JP2009219586A - Radiographic system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent second radiography and to extend the life of a battery by preventing errors in the radiography in a radiographic system. <P>SOLUTION: If one radiation image detector is selected, the mode in other radiation image detectors is also changed to a radiography mode. As a result, if an image is captured by mistake by using a radiation image detector which is not selected by the user, the captured image can be used as well, and errors in the radiography can be prevented. Further, the life of batteries can be extended by changing the mode of unused radiation image detectors to a radiography waiting mode. <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 apparatuses intended for medical diagnosis, X-ray imaging systems using X-ray imaging means (hereinafter referred to as FPD) for converting X-rays into electrical signals have begun to be used. The FPD uses an indirect FPD that converts X-rays into visible light proportional to the intensity of the X-rays by a phosphor and converts the converted light into an electrical signal using a photoelectric conversion element, and the irradiated X-rays. There is a direct FPD that converts an electric signal by a direct photoelectric conversion element.

By incorporating the FPD in a portable radiographic image detector that is advantageous for handling, it becomes possible to image various parts of the subject at various places where the subject is present, and a conventional film / screen system or CR Diagnostic images can be obtained more quickly for the system. Moreover, the portable radiographic image detector is not a power supply system using a cable in order to make use of its mobility, but the power supply is performed by an internal battery, but normal imaging can be performed to extend the battery life. In some cases, a shooting standby mode is provided separately from the shooting mode in which power is supplied to each component to reduce current consumption. The shooting standby mode is a mode in which power is supplied only to a minimum necessary component, for example, a communication function unit for control with a host device, and power consumption can be reduced compared to the shooting mode. 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. Further, when the radiographic image detector is housed in the cradle device, the radiographic image detector is set in an imaging standby mode to save power as an X-ray imaging system.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-248095

  In some cases, a plurality of radiation image detectors are used in one radiographing room provided with at least one radiation generating means, in which radiation leakage is prevented. In the case of an indirect type FPD, a plurality of radiation image detectors are prepared in consideration of the sensitivity of the scintillator with respect to irradiation radiation and the pixel size of the FPD, and radiation suitable for each imaging region of the subject to be imaged. This is to provide a better diagnostic image using the image detector.

  However, as described above, when a plurality of radiological image detectors are used, the above-mentioned patent document system based on the flow of always returning the radiological image detectors to the cradle device has a mass of 3 to 5 kg. This is not preferable because it imposes a load for moving a plurality of portable radiographic image detectors.

  In particular, when a plurality of technicians shoot in a plurality of radiographing rooms, an expensive radiological image detector using FPD is shared by a plurality of technicians, so that the technician enters during the shooting. The cradle device is not installed in the photographing room where the camera cannot be operated, and the cradle device is installed outside the photographing room. If it does so, the distance of each imaging | photography room and a cradle apparatus will become long, and the burden at the time of an engineer moving between each imaging | photography room and a cradle apparatus will increase.

  The present invention prevents erroneous imaging in the case where imaging is performed using one radiation image detector while other radiation image detectors are left unattended while planning to use a plurality of radiation image detectors with a built-in battery. In addition, it is possible to extend the life of a plurality of built-in batteries.

(1) A built-in battery and a power supply unit that switches power to be supplied to each unit in accordance with switching between the shooting mode or the shooting standby mode that consumes less power than the shooting mode,
A plurality of radiation image detectors for acquiring image data based on radiation irradiated from a radiation source in an imaging room and transmitted through a subject;
A selection unit that allows a user to select one radiographic image detector from among the plurality of radiographic image detectors in an imaging mode; a control unit that controls operations of the plurality of radiographic image detectors and the radiation source; A control device comprising: mode control means for switching the radiographic image detector to the selected mode; and communication means for performing communication between the radiographic image detector and the mode control means;
A radiographic imaging system comprising:
The mode control means switches one radiographic image detector used in an imaging room to an imaging mode according to an input instruction of the selection means, and switches another radiographic image detector in the imaging room to an imaging mode. Radiation imaging system.
(2) The radiation image detector has radiation detection means for detecting irradiated radiation,
The mode control means, after switching all the radiation image detectors in the imaging room to the imaging mode,
The radiation according to (1), wherein the mode control means switches the radiation image detector in which the radiation detection means does not detect radiation within a predetermined time after issuing an irradiation instruction to the radiation source to an imaging standby mode. Image shooting system.
(3) The radiation image detector has the radiation detection means,
The radiographic image according to (1), wherein the mode control unit controls the radiographic image detector that has not detected radiation within a predetermined time after switching to the imaging mode to switch to the imaging standby mode. Shooting system.

  When an engineer inputs to start imaging, all radiation image detectors in the imaging room are changed to the imaging mode, so there is no re-imaging due to forgetting mode change, and the exposure dose to the subject is increased unnecessarily There is nothing to do. In addition, since the radiographic image detector that has not been used for imaging is switched to the imaging standby mode after a relatively short time, it is possible to suppress the battery life from being shortened.

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

  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. For example, the radiographic imaging system 100 is installed in an imaging main room 6 and irradiates a subject with radiation such as X-rays. Radiographic imaging apparatus 2 that performs radiography by acquiring radiographic images in cassette 1, console apparatus 3 that provides instructions regarding radiographic imaging and obtained radiographic image data, and in-hospital radiographic imaging reservation management When the imaging reservation of the predetermined imaging main room 6 is entered, an imaging request instruction is transmitted to the console device 3, and the imaging is not performed with the host computer 4 that stores the radiation image data transmitted from the console device 3 after imaging. Occasionally, the cradle device 5 that is charged by placing the cassette 1 and communication by a wireless communication system such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) And a base station 7 for performing these operations, and these devices are connected to each other via a network N. 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 cassette 1, the radiation image capturing device 2, and the cradle device 5.

  The radiographic image capturing device 2 includes a radiation irradiating device 8 and a cassette 1. The radiation irradiation apparatus 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.

  Here, the photographing room is composed of a photographing main room 6 and a pre-shooting room 9. The radiographic image photographing device 2 is installed in the photographing main room 6 to perform photographing. The apparatus 5 is installed and a photographing operation is performed. The photographing main room 6 is provided with a door 6a, the pre-shooting room is provided with a door 9a, and the photographing main room 6 and the pre-shooting room are provided with a door 9b.

  When the user issues a radiation irradiation instruction from the console device 3 to the radiation irradiation device 8, the radiation irradiation device 8 irradiates the imaging region of the subject with radiation. The irradiated radiation passes through the imaging region of the subject, and internal information of the imaging region is converted into radiation intensity distribution information and detected by the cassette 1.

  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 1 from the cradle device 5 in which a plurality of cassettes 1 are loaded, and loads the cassette 1 in the lower portion of the lying table 6b. The subject S to be subjected to radiographic imaging is thinned on the position table 6b, and is imaged by receiving radiation irradiation at the site.

  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 part which comprises the console apparatus 3 is connected by the bus | bath 37, and the exchange of signals is performed.

  The wireless communication unit 34 communicates with the radiation image capturing apparatus 8. The image storage unit 35 stores the image data transmitted from the cassette 1. The display unit 36 displays the photographing result and the like. The control means 33 controls the entire function of the console device.

  The mode control unit 331 switches between a shooting mode and a shooting standby mode, which will be described later, in the cassette 1.

  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 console device 3 can perform image processing such as correction of color tone on the image data based on the image signal obtained by the cassette 1, and at the same time, the user visually confirms whether photographing has been properly performed. Image data 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 and appearance of the cassette 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The cassette 1 has a form excellent in portability, and is, for example, a flat panel type radiation detector (Flat Panel Detector) having a photoelectric conversion layer formed using a conductive organic compound. The front surface of the cassette 1 is provided with a photoelectric conversion layer 11 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 photoelectric conversion layer 11 is formed with a light emitting layer 21 that emits light according to the intensity of incident radiation.

  The other part of the cassette 1 includes a control unit 19, an image storage unit 12, a connection terminal 17, a display unit 16, a power supply unit 15, a radiation detection unit 22, a wireless communication unit 14 (not shown), and the like. Details will be described later.

  The light emitting layer 21 is mainly composed of a phosphor, 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. The light emitting layer 21 is generally called a scintillator layer.

As the phosphor used in the light emitting layer 21, a luminescent center substance is activated in a base material such as CaWO ₄ or CdWO ₄ or in a base material such as CsI: Tl, Gd ₂ O ₂ S: Tb or 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.

  The photoelectric conversion layer 11 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 11 is not limited to the one using the switching element as described above, and may be configured to generate and output a signal corresponding to the energy level of the stored electrical energy, for example, In general, it is made of amorphous silicon disposed on a glass substrate.

  In the vicinity of the photoelectric conversion layer 11, as a drive circuit for driving the photoelectric conversion layer 11, a scanning drive circuit that outputs the accumulated electric energy as an image signal, and the electric energy accumulated according to the intensity of the irradiated radiation And a signal readout circuit for reading out.

  Next, the operation of the cassette 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The cassette 1 includes an image storage unit 12 that temporarily stores an image signal output from the photoelectric conversion layer 11 using a rewritable read-only memory such as a flash memory as a storage unit, and radiographic imaging on the network N. A wireless communication unit 14 that communicates with each member constituting the system 100 and receives an imaging start signal, and a power supply unit 15 as a power supply source that supplies power to each part constituting the cassette 1 are provided. As the power supply unit 15, either a battery or a battery can be used.

  Further, the cassette 1 is provided with a mode switching unit 18 that receives an instruction from the mode control unit 331 of the console device and switches between the shooting mode and the shooting standby mode.

  Here, the photographing mode is a state in which all the members constituting the cassette 1 are in operation, that is, a state in which a voltage is applied to all the members of the cassette 1, and a series of photographing operations described later is performed. It has come to be.

  On the other hand, the imaging standby mode is a mode that consumes less power than the imaging mode, and the power consumption of the cassette 1 can be reduced by reducing the number of members that apply voltage among the components of the cassette 1 by switching the power supply unit 15. It is changing.

  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 12, a wireless communication unit 14, a connection terminal 17, and a control unit 19 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 19 has a function of controlling the operation of each member constituting the cassette 1 in addition to the function of controlling the operation of the mode switching unit 18, and is transmitted from the console device 3 via the wireless communication unit 14. The imaging start signal is always detected.

  The radiation detection means 22 is provided outside the subject region and has a role of detecting radiation emitted from the radiation source and confirming whether the radiation is actually emitted from the radiation source.

  Further, the cassette 1 is provided with a display unit 16 indicating that the amount of battery stored in the power supply unit 15, the completion of imaging preparation for radiographic imaging, and that a predetermined amount of image signal has been written to the image storage unit 12. Yes. The power supply unit 15 switches the power supplied to each unit in accordance with the mode switching.

  Further, the cassette 1 is provided with a connection terminal 17, and the user places the cassette 1 on the cradle device 5 for use when shooting is not performed for a long time or when charging is performed. Yes.

  In addition, each part which comprises the cassette 1 is connected by the bus | bath 13, and the exchange of signals is performed.

  Next, the photographing operation will be described. First, after the reset operation is performed by the signal readout circuit to remove the remaining electric charge, the idle reading operation is performed and the cassette 1 is initialized. Thereafter, the cassette 1 is irradiated with radiation from the radiation irradiating device 8, and an electric signal is generated and stored in the photodiode according to the radiation intensity. 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 19 temporarily holds the digital signal as an image signal in the image storage unit 12, and then transmits the image to the cradle device 5 (transfer of the image signal).

  As described above, the radiographic imaging system 100 includes a radiographic imaging apparatus, a cassette 1, a cradle apparatus, a console, a host computer, and the like, and a user operates from the console or the host computer to capture a radiographic image of a subject. Do.

  Next, a shooting flow in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, all cassettes taken out from the cradle device are used in order to avoid erroneous shooting in which the user accidentally uses the cassette 1 that has been used for shooting once and switched from the shooting mode to the shooting standby mode for new shooting. 1 is switched to the shooting mode.

  In step S1, the user selects one cassette 1 as the photographing mode. When selecting, the selection means 32 in the console device is used. A specific selection method will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a screen of the display unit 36 of the console device.

  In the display unit 36, an imaging list 72 on which information of the subject S to be imaged is placed, and information 71 (herein, name and imaging region) of the subject S to be imaged after being selected from the imaging list 72 are displayed. An ID number display 73 of the cassette 1 used for imaging for the subject, an ID number display 74, 75, 76, etc. of the cassette 1 on the network 7 are displayed.

  The user selects one of the display 74, 75, and 76 of the ID number of the cassette 1 on the network 7 using the selection means. As a selection means, a keyboard or a mouse is used. When a mouse is used, selection is performed by placing the cursor on one of the cassette ID ID displays 74, 75, and 76 and clicking. The display of the selected cassette 1 appears on the display 73.

  The imaging list 72 includes information such as name, imaging region, sex, and remarks, and further displays the cassette 1 used for imaging the subject S in the imaging list set in advance. It may be.

  When the user selects the display of any cassette 1, the display as shown in FIG. 7 appears. As the cassette 1 information, the display of the cassette 1 ID number and the selection display of the shooting size, sensitivity, operating state, shooting mode, and the like appear. The operation state of the cassette 1 can be distinguished by lighting the two displays of the photographing mode state display 801 and the photographing standby mode state display 802.

  Here, the user can switch the cassette 1 to the photographing mode by selecting the switching display 803 with the mouse to the photographing mode.

  Next, in step S2, the mode control means 331 detects that one cassette 1 has been selected as the photographing mode, and the wireless communication means 34 of the console device 3 detects all the cassettes 1 via the wireless communication means 14 of the cassette 1. Is transmitted to the control unit 19 of each cassette 1. The control unit 19 of each cassette 1 instructs the mode switching unit 18, and the mode switching unit switches the cassette 1 to the photographing mode.

  Next, in step S3, shooting is actually performed. Since all the cassettes 1 are set to the shooting mode, even if the cassette 1 that is different from the selected cassette 1 is used for shooting, the cassette 1 is in the shooting mode so that shooting is performed. Therefore, if the cassette 1 taken by the user by mistake can be specified, the taken image may be taken out from the image storage unit of the cassette 1 and used.

  As described above, when one cassette 1 is selected, all the other cassettes 1 are switched to the shooting mode, so that the user erroneously uses the cassette 1 that is not in the shooting mode. There is no fear.

  Next, a second embodiment of the radiographic image capturing system will be described. In the first embodiment, the user switches one cassette 1 to the shooting mode, and switches all other cassettes 1 in the shooting chamber to the shooting mode. In this way, by switching all the cassettes 1 to the shooting mode, the cassette 1 used for shooting is always switched to the shooting mode, so that erroneous shooting can be eliminated. In the second embodiment, the cassette 1 that is not used for shooting that has been switched to the shooting mode is switched to the shooting standby mode to reduce power consumption.

  Specifically, the cassette 1 that has detected the emitted X-ray is specified, and the cassette 1 other than the cassette 1 that has detected the emitted X-ray is switched to the imaging standby mode. The following description will be made based on the flowchart of FIG. 8 with reference to the schematic configuration diagram of the radiographic image capturing system of FIG.

  First, in step S11, the cassette 1 is switched to the photographing mode. This is because the cassette 1 is used to detect radiation emitted from a radiation source.

  Next, in step S <b> 12, a user such as an engineer gives an instruction from the console device to the radiation irradiation device 8 so that radiation is emitted from the radiation source 81.

  Next, in step S13, time measurement of a timer is started to know the time that has elapsed since the console device issued an instruction to emit radiation to the radiation irradiation device 8 in step S12. A timer is provided in the control means 33.

  Next, in step S14, radiation is detected in each cassette 1.

  Next, in step S15, the control unit 19 of the cassette 1 determines whether a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) has elapsed. The predetermined time is a time during which each cassette 1 can detect radiation in consideration of a response delay with respect to the irradiation queue. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S16. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the determination of the elapse of the predetermined time is continued.

  Next, in step S16, the control unit 19 determines whether or not the radiation detection means 22 of each cassette 1 has detected radiation within a predetermined time, and the console 1 is provided with the ID of the cassette 1 that has not detected radiation. It transmits to the mode control means 331.

  In step S17, the console mode control means 331 instructs the mode switching means 18 of the cassette 1 that has not detected radiation to switch to the imaging standby state. In response to the instruction, the mode switching means 18 switches the cassette 1 to the photographing standby mode.

  Each cassette 1 may have a switching unit that automatically shifts to the photographing standby state. For example, you may make the control part 19 with which each cassette 1 is equipped to play the role which judges radiation detection, and the role which switches the cassette 1 to an imaging | photography standby state. This eliminates the need for communication with the console.

  Next, in step S18, the control unit 19 of each cassette 1 determines whether or not the irradiation of the radiation to the cassette 1 that has detected the radiation has been completed. When the radiation irradiation is completed, the process proceeds to step S19, and the detection of the end of the radiation irradiation is continued while the radiation irradiation is continued.

  Next, in step S19, if the cassette 1 that has detected the radiation does not detect the radiation, it is determined that the irradiation of the radiation has been completed, the pixel value is read, and the image data is transmitted to the console device. . Further, when receiving the image data, the console device switches the cassette 1 to the shooting standby mode and waits for a shooting start instruction.

  In the above embodiment, the communication between the cassette 1 and the console device 3 has been described on the assumption that a wireless communication unit is used. However, a wired communication unit may be used. For example, the console device 3 and the cassette 1 may be connected by a transmission cable for communication. When carrying the cassette 1, if the communication cable is removed, the portability is not impaired. Further, the cradle device 5 and the console device 3 may be connected by wired communication means, the cassette 1 may be attached to the cradle device 5, and the communication between the cassette 1 and the console device 3 may be performed via the cradle device 5. . By doing so, it is not necessary to attach a communication cable to the cassette 1.

  As described above, it is possible to reduce power consumption by switching the cassette 1 that is not used for shooting that has been switched to the shooting mode to the shooting standby mode.

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. (A) is a block diagram of a cassette, (b) is a schematic configuration diagram. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a radiographic imaging system. It is a figure which shows the information of the subject displayed on the display part of a console apparatus. It is a figure which shows the information of cassette. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a radiographic imaging system.

Explanation of symbols

1 cassette (radiation image detector)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Cradle apparatus 15 Power supply part 20 Communication control means 32 Selection means 100 Radiation imaging system 331 Mode control means

Claims (4)

A built-in battery and a power supply unit that switches power to be supplied to each unit in accordance with switching between the shooting mode or the shooting standby mode that consumes less power than the shooting mode,
A plurality of radiation image detectors for acquiring image data based on radiation irradiated from a radiation source in an imaging room and transmitted through a subject;
A selection unit that allows a user to select one radiographic image detector from among the plurality of radiographic image detectors in an imaging mode; a control unit that controls operations of the plurality of radiographic image detectors and the radiation source; A control device comprising: mode control means for switching the radiographic image detector to the selected mode; and communication means for performing communication between the radiographic image detector and the mode control means;
A radiographic imaging system comprising:
The mode control means switches one radiographic image detector used in an imaging room to an imaging mode according to an input instruction of the selection means, and switches another radiographic image detector in the imaging room to an imaging mode. Radiation imaging system. The radiation image detector has radiation detection means for detecting irradiated radiation,
The mode control means, after switching all the radiation image detectors in the imaging room to the imaging mode,
2. The radiation according to claim 1, wherein the mode control unit switches the radiation image detector in which the radiation detection unit does not detect radiation within a predetermined time after issuing an irradiation instruction to the radiation source to an imaging standby mode. Image shooting system. The radiation image detector has the radiation detection means,
The radiographic image according to claim 1, wherein the mode control unit controls the radiographic image detector that has not detected radiation within a predetermined time after switching to the imaging mode to switch to the imaging standby mode. Shooting system. The radiographic imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit is a wireless communication unit.

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