JP2009219585A - Radiographic system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent second radiography and to avoid useless power consumption by preventing errors in the radiography by a radiographic system. <P>SOLUTION: The radiographic system is controlled in such a way that only one of a plurality of radiation image detectors loaded in slots can be selected, and a locking means is disposed so that unselected radiation image detectors can not be detached from the slots. A radiography mode to be usually used and a radiography waiting mode in which the electric power is fed to the minimum structures only are provided in the respective radiation image detectors. The radiography mode is used only for fixed periods before and after the radiography. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiographic image capturing system that captures a radiographic image typified by an X-ray image.

  In the field of X-ray imaging apparatus for the purpose of medical diagnosis, X-rays are converted into visible light proportional to the intensity of X-rays by phosphors, and the converted light is converted into electrical signals using photoelectric conversion elements. Furthermore, an X-ray image capturing system (so-called FPD system) using an X-ray image capturing apparatus for further digital conversion has begun to be used.

  By incorporating the photoelectric conversion element in a portable radiation image detector advantageous for handling, it can be used in accordance with various parts and places, and a high-quality diagnostic image can be obtained more easily.

  When one or more radiation generators and a plurality of radiation image detectors, for example, a standing position imaging device and a portable (cassette type) imaging device are arranged to be usable in one imaging room, a scintillator type, In many cases, portable imaging devices with different pixel sizes are used. Under this circumstance, from the viewpoint of energy saving, the plurality of radiation image detectors should be set to a photographing standby mode that is a low power consumption state. Has been done.

  Therefore, for the user, the radiological image detector is not set to the imaging mode in which the imaging state where the power consumption is comparatively large (the imaging system is ready) is set, and the imaging standby state where the imaging system is not ready is set. There is a risk of shooting in mode. In such a case, the imaging is not performed normally even though the radiation is irradiated. In the case of erroneous imaging, a diagnostic image is not recorded in the radiological image detector, so that it must be re-imaged, resulting in a problem that the patient's exposure dose increases.

In order to solve this problem, Patent Document 1 proposes an X-ray imaging system that improves the convenience of handling the radiation image detector of the user and in turn reduces the risk of erroneous imaging.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-248095

  The technique described in Patent Document 1 includes a detection unit that detects that the radiation image detector is housed in the cradle device, and the removed radiation image detector is removed when the radiation image detector is removed from the cradle device. By switching to the imaging mode, each radiation image detector is in a state in which imaging is always possible.

  Therefore, when a plurality of radiographic image detectors are removed from the cradle device, the individual radiographic image detectors are in a state in which imaging is possible with high power consumption, but imaging is performed using a plurality of radiographic image detectors simultaneously. This is not preferable because it consumes power wastefully even when it is not used for shooting. In particular, in the case of a portable detector, it is often assumed that power is supplied from a built-in battery, frequent battery charging is required, and operability (maintenance) is difficult.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to selectively use a radiological image detector to be used, to prevent erroneous imaging that leads to re-imaging, and to suppress wasteful power consumption.

  The above object is achieved by the invention described below.

(1) A plurality of radiological image detectors including an imaging unit that performs imaging based on radiation transmitted through the subject and acquires image data;
A cradle device capable of loading the radiation image detector and having a plurality of slots for detecting loading;
Display means for indicating a loading state of a plurality of radiation image detectors in the slot;
A selection means that allows a user to select one radiographic image detector used for radiographing from among the plurality of radiographic image detectors;
Control means for controlling only one radiation image detector among the plurality of radiation image detectors loaded in the slot so as to be selectable by the selection means;
Wireless communication means for performing wireless communication between the radiation image detector and the control means;
A radiographic imaging system comprising:

(2) The radiation image detector includes a storage unit that stores information on a scintillator that converts radiation included in the radiation image detector into light and pixel size information of the imaging unit,
The control means acquires at least one information of the type of the scintillator and the pixel size stored in the storage unit using the wireless communication means, and causes the display means to display the acquired information. The radiographic imaging system according to (1), characterized in that

  (3) The control means controls so that a radiographic image detector in which at least one of a scintillator type and a pixel size is different can be selected after one radiographic image detector is selected by the selection means. The radiation image capturing system according to (1) or (2).

(4) The slot has a locking means that makes it impossible to remove the radiation image detector,
The radiographic image according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the control means controls the locking means of the slot in which the radiographic image detector is loaded using the wireless communication means. Shooting system.

(5) The radiation image detector includes a power supply unit that switches power to be supplied to each unit in accordance with switching of an imaging mode or an imaging standby mode that consumes less power than the imaging mode.
The cradle device has charging means for starting charging the power supply unit after the radiation image detector is loaded in the slot,
The radiation according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the control means controls the radiation image detector to an imaging mode after the radiation image detector is removed from the slot. Image shooting system.

  (6) The control means controls the radiographic image detector so that the radiographic image detector can be selected by the selection means when all the radiographic image detectors selected and removed from the slot are loaded in the slot. The radiographic imaging system according to any one of (1) to (5), characterized in that:

  When the user selects one radiographic image detector to be used for imaging, control is performed so that no other radiographic image detector can be selected, so that erroneous imaging and wasteful power consumption can be avoided.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a radiation image detector and a radiation image capturing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example.

  The first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a radiographic image capturing system. As shown in FIG. 1, the radiographic imaging system 100 is assumed to be radiographic imaging performed in a hospital, and is installed in an imaging room 6 in which radiation leakage prevention to the outside is performed with, for example, lead, A radiation image capturing apparatus 2 that performs radiation imaging by irradiating a subject with radiation such as X-rays and acquiring a radiation image with the radiation image detector 1, and radiation provided in the front chamber 9 of the imaging room A console device 3 that controls image capturing and gives instructions on the contents of image processing related to the obtained radiation image data, etc., and performs reservation management for in-hospital radiographic image capturing. An imaging request (imaging order) instruction is transmitted to the host computer 4 for storing radiographic image data transmitted from the console device 3 after imaging, and imaging provided in the front room of the imaging room is performed. A cradle device 5 on which the radiation image detector 1 is placed when not in use and a base station 7 for performing communication by a wireless communication system such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). Connected through. The network N may be a communication line dedicated to the system, but may be an existing line such as Ethernet (registered trademark) in order to increase the degree of freedom of the system configuration. The console device 3 controls the radiation image detector 1 (FPD), the radiation image capturing device 2 and the cradle device 5.

  Note that the cradle device 5 does not necessarily have to be installed in the front room on the imaging flow (movement flow line) of an engineer or the like, and may be installed in the imaging room 6, for example.

  When a user such as an engineer gives an instruction for radiation irradiation from the console device 3 to the radiation irradiation device 8, the radiation irradiation device 8 irradiates the imaging region of the subject with an appropriate dose of radiation. The irradiated radiation passes through the imaging region of the subject, and the internal information of the imaging region is converted into radiation intensity distribution information and detected by the radiation image detector 1.

  The radiographic image capturing apparatus 2 includes a radiation irradiation apparatus 8 and a radiographic image detector 1.

  The radiation irradiation device 8 includes a radiation source 81 and a radiation source control means 82, and the radiation source 81 has radiation characteristic information (tube voltage, tube current applied to the radiation source 81, tube current, The radiation source control means 82 controls the radiation so as to generate radiation according to the irradiation time.

  The imaging room 6 is provided with a door 6a through which users such as patients and technicians enter and exit, and the front room 9 is provided with a door 9a through which users such as technicians enter and exit. In between, a door 9b is provided for a user such as an engineer to enter and exit the front chamber 9 in order to operate the radiographic apparatus 2.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a whole view of the radiographic image capturing system 100 and the state of subject imaging. The user selects one cassette from the apparatus 5 loaded with a plurality of cassette-shaped radiation image detectors 1 (hereinafter also referred to as cassettes), and loads the cassette in the lower portion of the lying table 6b. The patient S who receives the radiographic image is thinned on the position table 6b, and is imaged by receiving the irradiation of the radiation.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the console device 3 includes a control unit 33 including a wireless communication unit 34, an image storage unit 35, a display unit 36, a selection unit 32, and a mode control unit 331. Each component constituting the console device 3 is connected by a bus 37 to exchange signals.

  The wireless communication unit 34 communicates with the radiation image capturing apparatus 8. The image storage unit 35 stores image data transmitted from the cassette. The display unit 36 displays the photographing result and the like. The control means 33 controls the entire function of the console device.

  In addition, the console device 3 includes a mode control unit 331 that controls a mode switching unit that switches between a shooting mode and a shooting standby mode, which will be described later, in the cassette.

  In the console device 3, a user gives an imaging instruction via an operation unit (not shown), and the radiographic image capturing device 2 is controlled based on an imaging instruction from the operation unit. The selection means 32 will be described later.

  Based on the image signal obtained by the cassette, the console device 3 can perform various image processing such as gradation processing, and at the same time, image data for the user to visually check whether shooting has been properly performed. Can be displayed.

  When the user confirms that the image data displayed on the display unit 36 is appropriate, the user transmits the image data to the host computer 4 via the operation unit.

  Next, the structure of the cassette will be described with reference to FIG. A cassette is a flat panel type radiation detector (Flat Panel Detector) provided with the photoelectric converting layer formed, for example using the electroconductive organic compound.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cassette includes an imaging panel 101 that detects radiation images by converting radiation such as X-rays irradiated from the radiation irradiation device 8 and transmitted through the subject into electrical signals. The imaging panel 101 is formed with a light emitting layer that emits light according to the intensity of incident radiation.

  The light emitting layer has a phosphor as a main component, and outputs light having a wavelength of 300 nm to 800 nm, that is, light ranging from ultraviolet light to infrared light centering on visible light, based on incident radiation. Note that the light emitting layer is generally called a scintillator layer.

Phosphors used in the light emitting layer include those based on CaWO ₄ , CdWO _4, etc., and luminescent center substances activated in the matrix such as CsI: Tl, Gd ₂ O ₂ S: Tb, ZnS: Ag. Can be used. Further, when the rare earth element is M, a phosphor represented by the general formula of (Gd, M, Eu) ₂ O ₃ can also be used.

In particular, CsI: Tl and Gd ₂ O ₂ S: Tb are preferable because of high X-ray absorption and emission efficiency, and by using these, a high-quality image with low noise can be obtained.

  At a position adjacent to the light emitting layer, a photoelectric conversion layer is formed that converts the light output from the light emitting layer into electric energy and accumulates it, and outputs an image signal based on the accumulated electric energy.

  The photoelectric conversion layer is formed of a photoelectric conversion element that generates electric energy and stores it for each pixel, and a transistor that is a switching element for outputting the stored electric energy as a signal.

  As the photoelectric conversion element, for example, a photodiode is used, but it is not particularly limited, and other solid-state image pickup element (charge-coupled element or the like) or an element such as a photomultiplier tube may be used.

  As the transistor, for example, a thin film transistor (TFT) is used. The TFT may be an inorganic semiconductor type used in a liquid crystal display or the like or an organic semiconductor type.

  The photoelectric conversion layer is not limited to the one using the switching element as described above. For example, the photoelectric conversion layer can be configured to generate and output a signal corresponding to the energy level of the stored electric energy. Is formed of amorphous silicon disposed on a glass substrate.

  In the vicinity of the photoelectric conversion layer, as a drive circuit for driving the photoelectric conversion layer, a scanning drive circuit for outputting the accumulated electric energy as an image signal, and reading out the accumulated electric energy according to the intensity of the irradiated radiation And a signal readout circuit. Of course, instead of the indirect type, a direct type FPD may be adopted.

  The cassette also includes an image storage unit 102 that temporarily stores an image signal output from the imaging panel 101 using a rewritable read-only memory such as a flash memory as a storage unit, and the type and imaging of the cassette scintillator. Wireless communication means 104 that communicates with the storage unit 110 that stores information such as the pixel size of the imaging panel 101 that functions as a unit, and each member that constitutes the radiographic imaging system 100 on the network N, and that receives an imaging start signal. And a power supply unit 105 as a power supply source that supplies power to each part of the cassette. As the power supply unit 105, either a battery (secondary battery) or a battery can be used.

  Further, the cassette is provided with a display unit 106 indicating that the remaining battery capacity accumulated in the power supply unit 105, the completion of radiographic imaging imaging preparations, and that a predetermined amount of image signal has been written to the image storage unit 102. ing.

  Further, the cassette is provided with a connection terminal 107, and the user places the cassette on the cradle device 5 when the user does not take a picture for a long time or charges the cassette. At that time, the connection terminal 107 is connected to a connection terminal on the cradle device 5 side, and power is supplied from the cradle device 5 to the power supply unit 105 of the cassette by the connection between the connection terminals, and the image is also displayed. The image signal stored in the storage unit 102 is configured to be transmitted to the cradle device 5.

  Further, the cassette is provided with mode switching means 108 that receives an instruction from the mode control means 331 of the console device and switches between the photographing mode and the photographing standby mode.

  Here, the photographing mode is a state in which power is supplied to necessary members and necessary functional units are operating, and a series of photographing operations to be described later is performed.

  On the other hand, the photographing standby mode is a mode that consumes less power than the photographing mode, and the power consumption of the cassette is changed (suppressed) by reducing the number of members that apply voltage among the constituent members of the cassette.

  For example, in the photographing mode, a voltage is applied to a signal readout circuit, a scanning drive circuit, a photodiode, a TFT, an image storage unit 102, a wireless communication unit 104, a connection terminal 107, and a control unit 109 described later. In the shooting standby mode, it is configured to apply voltage to all parts except for the photodiode, TFT, and signal readout circuit, and when it is not shooting, it reads the signal with the highest power consumption. The circuit is configured to block the application of voltage to the photodiode and the TFT, which are likely to be deteriorated when a voltage is applied for a long time, to reduce power consumption and prevent deterioration of the constituent members.

  The control unit 109 has a function of controlling the operation of each member constituting the cassette in addition to the function of controlling the operation of the mode switching unit 108, and is transmitted from the console device 3 via the wireless communication unit 104. It is also configured to always detect the shooting start signal. In addition, each component which comprises a cassette is connected by the bus | bath 103, and the exchange of signals is performed.

  Next, the photographing operation will be described. First, the reset operation is performed by the signal readout circuit to remove the remaining electric charge, and then the idle reading operation is performed to initialize the cassette. Thereafter, the cassette is irradiated with radiation from the radiation irradiating device 8, and an electrical signal is generated and stored in the photodiode according to the radiation dose. After the X-ray irradiation, the scanning drive circuit and the signal readout circuit are driven, the TFTs are switched, the electrical signal stored in the photodiode is conducted, sent to the signal readout circuit, and converted into a digital signal. It is supposed to be converted (electrical signal reading). The control unit 109 temporarily holds the digital signal as an image signal in the image storage unit 102, and then transmits the image signal to the cradle device 5 (transfer of the image signal).

  As described above, the radiographic image capturing system 100 includes the radiographic image capturing device 2, the cassette 1, the cradle device 5, the console device 3, the host computer 4, and the like, which are operated by the user from the console device or the host computer. A radiographic image of the specimen is taken.

  Next, the flow of shooting in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, when a user selects one radiographic image detector to be used for imaging, control is performed so that no other radiographic image detector can be selected.

  FIG. 5 is a screen of the display unit 36 of the console device 3 for selecting a cassette to be used for imaging among the cassettes to be used in the present radiographic imaging system. In FIG. 5A, an ID number display window 51 is provided, and the cassette ID numbers ID1 to ID6 are displayed. The user can use the selection means 32 to select a cassette to which any ID number is assigned. As the selection means 32, a keyboard or a mouse can be used.

  FIG. 5A shows a state where selection is performed with the mouse. When the cursor 52 displayed on the screen is operated by the mouse to display each cassette, the display of the cassette is reversed in black and white. Yes. When the user clicks the mouse in that state, the selected cassette is displayed in the display window 53 as shown in FIG. Assume that a cassette with ID3 is selected. In this state, even if the user tries to select another cassette displayed on the display window 51 using the mouse, it cannot be selected, and the display of the cassette of ID3 shown in the previously selected display window 53 is changed. Can not. When the user wants to change the cassette, the display 54 for changing the selection in FIG. 5B is selected with the mouse. Then, as shown in FIG. 5A, the display window 53 returns to a blank state, and then a desired cassette is selected.

  Here, when the cassette displayed in the display window 53 after selection is further selected by a selection means such as a mouse, the display unit 36 as shown in FIG. 6 appears. In the display unit 36, an imaging list 72 on which information of the patient S to be imaged is placed, information 71 (herein, name and imaging region) of the patient S that is selected from the imaging list 72 and is to be imaged next, and A display 73 of the cassette ID number used for imaging is displayed for the patient.

  The imaging list 72 includes information such as name, imaging region, sex, and remarks, and also displays a cassette display used for imaging the patient S in the imaging list set in advance. Also good.

  FIG. 7 shows an outline of the above flow. In step S <b> 1, a control unit such as a CPU provided in the console device 3 determines whether one cassette is selected. While one cassette is not selected, it is repeatedly confirmed that one cassette is selected. If it is determined that one cassette has been selected, the control means controls as described above so that no other cassette can be selected.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, when the user selects one radiographic image detector to be used for imaging, control is performed so that no other radiographic image detector can be selected. It is possible to prevent wasteful power consumption.

  Next, an outline of photographing in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. A user who performs imaging using a radiographic image capturing system may want to use the sensitivity of light reception of pixels in the radiographic image detector and the resolution of the image. Therefore, the light receiving sensitivity and pixel size of the pixels are displayed on the display unit 36 so that the user can select a desired radiation image detector. The unit of pixel size is μm. Note that a pixel refers to a unit in which one photoelectric conversion element and a part of a scintillator corresponding to the photoelectric conversion element are combined, and the sensitivity of light reception of the pixel mainly depends on the type of the scintillator.

  When the user does not perform imaging, the radiographic image detector is loaded in each of a plurality of slots in the cradle device 5 and charged. As described above, the cassette includes the storage unit 110 that stores the scintillator type and the pixel size.

  The control means 33 in the console device 3 communicates with the cassette storage unit 110 via the wireless communication means 34 and the wireless communication means 104 of the cassette, and obtains information on the light reception sensitivity of the pixels, the pixel size, and the cassette size. Next, the control means causes the display unit 36 to display the acquired light reception sensitivity, pixel size, and cassette size information.

  A display example of the display unit 36 is shown in FIG. Here, the display window 801 displays the ID number of each cassette, the size of the cassette, the sensitivity of light reception of the image, and the pixel size. There are various types of cassette sizes, such as six cuts, half cuts, and large corners.

  As described above, the user selects a cassette to which any ID number is assigned using the selection means. FIG. 8A shows a state of selection with the mouse, and shows a state where the display of the selected cassette is reversed in black and white. When the user clicks the mouse in this state, as shown in FIG. 8B, the display of the selected cassette is displayed in the display window 802 in which the selected cassette is displayed. In this state, even if the user tries to select another cassette displayed on the display window 801 using the mouse, it cannot be selected, and the display of the previously selected cassette shown in the display window 802 cannot be changed. . When the user wants to change the cassette, if the display 803 for changing the selection in FIG. 8B is selected with the mouse, the display window 52 returns to a blank state as shown in FIG. 8A. And then select the desired cassette.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, only the cassette to be used is selected by displaying the information on the light receiving sensitivity and the pixel size of the image of the radiation image detector loaded in the slot of the cradle device on the display means. Thus, it is possible to prevent erroneous photographing and suppress wasteful power consumption.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, it was not possible to select another cassette. However, there is a demand at radiological imaging sites where it is desired to take images with different sensitivities and images with different resolutions for the part to be imaged. In such a case, the complicated work of returning the cassette used for the first imaging to the cradle device and taking out another cassette for use is desired for early diagnosis. Therefore, in order to acquire images with different sensitivities and images with different resolutions, cassettes having different light sensitivity and resolution can be added and selected. FIG. 9 showing a display unit for selecting a cassette and a flow for selecting a cassette will be described below with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S21, the user selects one cassette by using the selection means 32 described above. FIG. 9A shows a display unit for first selecting a cassette. If ID1 is selected, the display of ID1 appears in the display window 802 as shown in FIG. When the selection is changed, the display 804 for designating the selection change is selected in FIG. 9B. Then, the display returns to the display of FIG. 9A, and the user can select again.

  Next, in step S22, the second cassette is selected. In the display window 801 of FIG. 9B, the ID number of each cassette, the size of the cassette, the sensitivity of light reception of the pixel, and the pixel size are displayed. As described above, there are two ID numbers, ID2 and ID4, of the selected cassette of ID1 and the cassette having at least one of the sensitivity and pixel size of light reception of the pixel. Therefore, two cassettes of ID2 and ID4 can be added and selected with the cassette of ID1 selected. Other cassettes of ID3, ID5, and ID6 cannot be selected. In step S23, the control means 33 determines whether at least one of the light reception sensitivity and the pixel size of the cassette pixel to be selected is different. If at least one of the light reception sensitivity and the pixel size of the pixel is different, it can be selected, and it is determined that the selection is possible in step S24. The same cassette for both the light receiving sensitivity and the pixel size cannot be selected, and it is determined that the cassette cannot be selected in step S25, and the process returns to step S22 so that the cassette can be selected again.

  When the user selects ID4 having a different pixel size as shown in FIG. 9B, the user can select ID4. As shown in FIG. 9C, the display of the cassette of ID4 appears in the display window 802. However, cassettes having the same light reception sensitivity and pixel size but different sizes cannot be selected. FIG. 9D shows a case in which the ID 5 of the cassette having the same size and the same light receiving sensitivity and pixel size as the cassette of ID 1 is selected. When the mouse is operated to move the cursor over the display of ID5 and the mouse is clicked, a display 805 indicating that the cassette cannot be selected appears as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the user selects the cassette of ID2 again, it can be selected because the sensitivity of light reception of the pixel is different from that of the cassette of ID1, and the display of ID2 appears in the display window 802.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, images having different sensitivities and images having different resolutions can be obtained by adding and selecting cassettes having different light reception sensitivities and resolutions.

  Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the above embodiment, when at least one of the light receiving sensitivity of the pixel and the pixel size is not different, it is determined that the cassette cannot be selected. May be used. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, an unselected cassette is prevented from being removed from the cradle device and cannot be used at the photographing site.

  Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 11, the cradle device 5 includes a wireless communication unit 505, a display unit 502, a charging unit 501, a control unit 506, a connection terminal 503, and a cassette detection unit 507. Each component constituting the cradle device 5 is connected by a bus 58 to exchange signals. In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the cradle device 5 includes the control unit 506 will be described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the control unit 33 of the console device 3 may control the cradle device 5.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the cradle device 5 includes four cassettes of a first cassette 151, a second cassette 152, a third cassette 153, and a fourth cassette 154 as shown in FIG. Can be loaded. Each slot 201 is provided with a cassette detecting means 507, a display unit 502, and a connection terminal 503 corresponding to each cassette.

  The user charges the cassette power supply unit using the charging means 501 in the cradle device 5 by connecting and loading the cassette to the connection terminal 503 provided in the slot 201 of the cradle device 5 when shooting is not performed. It can be carried out. The display unit 502 displays the state of charge and the state of the cassette connected to the cradle device 5. The control unit 506 controls the operation of each unit constituting the cradle device 5. The wireless communication unit 505 transmits the image signal stored in the image storage unit 504 to the console device 3 and the host computer 4 connected to the network N.

  The cassette detecting means 507 can recognize the cassette identification number when the connection terminal 503 is connected to the connection terminal 107 on the cassette side. The control means 33 of the console device communicates with the cassette detection means 507 of the cradle device 5 via the wireless communication means 34 in the console device, and can recognize the identification number of the cassette loaded in the cradle device 5. Yes. In addition, since the identification number of the cassette that can be controlled by the console device can be registered in the console device in advance, the user can know which of the cassettes that can be controlled by the console device is loaded.

  When the cassette is loaded into the cradle device 5, the cassette detection means 507 detects that the cassette has been loaded. When detecting the information that the cassette has been detected, the control unit 506 of the cradle device 5 controls the lock unit 509 to mechanically lock the loaded cassette so that it cannot be removed from the slot. Generally known means can be employed as the locking means. By locking, the user cannot remove from the slot without unlocking.

  Next, the flow of cassette selection and lock release by the user will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S31, the user selects one cassette from the cassettes loaded in the slot 201 of the cradle device 5 using the method described above. In step S32, the control unit 33 detects that one cassette has been selected, and communicates with the control unit 506 of the cradle device 5 via the wireless communication unit 34 and the wireless communication unit 505. An instruction to release the lock is sent to the lock means. In response to the instruction, the control unit 506 releases the lock. When only one cassette is selected, the flow ends in step S32, but the following description will be made assuming that the second and subsequent cassettes are selected.

  In step S33, the user operates the mouse to select the second cassette and performs a selection operation. In step S34, the control means 33 determines whether the selected cassette has the same received light sensitivity or the like. If both the light receiving sensitivity of the pixel and the pixel size are the same, it is determined in step S35 that the cassette cannot be selected, and the process returns to step S33 to select the next cassette. If at least one of the sensitivity of pixel light reception and the pixel size is different, in step S36, the control means 33 unlocks the selected cassette so that the cassette can be selected.

  In step S37, it is determined whether the user selects another cassette. When selecting, it returns to step S33 and performs further selection. If another cassette is not selected in step S37, the flow ends.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, an unselected cassette is prevented from being removed from the cradle device and cannot be used at the shooting site, thereby preventing erroneous shooting and reducing unnecessary power consumption. be able to.

  Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. As described above, a user loads a cassette into the cradle device 5 when not in use, and selects a desired cassette to be used for photographing after photographing. The cassette is provided with a power supply unit 105 that can be charged. After being loaded into the cradle device 5, power is supplied from the cradle device 5 to the power supply unit 105 of the cassette and charged. When the user removes the cassette from the cradle device 5 and power is not supplied from the cradle device 5, power is consumed in each component of the cassette even when the user does not perform a photographing operation. So the remaining capacity of the battery starts to decrease. Therefore, in order to perform as much photographing as possible with the charge amount for one cycle, it is desired to reduce the power consumption in each component of the cassette in the unused state during charging.

  Therefore, the cassette is provided with a shooting standby mode, in addition to a normal shooting mode in which power is supplied to each component. The shooting standby mode is a mode in which power is supplied only to the minimum necessary components, and power consumption can be reduced compared to the shooting mode. Since the cassette is used in the photographing mode only for a certain period before and after photographing, it is not necessary to keep the cassette in the photographing mode while the cassette is loaded in the cradle device 5. Therefore, while the cassette is loaded in the cradle device 5, the cassette is placed in the photographing standby mode while charging the power source, and after the cassette is removed from the cradle device 5, the cassette is placed in the photographing mode state. By doing so, the life of the power supply is extended.

  In general, the unused state (the state loaded in the cradle device 5) takes a long time. Therefore, if the TFT or the like is not energized during this period, the TFT response can be maintained. This is preferable because the life of the parts is extended.

  Next, the actual operation will be described with reference to FIG. In step S41, it is confirmed whether or not a cassette is loaded in each slot 201 of the cradle device 5. When the cassette is loaded into the slot 201, the cassette detecting means 507 detects that the cassette has been loaded. It is repeatedly confirmed that a cassette is loaded in each slot 201.

  When the cassette is loaded, the process moves to step S42, and charging of the power supply unit of the loaded cassette is started. Next, the process proceeds to step S43, where the cassette detecting means 507 detects whether or not the cassette loaded for each slot has been removed. If it is detected that the cassette has been removed for each slot, the process proceeds to step S44, where the mode control means 331 communicates with the cassette mode switching means 108 via the wireless communication means 34 and the wireless communication means 104, and the cassette mode is changed. Switch from shooting standby mode to shooting mode.

  As described above, in the fifth embodiment, while the cassette is loaded in the cradle device, the power supply is charged while the cassette is in the shooting standby mode, and after the cassette is removed from the cradle device, The life of the power supply can be extended by putting the in the shooting mode.

  Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. As described above, the user can select only some cassettes in order to prevent erroneous photographing. However, a cassette that is not selected may be removed from the cradle device, and the cassette may be mistakenly used for photographing. As described above, even when a cassette that is not selected can be removed from the cradle device by providing a lock means, the cassette is not loaded in the cradle device and is left in the photographing room, and the cassette that is not selected is mistakenly photographed. The case where it uses is also assumed. Therefore, erroneous shooting is prevented by controlling so that the cassette can be selected for the next shooting only when all the cassettes that have been removed after being selected and used for shooting are loaded into the cradle device.

  The actual operation will be described with reference to FIG. In step S51, it is checked whether or not all cassettes that have been selected and removed are loaded in the slot. Specifically, the control means 33 in the console device 3 confirms whether a cassette is loaded in the cassette cassette detection means and each slot via the wireless communication means 34 and the wireless communication means 104 of the cassette. If there is a slot in which no cassette is loaded, it is repeatedly confirmed that the cassette is loaded. If the control means 33 confirms that all the cassettes are loaded in the slots, the process proceeds to step S52, and the control means 33 performs control so that all the cassettes can be selected.

  As described above, in the sixth embodiment, erroneous shooting can be prevented by performing control so that a cassette can be selected only when all the cassettes are loaded in the cradle device.

It is a schematic block diagram of a radiographic imaging system. It is a schematic diagram showing a subject and an apparatus configuration. It is a block diagram of a console apparatus. It is a block diagram of a radiographic image detector. It is a figure which shows the selection method of the cassette displayed on the display part of the console apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the information of the patient displayed on the display part of a console apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the selection method of the cassette in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the selection method of the cassette displayed on the display part of the console apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the selection method of the cassette displayed on the display part of the console apparatus in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the selection method of the cassette in 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of a cradle apparatus. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a cradle apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the selection method of the cassette in 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the mode switching method of cassette in 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the selection method of the cassette in 6th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Radiographic image detector 5 Cradle apparatus 32 Selection means 100 Radiographic imaging system 35,102,504 Image memory | storage part 34,104,505 Wireless communication means 105 Power supply part 107 Connection terminal 108 Mode switching means 109,506 Control part 151 1st Cassette 153 second cassette 153 third cassette 154 fourth cassette 201 slot 331 mode control means 501 charging means,
507 cassette detection means

Claims (6)

A plurality of radiation image detectors including an imaging unit that performs imaging based on radiation transmitted through the subject and acquires image data;
A cradle device capable of loading the radiation image detector and having a plurality of slots for detecting loading;
Display means for indicating a loading state of a plurality of radiation image detectors in the slot;
A selection means that allows a user to select one radiographic image detector used for radiographing from among the plurality of radiographic image detectors;
Control means for controlling only one radiation image detector among the plurality of radiation image detectors loaded in the slot so as to be selectable by the selection means;
Wireless communication means for performing wireless communication between the radiation image detector and the control means;
A radiographic imaging system comprising: The radiological image detector has a storage unit that stores information on the type of scintillator that converts radiation included in the radiographic image detector into light and the pixel size of the imaging unit,
The control means acquires at least one information of the type of the scintillator and the pixel size stored in the storage unit using the wireless communication means, and causes the display means to display the acquired information. The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 1. The said control means controls so that the radiographic image detector from which at least any one of the kind of scintillator and pixel size differs can be selected, after one radiographic image detector is selected by the said selection means. 3. The radiographic imaging system according to 1 or 2. The slot has a locking means that makes it impossible to remove the radiation image detector,
The radiographic imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit controls the locking unit of a slot in which a radiographic image detector is loaded using the wireless communication unit. . The radiation image detector has a power supply unit that switches power to be supplied to each unit in accordance with switching of an imaging mode or an imaging standby mode that consumes less power than the imaging mode.
The cradle device has charging means for starting charging the power supply unit after the radiation image detector is loaded in the slot,
The radiographic imaging according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control means controls the radiographic image detector to an imaging mode after the radiographic image detector is removed from the slot. system. The control means controls the radiological image detector so that the radiographic image detector can be selected by the selection means when all the radiographic image detectors selected and removed from the slot are loaded in the slot. The radiographic imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images