JP2009061263A - Radiation image capturing system, and method of setting minimum transmission radio field intensity in the system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To significantly save electric power of a battery for feeding electric power to a cassette having a radiation detector to detect radiation image information. <P>SOLUTION: When transmission of radiation image information to a console transmitter/receiver 96 from a cassette transmitter/receiver 48 is started, the cassette transmitter/receiver 48 transmits test radio waves, and the console transmitter/receiver 96 calculates the minimum transmission radio field intensity of the cassette transmitter/receiver 48 necessary for receiving the test radio waves from the receiving intensity of the test radio waves, and transmits command radio waves to command the calculated minimum transmission radio field intensity to the cassette transmitter/receiver 48. Accordingly, the cassette transmitter/receiver 48 can transmit the radiation image information at the commanded minimum transmission radio field intensity, and the power consumption for transmitting the radiation image information to the console transmitter/receiver 96 from the cassette transmitter/receiver 48 can be suppressed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiographic imaging system including a cassette having a radiation detector that detects radiation that has passed through a subject and converts the radiation into radiographic image information, and an external control device that receives the radiographic image information transmitted from the cassette; The present invention relates to a method for setting a minimum transmission radio wave intensity in the system.

  2. Description of the Related Art In the medical field, radiographic imaging apparatuses that irradiate a subject with radiation and guide the radiation transmitted through the subject to a radiation detector to take a radiographic image are widely used. In this case, as a radiation detector, a conventional radiation film in which a radiation image is exposed and recorded, or radiation energy as a radiation image is stored in a phosphor and irradiated with excitation light, and the radiation image is then emitted as a stimulating light. A storage phosphor panel that can be taken out as is known. These radiation detectors supply a radiation film on which a radiographic image is recorded to a developing device to perform development processing, or supply a stimulable phosphor panel to a reading device to perform reading processing so that a visible image is obtained. A radiographic image is obtained.

  On the other hand, in a medical field such as an operating room, in order to perform a quick and accurate treatment on a patient, it is required that a radiation image can be read and displayed immediately from a radiation detector. Radiation detection using a solid state detector that converts radiation directly into an electrical signal, or converts radiation into visible light with a scintillator, and then converts it into an electrical signal and reads it out A vessel has been developed.

  As radiographic imaging systems using such a radiation detector, there are those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

  In Patent Document 1, radiation image information detected by a radiation detector is transmitted to a processing device by wireless communication, and signal processing such as image processing is performed in the processing device.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an electronic cassette capable of wireless communication that enables high-speed communication of large-capacity image data by performing communication of radiation image information at a high frequency exceeding 1 [GHz].

Japanese Patent No. 3494683 JP 2006-263339 A

  By the way, when radiation image information is transmitted from a cassette to an external device by wireless communication, power consumption is large, so that a battery for driving the cassette is enlarged, resulting in an increase in volume and weight of the cassette. .

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such a problem, and can suppress power consumption when radiographic image information is transmitted from a cassette to the outside by radio and can save battery power. It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiographic imaging system and a method for setting a transmission radio wave intensity in the system.

  The radiographic imaging system according to the present invention detects a radiation that has passed through a subject and converts it into radiation image information, an image memory that stores the converted radiation image information, and a memory that is stored in the image memory. A cassette having a first transmitter / receiver for transmitting the radiographic image information to the outside by wireless communication based on a transmission radio wave intensity based on an external command radio wave, and a battery for supplying power to the radiation detector and the first transmitter / receiver. And an external control device having a second transceiver for transmitting the command radio wave and receiving the radiation image information transmitted from the cassette, from the first transceiver of the cassette to the external control device When starting transmission of the radiation image information to the second transceiver, the first transceiver transmits a test radio wave and transmits the second transmission / reception. The machine calculates the minimum transmission radio wave intensity of the first transmitter / receiver necessary for the reception from the reception intensity of the test radio wave, and transmits the command radio wave using the calculated minimum transmission radio wave intensity as a command to the first transceiver. It is characterized by that.

  According to this invention, when starting transmission of radiation image information from the first transmitter / receiver of the cassette to the second transmitter / receiver of the external control device, the first transmitter / receiver transmits the test radio wave, The second transmitter / receiver calculates the minimum transmission radio wave intensity of the first transmitter / receiver necessary for the reception from the reception intensity of the test radio wave, and sends the command radio wave using the calculated minimum transmission radio wave intensity as a command. Since the transmission / reception is performed to one transmitter / receiver, the first transmitter / receiver can transmit the radiation image information with the minimum transmission radio wave intensity based on the command. As a result, it is possible to suppress power consumption for transmitting radiation image information from the first transmitter / receiver of the cassette to the second transmitter / receiver of the external control device, and to save power of the battery of the cassette. Can do.

  In this case, the second transmitter / receiver transmits the command radio wave with the radio wave intensity obtained by adding some radio wave intensity to the calculated minimum transmission radio wave intensity as a command to the first transmitter / receiver. The first transmitter / receiver can transmit the radiographic image information with a radio wave intensity obtained by adding some radio wave intensity to the minimum transmission radio wave intensity based on the command radio wave, thereby achieving a certain power saving effect. Thus, the radiation image information can be transmitted more stably and reliably.

  The cassette is further provided with a power switch, and the test radio wave is transmitted when the power switch is turned on. When the power switch is turned on, there is a high possibility that imaging will be performed from now on, and the radiographic image information can be transmitted to the second transceiver more reliably by checking the radio wave intensity at the time of imaging.

  Here, when the power switch is in the on state, when the transmission of the radiation image information is finished, the power switch is switched to the off state, thereby further reducing the power consumption of the battery. it can.

  The method of setting the minimum transmission radio wave intensity in the radiographic imaging system according to the present invention includes: a cassette transceiver having a radiation detector that detects radiation transmitted through a subject and converts the radiation into radiation image information; When the transmission of radiation image information is started, the cassette transceiver transmits a test radio wave, and the console transceiver calculates the minimum transmission radio wave intensity of the cassette transceiver necessary for the reception from the reception intensity of the test radio wave. Then, the command transmitter / receiver transmits a command radio wave with the calculated minimum transmit radio wave intensity as a command, and the cassette transmitter / receiver that has received the command radio wave sets its own transmit radio wave intensity to the minimum transmit radio wave intensity, The radiographic image information is transmitted.

  According to this invention, when starting transmission of radiation image information from the cassette transceiver to the console transceiver, the cassette transceiver transmits a test radio wave, and the console transceiver receives the test radio wave intensity. The cassette transmitter / receiver that calculates the minimum transmission radio wave intensity of the cassette transmitter / receiver necessary for the reception, transmits a command radio wave with the calculated minimum transmission radio wave intensity as a command to the cassette transceiver, and receives the command radio wave Since the transmission radio field intensity is set to the minimum transmission radio field intensity and the radiographic image information is transmitted, power consumption for transmitting radiographic image information from the cassette transceiver to the console transceiver As a result, it is possible to save power in the cassette battery.

  According to the present invention, when radiographic image information is wirelessly transmitted from the cassette to an external control device such as a console, the minimum transmission radio wave intensity that can be transmitted is calculated. Power saving of the battery to be driven can be achieved.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an operating room 12 in which a radiographic imaging system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. In the operating room 12, in addition to the radiographic imaging system 10, an operating table 16 on which the patient 14 lies is disposed, and an instrument table 20 on which various instruments used by the doctor 18 for surgery are placed. It is arranged on the side. 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.

  A radiographic imaging system 10 includes a cassette that includes an imaging device 22 for irradiating a patient 14 with radiation X having a dose according to imaging conditions, and a radiation detector (described later) that detects the radiation X transmitted through the patient 14. (Radiation detection cassette) 24, a display device 26 for displaying a radiation image based on the radiation X detected by the radiation detector, and a console for controlling the imaging device 22, the cassette 24 and the display device 26 (an external control device for the cassette 24) 28). Between the console 28 and the imaging device 22, the cassette 24, and the display device 26, signals are transmitted and received by wireless communication indicated by broken lines.

  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.

  FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the cassette 24. The cassette 24 includes a casing 34 made of a material that transmits the radiation X. Inside the casing 34, a grid 38 for removing 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 40 for detecting the radiation X transmitted through the patient 14. , And a lead plate 42 that absorbs backscattered radiation X is disposed in order. Note that the irradiation surface 36 of the casing 34 may be configured as a grid 38.

  Further, inside the casing 34, a battery 44 having a voltage Vcc, which is a power source for the cassette 24, a cassette control unit 46 for driving and controlling the radiation detector 40 by electric power supplied from the battery 44, and detection by the radiation detector 40. A cassette transmitter / receiver (first transmitter / receiver) 48 for transmitting and receiving a signal including information on the radiation X to / from the console 28 is accommodated. The cassette control unit 46 and the cassette 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 caused by 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 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 configuration block diagram of the radiation image capturing system 10 including the imaging device 22, the 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) 31 for comprehensively managing information is connected.

  The imaging device 22 receives imaging conditions supplied by radio communication from an imaging switch 72, a radiation source 74 that outputs radiation X, and a console transceiver 96 of the console 28, while imaging the console 28 by radio communication. A transmitter / receiver 76 that transmits a completion signal and the like, and a radiation source controller 78 that 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 are provided.

  The cassette 24 accommodates a radiation detector 40, a battery 44, a cassette control unit 46, a cassette transceiver 48, and a power switch 45. The power switch 45 is turned on or off manually or by a control signal Ss from the cassette transceiver 48, and switches power supply from the battery 44 to the radiation detector 40, the cassette controller 46, and the cassette transceiver 48. The battery 44 is directly connected to the cassette transceiver 48 that controls the sleep / wake-up function, and supplies standby power (low power) to the cassette transceiver 48 in the sleep state.

  The cassette controller 46 is detected by the radiation detector 40 and an address signal generator 80 that 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 82 for storing the radiographic image information and the cassette ID memory 84 for storing the cassette ID information for specifying the cassette 24 are provided. The cassette transmitter / receiver 48 receives a command radio wave, which will be described later, from the console 28 by wireless communication, while receiving the cassette ID information stored in the cassette ID memory 84 and the radiation image information stored in the image memory 82 from the console 28. Transmit by wireless communication.

  The display device 26 includes a receiver 90 that receives radiation image information from the console 28, a display control unit 92 that performs display control of the received radiation image information, and a display that displays the radiation image information processed by the display control unit 92. Part 94.

  The console 28 manages, with respect to the imaging device 22, the cassette 24, and the display device 26, a console transceiver 96 that transmits and receives necessary information including radiographic image information by wireless communication, and imaging conditions necessary for imaging by the imaging device 22. An imaging condition management unit 98 that performs the processing, an image processing unit 100 (image processing means) that performs image processing on the radiation image information transmitted from the cassette 24, an image memory 101 that stores the processed radiation image information, and an imaging target. A patient information management unit 102 that manages patient information of the patient 14 and a cassette information management unit 104 that manages cassette information corresponding to the radiation image information transmitted from the cassette 24 are provided. 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 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 cassette information is cassette ID information for specifying the cassette 24.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the radiation image information transmitting / receiving system 110 showing a part of the internal configuration of the cassette transmitter / receiver 48 and the console transmitter / receiver 96.

  The cassette transceiver 48 includes a cassette transmission / reception control unit 202 including a microcomputer, an antenna 203, an antenna duplexer 205, a reception unit 208, a transmission unit 210, and a variable gain amplifier 212.

  The cassette transmission / reception control unit 202 includes a test radio wave generation unit 204, a transmission radio wave intensity variable unit 206, and a transmission radio wave intensity setting unit 207.

  The receiving unit 208 receives a radio wave (RF signal) received by the antenna 203 via the antenna duplexer 205, converts it to an intermediate frequency signal (IF signal), demodulates it, and outputs it as received data to the cassette transmission / reception control unit 202. The transmission unit 210 modulates the data (radiation image information) read from the image memory 82 (see FIG. 4) or the test signal (signal corresponding to the test radio wave) output from the test radio wave generation unit 204 and uses the IF signal. Convert to RF signal. Note that the test radio wave is a radio wave whose transmission radio field intensity is increased by a predetermined value from the normal transmission radio wave intensity so that the console transceiver 96 can receive the test radio wave.

  When the test radio wave generation unit 204 detects that the power switch 45 is turned on, the test radio wave generation unit 204 supplies a test signal to the transmission unit 210.

  In the transmission radio wave intensity setting unit 207, the radio wave intensity of the transmission radio wave of the test radio wave and radiation image information is set.

  The transmission radio wave intensity varying unit 206 outputs a variable gain control signal Sc corresponding to the transmission radio wave intensity set in the transmission radio wave intensity setting unit 207 to the gain control port of the variable gain amplifier 212.

  The variable gain amplifier 212 outputs a transmission signal St having a power corresponding to the set transmission radio wave intensity. The output transmission signal St is transmitted via the antenna duplexer 205 and the antenna 203 (the test radio wave or radiation image information). (Including radio waves).

  On the other hand, the console transceiver 96 includes a console transmission / reception control unit 220 including a microcomputer, an antenna 224, an antenna duplexer 226, a reception unit 228, and a transmission unit 230.

  The console transmission / reception control unit 220 includes a minimum transmission radio wave intensity calculation unit 232. The receiving unit 228 receives the radio wave (RF signal) received by the antenna 224 via the antenna duplexer 226, converts it to an intermediate frequency signal (IF signal), demodulates it, and outputs it to the console transmission / reception control unit 220 as received data. The demodulated reception data includes a test signal or radiation image information.

  When the test radio wave is received, the minimum transmission radio wave intensity calculation unit 232 calculates a minimum transmission radio wave intensity of the cassette transceiver 48 according to the reception intensity of the test radio wave, and a command signal using the calculated minimum transmission radio wave intensity as a command Is transmitted as a command radio wave via the transmitter 230, the antenna duplexer 226, and the antenna 224.

  FIG. 6A is a characteristic diagram for explaining the calculation process performed by the minimum transmission radio wave intensity calculation unit 232. The characteristic 233 of the minimum transmission radio wave intensity Pmin of the cassette transceiver 48 corresponding to the reception intensity Pt of the test radio wave received by the console transceiver 96 is measured in advance, and a table (map) and a calculation formula are stored in the memory of the console transmission / reception control unit 220. As a result, the minimum transmission radio wave intensity Pmin to be set in the cassette transmitter / receiver 48 according to the test radio wave reception intensity Pt can be immediately obtained from this characteristic 233. The reception intensity Pt and the minimum transmission radio wave intensity Pmin are substantially in inverse proportion. The minimum transmission radio wave intensity Pmin is a minimum level at which stable wireless communication can be performed between the cassette transceiver 48 and the console transceiver 96.

  The radiographic image capturing system 10 (FIG. 1) according to this embodiment to which the radiographic image information transmission / reception system 110 (FIG. 5) is applied is basically configured as described above. This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  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. For this reason, the patient information of the patient 14 that is an imaging target (subject) is registered in advance in the patient information management unit 102 of the console 28 before imaging. In addition, when the imaging region and the imaging method are determined in advance, these imaging conditions are registered in the imaging condition management unit 98 in advance. In the state where the above preparatory work is completed, an operation on the patient 14 is performed.

  When radiographing is performed during surgery, the doctor 18 or the radiographer in charge installs the 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. Then, the power switch 45 is turned on.

  In step S1, the cassette transmission / reception control unit 202 of the cassette transceiver 48 detects that the power switch 45 is turned on.

  In step S <b> 2, the test radio wave generation unit 204 configuring the cassette transmission / reception control unit 202 sets a gain G <b> 1 for transmitting a test radio wave having a predetermined intensity larger than the normal transmission radio wave intensity in the transmission radio wave intensity setting unit 207. The transmission radio wave intensity varying unit 206 supplies the gain G 1 set in the transmission radio wave intensity setting unit 207 to the gain control port of the variable gain amplifier 212.

  As a result, a test signal composed of a unique word generated by the test radio wave generation unit 204 is output to the transmission unit 210. The test signal is amplified with a gain G 1 by the variable gain amplifier 212 to be a transmission signal St corresponding to the test radio wave intensity (the test radio wave having the predetermined intensity) and transmitted from the cassette transceiver 48 through the antenna duplexer 205 and the antenna 203.

  In step S11, the console transmission / reception control unit 220 of the console transceiver 96 responds to the test radio wave (the test radio wave having the predetermined intensity larger than the normal transmission radio wave intensity) through the antenna 224, the antenna duplexer 226, and the reception unit 228. When a radio wave is received, in step S12, the strength (reception strength) Pt of the received test radio wave is detected.

  Next, in step S13, the minimum transmission radio wave intensity calculation unit 232 of the console transmission / reception control unit 220 refers to the characteristic 233 shown in FIG. 6A, and receives the test radio wave reception intensity Pt (for example, the broken line position on the horizontal axis in FIG. 6A). ) Corresponding to the minimum transmission radio wave intensity Pmin (the broken line position on the vertical axis in FIG. 6A).

  Next, in step S <b> 14, the console transmission / reception control unit 220 generates a command signal that uses the calculated minimum transmission radio wave intensity Pmin as a command (content), and transmits the command signal as a command radio wave through the transmission unit 230, the antenna duplexer 226, and the antenna 224. To do.

  At this time, in step S <b> 3, the command radio wave is received by the cassette transmission / reception control unit 202 of the cassette transceiver 48.

  Next, in step S4, the cassette transmission / reception control unit 202 supplies the content of the received command radio wave, that is, a gain (referred to as Gmin) corresponding to the minimum transmission radio wave intensity Pmin to be set to the transmission radio wave intensity setting unit 207. Set.

  Transmission radio field strength varying section 206 sets variable gain control signal Sc corresponding to gain Gmin set in transmission radio field intensity setting section 207 in variable gain amplifier 212.

  With this setting, when radiographic image information described below is transmitted as a signal radio wave from the cassette 24 (step S5), the transmission signal radio wave intensity is suppressed to the minimum value (required minimum value), and the cassette 24 The power consumption of the battery 44 can be suppressed.

  In the test radio wave intensity calculation process in step S13, a value obtained by adding some value (radio wave intensity) ΔP to the calculated minimum transmission radio wave intensity Pmin, that is, a so-called plus alpha value is set as the minimum transmission radio wave intensity (Pmin + ΔP). It may be set (see FIG. 6A). In this way, it is possible to transmit radiation image information more stably and reliably while achieving a certain power saving effect of the battery 44.

  Next, after moving the photographing device 22 to a position facing the cassette 24, the photographing switch 72 is operated to perform photographing.

  The radiation source control unit 78 of the imaging apparatus 22 wirelessly communicates imaging conditions related to the imaging region of the patient 14 from the imaging condition management unit 98 of the console 28 via the console transceiver 96 and the transceiver 76 of the imaging apparatus 22. The patient 14 is irradiated with the radiation X having a predetermined dose by controlling the radiation source 74 according to the acquired imaging conditions.

  The radiation X transmitted through the patient 14 is irradiated with the radiation detector 40 after the scattered radiation is removed by the grid 38 of the cassette 24, and is converted into an electric signal by the photoelectric conversion layer 51 of each pixel 50 constituting the radiation detector 40. It is converted and held as a charge in the storage capacitor 53 (see FIG. 3). Next, the charge information which is the radiographic image information of the patient 14 held in each storage capacitor 53 is in accordance with the address signal supplied from the address signal generation unit 80 constituting the cassette control unit 46 to the line scanning drive unit 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 80, 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 80, 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 radiation image information converted into the digital signal is temporarily stored in the image memory 82 (see FIG. 4) 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 80, 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 82 of the cassette control unit 46 through the multiplexer 66 and the A / D converter 70.

  In step S5, the radiation image information stored in the image memory 82 is read from the image memory 82, and the cassette transmission / reception control unit 202, the transmission unit 210, the variable gain amplifier 212, the antenna duplexer 205, and the antenna of the cassette transceiver 48 are used. 203 is transmitted to the console 28 at a predetermined radio field intensity. In this case, the predetermined radio wave intensity is based on the variable gain control signal Sc corresponding to the gain Gmin that has already been set to the control port of the variable gain amplifier 212 through the transmission radio wave intensity setting unit 207 by the process of step S4 described above. The transmission radio wave intensity Pmin + ΔP is obtained by adding the minimum transmission radio wave intensity Pmin included in the transmission signal St amplified by the amplifier 212 or the radio wave intensity ΔP of a margin close thereto.

  The radiation image information transmitted from the cassette transceiver 48 of the cassette 24 to the console 28 is received through the antenna 224, the antenna duplexer 226, the receiving unit 228, and the console transmission / reception control unit 220 of the console transceiver 96. After predetermined image processing is performed, the image information is stored in the image memory 101 of the console 28 in a state associated with the patient information of the patient 14 registered in the patient information management unit 102.

  Next, the radiation image information subjected to the image processing is read from the image memory 101 and transmitted from the console transceiver 96 to the display device 26. The display device 26 that has received the radiation image information by the receiver 90 controls the display unit 94 by the display control unit 92 and displays the radiation image corresponding to the received radiation image information on the display unit 94.

  Thus, since the radiographic image of the patient 14 photographed during the operation is displayed on the display unit 94 within a short time after photographing, it is convenient for the doctor 18 and the like.

  When the cassette transmission / reception control unit 202 confirms that the transmission of the radiation image information in step S5 is completed, in step S6, the cassette transmission / reception control unit 202 turns on the power switch 45 by the switch control signal Ss (see FIG. 4). Switch to off state. This operation prevents the cassette 24 from being left in the standby state (a state in which constant power is consumed) in which the power switch 45 is turned on, thereby further promoting the power saving of the battery 44. . Even when the power switch 45 is in the OFF state, since the power is supplied from the battery 44 to the cassette transmission / reception control unit 202 of the cassette transmission / reception unit 48, the cassette transmission / reception control unit 202 (the CPU) corresponds to the above constant power. It is possible to stand by with less standby power.

  As described above, according to the embodiment described above, the radiation detector 40 that detects the radiation X transmitted through the patient 14 and converts the radiation X into radiation image information, and the image memory 82 that stores the converted radiation image information. A cassette transceiver 48 as a first transceiver for transmitting the radiographic image information stored in the image memory 82 to the outside by wireless communication with a transmission radio wave intensity according to an external command radio wave, a radiation detector 40, and a cassette A cassette 24 having a battery 44 for supplying power to the transceiver 48, and a console transceiver for transmitting the command radio wave and receiving the radiation image information transmitted from the cassette 24 with a transmission radio wave intensity corresponding to the command radio wave. Console 28 as an external control device having 96, and console transmission / reception from cassette transceiver 48 When the transmission of the radiation image information to 96 is started, the cassette transmitter / receiver 48 transmits a test radio wave, and the console transmitter / receiver 96 receives the cassette transmitter / receiver 48 necessary for the reception from the reception intensity Pt of the test radio wave. The minimum transmission radio wave intensity Pmin is calculated, and the command radio wave using the calculated minimum transmission radio wave intensity Pmin as a command is transmitted to the cassette transceiver 48. Therefore, the cassette transceiver 48 transmits the commanded minimum transmission radio wave intensity Pmin. The radiation image information can be transmitted by Pmin, and power consumption for transmitting the radiation image information from the cassette transceiver 48 to the console transceiver 96 can be suppressed. As a result, power saving of the battery of the cassette 24 can be achieved.

  In this case, the console transmitter / receiver 96 transmits the command radio wave with the radio wave intensity obtained by adding some radio wave intensity ΔP to the calculated minimum transmission radio wave intensity Pmin to the cassette transmitter / receiver 48, thereby transmitting and receiving the cassette. The machine 48 transmits the radiographic image information with a radio wave intensity (Pmin + ΔP) obtained by adding a certain amount of radio wave intensity ΔP to the minimum transmission radio wave intensity Pmin based on the command radio wave. The radiation image information can be transmitted more stably and reliably while achieving the effect.

  The test radio wave is transmitted when the power switch 45 of the cassette 24 is turned on. Therefore, when the radiation image information is stored in the image memory 82 of the cassette 24, the radiation of the test radio wave is reliably transmitted. Image information can be transmitted to the console transceiver 96. Further, since the power switch 45 is switched to the off state when the transmission of the radiation image information is completed, further power saving of the battery 44 can be achieved.

  According to this embodiment, since power consumption can be suppressed when radiographic image information is wirelessly transmitted from the cassette 24 to the console 28, power saving of the battery 44 that drives the cassette 24 is achieved. Can do.

  When the radiographic image information of the patients 14 and 14a is received by the console transceiver 96 of the console 28 from the cassette transceivers 48 and 48a of the cassettes 24 and 24a during the organ transplant operation process as shown in FIG. And the minimum transmission radio wave intensity according to each transmission radio wave intensity Pt1, Pt2 (see FIG. 6B) according to the space (radio wave propagation) length L1 between the antenna 224 and the space (radio wave propagation) length L2 between the antenna 203a and the antenna 224. Pmin1 and Pmin2 can be set in each transmission radio wave intensity setting unit 207 of the cassettes 24 and 24a. By setting in this way, both the cassette transceivers 48 and 48a can obtain the radiation image information with the minimum necessary power consumption of each battery 44. As a result, power saving of each battery 44 can be achieved.

  It should be noted that the power switch 45 is turned on in step S1 prior to the start of imaging, as shown in FIG. 9, in which a doctor 18 or a radiography engineer uses an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) card 304 to authenticate itself. It is also possible to perform wireless communication by holding the RFID card reception unit 302 (RFID transmitter / receiver) provided in 24.

  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, the radiation detector 40 accommodated in the cassette 24 directly converts the dose of the incident radiation X into an electrical signal by the photoelectric conversion layer 51. Instead of this, the incident radiation X is temporarily converted by the scintillator. After conversion into visible light, a radiation detector configured to convert the visible light into an electrical signal using a solid-state detection element such as amorphous silicon (a-Si) may be used (see Japanese Patent No. 3494683). ).

  Also, radiation image information can be obtained 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). .

  When the cassette 24 is used in the operating room 12 or the like, there is a risk that blood or other germs may adhere. Therefore, one cassette 24 can be repeatedly used by making the cassette 24 have a waterproof and airtight structure and sterilizing and cleaning as necessary.

  The cassette 24 is not limited to being used in the operating room 12, and can be applied to, for example, medical examinations and rounds in hospitals.

  Further, the wireless communication between the 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.

  It is more preferable to configure the cassette 500 as shown in FIG.

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

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

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

  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 disposed on the side of the cassette 500.

  The input terminal 510 is connected to an AC adapter when the charging function of the battery 44 built in the cassette 500 is deteriorated or when sufficient time for charging the battery 44 cannot be secured. By supplying this, the cassette 500 can be immediately used.

  The USB terminal 512 or the card slot 516 can be used when the 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. 11, it is preferable to place a cradle 518 that is loaded with a cassette 24 and charges a built-in battery 44 at a required place in the operating room 12 or hospital. In this case, the cradle 518 transmits and receives necessary information to and from external devices such as the HIS 31, the RIS 29, and the console 28 using not only the charging of the battery 44 but also the wireless communication function or the wired communication function of the cradle 518. You may do it. The information to be transmitted and received can include radiation image information recorded in the cassette 24 loaded in the cradle 518.

  In addition, a display unit 520 is provided in the cradle 518 so that the display unit 520 displays necessary information including a charged state of the loaded cassette 24 and radiation image information acquired from the cassette 24. Also good.

  Further, a plurality of cradle 518 is connected to a network, and the charging state of the cassette 24 loaded in each cradle 518 is collected via the network so that the location of the cassette 24 in a usable charging state can be confirmed. You can also

It is explanatory drawing of the operating room where the radiographic imaging system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention was installed. It is an internal block diagram of a radiation detection cassette. It is a circuit block diagram of a radiation detector. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a radiographic image capturing system. It is a block diagram of the radiation image information transmission / reception system. FIG. 6A is a characteristic diagram for explaining calculation processing by the minimum transmission radio wave intensity calculation unit. FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram when calculating the minimum transmission radio wave intensity of the cassette transceivers of two cassettes using this characteristic diagram. It is a flowchart with which operation | movement description of a radiographic imaging system is provided. It is explanatory drawing of the operating room where the radiographic imaging system which concerns on other embodiment was installed. It is a block diagram of a configuration of another example of a radiographic image capturing system. 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 14, 14a ... Patient 24, 24a, 500 ... Cassette 40 ... Radiation detector 82 ... Image memory 48, 48a ... Cassette transmitter / receiver (1st transmitter / receiver)
96 ... Console transceiver (second transceiver)
110 ... Radiation image information transmission / reception system 518 ... Cradle

Claims (8)

A radiation detector that detects radiation that has passed through the subject and converts it into radiation image information, an image memory that stores the converted radiation image information, and an external command for the radiation image information stored in the image memory A cassette having a first transmitter / receiver for transmitting to the outside by wireless communication with a transmission radio wave intensity based on a radio wave, and a battery for supplying power to the radiation detector and the first transmitter / receiver;
An external control device having a second transceiver for transmitting the command radio wave and receiving the radiation image information transmitted from the cassette;
When starting transmission of the radiation image information from the first transmitter / receiver of the cassette to the second transmitter / receiver of the external control device, the first transmitter / receiver transmits a test radio wave and the second transmitter / receiver The machine calculates the minimum transmission radio wave intensity of the first transmitter / receiver necessary for the reception from the reception intensity of the test radio wave, and transmits the command radio wave using the calculated minimum transmission radio wave intensity as a command to the first transceiver. A radiographic imaging system characterized by: In the radiographic imaging system of Claim 1,
The radiographic imaging system, wherein the second transmitter / receiver transmits the command radio wave having a command of a radio wave intensity obtained by adding some radio wave intensity to the calculated minimum transmission radio wave intensity. In the radiographic imaging system of Claim 1,
In addition, the cassette has a power switch,
The radio wave imaging system, wherein the test radio wave is transmitted when the power switch is turned on. In the radiographic imaging system of Claim 3,
The radiographic imaging system according to claim 1, wherein when the power switch is turned on, the cassette switches the power switch to an off state when transmission of the radiation image information is completed. In the radiographic imaging system of Claim 1,
Furthermore, an imaging device for irradiating the subject with the radiation having a dose according to imaging conditions,
The external control device is a console that supplies the imaging conditions to the imaging device. In the radiographic imaging system of Claim 5,
The radiographic imaging system characterized in that the imaging conditions are supplied to the imaging apparatus by wireless communication via the second transceiver. In the radiographic imaging system of Claim 3,
The radiographic imaging system according to claim 1, further comprising: an RFID card receiving unit provided in the cassette, wherein the power switch is turned on by holding the authenticated RFID card over the receiving unit. When starting transmission of radiation image information from a cassette transceiver of a cassette having a radiation detector that detects radiation transmitted through the subject and converts it into radiation image information, to the console transceiver of the console,
The cassette transceiver transmits a test radio wave,
The console transmitter / receiver calculates a minimum transmission radio wave intensity of the cassette transmitter / receiver necessary for the reception from the reception intensity of the test radio wave, and transmits a command radio wave with the calculated minimum transmission radio wave intensity as a command to the cassette transmitter / receiver. ,
The cassette transmitter / receiver that receives the command radio wave sets its own transmit radio wave intensity to the minimum transmit radio wave intensity, and transmits the radiographic image information. How to set the signal strength.

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