JP2012035009A - Radiation imaging system, power source device, charger, and radiation imaging method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radiation imaging system able to easily specify what type of photographing was used for obtaining image information, without damaging the portability of a radiation imaging apparatus, and to provide a power source device, a charger, and a radiation imaging method.SOLUTION: The power source device 96 composed so as to be attachable to or detachable from an electronic cassette 32 is provided with a memory 96B. The memory 96B stores at least photographing target information (subject information) about a person to be photographed and image information (subject image data) obtained by photographing the person by use of the electronic cassette 32, in association with each other.

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiographic image capturing system, a power supply device, a charging device, and a radiographic image capturing method, and in particular, a radiographic image capturing system that captures a radiographic image indicated by radiation transmitted through a subject to be imaged, and the radiographic image capturing The present invention relates to a power supply device and a charging device used in the system, and a radiographic imaging method using the radiographic imaging system.

  In recent years, radiation detectors such as flat panel detectors (FPDs) that can arrange radiation sensitive layers on TFT (Thin Film Transistor) active matrix substrates and convert radiation directly into digital data have been put into practical use. A portable radiographic image capturing apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as “electronic cassette”) that captures a radiographic image represented by irradiated radiation has been put into practical use. The radiation detectors used in the above-mentioned electronic cassettes include, as a method for converting radiation, an indirect conversion method in which radiation is converted into light by a scintillator and then converted into electric charges in a semiconductor layer such as a photodiode, or radiation is converted into amorphous silicon. There are direct conversion systems that convert charges into semiconductor layers, etc., and there are various materials that can be used for the semiconductor layer in each system.

  Many conventional radiographic imaging devices of this type are equipped with a cable for supplying power for operation and for reliable transfer of image information obtained by imaging to a host device. Even the device of was not able to make full use of its merit.

  As a technique that can be applied to solve this problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a radiation imaging unit in which imaging elements that generate charges having a correlation with incident radiation intensity are arranged in a grid pattern, and a connection to the radiation imaging unit. Conversion means for converting the charges into digital pixel values; and recording means connected to the conversion means, detachable from the apparatus main body, and using a portable recording medium to receive and record the digital pixel values; There is disclosed a radiation imaging apparatus comprising: the radiation imaging means; the conversion means; and the recording means, and a power source for operating these means.

  According to this technology, image information obtained by photographing can be transferred to a host device using a portable recording medium configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body, so that the image information can be used without using a cable. Can be reliably transferred to the host device.

  Patent Document 2 collects an X-ray tube that irradiates a subject with X-rays, a wireless signal transmission device that transmits a wireless signal, and detection data output from an X-ray detection element in association with X-ray irradiation. An apparatus comprising: an X-ray detector having a signal collecting means; a battery for supplying power stored in the X-ray detector; and an image processing apparatus having a wireless receiving device for receiving a wireless signal. An X-ray imaging apparatus is disclosed which is configured to be detachable from an X-ray detector, and the X-ray detector has a spare battery for the battery.

  According to this technique, since the battery for power supply is configured to be detachable from the X-ray detector, it is not necessary to provide a cable for power supply, and the portable performance can be improved.

JP 2002-190584 A JP 2001-224579 A

  However, with the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to specify by what kind of shooting the image information delivered using the portable recording medium in the host device is obtained. There was a point.

  In particular, when a relatively long time has elapsed from the time of shooting, image information is transferred to a higher-level device using a portable recording medium, or there are a plurality of image information to be transferred to the higher-level device at a time. Is obtained by photographing a plurality of subjects, or obtained by photographing a plurality of different photographing conditions for the same subject For example, it is extremely difficult for the higher-level device to specify what kind of photographing the received image information is from.

  Although the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2 can improve the portability of the radiation imaging apparatus, no consideration is given to the identification of the image information. is there.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is easy to determine what kind of imaging the image information obtained by imaging is obtained without impairing the portability of the radiographic imaging apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiographic image capturing system, a power supply device, a charging device, and a radiographic image capturing method that can be specified as follows.

  In order to achieve the above object, a radiographic image capturing system according to claim 1 is configured such that a radiographic image capturing apparatus configured to be capable of capturing a radiographic image indicated by radiation that has passed through an imaging subject, and the radiographic image capturing apparatus. A rechargeable power supply for supplying driving power to the camera, and at least imaging object information related to the imaging subject and image information obtained by imaging the imaging subject by the radiographic imaging device in association with each other And a power supply device configured to be detachable from the radiographic imaging device.

  According to the radiographic image capturing system of the first aspect, the radiographic image capturing apparatus captures a radiographic image indicated by the radiation that has passed through the subject.

  Further, in the present invention, driving power is supplied to the radiographic imaging apparatus by a power supply unit configured to be rechargeable (power storage) by a power supply apparatus configured to be detachable from the radiographic imaging apparatus. The

  Here, in the power supply device according to the present invention, at least imaging target information regarding the imaging subject and image information obtained by imaging the imaging subject with the radiographic imaging device are associated and stored in the storage unit. .

  Therefore, by using the power supply device of the present invention to pass the shooting target information and image information stored in the storage means in an associated state to the host device, while referring to the shooting target information on the host device side, It is possible to easily specify by what kind of shooting the image information associated with the shooting target information is obtained.

  In the present invention, since the power supply device including the storage unit is configured to be detachable from the radiographic imaging apparatus, the portability of the radiographic imaging apparatus is not impaired.

  As described above, according to the radiographic image capturing system of claim 1, the storage unit is provided in the power supply device configured to be detachable from the radiographic image capturing apparatus, and at least the imaging target information related to the subject to be imaged is stored in the storage unit. And the image information obtained by photographing the subject to be photographed by the radiographic imaging device are stored in association with each other, so that the image information obtained by imaging can be obtained without impairing the portability of the radiographic imaging device. It is possible to easily identify what kind of photographing has been obtained.

  The memory means includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), a semiconductor memory element such as a flash EEPROM (Flash EEPROM), an xD picture card (registered trademark), an SD memory (registered) A portable recording medium such as a trademark) and a fixed recording medium such as a hard disk.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the second aspect of the present invention, the radiographic image capturing apparatus may further include receiving means for wirelessly receiving the imaging target information. Thereby, compared with the case where the said imaging | photography object information is received with a wire communication, the portable performance of a radiographic imaging apparatus can be improved more.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, as in the third aspect of the present invention, the radiographic imaging device performs image processing so that the amount of information with respect to the image information is reduced, and the image processing unit. Transmission means for wirelessly transmitting the image information that has been subjected to image processing. Thereby, compared with the case where the image information is transmitted by wire, the portability of the radiographic image capturing apparatus can be improved, and the image information is transmitted without performing the image processing. Compared to the above, image information can be transmitted in a shorter time.

  Further, in the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 4, the shooting target information may include specific information for specifying the shooting target person. As a result, it is possible to easily identify the subject to be photographed corresponding to the image information obtained by photographing. The specific information includes the name of the person to be photographed and ID (Identification) information given to the person to be photographed in advance.

  Particularly, in the invention described in claim 4, as in the invention described in claim 5, the shooting target information may further include information indicating a shooting condition for the shooting target person. Thereby, it is possible to easily specify under what photographing conditions the image information obtained by photographing is obtained.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 6, the charging means for charging the power supply unit of the power supply device in a state where the power supply device is attached, and the power supply device in a state where the power supply device is attached. You may further have a charging device provided with the reading means which reads the said imaging | photography object information and the said image information from the said memory | storage means of a power supply device. Thereby, since the photographing object information and the image information can be transferred to the host device via the charging device, the transfer can be performed more reliably than when the transfer is performed wirelessly. it can.

  In particular, the invention described in claim 6 is the information indicating the charging state of the power supply unit of the power supply device in a state where the power supply device is mounted, as in the invention described in claim 7. You may further provide the display means to display. Thereby, the state of charge of the power supply unit can be easily grasped, and the convenience for the user can be further improved.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 6 or claim 7, as in the invention according to claim 8, charging of the power supply unit of the power supply device is performed in a state where the power supply device is mounted. The apparatus may further comprise a detachment prohibiting means for prohibiting the detachment of the power supply apparatus when the process is not completed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the use of the power supply device that has not been fully charged. As a result, the convenience for the user can be further improved.

  Further, in the invention according to any one of claims 6 to 8, as in the invention according to claim 9, the charging device further includes communication means for performing communication via a power line of a commercial power source. You may prepare. Thereby, as a result of being able to install a charging device in any place which has a supply part (outlet) of commercial power supply power, the convenience for a user can be improved more.

  Further, in the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 10, the radiographic image capturing apparatus and the power supply apparatus may be configured to have a battery hot swap function. Thereby, the convenience for a user can be improved more.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 11, the radiographic imaging device may be an electronic cassette. Thereby, it is possible to easily identify what kind of photographing the image information obtained by photographing is obtained without impairing the portable performance of the electronic cassette.

  On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the power supply device according to claim 12 supplies driving power to a radiographic imaging device configured to be capable of taking a radiographic image indicated by radiation transmitted through the subject. A chargeable power supply unit, and storage means for storing in association with at least imaging target information related to the imaging subject and image information obtained by imaging the imaging subject by the radiographic imaging device, The radiographic imaging apparatus is configured to be detachable.

  Therefore, the power supply device according to claim 12 operates in the same manner as the power supply device in the radiographic image capturing system according to claim 1, and therefore, when used together with the radiographic image capturing device in the radiographic image capturing system, Similar to the image capturing system, it is possible to easily identify the image information obtained by the image capturing, without degrading the portability of the radiographic image capturing apparatus.

  On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the charging device according to claim 13 supplies driving power to a radiographic imaging device configured to be capable of taking a radiographic image indicated by radiation transmitted through the subject. A rechargeable power supply unit, and storage means for storing in association with at least imaging target information about the imaging subject and image information obtained by imaging the imaging subject with the radiographic imaging device, Charging means for charging the power supply unit of the power supply device in a state where the power supply device configured to be detachable from the radiographic imaging device is mounted; and the storage of the power supply device in a state where the power supply device is mounted Reading means for reading the image information and the photographing object information from the means.

  Therefore, since the charging device according to claim 13 operates in the same manner as the charging device in the radiographic imaging system according to claim 6, by using in combination with the radiographic imaging device and the power supply device in the radiographic imaging system. Similarly to the radiographic imaging system, the transfer can be performed more reliably as compared with the case where the imaging target information and the image information are wirelessly transferred to the host device.

  On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the radiographic image capturing method according to claim 14 includes a radiographic image capturing apparatus configured to be capable of capturing a radiographic image indicated by radiation transmitted through a radiographing target, and the radiographic image. A rechargeable power supply unit that supplies driving power to the imaging apparatus, and a storage unit that stores at least imaging target information related to the imaging subject, and is configured to be detachable from the radiographic imaging apparatus A radiographic imaging method executed in a radiographic imaging system comprising: a power supply device; and a charging device including a charging unit that charges the power supply unit of the power supply device in a state where the power supply device is mounted, The radiographic imaging device corresponds to the imaging information corresponding to the image information obtained by imaging the imaging subject with the radiographic imaging device. A storage step of storing in the storage unit in association with the target information; and the imaging target information and the image information stored in the storage unit of the power supply apparatus in a state where the power supply apparatus is mounted by the charging device A reading step of reading out.

  Therefore, the radiographic image capturing method according to the fourteenth aspect operates in the same manner as the radiographic image radiographing system according to the sixth aspect. This transfer can be performed more reliably than when the transfer is performed wirelessly.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to easily specify what kind of photographing the image information obtained by photographing is obtained without impairing the portability of the radiographic image photographing device. It is done.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the radiation information system which concerns on embodiment. It is a side view which shows an example of the arrangement | positioning state of each apparatus in the radiography room of the radiographic imaging system which concerns on embodiment. It is a permeation | transmission perspective view which shows the internal structure of the electronic cassette concerning embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the charging device which concerns on embodiment, and the power supply device, and the state with which the power supply device was mounted | worn with the charging device. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the electronic cassette which concerns on embodiment, and the state of the attachment or detachment of the power supply device to an electronic cassette. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the electrical system of the radiographic imaging system which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the imaging | photography order information which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the power supply device delivery process program which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the subject information writing process program which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the radiographic imaging processing program which concerns on embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the structural example of the warning screen displayed by execution of the radiographic imaging processing program which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the imaging | photography implementation processing program which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the charge start process program which concerns on embodiment. It is a time chart with which it uses for description of the estimation method of the end point of exposure which concerns on embodiment. It is a time chart with which it uses for description regarding the reset operation | movement which concerns on embodiment. It is a time chart with which it uses for description regarding the reset operation | movement which concerns on other embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the electronic cassette which concerns on embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, a description will be given of an example in which the present invention is applied to a radiation information system that is a system for comprehensively managing information handled in a radiology department in a hospital.

  First, the configuration of a radiation information system (hereinafter referred to as “RIS” (Radiology Information System)) 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The RIS 10 is a system for managing information such as medical appointment reservations and diagnosis records in the radiology department, and constitutes a part of a hospital information system (hereinafter referred to as “HIS” (Hospital Information System)). .

  The RIS 10 includes a plurality of imaging request terminal devices (hereinafter referred to as “terminal devices”) 12, a RIS server 14, and a radiographic imaging system (hereinafter referred to as a radiographic imaging room (or operating room) in a hospital). , Which are referred to as “imaging systems”) 18, which are connected to an in-hospital network 16 composed of a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the like. The RIS 10 constitutes a part of the HIS provided in the same hospital, and an HIS server (not shown) that manages the entire HIS is also connected to the in-hospital network 16.

  The terminal device 12 is used by doctors and radiographers to input and browse diagnostic information and facility reservations, and radiographic image capturing requests and imaging reservations are also made via the terminal device 12. Each terminal device 12 includes a personal computer having a display device, and is capable of mutual communication via the RIS server 14 and the hospital network 16.

  On the other hand, the RIS server 14 receives an imaging request from each terminal device 12 and manages a radiographic imaging schedule in the imaging system 18, and includes a database 14A.

  The database 14A includes patient attribute information (name, ID, gender, date of birth, age, blood type, weight, etc.), medical history, medical history, radiation images taken in the past (hereinafter referred to as “patient information”). ), An identification number, model, size, sensitivity, usable imaging part (content of imaging request that can be handled), and usable later-described power supply device used in the imaging system 18. , Information about the electronic cassette 32 (hereinafter referred to as “electronic cassette information”), such as the start date of use and the number of times of use, and an environment in which a radiographic image is taken using the electronic cassette 32, that is, the electronic cassette 32 is used. It includes environmental information indicating the environment (for example, a radiography room or an operating room).

  Here, the database 14 </ b> A is a part (hereinafter referred to as “imaging part”) that is a radiographic image capturing target in the patient's body, a type of electronic cassette to be used (hereinafter referred to as “used cassette”), and imaging. It includes an imaging menu that is information indicating the conditions for performing radiographic imaging, such as the number of images, the posture of the patient at the time of imaging (in this embodiment, standing or standing), and the radiation direction of radiation to the patient. .

  The imaging system 18 captures a radiographic image by an operation of a doctor or a radiographer according to an instruction from the RIS server 14. The imaging system 18 includes a radiation generator 34 that irradiates a patient with a radiation X (see also FIG. 3) that is a dose in accordance with the exposure conditions from a radiation source 130 (see also FIG. 2), and an imaging region of the patient. An electronic cassette 32 having a built-in radiation detector 60 (see also FIG. 3) that generates a charge by absorbing the radiation X transmitted therethrough and generates image information indicating a radiation image based on the generated charge amount; A charging device 40 for charging a power supply device 96 (see also FIG. 3) configured to be detachable from the cassette 32, and an electronic cassette 32, a radiation generator 34, and a console 42 for controlling the charging device 40 are provided. Yes.

  The console 42 acquires various types of information included in the database 14A from the RIS server 14 and stores them in an HDD (hard disk drive) 110 (see also FIG. 6) described later. Based on the information, the electronic cassette 32 is stored. The radiation generator 34 and the charging device 40 are controlled.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the arrangement state of each device in the radiation imaging room 44 of the imaging system 18 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the radiography room 44 is provided with a rack 45 used for radiography in a standing position and a bed 46 used for radiography in a prone position. The space in front of the rack 45 is a subject imaging position 48 when performing radiography in a standing position, and the space above the bed 46 is an imaging position 50 of a subject in performing radiography in a prone position. It is said that.

  The rack 45 is provided with a holding unit 150 that holds the electronic cassette 32, and the electronic cassette 32 is held by the holding unit 150 when a radiographic image is taken in a standing position. Similarly, the bed 46 is provided with a holding unit 152 that holds the electronic cassette 32, and the electronic cassette 32 is held by the holding unit 152 when a radiographic image is taken in the prone position.

  In addition, the holding unit 150 is provided with a human detection unit 140A for detecting whether or not the subject is present at the photographing position 48, and the subject is present at the photographing position 50 on the bed 46. A human detection unit 140B is provided for detecting whether or not to do so. Note that in the imaging system 18 according to the present embodiment, both the human detection unit 140A and the human detection unit 140B are provided in the vicinity of the position where the electronic cassette 32 is arranged at the time of radiographic imaging, and detection of the subject is performed. Detection sensitivity is adjusted and positioned so that the target area substantially coincides with the imaging area of the electronic cassette 32.

  Further, in the radiation imaging room 44, the radiation source 130 is arranged around a horizontal axis (see FIG. 5) in order to enable radiation imaging in a standing position and in a standing position by radiation from a single radiation source 130. 2 is provided, and a support moving mechanism 52 is provided which can be rotated in the vertical direction (arrow B direction in FIG. 2) and supported so as to be movable in the horizontal direction (arrow C direction in FIG. 2). It has been. Here, the support moving mechanism 52 includes a drive source that rotates the radiation source 130 about a horizontal axis, a drive source that moves the radiation source 130 in the vertical direction, and a drive source that moves the radiation source 130 in the horizontal direction. Each is provided (not shown).

  By the way, the radiation imaging room 44 according to the present embodiment is provided with the rack 45, the bed 46, the support moving mechanism 52, the radiation source 130 and the like as described above, and an area where radiation imaging is actually performed (hereinafter referred to as “imaging”). A reception desk is provided at a position facing the outside of the radiation imaging room 44 (on the side of the passage in the building) separately from the radiography room 44, and the radiographing area suppresses the entrance of radiation X. An imaging management room (not shown) provided with a window capable of reducing the passing amount of the radiation X is provided at a position where the imaging area can be visually observed while being partitioned by a partition wall and a door.

  In the imaging system 18 according to the present embodiment, the charging device 40 and the console 42 are provided in the imaging management room, and radiation imaging is performed in the radiography room 44 in which the imaging management room is provided. Accept patients to do.

  Further, in imaging system 18 according to the present embodiment, between radiation generator 34 and console 42, between electronic cassette 32 and console 42, and between human detection unit 140 </ b> A and human detection unit 140 </ b> B and console 42. Then, various information is transmitted and received by wireless communication.

  Note that the electronic cassette 32 is not used only in the radiography room or the operating room, but can be used for, for example, examinations and rounds in hospitals because of its portability.

  FIG. 3 shows an internal configuration of the electronic cassette 32 according to the present exemplary embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the electronic cassette 32 includes a housing 54 made of a material that transmits the radiation X, and has a waterproof and airtight structure. When the electronic cassette 32 is used in an operating room or the like, there is a risk that blood and other germs may adhere. Therefore, one electronic cassette 32 can be used repeatedly by sterilizing and cleaning the electronic cassette 32 as necessary with a waterproof and hermetic structure.

  Inside the housing 54, a grid 58 for removing scattered radiation of the radiation X by the subject and the radiation X transmitted through the subject are detected from the irradiation surface 56 side of the housing 54 to which the radiation X is irradiated. A radiation detector 60 and a lead plate 62 that absorbs backscattered rays of radiation X are arranged in this order. Note that the irradiation surface 56 of the housing 54 may be configured as a grid 58.

  In addition, an electronic circuit including a microcomputer and a case 31 that houses a chargeable and detachable power supply device 96 are disposed on one end side inside the housing 54. The radiation detector 60 and the electronic circuit are operated by electric power supplied from the power supply device 96 disposed in the case 31. In order to avoid various circuits housed in the case 31 from being damaged by the radiation X irradiation, it is desirable to arrange a lead plate or the like on the irradiation surface 56 side of the case 31. The electronic cassette 32 according to the present embodiment is a rectangular parallelepiped whose irradiation surface 56 has a rectangular shape, and a case 31 is disposed at one end in the longitudinal direction.

  Further, at a predetermined position on the outer wall of the housing 54, a power switch 54A, an operation mode such as an on / off state of the power switch 54A (on state), “ready state”, “during data transmission”, and a power supply device 96 are provided. And a display unit 56A for displaying the operation state of the electronic cassette 32 such as the remaining capacity state. In the electronic cassette 32 according to the present embodiment, a light emitting diode is applied as the display unit 56A. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other light emitting elements other than the light emitting diode, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and the like are used. It may be a display means.

  Further, a handle 54 </ b> B that is gripped when the electronic cassette 32 is moved is provided at a predetermined position on the outer wall of the housing 54. In the electronic cassette 32 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the handle 54B is provided at the central portion of the side wall of the casing 54 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the irradiation surface 56. It may be provided at other positions such as the central portion of the side wall extending in the short direction of the surface 56, a position deviated by a distance considering the deviation of the center of gravity of the electronic cassette 32 from the central portion of these side walls, etc. Needless to say.

  In the imaging system 18 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of electronic cassettes 32 each having a size corresponding to the size of each imaging region of the radiographic image are prepared, and are selectively used depending on the imaging region.

  In the imaging system 18 according to the present embodiment, as the plurality of electronic cassettes 32, a large electronic cassette 32 that performs imaging over a relatively wide range such as the chest, abdomen, and waist, and arms, legs, and the like. Two types of electronic cassettes 32, which are a small-sized electronic cassette 32 that performs imaging in a relatively narrow range, are applied. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more types of electronic cassettes 32 are used depending on the size and use of the imaging region. It is good also as a form which applies only 1 type of electronic cassette 32.

  Here, each of the large electronic cassette 32 and the small electronic cassette 32 is provided with a power supply device 96 corresponding to each of them, corresponding to power consumption by the corresponding electronic cassette 32, and being able to use the electronic cassette 32. In order not to impair the portability, the power supply device 96 for the electronic cassette having a large size is made large, and the power supply device 96 for the small electronic cassette is made small.

  On the other hand, FIG. 4 shows a configuration of charging device 40 according to the present embodiment.

  The charging device 40 can charge two types of power supply devices, the large power supply device 96 and the small power supply device 96, and an opening 40E for attaching and detaching these power supply devices 96 is located above. Is provided. As shown in the figure, the charging device 40 according to the present embodiment can charge two large power supply devices 96 and one small power supply device 96 at the same time. Needless to say, the combination of the types and the number of the power supply devices 96 that can be charged at the same time may be other combinations.

  A connector (not shown) that is electrically connected to the power supply device 96 inserted from the opening 40E is provided on the inner bottom surface of the charging device 40 according to the present embodiment. The battery is charged while being electrically connected to the connector.

  Further, a locking mechanism 40B (not shown in the figure) that positions and fixes (locks) the inserted power supply device 96 individually at a predetermined charging position (position shown in the figure) on the inner side wall of the charging apparatus 40. (See FIG. 6).

  Furthermore, a display unit 40A for displaying the amount of charge of the corresponding power supply device 96, whether or not it can be used, and the like at a position corresponding to the mounting position of each power supply device 96 on the outer side wall (housing surface) of the charging device 40. Is provided. In the charging device 40 according to the present embodiment, a light emitting diode is applied as the display unit 40A. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other light emitting elements other than the light emitting diode, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and the like are used. It may be a display means.

  In the electronic cassette 32 according to the present embodiment, an upper limit value (six in the present embodiment) of the number of radiographic images that can be taken in a state where the corresponding power supply device 96 is mounted is determined in advance. Forty display units 40A are provided with the same number of light emitting diodes as the number of shootable images. When the power supply device 96 is charged, the number according to the charge amount of the corresponding power supply device 96, that is, the number of images that can be taken with the electronic cassette 32 when the power supply device 96 is attached to the corresponding electronic cassette 32 at that time. Turn on the same number of light emitting diodes. Therefore, by referring to the display unit 40A, the user can grasp the charge amount of the charged power supply device 96 in a state indicating the number of shootable images when the electronic cassette 32 is mounted. In FIG. 4, the leftmost power supply device 96 can capture three radiation images, the central power supply device 96 can capture five radiation images, and the rightmost power supply device 96 includes only one radiation image. A state in which a radiation image can be taken is shown.

  In addition, the charging device 40 is provided with a power supply unit 40F (not shown in the figure, see FIG. 6) that receives power from a commercial power source, and the power supply unit 40F is connected to the hospital network via the power line of the commercial power source. 16 (for example, a communication port using PoE (Power over Ethernet (registered trademark))). Information passing through this communication port is exchanged with a memory access unit 40D (not shown in the figure, see FIG. 6) described later.

  As shown in the figure, each power supply device 96 is provided with a recess 96C for putting a fingernail on the power supply device 40 when it is removed from the charging device 40, thereby facilitating the removal operation. .

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the electronic cassette 32 according to the present embodiment is provided with an opening 32A for mounting the power supply device 96 in the vicinity of the end of the outer wall of the housing 54, and further the opening. An urging member 32B that urges the power supply device 96 in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the power supply device 96 (the direction of arrow A in the figure) is provided at the deepest portion inside 32A. In the electronic cassette 32 according to the present embodiment, a spring / spring is applied as the biasing member 32B. However, the biasing member 32B is not limited thereto, and other biasing members such as a leaf spring and a solenoid may be applied. .

  In addition, a connector (not shown) that is electrically connected to the power supply device 96 inserted from the opening 32A is provided in the deepest portion of the electronic cassette 32 according to the present embodiment. 96 supplies driving power to each power driving unit of the electronic cassette 32 while being electrically connected to the connector.

  Further, a fixing member 32C for fixing the inserted power supply device 96 at a position where it is electrically connected to the connector is provided on the inner side wall side of the opening 32A of the electronic cassette 32 according to the present embodiment. In the electronic cassette 32 according to the present embodiment, a solenoid is applied as the fixing member 32C. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other fixing members that can fix the power supply device 96 may be applied. Needless to say.

  In the electronic cassette 32 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the power supply device 96 is inserted into the opening 32A in the direction of the arrow A, the power supply device 96 is electrically connected to the connector. When the position of the power supply device 96 is fixed, the plunger of the fixing member 32 </ b> C formed of a solenoid is protruded and presses the side surface of the power supply device 96. When the photographing is finished, as shown in FIG. 5B, the plunger of the fixing member 32C is retracted, and the power supply device 96 is pressed in the direction of arrow B by the urging force of the urging member 32B. Thus, a part of the power supply device 96 is protruded from the electronic cassette 32. Therefore, the user can easily remove the power supply device 96 from the electronic cassette 32 by putting the fingernail into the recess 96C and pulling it out.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the configuration of the main part of the electrical system of the imaging system 18 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in the figure, the radiation detector 60 built in the electronic cassette 32 is configured by laminating a photoelectric conversion layer that absorbs radiation X and converts it into charges on a TFT active matrix substrate 66. The photoelectric conversion layer is made of amorphous a-Se (amorphous selenium) containing, for example, selenium as a main component (for example, a content rate of 50% or more), and when irradiated with radiation X, a charge corresponding to the amount of irradiated radiation. By generating a certain amount of charge (electron-hole pairs) internally, the irradiated radiation X is converted into a charge. The radiation detector 60 is indirectly charged using a phosphor material and a photoelectric conversion element (photodiode) instead of a radiation-charge conversion material that directly converts the radiation X such as amorphous selenium into an electric charge. May be converted to As phosphor materials, gadolinium sulfate (GOS) and cesium iodide (CsI) are well known. In this case, radiation X-light conversion is performed using a phosphor material, and light-charge conversion is performed using a photodiode of a photoelectric conversion element.

  In addition, on the TFT active matrix substrate 66, a pixel unit 74 (in FIG. 6) includes a storage capacitor 68 for storing the charge generated in the photoelectric conversion layer and a TFT 70 for reading out the charge stored in the storage capacitor 68. A number of photoelectric conversion layers corresponding to the individual pixel portions 74 are schematically shown as the photoelectric conversion portions 72.) A large number of photoelectric conversion layers are arranged in a matrix, and photoelectric conversion occurs as the electronic cassette 32 is irradiated with the radiation X. The charges generated in the layers are stored in the storage capacitors 68 of the individual pixel portions 74. As a result, the image information carried on the radiation X irradiated to the electronic cassette 32 is converted into charge information and held in the radiation detector 60.

  The TFT active matrix substrate 66 is extended in a certain direction (row direction), a plurality of gate wirings 76 for turning on / off the TFTs 70 of the individual pixel portions 74, and a direction orthogonal to the gate wirings 76. A plurality of data wirings 78 are provided so as to read the stored charge from the storage capacitor 68 via the TFT 70 which is extended in the (column direction) and turned on. Individual gate lines 76 are connected to a gate line driver 80, and individual data lines 78 are connected to a signal processing unit 82. When charges are accumulated in the storage capacitors 68 of the individual pixel portions 74, the TFTs 70 of the individual pixel portions 74 are sequentially turned on in units of rows by a signal supplied from the gate line driver 80 via the gate wiring 76. The charge stored in the storage capacitor 68 of the pixel unit 74 for which is turned on is transmitted as an analog electrical signal through the data wiring 78 and input to the signal processing unit 82. Accordingly, the charges accumulated in the storage capacitors 68 of the individual pixel portions 74 are sequentially read out in units of rows.

  On the other hand, the signal processing unit 82 includes an amplifier and a sample and hold circuit provided for each data line 78, and the charge signal transmitted through the individual data line 78 is amplified by the amplifier and then supplied to the sample and hold circuit. Retained. Further, a multiplexer and an A / D (analog / digital) converter are sequentially connected to the output side of the sample and hold circuit, and the charge signals held in the individual sample and hold circuits are sequentially (serially) input to the multiplexer. The digital image data is converted by an A / D converter.

  An image memory 90 is connected to the signal processing unit 82, and image data output from the A / D converter of the signal processing unit 82 is sequentially stored in the image memory 90. The image memory 90 has a storage capacity capable of storing image data for a plurality of frames, and image data obtained by imaging is sequentially stored in the image memory 90 every time a radiographic image is captured.

  The image memory 90 is connected to a cassette control unit 92 that controls the operation of the entire electronic cassette 32. The cassette control unit 92 includes a microcomputer, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 92A, a memory 92B including a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and a flash memory. A non-volatile storage unit 92 </ b> C is provided.

  A wireless communication unit 94 is connected to the cassette control unit 92. The wireless communication unit 94 according to the present embodiment corresponds to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standard represented by IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11a / b / g and the like. Controls the transmission of various information to and from external devices. The cassette control unit 92 can wirelessly communicate with the console 42 via the wireless communication unit 94, and can transmit and receive various information to and from the console 42.

  Further, the power supply device 96 is connected to the cassette control unit 92 while being fixed by a fixing member 32C (see also FIG. 5).

  The power supply device 96 according to the present embodiment supplies a rechargeable secondary battery (hereinafter referred to as a “battery”) 96 </ b> A that supplies driving power to each power driving unit of the electronic cassette 32. And a memory 96B for storing various types of information such as image data obtained by imaging and subject information described later. In the power supply device 96 according to the present embodiment, a non-volatile rewritable memory (flash memory in the present embodiment) is applied as the memory 96B. A volatile memory may be applied and the battery 96A may be used as a backup power source for the memory 96B. In the power supply device 96 according to the present embodiment, a nickel cadmium battery is applied as the battery 96A. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other secondary batteries such as a nickel metal hydride battery and a lithium ion battery are applied. It is good also as a form to do.

  The above-described various circuits and elements (the gate line driver 80, the signal processing unit 82, the image memory 90, the wireless communication unit 94, the cassette control unit 92, and the like) of the electronic cassette 32 according to the present embodiment are included in the power supply device 96. In the mounted state, the power supply device 96 is operated by the electric power supplied from the battery 96A. Further, the cassette control unit 92 can access the memory 96B of the power supply device 96 in a state where the power supply device 96 is mounted. In FIG. 6, illustration of wirings connecting the power supply device 96 to various circuits and elements is omitted.

  Here, the electronic cassette 32 and the power supply device 96 according to the present embodiment are configured to have a battery hot swap function. Since the battery hot swap function is well known, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  On the other hand, the console 42 is configured as a server computer, and includes a display 100 that displays an operation menu, captured radiographic images, and the like, and a plurality of keys, and inputs various information and operation instructions. An operation panel 102.

  The console 42 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU 104 that controls the operation of the entire apparatus, a ROM 106 that stores various programs including a control program in advance, a RAM 108 that temporarily stores various data, and various data. It includes an HDD 110 that stores and holds, a display driver 112 that controls display of various types of information on the display 100, and an operation input detection unit 114 that detects an operation state of the operation panel 102. In addition, the console 42 transmits and receives various types of information such as an exposure condition to be described later to and from the radiation generator 34 and transmits various types of information such as image data to and from the electronic cassette 32 by wireless communication. And a wireless communication unit 118 that transmits and receives information indicating detection results between the human detection unit 140A and the human detection unit 140B, and a charging device control unit 120 that controls the operation of the charging device 40. .

  CPU 104, ROM 106, RAM 108, HDD 110, display driver 112, operation input detection unit 114, wireless communication unit 118, and charging device control unit 120 are connected to each other via a system bus BUS. Therefore, the CPU 104 can access the ROM 106, RAM 108, and HDD 110, controls display of various information on the display 100 via the display driver 112, and the radiation generator 34, via the wireless communication unit 118. Control of transmission / reception of various types of information with the electronic cassette 32, the human detection unit 140A, and the human detection unit 140B can be performed. Further, the CPU 104 can grasp the operation state of the user with respect to the operation panel 102 via the operation input detection unit 114.

  On the other hand, the charging device control unit 120 is connected to the charging device 40 via the communication cable 20, and the CPU 104 is connected to each unit such as the display unit 40A and the lock mechanism 40B in the charging device 40 via the charging device control unit 120. Can be controlled.

  The charging device 40 according to the present embodiment includes a charging unit 40C that charges the battery 96A provided in the attached power supply device 96, and the control of charging the battery 96A is performed by the CPU 104. This is performed via the device control unit 120 and the charging unit 40C.

  In addition, charging device 40 according to the present embodiment includes a memory access unit (hereinafter referred to as “access unit”) 40D that accesses memory 96B provided in attached power supply device 96. The access to the memory 96B is controlled by the CPU 104 via the charging device control unit 120 and the access unit 40D.

  On the other hand, the radiation generator 34 includes a radio communication unit 132 that transmits and receives various types of information such as an exposure condition between the radiation source 130 and the console 42, and a line that controls the radiation source 130 based on the received exposure condition. A source control unit 134.

  The radiation source control unit 134 is also configured to include a microcomputer, and stores the received exposure conditions and the like. The exposure conditions received from the console 42 include information such as tube voltage, tube current, and exposure period. The radiation source controller 134 irradiates the radiation X from the radiation source 130 based on the received exposure conditions.

  In addition, the human detection unit 140A and the human detection unit 140B include a human detection sensor 142 for detecting whether or not a person exists, and a wireless communication unit that transmits information indicating a detection result by the human detection sensor 142 to the console 42. 144.

  In the human detection unit 140A and the human detection unit 140B according to the present embodiment, a distance sensor that detects the distance from the installation position to the closest object is applied as the human detection sensor 142. Not limited to this, it goes without saying that other sensors may be applied as long as they can detect whether or not a person exists. In the imaging system 18 according to the present embodiment, the human detection sensor 142 is a signal indicating a period from when an ultrasonic wave is emitted until it is reflected from another object (hereinafter referred to as “period signal”). ) Is output. Therefore, in human detection unit 140A and human detection unit 140B according to the present embodiment, information indicating a period indicated by a period signal output from human detection sensor 142 (hereinafter referred to as “period information”) is wireless. The data is transmitted to the console 42 via the communication unit 144.

  The human detection sensor 142 is not limited to such an ultrasonic sensor, and other sensors that can measure a distance, such as a sensor that detects a distance using light and a sensor that detects a distance using infrared light. Needless to say, it may be applied.

  By the way, in the imaging system 18 according to this embodiment, as described above, in the imaging management room provided in each radiation imaging room 44, a patient who performs radiation imaging in the radiation imaging room 44 is received. In each radiation imaging room 44, information related to the patient who performs radiation imaging in the own room is held as imaging order information, and radiation imaging of each patient is performed based on the imaging order information.

  Therefore, the console 42 provided in the imaging management room of each radiation imaging room 44 acquires the patient information and the imaging menu included in the database 14A from the RIS server 14 and stores them in the HDD 110 as imaging order information. Based on the imaging order information, the electronic cassette 32, the radiation generator 34, and the charging device 40 are controlled.

  FIG. 7 schematically shows photographing order information according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the imaging order information according to the present embodiment includes patient information related to a patient scheduled to be imaged, such as the name, ID, and sex described above, and the above-described imaging site, cassette used, and imaging. It is configured in a state in which imaging menus relating to radiation imaging of corresponding patients, such as the number of sheets, posture, and the like, are combined.

  In the radiographing order information shown in the figure, for example, an electronic cassette 32 used for radiographing when the ID of “Taro Yamada” is “01-001”, the gender is “male”, and the radiographic part is “arm”. Is small, stores information indicating that the number of shots is 4, and the posture of the patient at the time of shooting is “standing”.

  Next, the operation of the imaging system 18 according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, in order to avoid complications, a case will be described in which the imaging order information is stored in the HDD 110 of the console 42.

  First, a patient who performs radiation imaging (hereinafter referred to as “subject”) receives a reception at a reception desk in an imaging management room of the radiation imaging room 44 where the patient performs imaging.

  In response to this, the person in charge of the reception counter operates the information (in this embodiment, the name of the subject) indicating the received subject on the console 42 provided in the imaging management room. After inputting via the panel 102, an instruction to execute the power supply device transfer process is input via the operation panel 102.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the operation of the console 42 when executing the power supply device transfer process will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the power supply device transfer processing program executed by the CPU 104 of the console 42 at this time, and the program is stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 106 in advance.

  In step 200 of the figure, the charging device 40 connected is charged so that the corresponding power supply device 96 is fixed (locked) to the lock mechanisms 40B corresponding to all the power supply devices 96 mounted. Control is performed via the device control unit 120. With this process, all the power supply devices 96 attached to the charging device 40 cannot be removed from the charging device 40.

  In the next step 202, information related to the subject (hereinafter referred to as “subject information”) received at the reception window in the imaging order information (see also FIG. 7) is read from the HDD 110, and the next step 204 is performed. The charging amount of all the power supply devices 96 attached to the charging device 40 is detected via the charging device control unit 120 and the charging unit 40C.

  In the next step 206, the power supply device 96 corresponding to the electronic cassette 32 used for the radiography of the subject is specified based on the subject information read out in the step 202, and acquired by the step 204. On the basis of the charged amount of the power supply device 96 and the above-described subject information, the power supply device 96 (hereinafter referred to as “usable power supply device”) that can be used for radiographic imaging of the subject in the charging device 40. It is determined whether or not it exists, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 208, and information indicating that there is no power supply device 96 that can be used and that the standby instruction is given is displayed on the display 100. The display driver 112 is controlled, and then the process returns to step 206. On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 210.

  Note that the types of power supply devices 96 that can be used for each type of electronic cassette 32 are predetermined (in this embodiment, the large electronic cassette 32 is a large power supply device 96, and the small electronic cassette 32 is a small power supply). Therefore, the console 42 refers to the “use cassette” in the radiographing menu included in the subject information, so that the electronic cassette 32 used for radiography of the subject indicated by the “use cassette” is displayed. Can be uniquely identified.

  Whether or not there is a usable power supply device in the charging device 40 is determined by checking that the power supply device 96 of the same type as that of the specified power supply device 96 is attached to the charging device 40 and the power supply device 96 is charged. This can be done by determining whether or not the amount has reached an amount that allows radiography of the number of radiographs indicated by “number of radiographs” in the radiographing menu included in the subject information.

  In step 210, the charging device 40 is controlled via the charging device control unit 120 so as to release the lock state of the corresponding power supply device 96 for the lock mechanism 40 </ b> B corresponding to the usable power supply device. With this processing, only the usable power supply device can be detached from the charging device 40.

  In the next step 212, only the portion corresponding to the usable power supply device in the display unit 40A of the charging device 40 is set so that the light emission state is different from the other portions (in the present embodiment, the blinking state). Control is performed via the control unit 120, and then the power supply device delivery processing program is terminated.

  The person in charge of the reception removes the usable power supply device, which is shown to be usable according to the display state of the display unit 40A in the charging device 40, from the charging device 40 and passes it to the subject.

  The subject brings the usable power supply device handed over from the reception person in charge and enters the radiography room 44, and a radiographer or doctor (hereinafter referred to as “the radiography” waiting for radiography in the radiography room 44). It is called “the photographer”.

  The photographer attaches the usable power supply device passed from the subject to the corresponding electronic cassette 32. In response to this, the electronic cassette 32 executes a subject information writing process.

  Next, the operation of the electronic cassette 32 when executing the subject information writing process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the subject information writing processing program executed by the CPU 92A of the electronic cassette 32 at this time, and the program is stored in advance in a predetermined area of the storage unit 92C. Yes.

  In step 300 in the figure, instruction information for instructing the console 42 to transmit subject information is transmitted via the wireless communication unit 94. In response to this, the console 42 transmits the subject information read during the execution of the immediately preceding power supply device transfer processing program to the electronic cassette 32 via the wireless communication unit 118.

  Therefore, in the next step 302, reception of the subject information is waited, and in the next step 304, the received subject information is determined in advance in the memory 96B built in the power supply device 96 attached. After being stored in the area, the subject information writing process program is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the usable power supply device is mounted on the electronic cassette 32, the photographer inputs information indicating the subject via the operation panel 102 of the console 42, thereby capturing the imaging order stored in the HDD 110 of the console 42. The imaging menu related to the subject included in the information is displayed on the display 100, and the imaging section such as the imaging region of the subject and the number of images captured from the imaging menu are displayed via the operation panel 102 of the console 42. Then, an exposure condition specifying operation for specifying a tube voltage, a tube current, and an exposure period when the radiation X is exposed is performed. In response to this, the console 42 executes a radiographic image capturing process.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the operation of the console 42 when executing the radiographic image capturing process will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the radiographic imaging processing program executed by the CPU 104 of the console 42 at this time, and this program is also stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 106 in advance.

  In step 400 of the figure, as shown in FIG. 14 as an example, radiation X exposure is performed with reference to the point in time when charge accumulation is started by the radiation detector 60 based on the exposure conditions specified by the photographer. The time of termination (hereinafter referred to as “exposure end time”) is estimated.

  Note that, in the imaging system 18 according to the present embodiment, the exposure end time is set to the time when charge accumulation by the radiation detector 60 is started in response to the processing of step 420 described later in the electronic cassette 32, and to the radiation generator 34. In FIG. 14, the period from the time when the start of exposure to radiation X is instructed by the processing of step 422 described later to the time when exposure is actually started (the period of “time lag” in FIG. 14) is predetermined. Estimated by adding the exposure period specified in the exposure condition specifying operation to the period from the start of charge accumulation by the radiation detector 60 to the actual start of exposure of the radiation X Yes.

  In the next step 402, an imaging part corresponding to information indicating the subject input by the photographer when the exposure condition specifying operation is performed in the imaging menu is specified, and predetermined according to the imaging part. It is determined whether or not the exposure end time estimated by the process of step 400 is within the charge accumulation period (hereinafter referred to as “applied charge accumulation period”) in the radiation detector 60, and a negative determination is made. If YES in step 404, the routine proceeds to step 404, where a predetermined warning process is executed, and then the radiation image capturing process program is terminated.

  In the imaging system 18 according to the present embodiment, as the warning process executed in step 404, a process for controlling the display driver 112 to display the warning screen shown in FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other warning processes such as a process for generating a predetermined warning sound may be applied alone or in combination.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step 402, the process proceeds to step 406, and the imaging conditions specified based on the imaging region specified by the processing in step 402 are preliminarily set as conditions for using the human detection sensor 142. By determining whether or not the first condition is set, it is determined whether or not the human detection sensor 142 is used. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 414 described later, If YES, step 408 follows.

  In the imaging system 18 according to the present embodiment, as the first condition, the area to be imaged is an area compared to the imaging area by the radiation detector 60 such as a part of the extremity (wrist, ankle, palm, etc.). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other forms corresponding to the case where the detection accuracy required by the human detection sensor 142 can be obtained may be applied. Good.

  On the other hand, when the photographer does not display the warning screen on the display 100 after the exposure condition designating operation is completed, the photographer performs photographing related to the subject displayed on the display 100 when performing the exposure condition designating operation. After the electronic cassette 32 is held by the holding unit 152 provided on the bed 46 in accordance with the posture of the subject indicated by the menu (the standing position or the standing position), the subject is photographed in the space above the bed 46. After the electronic cassette 32 is held in the recumbent position at the position 50 or held by the holding portion 150 of the rack 45, the subject is placed at the imaging position 48 in the front space of the rack 45.

  Next, the photographer operates the support moving mechanism 52 so that the radiation source 130 of the radiation generator 34 is arranged in front of the imaging region.

  Therefore, in step 408, the posture at the time of photographing corresponding to the information indicating the subject input by the photographer when the exposure condition specifying operation is performed in the photographing menu is specified, and the posture at the time of photographing is determined. Based on this, it is specified which one of the rack 45 and the bed 46 is used for radiographic image capturing, and the person detection unit 140A or the person detection unit 140B (hereinafter referred to as “use target person detection unit 140” provided in the specified one). The distance from the user detection unit 140 to the detection target indicated by the period indicated by the period information received from (hereinafter referred to as “detection distance”) is the image of the electronic cassette 32. By waiting until the distance is within a predetermined range when the subject is present in the area, the subject is placed in the area to be radiographed. To wait until the position.

  In the next step 410, it is determined whether or not the subject meets a second condition that is set in advance as a condition for detecting the stationary state of the subject. On the other hand, if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 412.

  In the imaging system 18 according to the present embodiment, the condition that the subject is a predetermined age (in this embodiment, 5 years old) or more is applied as the second condition. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to easily perform imaging in a stationary state, such as a condition that the subject is a predetermined age (70 years old in this embodiment) or less. It is good also as a form which applies these conditions.

  In step 412, a period during which the detection distance does not change beyond a predetermined range in which the subject can be considered to be stationary is a predetermined period (3 seconds in the present embodiment). It is determined whether or not the above has been reached. If a negative determination is made, the process returns to step 408. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 414.

  In step 414, image data obtained by radiographic image capturing by the radiation detector 60 is performed by causing the electronic cassette 32 to perform imaging by the radiation detector 60 in the same charge accumulation period as the applied charge accumulation period. An offset image acquisition process for acquiring image data (hereinafter referred to as “offset image data”) for correcting (hereinafter referred to as “subject image data”) is executed.

  At this time, the CPU 104 transmits instruction information for instructing execution of the offset image acquisition process to the electronic cassette 32 through the wireless communication unit 118 together with information indicating the applied charge accumulation period.

  In response to this, the electronic cassette 32 according to the present exemplary embodiment performs a reset operation for discharging the charges accumulated in the radiation detector 60 at this time, and then receives the radiation detector 60 in the received applied charge accumulation period. The offset image data obtained thereby is transmitted to the console 42 via the wireless communication unit 94.

  At this time, in the electronic cassette 32 according to the present embodiment, the offset image data is stored in the memory 96B in association with the corresponding subject information, while the amount of information is smaller than the offset image data. The obtained image compression processing (in this embodiment, thinning-out processing) is executed, and offset image data obtained thereby is transmitted to the console 42 via the wireless communication unit 94.

  Therefore, the CPU 104 receives the offset image data transmitted from the electronic cassette 32 via the wireless communication unit 118 and stores it in a predetermined area of the RAM 108.

  In the next step 416, the exposure condition specified by the photographer is transmitted to the radiation generator 34 via the wireless communication unit 118 to set the exposure condition. In response to this, the radiation source control unit 134 prepares for exposure under the received exposure conditions.

  In the next step 418, instruction information for instructing the start of execution of the imaging execution process for imaging radiographic images is transmitted to the electronic cassette 32 via the wireless communication unit 118. In response to this, the electronic cassette 32 starts execution of a photographing execution process described later.

  In the next step 420, instruction information for instructing the start of exposure is transmitted to the radiation generator 34 via the wireless communication unit 118. In response to this, the radiation generator 34 generates radiation X from the radiation source 130 at the tube voltage, tube current, and exposure period corresponding to the exposure conditions received from the console 42 in accordance with the processing of step 416 above. And inject. In response to this, the electronic cassette 32 captures a radiographic image by the above-described imaging execution processing, and transmits subject image data obtained thereby to the console 42 via the wireless communication unit 94. At this time, in the electronic cassette 32 according to the present embodiment, the subject image data that has been subjected to the image compression processing (in this embodiment, thinning-out processing) is sent to the console 42 in the same manner as the offset image data. Send.

  Therefore, in the next step 422, the process waits until the subject image data is received from the electronic cassette 32, and in the next step 424, the received subject image data is processed by the processing in step 414. After performing offset correction by subtracting the acquired offset image data for each pixel, image processing for performing various corrections such as shading correction is executed.

  In the next step 426, the subject image data subjected to the image processing (hereinafter referred to as “corrected image data”) is stored in the HDD 110, and in the next step 428, the radiation indicated by the corrected image data. The display driver 112 is controlled so that the image is displayed on the display 100 for confirmation or the like, and then the radiation image capturing processing program is terminated.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the operation of the electronic cassette 32 when executing the above-described imaging execution process will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the photographing execution processing program executed by the CPU 92A of the electronic cassette 32 at this time, and the program is stored in advance in a predetermined area of the storage unit 92C.

  In step 500 of the figure, the radiation detector 60 is controlled to perform the above-described reset operation, and in the next step 502, the radiation detector 60 is controlled to start charge accumulation.

  In the next step 504, the application charge accumulation period indicated by the information received together with the instruction information instructing to execute the offset image acquisition process is waited for.

  In the next step 506, the radiation detector 60 is controlled to read out the electric charge accumulated at this time. In response to this, the charges flow out from the radiation detector 60 to the data lines 78 as electrical signals. The electric signal flowing out to each data wiring 78 is converted into digital image data (subject image data) by the signal processing unit 82 and stored in the image memory 90.

  Therefore, in the next step 508, the subject image data is read from the image memory 90, stored in the memory 96B of the power supply device 96 in association with the corresponding subject information, and in the next step 510, the read subject test data is stored. Similar to the offset image data, the image compression process (in this embodiment, the thinning process) is performed on the person image data.

  In the next step 512, the subject image data that has been subjected to the image compression processing by the processing in step 510 is transmitted to the console 42 via the wireless communication unit 94, and then the imaging execution processing program is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the radiographing by the electronic cassette 32 is completed, the photographer removes the power supply device 96 from the electronic cassette 32 and attaches it to the empty area of the charging device 40. In response to this, the console 42 executes a charging start process for causing the charging device 40 to start a charging operation for the attached power supply device 96.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the operation of the console 42 when executing the charging start process will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the charging start processing program executed by the CPU 104 of the console 42 at this time, and the program is also stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 106 in advance.

  In step 600 of the figure, the memory 96B of the power supply device 96 (hereinafter referred to as “processing target power supply device”) newly attached to the charging device 40 is connected to the memory 96B via the charging device control unit 120 and the access unit 40D. Access is made, and it is determined whether or not the subject image data is stored. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 610 described later, whereas if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 602.

  In step 602, the subject information, the subject image data, and the offset image data are read from the memory 96B of the processing target power supply device through the charging device control unit 120 and the access unit 40D, and are read in the next step 604. After subjecting the subject image data to offset correction by subtracting the corresponding offset image data for each pixel, image processing for performing various corrections such as shading correction is executed.

  In the next step 606, after the subject image data and subject information obtained by the above processing are associated with each other and transmitted to the RIS server 14 via the hospital network 16, In the next step 608, the charging device control unit 120 and the access unit 40D so as to erase all the subject information, subject image data, and offset image data stored in the memory 96B of the processing target power supply device. Control through.

  In the next step 610, the charging unit 40C is controlled via the charging device control unit 120 so as to start the charging operation for the processing target power supply device, and then the present charging start processing program is terminated.

  The subject information and subject image data transmitted to the RIS server 14 are stored in the database 14A, so that the doctor can perform interpretation, diagnosis, and the like of the radiographic image taken.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the power supply device (in this embodiment, the power supply device 96) detachably attached to the radiographic imaging device (in this embodiment, the electronic cassette 32). ) Is provided with storage means (in this embodiment, a memory 96B), and the storage means includes at least imaging object information (in this embodiment, subject information) regarding the imaging subject and the radiographic imaging device. Since the image information (in this embodiment, the subject image data) obtained by photographing the subject person is stored in association with each other, it is obtained by photographing without impairing the portable performance of the radiation image photographing apparatus. It can be easily specified by what kind of photographing the obtained image information is obtained.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the radiographic image capturing apparatus receives the radiographing target information wirelessly, the radiographic image is more compared with a case where the radiographing target information is received by wire. The portability of the photographing device can be improved.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, after the radiographic imaging device performs image processing so that the amount of information is reduced with respect to the image information, the image information subjected to the image processing is wirelessly transmitted. Therefore, the portability of the radiographic imaging device can be improved more than when the image information is transmitted by wire, and the image information is not subjected to the image processing. The image information can be transmitted in a shorter time compared with the case where the image information is transmitted to.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the imaging target information includes specific information (patient information in the present embodiment) that specifies the imaging target person, it corresponds to image information obtained by imaging. The person to be photographed can be easily identified.

  In particular, according to the present embodiment, since the shooting target information further includes information (in this embodiment, a shooting menu) indicating shooting conditions for the shooting target person, image information obtained by shooting. It can be easily specified by what shooting conditions.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, charging means (in this embodiment, charging unit 40C) for charging the power supply unit of the power supply apparatus in a state where the power supply apparatus is mounted, and the power supply apparatus are mounted. In this state, the charging device (in this embodiment, the charging device 40) provided with reading means (in this embodiment, the access unit 40D) that reads the photographing object information and the image information from the storage unit of the power supply device Therefore, since the photographing object information and the image information can be transferred to the host device via the charging device, the transfer can be performed more reliably than when the transfer is performed wirelessly. You can transfer.

  In particular, according to the present embodiment, the charging device displays information indicating the charging state of the power supply unit of the power supply device in a state where the power supply device is mounted (in the present embodiment, Since the display unit 40A) is further provided, the state of charge of the power supply unit can be easily grasped, and the convenience for the user can be further improved.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the charging device is attached / detached to prohibit attachment / detachment of the power supply device when the power supply device is attached and charging of the power supply unit of the power supply device is not completed. Since the prohibition means (in this embodiment, the lock mechanism 40B) is further provided, it is possible to prevent the use of the power supply device that has not been fully charged. As a result, the convenience for the user is further improved. be able to.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the charging device further includes communication means (in this embodiment, the power feeding unit 40F) that performs communication via the power line of the commercial power source. As a result of being able to be installed at any place having a power supply unit (outlet), the convenience for the user can be further improved.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the radiographic imaging device and the power supply device are configured to have a battery hot swap function, the convenience for the user can be further improved. .

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the radiographic imaging device is an electronic cassette, the image information obtained by imaging can be obtained by any imaging without impairing the portable performance of the electronic cassette. It can be easily identified.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. Various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment without departing from the gist of the invention, and embodiments to which such modifications or improvements are added are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The above embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims (claims), and all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention. Is not limited. The embodiments described above include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. Even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, as long as an effect is obtained, a configuration from which these some constituent requirements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the power supply device delivery processing program (see FIG. 8), the radiographic image capturing processing program (see FIG. 10), and the charging start processing program (see FIG. 13) are all executed by the console 42. Although the case has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at least one of these may be executed in the charging device 40. In this case, the charging device 40 is provided with a control unit, and the at least one program is executed by the control unit. In this case as well, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 15 as an example, the case where the reset operation is performed once immediately before the start of charge accumulation by the radiation detector 60 has been described, but the present invention is limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 16 as an example, the reset operation may be continuously performed prior to charge accumulation by the radiation detector 60. In this case, a condition for starting charge accumulation (in the above embodiment, a condition that a person is detected in the imaging target area, a condition that a person is stationary in the imaging target area for a predetermined period of time, or an exposure condition specifying operation) If the reset operation is being executed at the time when the condition is satisfied, control is performed so as to start charge accumulation by the radiation detector 60 when the reset operation is completed.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, without taking the synchronization with the irradiation of the radiation X by the radiation generator 34 and the imaging operation by the electronic cassette 32 by setting that the condition for starting the charge accumulation is satisfied as a trigger, Although the case of taking a radiographic image has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the electronic cassette 32, a charge accumulation amount by a predetermined pixel of the radiation detector 60 is predetermined. When it becomes larger than the threshold value, it may be determined that the irradiation of the radiation X by the radiation generator 34 has started, and a transition to an imaging operation may be made.

  In this case, as an example, as described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-161915 by the present applicant, the accumulated charge of each pixel is read out in units of a plurality of rows in the radiation detector 60, and the value of the accumulated charge read out is determined in advance. It is good also as a form which judges that irradiation of the radiation X by the radiation generator 34 was started when it became larger than the threshold value.

  In this case, a predetermined pixel of the radiation detector 60 is used as a dedicated pixel for detecting the start of radiation X irradiation (hereinafter referred to as “detection dedicated pixel”). The radiation detector 60 is configured so that the accumulated charge can be directly read out without passing through, while the accumulated charge of the detection-dedicated pixel is read every predetermined period and the value of the accumulated charge read out It is good also as a form which judges that irradiation of the radiation X by the radiation generator 34 was started when becomes larger than a predetermined threshold value.

  In these embodiments, it is preferable to perform the reset operation immediately before the start of charge accumulation by the radiation detector 60 as in the above embodiment.

  In this case, since it is not necessary to use the human detection units 140A and 140B, the present invention can be realized at a lower cost than the above embodiment.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although what was shown by FIG. 5 as an example of the form of an electronic cassette was illustrated, it is not restricted to this, For example, it can also be set as the form shown by FIG.

  As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, a space region 32D having substantially the same shape as the corresponding power supply device 96 is provided at the corner of the electronic cassette 32 ', and the space region 32D is provided with the space region 32D. On the other hand, the power supply device 96 is attached.

  In this case, since it is not necessary to provide the fixing member 32C and the urging member 32B provided for improving the ease of removing the power supply device 96 from the electronic cassette 32 shown in FIG. 5, the weight of the electronic cassette is reduced. And cost reduction can be realized.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the mode in which the photographer wears the power supply device 96 after the radiation imaging is performed on the charging device 40 has been described, but the present invention is limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a mode in which the photographer passes the power supply device 96 to the subject and the subject passes to the receptionist. In this case as well, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the radiographic imaging apparatus of the present invention is applied to a portable electronic cassette has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as an example, a rack 45, a bed 46, and the like. It is also possible to adopt a form that is applied to a so-called built-in type radiographic image capturing apparatus that is fixedly mounted on the camera. In this case as well, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the case where all the subject information is stored in the memory 96B of the power supply device 96 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, the subject It is also possible to store only the minimum information that can specify the subject such as the name or ID. In this case as well, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the secondary battery is applied as the power supply unit of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an electric field capacitor, an electric double layer capacitor, a lithium ion A capacitor such as a capacitor may be applied as the power supply unit of the present invention. In this case as well, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the power supply device of the present invention has a secondary battery is described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the fuel cell is used as the power supply device of the present invention. It is good also as a form which applies. In this case, a filling portion for filling a fuel such as alcohol water or ammonia water corresponds to the power source portion of the present invention. In this case as well, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the power supply unit of the present invention in which the power supply unit of the present invention is fixedly incorporated is applied as the power supply apparatus of the present invention has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, The unit may be configured to be detachable from the power supply device. In this case as well, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the charging device 40 can be connected to the in-hospital network 16 via the power line of the commercial power supply has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a wireless LAN It can also be set as the form which can be connected to the hospital network 16 via.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the console 42 performs the process of determining the timing for starting the charge accumulation by the radiation detector 60 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, This processing may be executed by the electronic cassette 32.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the charge accumulation period by the radiation detector 60 is fixed for a predetermined period for each imaging region has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, For example, the charge accumulation period may be appropriately set according to the use of the radiographic image obtained by imaging. In this case, convenience can be further improved.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where the person detection part 140A and the person detection part 140B were provided in the rack 45 and the bed 46, this invention is not limited to this, For example, the electronic cassette 32 is provided. It is good also as a form to provide.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, it communicates by radio | wireless between the electronic cassette 32 and the console 42, between the radiation generator 34 and the console 42, and between the human detection part 140A and the human detection part 140B, and the console 42. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at least one of these may be configured to perform communication by wire.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where offset image data is acquired as the same charge accumulation period as when radiographic images are captured has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, radiographic images. The offset image data is obtained by applying a period shorter than the charge accumulation period at the time of photographing, and the obtained offset image data is multiplied by a coefficient corresponding to the shortened charge accumulation period. It is good also as a form which correct | amends and applies. In this case, the period for acquiring the offset image data can be shortened.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where offset image data is acquired immediately before actual radiographic imaging is performed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, presumed mutual The offset image data may be acquired in advance for each of a plurality of different charge accumulation periods, and the offset image data acquired in the charge accumulation period that is the same as or closest to the actual radiographic image capturing may be applied. . In this case, since the offset image data can be acquired in advance, the processing load at the time of radiographic image capturing can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a mode in which a radiographic image is captured in a radiographic room is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a radiographic image is obtained by a round-trip. The present invention may be applied to other forms such as a form in which radiographic images are taken, a form in which radiographic images are taken at home, and a form in which radiographic images are taken at a disaster site.

  In the above embodiment, the case where X-rays are applied as radiation has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other radiation such as γ-rays may be applied.

  In addition, the configuration of the RIS 10 described in the above embodiment (see FIG. 1), the configuration of the radiation imaging chamber 44 (see FIG. 2), the configuration of the electronic cassette 32 (see FIGS. 3 and 5), and the charging device 40. The configuration (see FIG. 4) and the configuration of the imaging system 18 (see FIG. 6) are merely examples, and unnecessary portions may be deleted or new portions may be added without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say, the connection state can be changed.

  The configuration of the imaging order information described in the above embodiment (see FIG. 7) is also an example, and unnecessary information is deleted or new information is added within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. It goes without saying that information can be changed.

  The processing flow of the various programs described in the above embodiment (see FIGS. 8 to 10, 12, and 13) is also an example, and unnecessary steps can be performed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say, it can be deleted, a new step can be added, or the processing order can be changed.

  Further, the configuration of the warning screen described in the above embodiment (see FIG. 11) is also an example, and it goes without saying that the display contents can be changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

18 Radiation imaging system 32 Electronic cassette (Radiation imaging device)
34 Radiation generator 40 Charging device 40A Display unit (display means)
40B Locking mechanism (detachment prohibiting means)
40C Charging part (charging means)
40D memory access unit (reading means)
40F Power feeding unit (communication means)
42 console 92 cassette control unit 92A CPU (image processing means)
94 Wireless communication unit (reception means, transmission means)
96 power supply 96A battery (power supply unit)
96B memory (storage means)
100 Display 102 Operation Panel 104 CPU
110 HDD
118 Wireless communication unit 130 Radiation source

Claims (14)

A radiographic image capturing apparatus configured to be capable of capturing a radiographic image indicated by the radiation transmitted through the imaging subject;
A rechargeable power supply for supplying driving power to the radiographic imaging device, and at least imaging target information about the imaging subject and image information obtained by imaging the imaging subject with the radiographic imaging device A power supply device comprising storage means for storing in association, and configured to be detachable from the radiographic imaging device;
A radiographic imaging system comprising: The radiographic image capturing system according to claim 1, wherein the radiographic image capturing apparatus further includes a receiving unit that wirelessly receives the imaging target information. The radiographic image capturing apparatus wirelessly transmits the image processing unit that performs image processing so as to reduce an amount of information with respect to the image information, and the image information that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing unit. The radiographic imaging system according to claim 1, further comprising: means. The radiographic imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the imaging target information includes specific information for specifying the imaging target person. The radiographic imaging system according to claim 4, wherein the imaging target information further includes information indicating imaging conditions for the imaging target person. Charging means for charging the power supply unit of the power supply apparatus with the power supply apparatus mounted, and reading the photographing object information and the image information from the storage means of the power supply apparatus with the power supply apparatus mounted The radiographic imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a charging device including a reading unit. The radiographic imaging system according to claim 6, wherein the charging device further includes display means for displaying information indicating a charging state of the power supply unit of the power supply device in a state where the power supply device is mounted. The charging device further includes a detachment prohibiting unit that prohibits detachment of the power supply device when charging of the power supply unit of the power supply device is not completed with the power supply device mounted. The radiographic imaging system according to claim 7. The radiographic imaging system according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the charging device further includes communication means for performing communication via a power line of a commercial power source. The radiographic image capturing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the radiographic image capturing device and the power supply device are configured to have a battery hot swap function. The radiographic imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the radiographic imaging device is an electronic cassette. A rechargeable power supply unit that supplies driving power to a radiographic image capturing apparatus configured to be capable of capturing a radiographic image indicated by radiation that has passed through an imaging subject; and
Storage means for associating and storing at least imaging target information relating to the imaging subject and image information obtained by imaging the imaging subject by the radiographic imaging device;
With
A power supply apparatus configured to be detachable from the radiographic image capturing apparatus. A rechargeable power supply unit that supplies driving power to a radiographic imaging device configured to be capable of taking a radiographic image indicated by radiation that has passed through the radiographing target, and at least radiographic target information about the radiographing target and the radiation A state in which a power supply device is provided that includes storage means for storing image information obtained by photographing the subject to be photographed by the image photographing device in association with the radiation image photographing device. Charging means for charging the power supply unit of the power supply device,
Reading means for reading the image information and the photographing object information from the storage means of the power supply device in a state where the power supply device is mounted;
A charging device. A radiographic image capturing apparatus configured to be capable of capturing a radiographic image indicated by the radiation transmitted through the imaging subject;
A rechargeable power supply unit that supplies driving power to the radiographic imaging apparatus, and a storage unit that stores at least imaging target information about the imaging subject, and is detachable from the radiographic imaging apparatus A configured power supply; and
A charging device comprising charging means for charging the power supply unit of the power supply device with the power supply device mounted;
A radiographic imaging method executed in a radiographic imaging system having:
A storage step of storing, in the storage unit, image information obtained by imaging the imaging subject by the radiographic imaging device in association with the corresponding imaging target information by the radiographic imaging device;
A reading step of reading out the photographing object information and the image information stored in the storage unit of the power supply device with the power supply device mounted by the charging device;
A radiographic imaging method comprising:

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