JP2008089824A - Radiographic image information reader and method of controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radiographic image information reader capable of securely protecting an radiation conversion panel, stored in a cassette loaded in the reader, against exposure to radiation, and to provide a method of controlling the same. <P>SOLUTION: When the cassette 24 storing a stimulable phosphor panel P is loaded in a cassette loader 38 and a cover is opened, a shutter 58 stored in a shutter storage part 59 is conveyed via a curved conveying path 56 and inserted into the cassette 24, thereby protecting the stimulable phosphore panel P from radiation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiation image information reading apparatus that reads radiation image information recorded on a radiation conversion panel and a control method thereof.

  For example, when a certain type of phosphor is irradiated with radiation (X-ray, α-ray, β-ray, γ-ray, ultraviolet ray, electron beam, etc.), a part of the energy of this radiation is accumulated in the phosphor, and then the fluorescence When the body is irradiated with excitation light such as visible light, stimulated emission light corresponding to the accumulated energy is output.

  Using a stimulable phosphor panel made of such a phosphor, radiographic image information of a subject such as a human body is accumulated and recorded on the stimulable phosphor panel using an imaging device, and then a radiographic image information is obtained using a reader. Is a radiation that scans the stimulable phosphor panel with the recorded light with excitation light, photoelectrically reads the resulting stimulated emission light, converts it into an image signal, and processes the image signal to obtain an image with excellent diagnostic suitability An image information processing system has been developed.

  In this case, the stimulable phosphor panel from which the radiation image information has been read can be repeatedly used by irradiating the erasing light including light in the excitation light wavelength region of the phosphor and erasing the remaining radiation image information. it can.

  Therefore, an erasing process is performed by irradiating the stimulable phosphor panel with irradiating light, a photographing table irradiated with radiation through the subject, a reading unit for reading the radiation image information recorded on the stimulable phosphor panel. A radiation image information recording / reading apparatus has been proposed in which an erasing unit is connected by a circulation conveyance path, and a storable phosphor panel is circulated and conveyed between an imaging table, a reading unit, and an erasing unit to acquire radiation image information Yes.

  By the way, in the radiation image information recording / reading apparatus in which the imaging stand is integrated in this way, separately from the stimulable phosphor panel housed inside, the imaging stand is mounted with the stimulable phosphor panel from the outside. There are things to do. In this case, if the internal stimulable phosphor panel that is not involved in photographing is moved to the vicinity of the photographing stand, the stimulable phosphor panel may be exposed.

  Therefore, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, when taking a picture with a stimulable phosphor panel mounted on a photographing table, radiation exposure is caused between the inner stimulable phosphor panel and the photographing table. In order to prevent this, a shutter is inserted.

JP-A-61-39038

  However, the above prior art is for avoiding problems in the radiation image information recording / reading apparatus in which the recording apparatus and the reading apparatus are integrated, and is supplied to the reading apparatus configured independently of the recording apparatus. It is not intended to protect the stimulable phosphor panel from radiation. In the case of a reader that is configured independently of the recording device, the reader is usually arranged away from the recording device, and the reader is provided with special measures for blocking radiation including scattered radiation. Not.

  By the way, in recent years, in a facility such as a hospital, an imaging apparatus that can be carried into a hospital room is used in consideration of a patient who cannot move to the imaging room. In this case, in order to read and quickly process the radiation image information recorded on the stimulable phosphor panel after imaging, it is desirable that the reading apparatus can be carried into the hospital room together with the imaging apparatus. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures to block radiation including scattered radiation with respect to the reading device arranged close to the imaging device.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a radiation image information reading apparatus capable of reliably protecting a radiation conversion panel housed in a cassette loaded in the reading apparatus from radiation exposure, and An object is to provide a control method thereof.

The radiation image information reading device of the present invention includes a loading unit in which a cassette that houses a radiation conversion panel in which radiation image information is recorded is detachably loaded;
A reading unit for reading the radiation image information recorded on the radiation conversion panel;
A shutter storage section for storing a shutter inserted between the inner surface of the cassette loaded in the loading section and the surface of the radiation conversion panel;
Transport means for transporting the shutter between the loading section and the shutter storage section;
It is characterized by providing.

The method for controlling a radiation image information reading apparatus of the present invention is a method for controlling a radiation image information reading apparatus that is loaded with a cassette that houses a radiation conversion panel and reads the radiation image information recorded on the radiation conversion panel. ,
When the cassette is loaded, imaging of the radiation conversion panel is permitted after inserting a shutter between the inner surface of the cassette housing the radiation conversion panel and the surface of the radiation conversion panel. To do.

  In the radiation image information reading device and the control method thereof according to the present invention, when the cassette is loaded in the loading unit of the reading device, the shutter stored in the shutter storage unit is replaced with the radiation conversion stored in the inner surface of the cassette and the cassette. Since it is inserted between the surface of the panel and the cassette exposed to the outside from the loading section is exposed to radiation, the internal radiation conversion panel is not affected by radiation. Therefore, the radiation image information recorded on the radiation conversion panel can be read in a good state.

  In addition, even when a radiographic conversion panel that can be photographed is stored in the cassette and waiting in the loading section, the internal radiation conversion panel is not affected by radiation, so that the radiation conversion panel is in a good state. Can be provided to the imaging device.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a portable radiographic image forming system 10 to which a radiographic image information reading apparatus and a control method thereof according to the present invention are applied. The portable radiographic image forming system 10 is configured to be transportable to a hospital room or the like while being placed on the carriage 12.

  The cart 12 receives imaging information for imaging radiographic image information or the like, or a console 14 having a display for acquisition from the outside, and an X-ray source 16 according to the imaging information supplied from the console 14. An X-ray source control device 22 for controlling and irradiating the subject 18 with X-rays 20 and a stimulable phosphor panel P (radiation conversion) on which radiation image information is recorded by irradiating the subject 18 with the X-rays 20 A cassette 24 containing a panel) is loaded, and a reading device 26 that reads radiation image information from the stimulable phosphor panel P and a radiation image information read from the stimulable phosphor panel P are transmitted to the outside, while an external The transmitter / receiver 28 for obtaining necessary information from the console 14, the console 14, the X-ray source 16, the X-ray source control device 22, the reading device 26, and the transmitter / receiver 28 are electrically connected. It is placed and supply battery 27. The X-ray source 16 is connected to the X-ray source control device 22 via an arm member 29. The battery 27 is connected to a charger 31 so that the battery 27 can be charged as necessary. Note that the X-ray source 16, the X-ray source control device 22, and an X-ray irradiation switch 76 described later constitute an imaging apparatus.

  2 and 3 show the internal configuration of the reading device 26. Here, the cassette 24 loaded in the reading device 26 has a lid member 30 that can be freely opened and closed, and a barcode (not shown) in which ID information for identifying the cassette 24 is recorded.

  The reading device 26 includes a cassette loading unit 38 on the upper portion of the casing 36, and the cassette loading unit 38 is provided with a lid member 40 that is slidable in the arrow direction. The cassette 24 storing the stimulable phosphor panel P on which the radiation image information is recorded is loaded into the cassette loading unit 38 with the lid member 30 facing down. The casing 36 is preferably formed of a material containing heavy metal such as lead so as to prevent the X-ray 20 from entering from the outside.

  The cassette loading unit 38 includes a barcode reader 42 that reads a barcode attached to the cassette 24, an unlocking mechanism 46 that unlocks the lid member 30 of the cassette 24, and the stimulable phosphor panel P from the cassette 24. An adsorbing plate 48 that adsorbs and takes out and a nip roller 50 that sandwiches and conveys the stimulable phosphor panel P taken out by the adsorbing plate 48 are disposed.

  A plurality of conveying rollers 52a to 52i and a plurality of guide plates 54a to 54f are arranged in series with the nip roller 50, and a curved conveying path 56 (conveying means) is configured by these. The curved conveyance path 56 between the conveyance rollers 52c and 52d constitutes a width-shifting portion that brings the stimulable phosphor panel P in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. The curved conveyance path 56 extends downward from the cassette loading unit 38, then becomes substantially horizontal at the lowermost portion, and then extends substantially vertically upward. A portion extending substantially vertically upward constitutes a rear conveyance path, and a shutter storage portion 59 for storing a shutter 58 loaded in the cassette 24 is disposed above the portion. The shutter 58 is substantially the same size as the stimulable phosphor panel P and is formed of a material that blocks the X-rays 20. Note that the reader 26 can be downsized by configuring the curved conveyance path 56 to be curved.

  Between the nip roller 50 and the conveyance roller 52a, an erasing unit 60 (erasing unit) for erasing the radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor panel P that has been read is disposed. The erasing unit 60 has a plurality of erasing light sources 62 composed of cold cathode tubes that output erasing light.

  On the other hand, a platen roller 64 is disposed between the transport rollers 52d and 52e disposed at the lowermost portion of the curved transport path 56. A scanning unit 66 (reading unit) that reads radiation image information accumulated and recorded on the stimulable phosphor panel P is disposed above the platen roller 64.

  The scanning unit 66 derives a laser beam LB that is excitation light and scans the stimulable phosphor panel P in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and radiation emitted by being excited by the laser beam LB. A condensing guide 70 for condensing the photostimulated luminescent light associated with the image information, and a photomultiplier 72 for converting the photostimulated luminescent light collected by the condensing guide 70 into an electrical signal are provided. A condensing mirror 74 for increasing the condensing efficiency of the photostimulated luminescent light is disposed adjacent to one end of the condensing guide 70.

  FIG. 4 shows a control block of the portable radiographic image forming system 10. Connected to the X-ray source control device 22 is an X-ray irradiation switch 76 that drives the X-ray source 16 by the operator's operation and irradiates the subject 18 with the X-ray 20.

  The reading device 26 has a reading device control unit 80 (photographing permission signal output means). The reading device controller 80 includes a power switch 82 of the reading device 26, a barcode reader 42 that reads the barcode of the cassette 24, a scanning unit controller 84 that controls the scanning unit 66, and an erasing unit controller that controls the erasing unit 60. 86 and a conveyance control unit 90 that controls the curved conveyance path 56 and conveys the stimulable phosphor panel P and the shutter 58 to a predetermined part.

  The portable radiation image forming system 10 of the present embodiment is basically configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the operator moves the portable radiographic image forming system 10 together with the carriage 12 to the location of the subject 18, for example, a hospital room, turns on the portable radiographic image forming system 10, and prepares for imaging.

  The operator operates the console 14 to input imaging information such as the name and imaging method of the subject 18, or obtains imaging information from the outside via the transceiver 28, and the radiographic image information of the subject 18. By selecting a cassette 24 to be recorded and reading a barcode attached to the cassette 24, ID information of the cassette 24 is acquired. Thus, the shooting information and the ID information of the cassette 24 are set, and the shooting preparation is completed.

  Next, when the X-ray irradiation switch 76 is operated, the X-ray source 16 is driven and the subject 18 is irradiated with the X-ray 20. The X-rays 20 that have passed through the subject 18 are irradiated to the stimulable phosphor panel P housed in the cassette 24, and radiation image information is accumulated and recorded.

  Next, the cassette 24 in which the stimulable phosphor panel P in which the radiation image information is recorded is loaded into the cassette loading unit 38 of the reading device 26 (step S1).

  When the cassette 24 is loaded, the unlocking mechanism 46 disposed in the cassette loading unit 38 unlocks the lid member 30 and the lid member 30 is opened. Next, the conveyance control unit 90 drives and controls the conveyance rollers 52a to 52i constituting the curved conveyance path 56, conveys the shutter 58 (FIG. 2) stored in the shutter storage unit 59, and stores the stimulable phosphor panel. It is inserted into the cassette 24 in which P is stored (step S2, FIG. 3).

  In this case, the stimulable phosphor panel P in the cassette 24 loaded with a part protruding from the reader 26 is inserted between the inner surface of the cassette 24 and the surface of the stimulable phosphor panel P. The X-ray 20 that leaks from the X-ray source 16 side or scatters and enters is blocked by the shutter 58.

  The shutter 58 may be controlled to be inserted into the cassette 24 when an imaging preparation completion signal is supplied from the X-ray source control device 22 to the reading device control unit 80. By controlling in this way, it is possible to avoid useless operations when the insertion of the shutter 58 is unnecessary.

  When the shutter 58 is inserted into the cassette 24, the reading device controller 80 outputs an imaging permission signal to the X-ray source control device 22 (step S3). Therefore, the X-ray source control device 22 receives the exposure signal from the X-ray irradiation switch 76 and makes it possible to start the next imaging.

  In this case, when the X-ray irradiation switch 76 is operated and the X-ray 20 is irradiated onto the subject 18 from the X-ray source 16 and imaging is performed, a part of the X-ray 20 leaks to the reading device 26 side, or Even if a part of the X-ray 20 is scattered and guided to the cassette 24 side, the shutter 58 inserted in the cassette 24 blocks the stimulable phosphor panel P from the X-ray 20, so that the stimulable phosphor There is no possibility that the radiation image information recorded on the panel P is damaged.

  On the other hand, in the reading device 26, the barcode information attached to the cassette 24 in which the shutter 58 is inserted is read by the barcode reader 42, whereby the ID information of the cassette 24 is acquired. The storage phosphor panel P is adsorbed and taken out (step S4) and supplied to the curved conveyance path 56 by the nip roller 50. Conveying rollers 52a to 52i constituting the curved conveying path 56 convey the stimulable phosphor panel P.

  The stimulable phosphor panel P is sub-scanned and transported between the transport rollers 52d and 52e, and the laser beam LB from the excitation unit 68 performs main scanning on the stimulable phosphor panel P, so that radiation image information is read. (Step S5). That is, when the stimulable phosphor panel P is irradiated with the laser beam LB output from the excitation unit 68, the stimulable phosphor light corresponding to the radiation image information is output from the stimulable phosphor panel P. This stimulated emission light is guided to the photomultiplier 72 through the light collecting guide 70 and converted into radiation image information as an electrical signal. The read radiation image information is stored in a storage means (not shown) together with the ID information of the cassette 24, or is transmitted to the outside from the transceiver 28 via the console 14.

  The stimulable phosphor panel P from which the radiation image information has been read is once transported to the guide plate 54 f side, and then returned to the cassette loading unit 38 side again via the lower part of the scanning unit 66. The stimulable phosphor panel P returned to the cassette loading unit 38 side is stored with the stimulable fluorescence by the erase light output from the erase light source 62 constituting the erase unit 60 disposed between the nip roller 50 and the transport roller 52a. The radiation image information remaining on the body panel P is removed (step S6).

  The stimulable phosphor panel P for which the remaining radiation image information has been erased is housed in the cassette 24 in which the shutter 58 is inserted, using the nip roller 50 and the suction disk 48 (step S7). In this case, when the subject 18 is irradiated with the X-ray 20 from the X-ray source 16 and the radiographic image information is being photographed (step S8), the stimulable phosphor panel P remains in the cassette 24. stand by. In addition, since the shutter 58 is inserted into the cassette 24, there is no possibility that the stimulable phosphor panel P is exposed by the X-ray 20.

  On the other hand, when an imaging completion signal is output from the X-ray source control device 22 to the reading device control unit 80, the suction board 48 sucks and removes the shutter 58 from the cassette 24 (step S9), and then the transport control unit 90 The conveyance rollers 52a to 52i of the curved conveyance path 56 are driven, and the shutter 58 is conveyed to the shutter storage 59 and stored (FIG. 2).

  Thereafter, the lid member 30 is closed, and the cassette 24 containing the stimulable phosphor panel P is extracted from the cassette loading section 38 (step S10) and used for the next photographing.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, Of course, it can change freely in the range which does not deviate from the main point of this invention.

  For example, in the cassette 24, a backscattering prevention plate made of a material such as lead for preventing backscattering may be disposed on the inner surface side opposite to the recording surface of the stored phosphor panel P. is there. In the cassette 24 having such a configuration, the back scattering prevention plate can block the X-rays 20 entering from the outside, and therefore the shutter 58 is inserted on the recording surface side of the stimulable phosphor panel P. You can deal with it. Of course, the shutters 58 may be inserted on both sides of the stimulable phosphor panel P. Further, instead of the stimulable phosphor panel P, for example, a radiation conversion panel having another form using a semiconductor element can be applied to the reading device 26.

It is a block diagram of the portable radiographic image forming system of this embodiment. It is an internal block diagram of the reader in the state which stored the shutter in the shutter storage part. It is an internal block diagram of the reader in the state which inserted the shutter in the cassette. It is a control block diagram of a portable radiographic image forming system. It is an operation | movement flowchart of a reader.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Portable radiographic image forming system 12 ... Cart 14 ... Console 16 ... X-ray source 18 ... Subject 20 ... X-ray 22 ... X-ray source control device 24 ... Cassette 26 ... Reading device 27 ... Battery 28 ... Transceiver 58 ... Shutter DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 59 ... Shutter storage part 60 ... Erase unit 66 ... Scanning unit 76 ... X-ray irradiation switch 80 ... Reader control part 82 ... Power supply switch 84 ... Scanning unit control part 86 ... Erase unit control part 90 ... Conveyance control part P ... Accumulation Phosphor panel

Claims (5)

A loading unit in which a cassette housing a radiation conversion panel in which radiation image information is recorded is detachably loaded;
A reading unit for reading the radiation image information recorded on the radiation conversion panel;
A shutter storage section for storing a shutter inserted between the inner surface of the cassette loaded in the loading section and the surface of the radiation conversion panel;
Transport means for transporting the shutter between the loading section and the shutter storage section;
A radiation image information reading apparatus comprising: The apparatus of claim 1.
A radiation image information reading apparatus comprising: an erasing unit that erases the radiation image information recorded on the radiation conversion panel. The apparatus of claim 1.
Radiation image information reading means comprising: an imaging permission signal output means for outputting an imaging permission signal for permitting imaging on the radiation conversion panel after inserting the shutter into the cassette in which the radiation conversion panel is housed. apparatus. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The radiographic image information reading apparatus is provided with an imaging device for recording radiographic image information on the radiation conversion panel, and is configured to be carried on a carriage. . A method for controlling a radiation image information reading apparatus, which is loaded with a cassette for storing a radiation conversion panel and reads radiation image information recorded on the radiation conversion panel,
When the cassette is loaded, after the shutter is inserted between the inner surface of the cassette housing the radiation conversion panel and the surface of the radiation conversion panel, photographing of the radiation conversion panel is permitted. Control method for radiation image information reading apparatus.

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