator.

  Next, for example, when the radiation image detector 5 is in the first imaging standby mode when a signal indicating that the power of the radiation generation apparatus 10 is turned on is transmitted from the imaging operation apparatus 3, the control unit 27 controls the power supply from the power supply source 21 to each drive unit so that the radiographic image detector 5 is ready for imaging.

When the radiographic image detector 5 is in the first imaging standby mode and receives a signal indicating that the power of the radiation generator 10 is turned off, the control unit 27 causes the radiographic image detector 5 to The power supply from the power supply source 21 to each drive unit is controlled so as to maintain the first photographing standby state.
In this case, when the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 is transmitted to the imaging operation device 3 in advance and the imaging operation device 3 knows that the radiation image detector 5 is in the first imaging standby state, imaging is performed. It is preferable not to transmit a signal to the effect that the power of the radiation generator 10 has been turned off from the operation device 3 to the radiation image detector 5.
Note that when the radiation image detector 5 is in the first imaging standby mode and receives a signal indicating that the radiation generator 10 is turned off, the control unit 27 operates the radiation image detector 5 in an operating state. May be set to the second photographing standby mode. Whether to maintain the first imaging standby mode or to switch to the second imaging standby mode can be set by the operator depending on, for example, the usage status of the radiation image detector 5.

Furthermore, for example, when the radiographic image detector 5 is in the second imaging standby mode when a signal indicating that the power of the radiation generating apparatus 10 is turned on is transmitted from the imaging operation apparatus 3, the control unit 27 Controls the power supply from the power supply source 21 to each drive unit so that the radiation image detector 5 is ready for imaging.
When the radiographic image detector 5 is in the second imaging standby mode and receives a signal indicating that the radiation generator 10 is turned on, the control unit 27 operates the radiographic image detector 5 in an operating state. May be set to the first photographing standby mode. In this case, it may be possible to shift to a photographing ready state after a predetermined time from the first photographing standby mode. In this case, the elapsed time after the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 is changed to the first imaging standby mode is counted by the time measuring means 40, and a signal indicating that a predetermined time has elapsed is sent to the control unit 27. , The control unit 27 switches the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 from the first imaging standby mode to the imaging enabled state.
When a signal indicating that the power is turned on is received, the camera is set in the shooting ready state, the first shooting standby mode is set, or the first shooting standby mode is set, and then the state is shifted to the shooting ready state. This can be set by the operator depending on the usage status of the radiation image detector 5, for example.

When the radiographic image detector 5 is in the second imaging standby mode and receives a signal indicating that the power of the radiation generator 10 is turned off, the control unit 27 causes the radiographic image detector 5 to The power supply from the power supply source 21 to each drive unit is controlled so as to maintain the second photographing standby state.
In this case, when the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 is transmitted to the imaging operation device 3 in advance and the imaging operation device 3 knows that the radiation image detector 5 is in the second imaging standby state, imaging is performed. It is preferable not to transmit a signal to the effect that the power of the radiation generator 10 has been turned off from the operation device 3 to the radiation image detector 5.

  Note that when the signal indicating that the radiation generator 10 is turned on or off is transmitted from the imaging operation device 3, the control unit 27 may immediately switch the operation state of the radiation image detector 5. Alternatively, the operation state may be switched after a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the signal.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 is switched according to the signal indicating that the power of the radiation generator 10 transmitted from the imaging operation device 3 is turned on or off. When no shooting is performed, the power consumption can be reduced, and when shooting is performed, the shooting can be performed. Accordingly, it is possible to perform an efficient photographing operation while suppressing wasteful power consumption and protecting members that deteriorate due to power supply.

  In particular, the radiographic image detector 5 has two radiographing standby states in addition to the radiographable state as an operation state, and by not supplying power to the photodiode 152 and the TFT 153 when radiography is not performed immediately, Deterioration of the photodiode 152 and the TFT 153 can be prevented and the life of the radiation image detector 5 can be extended. In addition, since power is not supplied to the signal readout circuit 17 or the like that consumes much power in the shooting standby state, power consumption can be reduced, and even when a rechargeable battery or the like is used as a power supply source, more power can be taken while suppressing power consumption. It becomes.

  Furthermore, since the control unit 27 of the radiation image detector 5 appropriately switches the operation state based on the signal indicating that the power of the radiation generator 10 transmitted from the imaging operation device 3 is turned ON or OFF, the operation of the operator Therefore, the operation state according to the situation can be obtained, and the working efficiency can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, there are two types of shooting standby states. However, the shooting standby mode is not limited to the two types illustrated here, and for example, other than the image storage unit 18 and the communication unit 24. On the other hand, there may be a plurality of types of modes such as an imaging standby mode in which power supply is all stopped. Further, only one of the two shooting standby modes illustrated in the present embodiment may be provided.

  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.

  In the present embodiment, the radiation generation apparatus 10 is operated by the imaging operation apparatus 3, but the radiation generation 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 this case, a power ON / OFF signal of the radiation generator 10 may be sent from the console 6 to the radiation image detector 5.

  In this embodiment, the power ON / OFF signal of the radiation generator 10 is sent from the imaging operation device 3. However, the power ON / OFF signal of the radiation generator 10 is transmitted from the radiation generator 10 to the radiation. It may be sent to the image detector 5.

  In the present embodiment, the input operation unit 26 is provided outside the housing 14 of the radiographic image detector 5, but the radiographic image detector 5 may be configured not to include the input operation unit.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 27 controls all of the drive units constituting the radiation image detector 5 such as the scanning drive circuit 16, the signal readout circuit 17, and the communication unit 24 in addition to the power supply source 21. However, each control unit such as the power supply source 21, the scanning drive circuit 16, the signal readout circuit 17, the communication unit 24, and the like may be controlled by separate control units.

It is a figure showing the schematic structure which illustrates one embodiment of a radiographic imaging system concerning the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the imaging operation apparatus which comprises the radiographic imaging system of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part structure of the radiographic image detector which concerns on this embodiment. It is an equivalent circuit block diagram for 1 pixel of the photoelectric conversion part which comprises a signal detection part. FIG. 5 is an equivalent circuit configuration diagram in which the photoelectric conversion units illustrated in FIG. 4 are two-dimensionally arranged. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the radiographic image detector which concerns on this embodiment. 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 device 4 Base station 5 Radiation image detector 6 Console 7 Network 10 Radiation generation device 16 Scan drive circuit 17 Signal read-out circuit 18 Image storage part 21 Power supply source 24 Communication part 26 Input operation part 27 Control Unit 152 Photodiode 153 TFT

Claims (8)

A radiation generator for emitting radiation;
A radiation image detector for obtaining radiation image information by detecting radiation emitted from the radiation generator;
The radiation image detector has a plurality of drive units, a plurality of operation states in which the respective drive units are operated in different states, detection means for detecting ON / OFF of the power source of the radiation generator, and each drive A radiographic imaging system comprising: a power supply source that supplies power to the unit; and a control unit that controls an operating state of each of the driving units according to a detection result of the detection unit.   2. The radiation according to claim 1, wherein the radiation image detector has, as the operation state, an imaging enabled state in which radiation can be detected and an imaging standby state with less power consumption than the imaging enabled state. Image shooting system. The radiation image detector includes at least a photodiode, a thin film transistor, a scanning drive circuit, a signal readout circuit, a communication unit, and an image storage unit as the plurality of drive units,
The imaging standby state includes at least a first imaging standby mode in which power supply to the signal readout circuit is stopped, and a second imaging standby mode in which power supply to the photodiode and the thin film transistor is stopped. The radiographic imaging system according to claim 2.   The control unit is configured to control an operation state of each of the driving units so that the radiographic image detector is in the imaging enabled state when the detection unit detects that the power of the radiation generation apparatus is ON. The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 2, wherein the radiographic image capturing system is provided.   The control unit controls an operating state of each driving unit so that the radiographic image detector is in the first imaging standby mode when the detection unit detects that the power of the radiation generation apparatus is ON. The radiographic imaging system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein   The control unit is configured to control an operation state of each driving unit so that the radiation image detector enters the imaging standby state when the detection unit detects that the power of the radiation generation apparatus is OFF. The radiographic imaging system according to claim 2, wherein the radiographic imaging system is provided.   When the detection unit detects that the power of the radiation generator is OFF, the control unit controls the operating state of each driving unit so that the radiation image detector is in the first imaging standby mode. The operating states of the plurality of drive units are changed so that the second photographing standby mode is entered after a lapse of a certain time in the state after entering the first photographing standby mode. The radiographic imaging system according to any one of claims 2 to 6.   The radiation image detector is a cassette-type flat panel detector that detects irradiated radiation, converts the radiation into an electrical signal, stores the radiation, reads the stored electrical signal, and acquires radiation image information. The radiographic imaging system according to claim 1, wherein:

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