JP2010179114A - Radiographic imaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an easy-to-use and reliable system in which even when some components malfunction, other components can work in substitution for the failed components. <P>SOLUTION: In the system, at least one radiographic image reader for transmitting image data obtained by reading a radiographic image, and a plurality of controllers for receiving the transmitted image data and displaying images are arranged on the same network. The one radiographic image reader includes a storage part for holding the image data of the read radiographic image, and a communication part for specifying the controller to be a transmission destination among the plurality of controllers and transmitting the image data of the read radiographic image to the specified controller. Each of the plurality of controllers is provided with an input part for inputting incidental information of the radiographic image read by the radiographic image reader, and the controller specified as the transmission destination makes the incidental information inputted from the input part and the image data transmitted from the one radiographic image reader correspond to each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention mainly relates to a radiographic image capturing system including a radiographic image reading apparatus that outputs digitized image data and a controller.

  In recent years, there has been an increasing tendency to increase the efficiency and speed of diagnosis by digitizing and storing and transmitting radiological image information of patients generated in hospitals. For this reason, in the field of direct imaging, instead of the conventional screen / film system, a radiographic imaging system that outputs digital data using a stimulable phosphor has come to be frequently used.

  A radiographic imaging system using this photostimulable phosphor is commonly called computed radiography (CR). In this apparatus, a part of the radiation energy transmitted through the subject is temporarily stored in the photostimulable phosphor. The energy accumulated in the photostimulable phosphor can be extracted as photostimulated light by being excited with a laser beam having a predetermined wavelength. This stimulated light can be extracted as an electrical signal using a photoelectric conversion element such as a photomultiplier.

  The radiographic imaging system using the stimulable phosphor is roughly divided into a radiographic imaging system of a dedicated type that cannot be easily carried and a photostimulable phosphor inside. It is classified into a cassette type radiographic imaging system using a portable cassette.

  Based on FIG. 11 which shows the cassette type radiographic imaging system using this stimulable phosphor, the cassette type radiographic imaging system using this photostimulable phosphor will be described.

  The cassette 6 is portable and contains a photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 that stores part of the radiation energy. The subject M is positioned between the radiation source 9 and the cassette 6 in the radiation imaging room, and radiation is emitted from the radiation source 9 toward the cassette 6. The photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 in the cassette 6 stores a part of the irradiated radiation energy. When the cassette 6 is set in the radiation image reading device 1, the radiation image reading device 1 reads the radiation image information accumulated in the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 in the cassette 6. Further, the controller 2 has a monitor for inputting patient information of an image accumulated in the cassette 6 and information such as an imaging region and confirming an image read by the radiation image reading apparatus 1.

  Then, the radiation image reading device 1 irradiates the stimulable phosphor sheet with the excitation light in order to read out the radiation image information stored in the stimulable phosphor sheet 8 in the cassette 6, and the irradiated excitation light. The photostimulated light emitted in accordance with the radiation image information accumulated by the photoelectric conversion is photoelectrically converted and output as digital image data after A / D conversion. However, these systems are required to have high accuracy and cost is low. It is quite expensive.

  The radiographic image reading apparatus 1 is large in size so that a plurality of cassettes to be photographed in one inspection can be set simultaneously. Conventionally, in such a cassette-type radiographic imaging system, the radiographic image reading apparatus 1 and its dedicated controller 2 are integrated or separately connected one-on-one. For this reason, one set of radiation image reading apparatus 1 and a dedicated controller 2 are often installed per plurality of radiation imaging rooms. However, the radiography work in the radiography room where this set is not placed is inconvenient, and the time interval between radiography and patient information, imaging information etc. is long, so input errors of radiologists etc. Tended to occur. In addition, since it takes a long time to go to the radiation image reading apparatus 1 from the radiation imaging room, set the cassette and return to the radiation imaging room after confirming the image, during that time, it is not possible to instruct the patient for the next imaging When a patient who has already been taken leaves the radiography room and the result of the image confirmation shows that re-imaging is necessary, there is a problem that a call is required. Therefore, it was considered that at least one set of the radiographic image reading apparatus 1 and its dedicated controller 2 is installed in each radiography room of the hospital, but it is installed regardless of the imaging frequency in the radiography room. In other words, it was uneconomical, and the installation space was large and the cost was high.

  In any case, if either the radiographic image reading apparatus 1 or its dedicated controller 2 breaks down, there is a problem that both cannot be used. In addition, a system shown in FIG. 12 has been proposed as a system different from the above-described radiation imaging system. In this system, the information input terminal 5 inputs patient information of a patient to be imaged by the cassette 6 and information such as an imaging region, and at the same time, identifies the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 accommodated in the cassette 6. The ID number for reading is read and stored in the server 4 over the network 3 as a series of information associated with patient information, imaging region information, and the like. When the patient imaging using the cassette 6 is completed, the cassette 6 is set in the radiographic image reading device 1 and accumulated in the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 in the set cassette 6 in the same manner as the radiographic image reading device 1 described above. Read the radiation image information. At this time, the radiation image reading device 1 also reads the ID number of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8. The radiation image reading apparatus 1 queries the server 4 for registration information corresponding to the read ID number. The radiological image reading apparatus 1 associates the registration information returned from the server 4 with the read radiographic image information, and transfers them to the image confirmation apparatus 7. Since the registration information and radiation image information from the plurality of radiation image reading devices 1 are gathered in the image confirmation device 7, the final confirmation of the image is performed here.

  In this system, a plurality of information input terminals 5 and a radiation image reading apparatus 1 are connected to a network 3. By installing only the information input terminal 5 in each radiation imaging room of the hospital and installing a plurality of radiation image readers 1 in a common space between the radiation imaging rooms, the installation space can be further reduced.

  However, since the image confirmation device 7 is not installed in each radiation imaging room, there is a problem that a radiographer who is in charge of imaging cannot confirm the image. For this reason, a full-time person who performs image confirmation using the image confirmation apparatus 7 is required, and there is a disadvantage that labor costs increase.

Moreover, when the image confirmation apparatus 7 breaks down, there is a drawback that it becomes impossible to confirm images read by all the radiation image reading apparatuses 1.
Related technology is described in Patent Document 1 below.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-232161

  Therefore, it is conceivable to install an image confirmation device 7 in each radiation imaging room. As a result, when a nurse or an assistant goes to set the cassette 6 in the radiographic image reading apparatus 1, the radiographer can input patient information and radiographing information and confirm images while in the radiographic room. it can. However, if the information input terminal 5 and the image checking device 7 are installed in each radiation imaging room, a large installation space is required, and there is a problem that wiring is likely to be complicated.

  Moreover, since both the information input terminal 5 and the image confirmation apparatus 7 must be installed in each radiation imaging room, the cost increases. In addition, the radiologist has to operate both the controller 2 and the image confirmation device 7, which reduces work efficiency.

  In addition, since images taken in other shooting rooms are returned to the image confirmation device 7, it takes a lot of time to find an image taken by the user. In order to avoid this problem, if the image confirmation device 7 is directly connected to each radiation image reading device 1, if either the radiation image reading device 1 or the image confirmation device 7 breaks down, both are used. A new problem arises that it cannot be done.

  In addition, the above Patent Document 1 includes “a controller (image display terminal) having an image display unit and a plurality of radiation image reading units that transmit image data obtained by reading a radiation image accumulated in a radiation image accumulation sheet body”. An apparatus (CR modality, server) is a radiographic imaging system arranged on the same network, and a radiographic image reading apparatus having image data of a radiographic image read from a radiographic image storage sheet from a controller The radiographic imaging system that transmits (transfers) the image data to the controller is described.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem, and a radiographer can input patient information and radiographing information related to radiography and reading at a position close to the site of radiography, confirm images, change image processing, and the like. An object of the present invention is to provide a highly scalable system that can provide a work environment that is efficient and easy to work for the user, reduces the installation area of the apparatus, reduces the introduction cost, and the like. It is another object of the present invention to provide an easy-to-use and reliable system that can be handled by other components even when some of the components fail.

The following means for solving the above-described problems and achieving the above-described object are proposed.
(1) In the first aspect of the invention, at least one radiation image reading device that transmits image data obtained by reading a radiation image is the same as a plurality of controllers that receive the transmitted image data and display an image. A radiographic image capturing system arranged on the network of the first radiographic image reading apparatus, wherein the one radiographic image reading apparatus includes a storage unit that stores image data of the read radiographic image, and a controller that is a transmission destination among the plurality of controllers And a communication unit that transmits the image data of the read radiation image to the specified controller, and each of the plurality of controllers inputs input information of the radiation image read by the radiation image reading device. The controller designated as the transmission destination includes accompanying information input from the input unit and the one radiation image reading device. Associating the transmitted image data from a radiation image capturing system characterized by.

  (2) In the invention according to claim 2, the controller specified as the transmission destination includes the accompanying information input from the input unit after receiving the image data transmitted from the radiographic image reading apparatus that has received the request. The radiation image capturing system according to claim 1, wherein the image data is associated with each other.

  (3) The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the one radiographic image reading device reads a radiographic image accumulated in a radiographic image accumulating sheet body to which identification information has been assigned in advance to obtain image data, and Means for reading identification information given in advance to the radiation image accumulating sheet body, and the storage unit stores image data of the radiation image read by the reading unit and identification information of the radiation image accumulating sheet body. The radiographic imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit transmits the image data and the identification information to a controller designated as the transmission destination. .

  (4) In the invention according to claim 4, the priority order is determined in advance for each of the plurality of controllers, and the radiographic image reading device is the highest priority order that can transmit the image data of the read radiographic image. The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 1, wherein the radiographic image capturing system transmits to a high controller.

  (5) In the invention according to claim 5, the radiation image reading device associates image data obtained by reading the radiation image stored in the radiation image storage sheet body with identification information of the radiation image storage sheet body. And the stored image data and identification information can be recorded on a recording medium, and one of the plurality of controllers reads the image data and identification information recorded on the recording medium. The radiographic imaging system according to claim 3, further comprising a reading unit.

  (6) The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the radiological image reading apparatus has a holding unit for holding the subject in a standing position or a supine position when radiographic images are taken. 5. The radiographic imaging system according to any one of 5 above.

The following inventions after B1 also solve the problems.
In the invention of B1, a controller having an image display unit and a plurality of radiographic image reading devices that transmit image data obtained by reading radiographic images accumulated in a radiographic image accumulating sheet are arranged on the same network. A radiographic image capturing system, wherein the controller requests a radiographic image reading apparatus having image data of a radiographic image read from a radiographic image accumulating sheet to transmit the image data to the controller. This is a radiographic imaging system.

  The invention of B2 is characterized in that the controller requests transmission of the image data based on identification information of a radiation image reading apparatus having image data of a radiation image read from a radiation image storage sheet. The radiation image capturing system according to B1.

  In the invention of B3, the controller reads the identification information of the radiation image storage sheet member, and the radiation image reader reads the image data of the radiation image read from the radiation image storage sheet member and the identification information of the radiation image storage sheet member. Is stored in association with each other, and the identification information is transmitted together with the image data.

  In the invention of B4, a radiographic image reading apparatus having image data of a radiographic image read from a radiographic image storage sheet body holds identification information of the radiographic image storage sheet body in association with the image data, and the controller The radiation image storage sheet body identification information read by the controller is searched for which radiation image reading device is held among the plurality of radiation image reading devices, and the stored radiation is based on the search result. The radiation image capturing system according to B1, wherein the image reading apparatus is requested to transmit image data.

  Further, the present invention for solving the problem includes a plurality of controllers for registering identification information of a radiation image storage sheet body, and a plurality of image data obtained by reading a radiation image stored in the radiation image storage sheet body. The radiological image reading apparatus is a radiographic image capturing system arranged on the same network, and the controller is a radiographic image storage sheet set in any of the radiographic image reading apparatuses designated by the controller. Even if the image data of the radiographic image read from is requested to transmit to the controller, the radiographic image reading apparatus requested to transmit the image data from the controller Radiation image capturing characterized by transmitting image data of a radiation image from a body to the controller It is a stem.

  In these radiographic image capturing systems, even if any of a plurality of controllers or a plurality of radiographic image reading apparatuses becomes unusable, a usable controller and a usable radiographic image reading apparatus are used. System operation can be enabled. In addition, as a secondary effect, it is possible to prevent a situation where only some of the shooting rooms are crowded. The control forms on both the controller side and the radiation image reading apparatus side are the simplest, and there are advantages that the development cost of the control software is low and stable operation is easy.

  In the invention of B5, a controller having an image display unit and a plurality of radiographic image reading devices that transmit image data obtained by reading radiographic images accumulated in a radiographic image accumulating sheet are arranged on the same network. A radiographic image capturing system, wherein image data of a radiographic image read by the radiographic image reading device is transmitted to all controllers arranged on the same network. is there.

  In the invention of B6, the controller reads the identification information of the radiation image storage sheet member, and the radiation image reading device reads the image data of the radiation image read from the radiation image storage sheet member and the identification information of the radiation image storage sheet member. The radiographic imaging system according to B5, wherein the identification information is transmitted to all the controllers arranged on the same network together with the image data.

  The merit of this radiographic imaging system is that even if any of a plurality of controllers or a plurality of radiographic image reading devices becomes unusable, a usable controller and a usable radiographic image reading device are used. This makes it possible to operate the system. In addition, as a secondary effect, it is possible to prevent a situation where only some of the shooting rooms are crowded. The control forms on both the controller side and the radiation image reading apparatus side are the simplest, and there are advantages that the development cost of the control software is low and stable operation is easy.

  In the invention of B7, a controller having an image display unit, a plurality of radiation image reading devices that transmit image data obtained by reading a radiation image stored in a radiation image storage sheet, and a server are on the same network. The radiographic image capturing system is arranged in the radiographic image reading device, wherein the radiographic image reading device transmits image data of the read radiographic image to a server, and the controller holds the server with respect to the server. A radiographic imaging system that requests to transmit image data from a radiographic image reading apparatus to the controller.

  In the invention of B8, the radiographic image reading device associates the image data of the radiographic image read from the radiographic image storage sheet and the identification information of the radiographic image reading device in association with each other, and the controller The identification information of the radiation image reading device is transmitted to the server, the image data held in the server is searched based on the associated identification information, and the server holding the image data to be searched The radiographic imaging system according to B7, characterized in that the image data is requested to be transmitted to the controller.

  Further, in the invention of B9, the radiological image reading device associates the image data of the radiographic image read from the radiographic image accumulation sheet body with the identification information of the radiographic image accumulation sheet body and transmits the associated data to the server. Reads the identification information of the radiation image storage sheet body, transmits the identification information of the radiation image storage sheet body to the server, and searches the image data held in the server based on the associated identification information The radiographic imaging system according to B7, wherein the server holding image data to be searched is requested to transmit image data to the controller.

  In the invention of B10, after the image data is transmitted from the server to the controller, the image data held in the server and the identification information of the radiation image storage sheet body or the radiation image reading device are deleted. The radiation image capturing system according to any one of B8 and B9, characterized in that:

  Further, the present invention for solving the problems includes a plurality of controllers for registering identification information of a radiation image storage sheet, identification information and image data obtained by reading a radiation image stored in the radiation image storage sheet A radiation image capturing system in which a plurality of radiological image reading devices that output and a server that stores identification information and image data output from the radiological image reading device are arranged on the same network, The radiological image reader transmits identification information read from the set radiographic image storage sheet, image data of the radiographic image, and operator identification information related to the radiographic image to a server on the network, and requests image data. The controller to the server is a controller to which the operator identification information and image data related to the radiation image are transmitted. The server searches for the requested identification information and image data using the operator identification information as a search key, and transmits the identification information and image data to the controller that is the transmission destination. This is a radiographic imaging system.

  In these radiographic image capturing systems, even if any of a plurality of controllers or a plurality of radiographic image reading apparatuses becomes unusable, a usable controller and a usable radiographic image reading apparatus are used. System operation can be enabled. In addition, as a secondary effect, it is possible to prevent a situation where only some of the shooting rooms are crowded.

  In the invention of B11, a plurality of controllers having an image display unit and a plurality of radiographic image reading apparatuses that transmit image data obtained by reading a radiographic image stored in a radiographic image storage sheet body are on the same network. In the radiographic imaging system arranged, each of the plurality of controllers has a predetermined priority order, and the radiographic image reading device reads the radiographic image data read from the radiographic image storage sheet body, A radiographic imaging system characterized by transmitting to a controller having the highest priority that can be transmitted.

  Furthermore, the present invention for solving the problems includes a plurality of controllers for registering identification information of a radiation image storage sheet body, identification information and image data obtained by reading a radiation image stored in the radiation image storage sheet body And a plurality of radiological image reading apparatuses that output a radiographic image capturing system arranged on the same network, wherein the radiographic image reading apparatus includes identification information read from a set radiographic image storage sheet and A radiographic imaging system characterized in that image data of a radiographic image is transmitted to a controller having a predetermined priority as a transmission destination.

  Note that the transmission destination information is preferably stored in servers arranged on the same network. The transmission destination information is preferably held in each radiation image reading apparatus.

  In these radiographic imaging systems, even when one of a plurality of controllers or a plurality of radiographic image reading apparatuses becomes unusable, the priority order is high, and usable radio images can be used. The reader can be used to enable system operation. In addition, as a secondary effect, it is possible to prevent a situation where only some of the shooting rooms are crowded.

  In the invention of B12, a plurality of devices including at least a controller having an image display unit and a plurality of radiation image reading devices that transmit image data obtained by reading a radiation image stored in a radiation image storage sheet body are the same. A radiographic image capturing system arranged on a network, wherein the radiographic image reading device holds image data of a radiographic image read from a radiographic image storage sheet, and is on the same network designated in the radiographic image reading device. The radiographic image capturing system is characterized in that the image data is transmitted to the device.

Here, the devices include a viewer, a printer, a filing device, and the like in addition to the controller and the radiation image reading device.
Further, in the invention of B13, a server is further arranged on the same network, and the controller reads identification information of the radiation image accumulating sheet body, associates it with patient information, and transmits it to the server. The apparatus associates the image data of the radiation image read from the radiation image storage sheet body and the identification information of the radiation image storage sheet body, and transmits the identification information of the radiation image storage sheet body to the server. The radiographic imaging system according to B12, wherein image data and patient information are associated with each other and image data and patient information are transmitted to a device specified by the controller or the radiographic image reading apparatus. is there.

  Furthermore, the present invention for solving the problems includes a plurality of controllers for registering identification information of a radiation image storage sheet body, identification information and image data obtained by reading a radiation image stored in the radiation image storage sheet body And a plurality of radiographic image reading apparatuses that are arranged on the same network, wherein the radiographic image reading apparatus includes operation means for setting a transmission destination, and the set radiation A radiographic imaging system characterized in that identification information read from an image storage sheet and image data of a radiographic image are transmitted to a controller set as a transmission destination by the operation means.

  In these radiographic image capturing systems, even if any of a plurality of controllers or a plurality of radiographic image reading apparatuses becomes unusable, a usable controller and a usable radiographic image reading apparatus are used. System operation can be enabled. In addition, as a secondary effect, it is possible to prevent a situation where only some of the shooting rooms are crowded.

  The invention of B14 includes a controller having a recording medium reading means for reading data recorded on a recording medium and an image display unit, image data obtained by reading a radiation image stored in a radiation image storage sheet, and the radiation image. A radiographic imaging system in which a radiographic image reading device capable of storing the identification information of a storage sheet in association with each other and storing the stored image data and identification information on a recording medium is provided, In the image reading device, the image data and the identification information that are read and associated with each other are recorded on a recording medium, and the image data and the identification information recorded on the recording medium are read by the controller. A radiographic imaging system characterized by being configured to be possible.

  The invention of B15 is the radiographic image capturing system according to B14, wherein the controller and the radiographic image reading apparatus are arranged on the same network.

  Furthermore, the present invention for solving the problems includes a plurality of controllers for registering identification information of a radiation image storage sheet body, identification information and image data obtained by reading a radiation image stored in the radiation image storage sheet body And a plurality of radiographic image reading apparatuses that are arranged on the same network, wherein the radiographic image reading apparatus records identification information and image data on a recording medium. The controller includes a recording medium handling unit that reads identification information and image data stored in the recording medium, and the controller reads the identification information and the radiation image read from the radiation image storage sheet by the radiation image reading device. A radiographic imaging system characterized in that image data is transferred to the controller via a recording medium.

  In these radiographic image capturing systems, even if any of a plurality of controllers or a plurality of radiographic image reading apparatuses becomes unusable, a usable controller and a usable radiographic image reading apparatus are used. System operation can be enabled. In addition, as a secondary effect, it is possible to prevent a situation where only some of the shooting rooms are crowded.

  The radiation image according to any one of B1 to B15, wherein the radiation image reading apparatus includes a holding unit that holds the subject in a standing position or a supine position when the radiation image is captured. It is an image capturing system.

  Furthermore, another invention for solving the problem is to output a plurality of controllers for registering identification information of the radiation image storage sheet body and image data obtained by reading the radiation image stored in the radiation image storage sheet body. A plurality of radiographic image reading devices arranged on the same network, wherein the radiographic image reading device reads image data of a radiographic image read from a set radiographic image storage sheet body It is possible to specify any controller as a transmission destination of the image data, and transmit the image data of the radiation image read from the set radiation image storage sheet to the specified controller. It is a radiographic imaging system.

  The controller designated as the transmission destination in the radiation image reading apparatus is preferably a controller registered in advance by an operator. Moreover, it is desirable that the controller designated as the transmission destination in the radiation image reading apparatus is any one or a plurality of controllers.

Further, it is desirable that the image data is transmitted to the designated controller or device only once after the designation of the transmission destination in the radiation image reading apparatus.
In addition, it is desirable that after the transmission destination is specified in the radiological image reading apparatus, image data is transmitted to the specified controller or device every time after reading the radiation image accumulating sheet body.

  The merit of this radiographic imaging system is that even if any of a plurality of controllers or a plurality of radiographic image reading devices becomes unusable, a usable controller and a usable radiographic image reading device are used. This makes it possible to operate the system. In addition, as a secondary effect, it is possible to prevent a situation where only some of the shooting rooms are crowded. The control forms on both the controller side and the radiation image reading apparatus side are the simplest, and there are advantages that the development cost of the control software is low and stable operation is easy.

  Furthermore, another invention for solving the problem is to output a plurality of controllers for registering identification information of the radiation image storage sheet body and image data obtained by reading the radiation image stored in the radiation image storage sheet body. A plurality of radiographic image reading devices arranged on the same network, wherein the radiographic image reading device reads image data of a radiographic image read from a set radiographic image storage sheet body The device to be the transmission destination of the image can be specified, and the image data of the radiation image read from the set radiation image storage sheet is transmitted to the specified device. The specified device Is a radiographic imaging system characterized by being a device other than the controller.

  The designated device is preferably either a host computer or an image output device. Further, it is desirable that the image data is transmitted to the designated controller or device only once after the designation of the transmission destination in the radiation image reading apparatus.

  In addition, it is desirable that after the transmission destination is specified in the radiological image reading apparatus, image data is transmitted to the specified controller or device every time after reading the radiation image accumulating sheet body.

  The merit of this radiographic imaging system is that even if any of a plurality of controllers or a plurality of radiographic image reading devices becomes unusable, a usable controller and a usable radiographic image reading device are used. This makes it possible to operate the system. In addition, as a secondary effect, it is possible to prevent a situation where only some of the shooting rooms are crowded. The control forms on both the controller side and the radiation image reading apparatus side are the simplest, and there are advantages that the development cost of the control software is low and stable operation is easy.

  Furthermore, another invention for solving the problem is to output a plurality of controllers for registering identification information of the radiation image storage sheet body and image data obtained by reading the radiation image stored in the radiation image storage sheet body. A plurality of radiographic image reading devices arranged on the same network, wherein the radiographic image reading device includes identification information and a radiographic image read from the set radiographic image storage sheet. Holding the image data, the controller transmits the identification information of the radiation image accumulating sheet body relating to the desired radiation image and the controller information as the transmission destination of the image data; If the corresponding image data is held, refer to the controller information as the transmission destination, and It transmits the image data and identification information to a radiation image capturing system characterized by.

  In this radiographic image capturing system, even when any one of a plurality of controllers and a plurality of radiographic image reading apparatuses becomes unusable, the system using the usable controller and the usable radiographic image reading apparatus. Can be made possible. In addition, as a secondary effect, it is possible to prevent a situation where only some of the shooting rooms are crowded.

  Furthermore, another invention for solving the problem is to output a plurality of controllers for registering identification information of the radiation image storage sheet body and image data obtained by reading the radiation image stored in the radiation image storage sheet body. A plurality of radiographic image reading devices arranged on the same network, wherein the radiographic image reading device includes identification information and a radiographic image read from the set radiographic image storage sheet. The controller stores image data, and the controller transmits operator identification information regarding a desired radiation image and controller information as a transmission destination of the image data. The radiological image reading apparatus corresponds to the received operator identification information. If image data is held, refer to the controller information as the transmission destination and send the image to the corresponding controller. It transmits the chromatography data and identification information, a radiographic image capturing system characterized by.

  In this radiographic image capturing system, even when any one of a plurality of controllers and a plurality of radiographic image reading apparatuses becomes unusable, the system using the usable controller and the usable radiographic image reading apparatus. Can be made possible. In addition, as a secondary effect, it is possible to prevent a situation where only some of the shooting rooms are crowded.

  Furthermore, another invention for solving the problem is to output a plurality of controllers for registering identification information of the radiation image storage sheet body and image data obtained by reading the radiation image stored in the radiation image storage sheet body. A plurality of radiographic image reading devices arranged on the same network, wherein the radiographic image reading device includes identification information and a radiographic image read from the set radiographic image storage sheet. The controller transmits image data to a plurality of controllers on the network, and the controller that has confirmed that the transmitted identification information and image data are its own transmits a confirmation declaration to another controller, and The received controller discards the identification information and image data received from the radiation image reading device. It is a radiation imaging system that.

  In this radiographic image capturing system, even when any one of a plurality of controllers and a plurality of radiographic image reading apparatuses becomes unusable, the system using the usable controller and the usable radiographic image reading apparatus. Can be made possible. In addition, as a secondary effect, it is possible to prevent a situation where only some of the shooting rooms are crowded.

  Furthermore, another invention that solves the problem includes a plurality of controllers for registering identification information of a radiation image storage sheet member, and identification information and an image obtained by reading a radiation image stored in the radiation image storage sheet member. A radiographic imaging system in which a plurality of radiographic image reading devices that output data and a server that stores identification information and image data output from the radiographic image reading device are arranged on the same network. The radiological image reading apparatus receives identification information and radiographic image data read from the set radiographic image storage sheet body, and radiographic image reading apparatus identification information related to the radiographic image reading apparatus that has performed the reading to a server on the network. The controller that sends image data and requests image data to the server reads the radiographic image that has been read. The radiation image reading device identification information of the reading device and the controller information as the transmission destination of the image data are transmitted, and the server searches the requested identification information and image data using the radiation image reading device identification information as a search key. The radiographic imaging system is characterized in that the identification information and the image data are transmitted to a controller as a transmission destination.

  In this radiographic image capturing system, even when any one of a plurality of controllers and a plurality of radiographic image reading apparatuses becomes unusable, the system using the usable controller and the usable radiographic image reading apparatus. Can be made possible. In addition, as a secondary effect, it is possible to prevent a situation where only some of the shooting rooms are crowded.

According to the above invention, the following effects can be obtained.
In the claimed invention, the radiologist can input patient information and radiographing information related to radiography and reading, confirm images, change image processing, etc. at a position close to the site of radiography. A good and easy-to-work environment can be provided, the installation area of the apparatus can be reduced, the introduction cost can be reduced, and a highly scalable system can be provided. Further, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use and reliable system that can be handled by other components even when some of the components fail.

  In the inventions described in B1 to B4, the controller may send image data of a radiographic image read from a radiographic image storage sheet set in any of the radiographic image reading devices designated by the controller to the controller. The radiological image reading apparatus requested to transmit image data from the controller transmits radiographic image data from the read radiographic image storage sheet to the controller. Therefore, even when one of a plurality of controllers and a plurality of radiographic image reading apparatuses becomes unusable, the operation of the system is performed using the usable controller and the usable radiographic image reading apparatus. Can be possible. In addition, as a secondary effect, it is possible to prevent a situation where only some of the shooting rooms are crowded. The control forms on both the controller side and the radiation image reading apparatus side are the simplest, and there are advantages that the development cost of the control software is low and stable operation is easy.

  In the inventions described in B5 to B6, the image data of the radiographic image read by the radiographic image reading device is transmitted to all the controllers arranged on the same network, so that a plurality of controllers and a plurality of radiographic image reading can be performed. Even if any of the devices become unusable, the system can be operated using a usable controller and a usable radiographic image reader. In addition, as a secondary effect, it is possible to prevent a situation where only some of the shooting rooms are crowded. The control forms on both the controller side and the radiation image reading apparatus side are the simplest, and there are advantages that the development cost of the control software is low and stable operation is easy.

  In the invention described in B7 to B10, the radiographic image reading apparatus transmits identification information read from the set radiographic image accumulation sheet body, image data of the radiographic image, and operator identification information related to the radiographic image to a server on the network. The controller that transmits and requests image data transmits the operator identification information regarding the radiation image and the controller information that is the transmission destination of the image data to the server, and the server uses the operator identification information as a search key. The requested identification information and image data are searched, and the identification information and image data are transmitted to the controller that is the transmission destination, so any one of a plurality of controllers or a plurality of radiation image reading devices is used. Even if it becomes impossible, a system using a usable controller and a usable radiographic image reader It may enable operation. In addition, as a secondary effect, it is possible to prevent a situation where only some of the shooting rooms are crowded.

  In the invention described in B11, the radiographic image reading apparatus transmits the identification information read from the set radiographic image accumulation sheet and the image data of the radiographic image to a controller whose priority is determined in advance as a transmission destination. Even if one of a plurality of controllers or a plurality of radiographic image reading apparatuses becomes unusable, the system can be operated using the usable controller and the usable radiographic image reading apparatus. be able to. In addition, as a secondary effect, it is possible to prevent a situation where only some of the shooting rooms are crowded.

  In the invention described in B12 to B13, the radiographic image reading apparatus includes an operation unit that sets a transmission destination, and the operation unit transmits the identification information and the image data of the radiographic image read from the set radiation image accumulation sheet body. Is transmitted to the controller set as, so even if one of the multiple controllers or multiple radiographic image reading devices becomes unusable, the usable controller and the usable radiographic image reading The device can be used to enable system operation. In addition, as a secondary effect, it is possible to prevent a situation where only some of the shooting rooms are crowded.

  In the invention described in B14 to B15, the radiation image reading apparatus includes a recording medium handling unit that records the identification information and the image data on the recording medium, and the controller reads the identification information and the image data stored in the recording medium. A plurality of radiographic imaging systems, comprising: a recording medium handling means, wherein the radiographic image reader transfers identification information and radiographic image data read from the radiographic image accumulating sheet to the controller via the recording medium Even when one of the plurality of radiographic image reading apparatuses becomes unusable, the system can be operated using the usable controller and the usable radiographic image reading apparatus. In addition, as a secondary effect, it is possible to prevent a situation where only some of the shooting rooms are crowded.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the radiographic imaging system of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows operation | movement of the radiographic imaging system of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the radiographic image reading apparatus of the radiographic imaging system of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the radiographic imaging system of 2nd Embodiment and 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the radiographic imaging system of a dedicated type (standing position type) used by 4th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the radiographic imaging system of a dedicated type (supposite type) used by 4th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the radiographic imaging system which is a modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the radiographic imaging system which is a modification of embodiment shown by FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the radiographic imaging system which is a modification of embodiment shown by FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the radiographic imaging system which is a modification of embodiment shown by FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the conventional cassette type radiographic imaging system. It is a block diagram which shows another structural example of the conventional cassette type radiographic imaging system.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. In addition, although there is a description explaining the meaning of the terms in the following description, the meaning of the terms in the embodiments is described only, and the meaning of the terms of the present invention is not limited to this description.

<First Embodiment>
In the radiographic image capturing system 100 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of radiographic image reading devices 101, a plurality of controllers 102, and a server 104 are connected via a network 3. The plurality of controllers 102 are connected to the DICOM network 90.

Here, DICOM is an acronym for Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine, and means a standard related to “digital medical images and communication”.
An image recording device 91 such as a laser imager, an image diagnostic device 92, an image filing device 93, and the like can be connected to the DICOM network 90. The image recording device 91 provides the diagnostic image visualized to the doctor by outputting the image data output from the controller 102 on the film, and the image diagnostic device 92 displays the image data output from the controller 102 on the monitor. Thus, the diagnostic image visualized to the doctor is provided. The image filing device 93 stores image data output from the controller 102. The image data stored in the image filing device 93 can be output to the image output device 91 and the image diagnostic device 92 as necessary.

<Use condition of the first embodiment>
First, the usage state of the radiographic imaging system 100 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to [A] to [D] below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 according to the usage state.

  In FIG. 1, a plurality of radiation image reading devices 101a, 101b,... Are arranged, but in FIG. Similarly, in FIG. 1, a plurality of controllers 102a, 102b,... Are arranged, but in FIG.

  [A] A barcode corresponding to an ID number for identifying the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 incorporated in the cassette 6 (hereinafter, this ID number is referred to as a sheet ID number) is provided on the casing of the cassette 6. 62 is attached. In the first embodiment, the sheet ID number is identified by the barcode 62. However, for example, a code written on an element such as a label using a radio technology using electromagnetic waves or microwaves. An element called a non-contact ID label (S label) or a tyris may be used instead of the barcode 62. When such a label that reads a code (sheet ID number) using wireless technology is used, it is not necessary to attach a label to the casing of the cassette 6, for example, the back side of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 You may make it attach to. In this case, another label on which an ID number for identifying the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 is written may be attached to the casing of the cassette 6.

  The radiologist goes in front of the controller 102 with the cassette 6 used for imaging, and inputs the operator ID number at the operator ID input unit 123 of the controller 102. This input unit reads an input device such as a fingerprint detector or a voiceprint detector that can identify identification information based on the operator's own physical characteristics such as a fingerprint or a voiceprint, an ID card reader that reads an ID card, or a barcode label Input devices such as barcode readers and portable signal receivers that receive portable transmitters (ID cards, barcode labels, and portable transmitters are convenient because the operator can always carry them around). However, a keyboard, a touch panel, or the like may be used. Further, the input unit 122 described later may be configured to also serve as the operator ID input unit 123. In order to save the trouble of inputting each time, normally, when one controller 102 is handled by one person, it is convenient to set it as a default after inputting once. Alternatively, the ID number of the radiologist to be used may be registered in the controller 102 in advance, and this may be selected via a keyboard or a touch panel.

  Then, the radiologist reads the sheet ID number from the barcode 62 of the cassette 6 by the barcode reader 124 of the controller 102 or inputs the sheet ID number from the input unit 122 of the controller 102, so that the sheet is sent to the controller 102. The ID number is registered (FIG. 2 (1)).

  In addition, the radiologist inputs patient information of a patient to be imaged by the cassette 6 and imaging information for imaging the patient from the input unit 122. Here, the patient information includes the patient's name, age, sex, date of birth, patient ID number for identifying the patient, and the like. The imaging information refers to the imaging part (information on which part of the body of the subject M) and the imaging method (back-and-front direction imaging, front-and-rear direction imaging, measurement direction imaging, oblique imaging, and the like) Information), which is used not only for imaging and recording of a patient, but also as an image processing parameter for determining image processing conditions of read image data, particularly gradation conversion processing conditions. . In other words, the image data and the patient information are managed in association with each other and transmitted between the respective units (for example, the radiation image reading apparatus → the server), so that good management can be performed.

  When the imaging information is determined, a reading condition such as reading sensitivity and reading resolution (sampling pitch) of the radiation image reading apparatus 101 corresponding to the imaging information is automatically selected.

  Of these pieces of information, reusable information may be stored as a default value as it is to simplify the subsequent input. In addition, when imaging information and patient information are registered in advance, the display unit 121 displays these information as a list, and the radiologist selects the necessary information from the displayed list. Also good.

  For the sheet ID number or operator ID number input from the barcode reader 124 or the input unit 122, the controller 102 receives a series of information such as imaging information, patient information, and reading conditions registered together with these ID numbers ( This series of information is referred to as accompanying information) and is temporarily stored in the controller 102.

  If the sheet ID number, operator ID number, and accompanying information displayed on the display unit 121 are incorrect, the radiologist inputs a re-input instruction from the input unit 122, and if correct, performs the next input operation. When these inputs are completed for all cassettes scheduled to be photographed, an input for instructing the end of the input is performed. When a re-input instruction is input from the input unit 122, the controller 102 clears the primary storage such as the sheet ID number and waits for re-input.

  Further, when the next sheet ID number is input or the input end is instructed, the primarily stored sheet ID number, operator ID number, and accompanying information are referred to as the controller 102 ID number (hereinafter referred to as controller ID number). ) And sent to the server 104 for storage.

  When the server 104 receives these pieces of information, the server 104 registers the information in the photographing database as a record with a unique photographed image unique ID number for each photographed image. As described above, when the sheet ID number is registered by the controller 102, the shooting information corresponding to the cassette 6 is also registered. As will be described later, the controller 102 receives the image data received together with the sheet ID number. Since the image processing is performed based on the photographing information that matches the sheet ID number and is output, the registration of the photographing information over time as in the case of registering the photographing information after reading the image from the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 of the cassette 6 is performed. Errors can be suppressed and correct image processing can be performed.

  When the sheet ID number is registered by the controller 102, the operator ID number corresponding to the cassette 6 and the controller ID number (controller ID number for identifying the controllers 102a, 102b, 102c,...) Are also registered. Later, you can make use of this information. The radiation image reading apparatus 101 also has an ID number (apparatus ID number) for identifying each of the radiation image reading apparatuses 101a, 101b, 101c,.

  [B] Upon completion of a series of operations such as registration of various ID numbers and input of accompanying information, the radiologist positions a portion of the subject M to be radiographed between the radiation source 9 and the cassette 6 (normally The cassette 6 is applied to the subject M). The radiation generation control device 10 of the radiation source 9 is operated to irradiate the radiation. Then, a part of the radiation energy irradiated from the radiation source 9 and transmitted through the subject M is temporarily accumulated in the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 incorporated in the cassette 6 (FIG. 2 (2)).

  [C] When the radiation imaging of the patient is completed, the assistant sets the cassette 6 for which imaging has been completed in the radiation image reading apparatus 101. At this time, it is free to set the cassette 6 in any of the radiation image reading apparatuses 101a, 101b,. Further, a plurality of cassettes 6 may be set in a distributed manner on a plurality of radiation image reading apparatuses 101a, 101b,.

  When the cassette 6 is set, the radiation image reading apparatus 101 reads the sheet ID number from the barcode 62 of the cassette 6 and searches the imaging database of the server 104 with this sheet ID number. The server 104 searches the imaging database with the sent sheet ID number, obtains the latest record among the matching records, and returns the information of the record to the radiation image reading apparatus 101. Then, the radiation image reading apparatus 101 is stored in the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 in the cassette 6 under the reading conditions (reading sensitivity, reading resolution, etc.) described in the information of the returned record. Read out radiation image information. That is, the stimulable phosphor sheet 8 is irradiated with excitation light, the stimulated light emitted according to the radiation image information accumulated by the irradiated excitation light is photoelectrically converted, and A / D converted digital image data ( Hereinafter, for simplicity, it is referred to as image data). The obtained image data is transmitted to the controller 102 having the controller ID number returned from the server 104 together with the record information transmitted from the server 104.

  When the reading of the image data is completed, the radiation image reading apparatus 101 erases the energy remaining in the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8, returns the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 into the cassette 6, and takes out the cassette 6. Make it possible. The assistant returns the cassette 6 whose reading has been completed to the radiation imaging room and prepares for the next imaging.

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the reading condition of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 is automatically determined from the registered photographing information, and the determined reading condition is associated with the sheet ID number. Since the radiographic image reading apparatus 101 is configured to store the photostimulable phosphor sheet of the cassette 6 based on the read sheet ID number, the reading condition is searched. 8 can read image data. As described above, the image data can be read under an appropriate reading condition simply by registering the shooting information with the controller 102, so that it is possible to obtain image data with good image quality that is optimal for the shooting condition.

  [D] The radiologist confirms the received image data. First, the controller 102 generates reduced images of image data while receiving image data from the radiation image reading apparatus 101, and sequentially displays the reduced images on the display unit 121 (FIG. 2 (4)). Further, the sheet ID number related to the received image data, the apparatus ID number of the radiation image reading apparatus 101 that transmitted the image data, and other accompanying information are displayed on the display unit 121 together with the image data. The contents of the information displayed together with the image data (reduced image data) can be selected in advance by the user.

  When reception of all image data is completed, image processing such as non-linear gradation conversion processing is performed on the generated reduced image data under image processing conditions determined by shooting information corresponding to the image data, It is displayed again on the display unit 121. The radiologist can check the re-displayed image and change the image processing condition to perform image processing on the reduced image data again if necessary.

  In addition, the controller 102 notifies the server 104 of the sheet ID number corresponding to the received image data. In response to this notification, the server 104 adds the already-transferred information to the corresponding record in the shooting database.

  The controller 102 searches the imaging database in the server 104 or information temporarily stored in the controller 102 by the patient ID number, and all the image data of the sheet ID number having the patient ID number is returned to the controller 102. Confirm whether or not. When all the image data of the sheet ID number having the patient ID number is returned to the controller 102, information indicating that all the image data of the patient has been received is displayed on the display unit 121.

  From the operating status of the radiation image reading apparatus 101, it is difficult to determine whether or not all cassettes 6 relating to one patient have been read, but the controller 102 that has registered the sheet ID number is When all the images read from the plurality of cassettes 6 related to the human patient are received, a message indicating that all the images have been received is displayed, so that the operator can move on to the next operation with peace of mind.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the display position and output order of image data can be rearranged in a predetermined order. These may be performed automatically or may be specified by the user. If you want to do it automatically, set the order of arrangement in advance. For example, if the setting is made so that the sheet ID numbers are rearranged, the order in which image data received by the controller 102 is received is different even if the order of loading the cassette 6 into the radiation imaging apparatus 1 varies. Even if it is mixed, the display position of the image is always determined in the registration order, so there is no confusion.

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, registration of sheet ID numbers of a plurality of cassettes 6 for photographing one patient is performed by one controller 102, and the plurality of cassettes 6 that have been photographed are regarded as a plurality of cassettes 6. Even when set in the radiation image reading apparatus 101 in a distributed manner, the images read by the plurality of radiation image reading apparatuses 101 are automatically returned to the controller 102 in which the sheet ID numbers are registered. For this reason, even if it is the image data returned from the different radiographic image reading apparatus 101, the image data of the same patient can be handled together.

  When the radiologist finishes the image confirmation work, the radiologist inputs image confirmation. When image confirmation is input, image processing is also performed on image data that has not been reduced (received original image data) under the image processing conditions that were last performed on the reduced image displayed on the display unit 121. The image data subjected to the image processing is temporarily stored in the controller 102. Then, the image data that has been subjected to image processing or the image data that has not been subjected to image processing with image processing conditions added thereto, together with other accompanying information and ID information, is connected via the DICOM network 90 to the image recording device 91 and the image diagnostic device 92. Or the image filing device 93 according to the DICOM communication protocol. When image confirmation is input, a code indicating that processing has been completed is added to the record relating to the sheet ID number in the imaging database in the server 104.

<Internal configuration of radiation image reader>
Next, the internal configuration of the radiation image reading apparatus 101 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the cassette 6 is set in the radiation image output apparatus 1 after the radiation imaging is completed, the sheet ID number is read from the barcode 62 of the cassette 6 by the barcode reader 150. The server 104 is searched with this sheet ID number, and as described above, the reading conditions (reading sensitivity and reading resolution) and the controller ID number of the image data return destination are obtained. The sensitivity of the photoelectric reading unit 112 is set according to the reading sensitivity value, and the conveying speed of the conveying mechanism 160 and the sampling pitch of the A / D converter 113 are set according to the reading resolution value.

  When the cassette 6 is set in the radiation image output apparatus 1, the stimulable phosphor sheet 8 is pulled out from the cassette 6, and the stimulating phosphor sheet 8 is sub-scanned and conveyed in the X direction by the conveyance mechanism 160. The image data stored and held in the fluorescent phosphor sheet 8 is read by the reading unit 110.

  The reading unit 110 includes an excitation light generation unit 111, a photoelectric reading unit 112, and an A / D converter 113. While the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 is transported in the sub-scan by the transport mechanism 160, the excitation light generator 111 scans the excitation light 14 in a direction (main scanning direction) perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction.

  When the excitation light 14 acts on the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8, the energy accumulated in the phosphor is generated as the photostimulated light 15. The photostimulated light 15 is collected and is read by the photoelectric reading unit 112. The electric signal is converted into an electric signal, and the electric signal is logarithmically converted by the logarithmic converter 114 (the electric signal is converted into a logarithm of the light intensity of the stimulating light 15 from the electric signal linear to the light intensity of the stimulating light 15. The signal is converted into a linear electric signal, that is, an electric signal linear in density), and digitized by the A / D converter 113.

  The image data output from the reading unit 110 is processed by the signal processing unit 120 in a correction process peculiar to the reading unit 110 or the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 (shading correction of the photoelectric reading unit 112 or the excitation light generation unit 111). Correction, non-uniformity correction of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 and the like, and then temporarily stored in the primary storage unit 130 sequentially. Then, after the reading is completed (or while reading the image data), the communication unit 140 transmits the image data to the controller 102 having the controller ID number returned from the server 104 via the network 3.

  Here, the image data transmitted to the controller 102 is image data having a pixel value that is linear with respect to the logarithm of the light intensity of the stimulating light 15, and the gradation characteristics as it is are not suitable for diagnosis (in many cases, diagnosis is performed). Image data). In order to convert to image data that can be used for diagnosis, it is generally necessary to perform nonlinear gradation conversion processing. In the first embodiment, this processing is performed by the controller 102. As described above, in the first embodiment, image data is returned from the radiation image reading apparatus 101 to the controller 102 with gradation characteristics unsuitable for diagnosis.

  Since the processing conditions of the non-linear gradation conversion process vary depending on the imaging region and the imaging direction, it is necessary to prepare an algorithm for each imaging region and imaging direction. In addition, since an algorithm for automatically detecting the radiation field stop and subject area at the time of imaging is required, an algorithm for nonlinear gradation conversion processing generally has a very complicated structure.

  Since an environment capable of executing such a complex image processing algorithm at high speed (referred to as an image processing environment) is very expensive, it is very difficult to construct an image processing environment in both the radiation image reading apparatus 101 and the controller 102. It is uneconomical. In the first embodiment, the radiologist changes the image processing conditions after confirming the image, and provides an environment in which the image processing is performed again under the changed image processing conditions. Requires an image processing environment. Therefore, it is preferable that image processing is not performed on the radiation image reading apparatus 101 side, and image processing is performed only on the controller 102 side. However, even if it is configured so that image processing can be performed on the radiation image reading apparatus 101 side, the essence of the present invention excluding cost is not impaired.

<Internal configuration of controller>
Next, the controller 102 will be described in more detail based on FIG. The controller 102 includes a display unit 121 for displaying various information and scanned images, an input unit 122 for inputting instructions by a radiologist, and an ID number for an operator such as a radiologist. An operator ID input unit 123 and a barcode reader 124 for reading the barcode 62 of the cassette 6 are provided. The controller 102 is connected to the server 104 and the plurality of radiation image reading apparatuses 101 via the network 3. The controller 102 can also be connected to an image recording device 91, an image diagnostic device 92, an image filing device 93, etc. via the DICOM network 90.

  As the input unit 122, a keyboard, a touch panel, a voice input device, or the like can be used, but the input unit 122 is not limited thereto. Further, the controller 102 and the server 104 can be connected to a hospital information system (HIS) or a radiation information system (RIS). In this case, it is preferable to capture patient information, imaging information, etc. online from these HIS and RIS. In addition, the patient is provided with a portable storage medium that stores the above information, and the controller 102 is provided with a storage medium reader so as to read information such as patient information and imaging information from the portable storage medium brought by the patient. It may be. Examples of such portable storage media and storage medium readers include, but are not limited to, barcodes and barcode readers, magnetic cards and magnetic card readers, and IC cards and IC card readers.

  Moreover, you may make it search the matching data from HIS and RIS with a patient ID number. In this case, the patient may have a portable storage medium that stores the patient ID number, and a storage medium reader may be provided to read the information from the portable storage medium brought by the patient. Not limited to this, it may be input from the input unit 122, or patient-specific information such as a fingerprint or voiceprint is stored in the HIS or RIS, and a fingerprint detection device or a voiceprint detection device is provided in the controller 102, thereby detecting the detected fingerprint. Or data matching by voiceprint may be retrieved from HIS or RIS.

  The display unit 121 of the controller 102 may be any means capable of displaying character information and image information, such as a CRT display or a liquid crystal display, for example, and the content to be displayed is a radiation image reading apparatus 101 that has acquired image data. Device ID number, operator ID number, patient information, imaging information, reading conditions, radiation imaging conditions (for example, tube voltage and dose of the radiation source) acquired from the radiation generation control device 10 of the radiation source 9, image data Information such as the number of pixels and matrix size, the number of bits per pixel of image data, the type of image processing, the image processing parameters, the details of the correction processing, and the video of the captured image data. I can't.

  Further, the imaging region may be selected in two stages: a rough major classification based on the main components of the human body and a finer minor classification. Examples of major classifications in this case include classifications such as “head”, “chest”, “abdomen”, “upper limb”, “lower limb”, “spine”, and “pelvis”. The minor classification is a classification of the parts indicated by the major classification into more detailed parts. For example, when the major classification is “upper limb”, “shoulder joint”, “scapula”, “shoulder chain indirect” "," Humeral bones "," elbow joints "," forearm bones "," hand joints "," carpal bones "," finger bones ", etc. fall under the small classification. The shooting direction is generally the shooting direction with respect to the human body, but is not limited thereto. As representative examples of such shooting directions, “post-rear direction projection (PA)”, “front-rear direction projection (AP)”, “LAT (Lateral rediography)”, “ "Oblique Radiography".

  The types of image processing performed by the controller 102 include gradation conversion processing for converting the gradation of image data, frequency processing for converting the frequency characteristics of the image data, and dynamic range for compressing the dynamic range of the image data. Examples include, but are not limited to, compression processing.

  In particular, in the first embodiment, image data having a linear pixel value with respect to the logarithm of the light intensity of the stimulating light 15 is transmitted from the radiation image reading apparatus 101 to the controller 102. In 102, it is essential that non-linear gradation conversion processing can be performed.

<Correspondence between radiation image reader and controller>
As described above, in the first embodiment, the cassette 6 in which the sheet ID number is registered by any of the controllers 102a to 102 in FIG. 1 is distributed and set in any radiation image reading apparatus 101a. The image data read by any radiation image reading apparatus 101a can be automatically sent to the controller 102a to which the sheet ID number of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 corresponding to the image data is registered. It is configured to be returned.

  As described above, since the cassette in which the sheet ID number is registered by one controller 102 can be set in any of the plurality of radiation image reading apparatuses 101, the number of cassettes 6 that can be set per 101 radiation image reading apparatuses is small. An inexpensive radiation image reading apparatus 101 can be used. As a result, the installation area of the apparatus can be reduced, the introduction cost can be reduced, and the expandability can be increased.

  In addition, since the cassette 6 in which the sheet ID number is registered by one controller 102 can be simultaneously read by a plurality of radiographic image reading apparatuses 101, in a hospital that performs many radiographs of one patient at a time, radiographic imaging It is possible to improve the processing capacity of the system.

  In addition, when m radiation image reading apparatuses 101 that can set n cassettes are connected, a maximum of n × m cassettes can be set continuously, so if you want to process a large number of cassettes at once, The imaging cycle time can be remarkably shortened without being bothered by the cassette setting.

  When m radiation image reading apparatuses 101 are connected, a maximum of m radiation reading apparatuses 1 can read image data at the same time. Compared with the case of reading data, the reading time is shortened to 1 / m (processing capacity is improved m times). Therefore, it is possible to provide an ideal work environment that is efficient and does not involve work delays even for hospitals that perform many imaging operations for a single patient or hospitals that have a short imaging cycle.

  Further, even when a plurality of radiation image reading apparatuses 101 are used for one patient, incidental information such as patient information and imaging conditions can be input by one controller 102, so that the input work becomes efficient. .

  Further, even when a plurality of radiation image readers 101 are used for one patient, the image data registers the patient information and imaging information of the patient (that is, the stimulable phosphor used for imaging the patient). Since it is concentrated in one controller 102 (which has registered the sheet ID number of the sheet 8), it is not necessary for the radiologist to move between the patient information and imaging information registration terminal and the image confirmation terminal of the patient. Can be improved. In addition, registration of patient information and imaging information of a patient and image confirmation can be performed by one controller 102, so that correspondence between registered information and image data can be confirmed, and work reliability can be improved. Can do.

  In addition, since there are a plurality of controllers 102, the controller 102 can be installed at a position close to the site of radiation imaging, and the radiologist can input patient information and imaging information, confirm images, select image processing conditions, etc. It can be carried out at a position close to the radiography site, providing an efficient work environment and an easy work environment.

  In addition, even if some of the radiographic image capturing apparatuses 1 out of the plurality of radiographic image reading apparatuses 101 fail, the other radiographic image capturing apparatuses 1 that are not in failure can cope with them, so that the system is reliable. Can be built.

In addition, since the server 104 collectively manages the shooting database, it is possible to refer to this information later, and to manage the shooting history without mistake.
<Arbitrary Corresponding Operation of Radiation Image Reading Device and Controller (1)> Operation Example 1:
Since a plurality of radiation image reading apparatuses 101 and controllers 102 are provided and any combination can be used, an apparatus ID of any radiation image reading apparatus 101 is designated from any controller 102 side. In addition, the radiographic image read by the radiographic image reading apparatus 101 having the designated apparatus ID can be returned to the controller 102 (return is requested).

  The designation of the apparatus ID of the radiation image reading apparatus 101 from the controller 102 may be before reading (FIG. 2 (1)) or after reading (FIG. 2 (4)).

The designated radiographic image reading apparatus 101 transmits all the stored image data or read image data to the requested controller 102.
The merit of this method is that even if one of a plurality of controllers and a plurality of radiation image reading apparatuses becomes unusable, the system can be used by using a usable controller and a usable radiation image reading apparatus. It is a point that enables operation. In addition, as a secondary effect, it is possible to prevent a situation where only some of the shooting rooms are crowded. The control form on both the controller 102 side and the radiation image reading apparatus 101 side is the simplest, and there are advantages that the development cost of control software is low and that stable operation is easy.

  Since the image data is returned to the desired controller, it is not necessary to find a desired image taken by the user, and there is no need to provide an image confirmation device or the like.

Operation example 2:
Since a plurality of radiation image reading apparatuses 101 and controllers 102 are provided and any combination can be used, image data is returned by any one of the radiation image reading apparatuses 101 that performs the reading. It is possible to specify any controller 102 to be used.

  Such designation of the controller 102 from the radiation image reading apparatus 101 may be performed every time at the time of reading, or may be set so that the designation becomes valid once designated.

  Further, the designation of the partner to which the image data is returned may be any one of the controllers 102, a plurality of controllers 102, or all the connected controllers 102.

In addition to the controller 102, the host computer (not shown) or the image output device 91 may be used to specify the partner to which the image data is returned.
In this way, the radiation image reading apparatus 101 in which the return destination of the image data is designated transmits all the held image data or the read image data to the designated controller 102.

  The merit of this method is that even if one of a plurality of controllers and a plurality of radiation image reading apparatuses becomes unusable, the system can be used by using a usable controller and a usable radiation image reading apparatus. It is a point that enables operation. In addition, as a secondary effect, it is possible to prevent a situation where only some of the shooting rooms are crowded. The control form on both the controller 102 side and the radiation image reading apparatus 101 side is the simplest, and there are advantages that the development cost of control software is low and that stable operation is easy.

  Since the image data is returned to the desired controller, it is not necessary to find a desired image taken by the user, and there is no need to provide an image confirmation device or the like.

<Arbitrary operation of the radiation image reading apparatus and the controller (2)>
Hereinafter, the operation of the second example of the arbitrary corresponding operation between the radiographic image reading apparatus and the controller will be described using the first to sixth solving methods. Here, the case where transmission from the radiation image reading apparatus to the controller is impossible and the emergency will be described as specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the following first to sixth cases are possible even during normal times. Using the solution approach, good results can be obtained for any correspondence.

<Optional action: When transmission from the radiation image reader to the controller is not possible>
Next, in the first embodiment, when the radiation image reading apparatus 101 attempts to transmit the radiation image read from the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 of the cassette 6 to the specified controller 102, the controller 102 receives the radiation image. A case where the transmission of the message cannot be performed will be described.

  This occurs, for example, due to poor connection of network terminals, runaway CPU due to a bug or heat generation in a program, malfunction or failure of a component such as a hard disk drive. Further, when transmission to the specified controller 102 is attempted, whether or not transmission to the controller 102 could not be performed can be detected by detecting that communication could not be established. In addition, an alarm device for generating an alarm or displaying a warning by control from the radiation image reading apparatus 101 or the server 104 is provided, or a means for detecting a communication failure is provided in the controller 102 to display the communication failure. To inform the radiologist that the controller 102 being used has a communication failure.

As solution means when a communication failure is detected, the following six solution methods described in [A] to [F] are conceivable. These may be appropriately selected depending on hospital circumstances.
[A] First solution:
The first solving method is a method of designating a controller 102 to which image data is transmitted from another controller 102. In this method, there are three more solutions shown in the following [A] a to [A] c.

  [A] a. In this method, the user selects another controller 102 and directly sends the controller ID number of the return destination to the radiation image reading apparatus 101 holding the image data to be received, and requests the return of the image data.

Upon receiving this request, the radiation image reading apparatus 101 transmits all the held image data to the controller 102 having the designated controller ID number.
The advantage of this solution is that the control form on both the controller 102 side and the radiation image reading apparatus 101 side is the simplest, the development cost of control software is low, and stable operation is easy.

  [A] b. The user selects another controller 102, registers the operator ID number with the selected controller 102, sends the operator ID number and the controller ID number of the return destination to all the radiation image reading apparatuses 101, and transmits them. This is a method for requesting the return of the image data having the operator ID number.

  When the radiation image reading apparatus 101 that has received this request holds image data having the requested operator ID number, the requested operator ID number is sent to the controller 102 having the designated controller ID number. Is transmitted.

  [A] c. The user selects another controller 102, registers the operator ID number with the selected controller 102, sends the operator ID number and the controller ID number of the return destination to the server 104, and transmits the transmitted operator ID number This is a method for requesting the return of image data having.

  If the radiographic image reading apparatus 101 that cannot establish communication is set to always search the server 104, the radiographic image reading apparatus 101 can capture the request when the server 104 receives the request. it can. The radiation image reading apparatus 101 that has received this request transmits the image data having the requested operator ID number to the controller 102 having the designated controller ID number.

  The merit of the solution method of [A] b and [A] c is that, by using the operator ID number, the image data that the user wanted to receive can be selectively and easily transmitted to another controller 102. It can be received. In other words, since the image data is received using the operator ID number as a keyword, it is possible to avoid the risk of erroneous reception of image data that others have received.

[B] Second solution:
The second solution method is a method in which the radiation image reading apparatus 101 forcibly transmits image data together with additional information indicating secondary distribution data to all the remaining controllers 102 that have not failed. It is.

  Upon receiving the image data and the additional information, the controller 102 temporarily stores the received image data and the additional information, and deletes them when they are no longer needed. For example, when the user selects another controller 102, a declaration is made to confirm that the temporarily stored image data and additional information are their own. By transmitting this confirmation declaration to the other controller 102, the other controller 102 can erase the temporarily stored image data and additional information.

  For example, an operator ID number may be used for the declaration method of the final declaration. In this case, the operator ID number in which the sheet ID number is registered is included in the additional information sent by the radiation image reading apparatus 101. When the user selects another controller 102, the operator ID number is registered with the selected controller 102. The controller 102 compares the newly registered operator ID number with the operator ID number in the additional information temporarily stored, and if they match, it is considered that the confirmation declaration has been made.

  The advantage of this solution is that when the user selects another controller 102, the image data has already been received (since it is highly probable that it has been received), so that an arbitrary controller 102 can immediately confirm the image. It can be done.

[C] Third solution:
In the third solution, the server 104 has an image storage function, and the radiation image reading apparatus 101 transmits the image data to the server 104 instead of transmitting it to the identified controller 102. The image data is temporarily saved.

  When the user selects another controller 102 and requests transmission of the image data temporarily stored in the server 104 from the selected controller 102, the image data temporarily stored in the controller 102 that has requested the server 104 is stored. Sent.

  For example, it is convenient to use an operator ID number when requesting transmission of image data temporarily stored from the controller 102 to the server 104. That is, when the user selects another controller 102, the operator ID number is registered with the selected controller 102. Then, when requesting transmission of the temporarily stored image data to the server 104, the operator ID number is also transmitted to the server 104. The server 104 finds image data having the same ID number as the operator ID number sent from the temporarily stored image data, and returns it to the controller 102.

  The merit of this solution is that the transmission destination of the image data from the radiation image reading apparatus 101 is always fixed to the server, so that the development of control software on the radiation image reading apparatus 101 side is simple and the development cost is low. The system is stable with small and simple control. Further, since the image data is searched using the operator ID number as a keyword, it is possible to avoid the risk that the image data that the other person has received is erroneously received.

[D] Fourth solution:
According to a fourth solution, when the image data cannot be transmitted to the controller 102 that should originally be returned, the order of the controllers 102 that transmit the image data is determined in advance, and the controller in the next order is determined according to the order. In this method, image data is transmitted to 102. In this case, it is preferable that the user knows in advance the controller 102 to go when the controller 102 has a communication failure.

The advantage of this solution is that the image data is automatically transmitted to another predetermined controller 102 without any operation by the user.
[E] Fifth solution technique:
In the fifth solution, the radiation image reading apparatus 101 is provided with a function capable of designating a controller 102 for returning image data, and the user designates a controller 102 to which image data is to be returned using this function. Is the method. When the user designates a controller 102 that can communicate, image data is transmitted to the controller 102. Further, it is more convenient to configure so that a plurality of controllers 102 and servers 104 can be specified at the same time.

  The merit of this solution is that the control form on both the controller 102 side and the radiation image reading apparatus 101 side is simple, the development cost of control software is low, and stable operation is easy. Further, since a plurality of controllers 102 and servers 3 can be designated as transmission destinations, a highly secure system can be constructed.

[F] Sixth solution technique:
In the sixth solution, any radiation image reading device 101 is provided with a portable storage medium writing device, and any controller 102 is provided with the portable storage medium reading device, and transmission is not possible. The image data is stored in the portable storage medium, the portable storage medium is set in another controller 102, and the image data is transferred to the controller 102.

Examples of such portable storage media include, but are not limited to, magneto-optical disks, magnetic disks, optical disks, memory cards, and portable hard disk drives.
An advantage of this solution is that even when the entire network 3 has a communication failure, it can cope with it. As described above in [A] to [F], in the first embodiment, even when the image data read by the radiation image reading apparatus 101 cannot be transmitted to the specified controller 102, another process is performed. Since it is possible to transmit image data to the controller 102, even if some of the controllers 102 fail during use, other controllers 102 can handle them, and are easy to use and reliable. It is possible to provide a system.

  In this way, when transmitting from the radiation image reading apparatus 101 to the controller 102, priority or priority is determined for each of the plurality of controllers, and transmission is attempted to a controller with higher priority or priority. If it is not possible, it is possible to attempt transmission to the controller having the next highest priority or priority. In this case as well, even when some of the controllers 102 fail during use, the other controllers 102 can cope with it, and an easy-to-use and reliable system can be provided.

Further, except for the fourth solution, there is an advantage that the radiologist can select the controller 102 in accordance with the usage status of the plurality of controllers 102 when a communication failure occurs.
Further, if the specific controller 102 also functions as the server 104, even if the server 104 fails, all the shooting database records are stored in the controller 102, so that the shooting operation is not hindered. It is further preferable that all the controllers 102 also function as the server 104.

<Optional action: Reading operation in case of emergency>
Next, in the case of an emergency, the patient and the registration related to radiography are postponed and the radiographic image is read first, according to the following procedures (1) to (3). F] will be used for explanation.

  (1) The radiologist positions a portion of the subject M to be radiographed between the radiation source 9 and the cassette 6 and operates the radiation generation control device 10 of the radiation source 9 to irradiate the radiation. Then, a part of the radiation energy irradiated from the radiation source 9 and transmitted through the subject M is temporarily accumulated in the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 built in the cassette 6.

  (2) When the radiography of the patient is completed, the assistant sets the cassette 6 for which radiography has been completed in the radiographic image reading apparatus 101. When the cassette 6 is set, the radiation image reading apparatus 101 reads the sheet ID number from the barcode 62 of the cassette 6 and searches the imaging database of the server 104 with this sheet ID number. The server 104 searches the shooting database with the sent sheet ID number, but cannot obtain the latest record among the matching records. Therefore, a reply that there is no matching record is returned to the radiation image reading apparatus 101. The radiation image reading apparatus 101 reads image data under default reading conditions, and temporarily stores the read image data in the radiation image reading apparatus 101. Next, it is desired to specify the controller 102 that transmits the image, but it is unclear to which controller 102 the image can be transmitted. In this case, the problem is solved by a method similar to the above-described communication failure. These may be appropriately selected depending on hospital circumstances.

[A] First solution:
The first solution is a method of designating the destination controller 102 from the controller 102 side. That is, the controller 102 directly sends the controller ID number of the return destination to the radiation image reading apparatus 101 holding the image data to be received, and requests the return of the image data.

  Upon receiving this request, the radiation image reading apparatus 101 transmits all image data held together with additional information such as the read sheet ID number and reading conditions to the controller 102 having the designated controller ID number.

  The advantage of this solution is that the control form on both the controller 102 side and the radiation image reading apparatus 101 side is the simplest, the development cost of control software is low, and stable operation is easy.

[B] Second solution:
The second solution is that the radiographic image reading apparatus 101 sends image data to all controllers 102 together with information indicating post-registration data, additional information such as the read sheet ID number and reading conditions, and the like. This is a method of forcibly sending. Upon receiving the image data and the additional information, the controller 102 temporarily stores the received image data and the additional information, and deletes them when they are no longer needed. For example, when the user selects another controller 102, a declaration is made to confirm that the temporarily stored image data and additional information are their own. By transmitting this confirmation declaration to the other controller 102, the other controller 102 can erase the temporarily stored image data and additional information.

  The advantage of this solution is that when the user selects another controller 102, the image data has already been received (since it is highly probable that it has been received), so that an arbitrary controller 102 can immediately confirm the image. It can be done.

[C] Third solution:
In the third solution, the server 104 has an image storage function, and the radiation image reading apparatus 101 includes additional information such as information indicating that the server 104 is post-registration data, a read sheet ID number, and reading conditions. In this method, image data is transmitted, and the server 104 temporarily stores the transmitted image data and additional information.

  When the user requests transmission of registered image data after being temporarily saved from the controller 102 to the server 104, the image data and its additional information that have been temporarily saved are sent from the server 104 to the requesting controller 102.

  The merit of this solution is that the transmission destination of the image data from the radiation image reading apparatus 101 is always fixed to the server, so that the development of control software on the radiation image reading apparatus 101 side is simple and the development cost is low. The system is stable with small and simple control.

[D] Fourth solution:
In the fourth solution, the order of the controllers 102 to be transmitted in the case of post-registration data is determined in advance, and information indicating that the data is post-registration data, the read sheet ID number, the reading conditions, etc. In this method, image data is transmitted to the controller 102 together with additional information. In this case, the user preferably knows in advance the controller 102 to go to in the case of post-registration data.

The advantage of this solution is that the image data is automatically transmitted to another predetermined controller 102 without any operation by the user.
[E] Fifth solution technique:
In the fifth solution, the radiation image reading apparatus 101 is provided with a function capable of designating a controller 102 for returning image data, and the user designates a controller 102 to which image data is to be returned using this function. Is the method. When the user designates the controller 102, image data is transmitted to the controller 102 together with additional information such as information indicating post-registration data, a read sheet ID number, and reading conditions. Further, it is more convenient to configure so that a plurality of controllers 102 and servers 104 can be specified at the same time.

  The merit of this solution is that the control form on both the controller 102 side and the radiation image reading apparatus 101 side is simple, the development cost of control software is low, and stable operation is easy. Further, since a plurality of controllers 102 and servers 3 can be designated as transmission destinations, a highly secure system can be constructed.

[F] Sixth solution technique:
The sixth solution is that any radiation image reading apparatus 101 is provided with a portable storage medium writing device, and any controller 102 is provided with this portable storage medium reading device, so that image data is stored. A method of storing additional information such as a read sheet ID number and reading conditions in a portable storage medium, setting the portable storage medium in a desired controller 102, and transferring image data and additional information to the controller 102. is there.

  An advantage of this solution is that even when the entire network 3 has a communication failure, it can cope with it. As described above, in the case of an emergency, the image data read can be transmitted to the controller 102 even when registration regarding the patient or imaging is postponed and reading is performed first.

  (3) The radiologist inputs incidental information such as patient information and imaging information when imaging with the cassette 6 from the input unit 122 of the controller 102. When the patient information and imaging information are determined, the controller 102 performs image processing on the received image data under image processing conditions determined by the imaging information, and displays the image data subjected to this image processing on the display unit 121. . Thereafter, the radiologist can change the image processing conditions as necessary. When the change of the image processing condition is input, the controller 102 performs image processing on the image data under the changed image processing condition and displays the image data on the display unit 121 again. The controller 102 primarily stores the sheet ID number received together with the image data, the accompanying information such as the input patient information and imaging information, and the operator ID number together with the reading conditions.

  If there is an error in the information displayed on the display unit 121, the radiologist can input a re-input instruction from the input unit 122 and make corrections. When these inputs are completed for all received image data, an input for instructing the end of input is performed.

  When a series of processes and input operations are completed and the image data and accompanying information are determined, the primary stored sheet ID number, operator ID number, reading conditions, and accompanying information are changed to the controller 102 ID number (hereinafter referred to as controller ID number). And transmitted to the server 104.

  The server 104 adds a unique captured image unique ID number for each captured image to the received sheet ID number, operator ID number, reading condition, and accompanying information, and registers this record in the captured database. .

<Second Embodiment>
This second embodiment is a modification of the above-described first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the second embodiment does not use functions for the server 104 of the first embodiment (it functions even without the server 104). It is a form.

  The controller 102 registers a sheet ID number and reading conditions (such as reading sensitivity and reading resolution), and when this is confirmed, the controller ID number (normal sheet ID number) of the controller 102 of the return destination is stored in the information including at least the sheet ID number. And the controller ID number of the controller 102 in which the reading condition is registered) and all or a predetermined specific radiographic image reading apparatus 101. In other words, before the cassette 6 in which the sheet ID number is registered is set in any of the radiographic image reading apparatuses 101, transmission of image data is requested to the plurality of radiographic image reading apparatuses 101 in advance.

  In the second embodiment, an image data transfer request notification in which information such as a sheet ID number, a reading condition, and a return destination controller ID number is written is formed, and this image data transfer request notification is sent to all the radiation image reading apparatuses 101. Send.

  The radiation image reading apparatus 101 that has received the image data transfer request notification temporarily stores the received image data transfer request notification. When the cassette 6 is set in the radiation image reading apparatus 101 at an arbitrary timing and the sheet ID number is read from the barcode 62 of the cassette 6, all image data transfer requests temporarily stored in the radiation image reading apparatus 101 are stored. In the notification, it is searched whether or not the same sheet ID number as the sheet ID number read from the barcode 62 by the radiation image reading apparatus 101 exists. When the corresponding sheet ID number is detected, the controller ID number of the return destination is acquired from the image data transfer request notification, and the cassette 6 having the desired sheet ID number is assigned to the controller 102 having this controller ID number. Notify that it has been detected.

In the second embodiment, an ID detection notification in which the detected sheet ID number and its own apparatus ID number are written is formed, and this ID detection notification is transmitted to the controller 102 as the return destination.
The radiation image reading apparatus 101 reads image data from the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 included in the cassette 6 in accordance with the reading conditions specified in the corresponding image data transfer request notification, and the read image data Is transmitted to the controller 102 of the return destination.

  When the corresponding sheet ID number cannot be found, the same coping method as described above “when urgent, postponing registration related to the patient or imaging and reading first” may be performed. .

  When the controller 102 receives the ID detection notification, the controller 102 temporarily stores it in the controller 102 and examines the sheet ID number described in the received ID detection notification to determine which image data transfer request notification corresponds to the sheet. Check if the ID number is detected.

  Next, a request to discard the image data transfer request notification corresponding to the detected sheet ID number is transmitted to at least the radiation image reading apparatus 101 that has not transmitted the ID detection notification. In the second embodiment, the discard request notification in which the detected sheet ID number is written is transmitted to all the radiation image reading apparatuses 101 that have not transmitted the ID detection notification.

  The radiation image reading apparatus 101 that has received the discard request notification has an image having the same sheet ID number as the sheet ID number described in the discard request notification from all temporarily stored image data transfer request notifications. Search for a data transfer request notification and discard (delete) it.

  The timing at which the controller 102 transmits the discard request notification to the radiation image reading apparatus 101 may be before or after receiving image data. In the second embodiment, when the radiation image reading apparatus 101 detects a sheet ID number corresponding to the image data transfer request notification, the radiation image reading apparatus 101 transmits an ID detection notification to the controller 102. In response to this, the controller 102 discards the image data transfer request notification that is no longer necessary by transmitting a discard request notification to at least the radiation image reading apparatus 101 that has not transmitted the ID detection notification. However, the image data transfer request notification that has become unnecessary may be discarded using other means. For example, a request for discarding the image data transfer request notification having the detected sheet ID number is sent from the radiation image reading apparatus 101 that has detected the sheet ID number to the other radiation image reading apparatuses 101. Also good.

<Third Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 4, the third embodiment is a modification of the above-described second embodiment. When a sheet ID number and reading conditions (such as reading sensitivity and reading resolution) are registered by the controller 102, these pieces of information are temporarily stored in the controller 102. However, unlike the second embodiment, at this time, the image data transfer request notification in which information such as the sheet ID number, the reading condition, and the controller ID number of the return destination is written is not transmitted to the radiation image reading apparatus 101.

  When the cassette 6 is set in the radiation image reading apparatus 101 and the sheet ID number is read from the barcode 62 of the cassette 6, at least the read sheet ID number and its own apparatus ID are notified to all the controllers 102. In the third embodiment, an ID detection notification in which the read sheet ID number and its own apparatus ID number are written is formed, and this ID detection notification is transmitted to all the controllers 102. When the controller 102 receives the ID detection notification, the controller 102 temporarily stores it in the controller 102 and also stores the sheet ID described in the ID detection notification in the information temporarily stored in the controller 102. Whether or not a sheet ID number identical to the number exists is searched. When the corresponding sheet ID number is detected, the image data is requested to be transferred to the radiation image reading apparatus 101 that has transmitted the ID detection notification.

  In the third embodiment, the controller 102 generates an image data transfer request notification in which information such as a sheet ID number, a reading condition, and a return destination controller ID number is written, and this is the radiation image that has transmitted the ID detection notification. It transmits to the reading apparatus 101.

  If the corresponding sheet ID number cannot be found in the information temporarily stored in the controller 102, the above-described “in case of an emergency, postponing registration related to the patient and imaging and reading first. What is necessary is just to implement the coping method similar to "when doing."

  Next, a request to discard the image data transfer request notification corresponding to the detected sheet ID number is transmitted to at least the radiation image reading apparatus 101 that has not transmitted the ID detection notification. In the third embodiment, the discard request notification in which the detected sheet ID number is written is transmitted to all the radiation image reading apparatuses 101 that have not transmitted the ID detection notification.

  The radiation image reading apparatus 101 that has received the discard request notification has an image having the same sheet ID number as the sheet ID number described in the discard request notification from all temporarily stored image data transfer request notifications. Search for a data transfer request notification and discard (delete) it.

  When the radiation image reading apparatus 101 receives the image data transfer request notification, the image data is read and read from the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 included in the cassette 6 according to the reading conditions specified in the packet. The image data is transmitted to the controller 102 indicated by the controller ID number of the return destination in the image data transfer request notification.

  The timing at which the controller 102 transmits the discard request notification to the radiation image reading apparatus 101 may be before or after receiving image data. As described above, as described in the second embodiment and the third embodiment, a radiographic imaging system capable of obtaining the same effect as that of the first embodiment is constructed without using the function of the server 104. Can do.

  Also in the second and third embodiments, when the radiographic image reading apparatus 101 tries to transmit the radiographic image read from the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 of the cassette 6 to the specified controller 102. In addition, there may be a case where transmission to the controller 102 is impossible. In this case, this problem can be avoided by a solution technique that does not use the server 104 among the solution techniques [A] to [F] described in the first embodiment.

  Also in the second embodiment and the third embodiment, there is a case where it is necessary to read the radiation image first in the case of an emergency in the event of delaying registration regarding the patient or imaging. In this case as well, this problem can be avoided by a solution method that does not use the server 104 or the operator ID number among the solution methods [A] to [F] described in the first embodiment.

  Furthermore, in this third embodiment, any controller 102 in which the sheet ID number is registered can be set in any radiation image reading apparatus 101 in a distributed manner, and any radiation can be set. A function for realizing that the image data read by the image reading apparatus 101 is automatically returned to the controller 102 in which the sheet ID number of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 corresponding to the image data is registered. Since each controller 102 and the radiation image reading apparatus 101 are provided with this function without using the specific server 104, there is a risk that the entire system will not function when the function of the server 104 is down. It cannot happen. Further, even if any controller 102 or radiation image reading apparatus 101 breaks down, the automatic return function of image data is not lost.

<Fourth Embodiment>
A further modification of the first to third embodiments of the present invention described above will be described below as a fourth embodiment.

  In general, the radiation image reading apparatus is a radiation image reading apparatus 101 that uses a cassette 6 as shown in FIG. 3 (hereinafter, this type radiation image reading apparatus will be referred to as a cassette type radiation image reading apparatus as appropriate). There is also a dedicated type radiation image reading apparatus as shown in FIGS. The dedicated type radiological image reading apparatus is a radiographic image reading apparatus in which the detection means (detector unit) for detecting X-rays is fixed or built in the imaging apparatus, so that the user cannot easily carry the detection means. is there. In addition to the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8, a solid flat detector or the like can be used as the detection means.

  Here, FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing the standing-type radiographic image reading apparatus 101A, which includes an elevator 190 for raising and lowering the radiographic image reading apparatus to a predetermined height and the radiographic image reading apparatus 101A.

On the other hand, FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a recumbent type radiation image reading apparatus 101B, which includes a plate-shaped member 191, a bed 192, and a radiation image reading apparatus 101B.
The radiographic image reading apparatus 101A and the radiographic image reading apparatus 101B are each configured by a reading unit 110, a signal processing unit 120, a primary storage unit 130, and a communication unit 140, both of which are already shown in FIG. This is the same as the radiation image reading apparatus 101 described. In addition, the reading unit 110 includes an excitation light generation unit, a photoelectric reading unit, and an A / D converter (none of which are shown). The radiographic image described in FIG. This is the same as the reading device 101.

  The main differences between the radiographic image reading apparatus 101A and the radiographic image reading apparatus 101B from the already described cassette type radiographic image reading apparatus 101 are the following three points (a) to (c).

(A) Reading of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 is started in synchronization with the generation of radiation from the radiation source 9.
(B) In order to achieve this synchronization, the controllers 102a and 2b are communicating with the radiation generation control device 10 regarding the radiation irradiation synchronization signal.

  (C) Registration of the sheet ID number of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 is unnecessary. Next, the operation when the radiation image reading apparatus 101A and the radiation image reading apparatus 101B are used will be described.

  The radiologist registers patient information with the controller 102 (102a in FIG. 7), sets the subject M at a predetermined position of the radiation image reading apparatus 101A and the radiation image reading apparatus 101B, and generates radiation from the radiation source 9. The controller 10 is operated to emit radiation. Then, a part of the X-ray energy irradiated from the X-ray tube 9 and transmitted through the subject M is temporarily stored in the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8 incorporated in the cassette 6.

  In synchronization with this irradiation, the reading unit 110 reads image information from the photostimulable phosphor sheet 8, and the image data is transmitted to the controllers 102a and 2b via the signal processing unit 120, the primary storage unit 130, and the communication unit 140. Is done.

  Until now, these dedicated type radiographic image reading apparatuses and cassette type radiographic image reading apparatuses have been controlled by individual controllers. However, if a dedicated type radiographic image reader and a cassette type radiographic image reader are placed in the same radiographing room, they must be controlled by different controllers. The fault of doing is pointed out. In addition, when imaging the same patient with a dedicated type radiographic image reader and a cassette type radiographic image reader, registration of patient information and radiographic information and image confirmation must be performed by different controllers, resulting in a significant reduction in work efficiency. This has led to an increase in operational errors.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, in order to solve these problems, the cassette type controller 102 can control the dedicated type radiation image reading apparatuses 101A and 101B.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the fourth embodiment, which is a modification of the above-described first embodiment, second embodiment, and third embodiment. Dedicated type radiation image reading apparatuses 101A and 101B are connected to a controller 102a indicated by an arrow A by dedicated lines 3a and 3b, respectively. The other controllers 102b to 102b can be similarly connected to the dedicated type radiographic image reading apparatuses 101A and 101B. In the fourth embodiment, it is assumed that the dedicated type radiographic image reading apparatuses 101A and 101B and the cassette type radiographic image reading apparatuses 101a to 101a indicated by the arrow B are installed in the same imaging room, The radiologist usually uses these radiographic image reading apparatuses with the controller 102a of arrow A. In this case, since the dedicated type radiographic image reading apparatuses 101A and 101B are connected to the controller 102a indicated by the arrow A by the dedicated lines 3a and 3b, the images transmitted from the dedicated type radiographic image reading apparatuses 101A and 101B. Data can be received only by the controller 102a indicated by the arrow A. However, the controller 102a indicated by the arrow A can receive image data not only from the cassette type radiation image reading apparatus 101a indicated by the arrow B but also from other cassette type radiation image reading apparatuses 101b, 101c,. It is.

  As a result, when a dedicated type radiographic image reading apparatus and a cassette type radiographic image reading apparatus are arranged in the same imaging room, there is no need to control them with different controllers, and the number of installed controllers, installation area, and apparatus cost are reduced. be able to. In addition, when imaging the same patient with a dedicated type radiographic image reader and a cassette type radiographic image reader, it is possible to register patient information and imaging information and confirm images with the same controller. Can be improved and operational errors can be reduced.

<Fifth Embodiment>
FIG. 8 is a modification of the above-described fourth embodiment (see FIG. 7), and dedicated type radiation image reading apparatuses 101A and 101B are connected to an arbitrary controller 102a via the network 3. Therefore, the controller 102a can receive image data from the dedicated type radiation image reading apparatuses 101A and 101B. FIG. 8 assumes a case where an apparatus surrounded by a dotted line indicated by an arrow C is installed in one photographing room.

  When using the radiation image reading apparatuses 101A (standing position type) and 101B (standing position type), the radiographer registers patient information and imaging information and confirms images using the controller 102a. At this time, if the controller 102a cannot receive the image data transmitted from the radiation image reading apparatuses 101A, 101B due to some trouble, the other controllers 102b, 102c,... Can receive the image data. For this reason, a highly reliable system can be constructed.

<Sixth Embodiment>
FIG. 9 shows a modified example of the fifth embodiment (see FIG. 8) described above. The dedicated type radiographic image reading apparatuses 101A and 101B, the cassette type radiographic image reading apparatuses 101a to 101c, and the controllers 102a to 102d are switching hubs. 80 is connected.

  Although the server 104 is connected to the switching hub indicated by the arrow E, it goes without saying that even if this server 104 does not exist, it operates without problems as in the embodiments described so far. The network 3 and the DICOM network 90 are connected by a gateway 81. The image data output by the controller 102 is output to the DICOM network 90 via the switching hub 80 and the gateway 81. In the sixth embodiment, the dedicated type radiation image reading apparatuses 101A and 101B, the cassette type radiation image reading apparatus 101 and the controller 102 are dispersedly connected by the switching hub 80, so that the radiation image reading apparatus 101, The image data transfer time is improved when image data transfer occurs between 1a and 1b and the controller 102 at the same time. Since a large amount of image data flows in the network 3 connecting the switching hubs 80, it is preferable to use a cable having a large transfer capability.

<Seventh embodiment>
FIG. 10 is a modification of the sixth embodiment (see FIG. 9) described above. Local image filing devices 82 and 83 that also serve as DICOM gateways file image data generated in portions surrounded by dotted lines G and H, respectively. The server 104 is a server that supervises the information generated in the part surrounded by the dotted lines of the arrows G and H. Even when the server 104 does not exist, it operates without problems as in the embodiments described so far. Needless to say. A database in the local image filing devices 82 and 83 is managed by an image filing device 93.

<Other embodiments>
The DICOM network in the fourth embodiment (see FIG. 7), the fifth embodiment (see FIG. 8), the sixth embodiment (see FIG. 9), and the seventh embodiment (see FIG. 10) described above. As described in the first embodiment, an image recording device 91 such as a laser imager, an image diagnostic device 92, an image filing device 93, and the like can be connected to 90. The image recording device 91 provides the diagnostic image visualized to the doctor by outputting the image data output from the controller 102 on the film, and the image diagnostic device 92 displays the image data output from the controller 102 on the monitor. Thus, the diagnostic image visualized to the doctor is provided. The image filing device 93 stores image data output from the controller 102. The image data stored in the image filing device 93 can be output to the image output device 91 and the image diagnostic device 92 as necessary.

3 Network 5 Information input terminal 6 Cassette 8 Stimulable phosphor sheet 9 Radiation source 10 Radiation generation control device 62 Bar code 80 Switching hub 81 Local image filing device 82 Local image filing device 91 Image recording device 92 Image diagnostic device 93 Image filing device 100 Radiation imaging system 101 (101a-) Radiation image reader (cassette type)
101A Radiation image reading device (standing position type)
101B Radiation image reader (recumbent type)
102 (102-) Controller 104 Server 107 Image confirmation device 121 Display unit 122 Input unit 123 Operator ID input unit 124 Bar code reader 110 Reading unit 120 Signal processing unit 130 Primary storage unit 140 Communication unit 150 Bar code reader 160 Transport mechanism

Claims (6)

At least one radiation image reading device for transmitting image data obtained by reading a radiation image;
A radiographic imaging system in which a plurality of controllers that receive transmitted image data and display an image are arranged on the same network,
The one radiation image reading apparatus includes a storage unit that stores image data of a read radiation image;
A communication unit that designates a controller as a transmission destination among the plurality of controllers and transmits image data of the read radiation image to the designated controller,
Each of the plurality of controllers has an input unit for inputting accompanying information of a radiation image read by the radiation image reading device,
The controller designated as the transmission destination associates the accompanying information input from the input unit with the image data transmitted from the one radiation image reading device.
A radiographic imaging system characterized by that. The controller designated as the transmission destination associates the image data with the accompanying information input from the input unit after receiving the image data transmitted from the radiographic image reading apparatus that has received the request,
The radiographic imaging system according to claim 1. The one radiographic image reading apparatus includes a reading unit that reads a radiographic image stored in a radiographic image storage sheet body, to which identification information has been added in advance, and uses the radiographic image as image data, and an identification that is provided in advance to the radiographic image storage sheet body Means for reading information,
The storage unit stores the image data of the radiation image read by the reading unit and the identification information of the radiation image storage sheet in association with each other,
The communication unit transmits the image data and the identification information to a controller designated as the transmission destination.
The radiographic imaging system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Priorities are determined in advance for each of the plurality of controllers, and the radiological image reading apparatus transmits image data of the read radiographic images to a controller with the highest priority that can be transmitted.
The radiographic imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The radiographic image reading apparatus stores image data obtained by reading a radiographic image stored in a radiographic image storage sheet body and identification information of the radiographic image storage sheet body in association with each other and stores the image data from the stored image data. Information can be recorded on a recording medium,
One of the plurality of controllers includes a recording medium reading unit that reads image data and identification information recorded on the recording medium.
The radiographic imaging system according to claim 3. The radiological image reading apparatus has a holding unit that holds a subject in a standing position or a supine position when radiographic images are captured
The radiographic imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein

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