JP2009288196A - Portable radiographic image conversion device, storage device, and radiographic image photographing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable radiographic image conversion device, suppressing decline of an image quality, caused by an influence of heat generation, by a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: An inflow port 64A for allowing cooling liquid to flow in and an outflow port 64B for allowing the cooling liquid to flow out are provided on a casing, and service water is circulated and stored in a pipe 66 provided inside the casing, from the inflow port 64A and the outflow port 64B. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable radiographic image conversion device, a storage device, and a radiographic imaging system, and in particular, generates portable image data indicating a radiographic image represented by irradiated radiation and stores the generated image data. The present invention relates to an image conversion apparatus, an accommodation apparatus that accommodates the portable radiographic image conversion apparatus, and a radiographic imaging system that includes the portable radiographic image conversion apparatus and the accommodation apparatus.

  In recent years, radiation detectors such as flat panel detectors (FPDs) that can arrange X-ray sensitive layers on TFT (Thin film transistor) active matrix substrates and convert X-rays directly into digital data have been put into practical use. 2. Description of the Related Art A portable radiographic image conversion device (hereinafter also referred to as “electronic cassette”) that generates image data indicating a radiographic image represented by radiation irradiated using a detector and stores the generated image data has been put into practical use. .

  Because this electronic cassette has portability, it is possible to take a picture of a patient while it is placed on a stretcher or bed, and the position of the electronic cassette can be changed to adjust the shooting location. It is possible to deal with it flexibly.

  This electronic cassette detects the weak signal generated by the irradiated radiation and generates image data indicating a radiographic image, but the signal detection result is constant due to the influence of heat generated in the electronic circuit inside the electronic cassette. In other words, there is a known problem that the image quality may deteriorate.

  As a technique for solving this problem, in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a shield member is provided between the electronic circuit and the radiation detector, or heat generated in the electronic circuit is electrically insulated. A technique for controlling transmission of heat generated in an electronic circuit to a radiation detector by providing a heat dissipating section that transmits the heat to the housing of the electronic cassette is described.

  Patent Document 3 describes a technique in which a ventilation port and a fan are provided in a housing of an X-ray imaging apparatus, and air is circulated from the ventilation hole to cool the entire apparatus.

Furthermore, Patent Document 4 describes a technique in which a lid capable of opening and closing the casing of the electronic cassette is provided, a heat absorbing member is detachably incorporated in the casing, and the heat absorbing member absorbs heat.
JP 2000-116633 A JP 2003-194951 A JP-A-10-177224 JP 2002-31526 A

  The techniques described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 can suppress degradation in image quality due to the influence of heat generated from the electronic circuit when the drive time for driving the electronic cassette is short, but the drive time is long. In this case, heat is transmitted to the radiation detector as the temperature of the entire electronic cassette rises, and the deterioration of image quality due to the influence of heat generation cannot be suppressed.

  In addition, electronic cassettes are sometimes used in the operating field, and are required to have a sealed structure because disinfection work is performed to prevent blood infection and the like. However, the technique described in Patent Document 3 cannot be applied as a cooling mechanism for an electronic cassette because it cannot be a sealed structure because of the structure in which air is circulated from the vent.

  Furthermore, the technique described in Patent Document 4 is complicated because it is necessary to manually replace the heat absorbing member in the housing.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable radiographic image conversion apparatus that can suppress deterioration of image quality due to the influence of heat generation with a simple configuration.

  In order to achieve the above object, a portable radiographic image conversion device according to claim 1 is represented by a sensor unit having sensitivity to radiation or light converted from radiation and radiation applied to the sensor unit. Electronic circuit that generates image data indicating a radiographic image to be received, and a flow for containing the sensor unit and the electronic circuit and for inflow and outflow of a cooling liquid for cooling the contained sensor unit and the electronic circuit A housing provided with at least one port; and a storage unit that is provided inside the housing and communicates with the flow port and stores the coolant flowing in from the flow port.

  In the portable radiographic image conversion device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the sensor unit has sensitivity to radiation or light converted from radiation, and the radiographic image is represented by radiation irradiated to the sensor unit by the electronic circuit. Is generated.

  In the present invention, at least one circulation port for inflow / outflow of the cooling liquid for cooling the sensor unit and the electronic circuit is provided in the housing for housing the sensor unit and the electronic circuit. In addition, there is provided a storage unit that stores the coolant that communicates with the flow port and flows into the housing from the flow port.

  As described above, according to the portable radiographic image conversion apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, at least one flow port for inflow / outflow of the cooling liquid is provided in the housing, and the housing communicates with the flow port. With a simple configuration in which the coolant is circulated from the circulation port and stored in the storage portion provided inside the body, deterioration of image quality due to the influence of heat generation can be suppressed.

  In addition, it is preferable that the cooling fluid of this invention is a tap water like invention of Claim 2.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the circulation port of the present invention is provided with a valve through which the coolant can circulate when the portable radiographic image conversion device is stored in a storage device, as in the third aspect of the invention.

  Moreover, the storage part of this invention may be the pipe or bag body arrange | positioned while meandering in multiple times to the back surface side of the irradiation surface of the said sensor part like invention of Claim 4.

  Moreover, the storage part of this invention may be arrange | positioned not in the area | region in which the said sensor part was provided like the invention of Claim 5, but in the area | region in which the said electronic circuit was provided.

  Further, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, as in the sixth aspect of the present invention, a power induction unit in which power is induced by electromagnetic induction or light energy, and charging by the power induced in the power induction unit, And a power storage unit for supplying the power.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 7, when the portable radiographic image conversion device is stored in the storage device, it is electrically connected to the storage device, and power is supplied from the storage device. In addition, it may further comprise a connection means that enables at least one of the communication of the image data.

  On the other hand, an accommodation apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the invention is formed so that the portable radiographic image conversion apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects can be accommodated, and the portable radiographic image conversion apparatus is accommodated. A storage portion provided with a supply / discharge port at a position corresponding to the circulation port in a state where the portable radiographic image conversion device is stored in the storage portion. And a coolant exchange means for exchanging the coolant.

  In the storage device of the invention described in claim 8, the storage portion is formed so that the portable radiographic image conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 can be stored, and portable radiographic image conversion is performed in the storage portion. A supply / discharge port is provided at a position corresponding to the flow port in a state where the apparatus is accommodated.

  And in this invention, when a portable radiographic image converter is accommodated in an accommodating part by the cooling fluid replacement | exchange means, the cooling liquid in a storage part is replaced | exchanged through a supply / discharge port.

  Thus, according to the storage device of the invention described in claim 8, when the portable radiographic image conversion device is stored in the storage unit, the cooling liquid in the storage unit is simply replaced via the supply / discharge port. With the configuration, deterioration in image quality due to the influence of heat generation can be suppressed.

  Note that the invention according to claim 8 is the cooling liquid according to the invention according to claim 9, when the number of radiographic images captured by the portable radiographic image conversion device in one imaging is equal to or less than a predetermined number. Control means for controlling the coolant replacement means so as to empty the storage after the replacement of the coolant may be further provided.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 8 or claim 9, as in the invention according to claim 10, the coolant replacement means includes a tank for storing the coolant, and the portable radiographic image conversion is performed. The coolant discharged from the apparatus is stored in the tank, and the coolant stored in the tank is circulated and supplied to the portable radiographic image conversion device, and the coolant may be saline. .

  On the other hand, a radiographic imaging system according to the invention described in claim 11 is a portable radiographic image conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and any one of claims 8 to 10. And the storage device described.

  Therefore, similarly to the above-described invention, it is possible to suppress a deterioration in image quality due to the influence of heat generation with a simple configuration.

  As described above, the present invention has an excellent effect that image quality deterioration due to the influence of heat generation can be suppressed with a simple configuration.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a radiographic image capturing system 10 including an electronic cassette 12 according to the present embodiment.

  The radiographic image capturing system 10 is portable and contains an electronic cassette 12 that can generate and store the image information as image data each time a radiation carrying image information is irradiated, and an electronic cassette 12. And a storage device 18 that charges the stored electronic cassette 12 and cools the stored electronic cassette 12.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the electronic cassette 12 is disposed at a distance from the radiation generating unit 14 that generates radiation such as X-rays (X-rays) when capturing a radiation image. At this time, the radiation generation unit 14 and the electronic cassette 12 are set as an imaging position for the subject 16 to be located. When an instruction to capture a radiographic image is given, the radiation generation unit 14 receives an imaging condition given in advance. The radiation of the radiation dose according to etc. is emitted. The radiation emitted from the radiation generation unit 14 passes through the subject 16 located at the photographing position, and is applied to the electronic cassette 12 after carrying the image information.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the electronic cassette 12 is covered with a flat casing (housing) 20 made of a material that transmits the radiation X and having a thickness. A grip portion 62 is provided on a specific side surface 60 of the casing 20 so that the electronic cassette 12 can be held by hand when the electronic cassette 12 is lifted. The side surface 60 on which the grip portion 62 is provided is upward when the grip portion 62 is gripped by the hand and the electronic cassette 12 is lifted, and is hereinafter referred to as an “upper surface 60A”.

  Inside the casing 20, a grid 24 that removes scattered radiation of the radiation X that is generated by passing through the subject 16 and the radiation X are detected in order from the irradiation surface 22 side of the casing 20 where the radiation X is irradiated. A radiation detector (radiation detection panel) 26 and a lead plate 28 that absorbs backscattered radiation X are disposed. In addition, you may comprise the irradiation surface 22 of the casing 20 by the grid 24. FIG. In addition, a case 30 that houses an electronic circuit including a microcomputer and a rechargeable secondary battery is disposed on one end side inside the casing 20. The radiation detector 26 and the electronic circuit are operated by electric power supplied from the secondary battery disposed in the case 30. In order to avoid various circuits housed in the case 30 from being damaged by the irradiation of the radiation X, it is desirable to arrange a lead plate or the like on the irradiation surface 22 side of the case 30.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, on the side surface 60 opposite to the upper surface 60A of the casing 20 of the electronic cassette 12 (hereinafter, this side surface 60 is referred to as “bottom surface 60B”), cooling for cooling the apparatus main body is performed. An inflow port 64A for inflowing the liquid and an outflow port 64B for outflowing the supplied cooling liquid are provided. Inside the casing 20, a pipe 66 is disposed while meandering a plurality of times on the entire rear surface side of the irradiation surface 22, and a plurality of thin aluminum heat sinks 67 are disposed so as to intersect the pipe 66. One end of the pipe 66 communicates with the inflow port 64A, and the other end communicates with the outflow port 64B.

  In addition, the electronic cassette 12 can be charged in a non-contact manner using electromagnetic induction between the electronic cassette 12 and the storage device 18 when the electronic cassette 12 is stored in the storage device 18. On the side surface 60 (hereinafter referred to as “lateral side surface 60 </ b> C”) serving as the side direction, a power induction unit 65 is provided for inducing power by electromagnetic induction. The electronic cassette 12 can charge the battery accommodated in the case 30 when the power induction unit 65 is induced. In the present embodiment, non-contact charging is performed using electromagnetic induction. However, for example, a near-infrared light lamp is provided in the accommodation device 18 to irradiate laser light, and the laser light is accommodated. By receiving light with a photodiode provided in the device 18, non-contact charging may be performed using light energy.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the storage device 18 is formed with a storage portion 90 so that the electronic cassette 12 can be stored. As shown in FIG. 4, the accommodating portion 90 is provided with a supply port 92A for supplying a coolant to a position corresponding to the inlet 64A in a state where the electronic cassette 12 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 90, and the outlet 64B. A discharge port 92 </ b> B for receiving the coolant is provided at a position corresponding to, and an electromagnetic induction part 94 is provided at a position corresponding to the power induction part 65. A check valve is provided at the inlet 64A, the outlet 64B, the supply port 92A, and the discharge port 92B so that the coolant can flow when the electronic cassette 12 is stored in the storage device 18.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the supply port 92 </ b> A is connected to a faucet 98 to which tap water is supplied via a pipe 96 </ b> A, and tap water is supplied as a coolant from the faucet 98. The discharge port 92B is connected to a pipe 96B provided with a discharge port 92B outside the apparatus, and the coolant received at the discharge port 92B is discharged out of the apparatus.

  FIG. 6 shows a detailed configuration of the electronic cassette 12 according to the present embodiment.

  The radiation detector 26 of the electronic cassette 12 is configured by laminating a photoelectric conversion layer that absorbs radiation and converts it into charges on the TFT active matrix substrate 32. The photoelectric conversion layer is made of amorphous a-Se (amorphous selenium) containing, for example, selenium as a main component (for example, a content rate of 50% or more), and when irradiated with radiation, the amount of charge corresponding to the amount of irradiated radiation. The generated radiation (electron-hole pair) is internally generated to convert the irradiated radiation into charges. The radiation detector 26 indirectly uses a phosphor material and a photoelectric conversion element (photodiode) instead of the X-ray-charge conversion material that directly converts the radiation X such as amorphous selenium into electric charges. You may convert into an electric charge. As phosphor materials, gadolinium sulfate (GOS) and cesium iodide (CsI) are well known. In this case, X-ray-light conversion is performed using a fluorescent material, and light-charge conversion is performed using a photodiode of a photoelectric conversion element.

Further, on the TFT active matrix substrate 32, a pixel unit 40 (in FIG. 6) includes a storage capacitor 34 for storing charges generated in the photoelectric conversion layer and a TFT 36 for reading out the charges stored in the storage capacitor 34. A large number of photoelectric conversion layers corresponding to the individual pixel units 40 are schematically shown as photoelectric conversion units 38), and are arranged in a matrix, and the photoelectric conversion layers are formed along with the irradiation of radiation to the electronic cassette 12. The generated charges are stored in the storage capacitors 34 of the individual pixel units 40. As a result, the image information carried on the radiation applied to the electronic cassette 12 is converted into charge information and held in the radiation detector 26.

  The TFT active matrix substrate 32 has a plurality of gate lines 42 extending in a certain direction (row direction) for turning on / off the TFTs 36 of the individual pixel units 40, and a direction (column direction) orthogonal to the gate lines 42. A plurality of data wirings 44 are provided for reading stored charges from the storage capacitor 34 through the TFTs 36 that are extended and turned on. Individual gate lines 42 are connected to a gate line driver 46, and individual data lines 44 are connected to a signal processing unit 48. When charges are accumulated in the storage capacitors 34 of the individual pixel units 40, the TFTs 36 of the individual pixel units 40 are sequentially turned on in units of rows by a signal supplied from the gate line driver 46 via the gate wiring 42. The charge accumulated in the storage capacitor 34 of the pixel unit 40 for which is turned on is transmitted as a charge signal through the data wiring 44 and input to the signal processing unit 48. Accordingly, the charges accumulated in the storage capacitors 34 of the individual pixel portions 40 are sequentially read out in units of rows.

  Although not shown, the signal processing unit 48 includes an amplifier and a sample-and-hold circuit provided for each data wiring 44, and after the charge signal transmitted through each data wiring 44 is amplified by the amplifier, It is held in the sample hold circuit. In addition, a multiplexer and an A / D converter are connected in order to the output side of the sample and hold circuit, and the charge signals held in the individual sample and hold circuits are input to the multiplexer in order (serially) for A / D conversion. The digital image data is converted by the device. A memory 50 is connected to the signal processing unit 48, and image data output from the A / D converter of the signal processing unit 48 is sequentially stored in the memory 50. The memory 50 has a storage capacity capable of storing image data for a plurality of frames, and image data obtained by imaging is sequentially stored in the memory 50 each time a radiographic image is captured.

  The electronic cassette 12 is provided with a sensor 74 having sensitivity to radiation beside the radiation detector 26.

  The gate line driver 46, the signal processing unit 48, the memory 50, the communication control unit 72, and the sensor 74 are connected to a cassette control unit 76 that controls the operation of the entire electronic cassette 12. The cassette control unit 76 is realized by a microcomputer. When radiation is detected by the sensor 74, the cassette control unit 76 outputs an instruction signal that instructs the gate line driver 46 and the signal processing unit 48 to capture a radiation image. As a result, the signal processing unit 48 reads out the charges accumulated in the storage capacitor 34 of each pixel unit 40 and stores the image data in the memory 50.

  In addition, the electronic cassette 12 is provided with a power supply unit 80, and the above-described various circuits and elements (a gate line driver 46, a signal processing unit 48, a memory 50, a communication control unit 72, and a micro controller functioning as a cassette control unit 76). The computer, the optical communication unit 78) is operated by the power supplied from the power supply unit 80. The power supply unit 80 incorporates a battery (a rechargeable secondary battery) so as not to impair the portability of the electronic cassette 12, and supplies power from the charged battery to various circuits and elements. In addition, the power supply unit 80 is connected to the power induction unit 65 and charges the battery with the power induced in the power induction unit 65.

  The electronic cassette 12 has a function of performing wireless communication with a laser beam with an external device such as an image reading device (not shown), and detects a laser diode that emits a laser light source and a laser beam incident from the outside. An optical communication unit 78 including a photodiode is provided.

  Next, the operation of the radiographic image capturing system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The supply port 92 </ b> A of the storage device 18 is connected to the faucet 98 via the pipe 96 </ b> A, and water pressure is applied from the faucet 98. When the electronic cassette 12 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 90, the accommodating device 18 allows the tap water to circulate with the inflow port 64 </ b> A and the supply port 92 </ b> A and the outflow port 64 </ b> B and the discharge port 92 </ b> B facing each other. Flows into the inlet 64A of the electronic cassette 12 from the supply port 92A. Further, the storage device 18 charges the battery of the electronic cassette 12 by inducing power from the electromagnetic induction unit 94 to the power induction unit 65 by electromagnetic induction.

  The tap water that has flowed into the inlet 64A of the electronic cassette 12 flows through the pipe 66 and flows out from the outlet 64B.

The tap water flowing out from the outlet 64B is received by the discharge port 92B and discharged outside the apparatus through the pipe 96B. In this way, the tap water is circulated through the pipe 66 of the electronic cassette 12 so that the electronic cassette 12 is removed. Can be cooled.

  When capturing a radiographic image, the electronic cassette 12 is taken out from the storage unit 90 of the storage device 18. When the electronic cassette 12 is taken out from the accommodating portion 90, the tap water cannot be circulated by the valves provided at the inlet 64A and the outlet 64B, and the tap water is stored in the pipe 66.

  When capturing a radiation image, the subject 16 is placed between the radiation generation unit 14 and the electronic cassette 12, and the radiation is emitted from the radiation generation unit 14.

  The radiation emitted from the radiation generation unit 14 passes through the subject 16 and then reaches the electronic cassette 12.

  As a result, charges corresponding to the dose of the irradiated radiation are accumulated in the storage capacitors 34 of the respective pixel units 40 of the radiation detector 26.

  When radiation is detected by the sensor 74, the cassette control unit 76 outputs an instruction signal that instructs the gate line driver 46 and the signal processing unit 48 to capture a radiation image. The gate line driver 46 outputs an ON signal (+10 to 20 V) to each gate line 42 in order line by line, and turns on each TFT 36 connected to each gate line 42 in order line by line. As a result, a charge signal corresponding to the amount of charge stored in the storage capacitor 34 of each pixel unit 40 flows out to each data wiring 44 line by line, and is amplified by the amplifier and held in the sample hold circuit. The signal processing unit 48 detects the amount of charge accumulated in each pixel unit 40 based on the charge signal flowing out to the data wiring 44 as the pixel value of each pixel constituting the image. Thereby, the image information which shows the radiographic image shown with the radiation irradiated to the electronic cassette 12 can be obtained. Image data obtained by shooting is stored in the memory 50.

  By the way, when the charge stored in the storage capacitor 34 of each pixel unit 40 is read to obtain image information indicating a radiation image, heat is generated in the gate line driver 46, the signal processing unit 48, the memory 50, and the like.

  However, in the electronic cassette 12 according to the present embodiment, heat is absorbed by the tap water stored in the pipe 66 and the temperature rise of the entire electronic cassette 12 is suppressed, so that deterioration in image quality due to the influence of heat generation is suppressed. be able to.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the inlet 64A through which the coolant flows into the casing 20 and the outlet 64B through which the coolant flows out are provided, and are provided inside the casing 20 from the inlet 64A and the outlet 64B. By causing the tap water to circulate and store in the pipe 66, deterioration in image quality due to the influence of heat generation can be suppressed. Further, since the electronic cassette 12 can be cooled with a simple structure in which the inlet 64A and the outlet 64B are provided in the casing 20 and the pipe 66 is disposed inside the casing 20, an increase in cost can be suppressed. it can.

  Moreover, according to this Embodiment, since tap water is utilized as a cooling liquid and a tap water is distribute | circulated to the pipe 66 using the water pressure of a general water supply, an apparatus can be comprised at low cost. Moreover, since tap water (water) has a large specific heat, cooling efficiency is good. Further, by using tap water as the coolant, it is safe even if the coolant leaks.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  Since the configuration of the radiographic imaging system 10 according to the second exemplary embodiment is the same as that of the first exemplary embodiment (see FIG. 1), description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the structure of the storage device 18 according to this embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The storage device 18 includes a radiator 110 for cooling the coolant, a tank 112 for storing the coolant, a pump 114 for feeding the coolant, a controller 120 for controlling the drive of the pump 114, a network And a communication I / F (interface) unit 122 that is connected to the network 130 and transmits / receives communication data to / from the network 130.

  The radiator 110 is connected to the discharge port 92B via the pipe 116A, and is connected to the tank 112 via the pipe 116B. Radiator 110 cools the coolant received at discharge port 92 </ b> B and discharges it to tank 112.

  The pump 114 is connected to the tank 112 through a pipe 116C, and is connected to the supply port 92A through a pipe 116D. The pump 114 is driven under the control of the control unit 120, and can suck the coolant stored in the tank 112 and supply it from the supply port 92A, or can suck air and supply it from the supply port 92A. Has been.

  The control unit 120 is realized by a microcomputer and controls driving of the pump 114. The control unit 120 is connected to the communication I / F unit 122 and can communicate with other devices connected to the network 130 via the communication I / F unit 122.

  A management device 140 that performs shooting management is connected to the network 130. The management apparatus 140 transmits the number information indicating the number of radiographic images to be captured in one imaging to the control unit 120 via the network 130 in accordance with an imaging menu such as a region to be imaged and imaging conditions.

  When the number information is received, the control unit 120 performs a coolant supply control process based on the number information.

  FIG. 8 shows a flow of supply control executed by the control unit 120.

  In step 200, the driving of the pump 114 is controlled to suck the coolant stored in the tank 112 and supply the coolant from the supply port 92A. The time for supplying the coolant may be longer than the time for which the coolant stored in the pipe 66 is replaced.

  In the next step 202, it is determined whether or not the number of shots indicated by the number information is equal to or less than a predetermined number (for example, 4). If the determination is affirmative, the process ends. If the determination is negative, The process proceeds to step 204.

  In step 204, the drive of the pump 114 is controlled, air is sucked and supplied from the supply port 92A, and the process ends. Thereby, the coolant is pushed out from the pipe 66 by the air supplied from the supply port 92A. The time for supplying the air may be longer than the time for allowing the coolant stored in the pipe 66 to be discharged by the air.

  When capturing a radiographic image, the electronic cassette 12 is taken out from the storage unit 90 of the storage device 18. At this time, when the number of radiographic images to be taken is larger than the predetermined number, the coolant is stored in the pipe 66, and when the number of radiographic images to be taken is equal to or less than the predetermined number, the inside of the pipe 66 is empty. .

  As described above, when the number of radiographic images to be taken is larger than the predetermined number, the cooling liquid is stored in the pipe 66 even after the cooling liquid is replaced. Since the temperature rise of the entire 12 is suppressed, it is possible to suppress a decrease in image quality due to the influence of heat generation.

  On the other hand, when the number of radiographic images taken is less than or equal to the predetermined number, emptying the inside of the pipe 66 makes the electronic cassette 12 lighter, making it easier to carry the electronic cassette 12. In addition, when the number of shots is small, the temperature rise of the entire electronic cassette 12 due to shooting is also small, so that deterioration in image quality due to the influence of heat generation can be suppressed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the number of radiographic images captured by the electronic cassette 12 in one imaging is less than or equal to the predetermined number, the inside of the pipe 66 is replaced after the coolant in the pipe 66 is replaced. By emptying, it is possible to improve the portability of the electronic cassette 12 while suppressing deterioration in image quality due to the influence of heat generation.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the inflow port 64A and the outflow port 64B are provided as the flow ports for inflow / outflow of the cooling liquid has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, For example, the coolant may be exchanged by flowing in and out the coolant from one flow port.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the pipe 66 is disposed on the entire back surface of the irradiation surface 22 inside the casing 20 while meandering a plurality of times has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the electronic circuit including the microcomputer and the case 30 that houses the rechargeable secondary battery may be disposed only in the region. As a result, the occurrence of temperature unevenness in the radiation detector 26 is suppressed, so that deterioration in image quality can be suppressed.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the pipe 66 is disposed while meandering a plurality of times as the reservoir for storing the coolant has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example, FIG. For example, a polyethylene bag body 66A may be provided, and the coolant may be stored in the bag body 66A. In this case, all the cooling liquid in the bag body 66A can be exchanged by discharging the cooling liquid in the bag body 66A and then supplying the cooling liquid into the bag body 66A.

  The coolant may be saline or physiological saline. Since the salt water absorbs electromagnetic waves and has a shielding effect against the electromagnetic waves, noise due to the electromagnetic waves in the electronic cassette 12 and the storage device 18 can be reduced. Also, like tap water, it is safe to leak. In this case, it is more preferable to use the storage portion in the electronic cassette 12 as a bag and to circulate and use the coolant as in the second embodiment.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the case has been described in which the storage device 18 charges and cools the electronic cassette 12, but the present invention is not limited to this. The radiographic image data may be received through communication. Wireless communication is not limited to laser light, and for example, wireless communication may be performed using infrared light. Further, wireless communication may be performed by wireless LAN, Bluetooth, UWB (Ultra Wide Band), millimeter wave communication, or the like. Furthermore, the electronic cassette 12 and the storage device 18 may be connected by a terminal or the like to perform at least one of power supply and image data communication.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the storage device 18 receives the number information from the management device 140, and keeps the coolant stored in the electronic cassette 12 based on the number of shots indicated by the number information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the management apparatus 140 receives instruction information indicating whether or not to store the coolant in the electronic cassette 12, and Based on the instruction information, it may be determined whether or not the electronic cassette 12 is kept in the state in which the coolant is stored.

  In addition, the configuration of the radiographic imaging system 10 described in the present embodiment, the configuration of the electronic cassette 12 and the storage device 18 (see FIGS. 1 to 7, 9, and 10) are examples, and the present invention. Needless to say, changes can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  Further, the flow of the supply control process described in the present embodiment (see FIG. 8) is also an example, and it is needless to say that the flow can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the electronic cassette and accommodation apparatus which concern on embodiment. (A) is the schematic which shows arrangement | positioning of the electronic cassette at the time of radiographic imaging, (B) is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of an electronic cassette. It is a top view which shows the arrangement configuration of the pipe in the electronic cassette which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the accommodating part of the accommodating apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the accommodating apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of an electronic cassette concerning an embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the accommodating apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the supply control process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the arrangement configuration of the pipe in the electronic cassette concerning other embodiment. It is a top view which shows the arrangement configuration in the electronic cassette which concerns on other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Radiographic imaging system 12 Electronic cassette (portable radiographic image converter)
18 container 20 casing (casing)
26 Radiation detector (sensor part)
46 Gate line driver (electronic circuit)
48 Signal processor (electronic circuit)
76 Cassette control unit (electronic circuit)
64A Inlet (distribution port)
64B outlet (distribution outlet)
65 Power induction part (power induction part)
66 Pipe (reservoir)
66A bag (reservoir)
72 Communication control unit (connection means)
76 Cassette control unit 80 Power supply unit (electronic circuit, power storage unit)
90 accommodating part 92A supply port (supply / discharge port)
92B Discharge port (supply / discharge port)
96A piping (coolant replacement means)
96B Piping (Coolant replacement means)
110 Radiator (Coolant replacement means)
112 tank (coolant replacement means)
114 pump (coolant replacement means)
116A piping (coolant replacement means)
116B piping (coolant exchange means)
116C piping (coolant replacement means)
116D piping (coolant replacement means)
120 Control unit (control means)

Claims (11)

A sensor unit having sensitivity to radiation or light converted from radiation; and
An electronic circuit for generating image data indicating a radiation image represented by radiation irradiated to the sensor unit;
A housing provided with at least one circulation port for containing the sensor unit and the electronic circuit and for inflow / outflow of a coolant for cooling the contained sensor unit and the electronic circuit;
A storage unit that communicates with the flow port and is provided in the housing, and stores the coolant flowing in from the flow port;
A portable radiographic image conversion device. The portable radiographic image conversion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coolant is tap water. The portable radiographic image conversion apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a valve that allows the coolant to flow when the portable radiographic image conversion apparatus is accommodated in an accommodation apparatus is provided at the circulation port. The portable radiographic image conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the storage unit is a pipe or a bag that is arranged while meandering a plurality of times on the back side of the irradiation surface of the sensor unit. . The portable radiation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the storage unit is not disposed in a region where the sensor unit is provided, but is disposed in a region where the electronic circuit is provided. Image conversion device. A power inducing portion in which power is induced by electromagnetic induction or light energy;
The portable radiographic image conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a power storage unit that is charged by power induced in the power induction unit and supplies power to the electronic circuit.   Connection means that is electrically connected to the storage device when the portable radiographic image conversion device is stored in the storage device, and enables at least one of supply of power from the storage device and communication of the image data. The portable radiographic image conversion apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: The portable radiographic image conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the portable radiographic image conversion device is formed so that it can be stored, and the portable radiographic image conversion device is stored in a state corresponding to the distribution port in a state where the portable radiographic image conversion device is stored. An accommodating part provided with an outlet;
A coolant replacement means for replacing the coolant in the reservoir through the supply / discharge port when the portable radiographic image conversion device is stored in the storage;
A containment device. When the number of radiographic images taken by the portable radiographic image conversion device in one imaging is less than or equal to a predetermined number, the cooling liquid changing means is controlled so as to empty the storage section after changing the cooling liquid. The storage device according to claim 8, further comprising a control unit that performs the control. The coolant exchange means is
The tank includes a tank for storing the cooling liquid, stores the cooling liquid discharged from the portable radiation image conversion device in the tank, and circulates the cooling liquid stored in the tank to circulate the portable radiation. To the image converter,
The storage device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the cooling liquid is a saline solution. The portable radiographic image conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A storage device according to any one of claims 8 to 10,
A radiographic imaging system comprising:

Images