JP2007333383A - 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 which, when photographing using a radiographic image detector requiring battery charging or replacing, allows the radiographic image detector to be in an optimum operating condition after battery charging or replacing. <P>SOLUTION: The radiographic image detector 5 for obtaining radiographic image information by detecting irradiated radiation comprises a rechargeable battery 21 which is rechargeable or replaceable and supplies electric power to various parts, a control section 27 for controlling the electric power supply from the rechargeable battery 21, and a condition storage section 35 for storing the operating condition of the rechargeable battery 21 immediately before charging or replacing the rechargeable battery 21. The control section 27 controls the electric power supply from the rechargeable battery 21 so that the operating condition stored in the condition storage section 35 is achieved when the charging or replacing of the battery is completed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiographic image detector and a radiographic imaging system, and more particularly, a radiographic image detector that can be used repeatedly by charging or replacing a battery, and a radiographic imaging system to which such a radiographic image detector is applied. It is about.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the field of radiography for 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. Further, in recent radiographic imaging systems, a so-called “Flat Panel Detector” (hereinafter referred to as “FPD”), which is a thin flat plate having a large number of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a matrix, is used. 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 it 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.

In such a cassette-type radiographic image detector, it is necessary to provide a power source for driving the radiographic image detector, and a configuration including a built-in battery, a removable battery, and the like is conceivable. In fact, there is known a battery that includes a detachable battery as a power source, and that can be used repeatedly by replacing the battery with a new one as appropriate (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-181942 A

  However, it is not known when it will be necessary to charge or replace the battery. For example, if the battery charge level is insufficient when the camera is brought up to a ready state for shooting, the battery is charged or replaced. It is inconvenient for an operator who performs imaging such as a radiographer to perform setting so that the imaging can be performed again later, and there is a problem that rapid imaging cannot be performed.

  On the other hand, if the state in which power is always supplied to all the parts of the radiation image detector is maintained, the amount of power consumption increases. Furthermore, some members constituting the radiation image detector deteriorate with time in a state where electric power is supplied, such as a photodiode or a TFT. For this reason, for example, if the power supply state is maintained for such a member when imaging is not performed for a long period of time, the life of the radiation image detector is shortened due to deterioration of these members. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the amount of power to be supplied as much as possible when shooting is rarely performed, such as at night, and this was done when the battery was charged or replaced in such a power-saving operating state. Sometimes, it is preferable to keep the operating state of the radiation image detector even after the battery is charged or replaced. In addition, when shooting is frequently performed during the daytime or the like, it is preferable to switch to a state in which shooting can be performed as quickly as possible after the battery is charged or replaced.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and when performing imaging using a radiation image detector that needs to be charged or replaced, after charging or replacing the battery. It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiographic image detector and a radiographic imaging system that can bring the radiographic image detector into an optimal operating state.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a radiological image detector that detects radiation and obtains radiographic image information.
A power supply source having a rechargeable or replaceable battery and supplying power to a plurality of driving units;
A control unit for controlling power supply from the power supply source;
Comprising state storage means for storing an operation state immediately before charging or replacement of the battery,
The controller is configured to change the operating state of each of the driving units so that the operating state stored in the state storage unit is obtained when charging or replacement of the battery is completed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the charging or replacement of the battery serving as the power supply source is completed, the control unit controls each of the power supply sources so that the operation state immediately before the battery charging or replacement is performed. The power supply to the drive unit is controlled.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the radiological image detector according to the first aspect, the operation state is either a photographing ready state or a photographing standby state with less power consumption than the photographing capable state. It is characterized by.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the operation state immediately before charging or exchanging the battery includes a photographing ready state or a photographing standby state in which the power consumption is less than that in the photographing capable state.

The radiation image detector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the radiation image detector according to claim 1 has a plurality of imaging standby modes with different power consumption amounts as the imaging standby state.
The control unit is configured to change an operating state of each driving unit for each photographing standby mode.

  According to the third 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 appropriately changes the operating state of each drive unit according to each shooting standby mode. It has become.

  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 performs the plurality of operations while charging or replacing the battery. The operating state of each of the drive units is changed so that the shooting standby mode with the least power consumption among the shooting standby modes is achieved.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, while the battery is being charged or replaced, the control unit changes the operating state of each driving unit so as to be in the shooting standby mode with the least power consumption. It has become.

  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 fifth aspects of the present invention using the console.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the radiographic imaging system according to the sixth aspect, the radiographic image detector communicates with the console, and the remaining battery level, the charging of the battery, or A communication unit is provided that can transmit at least one of completion of replacement and an operation state of the radiation image detector to the console.

  According to invention of Claim 7, a radiographic image detector communicates between consoles by a communication means, and the remaining state of a battery, the completion of charge or exchange of a battery, the operation state of a radiographic image detector At least one of them is sent to the console.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the radiographic imaging system according to the seventh aspect, the console transmits the battery remaining state, completion of charging or replacement of the battery, and the radiation transmitted from the communication unit. A display unit capable of displaying at least one of the operation states of the image detector is provided.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, at least one of the remaining battery level transmitted from the communication means of the radiographic image detector, the completion of charging or replacement of the battery, and the operating status of the radiographic image detector. Is displayed on the display unit.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the charging or replacement of the battery is completed, the operation state of the radiation image detector is set to a state immediately before charging or replacing the rechargeable battery. For example, if charging or the like is required during shooting, the camera is ready to shoot after charging is completed, and if it is in shooting standby mode, it returns to the same operating state after charging is completed. Even if the operation state of the radiation image detector is not grasped and set, there is an effect that it is possible to perform efficient photographing work while suppressing unnecessary power consumption and preventing deterioration of the members as necessary.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, since there is a radiographable state or radiographing standby state as an operation state of the radiographic image detector immediately before charging or exchanging the rechargeable battery, You can take that preparation. For this reason, even in the case of a radiographic image detector using a rechargeable battery that needs to be charged or exchanged as appropriate, there is an effect that an efficient photographing operation can be performed.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the photographing standby state has a plurality of photographing standby modes. For this reason, after completing the charging or replacement of the battery, the radiological image detector can be put in the most suitable state according to the usage status, etc., and efficient photographing work can be performed while suppressing wasteful power consumption. There is an effect that can be.

  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. In addition, it is preferable to suppress power consumption by stopping power supply as much as possible for a member having a particularly large amount of power consumption 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.

  The radiation image detector incorporates a member that consumes much power, such as a signal readout circuit. There are also members such as photodiodes and TFTs that have the property of deteriorating over time when the power supply state is maintained. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to minimize the power consumption during the period in which the photographing is not performed while the battery is being charged or replaced, and the power supply to the photodiode and the TFT can be performed. Since the operation is stopped, it is possible to reduce power consumption and prevent deterioration of photodiodes, TFTs, and the like.

  In addition, when the power supply is completely stopped, a signal from an external device cannot be received, and when imaging is started again, a radiographer or other operator who performs imaging performs a radiation image detector. However, if the power consumption is set to a mode that minimizes power consumption, the power supply to the power consuming components such as signal readout circuits, photodiodes, TFTs, etc. The communication unit is in a state where power is supplied. For this reason, it is also possible to receive a signal from an external device while charging or replacing the battery, and immediately switch to the next shooting after charging or replacing the battery, reducing work efficiency. There is no.

  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. Even when such a radiographic image detector is used for imaging, it is useless because the radiographic image detector is placed in an imaging state or an imaging standby state in accordance with the usage state after the battery is charged or replaced. There is an effect that it is possible to perform efficient photographing work while suppressing power consumption.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, when the charging or replacement of the battery is completed, the operation state of the radiation image detector is in a state immediately before charging or replacing the rechargeable battery. For example, if charging or the like is required during shooting, the camera is ready to shoot after charging is completed, and if it is in shooting standby mode, it returns to the same operating state after charging is completed. Even if the operation state of the radiation image detector is not grasped and set, there is an effect that it is possible to perform efficient photographing work while suppressing unnecessary power consumption and preventing deterioration of the members as necessary.

  According to the invention described in claim 7, since the remaining battery level of the radiographic image detector, the completion of charging or replacement of the battery, and the operating status of the radiographic image detector are transmitted to the console, Information about the state of the radiation image detector can be collected and grasped at the console. For this reason, there exists an effect that it is convenient when managing a radiographic image detector collectively by a console.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the battery remaining state of the radiation image detector, the completion of charging or replacement of the battery, and the operation state of the radiation image detector can be displayed on the display unit. However, the information regarding the state of the radiation image detector can be easily confirmed on the console, which is advantageous when the radiation image detector is collectively managed by the console.

  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 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. 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 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. 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 read-only memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a flash memory. The image storage unit 18 is output from the imaging panel 15. The stored image signal is stored. 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 rechargeable battery 21 is provided as a power supply source for supplying 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.

  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.

  A terminal 22 for charging is formed at one end of the housing 14. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the radiation image detector 5 is attached to a charging device 23 such as a cradle connected to an external power source (not shown). By doing so, a terminal (not shown) on the charging device 23 side and a terminal 22 on the housing side are connected, and the rechargeable battery 21 is charged. 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.

  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. For example, the communication unit 24 transfers an image signal output from the imaging panel 15 to the console 6 or receives a shooting start signal transmitted from the console 6 or the like.

  Further, an indicator 25 for displaying the charging status of the rechargeable battery 21 and various operation statuses is provided at one end of the surface of the housing 14, so that the operator can charge the rechargeable battery 21 of the radiation image detector 5. Can be visually confirmed.

  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, various instructions, and the like. The contents that can be input from the input operation unit 26 are not limited to those exemplified here.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the radiation image detector 5 includes a control device 28 having a control unit 27 configured by, for example, a general-purpose CPU, ROM, RAM, or the like (all not shown). The control unit 27 reads out a predetermined program stored in the ROM, develops it in the work area of the RAM, and the CPU 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.

The control unit 27 controls the power supply from the rechargeable battery 21 to change the operation state of the radiation image detector 5.

  In the present embodiment, the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 includes an imaging enabled state and two imaging standby states that consume less power than the imaging state, and is set in advance by operating the input operation unit 26. It can be done. The control unit 27 supplies power from the rechargeable battery 21 to each drive unit so as to control the operation state of each drive unit so that the radiation image detector 5 is in the operation state set by the input operation unit 26. It has become.

  The imaging possible state is a state in which all the driving units used for a series of imaging operations among the members constituting the radiation image detector 5 are operating, that is, the scanning driving circuit 16, the signal readout circuit 17, and the photodiode 152. The TFT 153, the image storage unit 18, and the communication unit 24 are in a state where power is supplied to all of the driving units used for a series of imaging operations, and initialization of image information and irradiation radiation that are a series of imaging operations. It is possible to perform various operations such as accumulation of electric energy generated according to the above, reading of an electric signal, and transfer of an image signal. In the initialization, the reset operation and the idle reading operation in the imaging panel 15 are performed.

  In the present embodiment, the shooting standby state includes a first shooting standby mode that consumes less power than the shooting enabled state, and a second shooting standby mode that consumes less power than the first shooting standby mode. It is selectable.

  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.

  Whether or not the radiation image detector 5 is set to the operation state among these operation states can be selected and set from an external device such as the input operation unit 26 or the console 6. Further, it may be set in advance so that the operation state is automatically switched according to the elapsed time since the shooting was performed. That is, when a certain period of time elapses after shooting, the first shooting standby mode may be set first, and when the fixed time elapses in that state, the second shooting standby mode may be set. Further, for example, the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 may be automatically switched depending on which time zone of the day. In other words, there is a high possibility that continuous shooting will be performed during the daytime, while shooting is not performed for a while at night. Therefore, for example, the first shooting standby mode is set between 6 am and 6 pm until shooting starts, and the second shooting standby is set between 6 pm and 6 am. You may enable it to set beforehand so that it may become a mode.

  Whether the radiation image detector 5 is in one of these operating states is transmitted to the console 6 by the control unit 27 via the communication unit 24 as needed.

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

  Further, when the control unit 27 determines that the charge amount of the rechargeable battery 21 is reduced to a predetermined level or less based on the detection result by the charge amount detection means and needs to be charged, the fact is notified via the communication unit 24. This signal is transmitted to the console 6. Further, when it is determined that charging of the rechargeable battery 21 is completed based on the detection result by the charge amount detection means, the control unit 27 notifies the fact via the communication unit 24 and the radiation image detector 5 after charging is completed. The information regarding the operation state and the like is transmitted to the console 6 as an electrical signal. Note that the charge amount of the rechargeable battery 21 may be transmitted to the console 6 via the communication unit 24 as needed.

  The radiation image detector 5 is a state storage unit 35 including a rewritable dedicated memory such as a flash memory as state storage means for storing the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 immediately before charging the rechargeable battery 21. It has. Although the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 is stored in the RAM or the like of the control unit 27 as needed, the terminal 22 of the radiation image detector 5 is connected to the terminal of the charging device 23 and the rechargeable battery 21 When charging is started, the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 immediately before charging the rechargeable battery 21 stored in the RAM is stored in the state storage unit 35.

  When it is determined that charging of the rechargeable battery 21 is completed based on the detection result by the charge amount detection means, the control unit 27 stores the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 immediately before charging the rechargeable battery 21 in this state. The power is supplied from the rechargeable battery 21 to each part of the radiation image detector 5 so as to be in the same operation state as the operation state read out from the unit 35 and the radiation image detector 5 is read out, and the operation state of each drive unit is controlled. It is like that.

  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 readout circuit 17 that reads out the electrical 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. 4, the console 6 includes a control device 30 having a control unit 29 configured by, 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 in accordance with instructions of a display signal output from the control unit 29, a radiographic image such as a thumbnail image or an input Various information such as various information input from the unit is displayed. In the present embodiment, in addition to the radiation image information sent from the radiation image detector 5, the display unit 32 has a charge amount of the rechargeable battery 21 of the radiation image detector 5 and whether or not charging of the rechargeable battery 21 has been completed. In addition, various types of information sent via the communication unit 24 of the radiation image detector 5 such as the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 are displayed. In addition, the content displayed on the display part 32 is not limited to what was illustrated here, More information may be displayed. Also, not all of the examples illustrated here may be displayed, and at least one of these may be displayed.

  The communication unit 33 communicates various information with the radiation image detector 5 via 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, the control unit 29 performs a predetermined image processing based on, for example, 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.

  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.

  When the charge amount detection means detects that the charge amount of the rechargeable battery 21 of the radiation image detector 5 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount necessary for photographing and the like, a signal to that effect is sent to the control unit 27. The unit 27 displays the fact on the indicator 25 and transmits it to the console 6. When the console 6 receives a signal from the control unit 27, the console 6 warns the operator by displaying on the display unit 32 that the rechargeable battery 21 needs to be charged. The charging amount of the rechargeable battery 21 may be sent as a signal to the console 6 as needed, and the charging amount of the rechargeable battery 21 may be displayed on the display unit 32 as needed based on the sent signal.

  When the operator places the radiation image detector 5 on the charging device 23 in order to charge the rechargeable battery 21 in response to the display of the indicator 25 or the warning from the console 6, the terminal of the charging device 23 and the radiation image are displayed. The terminal 22 of the detector 5 is electrically connected and charging of the rechargeable battery 21 is started.

  The operation state of the radiation image detector 5 is stored in the RAM or the like of the control unit 27 as needed, and the terminal 22 of the radiation image detector 5 is connected to the terminal of the charging device 23 to charge the rechargeable battery 21. Is started, the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 immediately before charging the rechargeable battery 21 stored in the RAM is stored in the state storage unit 35.

  During charging, the control unit 27 supplies power from the rechargeable battery 21 only to the image storage unit 18 and the communication unit 24 so that the radiation image detector 5 enters the second imaging standby mode in which the power consumption is the lowest. To control the operating state of each drive unit.

  When the charging of the rechargeable battery 21 is completed, the control unit 27 transmits a message to that effect to the console 6. Further, the control unit 27 reads out the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 immediately before charging the rechargeable battery 21 from the state storage unit 35 and is necessary for each unit from the rechargeable battery 21 so as to be the same operation state as this operation state. Power is supplied and the operating state of each drive unit is controlled. That is, when the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 immediately before charging is a state in which imaging is possible, the control unit 27 supplies power from the rechargeable battery 21 to all the driving units used for a series of imaging operations. Let In the first photographing standby mode, the control unit 27 supplies power 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. Supply. Furthermore, when it is in the second photographing standby mode, the control unit 27 supplies power from the rechargeable battery 21 to the image storage unit 18 and the communication unit 24. When the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 is the operation state immediately before charging the rechargeable battery 21, the control unit 27 transmits that fact to the console 6 via the communication unit 24.

  The console 6 includes the radiographic image information obtained by the radiographic image detector 5, whether or not the charging of the rechargeable battery 21 is completed, the operating state of the radiographic image detector 5, and the rechargeable battery 21 of the radiographic image detector 5. Various information such as the amount of charge is sent from the control unit 27 of the radiation image detector 5 via the communication unit 24 as needed, and the information is appropriately displayed on the display unit 32.

  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. When imaging is started and radiation is emitted 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 is stored 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.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when charging or replacement of the rechargeable battery is completed, power is supplied so as to be in an operation state immediately before charging or replacement. The operation state corresponding to the usage status of the radiation image detector 5 can be kept without performing the operation again. Therefore, when it is necessary to charge or replace the rechargeable battery 21 in the photographing enabled state, photographing can be performed immediately after charging or replacement, and the first photographing is not used for photographing at night or the like. When charging or exchanging while in standby mode, the first imaging standby mode is entered again after charging or exchanging, so that when it is not scheduled to be used, it is possible to take a picture accidentally and useless power is consumed. There is no fear that power is supplied to the photodiode 152 or the TFT 153 to promote deterioration of these members.

  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. It may be possible to select a plurality of types of modes such as a photographing standby mode in which power supply is started earlier than other members only for the photodiode 152 and the TFT 153 that take time to increase. Further, only one of the two shooting standby modes illustrated in the present embodiment may be provided.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the operation state immediately before charging is always performed after the charging of the rechargeable battery 21 is completed. However, for example, immediately before charging of the rechargeable battery 21 stored in the state storage unit 35 is performed. When the operation state of the radiation image detector 5 is the second imaging standby mode, when the communication unit 24 receives an imaging start signal instructing the imaging start from an external device such as a console, the second imaging standby mode The power may be sequentially supplied from the rechargeable battery 21 to each drive unit so as to switch from the first to the first shooting standby mode and further to the shooting ready state step by step. Similarly, when the operation state immediately before charging is the first shooting standby mode, when a shooting start signal is received, each drive unit is sequentially switched so as to switch from the first shooting standby mode to the shooting ready state. Electric power may be supplied from the rechargeable battery 21.

  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.

  When the replaceable battery or the replaceable rechargeable battery 21 is used as the power supply source as described above, for example, the operator takes out the battery or the rechargeable battery 21 from the radiation image detector 5 for replacement. During the operation, the power of the radiation image detector 5 is turned off, and when the battery replacement is completed, power is supplied to each drive unit so that the radiation image detector 5 is in an operation state immediately before the battery replacement. In this case, for example, by providing a switch for switching the power ON / OFF in the housing 14 and operating this switch, the operation state immediately before the battery replacement is first stored in the state storage unit 35, and then the power is turned OFF. To. Further, the power is turned on / off by a signal from the console 6 or the like, and when the power off signal is received from the console 6 or the like, the operation state immediately before battery replacement is stored in the state storage unit 35, and then the power is turned off. It may be like this. Further, for example, when a cover of a storage unit that stores the battery or the rechargeable battery 21 is opened in order to take out the battery or the rechargeable battery 21 from the housing 14, that fact is detected by a sensor, a mechanical switch, or the like, and this detection result is detected by the control unit. 27, the operation state immediately before the battery replacement may be stored in the state storage unit 35, and then the power may be turned off. In addition, when the usage environment of the radiation image detector 5 is an environment in which imaging is frequently performed, the radiographic image detector 5 may be set to shift to an imaging enabled state upon completion of battery replacement. Further, when a usage environment with a low imaging frequency is assumed, it may be set to shift to the second imaging standby mode when the battery replacement is completed.

  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. By providing a spare power source in addition to the replaceable battery or the replaceable rechargeable battery 21, it is possible to supply at least the minimum power to the radiation image detector 5 while the battery or the rechargeable battery 21 is being replaced. Thus, image information stored in the image storage unit 18 is not accidentally erased, and a signal from an external device such as the console 6 cannot be received.

In the present embodiment, while the rechargeable battery 21 is being charged, the second shooting standby mode in which power is supplied from the rechargeable battery 21 only to the image storage unit 18 and the communication unit 24 is set. The operation state of the radiation image detector 5 during the charging of 21 is not limited to this. While the rechargeable battery 21 is being charged, it is preferable to be in an operating state with low power consumption, and in particular, it is an operating state with the least power consumption in which power is supplied only to the drive unit that should maintain the minimum power supply. It is preferable.
However, for example, when it is desirable to maintain the operating state before charging depending on the usage situation, the operating state before charging may be maintained even during charging.
It should be noted that even when a replaceable battery or a replaceable rechargeable battery is provided as a power supply source as described above and power can be supplied from a standby power source during battery replacement, radiation during battery replacement can also be obtained. It is the same that the operation state of the image detector 5 is not limited to the second photographing standby mode.

  In addition, although the charging device 23 such as a cradle is used to charge the rechargeable battery 21, it is charged by receiving power from an external power source by connecting a cord to the terminal of the radiation image detector 5. You may make it do. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which charges with the rechargeable battery taken out from the radiation image detector 5.

  In the present embodiment, power is supplied from the rechargeable battery 21 to each drive unit during and after charging. However, the radiation image detector 5 is connected to an external power source (not shown) during or after charging. When mounted on a charging device 23 such as a cradle, or when connected to an external power source via a cord or the like as described above, each drive unit May be supplied with electric power.

  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 parts of 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 from the rechargeable battery 21. However, separate control units may control each part of the radiation image detector 5 such as the power supply from the rechargeable battery 21, the scanning drive circuit 16, the signal readout circuit 17, and the communication unit 24.

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 photoelectric converting layer. 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 Radiation imaging apparatus 16 Scan drive circuit 17 Signal read-out circuit 18 Image storage part 21 Rechargeable battery 23 Charging apparatus 24 Communication part 26 Input operation unit 27 Control unit 35 State storage unit

Claims (8)

In a radiation image detector that detects radiation and obtains radiation image information,
A power supply source having a rechargeable or replaceable battery and supplying power to a plurality of driving units;
A control unit for controlling power supply from the power supply source;
Comprising state storage means for storing an operation state immediately before charging or replacement of the battery,
The control unit, when charging or replacement of the battery is completed, changes the operating state of each driving unit so as to be in the operating state stored in the state storage means, radiation image detection vessel.   The radiographic image detector according to claim 1, wherein the operation state is either an imaging enabled state or an imaging standby state with less power consumption than the imaging enabled state. 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 operating state of each driving unit for each imaging standby mode.   The control unit changes the operating state of each driving unit so as to be in a shooting standby mode with the least power consumption among the plurality of shooting standby modes while charging or replacing the battery. The radiographic image detector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the radiation image detector is characterized by the following.   2. A cassette-type flat panel detector that detects irradiated radiation, converts the radiation into an electrical signal, accumulates it, and reads 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.   The radiological image detector communicates with the console, and at least one of the remaining battery level, the completion of charging or replacement of the battery, and the operating state of the radiological image detector is selected. The radiographic imaging system according to claim 6, further comprising communication means capable of transmitting to the console.   The console includes a display unit capable of displaying at least one of the remaining battery level transmitted from the communication unit, the completion of charging or replacement of the battery, and the operating state of the radiation image detector. The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 7.

Images