JP2009050689A - Radiation detecting cassette and radiographic image picking-up system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radiation detecting cassette and a radiographic image picking-up system which achieve secure removal of influence of electromagnetic noise upon transmission of radiographic image information by wireless communication from the radiation detecting cassette to the outside and upon power supply by wireless communication from the outside to an electric power source part of the radiation detecting cassette. <P>SOLUTION: A wireless communication control unit 204 controls a transmitting and receiving apparatus 48 so as to prohibit transmission of radiographic image information to the outside by wireless communication or power supply from the outside to the electric power source 44 by wireless communication in accordance with an exposure detecting signal from an exposure detecting unit 200 or a conversion detecting signal from a conversion detecting unit 202. Thus, this can control the transmitting and receiving apparatus 48 not to carry out, at the same time zone, the irradiation of a radiation detector 40 with a radiation X, a conversion operation of the radiographic image information in the radiation detector 40, and wireless communication by the transmitting and receiving apparatus 48. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiation detection cassette including a radiation conversion panel that detects radiation transmitted through a subject and converts the detected radiation into radiation image information, and a radiation image capturing system including the radiation detection cassette.

  2. Description of the Related Art In the medical field, radiation image capturing apparatuses that irradiate a subject with radiation and guide the radiation transmitted through the subject to a radiation conversion panel to capture a radiation image are widely used. In this case, the radiation conversion panel may be a conventional radiation film in which the radiation image is exposed and recorded, or radiation energy as the radiation image is accumulated in a phosphor, and the radiation image is irradiated with excitation light. A stimulable phosphor panel that can be extracted as stimulated emission light is known. These radiation conversion panels supply the radiation film on which the radiation image is recorded to the developing device to perform development processing, or supply the storage phosphor panel to the reading device to perform reading processing, The radiation image as a visible image is obtained.

  On the other hand, in an operating room or the like, it is necessary to be able to immediately read out and display a radiation image from a radiation conversion panel after imaging in order to perform a quick and accurate treatment on a patient. Radiation detection using a solid-state detector that converts radiation directly into electrical signals, or converts radiation into visible light with a scintillator and then converts it into electrical signals to read out as a radiation conversion panel that can meet such demands A vessel has been developed.

  By the way, when detecting radiation in a radiation conversion panel and converting the detected radiation into radiation image information, a signal corresponding to the radiation image information output from the radiation conversion panel is easily affected by electromagnetic noise. Since the signal is a low level, there is a possibility that the image quality of the radiographic image is deteriorated when the electromagnetic noise is superimposed on the signal.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 proposes not to simultaneously perform radiographic image capturing and wireless communication from the radiation detection cassette to the outside. Patent Documents 2 and 3 propose that the battery and the radiation conversion panel are partitioned by a partition plate having an electromagnetic shielding effect in the radiation detection cassette.

JP 2003-210444 A JP 2002-214729 A JP 2003-121553 A

  By the way, if radio communication is performed between the radiation detection cassette and the outside during radiographic image capturing, electromagnetic noise caused by radiation irradiated on the radiation detection cassette via the subject, or a radiation image on the radiation conversion panel Electromagnetic noise caused by an address signal, a control signal, or the like used in the information conversion operation is superimposed on the signal transmitted / received by the wireless communication, and as a result, the image quality of the radiation image is degraded. In addition, when power is supplied to the battery (power supply unit) of the radiation detection cassette from outside by wireless communication, the radiation conversion panel driven by the battery is superimposed on the power supplied to the battery. In addition, the wireless communication means may malfunction.

  However, in Patent Document 1, no measures are taken to avoid superimposing the electromagnetic noise on the power supplied to the battery from the outside. Also, Patent Documents 2 and 3 do not take measures for avoiding the above-described superposition of each electromagnetic noise.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and transmits radiation image information from a radiation detection cassette to the outside by wireless communication or supplies power from outside to the power supply unit of the radiation detection cassette. Another object of the present invention is to provide a radiation detection cassette and a radiographic imaging system that can reliably remove the influence of electromagnetic noise.

The radiation detection cassette according to the present invention comprises:
A radiation conversion panel that detects radiation transmitted through the subject and converts it into radiation image information; and
A wireless communication means capable of wireless communication with the outside;
Wireless communication control means for controlling the wireless communication means;
Exposure detection means for detecting the radiation irradiation on the radiation conversion panel and outputting the detection result to the wireless communication control means as an exposure detection signal;
Conversion detecting means for detecting a conversion operation of the radiation image information in the radiation conversion panel, and outputting a detection result to the wireless communication control means as a conversion detection signal;
A power supply unit that drives the radiation conversion panel, the exposure detection means, the conversion detection means, the wireless communication means, and the wireless communication control means;
Have
The wireless communication control means transmits the radiation image information to the outside through the wireless communication and / or externally through the wireless communication based on the input of the exposure detection signal and / or the conversion detection signal. The wireless communication means is controlled so as to prohibit power supply to the mobile phone.

  According to the present invention, the wireless communication control means transmits the radiological image information to the outside by wireless communication based on the exposure detection signal from the exposure detection means or the conversion detection signal from the conversion detection means. The wireless communication means is controlled so as to prohibit power supply from the outside to the power supply unit by communication.

  Accordingly, the wireless communication unit is configured so that the radiation irradiation to the radiation conversion panel and / or the operation of converting the radiation image information in the radiation conversion panel and the wireless communication by the wireless communication unit are not performed in the same time zone. Can be controlled. As a result, the radiation image information transmitted to the outside by the wireless communication, the electric power supplied from the outside to the power supply unit by the wireless communication, the electromagnetic noise caused by the radiation irradiation, and the radiation conversion panel Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent the electromagnetic noise caused by the conversion operation. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably remove the influence of each electromagnetic noise during the wireless communication.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an operating table (bed) 16 on which a patient 14 lies is disposed in an operating room 12 in which a radiographic imaging system 10 according to the present embodiment is installed, and a doctor 18 uses it for an operation. An instrument table 20 on which various instruments to be placed is placed on the side of the operating table 16. Around the operating table 16, various devices necessary for the operation such as an anesthesia machine, an aspirator, an electrocardiograph, and a blood pressure monitor are arranged.

  The radiographic imaging system 10 includes an imaging device 22 for irradiating a patient 14 as a subject with radiation X having a dose according to imaging conditions, and a radiation detector 40 for detecting the radiation X transmitted through the patient 14 (FIG. 2). Control the radiation detection cassette 24 with built-in), a display device 26 for displaying a radiation image based on the radiation X detected by the radiation detector 40, the imaging device 22, the radiation detection cassette 24 and the display device 26. Console (control device) 28. Note that signals are transmitted and received by radio communication using the UWB (Ultra Wide Band) between the imaging device 22, the radiation detection cassette 24, the display device 26, and the console 28.

  The imaging device 22 is connected to the free arm 30 and can be moved to a desired position according to the imaging region of the patient 14 and can be retracted to a position that does not obstruct the operation by the doctor 18. Similarly, the display device 26 is connected to the free arm 32 and can be moved to a position where the doctor 18 can easily confirm the captured radiographic image. The display device 26 may be fixed to a ceiling, a wall, a floor, or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the radiation detection cassette 24 of FIG. The radiation detection cassette 24 includes a casing (housing) 34 made of a material that transmits the radiation X. Inside the casing 34 are a grid 38 that removes scattered radiation of the radiation X by the patient 14 from the irradiation surface 36 side of the casing 34 to which the radiation X is irradiated, and a radiation detector that detects the radiation X transmitted through the patient 14 ( Radiation conversion panel) 40 and lead plate 42 that absorbs backscattered rays of radiation X are arranged in this order. Note that the irradiation surface 36 of the casing 34 may be configured as a grid 38.

  Further, inside the casing 34, a power supply unit 44 including a battery for driving the radiation detection cassette 24, a cassette control unit 46 that drives and controls the radiation detector 40 with electric power supplied from the power supply unit 44, and radiation A transceiver (wireless communication means) 48 for receiving and transmitting a signal including information on the radiation X detected by the detector 40 to and from the console 28 is accommodated. The cassette controller 46 and the transmitter / receiver 48 are preferably provided with a lead plate or the like on the irradiation surface 36 side of the casing 34 in order to avoid damage due to irradiation with the radiation X.

  FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration block diagram of the radiation detector 40. The radiation detector 40 has a photoelectric conversion layer 51 made of a material such as amorphous selenium (a-Se) that senses the radiation X and generates charges on an array of thin film transistor (TFT) 52. After the generated charge is stored in the storage capacitor 53, the TFT 52 is sequentially turned on for each row, and the charge is read as an image signal. In FIG. 3, only the connection relationship between one pixel 50 including the photoelectric conversion layer 51 and the storage capacitor 53 and one TFT 52 is shown, and the configuration of the other pixels 50 is omitted. Amorphous selenium must be used within a predetermined temperature range because its structure changes and its function decreases at high temperatures. Therefore, it is preferable to provide means for cooling the radiation detector 40 in the radiation detection cassette 24.

  A gate line 54 extending parallel to the row direction and a signal line 56 extending parallel to the column direction are connected to the TFT 52 connected to each pixel 50. Each gate line 54 is connected to a line scanning drive unit 58, and each signal line 56 is connected to a multiplexer 66 constituting a reading circuit. Control signals Von and Voff for controlling on / off of the TFTs 52 arranged in the row direction are supplied from the line scanning drive unit 58 to the gate line 54. In this case, the line scan driving unit 58 includes a plurality of switches SW1 for switching the gate lines 54 and an address decoder 60 for outputting a selection signal for selecting one of the switches SW1. An address signal is supplied from the cassette control unit 46 to the address decoder 60.

  In addition, the charge held in the storage capacitor 53 of each pixel 50 flows out to the signal line 56 through the TFTs 52 arranged in the column direction. This charge is amplified by the amplifier 62. A multiplexer 66 is connected to the amplifier 62 via a sample and hold circuit 64. The multiplexer 66 includes a plurality of switches SW2 for switching the signal line 56, and an address decoder 68 for outputting a selection signal for selecting one of the switches SW2. An address signal is supplied from the cassette control unit 46 to the address decoder 68. An A / D converter 70 is connected to the multiplexer 66, and radiation image information converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 70 is supplied to the cassette control unit 46.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the radiographic imaging system 10 including the imaging device 22, the radiation detection cassette 24, the display device 26, and the console 28. The console 28 is connected to a radiology information system (RIS) 29 for comprehensively managing radiographic image information and other information handled in the radiology department in the hospital. A medical information system (HIS) 33 for comprehensively managing information is connected.

  The imaging device 22 includes an imaging switch 72, a radiation source 74, a transceiver (wireless communication means) 76, and a radiation source control unit 78.

  The transceiver 76 receives a shooting condition from the console 28 by wireless communication, and transmits a shooting completion signal by wireless communication to the console 28. The transmitter / receiver 76 can wirelessly communicate with the transmitter / receiver 48 of the radiation detection cassette 24.

  The radiation source control unit 78 controls the radiation source 74 based on the imaging start signal supplied from the imaging switch 72 and the imaging conditions supplied from the transceiver 76. The radiation source 74 outputs the radiation X based on the control from the radiation source control unit 78.

  On the other hand, the cassette control unit 46 of the radiation detection cassette 24 includes an address signal generation unit (address signal generation unit) 98, an image memory 100, a cassette ID memory 104, an exposure detection unit (exposure detection unit) 200, A conversion detection unit (conversion detection unit) 202 and a wireless communication control unit (wireless communication control unit) 204 are provided.

  The address signal generator 98 supplies an address signal to the address decoder 60 of the line scan driver 58 and the address decoder 68 of the multiplexer 66 that constitute the radiation detector 40. The image memory 100 stores radiation image information detected by the radiation detector 40. The cassette ID memory 104 stores cassette ID information for specifying the radiation detection cassette 24.

  The transceiver 48 receives a transmission request signal from the console 28 by wireless communication, and wirelessly communicates the cassette ID information stored in the cassette ID memory 104 and the radiation image information stored in the image memory 100 to the console 28. Send by. In the radiation detection cassette 24, it is also possible to supply power to the power supply unit 44 by wireless communication via the transceiver 48 from the outside such as the console 28.

  The exposure detection unit 200 designates a specific pixel 50 with a low probability that the patient 14 is placed between the radiation source 74 and the radiation detection cassette 24, and based on the dose of the radiation X detected by the pixel 50. The irradiation (exposure) of the radiation X to the radiation detector 40 is detected, and the detection result is output to the wireless communication control unit 204 as an exposure detection signal.

  The conversion detection unit 202 detects the supply of an address signal from the address signal generation unit 98 to each of the address decoders 60 and 68, and outputs the detection result to the wireless communication control unit 204 as a conversion detection signal. In this case, due to the supply of the address signal from the address signal generator 98 to each of the address decoders 60 and 68, the radiation detector 40 performs the conversion operation to the radiation image information based on the radiation X described above. The conversion detection signal is a signal indicating the conversion operation of the radiation image information in the radiation detector 40.

  When the exposure detection signal is input from the exposure detection unit 200 or the conversion detection signal is input from the conversion detection unit 202, the wireless communication control unit 204 transmits and receives the transceiver 48 so as to prohibit wireless communication with the outside. To control. Accordingly, the transceiver 48 outputs a conversion detection signal from the exposure detection unit 200 to the wireless communication control unit 204 or a conversion detection signal from the conversion detection unit 202 to the wireless communication control unit 204. In the time zone, transmission / reception of signals to the console 28 by wireless communication (for example, transmission of radiation image information) or power supply from the outside to the power supply unit 44 by wireless communication cannot be performed. That is, the wireless communication control unit 204 does not perform the irradiation of the radiation X to the radiation detector 40 and the conversion operation of the radiation image information in the radiation detector 40 and the wireless communication by the transceiver 48 in the same time zone. The transceiver 48 is controlled as follows.

  On the other hand, the display device 26 displays a receiver 110 that receives radiation image information from the console 28, a display control unit 112 that performs display control of the received radiation image information, and radiation image information processed by the display control unit 112. Display unit 114.

  The console 28 includes a transceiver 116, an imaging condition management unit 118, an image processing unit (image processing means) 120, an image memory 122, a patient information management unit 124, and a cassette information management unit 126.

  The transmitter / receiver 116 transmits / receives necessary information including radiographic image information to / from the imaging device 22, the radiation detection cassette 24, and the display device 26 by wireless communication. The photographing condition management unit 118 manages photographing conditions necessary for photographing by the photographing device 22. The image processing unit 120 performs image processing on the radiation image information transmitted from the radiation detection cassette 24. The image memory 122 stores the image processed radiation image information. The patient information management unit 124 manages patient information of the patient 14 to be imaged. The cassette information management unit 126 manages the cassette ID information transmitted from the radiation detection cassette 24.

  Further, the console 28 may be installed outside the operating room 12 as long as it can transmit and receive signals to and from the imaging device 22, the radiation detection cassette 24, and the display device 26 by wireless communication.

  The imaging conditions are conditions for determining a tube voltage, a tube current, an irradiation time, and the like for irradiating radiation X having an appropriate dose to an imaging region of the patient 14. And conditions such as a photographing method. The patient information is information for identifying the patient 14 such as the name, sex, and patient ID number of the patient 14. The imaging ordering information including these imaging conditions and patient information can be set directly on the console 28 or supplied to the console 28 from the outside via the RIS 29.

  The radiographic image capturing system 10 according to the present embodiment is basically configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described next.

  The radiographic image capturing system 10 is installed in the operating room 12 and is used, for example, when a radiographic image needs to be captured during surgery of the patient 14 by the doctor 18. Therefore, the patient information of the patient 14 to be imaged is registered in advance in the patient information management unit 124 of the console 28 prior to imaging. In addition, when an imaging region and an imaging method are determined in advance, these imaging conditions are registered in the imaging condition management unit 118 in advance. In the state where the above preparatory work is completed, the operation for the patient 14 is performed.

  When radiographing is performed during surgery, the doctor 18 or a radiographer in charge takes the radiation detection cassette 24 at a predetermined position between the patient 14 and the operating table 16 with the irradiation surface 36 facing the imaging device 22 side. Is installed. Next, after appropriately moving the imaging device 22 to a position facing the radiation detection cassette 24, the doctor 18 or the radiographer operates the imaging switch 72 to perform imaging.

  In this case, due to the operation of the imaging switch 72 by the doctor 18 or the radiographer, the radiation source controller 78 of the imaging apparatus 22 requests the console 28 to transmit imaging conditions via the transceivers 76 and 116. To do. Based on the received request, the console 28 transmits imaging conditions related to the imaging region of the patient 14 registered in the imaging condition management unit 118 to the imaging apparatus 22 via the transceivers 116 and 76. When receiving the imaging conditions, the radiation source control unit 78 controls the radiation source 74 in accordance with the imaging conditions, and irradiates the patient 14 with radiation X having a predetermined dose.

  The radiation X transmitted through the patient 14 is radiated to the radiation detector 40 after the scattered radiation is removed by the grid 38 of the radiation detection cassette 24, and is electrically applied by the photoelectric conversion layer 51 of each pixel 50 constituting the radiation detector 40. It is converted into a signal and held as a charge in the storage capacitor 53 (see FIG. 3). Next, the charge information, which is the radiation image information of the patient 14 held in each storage capacitor 53, is in accordance with the address signal supplied from the address signal generator 98 constituting the cassette controller 46 to the line scan driver 58 and the multiplexer 66. Read out.

  That is, the address decoder 60 of the line scan driver 58 outputs a selection signal according to the address signal supplied from the address signal generator 98, selects one of the switches SW1, and the TFT 52 connected to the corresponding gate line 54. A control signal Von is supplied to the gates of the two. On the other hand, the address decoder 68 of the multiplexer 66 outputs a selection signal in accordance with the address signal supplied from the address signal generation unit 98, sequentially switches the switch SW2, and is connected to the gate line 54 selected by the line scan driving unit 58. Radiation image information, which is charge information held in the storage capacitor 53 of each pixel 50, is sequentially read out via the signal line 56.

  The radiation image information read from the storage capacitor 53 of each pixel 50 connected to the selected gate line 54 of the radiation detector 40 is amplified by each amplifier 62 and then sampled by each sample and hold circuit 64. The signal is supplied to the A / D converter 70 via the multiplexer 66 and converted into a digital signal. The radiographic image information converted into the digital signal is temporarily stored in the image memory 100 of the cassette control unit 46.

  Similarly, the address decoder 60 of the line scan driving unit 58 sequentially switches the switch SW1 in accordance with the address signal supplied from the address signal generating unit 98, and the storage capacitor 53 of each pixel 50 connected to each gate line 54. The stored radiation image information, which is charge information, is read through the signal line 56 and stored in the image memory 100 of the cassette control unit 46 through the multiplexer 66 and the A / D converter 70.

  In this case, the exposure detection unit 200 has a specific probability that the patient 14 is less likely to be placed between the radiation source 74 and the radiation detection cassette 24 only in the time zone in which the radiation X is irradiated on the radiation detector 40. Based on the dose of radiation X detected from the pixels 50, an exposure detection signal is output to the wireless communication control unit 204. In addition, the conversion detection unit 202 outputs the conversion detection signal to the wireless communication control unit 204 only in the time period when the address signal is supplied from the address signal generation unit 98 to the address decoders 60 and 68. Further, the wireless communication control unit 204 prohibits wireless communication with the outside when an exposure detection signal is input from the exposure detection unit 200 or when a conversion detection signal is input from the conversion detection unit 202. The transceiver 48 is controlled. On the other hand, when the exposure detection signal or the conversion detection signal is not input, the transceiver 48 is permitted to perform wireless communication with the outside.

  Therefore, the radiological image information stored in the image memory 100 is the time period when the radio communication control unit 204 permits the radio communication by the transceiver 48, that is, the radiation X is not irradiated on the radiation detector 40 and the radiation It is transmitted to the console 28 by wireless communication via the transmitter / receiver 48 during a time period when the conversion operation to the radiation image information is not performed by the detector 40.

  The radiographic image information transmitted to the console 28 is received by the transceiver 116 and subjected to predetermined image processing in the image processing unit 120 and then associated with the patient information of the patient 14 registered in the patient information management unit 124. Stored in the image memory 122.

  The radiographic image information subjected to the image processing is transmitted from the transceiver 116 to the display device 26. The display device 26 that has received the radiation image information by the receiver 110 controls the display unit 114 by the display control unit 112 to display the radiation image. The doctor 18 performs the operation while confirming the radiographic image displayed on the display unit 114.

  As in the case of transmission of radiographic image information by wireless communication as described above, the power supply to the power supply unit 44 by wireless communication from the outside (for example, the console 28) is also the time when the wireless communication by the transceiver 48 is permitted. Done to the obi.

  As described above, according to the radiographic imaging system 10 according to the present embodiment, the wireless communication control unit 204 of the radiation detection cassette 24 receives the exposure detection signal from the exposure detection unit 200 and the conversion detection unit 202. Based on this conversion detection signal, the transmitter / receiver 48 is controlled so as to prohibit the transmission of radiation image information to the outside by wireless communication and the power supply from the outside to the power supply unit 44 by wireless communication.

  Thus, the transceiver 48 is controlled so that the radiation X irradiation to the radiation detector 40 and the conversion operation of the radiation image information in the radiation detector 40 and the wireless communication by the transceiver 48 are not performed in the same time zone. can do. As a result, electromagnetic radiation generated due to irradiation of radiation X in the radiation image information transmitted to the outside by the wireless communication or power supplied from the outside to the power supply unit 44 by the wireless communication, or radiation detection It is possible to reliably prevent the electromagnetic noise generated due to the address signal, the control signals Von, Voff, the selection signal, and the like used for the conversion operation in the device 40 from being superimposed. Therefore, it is possible to reliably remove the influence of each electromagnetic noise on the radiation image information and the power transmitted during the wireless communication.

  The electromagnetic noise generated due to the address signal used for the conversion operation in the radiation detector 40, the control signals Von, Voff, the selection signal, and the like is, for example, supplied to the address signal supply line. The electromagnetic noise caused by the magnetic field generated by this, the electromagnetic noise caused by the magnetic field generated when the control signals Von and Voff are supplied to the gate line 54, and the selection signal is supplied to the selection signal supply line. This is electromagnetic noise caused by the magnetic field generated.

  In the radiographic imaging system 10 according to the present embodiment, the irradiation of the radiation X to the radiation detector 40 and the conversion operation of the radiation image information in the radiation detector 40 and the wireless communication by the transceiver 48 are performed in the same time zone. The transmitter / receiver 48 is controlled so as not to be performed. Instead, either the irradiation of the radiation X to the radiation detector 40 or the conversion operation of the radiation image information in the radiation detector 40 is performed. It is also possible to control the transceiver 48 so that wireless communication by the transceiver 48 is not performed in the same time zone.

  Furthermore, in the radiographic imaging system 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the radiation X is applied to the radiation detector 40, the radiation image information is converted in the radiation detector 40, and the radiation image information is transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication. The transmitter / receiver 48 is controlled so that the power supply to the power supply unit 44 from the outside by the wireless communication is not performed in the same time zone. Instead, the radiation to the outside by the wireless communication is performed. The same operation as the irradiation of the radiation X to the radiation detector 40 and the conversion of the radiation image information in the radiation detector 40 with respect to any one of transmission of image information and power supply to the power supply unit 44 from the outside by the wireless communication. It is also possible to control the transceiver 48 so that it does not occur during the time zone.

  Furthermore, between the radiation detection cassette 24 and the console 28, between the radiation detection cassette 24 and the imaging device 22, between the imaging device 22 and the console 28, and between the console 28 and the display device 26, UWB Signal transmission / reception is performed by wireless communication. That is, the cables for transmitting and receiving the signals are not connected between the imaging device 22, the radiation detection cassette 24, the display device 26, and the console 28. For example, these cables are arranged on the floor surface of the operating room 12. Therefore, there is no possibility that the work of the doctor 18 or the like will be hindered. Therefore, the doctor 18 can perform his / her work efficiently. In addition, by using UWB as the wireless communication, it is possible to reduce power consumption, improve fading resistance, and improve high-speed communication compared to conventional wireless communication.

  In addition, the radiographic imaging system 10 which concerns on this embodiment is not limited to above-described embodiment, Of course, it can change freely to various structures.

  That is, in the radiographic image capturing system 10 according to the present embodiment, a radiographic image is captured due to the operation of the imaging switch 72 of the doctor 18 or the radiographer, but the operation of the console 28 by the doctor 18 or the radiographer is performed. As a result, a radiographic image may be taken.

  Further, in the radiographic image capturing system 10 according to the present embodiment, the radiographic image is used during the operation and displayed on the display device 26. Needless to say, it is applicable.

  Furthermore, in the radiographic imaging system 10 according to the present embodiment, for example, the radiation detector 40 accommodated in the radiation detection cassette 24 converts the dose of the incident radiation X directly into an electrical signal by the photoelectric conversion layer 51. However, instead of this, the incident radiation X is once converted into visible light by a scintillator, and then this visible light is converted into an electrical signal using a solid-state detection element such as amorphous silicon (a-Si). A radiation detector may be used (see Japanese Patent No. 3494683).

  Furthermore, radiation image information can be acquired using a light conversion type radiation detector. In this light conversion type radiation detector, when radiation is incident on each solid detection element arranged in a matrix, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the dose is accumulated and recorded in the solid detection element. When reading the electrostatic latent image, the radiation detector is irradiated with reading light, and the value of the generated current is acquired as radiation image information. The radiation detector can erase and reuse the radiation image information that is the remaining electrostatic latent image by irradiating the radiation detector with erasing light (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-105297). .

  Further, when the radiation detection cassette 24 is used in the operating room 12 or the like, there is a risk that blood or other germs may adhere. Therefore, the radiation detection cassette 24 has a waterproof and airtight structure and is sterilized and washed as necessary, so that one radiation detection cassette 24 can be used repeatedly.

  Furthermore, the radiation detection cassette 24 is not limited to being used in the operating room 12, and can be applied to, for example, a medical examination or a round in a hospital.

  Furthermore, the wireless communication between the radiation detection cassette 24 and the external device may be performed by optical wireless communication using infrared rays or the like instead of normal communication using radio waves.

  Furthermore, it is more preferable to configure the radiation detection cassette 500 as shown in FIG.

  That is, in the radiation detection cassette 500, the guide line 504 serving as a reference for the imaging region and the imaging position is formed on the radiation irradiation surface side of the casing 502. Using this guide line 504, the subject (patient 14) is positioned with respect to the radiation detection cassette 500, and the radiation image information can be recorded in an appropriate imaging region by setting the radiation X irradiation range. .

  A display unit 506 for displaying various types of information related to the radiation detection cassette 500 is disposed in a portion outside the imaging region of the radiation detection cassette 500. The display unit 506 includes the ID information of the patient 14 recorded in the radiation detection cassette 500, the number of times the radiation detection cassette 500 is used, the cumulative exposure dose, and the power supply unit 44 (battery) built in the radiation detection cassette 500. The state of charge (remaining capacity), radiographic image information imaging conditions, a positioning image of the patient 14 with respect to the radiation detection cassette 500, and the like are displayed. In this case, for example, the radiologist confirms the patient 14 according to the ID information displayed on the display unit 506, confirms in advance that the radiation detection cassette 500 is in a usable state, and displays the displayed positioning image. Based on the above, it is possible to position the desired imaging region of the patient 14 in the radiation detection cassette 500 and to perform imaging of optimal radiation image information.

  In addition, by forming the handle portion 508 in the radiation detection cassette 500, the radiation detection cassette 500 can be easily handled and carried.

  On the side of the radiation detection cassette 500, an AC adapter input terminal 510, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal 512, and a card slot 516 for loading a memory card 514 are preferably provided.

  The input terminal 510 is connected to an AC adapter when the charging function of the power supply unit 44 built in the radiation detection cassette 500 is deteriorated or when sufficient time cannot be secured for charging the power supply unit 44. By supplying electric power from the outside, the radiation detection cassette 500 can be immediately used.

  The USB terminal 512 or the card slot 516 can be used when the radiation detection cassette 500 cannot transmit and receive information by wireless communication with an external device such as the console 28. In other words, by connecting a cable to the USB terminal 512, information can be transmitted / received to / from an external device by wired communication. In addition, information can be transmitted and received by loading a memory card 514 into the card slot 516, recording necessary information on the memory card 514, and then removing the memory card 514 and loading it into an external device.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a cradle 518 for charging a built-in power supply unit 44 is preferably disposed at a necessary location in the operating room 12 or hospital, as shown in FIG. In this case, the cradle 518 transmits and receives necessary information to and from external devices such as the RIS 29, the HIS 33, and the console 28 using not only the charging of the power supply unit 44 but also the wireless communication function or the wired communication function of the cradle 518. You may make it perform. The information to be transmitted and received can include radiation image information recorded in the radiation detection cassette 24 loaded in the cradle 518.

  In addition, a display unit 520 is provided in the cradle 518, and necessary information including the charged state of the loaded radiation detection cassette 24 and the radiation image information acquired from the radiation detection cassette 24 is displayed on the display unit 520. You may make it display.

  Further, a plurality of cradles 518 are connected to a network, and the charging states of the radiation detection cassettes 24 loaded in the respective cradles 518 are collected via the network, and the location of the radiation detection cassettes 24 in a usable charging state is confirmed. It can also be configured to be able to.

  Of course, the radiation detection cassette and the radiographic imaging system according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is explanatory drawing of the operating room where the radiographic imaging system of this embodiment was installed. It is a partially cutaway perspective explanatory view of the radiation detection cassette of FIG. It is a circuit block diagram of the radiation detector of FIG. It is block explanatory drawing of the radiographic imaging system of FIG. It is another block diagram of a radiation detection cassette. It is a block diagram of the cradle which charges a radiation detection cassette.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Radiographic imaging system 12 ... Operating room 14 ... Patient 16 ... Operating table 22 ... Imaging device 24, 500 ... Radiation detection cassette 26 ... Display device 28 ... Console 29 ... RIS
33 ... HIS
40 ... Radiation detector 44 ... Power supply unit 46 ... Cassette control unit 48, 76, 116 ... Transmitter / receiver 50 ... Pixel 74 ... Radiation source 100, 122 ... Image memory 104 ... Cassette ID memory 110 ... Receiver 114 ... Display unit 118 ... Imaging condition management unit 120 ... image processing unit 124 ... patient information management unit 126 ... cassette information management unit 200 ... exposure detection unit 202 ... conversion detection unit 204 ... wireless communication control unit

Claims (5)

A radiation conversion panel that detects radiation transmitted through the subject and converts it into radiation image information; and
A wireless communication means capable of wireless communication with the outside;
Wireless communication control means for controlling the wireless communication means;
Exposure detection means for detecting the radiation irradiation on the radiation conversion panel and outputting the detection result to the wireless communication control means as an exposure detection signal;
Conversion detecting means for detecting a conversion operation of the radiation image information in the radiation conversion panel, and outputting a detection result to the wireless communication control means as a conversion detection signal;
A power supply unit that drives the radiation conversion panel, the exposure detection means, the conversion detection means, the wireless communication means, and the wireless communication control means;
Have
The wireless communication control means transmits the radiation image information to the outside through the wireless communication and / or externally through the wireless communication based on the input of the exposure detection signal and / or the conversion detection signal. A radiation detection cassette, wherein the wireless communication means is controlled so as to prohibit power supply to the device. The cassette of claim 1,
The radiation detection cassette according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication means performs wireless communication with the outside by UWB. The cassette according to claim 1 or 2,
The exposure detection means designates a predetermined pixel among a plurality of pixels constituting the radiation conversion panel, and based on the radiation dose detected by the designated pixel, the radiation conversion panel A radiation detection cassette, wherein irradiation is detected and a detection result is output to the wireless communication control means as the exposure detection signal. In the cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An address signal generating means for supplying an address signal for causing the radiation conversion panel to perform the conversion operation;
When the radiation conversion panel converts the radiation into the radiation image information due to the supply of the address signal from the address signal generation unit to the radiation conversion panel, the conversion detection unit includes: A radiation detection cassette that detects supply and outputs a detection result as the conversion detection signal to the wireless communication control means.   A radiation image, comprising: the radiation detection cassette according to claim 1; a radiation source that outputs the radiation; and a control device that controls the radiation source and the radiation detection cassette. Shooting system.

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