JP2010240339A - Radiation image detector and radiation image photographing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a radiation image detector and a radiation image photographing system by which photographing of more frequencies is made possible even with the power source of the same capacity by saving power of the power source incorporated into an FPD cassette. <P>SOLUTION: The radiation image detector has: a power source part which supplies power to each part in the radiation image detector; at least two kinds of radio communication means; and a control part which performs driving control of the radio communication means, wherein the control part performs control so that a radio communication means with the lowest power consumption among the radio communication means is used for command communication, and a radio communication means with the fastest communication speed among the radio communication means is used for communication of image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable radiographic image detector that performs wireless communication and a radiographic imaging system that uses the radiographic image detector.

  Conventionally, for the purpose of disease diagnosis and the like, a radiographic image taken using radiation represented by an X-ray image has been widely used.

  Conventionally, such medical radiographic images have been photographed using a film as a photoconductor, but in recent years, digitization of radiographic images has been realized. For example, radiation transmitted through a subject can be converted into stimulable fluorescence. After being stored in the photostimulable phosphor sheet on which the body layer is formed, the photostimulable phosphor sheet is scanned with a laser beam, thereby photoelectrically converting the photostimulated light emitted from the photostimulable phosphor sheet. Thus, a CR (Computed Radiography) device that obtains image data has become widespread.

  Furthermore, in place of the CR device, a device using a solid state imaging device (FPD) as a detector for detecting irradiated radiation and acquiring it as digital image data has appeared, similar to the cassette of the CR device. In addition, a cassette type FPD (hereinafter referred to as “FPD cassette”) configured to be portable is also used.

  Some FPD cassettes are provided with a battery as a power supply means in a detector and a wireless communication means as a communication means with an external device such as a console in order to take advantage of the portable merit.

  As an X-ray digital imaging system using such an FPD cassette, a system including a radio communication unit using radio waves and a radio communication unit using light is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-13310 A

  The FPD cassette has a battery or the like as power supply means in the cassette in order to take advantage of the portable type. In such an FPD cassette having an internal power supply, frequent battery replacement or charging is an obstacle to rapid imaging and diagnosis. However, since the FPD cassette is compatible with the conventional apparatus, it is difficult to change the size of the casing to make it larger, and it is not easy to enclose a larger power source with a large capacity. Therefore, there is an urgent need to reduce power consumption in the FPD cassette.

  The FPD cassette in the X-ray digital imaging system described in Patent Document 1 does not consider such a power supply problem at all.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention enables a power saving of a power source built in an FPD cassette, and a radiographic image detector and a radiographic image radiographing capable of taking a larger number of times even with the same capacity power source. The purpose is to obtain a system.

  Said subject is achieved by the following structures.

  (1) A radiation image detector that detects incident radiation and generates radiation image data, the power supply unit supplying power to each part in the radiation image detector, at least two types of wireless communication means, A control unit that performs drive control of the wireless communication unit, wherein the control unit uses the wireless communication unit with the lowest power consumption among the wireless communication units for command communication, and the wireless unit for image data communication. A radiological image detector controlled to use wireless communication means having the highest communication speed among communication means.

  (2) The radiographic image detector according to (1), wherein the wireless communication unit with the fastest communication speed is driven only during communication of the image data.

  (3) A radiographic image detector that detects incident radiation and generates radiographic image data, the power supply unit supplying power to each unit in the radiographic image detector, at least two types of wireless communication means, A control unit that performs drive control of the wireless communication unit, and the control unit uses a wireless communication unit having the lowest power consumption among the wireless communication units for communication with a data amount equal to or less than a predetermined value, and a predetermined value. The radiographic image detector is controlled so as to use the wireless communication means having the fastest communication speed among the wireless communication means for communication with a data amount exceeding.

  (4) The radiographic image detector according to (3), wherein the wireless communication unit with the fastest communication speed is activated only during communication with a data amount exceeding a predetermined value.

  (5) The radiographic image detector according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein there are two types of wireless communication means.

  (6) The radiographic image detector according to (5), wherein the wireless communication unit is one of a ZigBee system or a Bluetooth system and one of a wireless LAN system or a USB system.

  (7) Radiation comprising a radiation generator, the radiation image detector according to any one of (1) to (6), and a console that communicates with the radiation image detector. Image shooting system.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to further reduce the power consumption of the power source incorporated in the FPD cassette, which is a radiation image detector, and radiation image detection capable of taking a larger number of times even with the same capacity power source. And a radiographic imaging system can be obtained.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the radiographic imaging system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of a FPD cassette and a console. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of an FPD cassette. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement outline of the radiographic imaging system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement outline of the radiographic imaging system which concerns on this Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a radiographic image capturing system 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the radiographic imaging system 1 according to the present embodiment is a system that assumes radiographic imaging performed in a hospital or clinic, and includes an FPD cassette 6 that is a radiographic image detector, A control device (hereinafter referred to as a console) 7 capable of wireless communication with the FPD cassette 6 is provided. An imaging room 100 includes an imaging operation device 4 that performs operations related to radiography, an access point 5 for performing wireless communication, a radiation irradiation device 3, and a router 9.

  The access point 5 has a function of relaying these communications when the FPD cassette 6 and the console 7 communicate wirelessly within a predetermined area of the imaging room provided with the radiation irradiation device 3.

  The radiographic image capturing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of types of means for wireless communication between the FPD cassette 6 and the console 7. As the communication means, a ZigBee method or a Bluetooth method with low power consumption is preferable for command communication, and a high-speed wireless LAN (for example, IEEE801.11a / b / g / n compliant) is used for transmission of captured images. Communication method) and USB are preferable, but not limited thereto. Note that a communication system that directly performs wireless communication between the FPD cassette 6 and the console 7 without passing through the access point 5 may be used.

  The radiation irradiation device 3 is configured to irradiate a patient 12 as a subject lying on the supine position table 11 (for example, X-rays). A detection device mounting port 11a for mounting the FPD cassette 6 is provided. The radiation irradiation device 3 is controlled by the imaging operation device 4 to perform radiation imaging under predetermined imaging conditions.

  As shown in the figure, the photographing operation device 4, the access point 5, and the console 7 are configured to be connected through a network NW. Although not shown, the radiographic imaging system 1 is connected via a network NW and an HIS (Hospital Information System) that centrally manages patient diagnosis information and accounting information, and an RIS (Radiology Information System) that manages information on radiation medical care. Connected. The network NW may be a communication line dedicated to the system, but is preferably an existing line such as Ethernet (registered trademark) because the degree of freedom of the system configuration is low.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the FPD cassette 6 and the console 7.

  The FPD cassette 6 includes an imaging unit 6A, a control unit 60, an image storage unit 660, and at least two types of transmission / reception units A65 and transmission / reception units B66. The imaging unit 6A has a function of acquiring a radiation image signal. The control unit 60 has a function of comprehensively controlling each unit of the FPD cassette 6, a ROM that stores a control program and data, a CPU that executes control of the control unit 60 according to the control program, and a CPU that is used as a work area And the like. The image storage unit 660 includes a RAM that stores an image signal captured by the imaging unit 6A. The transmission / reception unit A65 and the transmission / reception unit B66 communicate with the console 7 and the like based on the control of the control unit 60. The battery 67 is a power source that supplies power to each part of the FPD cassette 6, and may be either rechargeable or replaceable. In addition, not only a battery but a capacitor may be used as a power source.

  The console 7 includes a console control unit 70, a transmission / reception unit 75, a display unit 77, an input operation unit 78, and an image storage unit 760. The console control unit 70 has a function of comprehensively controlling each part of the console, a ROM that stores control programs and data, a CPU that executes control of the console control unit 70 according to the control program, and a CPU that is used as a work area And the like.

  The display unit 77 is composed of, for example, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or the like, and in accordance with an instruction of a display signal sent from the console control unit 70, an image signal captured by the FPD cassette 6 Various screens such as information, patient list, various messages and images are displayed.

  The input operation unit 78 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and outputs a key press signal pressed by the keyboard and an operation signal from the mouse to the console control unit 70 as input signals. The input operation unit 78 may be configured by a so-called touch panel. Then, information on photographing conditions is input by the input operation unit 78. The imaging condition information here refers to radiation dose, radiation detection sensitivity information, and the like. For example, the radiation dose irradiated from the radiation irradiation device 3 varies depending on the imaging region and the patient's condition. The radiation detection sensitivity information corresponds to the FPD cassette 6 used for imaging, and has different radiation detection sensitivities depending on the type of the light emitting layer 64 used in the FPD cassette 6 and the performance of the detection element 620.

  The image storage unit 760 is an image signal obtained by the imaging unit 6A, image data obtained based on the image signal, an image signal obtained by processing by the console 7, an image data obtained based on the image signal, or the like. It consists of RAM etc. which memorize The transmission / reception unit 75 performs communication with the FPD cassette 6 and the like.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the inside of the FPD cassette 6.

  As shown in the figure, the FPD cassette 6 has a casing 61 that protects the inside, and is configured to be transportable as a cassette, that is, portable. An imaging panel 62 that converts irradiated radiation into an electrical signal is formed in layers inside the casing 61. A light emitting layer 64 that emits light in accordance with the intensity of incident radiation is provided on the radiation irradiation side of the imaging panel 62. Further, the overall size of the imaging panel corresponds to a shooting size such as a large angle, half cut, or six cut.

  The light emitting layer 64 is generally called a scintillator layer. For example, a phosphor is a main component, and based on incident radiation, an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength of 300 nm to 800 nm, that is, an ultraviolet ray to an infrared ray centered on a visible ray. Outputs electromagnetic waves (light) over light.

  The imaging panel 62 is provided on the surface of the light emitting layer 64 opposite to the surface on which the radiation is irradiated, and electromagnetic waves (light) output from the light emitting layer 64 are converted into electric energy and accumulated. Detection elements that output image signals based on electrical energy are arranged in a matrix. The charges accumulated in the imaging panel 62 are read out by the scanning drive circuit 609 and the readout circuit 608, stored in the image storage unit 660 as image data or image data obtained based on the image signal, and controlled by the control unit 60. Is transmitted from one of the transmission / reception units 65 and 66 to the console 7 via the access point 5. The battery 67 is a power source that supplies power to each part of the FPD cassette 6, and may be either rechargeable or replaceable. In addition, not only a battery but a capacitor may be used as a power source.

  As described above, the FPD cassette 6 and the console 7 according to the present embodiment include at least two types of communication means for mutual communication. For command communication, for example, those with low power consumption such as ZigBee method or Bluetooth method, and for transmission of captured images, for example, wireless LAN (for example, communication method conforming to IEEE801.11a / b / g / n) or USB It is preferable that communication means capable of performing higher-speed communication than the above-described command communication is provided.

  4 and 5 are flowcharts showing an example of an operation outline of the radiographic imaging system according to the present exemplary embodiment. Hereinafter, an outline of the operation will be described according to the flow shown in FIGS.

  In the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, command communication between the console 7 and the FPD cassette 6 is indicated by a one-dot chain line, and transmission of image data from the FPD cassette 6 to the console 7 is indicated by a solid line. Further, it is assumed that the ZigBee method is used as the command communication method indicated by the alternate long and short dash line, and the wireless LAN is used for transmitting the image data indicated by the solid line.

  Further, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the FPD cassette 6 used for photographing is arranged in advance at the photographing position, the cassette ID is input from the console 7, the FPD cassette 6 to be used is specified, and the FPD Assume that the ZigBee communication means of the cassette 6 is in the sleep mode. Further, the wireless LAN communication means included in the FPD cassette 6 and the imaging panel 62 are not supplied with power.

  First, the console 7 searches for patient information (step S101), receives an examination information result from the RIS that manages the above-described radiological information, and selects an examination site (step S102). Next, an activation signal for activating the FPD cassette 6 is transmitted from the console 7 side to the FPD cassette 6 by ZigBee communication means (step S103). At this time, it is preferable that the console ID of the console 7 that is the transmission destination of the image data and the photographing order information are also transmitted. If there is only one console 7 and the transmission destination of the image data is specified without using the console ID, it is not necessary to transmit the console ID.

  When the FPD cassette 6 receives the activation signal from the console 7 (step S203), the FPD cassette 6 activates the FPD cassette 6 (step S204) and shifts to the photographing preparation state. That is, when the activation signal from the console 7 is received, the sleep mode of the ZigBee communication means of the FPD cassette 6 is canceled, and the mode is changed to the always activated mode. Further, power is supplied to each part including the imaging panel 62 in the FPD cassette 6 to perform a starting operation.

  Next, the FPD cassette 6 transmits an activation completion signal notifying that the activation of each unit has been completed by the ZigBee communication means to the console 7 (step S205). When the console 7 receives the activation completion signal (step S105), the console 7 displays that the FPD cassette 6 is in a ready state (step S106).

  On the other hand, the radiation irradiating apparatus 3 waits for the first-stage SW1 of the two-stage switch to be in the imaging standby state to be turned on (step S301). When the stage SW1 is turned on (step S301; Yes), the console 7 is notified that the first stage SW1 of the switch is turned on (step S302).

  When the console 7 receives ON information of the switch SW1 from the radiation irradiating apparatus 3, the console 7 transmits a request for imaging preparation to the FPD cassette 6 by the ZigBee communication means (step S107). When the FPD cassette 6 receives the imaging preparation request from the console 7 (step S207), the FPD cassette 6 resets the accumulated charge (step S208). The reset of accumulated charge is to sweep out and clear the charge already accumulated in the imaging panel in the FPD cassette 6 due to dark current noise or the like.

  After resetting the accumulated charge, the FPD cassette 6 transmits that the preparation for photographing has been completed by the ZigBee communication means (step S209). When the console 7 receives the imaging preparation completion of the FPD cassette 6 (step S109), the console 7 releases the interlock of the radiation irradiation device 3 (step S110). That is, the irradiation prohibition lock of the radiation irradiation apparatus 3 is released. At this time, imaging conditions such as the radiation dose irradiated by the radiation irradiation device 3 are transmitted.

  When the interlock is released, the radiation irradiation apparatus 3 waits for the second-stage SW2 of the two-stage switch connected to the radiation irradiation apparatus 3 to be turned on (step S303), and the second stage of the switch When the eye SW2 is turned on (step S303; Yes), the console 7 is notified that the second stage SW2 of the switch is turned on (step S303).

  Thereafter, radiation is exposed (step S310), and the imaging panel in the FPD cassette 6 converts the light output from the light emitting layer into electrical energy and accumulates it. That is, image information is accumulated in the imaging panel (step S210).

  The radiation irradiating apparatus 3 ends and stops the radiation exposure under a predetermined imaging condition, and transmits the fact that it has stopped to the console 7 (step S311).

  Thereafter, the flow shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when shooting is completed, an image reading request is transmitted from the console 7 to the FPD cassette 6 by means of ZigBee communication means (step S111), and the FPD cassette 6 receives this (step S211). Then, image reading is performed (step S212). This image reading is to read out the electric charges accumulated in the individual pixels of the image pickup panel by the scanning drive circuit and the reading circuit and store them in the image storage unit. The read image signal is RAW as image data. It is preferable to generate and store image data and thinned image data. The image data is not limited to this, and may be compressed image data.

  When the image reading in the FPD cassette 6 is completed, the fact that the image reading has been completed by the ZigBee communication means is transmitted from the FPD cassette 6 to the console 7 (step S213). When the completion of image reading is received on the console 7 side (step S113), a transmission request for an image captured by the ZigBee communication means is transmitted from the console 7 to the FPD cassette 6 (step S114). When the FPD cassette 6 receives an image transmission request from the console 7 (step S214), the control unit 60 (see FIG. 2) activates a wireless LAN communication means that is a communication means for image transmission (step S215). .

  Next, the FPD cassette 6 transmits image data (step S216) using a wireless LAN communication means, and receives this image data on the console 7 side (step S116).

  In addition, it is preferable to transmit the thinned image data first and then transmit the RAW image data for the transmission of the image from the FPD cassette 6 to the console 7.

  Next, a transmission request for dark image data is made from the console 7 to the FPD cassette 6 by ZigBee communication means (step S117), and when this is received by the FPD cassette 6 side (step S217), the FPD cassette 6 Dark image data is acquired (step S218). Acquisition of dark image data means acquisition of noise level data for each pixel of the imaging panel, which is stored in individual pixels of the imaging panel by driving the imaging panel for a predetermined time without performing radiation exposure. The read charges are read out by a scanning drive circuit and a reading circuit and stored in an image storage unit.

  After obtaining the dark image data, the dark image data is transmitted from the FPD cassette 6 to the console 7 by means of wireless LAN communication means (step S218), and the console 7 receives this image data (step S119). .

  Thereafter, in the FPD cassette 6, the control unit 60 stops driving the wireless LAN communication means that is the communication means for image transmission (step S220). That is, the wireless LAN communication means is driven only before and after transmission of image data and dark image data, and is used only for transmission of image data and dark image data.

  On the console 7 side, the image is corrected based on the received image data and dark image data, and a preview image is displayed on the display unit (step S120). Thereafter, the operator performs image correction (step S121), image display after correction (step S122), and image processing (step S123), and determines whether re-photographing is necessary based on the obtained image (step S124). . If the obtained image is unsatisfactory and re-photographing is required (step S124; Yes), re-photographing is performed, so that the process returns to step S106 and the same operation as described above is performed.

  If the obtained image is acceptable (step S124; No), the obtained image data is stored (step S125). This storage is preferably stored in, for example, a server arranged on the network, but may be stored in a storage unit in the console 7.

  Next, it is determined whether or not images of other parts are scheduled to be taken and it is necessary to perform continuous photographing (step S126). If continuous photographing is necessary (step S126; Yes), the process returns to step S101. The same operation is performed. When continuous shooting is not required (step S126; No), the ZigBee communication means transmits a transition permission to the sleep mode from the console 7 to the FPD cassette 6 (step S127), and the FPD cassette 6 When this transmission is received (step S227), the state transition from the always activated mode to the sleep mode is performed (step S228).

  The above is an example of an outline of the operation of the radiographic image capturing system according to the present embodiment.

  Note that the transmission of the image data from the FPD cassette 6 has been described in the example in which the RAW image data and the thinned image data are transmitted in one step. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the thinned image data is transmitted first. Then, the operation may be such that the RAW image data and the dark image data are transmitted later while the image of the thinned image data is displayed on the display unit at an early stage.

  Further, the example in which the thinned image data and the RAW image data are transmitted has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the thinned image data and the interpolation data thinned by the thinned image data are transmitted and synthesized on the console 7 side. Something like that. Further, the detailed image data generated from the RAW image data and the thinned image data generated from the detailed image data may be compressed and transmitted.

  As described above, the FPD cassette that is the radiation image detector according to the present embodiment includes at least two types of wireless communication means, and the communication speed is low for command communication with a small amount of data but high communication frequency. The ZigBee method with low power consumption is used, and transmission of radiation image data and dark image data, which are image data with a huge amount of data, is performed using a high-speed wireless LAN with slightly higher power consumption.

  In other words, the lowest power consumption communication means is used for command communication with a small amount of data and a high communication frequency, and the fastest wireless is used for transmitting image data with a huge amount of data required at the console side at an early stage. That means using communication means.

  In this way, by using the lowest power consumption communication means for command communication with a long usage time and high communication frequency, the battery built in the FPD cassette can be saved, and the battery of the same capacity can be used. However, it is possible to obtain an FPD cassette that can be photographed more times.

  Furthermore, the high-speed wireless communication means is configured to be driven only at the time of image data transmission, so that image data that is required early on the console side can be transmitted in a short time, while at the same time being a high-speed wireless communication means. The required power consumption can be minimized, and further power saving can be achieved without impairing the usability of the FPD cassette and the radiographic imaging system.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example of using the communication unit with low power consumption for the command communication and the communication unit with the high communication speed for the transmission of the image data has been described, but the communication unit is selectively used based on the amount of data to be communicated. You may comprise so that it may perform. For example, a communication unit having a low power consumption may be used for communication with a data amount of 1 megabyte (MB) or less, and a communication unit having a high communication speed may be used for communication with a data amount exceeding 1 megabyte. In this case, the above-described thinned-out image data is transmitted by communication means with low power consumption, and RAW image data and dark image data are transmitted by communication means having a high communication speed. Even with such a configuration, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the example of the FPD cassette having the ZigBee method and the wireless LAN method has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the Bluetooth method is used for command communication, and the USB is used for image data transmission. Or other two or more types of communication means may be combined depending on the communication application.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Radiographic imaging system 3 Radiation irradiation apparatus 5 Access point 6 FPD cassette (radiation image detector)
6A Imaging unit 7 Console 60 Control unit 61 Housing 62 Imaging panel 64 Light emitting layer 65 Transmitting / receiving unit A
66 Transmitter / Receiver B
67 Battery 70 Console Control Unit 75 Transceiver Unit A
76 Transceiver B
77 Display section 78 Input operation section 100 Shooting room

Claims (7)

A radiation image detector for detecting incident radiation and generating radiation image data,
A power supply for supplying power to each part in the radiation image detector;
At least two types of wireless communication means;
A control unit that performs drive control of the wireless communication means,
The control unit controls to use a wireless communication unit having the lowest power consumption among the wireless communication units for command communication, and to use a wireless communication unit having the fastest communication speed among the wireless communication units for image data communication. A radiation image detector.   The radiographic image detector according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit having the fastest communication speed is driven only during communication of the image data. A radiation image detector for detecting incident radiation and generating radiation image data,
A power supply for supplying power to each part in the radiation image detector;
At least two types of wireless communication means;
A control unit that performs drive control of the wireless communication means,
The control unit uses the wireless communication means with the lowest power consumption among the wireless communication means for communication with a data amount equal to or less than a predetermined value, and communicates with the most communication among the wireless communication means for communication with a data amount exceeding a predetermined value. A radiation image detector controlled to use a wireless communication means having a high speed.   The radiographic image detector according to claim 3, wherein the wireless communication means having the fastest communication speed is activated only during communication with a data amount exceeding a predetermined value.   The radiographic image detector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein there are two types of the wireless communication means.   The radiographic image detector according to claim 5, wherein the wireless communication unit is one of a ZigBee system or a Bluetooth system and one of a wireless LAN system or a USB system. A radiation generator;
The radiation image detector according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A console communicating with the radiation image detector;
A radiographic imaging system comprising:

Images